Catching Up With Online Business

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. Mark 11:12-14

It is difficult to accept the seemingly out of character behavior exhibited by Jesus on this occasion when He performed a destructive act as opposed to a constructive one. Of course, Jesus had the perfect right and freedom to make what use he chose of the creations of His own power to teach His lessons. But it is because I believe Mark intentionally let it be known that it was not the season for figs that I am inclined to think of this passage symbolically. I think Jesus was demonstrating His judgment which was to come upon Israel (fig tree). The act itself was therefore one of judgment on Israel who continued to adhere to a rigid legalism that had no inward substance. Consequently, Israel was rendered incapable of producing spiritual fruit.

Stein agrees that this text should be approached from a symbolic perspective. But his interpretation takes into account his acquaintance with Mark’s style and surrounding textual passages. He concludes that this is an “acted out parable meant to teach his disciples the true meaning of the cleansing of the temple. It reveals that the cleansing was an act of Judgment which was coming on Israel.”

Beach also acknowledges that this story symbolizes Jesus’ denunciation of Judaism and its expected demise. He, like Stein, recognized Mark’s connection of this story with the story of the temple incident.

McKenzie’s conclusion is virtually the same except that he suggests the story, is in reality, a parabolic saying of Jesus which early tradition transformed into an event.

There are those who interpret this passage as an allegory of the end times.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, though delayed in publication, is expected to be available early 2006.

You have an open invitation to visit us at AMEN Ministries: Your Soul’s Service Station for reviewing spiritual services being offered, obtain spiritual refreshing and soul edification, get your daily dose of humor, browse our newly expanded Stop & Shop Store and to visit our prayer sanctum for quiet time with God.

Blessings to all!

Comments Off

Hey, God is trying to partner with you! He wants you, to invite Him, into your life. God says: Draw nearer to me; and I will draw nearer to you (James 4:8). However, you’ve chosen to operate as a soul proprietor. God is willing to take all your worries, all your cares and all your problems. In return, He is offering eternal life, a perfect peace, unconditional love and riches in your house. The contract further stipulates that God will always protect and take care of you. It is agreed that the Power belongs to God (Psalms 62:11), but is yours for the asking. God hereby designates that He will provide all your needs and give you joy, unspeakable.

I really don’t think it gets any better than this. I mean, who really succeeds in anything alone? Many of us often wonder: Why can’t I get ahead? Is it possible that we can’t get ahead because we keep leaving God, behind? When we partner with God, we trust, whole-heartedly that He can and will take care of us. We live our lives knowing that God has everything in control. Whereas, when we choose to operate as a soul proprietor, we tell God that we are in control and that He is not invited to be a part of our lives. This illustrates a lack of trust and a lack of knowing. How can we ever be successful under these conditions?

Give God a partnership in your life today and immediately receive the keys to His Kingdom.

Fran Briggs is an author and “motivational speaker of the inspirational kind.” She has written and published several articles, manuals and books including, “Seeds for Success.” This prominent voice of inspiration speaks to audiences of children and adults of all ages and backgrounds with the aim of inspiring them to their respective level of greatness. For more informaiton and resources that maximize human potential, visit http://www.franbriggs.com and sign up for your free successzine.

Comments Off

Daniel 2:44-11:35

To begin with, what is prophecy? It’s the study of future events. There are those who think that the rapture has already taken place, and that Jesus has already set up His kingdom on earth. I’m here to show that this type of thinking was the same in Paul’s time.

Lets look at 2nd Thessalonians, 2:1-5. A letter had been forged in Paul’s name and was sent to the Church stating that the rapture had already taken place. 2nd Thes 2:1-5 “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, nether by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you. The church here at Thessalonia was upset, for they relieved a false letter in Paul’s name, they were sad because, they thought that they were lost because they believed that the church had already been raptured. What a blow that had to be on these people, waiting on Jesus to return and take them home and then hearing that He had already come and gone. Isn’t that what were hearing today? Prophecy has to take specific time lines that were set up by God.

