Digging for Christian truth?
Hey there~
So somehow you have come
across this. Maybe you've heard people talk about being a Christian. Seems to be all over the newspapers these days. Or maybe
you even know a few, or went to a church a couple of times, maybe even a lot when you were a child with your family.
But right now, you know
little of what a Christian really is, other than some of what you have experienced or read about: people fighting about preserving
the 10 commandments in the courthouse, arguments over same-sex marriages and what should be allowed in the classroom,
whether it's prayer or teaching on evolution, seen evangelists on the Sunday preaching shows asking for $$$,
mega-churches, and how you need to be saved and that we're all sinners, "that's right, you need to come to Jesus and be saaaaved!
(in their best accent) And ultimately, you may be where I was at one time, thinking: "these people are all fruitcakes, all
of ‘em, drama-kings....it's just another business, looking to scam a dollar from those foolish enough
to send their hard earned money in to some address on the TV or the phone number at the bottom of the screen".... I mean,
what in the world? And all you get is some little booklet, and a special blessing?
Funny
isn't it? What is the purpose of all this? And what do these people get from it? Seems pretty clear at first that the ones
on the receiving end don't need to work. Not a bad deal. They get easy money
and announce, "this is the work of God, if you feel the need, please give a “love offering!” Would they
be doing it if there was no money involved? And the worst of it is that some of these "people" are doing unbelievable things.... priests with little boys, televangelists
in little white suits stage healing the "sick" and yet others with sex addictions and hookers and whatever else goes
now. Sad. And no different than half or more of the world. Don't Christians burn
witches, kill Jewish people and lead Inquisitions and stuff like that too??...You must be kidding me. These people might even
be worse than half of the rest of the world!
I will in the following, do my best to try
and explain what I have found in all of this to be true. After seeing a lot, reading much, and experiencing things that just
don't make sense against what all those in the world are telling us and selling, I thought it best to dig a little deeper.
There are things, truths if you will, that become quite sharp and clear, in fact almost disturbing. This is especially
so if we accept that something else really is going on. Many much more gifted than me, have written to this, and
have written in such a way that the truth seems unmistakable. (See some of those at the end of this, and by no way the only
ones...there are thousands) In fact, the Jewish people started writing about this well over 2000 years ago, in an effort to
say, this is it!!!...This is what we got here and why. What's even more amazing is that they predicted the next step that
did occur 2000 years ago as well as predicted much of what we are seeing now (a total degradation in humanity, perhaps unparalleled,
reducing life and values to the lowest common denominators of violence, hatred, sex and money-power) Their "discovery" explained
it all together as a perfectly fit transition to what we see and experience in this world. So many have tried to create cheap
re-writes and their own creative versions or philosophies (check the latest self-help bestsellers), all the while only borrowing
from the truth that was already written and witnessed.
I know. You’re thinking, “whatever.
If you're gonna try and "save me", I'm not interested.
But if in fact you are still reading, then
maybe you are asking some of the same questions. And more importantly if you have reached a place or been in a place that
is unhappy, where you were struck by: what's the purpose of all of this? what am I doing?, what is going on here?, this world
is insane, my job is terrible, I can barely cope with all this, why is this happening to me?, is everything only about money
and how much everyone can get for themselves?????
We receive what we are prepared to
accept, or in the very least open to considering. It is a matter of timing, and in some cases desperation.
And then it becomes a choice to believe.
Look around you. Do you watch TV? Read magazines
and newspapers? What do you see? Most would say that this world is a hard, selfish place. Everything is saying, "buy this,
do that, be like this, take this pill, follow us"...in order to >>>>>>> BE HAPPY. Yes, be happy...and
this is all you need (and what it costs). And then you begin to find the real deal. It's never enough. You have to keep going
back while you keep going farther down...into debt, depression, and worry about staying up and ahead (of what we’re
not sure). But they said I would be happy. What they didn't say though, is for how long -- Minutes, hours, days? They know. The other side that is, knows. If we can hook them, we got 'em. How many commercials do you think they can pump into 60 seconds? A lot. Speed them
up and convince you that you just have to keep up...don't get behind...faster, quicker, more and more things to own, more
sex, more money. “Entertain Us!”….they scream.
It doesn't end…unless you step off the
ride! Climb completely out of the stream. And then the question is “to where and what?”
We become what we are exposed to and expose
ourselves to. It enters our system and then sets-up within our hard wiring. Marketing at its finest!! Be like this,
look like that, be more, be better, on and on. We aren't just talking about improving and growing in a healthy way. We're
talking about getting there fast and cheap...the steroid method of growth if you will. And once you are in, you are way in
because you have bought in and you want whatever it is that "they" are saying you need to have or be! The real illusion is you think you are in control. You are not. And why aren't you?
