OH yes he did. One of the things that popped in my head last night was the thought of those who lied to me over the years. Keep in mind there is a difference between making a mistake and lying. If someone told you not to do something and you didn't remember, can you consider that lying or was that a mistake. Some people need reminders.
Reason I say this is simply because a few times I was called a liar and had to sit down and think about what was said to see if indeed I did. Most in the world wouldn't care if they lied or not. I'm not like most. If I forget then normally I'm reminded and then I quickly apologize. I was lied to recently and called them on it but yet no apology because I guess this person had way to much pride. Instead he is on a mission to try and prove me wrong about what I believe in. Notice the difference right away. He lied and did not apologize. He said I lied but what he claimed I lied about was the lie he was telling. So really I didn't lie at all but he lied in the first place but the thought of someone thinking that I lied I had to apologize even though I was not at fault. I can humble myself unlike most I know.
So yes there is a difference between lying and making mistakes. Children these days often lie to their parents but I found it interesting that lying starts at an early age. I noticed at times that my wife would ask my 5 year old and he would deny his action even though it was clear he did it. Right away I told him to always tell the truth. It's as if it's built in us to lie. Why do people lie in the first place? If you are at work do you like to get yourself out of trouble? Something really simple like a client calls and do you tell your co-worker to tell the client that you are not there? Teenagers - how often do you lie to your parents? It's funny because you think your parents don't know but most of the time they do or they will sooner or later find out anyway, might as well be truthful but can a parent really tell their kids not to lie if they lie themselves.
Can a parent tell their kids not to smoke if they themselves smoke? Can a parent tell their kids not to drink if they themselves drink. Of course you can but the changes of them doing what you do is high. Children are sponges in that they copy what they see starting at a young age. As they gain friends they start to copy their friends, maybe on dress or speech. So parents need to be the best example because their kids look up to them. Let me tell you, I started smoking at the age of 11. My first joint (weed) was at the age of 7. My first drink was around 13 maybe 12 can't remember I was drunk. My mother was or should I say is a smoker. My father was a drug addict and an alcoholic. My friends were all drug users, smokers, and alcoholics. So the chances that I would do the same things were high.
Not only did I have friends who were bad influences both my parents were bad influences but as I got older I had nobody else to blame but myself. So in all our dealings throughout life, try and be as honest as possible. Children be honest with your parents, your teachers, your friends, and most of all yourself. Parents do the same. After all what we want to do in life is be like Jesus who would never lie to any of us. The last several posts I have made as you have noticed have been about religion. I hope that it has opened some eyes. I don't expect it to but I hope it does. I mentioned this before that what I believe in and what you believe in I'm sure is different. One of us is going to find out in the end who was serving God and who wasn't. One of us is going to find out who is trying to live by bible standards and who isn't. Not all religions please God, that's clear. So for most reading, we may have to agree to disagree when it comes to religion.
Like I said, I know what works for me. I know what has worked for me. I feel I have found the truth. There is nothing anyone can say that will change that. Just like there is nothing I can say to change your view. We just have different paths that we are taking. So I ask that instead of trying to prove me wrong, why not try to live by bible standards and ask yourself if you truly are. You might say " Well I am because I believe in God " Well even the devil believes in God. Faith as mentioned without works is dead faith. Actions are required. You can be in any religion but action on your part is required. That means living by bible standards and if you do so, then in the end we will find out who was telling the truth and as the topic mentions who was lying.
Has it been hard to live by these standards? Of course it has. I'm no where near perfect or ever claimed to be perfect. It's a struggle each day but I'm trying. I pray daily. I study daily. I research daily. I have to keep my mind filled with spiritual food in order to keep myself from going hungry. There is to much temptation out there and it's so easy to commit sin. This is a question that I have answered before but in email and didn't post here.
How many days did it take for God to create the Heavens and the Earth?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Interesting Thought
One of the things that kept waking me up last night was the thought of Armageddon. When you think of Armageddon what do you think of? Many may think of the end of the world as we know it. Few questions that popped in my mind concerning Armageddon. Why would Armageddon need to take place if we all die and go to Heaven anyway? If we all die and go to Heaven anyway, why did Jesus need to come in the first place? If it is the end of the world as we know it then why did God create the world in the first place? Why did God not take care of this in the days of Noah? What is he waiting for?
What happens after Armageddon?
Many have tried to predict when it will happen but truth is the scriptures tell us that no man knows when it will happen. Matthew 24 verse 36 through 39 tells us " Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be "
So truth is, we don't know. Who ever has tried to predict the end were wrong. Note that even the angels don't even know. Not even Jesus knows. Notice the scripture that says only the father thus also proving that Jesus is the son of God not God himself because again if they were one in the same the son would also know. So again, nobody knows when it end will come. It's also possible that back then there was not a clear understanding of the scriptures since it was not the proper time to learn such things. Matthew chapter 24:45 tells us that we are given food at the proper time that means spiritual insight at the proper time.
The point for the post is this - Every single religion or most I should say mentions that the end is coming. My religion is no different. My question is what happens after the end? Do we remain on earth? Are we all killed and off to Heaven we go? Do some go to hell? What happens? In the previous post I showed that the Earth not created for nothing. I also showed in scripture that the meek will inherit the Earth. I showed that the wicked will be cut off. Is God's original purpose about to take place and also is Satan destroyed at Armageddon?
Revelation chapter 20 starting at verse 1 through 3 tells us " And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. And he hurled him into the abyss and shut [it] and sealed [it] over him, that he might not mislead the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After these things he must be let loose for a little while"
So based on this scripture it gives us insight into what?
Satan is seized for how long? 1000 years and after these things he must be let loose. Who is Satan going to mislead if we all died and went to Heaven? What is the second death as mentioned in Revelation chapter 20 verse 6. What is the first resurrection? Most of this information is very deep and hard to understand but note a few things that I hope that I answered " What will happen after Armageddon "
Satan will be locked up. The earth will be transformed into a global paradise as it was originally intended. After it is the dead will come back to life as mentioned in Revelation chapter 20 verse 5. Satan will be let loose again to see how many more people he can take before he is destroyed. This information as mentioned is deep but it clearly shows what will happen after Armageddon. It shows that people will be here. It shows the dead will come back to life. Hard to believe huh? Is it that far fetched to believe? I mean many think we die and our soul goes to heaven to be with God or if we are bad burn forever. Well, that's all for today folks.
I'm not sure what day but I will post what the bible teaches starting sometime this week. I encourage all to read with open minds and look up scriptures.
Have a great day!
What happens after Armageddon?
