I search

I search for peace. 

I find chaos.

I search for love.

I find hate.

I search for generosity.

I find greed.

I search for truth.

I find lies.

I search for God.

I find God.

bing.com/?toWww=1&redig=A471731D28F8407AB32738C1696EA591

faith and our journey: free will and final judgment

 this is what I believe:

• our life/journey is a gift from God.
• each person's life/journey is unique.
• our free will is a gift from God.
• the bible tells us that there will be a final judgment.
• all human beings sin.
• each person's final judgment will be unique.
• Jesus said that more is expected from those who have been given much. (luke 12:48)
• Jesus/God is our Redeemer.
• Jesus tells us that we must love Jesus/God and our neighbor and be sorry for our sins to be saved. 

I believe in God. God has given me great gifts. I have willfully sinned against God and against men and women. I am sorry for my sins. I believe that Jesus is our Redeemer. How will Jesus/God judge me? I don't know. I do know that, while there are many self-proclaimed experts, there is only one true expert--God.

come Holy Ghost

Come, Holy Ghost - YouTube

Matthew 19 26

Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” 

Matthew 19 26 

public domain

is belief in God the same as faith in God?

no. 

to me belief in God is intellectual. observe. think. where did we come from? where did the universe come from? can something come from nothing? I observe that humans can't create something from nothing. not to mention something of the size, beauty and complexity of the human body and the observable universe. only a Supreme being could be responsible for creating the universe and all that's in it. 

faith, on the other hand, is turning your whole life over to the providence of God. 

I believe in God. my faith is weak. 

faith, hope, love 

F

so, how did I do? 

an "F" may seem harsh, but that's the way that I see it. 

I won't go into the particulars. what's the point? I know what I did and didn't do and so does God. besides, that's between me and God.

however, I will say that another "F" word is a big part of my failure--faith. 

do I really believe that Jesus was tortured and suffered a horrible death to redeem me from my sins? intellectually it's not so much that I don't believe as it is that I know my failures to live the life that I should have. the scale of justice is way out of balance--not in my favor. 

but then, I'm not the Judge--God is. 

years ago I heard it put this way... 

Joe and Bob were buddies. they grew up together. Joe made good choices. he was a respected judge in criminal court. Bob made bad choices. he was a criminal--a repeat offender. now Bob was in court on a murder charge. 

when Bob was led into court for his murder charge, he saw Joe on the bench. Bob thought "O boy! my buddy Joe is the judge! I've got it made!" 

when the verdict was read, Bob faced Joe--guilty. Bob thought "no! how could Joe do this to me?"

at that point Joe stood up from behind the bench, took off his judge's robe and stood next to Bob. "Bailiff" Joe called "remove Bob's handcuffs and put them on me. I'll serve Bob's sentence." 

the best explanation of John 3:16 that I've ever heard.

public domain

I should rejoice and be glad that I have a loving Redeemer. 

God have mercy on me for my weak faith.

facebook post from Pamela A. Smith, SSCM, PhD

 

Pamela A. Smith

October 31 at 1:22 PM  · 

On Saturday, October 30, the Fellowship of South Carolina Bishops and the University of South Carolina’s Center for Civil Rights History and Research hosted a presentation by Bishop Michael Curry. The title of his riveting presentation was “Love Is the Way: The Cost of Beloved Community.” Bishop Curry is the presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the US. He became widely known when he preached at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meaghan Markle.

Bishop Curry’s message focused on the urgency of healing our world by attending to the needs of the poor, the demands of justice, confronting hatred and prejudice, and healing the planet. As Bishop Andrew Waldo introduced Bishop Curry, he spoke of a time they were together in Ghana at the site of the buildings which held people before they were transported to America to be sold into slavery. Bishop Waldo said that he confessed to Bishop Curry his distress over the fact that his ancestors had made their livelihood by having slaves. Bishop Curry responded to this truth of his family history, “Don’t wallow in it. Redeem it.”

Bishop Curry challenged all of us to widen our circles of friendship and collaboration to build on our shared values. That exhibits the redemptive power of love. Among those present were people representing many faith traditions and academia, including our Bishop Guglielmone, and, from the state, the new Lutheran bishop, 2 Episcopalian bishops, the United Methodist bishop, and also the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) bishop (who had traveled from Connecticut), representatives of the African Methodist Episopal church, along with other pastors and devoted laity. It was good to see so many faith leaders together.