There are over 230 prophetic verses in scripture that have to line up and be fulfilled before the rapture can take place. Unless otherwise noted, prophecy must be taken literally to be understood. There are two distinct fazes, listed in scripture, may I say, more than once, The first is the rapture and the second is the glorious appearing. Some reference for these are, Mth. 24:29-31, 25:31-46., Dan 2:35-44., Rev. 19:11-21. Look at John 14:1-3., 2nd Cor. 5:8-10 and Rev 19:1-10, These last three should be read in conjunction with each other. As you’ve noticed a lot of prophecy times are lined up with each other in one or two single verses. That is the reason we have to look carefully at each verse to see weather there are more than one event taking place.

Here are some of the rapture passages listed in scripture. John 1`4:1-3 Phil 4:5 1Tim 6:14, Jude 21, Heb.9:28, and these are just a few. As you can see, God in His wisdom gave us the tools and information to decipher prophecy, and if it was important for God to install these prophecy passages, we should try to understand them.

The second coming passages or Glorious Appearing passages are just as long and start from Dan 2:44-45 thru Rev 22:7,12 and 20. This is just the beginning of the study of the rapture and by no means are we even half way thru. Lets look at Daniel and the entire 70 weeks in retrospect. Daniel 9:24-27. 1st we have the Babylonian captivity, Cyrus decree to rebuild Jerusalem, then we have the restoration of 49 years, rebuilding the temple and the city walls under two different men. 1. Ezra and 2. Nehemiah. Next we have the 434 years of silence, or 62 heptads until Messiah shall be cut off but not for Himself. And Jesus crucified, this is 483 years. That leaves 1 heptad or 1 seven year period of tribulation for the Jews, which is called in Jer. 30:3-11, the time of Jacobs trouble. End of 1st Lesson

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R. Smith Sermons International
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Comments Off

If you look at just the man/women after he/she has died, what part of the humanity do you eulogize?

Every person has something to bring to us in his or her death; it is a gift from the other side and is the knowledge of the past and an open door to a new path for the future. The life lived by any person can motivate us to a brighter and more enlightened future.

Most of us try to eulogize all the good stuff we know of the person, and yet there is much to be learned about of this person and his life from the dark side as well, the side that we know little about. Our lives are all physical statements of how enlightened we are and were we stand on the path to total awareness; it is our thought process gone physical.

One’s light can only shine from the background of darkness and if light was all that there was we would not know it.

The Late John Paul II, leader of the Roman Catholic Church died leaving behind Christianity’s testament to the dark side of humanity.

On the lighter side of the Pope’s tenure at the Vatican, he made several gestures of reform marking his higher level of awareness for all of history to learn from. He openly admitted and apologized for the evil and wrong doing of the Church over thousands of years of its history. He apologized for the “Holy Wars,” and the murders and persecutions of persons who spoke out against Catholic policy and believes. He apologized for the persecution of the Jews, reformers and other philosophers of the times.

The Pope recognized that some of the atrocities the church did in the past did not work for it and he spoke out. The apologies brought to light the need for reform in the Catholic Church, Christianity and all religions. I believe that the Pope did not go far enough, and it may have been the best that he could do in his short time. It may also be a move to try and bring back believers to the fold by appearing to be progressive, repentant and apologetic.

What the Pope brought into the light was the dark side of humanity and the Roman Catholic Church. Men cloaked in good deeds are well camouflaged; those that could not see suffered and died for the Church that was in contradiction with itself.

The church has been primarily responsibly for the division of man from man, man from woman and man from God and its general policies have not changed in John Paul’s administration.

The church still promotes oppression, fear and guilt and I don’t remember hearing the Pope proclaim that its members are free to explore their own spirituality outside of the doctrine of the Catholic Church (the box). I don’t remember hearing him say that the soul is a free spirit to choose how it wishes to experience its physical life. Catholics are not free people within the body of the church and Christianity continues to promote fear, guilt, oppression and regression.

The Pope stopped short of freeing his people while the church still practices assimilation.

As people from around the world eulogized the Pope, what is the gift that they will receive from his death? Will they see the need to open up the box and set the spirit free or make the reins even tighter? What was the purpose for John Paul II and what did the man bring to the world? Was he just another Pope perpetuating the doctrines of a dying church, or did he bring some new life into it.