Many have tried to predict when it will happen but truth is the scriptures tell us that no man knows when it will happen. Matthew 24 verse 36 through 39 tells us " Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father. For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be "
So truth is, we don't know. Who ever has tried to predict the end were wrong. Note that even the angels don't even know. Not even Jesus knows. Notice the scripture that says only the father thus also proving that Jesus is the son of God not God himself because again if they were one in the same the son would also know. So again, nobody knows when it end will come. It's also possible that back then there was not a clear understanding of the scriptures since it was not the proper time to learn such things. Matthew chapter 24:45 tells us that we are given food at the proper time that means spiritual insight at the proper time.
The point for the post is this - Every single religion or most I should say mentions that the end is coming. My religion is no different. My question is what happens after the end? Do we remain on earth? Are we all killed and off to Heaven we go? Do some go to hell? What happens? In the previous post I showed that the Earth not created for nothing. I also showed in scripture that the meek will inherit the Earth. I showed that the wicked will be cut off. Is God's original purpose about to take place and also is Satan destroyed at Armageddon?
Revelation chapter 20 starting at verse 1 through 3 tells us " And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. And he hurled him into the abyss and shut [it] and sealed [it] over him, that he might not mislead the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After these things he must be let loose for a little while"
So based on this scripture it gives us insight into what?
Satan is seized for how long? 1000 years and after these things he must be let loose. Who is Satan going to mislead if we all died and went to Heaven? What is the second death as mentioned in Revelation chapter 20 verse 6. What is the first resurrection? Most of this information is very deep and hard to understand but note a few things that I hope that I answered " What will happen after Armageddon "
Satan will be locked up. The earth will be transformed into a global paradise as it was originally intended. After it is the dead will come back to life as mentioned in Revelation chapter 20 verse 5. Satan will be let loose again to see how many more people he can take before he is destroyed. This information as mentioned is deep but it clearly shows what will happen after Armageddon. It shows that people will be here. It shows the dead will come back to life. Hard to believe huh? Is it that far fetched to believe? I mean many think we die and our soul goes to heaven to be with God or if we are bad burn forever. Well, that's all for today folks.
I'm not sure what day but I will post what the bible teaches starting sometime this week. I encourage all to read with open minds and look up scriptures.
Have a great day!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Happy Monday
I had an interesting weekend. I was sick. One thing that kept popping in my head was the fact that twice already I was told that I would receive help. Twice it was stated that I would be shown the truth and that my religion would be proven false. It's interesting because out of most that I know and again I say that I know I am the only one trying to live by bible standards. One of the things that I always try to do is say to myself " Would Jesus do this " and if he wouldn't should I?
Can you picture Jesus saying a bad word because his football team lost? Oh he wouldn't well then should you? What about a man who is about to get married and wants to get a stripper. Do you think that Jesus would go to such a party? Oh he wouldn't well then should you? There are many things in life that we do that Jesus wouldn't and wasn't Jesus himself our best example? We can't follow Jesus perfectly but we sure can follow him closely. His followers have done it throughout the years and it's exactly what I'm trying to do. Like I said it's what works for me. You have no idea on the kind of life I had. Most of my life has been lock up where at times the only thing allowed was your thoughts simply because that was something they couldn't take away.
So as I learned the truth I learned that I should try and do things that Jesus would approve of. There really is no wrong in that at all. So what is there to prove? Should I really have to prove that I found the truth? Shouldn't the truth as I call it be evident in my life? What I say and what I talk about is all scripture based. I was even told that I rely to much on scripture. In my response I said that scripture is exactly where all should look toward for hope and for inner peace.
The instructions the Bible gives about family life are pointed, simple and clear. Anyone can understand and apply them. Note, not the part that applies to the rest of the family, but the part that applies to you. Apply it, and your family life will be a much happier one: “You wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as it is becoming in the Lord. You husbands, keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them. You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. You fathers, do not be exasperating your children, so that they do not become downhearted.”
Do you say there is no reason for you to apply this instruction to your life because the rest of the family does not? Then remember, their part of it is not your responsibility; your part is. Would the rest of the family’s attitude change if yours changed? Are you setting the right example, or the wrong one? Following this right instruction that puts everything in proper order will overcome contentiousness and reduce personal family dissensions.
So following Bible standards starts with You and thus I have tried to apply bible standards in my life based on what I have been taught and let me tell you, I have four children. I have been with the same woman since I was 15 years old. I'm 35 now so that's a bit more than half my life. We are a very happy couple. Sure we have issues, every couple does but they are minor compared to issues found in the world. We both love our God and put in first in our lives.
During that time before I became a witness:
1. I used to smoke - I no longer smoke
2. I used to abuse drugs - I no longer take drugs
3. I was an alcoholic - I don't drink often (you can still drink btw
4. I had abusive speech - I don't say bad words.
This is just a bit of what has chanced in my life. So you want to prove what has worked for me wrong. LOL Like I said my worship shows in my actions and in my life 24hrs a day not just on Sundays or when ever I feel like it. Sure you can show me people who had issues with my religion but really anyone can show you problems in every religion that doesn't make the entire religion bad. People are bad in general but if you see daily not just on Sundays people who are trying to live by Godly standards and others who claim to love God but yet get strippers, say bad words because their team lost, and now their children say bad words, it's kinda hard for me to say that they are living by Godly standards. It's Discipline. Hebrews chapter 12 starting at verse 7 through 11 states"
It is for discipline YOU are enduring. God is dealing with YOU as with sons. For what son is he that a father does not discipline? But if YOU are without the discipline of which all have become partakers, YOU are really illegitimate children, and not sons. Furthermore, we used to have fathers who were of our flesh to discipline us, and we used to give them respect. Shall we not much more subject ourselves to the Father of our spiritual life and live? For they for a few days used to discipline us according to what seemed good to them, but he does so for our profit that we may partake of his holiness. True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterward to those who have been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness "
Have a great day!
Can you picture Jesus saying a bad word because his football team lost? Oh he wouldn't well then should you? What about a man who is about to get married and wants to get a stripper. Do you think that Jesus would go to such a party? Oh he wouldn't well then should you? There are many things in life that we do that Jesus wouldn't and wasn't Jesus himself our best example? We can't follow Jesus perfectly but we sure can follow him closely. His followers have done it throughout the years and it's exactly what I'm trying to do. Like I said it's what works for me. You have no idea on the kind of life I had. Most of my life has been lock up where at times the only thing allowed was your thoughts simply because that was something they couldn't take away.