Because, you have been convinced that being
you is not ok. That your life is not ok, and that we are only what we appear to be. Skin and bones only surrounded by things
we own. Feel sick yet? You will soon. But this is not my reason for writing this. You see there are 2 sides to every coin
and there are 2 sides here. You have chosen to live one of them. There is no in the middle, no fence, no in between or sit
out, safe zone. And this is where we begin.
Evolution of Man
Thousands of years ago, somewhere in the beginning
of time, however we could imagine it, this world began. And given its complexity, many have begun to acknowledge, in fact
pretty smart people with degrees in physics, sciences, math, etc. that things didn't just evolve over time. There is no fossil
record found anywhere in the world that supports so many variations of creatures that would have had to have existed as the
"next" successive stage. There isn't enough time for this to have happened, even with some 10th to the trillionth
power amount of years, because there are too many moving pieces that all seem to fit perfectly and function in a manner that
is unbelievably quite complex.--simultaneously. Where, when certain parts are missing, they don't work and worse yet seem
to just totally malfunction wrecking an entire system. There is a balance. They say that if the earth were on any other axis
than it is on or were any closer or farther away from the sun we would burn up or freeze to death. Hmmmm. Random Chance? Coincidence? That's pretty hard to swallow, even for the big thinkers, who are now reluctantly
admitting some "intelligent design" must be responsible. How funny!! At least they are seeing some real problems and that's
a start!
We know that our bodies and all the organs, senses, and
everything in them are so complex that creating them ourselves is impossible. Amputees are only often substituted a crude
facsimile or have in rare cases been able to use a replaced limb (already made) from another. But we have not been able to
make one ourselves that works like the one created. Even artificial hearts, which are amazing, have their drawbacks and do
not operate at the volume and power of the original heart. Why is this? They say that the natural law of entropy (2nd
law of thermodynamics) reigns. That is, all things tend toward a state of randomness and disorder, unless there is power or
energy directed to keep them from doing otherwise. Planets would fly out of the universe, we would fly off of the earths surface,
and our bodies would disintegrate into pieces and ultimately atoms, (and as we get older, we sorta do), just like your front
yard or your home! Why? Did you take biology or genetics in high school? Can you even begin to explain that a process of meiosis
where chains of proteins are replicating and combining into acids (G, T, A and C) to form unbelievably complex strands of
DNA in perfect order. Even one error can have incalculable impact and in most instances render the whole system bad. This
evolved? They can't even "evolve" it under experimental conditions reliably or consistently. At best they have been able to
alter the structures. But could they grow an arm or a heart? We know they are trying, and how wonderful it would be if they
could for all those who have lost use of body parts! Also, it has been pretty much determined that most genentic mutations
do not "shift up", into better arranged parts or systems but rather tend to be backwards and damaging.
As of yet, we are far from
such a thing. As we are from much. It appears people too often confuse what we
use the word of evolve or evolution for with an equal application to life and living beings, as in flight has evolved
from Kitty Hawk to Stealth fighter-bombers. And this is true. The difference
being: we made the airplanes. Something had to make us. It is written somewhere, that the creation of life by random chance
is about as statistically, coincidentally possible as a tornado blowing thru a junkyard and in passing
thru assembling a 747 jet!! Imagine! Others thoughts of our becoming "live" have been compared to an engine, where
while modifications have been added or adjusted over time for it to run better, more powerfully, and so on, that quite basically
there must be the exact placement of parts in specific ratios all present at one moment with the correct timing to respond
to the "turning of the key" at which time it fires, turns over and runs. Anything missing or out of place, and at best you
get a rough running moving piece of metal, and at worst, you get nothing. Dead. But someone had to make that first engine,
and that first airplane and that first whatever.........AND that first man! Lastly, for review sake, and for those hanging
onto, "but it started as a single cell!"...........need to remind themselves that the cell, the basic “engine”
and one of the most complex systems ever seen, had to start somewhere and somehow. Many of those in mathematics and evolutionary
sciences seem to agree that the number of "evolutions" from that single cell engine, zillions of generations, where a little
changes at a time as a best or better fit, (remember survival of the fittest?), would have had to be beyond comprehension.