The man has died, but the Pope left a sign behind for all to read and all people will not read it the same way. John Paul II represented the light that shines in Catholicism and also the dark side of Christianity and religion. In this new awareness comes the opportunity for change and enlightenment.

Man can never be the light, he can only move back to it. Religion can never be God; it is man’s attempt to explain God. The church can never be God or represent collectively man’s awareness of spirituality and it can never interpret what God wants for man, because God is in all men and women. God is all that there is, and there is nothing else, all of life is God. Humankind’s attempt to put spirituality into a box has failed; it is obvious that what humanity wanted from the Church has not worked for him. To know what God wants man only needs to look around him, and know that all that was created is perfect and is in harmony with God’s will. Life has only one will and that is to create more life.

What humanity gets out of the death of a Pope will be that of his own resolve, from plain ignorance of the fact to loss and grief. The Pope himself was just a physical symbol of ancient philosophy, but he was also a man amongst men and his presence was known; he reached the epitome of a personal wish to serve what he believed to be his truth, for better or worse and no man can do more.

Let the death of this Pope be the death of the dark side of the Catholic Church and Christianity. Let us celebrate the man that brought us light and the beginning of a new age of awareness. It is my hope that it will be used as a stepping stone into enlightenment.

Roy E. Klienwachter is a resident of British Columbia, Canada. A student of NLP, ordained minister, New Age Light Worker and Teacher. Roy has written and published five books on New Age wisdom. Roy’s books are thought provoking and designed to empower you to take responsibility for your life and what you create. His books and articles are written in the simplicity and eloquence of Zen wisdom.

You may not always agree with what he has to say. You will always come away with a new perspective and your thinking will never be the same.

Roy’s style is honest and comes straight from the heart without all the metaphorical mumble jumble and BS.

Visit Roy at: http://www.klienwachter.com

Comments Off

When I was a resident Chaplain at the University of Kentucky, I would often baptize those who were dying. On one occasion, I was given the task of baptizing an aborted child that did not make it through labor. I was given a small fetus that was not much bigger than my thumb. I remember wondering what this infant’s mother looked like and who was the father. What were they going through? I wondered who was helping them through their grief. This fetus was given to me in a back room by the nurse to baptize before further procedures were to take place. In the back of my mind, I began to imagine what this child’s life would have been like if this child had of lived. What baring on the parents would all this create in their heart and in their soul?

There are several places for a person to find comfort and healing. Your local Hospice Care Program has several support groups with qualified therapists to assist you in sharing your grief. Your local hospital has social workers and chaplains to guide you through this difficult time. Also, hospital social workers have a list of groups in the community to give you in finding a caring group to share your grief. Your Minister and friends will help you too. And, if you have a pet, they grieve to. Give them attention. They will draw close to you.

In the meantime, be good to yourself. Eat right. Take walks. Take time to listen to your heart recall memories of your loved one who has passed on into a deeper place in your heart only your soul can embrace. There are several books on grief. Often we heal in the deepest parts of our being before we notice it physically. This journey into the heart is a predictable one. I would like to recommend my book “Integrating the Feminine Spirit: Returning to the Womb of Creation.” This is a book about the journey into one’s heart and soul. I do know that this took place over 16 years ago. I can still remember this event as though it were yesterday. I was alone with this fetus and nurse. I did anoint this child. In a way, I believe the child anointed me as well. This child, to this day, has left an image in my mind and heart that lives and breathes through my recalling this story. This child has left an imprint on my Soul and shown me a way into Eternity. Samuel Oliver, author of, “What the Dying Teach Us: Lessons on Living” For more on this author; http://www.soulandspirit.org

Comments Off

Mr. Arlen Berkey, in “The Work of God in the Laodicean Era,” makes a statement nobody in God’s Church would disagree with: “The whole world will soon know about the two witnesses. They will not be welcome by this world.”

We are not responsible for how the world reacts to these two men (it does NOT say ministers), however, we should question whether the two witnesses will be welcome by God’s Church!