So as I learned the truth I learned that I should try and do things that Jesus would approve of. There really is no wrong in that at all. So what is there to prove? Should I really have to prove that I found the truth? Shouldn't the truth as I call it be evident in my life? What I say and what I talk about is all scripture based. I was even told that I rely to much on scripture. In my response I said that scripture is exactly where all should look toward for hope and for inner peace.
The instructions the Bible gives about family life are pointed, simple and clear. Anyone can understand and apply them. Note, not the part that applies to the rest of the family, but the part that applies to you. Apply it, and your family life will be a much happier one: “You wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as it is becoming in the Lord. You husbands, keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them. You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. You fathers, do not be exasperating your children, so that they do not become downhearted.”
Do you say there is no reason for you to apply this instruction to your life because the rest of the family does not? Then remember, their part of it is not your responsibility; your part is. Would the rest of the family’s attitude change if yours changed? Are you setting the right example, or the wrong one? Following this right instruction that puts everything in proper order will overcome contentiousness and reduce personal family dissensions.
So following Bible standards starts with You and thus I have tried to apply bible standards in my life based on what I have been taught and let me tell you, I have four children. I have been with the same woman since I was 15 years old. I'm 35 now so that's a bit more than half my life. We are a very happy couple. Sure we have issues, every couple does but they are minor compared to issues found in the world. We both love our God and put in first in our lives.
During that time before I became a witness:
1. I used to smoke - I no longer smoke
2. I used to abuse drugs - I no longer take drugs
3. I was an alcoholic - I don't drink often (you can still drink btw
4. I had abusive speech - I don't say bad words.
This is just a bit of what has chanced in my life. So you want to prove what has worked for me wrong. LOL Like I said my worship shows in my actions and in my life 24hrs a day not just on Sundays or when ever I feel like it. Sure you can show me people who had issues with my religion but really anyone can show you problems in every religion that doesn't make the entire religion bad. People are bad in general but if you see daily not just on Sundays people who are trying to live by Godly standards and others who claim to love God but yet get strippers, say bad words because their team lost, and now their children say bad words, it's kinda hard for me to say that they are living by Godly standards. It's Discipline. Hebrews chapter 12 starting at verse 7 through 11 states"
It is for discipline YOU are enduring. God is dealing with YOU as with sons. For what son is he that a father does not discipline? But if YOU are without the discipline of which all have become partakers, YOU are really illegitimate children, and not sons. Furthermore, we used to have fathers who were of our flesh to discipline us, and we used to give them respect. Shall we not much more subject ourselves to the Father of our spiritual life and live? For they for a few days used to discipline us according to what seemed good to them, but he does so for our profit that we may partake of his holiness. True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterward to those who have been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness "
Have a great day!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
1,000 Christian families flee north Iraqi city: governor
1,000 Christian families have fled their homes in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul following the worst wave of violence against them in five years, provincial governor Duraid Kashmula said on Saturday.
The Christians had taken shelter over the past 24 hours in schools and churches in the northern and eastern fringes of Nineveh province after attacks that have killed at least 11 Christians since September 28, Kashumula said.
At least three homes of Christians were blown up by unidentified attackers in the Sukkar district of Mosul, regarded by US and Iraqi security forces of one of the last urban bastions of the Al-Qaeda in Iraq.
"The (violence) is the fiercest campaign against the Christians since 2003," Kashmula said. "Among those killed over the past 11 days were a doctor, an engineer and a handicapped person."
The latest flight came as Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako this week called on the US military as well as the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to protect Christians and other minorities in the face of a rash of deadly attacks.
In a recent interview with AFP, Sako called on the Americans to do more to protect Christians and other minorities.
"We are the target of a campaign of liquidation, a campaign of violence. The objective is political," Sako said.
He said that since the US-led invasion of 2003, more than 200 Christians had been killed and a string of churches attacked, and added that the violence had intensified in recent weeks, particularly in the north.
It was now time for Prime Minister Maliki's Shiite Muslim-led government to deliver on repeated promises to do more to protect Iraq's minorities, Sako said.
"We have heard many words from Prime Minister Maliki, but unfortunately this has not translated into reality," he said. "We continue to be targeted. We want solutions, not promises."
There were around 800,000 Christians in Iraq at the time of the US-led invasion, a number that has now shrunk by a third as the faithful have fled the country, the archbishop said.
He said Christians are dependent on the government and its US backers for protection. Unlike the Shiite majority, the Sunni Arab former elite or the Kurds, they have no powerful tribes or militias to defend them.
"The Christians of Iraq are not militias or tribes to defend themselves, we have a bitter feeling of injustice, because innocent people are killed and we do not know why," he said.
Christians used to pay protection money to insurgents groups, but the increase in violence in the past few months has forced some villages to start organising their own fighting forces to protect themselves.
In March, the body of the Chaldean archbishop of Mosul, Paul Faraj Rahho, was found in a shallow grave in the city two weeks after he was kidnapped.
Rahho, 65, was abducted during a shootout in which three of his companions were killed as he returned home from celebrating mass on February 29.
In Baghdad, gunmen shot dead a Syrian Orthodox priest, Youssef Adel, near his home in the city centre in April in an attack condemned by Pope Benedict XVI.
Former archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey has warned that the ethnic cleansing of Christians from Iraq had intensified since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
Iraq's Christian community includes various denominations, including Syrian Orthodox and Catholic, and Armenian Orthodox and Roman Catholic congregations.
..............................................................
Notice a few parts:
Christians used to pay protection money to insurgents groups. Insurgent groups of course kill people. Doesn't the bible say something that says you shouldn't kill? Are they following Jesus yes or no?
As in my illustration
The Christians had taken shelter over the past 24 hours in schools and churches in the northern and eastern fringes of Nineveh province after attacks that have killed at least 11 Christians since September 28, Kashumula said.
At least three homes of Christians were blown up by unidentified attackers in the Sukkar district of Mosul, regarded by US and Iraqi security forces of one of the last urban bastions of the Al-Qaeda in Iraq.
"The (violence) is the fiercest campaign against the Christians since 2003," Kashmula said. "Among those killed over the past 11 days were a doctor, an engineer and a handicapped person."
The latest flight came as Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako this week called on the US military as well as the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to protect Christians and other minorities in the face of a rash of deadly attacks.
In a recent interview with AFP, Sako called on the Americans to do more to protect Christians and other minorities.
"We are the target of a campaign of liquidation, a campaign of violence. The objective is political," Sako said.
He said that since the US-led invasion of 2003, more than 200 Christians had been killed and a string of churches attacked, and added that the violence had intensified in recent weeks, particularly in the north.
It was now time for Prime Minister Maliki's Shiite Muslim-led government to deliver on repeated promises to do more to protect Iraq's minorities, Sako said.
