Cremation

I am writing this post because I have heard people, that I care deeply for say something over the years, that has occupied my mind during some sleepless nights; I am not sure that everyone will ever agree upon the correctness of cremation.  I say this because the bible clearly uses it as a form of punishment, however few can make the correct distinction between how someone was killed for violating the law, and why the manner in which they were killed affected their remains.  Simply put, they were killed in specific ways for a reason.

Again, I do not agree with cremation, because in the bible it was used as a form of punishment.  In Leviticus 20:14 the law requires that a man be put to death by burning with fire if he has sex with a mother and her daughter.  Now, because in the bible, each form of capitol punishment used had a specific purpose and meaning, it is significant that the violator's body is destroyed by fire.  In Leviticus 21:9 again burning by fire is used as a form of punishment for whoredoms committed by a priest's daughter.  Now I am sure that someone will argue that burning by fire was used as a means of killing the violators, and that it has nothing to do with dishonoring their dead bodies.  Well, let's look at another example.   

Now in Joshua 7:15-26 a man named Achan, his family, and all his animals are stoned to death first, then their bodies are burned with fire, and lastly they are buried, because Achan has violated the commands of God.  Here the violators are clearly dead already before their bodies are burned/cremated.  So they are killed, cremated, and then buried.  Clearly here the destruction of their dead bodies by fire is part of the punishment.  These examples lead me to question why anyone would want their bodies purposefully cremated as a means of burial?  I am against cremation even if it is only a symbolic form of punishment.

Let's look at another example; In I Samuel 31, Saul and his sons' bodies were desecrated by the philistines after their death, which caused their friends to cremate their bodies (probably to prevent the philistines from further desecration).  Now does this support my argument against cremation?  I think so.  Remember God took the kingdom from Saul's house and turned his back on Saul (I Samuel 15), so in many ways he was similar to Achan as discussed earlier in Joshua 7:15-26. A man that has been refused by God could be considered accursed. Both Achan and Saul's house had to be cremated; even if you say that Saul's cremation was by coincidinece, I will remind you that the holy spirit works through what men percieve to be conincidence (John 11:49-52), but in truth, God is over all and controls all.  I will simply ask this question in closing.  Why suffer dishonor or worse by allowing yourself to be cremated?

Saving a Soul

I have heard this biblical saying used many times; [the saving of a soul covers a multitude of sins.]  Now, men normally refer to this saying in this regard, [if you save a man's soul you will be forgiven for your sin, the act will cover your own sins.]  I submit to you that this saying should not be used in that manner when referring to the flock of Christ.  Now I would like to state here that Jesus Christ is the central figure in resolving all questions concerning the bible, because he is the central theme of it, and fulfilled the scriptures.  Let's examine the scripture...

(My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins).   [James 5:19-20]

(1)  The passage is a bit perplexing because it starts out by using the term "strays from the way" suggesting to readers today, that the person is saved but backsliding.  In referencing Ezekiel 3:20, I am only using this as a reference because Ezekiel is old testament...the person discussed was blameless concerning the law but unsaved, because salvation comes through Christ, who had not been sacrificed at that time.  Therefore James is referring to an unsaved person; sinner and unsaved are one in the same in James 5:19-20.  We are descended from God and need to be brought back to our creator, or turned back to the truth.  Let's look at the passage in another way...

(My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and a saved person in the person of Christ turns him back, let him know that Jesus Christ will save his soul from death and salvation will cover his multitude of sins)[edited mpg remix]

Now by using Christ as the central theme of the bible and only path to salvation, we see that the saved person is acting in the person of Christ, only Christ can lead a sinner to salvation.  We also know that it is Jesus Christ saving the sinner's soul from death and this gift of salvation covers a multitude of sins.  It is Christ covering all of the repentant person's sin.  Now we know that this verse is referring completely to the sinner because the saved person(acting in the person of Christ), which led the sinner to Jesus, is already covered from sin and needs no additional covering; he is already covered by the blood of Jesus.  Peter agrees that this substitution is correct because he wrote that love covers a multitude of sins [1Peter 4:8] and Jesus is love.  


Now, we know that this passage, James 5, is referring to the benefits a sinner receives when accepting Christ as Lord & Savior.  Now I will say that if this passage is used when referring to a minister as the person leading the sinner to Christ, it should be seen in a totally different light; if referring to a minister it means quite the reverse.  Explain you say, explain indeed!

Idol Worship in Video Games

There has been an alarming trend in the video game industry that has gone unnoticed for the most part by christian parents. Well, video games in general have never been seen as productive ways to spend time by parents, however adults have always looked at them as just games, you know harmless.