Does that sound preposterous? Presumptuous? Not if you’re well-versed in holy Scripture! It was often the religious who opposed the Prophets and it was the religious leaders who stirred up the people to cry out against Jesus: “Crucify Him!” There is nothing new under the sun.

The two witnesses will be sent by God in the spirit of Elijah. The chief spokesman between the two will hail from the royal house of David and fulfills the Elijah role and will shake up the earth by his God-given MESSAGE and MIRACLES! (Zechariah 12:8).

Herbert W. Armstrong, in the spirit of Elijah, laid the foundation for such a great Work, and restored precious truths to God’s CHURCH. Jesus Christ will restore God’s government to the entire Earth (Acts 3:21). The interlude finds the leader of the two witnesses, in the spirit of Elijah/HWA, restoring truth to the NATION of Israel (Malachi 4:4). There is no contradiction! This is based upon the Law and the Covenant and is testifed to by the Prophets.

Some might initially resist God’s choice of men to fulfill the controversial roles of the two witnesses (Jeremiah 15:10). Even Moses’ met rejection by his own people God sent him to save (Acts 7:25, 35). Moses and Aaron met first with the elders of Israel before going before pharaoh (Exodus 4:29). God’s Church will know the identity of the two witnesses before the world sees them take the stand in Jerusalem.

God’s apostle, Herbert W. Armstrong, saw we must reach “the cities of Judah” and yet God didn’t permit him to do it! But God will give Judah His Message, last but not least! God has been raising up someone for this very purpose (Isaiah 41:27).

Mr. Armstrong also began to see that God’s Church has a DIVINE COMMISSION to help physically prepare for Christ’s coming to Jerusalem! Read and believe it for yourself in Mr. Armstrong’s autobiography and wonder why you haven’t heard any of your ministers preaching about it or chomping at the bit to get it done!

Soon the two witnesses will rise and shine in this world of darkness, and finish the Work that God has given us to do. Jesus Christ is returning in this generation! May we be found worthy to escape the nuclear blitzkrieg about to strike, and to stand before Christ when He returns to claim David’s Throne in Jerusalem!

Please check out - prayerfully - the following links:

Mideast Commission and

Elijah’s Unfinished Business.

Last but not least is the two witnesses of Revelation 11.

And, here’s some kosher food for thought:

Will an earthquake bring water to the deserts? Preparing the way for God’s Church to enter “Her Place?” (Isaiah 43:20).

For Zion’s Sake,

David Ben-Ariel

Comments Off

We all face times in our lives when a situation seems hopeless. We’ve done all we can, but to no avail. The problem could be financial struggles, rebellious teens, a marriage on the rocks, illness, or a host of other needs.

I love to remember this little Sunday School song when these valleys come into my life.

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable?
Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?
God specializes in things thought impossible.
And he can do what no other power can do!

Let’s take comfort and assurance in the fact that with God, all things are possible. He is able to do immeasurably more than we all we can ask or imagine!
(Mark 10:27, Ephesians 3:20)

About the Author

Jessica Gerald is a Christian wife, mother of two sons, and an elementary school teacher of thirty years. Her website is Ladies Ministry Online.
http://www.ladiesministryonline.com

Comments Off

There is a battle raging in the state of Illinois regarding the dispensing of medicines designed to induce abortions. Many pharmacists object to filling these prescriptions on moral and ethical grounds. Many see this as an infringement upon the doctor - patient relationship. However, Dr. Kurt Grady of the Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International offers an alternative view. His article first appeared in the Official Journal of Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International in the fall of 2005. He is one of the few that have spoken out in defense of pharmacists, and some in the pro-life movement consider this too hot to handle. However, I interviewed Dr. Grady regarding this issue and have included his thoughts in this article. Now, Dr. Grady:

“We are indeed all familiar with the battle that has been raging in our profession regarding pharmacists refusing to dispense drugs for abortion. Recently, our brethren at the American Medical Association (AMA) have joined in the fray by approving a new policy to encourage States to allow physicians to dispense medications when there is no pharmacist nearby (within a 30-mile radius) willing to do so. The AMA asserts large numbers of pharmacists are refusing to fill prescriptions for contraceptives and abortifacients. Some pharmacists, according to AMA delegates, are also refusing to dispense psychotropic and pain medications.