"We have heard many words from Prime Minister Maliki, but unfortunately this has not translated into reality," he said. "We continue to be targeted. We want solutions, not promises."
There were around 800,000 Christians in Iraq at the time of the US-led invasion, a number that has now shrunk by a third as the faithful have fled the country, the archbishop said.
He said Christians are dependent on the government and its US backers for protection. Unlike the Shiite majority, the Sunni Arab former elite or the Kurds, they have no powerful tribes or militias to defend them.
"The Christians of Iraq are not militias or tribes to defend themselves, we have a bitter feeling of injustice, because innocent people are killed and we do not know why," he said.
Christians used to pay protection money to insurgents groups, but the increase in violence in the past few months has forced some villages to start organising their own fighting forces to protect themselves.
In March, the body of the Chaldean archbishop of Mosul, Paul Faraj Rahho, was found in a shallow grave in the city two weeks after he was kidnapped.
Rahho, 65, was abducted during a shootout in which three of his companions were killed as he returned home from celebrating mass on February 29.
In Baghdad, gunmen shot dead a Syrian Orthodox priest, Youssef Adel, near his home in the city centre in April in an attack condemned by Pope Benedict XVI.
Former archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey has warned that the ethnic cleansing of Christians from Iraq had intensified since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
Iraq's Christian community includes various denominations, including Syrian Orthodox and Catholic, and Armenian Orthodox and Roman Catholic congregations.
..............................................................
Notice a few parts:
Christians used to pay protection money to insurgents groups. Insurgent groups of course kill people. Doesn't the bible say something that says you shouldn't kill? Are they following Jesus yes or no?
As in my illustration
Say it Ain't so on Saturday?
Yes because I feel as if I need to get my point across. In my last post I mentioned why did Jesus need to come? And if Moses and Noah went to Heaven when they died. Well most would say they did but if you say they did well then you are calling Jesus himself a liar.
No I'm not, oh yes you are. Remember what Jesus told Nicodemus? Jesus stated and I quote" No man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man". Jesus “descended from heaven” in that he had previously lived in the spirit realm with his Father, but at the appointed time, the Son’s life was transferred to the womb of Mary, leading to Jesus’ birth as a human.
After his death, Jesus would be resurrected as a spirit creature and return to be with Jehovah. Thus, shortly before he was put to death, Jesus could pray: “Father, glorify me alongside yourself with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was" which is found at John 17:5.
When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a teacher in Israel, Jesus had not yet gone back to heaven. Of course, no other human had died and ascended to the spirit realm, to heaven. Jesus himself stated that John the Baptist was peerless as a prophet of God, but “a lesser one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he is.” found at Matthew 11:11. And the apostle Peter explained that even faithful King David had died and was still in his tomb; David did not ascend into heaven found at Acts 2:29,34.
There was a reason why those who died before Jesus, such as David, John the Baptist, and other men of faith, did not go to heaven. They died before Jesus inaugurated the way or possibility for humans to be resurrected to heavenly life. The apostle Paul wrote that Jesus, like a forerunner, “inaugurated a new and living way” into heaven. Paul said this.
So based on what Jesus himself said I think it's clear that no man before Jesus went to Heaven no matter how good or great of a relationship they had with God. Remember Jesus said these words not I. You can look up the scripture itself. Now, there leaves the reason why Jesus came in the first place. Use common sense. I mentioned that God's original purpose didn't change. The biggest change though that happened was Adam & Eve's sin. God had to fix or balance what they lost. The only person that could do it was a perfect man born free from sin. Remember Joesph was upset because he thought Mary cheated on him but Joesph was visited by an Angel. Read Matthew chapter 1 verse 18 through 25.
Jesus was brought into this world to balance out what Adam has lost. Adam lost life. Jesus and his death allow us to have life. There would be no other reason for him to come to earth but I do agree that he indeed saved us. He saved us from ourselves. He saved us from certain death and it's the reason why in the future he stated in the book of John chapter 5 verse 28 through 30 and I quote
"Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative; just as I hear, I judge; and the judgment that I render is righteous, because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him that sent me"
Two things in this very scripture that stands out. He mentions all those in the memorial tombs which clearly states that people are still there and two the resurrection itself. A resurrection to life itself and after all didn't God create the earth for nothing as mentioned in the book of Isaiah chapter 45:18. He created it for us and his purpose did not change or else as mentioned we would not be alive today.
To also prove that people will remain here look at proverbs chapter 2 verse 21-22 where it states " For the upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.
Clear and to the point. The wicked will be cut off from the very earth. He didn't make the earth for nothing right. His original purpose was to fill the earth with upright ones. Look at another scripture found at Psalm 37:34 which states " Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, And he will exalt you to take possession of the earth.
When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see it"
Again another scripture that says the wicked cut off. So all of this so far I hope is very clear.
1. Why Jesus came to earth in the first place (I'll add more later)
2. No man before Jesus has gone to Heaven
3. The Wicked will be cut off
4. God's Purpose did not change
5. Those in the Tombs will come out
and of course death itself will be gone forever in the future and if that's the case and if that's our only ticket to get to Heaven why would God eliminate Death? Till next time...See ya Monday.
No I'm not, oh yes you are. Remember what Jesus told Nicodemus? Jesus stated and I quote" No man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man". Jesus “descended from heaven” in that he had previously lived in the spirit realm with his Father, but at the appointed time, the Son’s life was transferred to the womb of Mary, leading to Jesus’ birth as a human.
After his death, Jesus would be resurrected as a spirit creature and return to be with Jehovah. Thus, shortly before he was put to death, Jesus could pray: “Father, glorify me alongside yourself with the glory that I had alongside you before the world was" which is found at John 17:5.
When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a teacher in Israel, Jesus had not yet gone back to heaven. Of course, no other human had died and ascended to the spirit realm, to heaven. Jesus himself stated that John the Baptist was peerless as a prophet of God, but “a lesser one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he is.” found at Matthew 11:11. And the apostle Peter explained that even faithful King David had died and was still in his tomb; David did not ascend into heaven found at Acts 2:29,34.
There was a reason why those who died before Jesus, such as David, John the Baptist, and other men of faith, did not go to heaven. They died before Jesus inaugurated the way or possibility for humans to be resurrected to heavenly life. The apostle Paul wrote that Jesus, like a forerunner, “inaugurated a new and living way” into heaven. Paul said this.