The big problem here is that #1) this number of evolutions are not seen anywhere in the world’s fossil
record. We'd expect to see all kinds of stages of skeletal remains with an easy flow of linking between them (since “evolution”
is a slow and incremental, hit or miss process), rather than struggling to find a few new monkey bones every 10-20 years or
so. And #2) the number of generations/years required well exceed any reasonable estimation of the existence
of the actual earth (carbon studies of sediments and rocks). Yes, Einstein, we're talking the number of years at an order
of the power of 10 to some astronomical figure!! You say, huh, dumb it down for me? The earth is not old enough for that many
stages or generations of evolution to take place, given the complexity of our bodies having to come only from a single cell.
Ain't gonna happen. Period. AND lastly for those screaming, oh no, I'm not buying this stuff, because I know where he is going
next...think about this...why aren't we still evolving even within the last 2000 years. I mean we live longer with modern
medicine and better health (well some do) and yet, there doesn't appear to be some super-human yet, resistant to cancer, disease,
and ultimately death. I mean, how bout some wings or 1000 yard vision? A hawk-man!!
You can feed 'em steroids and fill 'em full of plastic, but they still all end up in the ash pile in the end. Morbid, but
true. And if you look around, it might be a real stretch to say that we are evolving in terms of our relationships with others
and people becoming nicer, better "animals". In fact, the world has changed little other than we have more things and more
technology, much of it being used to kill each other more efficiently, decisively and accurately. This is evolution??
We are not evolving folks. Sorry. And while
things aren't the worse they have ever been in the history of the world, and in many ways, may be better off, at least if
you live in this country, than if you were to live in England in the 12th century or the Sudan now, the point remains,
we are essentially the same, with just more information and tools.
My point then is that this
evolution thing seems to have run out or leveled off at some time long ago. But why, since it is a natural law of selection
and fit and development? Don’t “laws” pretty much continue working, like gravity? You’d think that
in 4000 plus years enough time had passed for man to “evolve” some new body part or system that made him more
resilient, able to regenerate limbs, whatever. Mind you, this is not only my thinking. It is in fact the thought of many,
well before me, who have written it much better. And they include experts in molecular biology, astrophysics,
archaeology, anthropology, etc. I only want to hit the summaries as best I can to prepare you for what's next!!! Yep, here
it comes:
Which "Religion" Is the Right One? Or Why Christianity?
GOD.....GOD.....GOD!............you have to
choose. Because there are some very real facts that science cannot even begin to explain (how far out is the universe and
where does it end???...uhhhh?? that's right, exactly). We don't know and we will never know cuz’ there aint a rocket
with a fuel tank big enough to get there...that's just for starters) To sit out is to choose, to not believe is to
choose, to pick belief in your own unique self actualized power, or some other spirit, mother nature, witch, animal, statue,
crystal or whatever else they have been coming up with for thousands of years is to choose. The thing here is that people
are searching for something more powerful because they have this sense that there is…….something bigger, more
powerful and in charge around them and in this world. But people believe in this kind of stuff, and it seems they will believe
in it before they even consider a living God who has been written about for thousands of years. Strange when you think about
it. And how does somone even pick from things none of which they can see?
But you say, Christianity is better??? Oh sure,
I got it, so you all believe in a dead man, who you worship, who you say is alive and living in heaven AND in you right now,
yeah right now. And that what, 2000 years ago, he was killed because He was the Son of God, crucified on a cross by an angry
mob of people and the power elite of the time, and was resurrected because he had to die for the sins of all men by demand
of God, himself (all men that had and would ever live) AND that he was God, in the flesh, here on earth, and that there is
a Holy Spirit that also comes down and "works" throughout the earth, and that all 3 are one in the same????? Please.
Prove it, cuz I'll take my Buddha statue that
I like to burn incense in and become in touch with my oneness...at least I know Buddha was a real man who had some pretty
smart things to say, just like real people with real suggestions and things that work write the self-help books from the bookstore.
How could they be wrong?
Okay. I hear you. I was with you not so long
ago. I didn't believe in spirits, moons or flying monkeys for that matter, but I had read some of those "help" books and actually
enjoyed them. They are some smart people and they have definitely discovered some real truths that are helpful instructions
for us to remember when operating near or using certain types of life’s "machinery". They are real people who have had
real experiences and have genuine lessons that they teach from personal experience.
But, if this was where all the answers could be found so easily, why haven’t people licked all their problems?
Lost weight? Become more active and healthy? Become more positive and happy? More disciplined?
The list goes on, but the bottom line is, shouldn’t all the secrets have been discovered by now with a “best
practice” determined for each to be “happy, at peace, confident, loving, successful, etc.? It is misleading, a sleight of hand if you will, because they do not offer the primary, real answer.
They never will. If you were drowning in the middle of the ocean with 10 foot waves over-head, reading tips on effective swimming
will not save you. Ever.