In addition, the policy-making body alleges pharmacists are refusing to return unfilled prescriptions to patients, thus preventing them from taking the prescriptions elsewhere, and they are “lecturing” patients about the drugs. While these accusations may sound extreme, I have no doubt there is at least a “grain” of truth therein. While I do not believe we have a right to confiscate legally written prescriptions, I do believe we have an obligation to counsel patients regarding the medications they are or are about to take. This is our professional duty and it is imputed upon us, so to speak, through our taking of the pharmacist’s oath. As it may have been a few years since we studied the oath, I have included it below and have specifically related it to the issue of dispensing abortifacients further below.
Oath of a Pharmacist:

“At this time, I vow to devote my professional life to the service of all humankind through the profession of pharmacy. I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of human suffering my primary concerns. I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal drug therapy outcomes for the patients I serve. I will keep abreast of developments and maintain professional competency in my profession of pharmacy. I will embrace and advocate change in the profession of pharmacy that improves patient care. I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.”

The recent issues addressed by the AMA, particularly those related to our refusal to fill prescriptions specifically designed to end a human life, go to the very heart of the pro-life moral position. As Christians, we view the beginning of life as the moment of conception. It is that miracle moment, which science cannot completely describe, where God fashions a human soul with a divine purpose.

Jeremiah 1:5 illustrates the beauty of God’s authorship of mankind as God speaks of His Sovereign purposes. Luke 1:41-44 shows that the purposes of God begin prior to birth as John’s first act as the forerunner of Jesus was to leap in his mother’s womb when the as-yet unborn Lord approached. God indeed has a purpose for all from even before the time of conception. Thus, we look at our oath in perhaps a different light than others. Our view is a biblical worldview. Consider our oath sentence by sentence:

1. “At this time, I vow to devote my professional life to the service of all humankind through the profession of pharmacy.”

All humankind includes those who are not yet born because life begins at conception. As a pharmacist I must consider an unborn baby as a patient.

2. “I will consider the welfare of humanity and relief of human suffering my primary concerns.”

Ending a human life does not consider his/her welfare and actually increases human suffering as many who have undergone abortions suffer physically and emotionally for years. (See Johnson T. Christianity and Pharmacy 2005;8 (l):21-22). Additionally, there is blessing in suffering, though that is yet another topic…see Romans 8:28-39.

3. “I will apply my knowledge, experience, and skills to the best of my ability to assure optimal drug therapy outcomes for the patients I serve.”

Ending his/her life is not and “optimal drug therapy outcome” for my patient.

4. “I will keep abreast of developments and maintain professional competency in my profession of pharmacy.”

Not all developments in medicine or pharmacy are positive according to a biblical worldview. God allows discovery through general revelation, yet how we apply that discovery determines its usefulness. There is no room for pragmatism in a biblical worldview.

5. “I will embrace and advocate change in the profession of pharmacy that improves patient care.

Is this not the mission of Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International (CPFI)? What could improve patient care more than their coming to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

6. “I take these vows voluntarily with the full realization of responsibility with which I am entrusted by the public.”

Yes, our profession’s view from the public eye is important. However, I am infinitely more concerned about serving my Lord. He is my first concern, followed by my wife, children, other family members… and somewhere down that list is the public’s view of my profession. As such, I will adhere to His Word and the principles contained therein to guide all of my earthly relationships, including my professional conduct.

As a resident of the State of Illinois (though a pharmacist in Missouri), I was deeply concerned over a recent decision by our State’s Governor, Rod Blagojevich-D, to force pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception, specifically, Plan B. In response to complaints by two women in Chicago who had been denied prescriptions for Plan B, Blagojevich signed an executive order ordering pharmacies and pharmacists to make the medication available. The rationale was if a pharmacy carried traditional oral contraceptives for preventing pregnancy, that pharmacy must carry all the agents in that category, including drugs not intended for prevention of pregnancy, but for abortion.