So based on what Jesus himself said I think it's clear that no man before Jesus went to Heaven no matter how good or great of a relationship they had with God. Remember Jesus said these words not I. You can look up the scripture itself. Now, there leaves the reason why Jesus came in the first place. Use common sense. I mentioned that God's original purpose didn't change. The biggest change though that happened was Adam & Eve's sin. God had to fix or balance what they lost. The only person that could do it was a perfect man born free from sin. Remember Joesph was upset because he thought Mary cheated on him but Joesph was visited by an Angel. Read Matthew chapter 1 verse 18 through 25.
Jesus was brought into this world to balance out what Adam has lost. Adam lost life. Jesus and his death allow us to have life. There would be no other reason for him to come to earth but I do agree that he indeed saved us. He saved us from ourselves. He saved us from certain death and it's the reason why in the future he stated in the book of John chapter 5 verse 28 through 30 and I quote
"Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment.I cannot do a single thing of my own initiative; just as I hear, I judge; and the judgment that I render is righteous, because I seek, not my own will, but the will of him that sent me"
Two things in this very scripture that stands out. He mentions all those in the memorial tombs which clearly states that people are still there and two the resurrection itself. A resurrection to life itself and after all didn't God create the earth for nothing as mentioned in the book of Isaiah chapter 45:18. He created it for us and his purpose did not change or else as mentioned we would not be alive today.
To also prove that people will remain here look at proverbs chapter 2 verse 21-22 where it states " For the upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth; and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it.
Clear and to the point. The wicked will be cut off from the very earth. He didn't make the earth for nothing right. His original purpose was to fill the earth with upright ones. Look at another scripture found at Psalm 37:34 which states " Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, And he will exalt you to take possession of the earth.
When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see it"
Again another scripture that says the wicked cut off. So all of this so far I hope is very clear.
1. Why Jesus came to earth in the first place (I'll add more later)
2. No man before Jesus has gone to Heaven
3. The Wicked will be cut off
4. God's Purpose did not change
5. Those in the Tombs will come out
and of course death itself will be gone forever in the future and if that's the case and if that's our only ticket to get to Heaven why would God eliminate Death? Till next time...See ya Monday.
Friday, October 10, 2008
I love Friday's
Now that I'm not on vacation I don't know how much time I can devote to this blog simply because I'm not sure how busy I will be. I've looked at the comments and a few things that I've mentioned before that I'll mention again and I hope that nobody takes offense to it. I've been in that kind of world, the world that you are in now. The world that you want me to go back into. Thanks but no thanks. I've been there and done that. When I discuss what I believe in keep in mind that there are several who are looking at this page who are curious and others who may want to just bash what I believe to be true. In truth I'll say what I mentioned to someone else that if you don't like what's on Tv just simply change the channel.
Because I've been a witness for so many years and because the people I've met I've grown the love and the unity we have in our worship. There is no need for me to look any further. Like I said in my illustration. If you were given a job identify counterfeit money what would you study? You would study real money and thus know what fake money looks like. What is true to me and what has worked for me and my family has been our religion. Like I said, I can show you what I believe in by my works meaning my actions. Can you say that about yours? If you can then all the power to you. What you believe in is truth to you. As mentioned this is truth to me. You can as simply put, change the channel. My son mentioned to me that he is going to do the best he can to improve his relationship with God.
God doesn't force anyone to serve him and I've always felt like we shouldn't force anyone. That's not really love is it? As parents we can only teach our children but they must be their own person. Last week I mentioned to my son everything that was said to me. He also reads this. I told him that he is free to choose what-ever he wishes? Can you say the same and what he wanted to do was to stay a Witness. That was his choice. Can you say the same? See I felt that if I pushed him and pushed him, forced him to do my will instead of allowing him to choose for himself that I would lose him. He's 15 about to turn 16. Based on his actions as of late I know that he is becoming a man. But there are still dangers out there that I feel I must protect him from. As a father I must do that. At the same time I can only do so much. There are lessons that he must learn on this own. Also there are things that children might do or come up with that is better than what the parent can offer.
I know for me my son has mentioned things that I didn't want to hear at first but after thinking about it, it turned out he was right. Do we listen to our children? The way I see it is this because I personally went through this. If you look at a few posts ago. You will see that my brother did not speak to my mother for over 10 years. My little brother hasn't spoken to my mom in over 7 years. All of it was for different reasons but the main reason is simply because my mother kept pushing and pushing till finally both my brothers had enough. I learned that it's ok to be strict with your children you want to keep them on the right path but some lessons as mentioned they need to learn on their own. And because of that lesson I've learned to listen to my son. Last thing I want is to push him away. In all honesty I don't want him to go anywhere but I know that someday he might.
So for religion, he made his choice and gave up much in order to serve God. He doesn't do drugs, he is trying to control his language. He prays daily and does his study. He is excited to teach others what he has been taught. He is putting God first and putting everything else second. In my eyes that's exactly how it should be and as mentioned if you are putting God first it would be evident in your life. Just because I study daily and just because I try and teach others that's no reason in my view to bash anyone. I don't take offense to it because really it's not my message that I'm trying to spread and again Jesus was even called names because of what he taught. So I thank you all for all of the comments I will try and answer all of them as fast as I can. Today is my study for my book study tomorrow and starting soon I will post more information on what the bible teaches. If you like the channel hang around and if you don't there is always the remote to change the channel.
My goal is to help all and open the eyes of those who can't see the light. If this isn't for you then by all means you have every right not to come here. What I discuss is directly from the scriptures. The Bible itself. I would be foolish to think that there aren't any sites out there that will speak against witnesses. Matter of fact you will find on the net sites that will talk bad about every single religion on earth so finding sites to try and reason with those who worship isn't anything new. What you have to be is well versed in scripture and be able to identify if a religion is practicing what they preach based on scriptures not human thinking but what is found in the scriptures
For Example when I talked about sin itself and how death all started through Adam. I was asked to prove that point and thus I showed them the scripture found at Romans chapter 5 verse 12 where it states that " That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned " Thus we all die because of Adam's mistake. So based on that scripture alone you have to admit we die now because of Adam. Correct? If you agree then we can move on.
Update: Great please note that I will try and answer as much as I can for all of those asking. It's possible you may have to email me at dycerulz@gmail.com anyway, we all agree that sin entered into the world through Adam. Now, what did God say to Adam and Eve if they ate from the tree? What would happen to them? It's clear what was said, he said they would die would they not? So common sense, if they didn't eat wouldn't it be reasonable to say that they would be alive today? If you answered yes then you would be correct. Since sin entered into the world through one man and that one man caused all of us to die then wouldn't it also be reasonable to say that even people like Moses or Noah, would be alive today? If you answered yes then you would be correct. If I'm not correct so far please stop me now but if I'm correct so far then continue reading. Now if we all agree that they would be alive today then what was God's original purpose for them? Didn't he say be fruitful and become many? Didn't he want them to transform the earth into a place like the garden of Eden but world wide. After all if one place on the earth at that time was a garden like paradise wouldn't it be reasonable to think that God would want the entire earth that way with offspring of Adam and Eve? He did say be fruitful meaning have children to fill the earth did he not?