We also heard presentations by Dr. Linda Bell (known for her health care updates during COVID), along with the principal of a public school In Richland 1 (a district with a high population of racial minority students) Dr. Robin Coltrain, and Mr. Aulize Fields, who dedicates himself, through a group called Turning Leaf, to providing support and transformational counseling to former convicts when they return home.

They spoke of human needs and statewide possibilities.

On the drive home, on back roads, I reflected that building on our shared values and working together on projects for the common good was something we did at the registration desk. I was positioned there between Rev. Mary Finklea, the Lutheran minister who oversees a camp and a retreat center that our Catholic diocese often uses, and Rev. Dr. Doris Hicks, a CME minister noted for her work for racial justice. I see Rev. Hicks often with the board of the South Carolina Christian Action Council. Every step, even the smallest, matters when we widen our circles.

And then I passed fields of cotton on US 21. We need to remember our history and redeem it—in Jesus’ name.

Amen

Redemption is "paying it forward". Jesus redeemed us. "Pay it forward" in His holy name.

Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." Matthew 28: 18-20

biden and the pope

biden says that personally he's against abortion, but he doesn't believe that he has the right to ban abortion. the pope says that biden is "a good catholic". some catholics, including clergy and higher-ups, believe otherwise.

biden has it right--so does the pope. those who think otherwise are wrong. 

you know the story. God created man. God gave man free will. It's our choice to choose good or evil. Each of us makes good choices and bad choices. How we choose is between each of us and God alone. No person should interfere with our sacred God-given right to choose. 

furthermore, think about it. have laws banning murder, including God's laws (e.g. the ten commandments), stopped murders? all of the condemnations by lawmakers, activists, do-gooders, clergy and even God's laws haven't stopped murders. evil will exist for as long as God wills for it to exist. 

God have mercy on us. Thank you for sending Your Son to save us. Amen. 

the seed of the sower

The Parable of the Sower is a parable of Jesus found in Matthew 13:1–23, Mark 4:1–20, Luke 8:4–15 and the extra-canonical Gospel of Thomas.

The Seed of the Sower - Plain Bible Teaching

creative commons

https://plainbibleteaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/sower.jpg

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 8:8).

can we hear the presider when people talk out loud during a church service? at other times when people are silently praying, can they hear God speaking to them when others are talking out loud? 

1 Kings 19:12 says that God whispered to Elijah. Neither Elijah nor anyone else can hear God in the din that occurs in many church sanctuaries today. 

what has happened to our churches? where has reverence for God gone? respect for others? 

why has this desecration been allowed to continue?  

“O Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly. I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifferences by which He is offended. By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary I beg the conversion of poor sinners.”

Lily's 11:15 prayer

Blessed are you, Father of Life, source of goodness and peace, in whom all creation has its origin and by whom every person is loved.

In Father Bill Atkinson your mercy and compassion were made manifest as he brought solace to the suffering and hope to the needy.

By carrying the cross of life faithfully he proclaimed confidence in your love and conformity to your will, and so drew others to you and to the generous gift of your grace.

Hear our prayers which we offer through his intercession so that as your work continues to unfold among us it may bring honor to you, comfort to your people, and, according to your will, glory to your servant. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

https://www.alilyfortheworld.com/11-15 

matthew 14: 22-33

Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how [strong] the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

matthew 14: 22-33 

sometimes at night my nightmares make me feel like I'm in a small boat on stormy seas. does God love me? I don't love me. I'm not worthy of God's love. my soul is damaged by my many sins. why would God love me? it's difficult for me to believe, particularly at night when it's dark and I'm alone with my sinfulness, that God loves me. when I calm myself down, I realize that, despite my unworthiness, God does love me. I know that God loves me because the bible, God's word, tells me so.

public domain

Jesus Loves Me Lyrics ( Yes Jesus Loves Me with Lyrics ) - YouTube

"I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
matthew 18:3

faith is not a formula

psalm 51 

For the leader. A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 

I 

Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions. 