I have noticed a trend in the video game industry lately. Several of the top games today have made it mandatory to pay homage to greek/roman gods in order to progress in a game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EvP4NWW0T0

One in particular came out this week, Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword, (called the greatest Zelda game ever!!) nintendo has made it mandatory for your character to pray to a goddess in order to save your progress. This is idolatry, and it is alarming to me that children are required to join, be indoctrinated, and be actively involved in a religion in order to participate in a game with most of this going on unbeknownst to parents.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoOd6Li-gaE

 I had been looking forward to playing the game, but when I saw that my character had to pray to a so called goddess just to save my progress, I turned the game off.  Now how many people will be willing to do that after paying $50?  At the very least we need a new rating category for religious references! Let me give a list of games, just the ones I briefly played, that follow this same scheme.  

God of War I, II, III (playstation 3)

Devil May Cry I, II, III, IV(playstation 3, xbox 360)

Dantes Inferno (playstation 3, xbox 360)

Darksiders (playstation 3, xbox 360)

Viking (playstation 3, xbox 360)

Skyrim (playstation 3, xbox 360)

Assassins Creed 1-7  (playstation 3, xbox 360)

This is just a small sampling of the games. I have not included games where you summon demons to do your bidding like YuGiOh and Pokemon or games that involve witchcraft like Harry Potter, and Bayonetta. Please understand that this type of warfare has reached epic proportions. Where is the Southern Baptist Convention or other religious organizations?

Keep in mind that the average game is considered successful when it sells around 4 million copies, this is considered a great selling, successful game. The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword is expected to sell well over 20 million copies. Wow! And how many of those copies are going to unsuspecting christian adolescents? What's your opinion, let me know...

http://wii.ign.com/articles/121/1212220p1.html

Present Day Ride of The Four Horsemen

This is more for discussion than anything, but there could be a case made for a present-day ride of the four horseman of the apocalypse. Let's examine Revelation 6.

Revelation 6

1And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

2And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. [(Did anyone notice how the whole of Europe united under one currency, the Euro, without any battle, without parliamentary debate, without anyone taking great notice? Could the first Horseman be at work here?)]

3And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

4And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.  [(Anyone notice the fall of Russia (Communism is referred to as the "Red Army")and all the waring states which emerged from the ashes of it? How many wars is this country currently fighting, (Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iran/Pakistan)? Four? That's just the wars we are fighting, this is not counting the continuous wars in Africa and Israel(Middle East).]

5And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of BALANCES in his hand. [(Who isn't feeling the pinch right now, caused by high prices? The wealthy, that's who! The stock market crash caused a massive redistribution of wealth, that has affected the global economy. How many times do we hear daily that we are going into uncharted territory; this has never happened before. And what advice do we get from the Wallstreet pros? They all suggest a BALANCED approach to investing. I'm just saying, what I'm saying)]

6And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. [(There are two things unaffected by this whole global collapse; the price of oil never drops and gold has shot through the roof! "The oil and the wine", is also another term for the wealthy.  I submit to you that an argument could be made that three of the four horseman have already ridden and the fourth well, that's up for debate, just like everything else!!)]

7And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

8And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

John Hurt: Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor (Remix)

[Mississippi John Hurt]Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor
video 
Make me down a pallet on your floor

Make me down
Make me a pallet down, soft and low
Make me a pallet on your floor
Oh make me down
Make me down
Make me a pallet down, soft and low
Make me a pallet on your floor
Up the country
Up the country by the cold sleet and snow
I'm going up the country
By the cold sleet and slow
I'm going up the country by the cold sleet and snow
No telling how much further I may go
Oh make me down
Make me down
Make me a pallet down, soft and low
Make me a pallet on your floor
[Michael Green Remix]

Lord, build me  up a pallet on your floor

I stand at heaven's gate but angels bar the door
Let your word usher me in
Oh Good Lord be my friend 

Can I please come inside, I won't sin no more

Make me down a pallet on your floor
Make me down a pallet on your floor

Build me up a pallet high, soft and low
Make me to lie down high upon your floor
Make me down a pallet on your floor
Make me down a pallet on your floor

That ole devil tricked me down below

He wanted to make my bed, forever down below

To burn forever with the spark and tow
But to his surprise, you pulled the wool from my eyes
Make me down a pallet on your floor
Jesus make me down a place to dwell with you
I know your grace will quickly see me through
So I may forever rest and dwell with you
Jesus make me down a place on high with you
Jesus make me down
Jesus make me down a place to dwell with you
Satan wanted me in Hell without you
Lord, that ole devil tried to treat me just like he treated you
Like Peter you warned me of his desire, to sort and sift me too
But I leaned on you to help see and get me through
Jesus make me down a place to dwell with you
Make me down a pallet on your floor