Since I guess we can agree so far on the beginning let me go a bit after it. Since Adam and Eve did not listen, sin came into the world. Can we agree on that? Since now Adam now sinned which means of course missing the mark of perfection because when he was created he was perfect anyway, since it was mentioned to him that he would die if he ate and he did eat, now it's safe to say that he would die. He didn't fall flat on his face and die, we know this because he had sons and daughters. Cain and Abel. Anyway, so common sense tells us if they listened to God they would be alive today but since they didn't they are dead and since they sinned they passed sin to all humans thus we all die but did God's plan change? Fill the earth, did that plan change? If you say yes it did well then all of us shouldn't be alive today. So if you say yes then you have the wrong answer.
Now because they sinned it took a man and not just any man to balance out what Adam has lost and because Adam was perfect it also took a perfect man and since there was no man after Adam that could be perfect that's where Jesus came in. NO you say well tell me why Jesus needed to come in the first place? Because unless Adam and Eve sinned there would be no reason for him to come right? Are you with me so far? Makes sense doesn't it? Some may argue that Jesus came to save us which is a true statement. Some will say he came in order for us to have a way to get to heaven but is that the case and was that God's Original purpose. As mentioned in the beginning it wasn't his purpose for us to Go to heaven. He would have said so. If all you needed to do was worship God and you go to heaven then it would be safe to say that Moses and Noah went to Heaven would it not? If that's the case then there would be no need for Jesus to come to Earth but because again sin spread through one man and Moses and Noah were after Adam thus they died as well. They needed Jesus just like you and I but you will find no where in the bible that Moses and Noah went to Heaven. Interesting isn't it. So where did they go...Where do all the dead go....And this and many other teachings are different than what you have been taught. It's directly from the scriptures + add a little common sense and prayer and you will find your answers. Anyway, if you wish to know more then visit the site.
Http://www.watchtower.org all scripture based.
Have a great weekend!!!
Because I've been a witness for so many years and because the people I've met I've grown the love and the unity we have in our worship. There is no need for me to look any further. Like I said in my illustration. If you were given a job identify counterfeit money what would you study? You would study real money and thus know what fake money looks like. What is true to me and what has worked for me and my family has been our religion. Like I said, I can show you what I believe in by my works meaning my actions. Can you say that about yours? If you can then all the power to you. What you believe in is truth to you. As mentioned this is truth to me. You can as simply put, change the channel. My son mentioned to me that he is going to do the best he can to improve his relationship with God.
God doesn't force anyone to serve him and I've always felt like we shouldn't force anyone. That's not really love is it? As parents we can only teach our children but they must be their own person. Last week I mentioned to my son everything that was said to me. He also reads this. I told him that he is free to choose what-ever he wishes? Can you say the same and what he wanted to do was to stay a Witness. That was his choice. Can you say the same? See I felt that if I pushed him and pushed him, forced him to do my will instead of allowing him to choose for himself that I would lose him. He's 15 about to turn 16. Based on his actions as of late I know that he is becoming a man. But there are still dangers out there that I feel I must protect him from. As a father I must do that. At the same time I can only do so much. There are lessons that he must learn on this own. Also there are things that children might do or come up with that is better than what the parent can offer.
I know for me my son has mentioned things that I didn't want to hear at first but after thinking about it, it turned out he was right. Do we listen to our children? The way I see it is this because I personally went through this. If you look at a few posts ago. You will see that my brother did not speak to my mother for over 10 years. My little brother hasn't spoken to my mom in over 7 years. All of it was for different reasons but the main reason is simply because my mother kept pushing and pushing till finally both my brothers had enough. I learned that it's ok to be strict with your children you want to keep them on the right path but some lessons as mentioned they need to learn on their own. And because of that lesson I've learned to listen to my son. Last thing I want is to push him away. In all honesty I don't want him to go anywhere but I know that someday he might.
So for religion, he made his choice and gave up much in order to serve God. He doesn't do drugs, he is trying to control his language. He prays daily and does his study. He is excited to teach others what he has been taught. He is putting God first and putting everything else second. In my eyes that's exactly how it should be and as mentioned if you are putting God first it would be evident in your life. Just because I study daily and just because I try and teach others that's no reason in my view to bash anyone. I don't take offense to it because really it's not my message that I'm trying to spread and again Jesus was even called names because of what he taught. So I thank you all for all of the comments I will try and answer all of them as fast as I can. Today is my study for my book study tomorrow and starting soon I will post more information on what the bible teaches. If you like the channel hang around and if you don't there is always the remote to change the channel.
My goal is to help all and open the eyes of those who can't see the light. If this isn't for you then by all means you have every right not to come here. What I discuss is directly from the scriptures. The Bible itself. I would be foolish to think that there aren't any sites out there that will speak against witnesses. Matter of fact you will find on the net sites that will talk bad about every single religion on earth so finding sites to try and reason with those who worship isn't anything new. What you have to be is well versed in scripture and be able to identify if a religion is practicing what they preach based on scriptures not human thinking but what is found in the scriptures
For Example when I talked about sin itself and how death all started through Adam. I was asked to prove that point and thus I showed them the scripture found at Romans chapter 5 verse 12 where it states that " That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned " Thus we all die because of Adam's mistake. So based on that scripture alone you have to admit we die now because of Adam. Correct? If you agree then we can move on.
Update: Great please note that I will try and answer as much as I can for all of those asking. It's possible you may have to email me at dycerulz@gmail.com anyway, we all agree that sin entered into the world through Adam. Now, what did God say to Adam and Eve if they ate from the tree? What would happen to them? It's clear what was said, he said they would die would they not? So common sense, if they didn't eat wouldn't it be reasonable to say that they would be alive today? If you answered yes then you would be correct. Since sin entered into the world through one man and that one man caused all of us to die then wouldn't it also be reasonable to say that even people like Moses or Noah, would be alive today? If you answered yes then you would be correct. If I'm not correct so far please stop me now but if I'm correct so far then continue reading. Now if we all agree that they would be alive today then what was God's original purpose for them? Didn't he say be fruitful and become many? Didn't he want them to transform the earth into a place like the garden of Eden but world wide. After all if one place on the earth at that time was a garden like paradise wouldn't it be reasonable to think that God would want the entire earth that way with offspring of Adam and Eve? He did say be fruitful meaning have children to fill the earth did he not?