Thoroughly wash away my guilt; and from my sin cleanse me. 

For I know my transgressions; my sin is always before me. 

Against you, you alone have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your eyes 

So that you are just in your word, and without reproach in your judgment. 

Behold, I was born in guilt, in sin my mother conceived me. 

Behold, you desire true sincerity; and secretly you teach me wisdom. 

Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 

You will let me hear gladness and joy; the bones you have crushed will rejoice. 

II 

Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my iniquities. 

A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. 

Do not drive me from before your face, nor take from me your holy spirit. 

Restore to me the gladness of your salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit. 

I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you. 

Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God, and my tongue will sing joyfully of your justice. 

Lord, you will open my lips; and my mouth will proclaim your praise. 

For you do not desire sacrifice or I would give it; a burnt offering you would not accept. 

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn. 

III 

Treat Zion kindly according to your good will; build up the walls of Jerusalem. 

Then you will desire the sacrifices of the just, burnt offering and whole offerings; then they will offer up young bulls on your altar. 

faith is not a formula. 

faith is worshiping a sovereign and merciful God with all your heart, soul and mind. 

faith is trusting that God hears our prayers when we pray respectfully and sincerely. 

faith is believing that God loves us even when we fail God and ourselves.

God loves a sincere and humble heart. 

divine mercy

Jesus, I am anxious and depressed sometimes. I know that I should trust You. You are all good and worthy of all of my love. Thank You for loving me when I am weak. amen

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kazimirowski_Eugeniusz,_Divine_Mercy,_1934.jpg 

Eugeniusz Kazimirowski (1873-1939), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Divine Mercy - Wikipedia

Mark 8:18

"Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear?" Mark 8:18 

we live in a world where many have eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear.

what about us? 

reject the lies of dishonest human beings. 

seek Truth.

universal fundamental invisible forces

there are fundamental invisible opposing forces in the universe:

good..................evil

hope.................fear

love..................hate

truth..................lies

faith...............doubt

etc.

1. every human being is subjected to these opposing forces.
2. we make many choices every day.
3. figuratively most of us "ride the diagonal" with our choices.
4. sometimes our choices are good.
5. sometimes they are bad.
6. how often do we choose well?
7. how often do we choose poorly?
8. figuratively where are we on the diagonal with our choices?
9. singly? and collectively?
10. which direction are we going with our choices? up? or down?
11. singly? and collectively?
12. on a cosmic level it's the war between good and evil. 

Participating in the Cosmic Conflict | God's Character (5/15/2012) 

Servant God | God's Character (9/18/2015) 

Dr. Harvey A. Elder, MD | San Bernardino, CA | Infectious Disease Specialist | US News Doctors 

2015 San Bernardino attack - Wikipedia (12/2/2015) 

Alcoholism is frequently called a disease. Is alcoholism a disease or a choice? While I believe that there's a case for believing that some people may be more genetically predisposed to abuse alcohol than others, nonetheless I believe that alcohol abuse is a choice--or, at the very least, a self-inflicted disease. alcoholics don't become alcoholics because someone holds their nose and pours booze down their throats. alcoholics choose to become alcoholics by choosing to abuse booze. I feel sorry for the family of a fraternity pledge when the pledge dies from alcohol abuse. however, I see the pledge's death as a result of his choosing to be the victim of alcohol abuse--just as he chose to pledge a fraternity. in my mind this is similar to those who choose not to get the covid vaccine. I feel sorry for those who die from covid through no fault of their own. but for anyone to refuse the free vaccine, available to everyone, and recommended by doctors, immunologists and other smart people, is their own (ill advised) choice. why should one person feel sorry for another person who willingly makes a poor choice of their own free will that results in their death?

faith

 faith is believing that God loves me despite my failures. 

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 1 timothy 1: 15-17 

faith mantra

God loves me unconditionally.

original sin

the sin of being born? 

john 3: 16-21

"So be perfect*, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." d. Matthew 5:48

Matthew 5:48 "So be perfect*, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." d.

*Perfect: in the gospels this word occurs only in Matthew, here and in Mt 19:21. The Lucan parallel (Lk 6:36) demands that the disciples be merciful.

d. [5:48] Lv 11:44; 19:2; Dt 18:13; Jas 1:4; 1 Pt 1:16; 1 Jn 3:3.