Likewise, in a pharmacy carrying those medications, the pharmacist must dispense any medication in the category, including Plan B, “without delay”. Herein, we have a situation where the government has:

1. Singled out a particular medical profession, pharmacy,
2. Eliminated its member’s ability choose what their pharmacies will stock, and
3. Eliminated a pharmacist’s ability refuse to fill a prescription based on moral convictions.

In response, Luke Vander Bleek, a Roman Catholic pharmacist in Northwestern Illinois, has filed suit challenging the order on the basis that it violates Illinois’ “conscience” law. The conscience law gives health care practitioners the ability to refuse to perform certain procedures based on their moral objections. Vander Block asserts the conscience law gives him the right to refuse to carry or dispense Plan B.

This is an important test case for our profession as well as the entire nation because Illinois’ conscience law is quite strong. The case is likely to be lengthy and may be subject to numerous appeals due its potentially broad reaching implications. We plan to carry a detailed interview with Vander Bleek in an upcoming issue of the Journal.

More immediately, we all need to remain vigilant and rooted in our convictions. Prior to joining my current organization, I made it clear to both the district and pharmacy managers that I would not dispense Plan B. Just this week, I was involved in an emotionally charged discussion with another pharmacist and a pharmacy studentboth of whom know that I am a Christian. They invoked the pharmacist’s oath as a reason for me to dispense Plan B, which we do not even carry. I argued that the oath is intended to protect human life, not end it, and that since life begins at conception, I could not, in good conscience, dispense the medication. The pharmacist asked me if I would adopt the child whose life I would not end. I responded that if I could prevent the death of a child by my own hand, I would certainly adopt the child. Interestingly, he had nothing more to say.”

Note: At the CPFI annual meeting, the Board of Directors approved a Conscience Clause that can be found on the CPFI website under “About us” and “Beliefs” at the bottom of the web page (www.cpfi.org).

Dr. Grady is a member of the Christian Pharmacists Fellowship Intl and a counselor at Gateway Biblical Counseling Center.

Comments Off

God.online - Faith Connections and Internet Metaphors An Author Interview with James Wetherbe, PhD By Lisa M. Hendey

In his book god.online: Seeking God in the 21st Century (Mead Publishing, October 2003, paperback, 137 pages), author and Information Technology professor James Wetherbe, PhD gives skeptics practical metaphors to assist them in the quest for spiritual truth. Wetherbe’s book abounds with technological references, giving documentation to his own exploration of life’s most important questions. The book looks at some of the most challenging questions about life and death, the existence of God, and faith topics.

The book begins with four pivotal questions and attempts to aid the reader, not only in answering the questions, but also in deepening his own “God online” connection. Wetherbe reflects in the book’s conclusion that “Seeking is a magnificent lifetime journey.” For the many who find themselves at any point along the expedition towards an active and rich faith life, god.online would be an excellent map and reference manual with which to enjoy the trip. In the following interview, Wetherbe discusses god.online and the importance of making your own connection.

Q: A special thank you to James Wetherbe, PhD, author of god.online, for your participation in this Book Spotlight interview. Dr. Wetherbe, please share with our readers your background as an author and educator. A: I have served on the faculty at the University of Houston, University of Minnesota, University of Memphis and Texas Tech University. Industry experience includes Computing and Software Inc., NCR, Tenneco, and CSC.

Q: For our readers who have not yet read god.online, would you please briefly summarize the book. A: The book is written for the strong willed, spiritually challenged skeptic who struggles with the true existence of God. The title is based upon an Internet metaphor. A personal computer has a great deal of ability but by connecting to the Internet its ability is exponentially enhanced. This connection can be wireless, so there is no physical evidence of being connected other than the access to information and processing previously not available. Similarly, we as human have a great deal of ability, but when we connect to God, wirelessly, we have access to wisdom and guidance that was previously not available to us. The book provides evidence of and guidance for getting online with God. The book uses a faith/logic approach to seeking God that is based upon what the reader has/can experience and reason for themselves. The book illustrated how faith is both logical and rewarding.

Q: Coming from the world of academia and technology, it seems odd that you would take on the subject of proving God’s existence. What prompted you to write this book and who is your intended audience?