Since I guess we can agree so far on the beginning let me go a bit after it. Since Adam and Eve did not listen, sin came into the world. Can we agree on that? Since now Adam now sinned which means of course missing the mark of perfection because when he was created he was perfect anyway, since it was mentioned to him that he would die if he ate and he did eat, now it's safe to say that he would die. He didn't fall flat on his face and die, we know this because he had sons and daughters. Cain and Abel. Anyway, so common sense tells us if they listened to God they would be alive today but since they didn't they are dead and since they sinned they passed sin to all humans thus we all die but did God's plan change? Fill the earth, did that plan change? If you say yes it did well then all of us shouldn't be alive today. So if you say yes then you have the wrong answer.
Now because they sinned it took a man and not just any man to balance out what Adam has lost and because Adam was perfect it also took a perfect man and since there was no man after Adam that could be perfect that's where Jesus came in. NO you say well tell me why Jesus needed to come in the first place? Because unless Adam and Eve sinned there would be no reason for him to come right? Are you with me so far? Makes sense doesn't it? Some may argue that Jesus came to save us which is a true statement. Some will say he came in order for us to have a way to get to heaven but is that the case and was that God's Original purpose. As mentioned in the beginning it wasn't his purpose for us to Go to heaven. He would have said so. If all you needed to do was worship God and you go to heaven then it would be safe to say that Moses and Noah went to Heaven would it not? If that's the case then there would be no need for Jesus to come to Earth but because again sin spread through one man and Moses and Noah were after Adam thus they died as well. They needed Jesus just like you and I but you will find no where in the bible that Moses and Noah went to Heaven. Interesting isn't it. So where did they go...Where do all the dead go....And this and many other teachings are different than what you have been taught. It's directly from the scriptures + add a little common sense and prayer and you will find your answers. Anyway, if you wish to know more then visit the site.
Http://www.watchtower.org all scripture based.
Have a great weekend!!!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Phew
Over the last few days or weeks I have spoken openly about my religion, about my life, and those I care about. I have discussed Cults and how we are not a cult. I've spoken about who we are and what we believe in. I've spoken about what our future holds. I've spoken about evolution. I've spoken about creation. Really there hasn't been much that I haven't spoken about. I've mentioned to those to show me your faith by your works meaning your actions because as the saying goes actions speak louder than words.
I remember asking a Christian who was confused about why the world is the way it was and how he wasn't finding answers. His friend had said to him that he should return to his catholic religion. His friend was a catholic. Then he replied " I can't do that because they don't follow the bible " I didn't bring up witnesses and what they believe in until a later date. That date came and I don't know how it got brought up again but it did and then I started to tell him what I believed in and I showed him scriptures. He grabbed his bible and I started to show him in his bible. He was amazed.
Then he asked the question. What is your religion? I said I am a Jehovah's Witness. I tell you, his face when from being happy to find his answers to being off meaning his facial expression was that of shock. At that moment he didn't want to discuss anymore. I had asked him what's wrong. He said he could not become a witness because he would be made fun of and his family would turn against him. This is even though his family is mixed with catholic and christian. He did not want to made fun of or upset his family even though just a few moments ago he was excited about what he was hearing.
When I became a Jehovah's witness I mentioned that I was nervous about being made fun of so I knew what he was going through. I also knew that my family may not approve because we were raised catholic. I love my mom very much but she had to understand that I needed to follow my heart. As for Thomas I saw him not to long ago. I was walking down the street and there he was. I haven't seen him for several years. He came up to me and we started talking. His appearance was bad and after talking to him he asked me for money. Because I knew his mom I had asked about what happened to him. Well, he got into drugs. He started to hang around the wrong crowd and he is infected with Aids so he doesn't care anymore. His mom told me that for along time she hated me because of what I stood for and how I was. Then she said that she wished he would have listen to what I was saying.
Thomas died not to long ago. He didn't die of Aids, he died in gun fire by another gang here in San Francisco. I didn't make the funeral because I was out of town but my thoughts and prayers are with the family. He left behind two kids. He had his mom, father died along time ago, three sisters, and one brother. I spoke to his sister and we started talking. She believes in the message I was bringing but her reason for not wanting to study was and I quote " I'm not ready to change ". She enjoys her smoking, she uses drugs as well, and she wants to have as much fun as she can because after all you are only young once.
I remember I made that same comment. Matter of fact I still say it till this very day but I don't use drugs anymore. I have done tons of drugs in my life and had two trips to the hospital because of it. Because of who I know, I never really purchased drugs. It was always there. There was a scene in the movie scarface where tony is sitting down with a mountain full of cocaine. This is right before he died. Well I knew or should I say know people who have that same kind of mountain if not more. That day landed me in the hospital or should I say days because it was about 3 days of being awake. I was going down a path that my father took. As mentioned he died of drugs. I am so thankful that I received that knock at the door. It changed my life.
My life improved so much but at the same time I lost much. It was to be expected. I lost my so-called friends. I lost respect. I lost some family. Years later I gained family back. My uncle who lives in New York is also a Witness. We don't speak as often as I would like but I felt an instant connection with him when he came down from New York after my Grandmother died. I also gained a brother/sisterhood meaning I had the support of over 7million witnesses in over 200+ lands who are united in faith. It truly is amazing. I can go anywhere in the world and what is being taught is the same exact things. We are united. Doesn't matter which race you are from or where you were born. Mat 24:14 says that this good news will be preached in all the earth and sure enough it is.
My life wasn't just transformed. Out of all the people in the world, when I found out this person became a witness I was shocked and of course happy. Mr. Purple Rain himself Prince. In 1997, Prince approached funk bassist Larry Graham, one of his childhood idols, with questions about his Jehovah's Witness faith. In a later interview, Graham stated that Prince was in need of Biblical answers and advice and that Graham was glad to answer. Prince apparently became very interested in the religion: around this time he began censoring some of his more provocative song lyrics in concerts, as well as editing various religious references in his songs that he had come to believe were Biblically inaccurate.He was baptized by Jehovah's Witnesses in 2001, marking his formal conversion to the faith. It was at this time that he released the album The Rainbow Children, which relied heavily upon Jehovah's Witness religious themes.
Prince himself said in an interview " Sometimes fans freak out. It might be a shock to see me, but that's no reason for people to act crazy, and it doesn't give them license to chase me down the street," says rock star Prince, who converted to the religion in 2001 and says he makes personal visits to strangers' homes."