Let's keep this quiet, don't let that ole devil know

Ain't no telling what he'd do if he knew

Make me down a pallet on your floor

I don't need no mansion I'll lay in peace at heaven's door
But to his surprise you told my soul to rise
Jesus make me down a place in your high-rise
Make me a pallet high, soft and low
Make me a pallet on your floor

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Holy Separation

Brothers, I will use this opportunity to further define my goal here, perhaps this is the right time, perhaps not but this is the chosen time.  Each Christian must reconcile some ideals within himself by his own conscience, but one must not use this liberty as an excuse or shield.  Many times I bring ideas to the table here without taking them as far as I want to take them because I respect each person's liberty in Jesus Christ; I leave it up to you to reconcile the idea with Jesus Christ, but sometimes I go further.  Here we go....

There are many instances in the bible that refer to dead bodies as being unclean and exposure to a dead body makes a person unclean.  (Now here someone is thinking that this was old testament ceremonial cleanness, but keep in mind that Paul talks about not using Jesus Christ for/as a means of breaking the law [Romans 6:15] because Jesus is the fulfillment of the law.  So don't stop reading because you feel that Jesus did away with this law because he did not.  Jesus did away with the penalty for breaking the law, please see the difference...)  There are also times in the bible where God makes a statement like, {this is to be observed forever}so you can't just dismiss what God has stressed forever)

Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and when they took him down from the cross where did they take him?[Luke 23:52-53]  Now where would we take him if he had died in this day and age?  Well after the coroner examined his body, he would most certainly have been taken to a church sanctuary for a going home service; the local choir would have sang him to heaven and we no doubt would hear from the pastor about some of his good deeds.  Now let me take the time to state here that in life and death Jesus fulfilled all of the laws and rituals commanded/given by God, that's just what he did, you must believe that to be a Christian; this is basic doctrine.  Now, since we are all in agreement up to this point let me pose this question.  Why wasn't Jesus taken to the temple for burial (perhaps presented to God as a sacrifice)?  Well, because it was not God's will, that's why.

[Ezekiel 43:6-12] God tells Ezekiel, that the temple has been defiled because when men died, they were buried too close/near to the temple.  Now the bodies were not even brought into the temple (as we do today), the temple was defiled because bodies were buried to near it (Now sit and think about that for however long it takes for the truth to sink in).  As I spoke of earlier God uses the terms "forever" and "law of the house" in these verses.  In other words, do you call your place of worship, "The House of God"?  If so then obey the law of the house.  Now have we kept the law of the house, that was to be kept forever?  I can't count how many times I've walked through a church cemetery, just to get to the sanctuary (sometimes, cemeteries are too close to the building).  (Now some astute person is thinking that years ago, the church was the only place willing to bury certain people, therefore the cemeteries became overrun and became too close to the church.....Well, you are correct my friend but that only proves my point, the process that led to the condition was started by the enemy to place us in violation!!!)

Now I doubt that churches will ever stop having funerals in the sanctuary, and I'm not advocating moving bodies from their resting places, but when new churches are built, this should be kept in mind and be a part of the planning process.  Now, moving forward we should be in compliance because by our traditions we have setup ourselves to worship in continual uncleanness, rebellion, and lawlessness.  I'm just saying that we could make things easier on Sunday mornings if we kept the law of the house, that's all.  That's it, My job is done, peace!!

Comments?

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The Thief

There is a song by the Canton Spirituals, The Thief  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI0Ok6yTg8g, in which a thief at the end of life rebukes another thief for not fearing God [Luke 23:39-42].  Today we see many people with a lack of character [Romans 3:11-18], people that make poor choices, people that live in the world, and I wonder how a thief 2000 years ago, a person most would consider to be of the worst sort, could have more character than those considered to be godly people.  Well, it would seem that this thief realized that there are some lines that shouldn't be crossed!  So let's examine this....

Well there are many great men in the bible, I could name many many great men found therein, many prosperous men, and all of them would have a common trait; they feared God.  Name a great man in the bible that didn't fear God and lived a long life...

Solomon, the wisest man in the bible, examined many things, and deeply searched out the meanings of many things and this is what he said at the end of Ecclesiastes.  (Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.) [Ecclesiastes 12:13]  What did Solomon mean by the conclusion of the whole matter?  He was referring to all the questions we have in life; questions about our future, questions about who we should marry, what job offer we should accept, what church to attend....  Solomon and the Thief came to that same conclusion(sometimes we are our wisest when facing death), when he faced the end of his life, the Thief had the same choice that day that he faced everyday.  He said, "Will I fear God today?"  And because he did Jesus said, "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." [Luke 23:43]  A man that wants to be with Jesus for eternity, has to fear God.