"The LORD said to Moses: Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy.* a. 

Leviticus 19: 1-2

* [19:2] Be holy, for I…am holy: in the writings commonly attributed to the Priestly collection, Israel is called to be holy through obeying God’s precepts (11:44–45; 20:7–8, 24–26; Nm 15:40–41). Cf. Dt 14:2, 21; 26:19; and Ex 19:6.

a. [19:2] Lv 11:44.

perfect? holy? how can this be? 

only God is perfect. only God is holy. 

maybe in another life? 

maybe.

sharing vs. shunning

 blessed are they who share, for sharing is like the kingdom of God. ... then they asked the king "when did we shun you?" and the king answered "when you didn't share with your brothers and sisters." 

faith 

           hope 
                       love

City of God

 City of God dan schutte - YouTube 

in God we trust

faith is fearless. 

faith is patient.

faith is quiet. 

faith is calm.

faith is confident.

faith is humble.

faith is sincere. 

a faithful soul is a grateful soul. 

a faithful soul is a happy soul. 

a faithful soul is a selfless soul. 

a faithful soul always trusts God. 

a faithful soul always loves God.

a faithful soul perseveres.

our faith is God's gift to us. if our faith is weak, then it may be because people--including ourselves--distort our faith. only God is God.

psalm 119 33-40

 Psalm 119 33-40 - YouTube 

Matthew 17:20

"Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."   Matthew 17:20 

"The Parable of the Mustard Seed is one of the shorter parables of Jesus. It appears in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, it is immediately followed by the Parable of the Leaven, which shares this parable's theme of the Kingdom of Heaven growing from small beginnings." 

Parable of the Mustard Seed - Wikipedia 

City of God – St. Louis Jesuits [OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO] - YouTube 

City of God
John Michael Talbot

Awake from your slumber!
Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning
For all those who weep

The people in darkness
Have seen a great light
The Lord of our longing
Has conquered the night

Let us build the city of God
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the lord, our light and our love
Has turned the night into day!

We are sons of the morning
We are daughters of day
The one who has loved us
Has brightened our way

Let us build the city of God
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the lord, our light and our love
Has turned the night into day!

God is light

In him there is no darkness

Let us walk in his light

His children, one and all

O comfort my people

Make gentle your words

Proclaim to my City

The day of her birth

Let us build the city of God
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the lord, our light and our love
Has turned the night into day!

Songwriter: Daniel L Schutte
For non-commercial use only.

God invites us to have faith in dark times. God's gifts are cost free. We accept them with our hearts--not with what's in our wallets. Faith, not religion, is our security blanket.

"Let us build the city of God

May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the lord, our light and our love
Has turned the night into day!"

does religion interfere with God's plan?

I'm a believer. I believe that God created the universe, and everything in it, from nothing. 

why am I here? God created me. some would say that I evolved. OK. but that doesn't explain what happened "in the beginning". the "stuff" of the universe (matter, energy) came from somewhere. that somewhere is God. with all that humans have "created", there has always been preexisting stuff (matter, energy) that humans "created" with and from. 

why did God create humans in God's image? to choose God. 

should religion (humans) interfere with our God-given right to choose? absolutely not. when religion tells other human beings what's good and what's evil (e.g. what's right, what's wrong, whose sins are absolved (see note), whose sins are retained (see note), who receives communion and who doesn't, who to vote for, etc.), then religion interferes with God's plan. 

NOTE: there are various translations and interpretations of Matthew chapter 16 verse 19. did Jesus really say "whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven. whose sins you shall retain, they are retained."? after all, only God can forgive and retain sins. there are instances where overzealous monks copying bible text may have inserted text, e.g. Luke 23:34.  If, in fact, Jesus didn't say "whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven. whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.", then this is arguably the greatest perpetrated scam in the history of mankind. 

Praise the Lord, my soul

Cantus Mundi: Praise the Lord, my soul (John Foley) 

cantus mundi = song of the world

WITH FAITH,

EVERY DAY IS A BRIGHT DAY. 

faith 

           hope 
                       love