They are shocked because he shows up knocking on doors. And fans are sometimes so stunned to find the rock legend on their doorstep that they don't want to let him go. Interesting isn't it. Even at the Rock and Roll hall of fame Prince thanked Jehovah. Then the hall paid tribute to Prince. "Back in the day, entertainers were singers, they were dancers, they had great style, they had great personality," Outkast's Andre 3000 said in his introduction. "We've lost a lot of that today, and so when it comes for me to do music, Prince is most definitely one of my greatest inspirations."
Prince's acceptance speech was brief and sentimental. He even thanked Warner Bros., with which he battled for years and once protested by writing "Slave" across his face to illustrate the label's ownership over him. "When I first started out in this music industry I was most concerned with freedom," he began. "Freedom to produce, freedom to play all the instruments on my records, freedom to say anything I wanted to. And after much negotiation, Warner Bros. Records granted me that freedom, and I thank them."
Instead of thanking his mentors and peers, Prince talked about how he discovered the importance of spirituality and friendship. "All praise and thanks to Jehovah," he said. "Without any real spiritual mentors other than artists whose records I admired, I embarked on a journey more fascinating than I could have ever imagined. But a word to the wise: Without real spiritual mentoring, too much freedom can lead to the soul's decay."
Anywayz, have a great day folks.
I remember asking a Christian who was confused about why the world is the way it was and how he wasn't finding answers. His friend had said to him that he should return to his catholic religion. His friend was a catholic. Then he replied " I can't do that because they don't follow the bible " I didn't bring up witnesses and what they believe in until a later date. That date came and I don't know how it got brought up again but it did and then I started to tell him what I believed in and I showed him scriptures. He grabbed his bible and I started to show him in his bible. He was amazed.
Then he asked the question. What is your religion? I said I am a Jehovah's Witness. I tell you, his face when from being happy to find his answers to being off meaning his facial expression was that of shock. At that moment he didn't want to discuss anymore. I had asked him what's wrong. He said he could not become a witness because he would be made fun of and his family would turn against him. This is even though his family is mixed with catholic and christian. He did not want to made fun of or upset his family even though just a few moments ago he was excited about what he was hearing.
When I became a Jehovah's witness I mentioned that I was nervous about being made fun of so I knew what he was going through. I also knew that my family may not approve because we were raised catholic. I love my mom very much but she had to understand that I needed to follow my heart. As for Thomas I saw him not to long ago. I was walking down the street and there he was. I haven't seen him for several years. He came up to me and we started talking. His appearance was bad and after talking to him he asked me for money. Because I knew his mom I had asked about what happened to him. Well, he got into drugs. He started to hang around the wrong crowd and he is infected with Aids so he doesn't care anymore. His mom told me that for along time she hated me because of what I stood for and how I was. Then she said that she wished he would have listen to what I was saying.
Thomas died not to long ago. He didn't die of Aids, he died in gun fire by another gang here in San Francisco. I didn't make the funeral because I was out of town but my thoughts and prayers are with the family. He left behind two kids. He had his mom, father died along time ago, three sisters, and one brother. I spoke to his sister and we started talking. She believes in the message I was bringing but her reason for not wanting to study was and I quote " I'm not ready to change ". She enjoys her smoking, she uses drugs as well, and she wants to have as much fun as she can because after all you are only young once.
I remember I made that same comment. Matter of fact I still say it till this very day but I don't use drugs anymore. I have done tons of drugs in my life and had two trips to the hospital because of it. Because of who I know, I never really purchased drugs. It was always there. There was a scene in the movie scarface where tony is sitting down with a mountain full of cocaine. This is right before he died. Well I knew or should I say know people who have that same kind of mountain if not more. That day landed me in the hospital or should I say days because it was about 3 days of being awake. I was going down a path that my father took. As mentioned he died of drugs. I am so thankful that I received that knock at the door. It changed my life.
My life improved so much but at the same time I lost much. It was to be expected. I lost my so-called friends. I lost respect. I lost some family. Years later I gained family back. My uncle who lives in New York is also a Witness. We don't speak as often as I would like but I felt an instant connection with him when he came down from New York after my Grandmother died. I also gained a brother/sisterhood meaning I had the support of over 7million witnesses in over 200+ lands who are united in faith. It truly is amazing. I can go anywhere in the world and what is being taught is the same exact things. We are united. Doesn't matter which race you are from or where you were born. Mat 24:14 says that this good news will be preached in all the earth and sure enough it is.
My life wasn't just transformed. Out of all the people in the world, when I found out this person became a witness I was shocked and of course happy. Mr. Purple Rain himself Prince. In 1997, Prince approached funk bassist Larry Graham, one of his childhood idols, with questions about his Jehovah's Witness faith. In a later interview, Graham stated that Prince was in need of Biblical answers and advice and that Graham was glad to answer. Prince apparently became very interested in the religion: around this time he began censoring some of his more provocative song lyrics in concerts, as well as editing various religious references in his songs that he had come to believe were Biblically inaccurate.He was baptized by Jehovah's Witnesses in 2001, marking his formal conversion to the faith. It was at this time that he released the album The Rainbow Children, which relied heavily upon Jehovah's Witness religious themes.
Prince himself said in an interview " Sometimes fans freak out. It might be a shock to see me, but that's no reason for people to act crazy, and it doesn't give them license to chase me down the street," says rock star Prince, who converted to the religion in 2001 and says he makes personal visits to strangers' homes."
They are shocked because he shows up knocking on doors. And fans are sometimes so stunned to find the rock legend on their doorstep that they don't want to let him go. Interesting isn't it. Even at the Rock and Roll hall of fame Prince thanked Jehovah. Then the hall paid tribute to Prince. "Back in the day, entertainers were singers, they were dancers, they had great style, they had great personality," Outkast's Andre 3000 said in his introduction. "We've lost a lot of that today, and so when it comes for me to do music, Prince is most definitely one of my greatest inspirations."
Prince's acceptance speech was brief and sentimental. He even thanked Warner Bros., with which he battled for years and once protested by writing "Slave" across his face to illustrate the label's ownership over him. "When I first started out in this music industry I was most concerned with freedom," he began. "Freedom to produce, freedom to play all the instruments on my records, freedom to say anything I wanted to. And after much negotiation, Warner Bros. Records granted me that freedom, and I thank them."
Instead of thanking his mentors and peers, Prince talked about how he discovered the importance of spirituality and friendship. "All praise and thanks to Jehovah," he said. "Without any real spiritual mentors other than artists whose records I admired, I embarked on a journey more fascinating than I could have ever imagined. But a word to the wise: Without real spiritual mentoring, too much freedom can lead to the soul's decay."
Anywayz, have a great day folks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)