The fear of God, should be taught by parents; both David and Solomon (Father and Son) wrote that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom [Psalms 111:10, Proverbs 9:10].  This is no coincidence!  A Godly man will have Godly sons!  (The fear of God was also taught from Naomi to Ruth, David's ancestor)

I could go further, but I don't want you to miss the point here... Satan is a Thief and I tell you that you won't ever experience the joy of being acknowledged by the Father.  The joy of being welcomed into heaven if you fail to be approved by Jesus; don't allow Satan to steal that honor away from you.  The point of this article is this, at the end of the day did you fear God?  Read the last verse of Ecclesiastes....

What is a Valley?

A valley is a broad depression between two high points(mountains). It may be natural to get down when going through trials, but we are to rejoice when we find ourselves in valley moments; we are not to be depressed. (And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:) [Romans 5:3-4] A Valley  represents temptation, dangerous trials, and tribulation, however we know that the testing of faith inexplicably builds character and from this experience we develop hope. We soon find that we are not ashamed of our low points in life because we have hope. (And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.) [Romans 5:5-6] When we find ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death, in the darkness between two mountains, we have hope because Jesus is our light and without Him the shadow could not even be possible(Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.) [John 8:12]. We will soon be pulled from the valley and restored to proper standing with Jesus, in the light. As Christians we have nothing to fear. We must remember that, there is no torment in this world or the next, because Jesus paid the price for us on Calvary; we are redeemed and covered with his blood. (There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.) [1 John 4:18] I myself have feared many things, but we are not to fear but have faith in Jesus who lives within us. Christ has already overcome the world(These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.) [John 16:33 ], but we must walk in Christ's victory; if we wish to share in it, Christ must live within us. Jesus himself said that God is always with him because he always does the things which please the father (And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.) [John 8:29]. Do those things which please God!

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Oath Of Friendship

Friendship is a sacred appointed position. I believe that a friend should take an oath similar to that which a doctor swears. A friend should always help and never hinder. It is said that, “to him that is afflicted pity should be shown from his friend.”(JOB 6:14) I have been elated to see in these last years that my laughter is shared, but saddened to see my pain spread more freely. A man’s troubles should not bring happiness to his friends but time and time again I see it happen. It seems to me that much like doctors some friends take a “Hippo-critic Oath.” If there is a time for scorn then surely there must be a time for praise. I challenge my friends now to standup and answer the call and be found worthy of their post. I’m reminded of a quote from The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears! I come to bury Caesar not praise him.” I wholeheartedly expect that my apparent funeral eulogy will be converted into a rallying cry for the blood of my enemies. They wish to see my ruin but if I should fall much like Caesar it will take three good men to fill my position! I no longer wish my friends to stand behind me, but in front of me to shield me from the storm or if they dare; turn around, face me and see why friendship is the wiser stance.

The Oath of Friendship

You do solemnly swear, by the most sacred of trusts...
That you will be loyal to the post of a friend and just and generous to its members. That you will lead your lives and practice your art in uprightness and honor. That into whatsoever conversation you shall enter, it shall be for the good of your friend. You do so swear to the utmost of your power, your holding yourselves far aloof from wrong, from corruption, from the tempting of others to vice. From all undo evil. That you will exercise your art solely for the benefit of your friend, and will give no information, perform no inquiry, for the purposes of slander, even if solicited, and far less suggest it.

You do solemnly swear that whatsoever you shall see or hear of the lives of men or women which is not fitting to be spoken, that you will keep inviolably secret. These things do you swear. Let each bow the head as a sign of acquiescence. And now, if you will be true to this, your oath, may prosperity and good repute be ever yours; the opposite, if you shall prove yourselves forsworn.

God Has Seen the Affliciton

We oftentimes fall into affliction from our enemies when we disobey God. God is so righteous and powerful that he would not use a righteous person to afflict his children, he uses the unrighteous, unsaved, Hellenistic people of the world to punish us: it is this affliction, which causes us to repent. Upon repentance we are received back into God's grace and given a time of peace. This time of peace is intended to be permanent but will only last as long as our faithfullness lasts, because God is even more faithful to his word. II Samuel 7:10 says, “Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, “

It is important to note here that it is the will of God for this peace/rest to be permanent, but because of sin and disobedience Israel fell back into the hands of their enemies time and time again as we do today. God confirms this in the 14^th verse and says, “I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:” So we see and know that the rod of men is related to the rod of God because even the children of darkness must obey his will. As children of light we should be even more willing to obey, but the heathen in this respect are more obedient to God than us and their obedience leads to our punishment, or is it that our disobedience leads to our punishment? The self righteous person will choose the first over the latter...

 What's your opinion?  

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