You will not be able to save yourself.
I had chosen to sit out though like many. I
only knew of a God from Christmas and Easter, nothing about men come back to life that we praise and glorify for what they
did and are doing for us. What the heck did all that mumbo mean anyway? For Him to live within us, and thru us, the one word
and truth and the life??????...........What the heck?? Bible? Isn't that thing written in Greek, I mean it ought to be since
you cant understand a word in it and anyways its written by a bunch of people, revised and edited by 100s maybe thousands
and picked over and fought over for the history of the world about whether what was in it should be in it and whether it is
even really true. I mean how can someone write about this Jesus, almost 40 or 50 and maybe even upwards of 80 years after
his death (first transcripts of the New Testament) and be able to reliably tell the truth?? And this Jesus, I thought he was
like a myth or maybe a man, but not what they are saying him to be. Liar, Lunatic, or Son of God??? It seems he was just a little bit crazy but smart in some things like Buddha, and they crucified a lot
of people back then, I mean a lot, especially weirdoes, zealots, threats to the government, thieves, you name it. That hardly
made him any more special than thousands of others. He was a man. That's cool and a lot of people followed him around. And
a lot still do today. And a lot still follow Muhammad/Islam, and Joseph Smith and Confucius and Edgar Casey and it goes on,
because they had insightful, good or smart things to say about how people should live their lives, be happy, and treat each
other. But none claimed themselves to be God or the Messiah. And none of these died in the manner He did and
for the reason given, and then resurrected (his body disappeared and he was seen by many after his death) It would take quite an imagination to make up something like that, now wouldn’t it.
WELLLLLLLL... little boys and girls...here's
where the going gets rough and the squeamish get out...fast. Because as the wisest knew, this was not something for
everyone to stomach or be able to take, accept and live. In fact, he knew and came before all the others mentioned above.
He was the first to say the things that so many have tried to re-do and make their own. Why? Because there are certain immutable
truths (dumbed down: they do not change) ...there are absolute truths and moral principles in spite of the world changing
up and down each week with a new word spin to twist out of any thing that binds. We
all know what they are inside of us even though some have dulled and or removed their sense of this long ago, and may be quite
fine where they are now. It is a life they choose...and to them it is ALL about what I can get while I'm down here. As much
and as many as I think my family or I needs.
He said, "Those who give their life away
will receive life and freedom, and those who keep their life, will lose their life" (paraphrased) HUH?????.........A very
complex and indecipherable statement it appears at first coming from an absolute idiot, a "liar and/or lunatic". It is in
fact completely contradictory on it’s face.
In the Bible Jesus
said: "Those who give their life away for my sake will receive life and freedom, and those who keep their life will lose
their life." See Matthew 10:39
His point is quite clear however: Those who
lose their life (the way they live now, all the things they worship and everything they want to have/own), will receive real
a life with Jesus Christ ... (they will be free from being driven to the end with nothing
but a hungry soul for more and death), and those who keep their life, will lose it (for the squeamish, this means what it
means, when its over here, its over for good, period. That is, you chose a side, and you will remain separated from God.....here,
and then in hell.......... forever. This is not good) Remember this: We ALL die.
Sorry, but true.
You
may say, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...I'm not going to hell, ... I've been good, ..I help other people, ..I donate blood,
..I work hard, ..I have friends,.. I take care of my children, .....I I I I........" mm hmmm"....
and so do many. But you have to choose now, or later when you are old... if you want.....AND, that is:
1) I believe that when I die that's it, I'm an ash-pile. There is nothing afterwards.
2) I don't really know about God, but I believe I'm pretty
good compared to a lot of people, so I'm pretty sure I'll go to heaven wherever that is or what it is.
3) Well, I'm on my way to hell for sure and at this point, I don't really care since I'm gonna live
it up anyway until I get there, shoot, I think hell is right here on earth, my last marriage certainly was!!!! This is all
a big game anyway, and the one with the most in the end wins!! (Course they die like the rest). Or,
4) I accept that Jesus Christ was the Son of God sent here to die for me, that is: take the hit AND
my sins so that I would be forgiven no matter how many times I blow it, so that ultimately, I can live with Him in heaven
and be with God.
MESSAGE: a GIFT above all gifts that could ever be given, His life for yours! It is what a parent
would do for their child, or a best friend for another, because they love them. It is a theme that we hold as the most noble
and heroic thing a person down here could do for another AND it is what the God of all things has done for us.
AND here's
the bottom line: He LOVES us...........like no one else in a way unlike anything we have known or understand.