A: Because the most important questions of life center on God and His existence. These were issues that troubled and challenged me most of my life, especially after my best friend suddenly died at age 18. The field of computer technology taught me to be disciplined and logical in my thinking. Being a professor taught me to be scientific and skeptical in my thinking (which is why so many academics are atheists). I needed to resolve my faith issues in the rigorous way I had learned to think. I would pray to God, I want to believe but my brain works against me. Through time and patience, God helped me resolve my faith issues. The book is documentation of what I learned. Q: As a lifelong believer, I’ve always assumed that faith in God was ultimately a giant “leap”, not something that could actually empirically be proven but my husband, a physician, is much more into the logical reasoning behind believing. Can we really actually ever “prove” one of life’s greatest mysteries?

A: In my experience men are more skeptical of God. Women seem to have a greater intuitive sense of faith. I wish I weren’t so stubborn. I believe you can empirically arrive at faith in God. Empirical means experiential or based upon experience. Once you experience a sense of God — seeing your child being born — you can truly work towards an online connection. Once you respond to His guidance, which is usually contrary to your own will, God reveals more of Himself to you. That is part of the experience that is convincing.

Q: I love the technological analogies you use in your book! Why do you feel that the computer paradigm works so well when describing building and nurturing a personal relationship with God?

A: First Christ was a great user of metaphor for teaching. He used the wind to illustrate the Holy Spirit. You can’t physically see it, but you can see the effect of it. For many, the concept of an omnipresent, invisible God that can be reached worldwide by everyone is a real intellectual stretch. If I had told people of the Internet 30 years ago that would not likely believe me. But here is this man-made marvel. That people were talking about “wireless” connection to God through prayer thousands of years ago seems incredibly reasonably and insightful in that context.

Q: What message do you hope to spread with god.online? A: I just want to help those who struggle with faith with an approach that is based upon logic and reasoning. Both seem important to many in their faith search today. A consequence of the high tech 21st century is people think differently. That is why the Internet metaphor seems to fit the times.

Q: Dr. Wetherbe, author of god.online, thank you again for your time and participation in this interview. Are there any last thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?

A: God.online relies heavily on the promise made throughout the Bible — seek and you will find. It has to be heartfelt seeking, but God keeps his promise. Perhaps this book can help you or those you care about in seeking. If not, don’t stop seeking, just find another bridge to help you make the most important connection of life.

For more information on god.online: Seeking God in the 21st Century visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1883096030/digitalcropper- 20

Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com and http://www.christiancoloring.com, and an avid reader of Catholic fiction and non-fiction.

Comments Off

The “Body Life”

I titled this the “Body Life” to contrast it to the traditional church or home meeting. Christians get fixated on meetings - the where, when and how. They can see how the home meeting can be intimate and participatory but can’t imagine how it would work in a larger meeting.

I would not have believed it if I hadn’t experienced it for a number of years - meetings with upwards of 200 or 300 people or more in a large hall that was totally unscripted because the Holy Spirit was in control. There was no “order of worship”. Anyone could begin by a prayer, a song, a testimony. Very often the Holy Spirit led us corporately in a single theme. Anyone was free to participate at any time. There was no chaos. There was order. The chairs were in a circle. There was no podium. There were elders but they were not visible or obvious. If something got off track, they would bring it back, but they were truly there to facilitate rather than dominate. The spirit and attitude everyone had was to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, to sense what to do when - whether to pick a song, read from the Bible, pray, praise, testify or teach. Most understood that they were there to glorify God and to share what the Lord had done in our lives that week. The meetings were fresh and often glorious.

This is not to say we didn’t have some bad meetings, people sharing inappropriately, etc. but that’s what leadership is all about. When someone goes off track or just plain “off the wall”, the mature saints need to be sensitive to the Lord and bring it back into the flow of the Spirit. This is not heavy handed or dictatorial. The meeting is still in the hands of all the saints who are free to share a hymn, a psalm, a testimony, pray, etc.