Jesus gave a gift above all gifts: He gave his life for yours! This happened because
God is not happy with what is happening down here and he demands a consequence, a punishment...just like a parent. Unfortunate
as it is, no-one makes the grade in terms of how good, or clean or holy we are...basically, we deserve death. Pretty strong,
huh? But, I don't think it would take you long to come up with a few pretty bad things you have done or are still doing right
now. We are not so clean. None of us, not that preacher in the little white suit, not the judge, the doctor or your neighbor.
We are only people with a lot of faults. And inside, on a quiet day, we know this. But it's ok because.....
TRUTH: God doesn't look for you to compare yourself to others. He's comparing you to His Son,
Jesus Christ....and guess what? We don't match up, never will. He only asks that we just accept
who Jesus Christ is and will be for us, and to try our best and ask for help when we need it, to help others and love them
as we would like to be treated by them.... that we do the best from our heart rather than to impress or get us something nice,
etc. That is what the world says: do things for others for your own personal
recognition. God doesn't like it and wants it clear: You ain't earning your way to my house, it is given to you, and not
because you earned it or are owed it because you're a nice person or did good things. Not even remotely likely. Your getting
in because you are invited, by My grace, and because Jesus Christ came to this earth to say this is the offer, and it's a
one time, one way, narrow path deal...I LOVE YOU and the only way to the Father and a life after this one is through
faith:
1) Believe in Me that I am come to die for you and provide a means for you to be renewed/cleaned
and forgiven so that you may come with me to the Father.
2) It is a narrow path, where many will be called, but few chosen.
3) You cannot and do not earn it...you live it and begin so by admitting faith in Jesus Christ and your need for a thorough
and periodic "house" cleaning of your sins and wrong doings...and if you think you don't have any, ask your spouse, best friend,
co-workers or others who have been around you for awhile. They know, and so do you.
4) Acknowledge that without Him you have nothing, that He is your life and breath and provides for
you as seen fit (your frailty and daily health ought to convince you of some of this).
That's right Mr. and Ms. Self-sufficient!!!...You're doing it all on your own and doing great,
lots of $$$$, success, friends, etc. until.........you lose and lose big...death, health, job loss, spouse leaves for another,
accident, depression...the list goes on and on and on............where do you think all those people living in shelters or
curled up in side streets with nothing and no-one came from? They were once kids and young people with hopes and dreams and
.....gone. It's a thin line, and many don't see it unless they are pushed forward
and over it. Then they know. Why do so many cry out to God in their desperation and anguish? Because it is then that we are
most aware of the truth, our vulnerability and that we do not have control over anything, especially when it is bad. We are
desperate and we need Him, or at least we need help. It is within our hearts to cry out to Him, no matter how much of a lie
and crap we have been living in. They say that during the worse times, time of desperation and despair, we find Him and come
to know this Jesus, if it is to be so. It is the time when we need Him, to be helped, or calmed, or strengthened because we
have nothing left inside to do it any more. Tired, beaten and burned out-exhausted. This is when we know with precision that
there is something else going within us. Something much bigger than we are. This is no flying monkey, Confucius or self-help
regimen. They have called Him "Restorer". We will only know this when we must be restored, since you don't fill up your gas
tank if you haven't run out, now do you?? HE is the ultimate peace within.
I will leave you with this. You must make a choice. Your life here will be short. It wont feel
like that until later, but it is, especially when you figure that probably half of it has been used to try and figure out
what you're supposed to be doing with the other half. Some never quite get that far. Some of us did not have great families
or parents who modeled these things for us or made us to feel good and loved by them because of their flaws. But here is the
good, perhaps the greatest news. He came for all, but especially He came for the sick and weary, "for the healthy do not need
a doctor". If
you are reading this and you are weary and desperate. Tired and lost in the swirl...no matter where you are or how much you
have lost, how low, how terrified, how lonely, how desperate or suicidal, no matter what you have done...He knows and He is
waiting. Now. Because He came for us, and He loves us, it is never too late for anyone, only that they would knock, seek and
ask for help. He comes swiftly for those whose heart truly seeks this. He does not want to see us live miserably and then
die here and remain forever lost. Do you? You can come in, but it is your choice
to do so. We are not forced. We can pick which side we want to be on. Everyday.
What are you going to choose?
You will know Him by the peace and solid firmness felt in your heart and chest, where there is
no fear and anxiety, and your mind is clear, simple and calm.
Thank you Lord, for all we have, and all that you are. We love you, because you loved us first.
Have mercy on us and bless our time here. You alone are whom we live for, and you alone are whom we serve. May we shine forth
in you.... all glory honor and praise are yours; in the matchless name of Jesus Christ...........we love you!
.