So what can the pastor do who wants to turn his church around from the dead one man show to a living body? The pastor may tell people, “okay, folks, I’m going to shut up for the next month. I’m just here to encourage you.” Function follows form. Take away the pulpit. Put the chairs in a circle. Begin to announce a couple of weeks before hand the reason for the change and how it will work, emphasizing the need for all to have fresh experiences and light from the Lord to share. Encourage them to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as to which song to pick, when and what to share. Keep prayers and testimonies “short, quick, real and fresh” (as we used to say). If someone drones on for a while without much real to say, it will kill the meeting and interrupt the Spirit’s flow.

Christians grow when they let the life of Jesus they have experienced flow out to others. This can happen in large meetings or small. It may take a little time and prodding to get people used to the idea, but it can be done.

Most of these meetings fall flat on their face. Why? A “body life” meeting is only as good as our walk with the Lord. If we are living in the past, living off of experiences we had last month or ten years ago, we are going to be in for a rude awakening. It may sound trite to say that we need to “have a fresh experience of Christ” daily, but it is true. Many people can tell old “war stories” for hours on end, how the Lord did this or that for them years ago. But what counts is what the Lord did in my life today, this week - not last year or 30 years ago. An interesting thing about a body life meeting is that there is no place to hide. You are exposed. If your experience is stale, your sharing will smell like a stale ash tray to you and others the minute you open your mouth.

Why do we end up with big meetings and professional speakers? In the traditional service, there is nothing to do, nothing to prepare for. It takes the heat off. We can hide and don’t have to deal with our shallowness and lack of reality.

Unless we can get to the point where we can be honest about where we are spiritually…

Unless we can get to the point where we can really touch the Lord regularly in prayer and in the Word…

Unless we get to the point where each and everyone of us can have fresh daily experiences with the Lord, fresh revelation of our own, rather than someone else’s,

our meetings are bound to be pitiful because they reflect our poor walk with the Lord.

This is foreign to the average Christian, because we are used to being passively entertained. Just the thought of having to share with others is scary to some. I know through years of experience what works and what doesn’t. The only way a person will move from knowledge to reality is through the constant loving support of a group of brothers and sisters he/she trusts and knows are there to help rather than condemn. This kind of dynamic can only be achieved in body life meetings. Saints need an opportunity to participate meaningfully in each meeting. It’s the little things - the things you are thankful for, how much the Lord means to you, how He pulled off a little miracle at work, how He let you share Him with someone. Once all the members of the body get released, people finally get the idea.

There is no such thing as a bad meeting or blaming someone else. The meeting depends on me. If the meeting is dead, it’s because I had no life to bring to it. What did I contribute? If someone was obviously down and out, how did I help? What can I say? How can I pray for them this week? The best part about an open fellowship is there is no one to blame but me. That’s why they work - and don’t work.

In a very real sense, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to meet. God doesn’t care about methods. He gives us very little instruction on what to do and how to do it. The question is, is the meeting under the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Are there mature leaders who can sense the flow of the Spirit and move with it? Now I am not talking in the sense of something “extra-Biblical”, voices, miracles, signs and wonders. I am talking about the ability of a small group of people to let the Spirit of God lead them in prayer, worship, song and testimonies. One will find that there is often an unspoken or unrecognized theme that the Spirit will lead in a meeting and that everything will relate to it - without planning and without an agenda. For example, the Lord may impress us this week with his mercy so the songs, testimonies, scripture and prayer will all relate to that theme.

Think of the Holy Spirit as the conductor of an orchestra and each one of us is an instrument that He plays. He has worked in our lives during the week, ministered to us through His word and through experience, and now we bring that to the meeting and offer it up to the Lord as a “sweet smelling sacrifice unto the Lord.” The meeting reflects the fresh moving and working of the Lord in each of our lives.

The Place of Leadership

Leadership is there to sense the moving of the Lord - not to carry out their planned order of business, not to follow an outline or course of study, or even verses that were picked the previous week. Leadership should be there to sense the move of the Lord “real time” as they say in computer jargon. Our relationship with the Lord should be living and powerful, not programmed and planned.

If there is one main reason a small meeting won’t work, it is

This is an awesome article… However, Due to space limitations, we ask that you visit our site to read the rest of the article. Just click on the link below. Thank you.

Comments Off