Tag Archives: Christianity

Oct 20

2nd look: WHY SHE QUIT BEING A CHRISTIAN?

Posted on by

One of the first things I would do as a minister called to another church is to ask for a list of members who no longer came.  I would call, setup an appointment with each one of them and go to their homes.  I told them everything would be in confidence.  I just wanted to know why they no longer came.  I heard things like: “the preacher played favorites,” or “I took on too many responsibilities and just burned out,” or, “the trustees or deacons tried to run the church,” or “there was too much quarreling, gossip,” etc. 

  I assured them that I never played favorites, that I would be open to any concerns they had, etc. We had prayer together.  I would leave with this: ” I heard it said that a new broom sweeps clean.  I am glad to be your pastor and hope that you will give us another chance.  Regardless, please call if I can help in any way.”  mackie

+++++++ source cited below.

 ‘On July 28, bestselling author Anne Rice officially left the Roman Catholic Church. The writer has had a fairly tumultuous religious history. Although she was raised Catholic, Rice rejected the church for the first time when she was 18.

 But in 1998, Rice — who’s famous mostly for writing steamy, gothic, decidedly un-Christian novels such as Interview with the Vampire — had a religious awakening. She converted to Catholicism and began to write exclusively Christian-themed novels, like Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt.

In July, Rice decided she had had enough. She announced her decision on her Facebook page:

“For those who care, and I understand if you don’t: Today I quit being a Christian. I’m out. I remain committed to Christ as always but not to being ‘Christian’ or to being part of Christianity. It’s simply impossible for me to ‘belong’ to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. For ten years, I’ve tried. I’ve failed. I’m an outsider. My conscience will allow nothing else.”

But, the decision wasn’t an easy one.’

 For much more click on:  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128930526&ps=cprs

                   +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SEARCHING FOR RELIABLE SOURCES,
not hearsay, rumors, or falsehoods.
Sep 27

IS GOD ANYTHING TO YOU?

Posted on by
IF YOU ARE ANY WHERE BETWEEN ATHEIST TO “I don’t know” to Bible thumper to extreme Fundamentalist this video will share with you the journey of an honest seeker who finds the answer to “WHAT GOD IS,” to him and what God may be to you. ~mackie

fora.tv

Jacob Needleman talks about his latest book, What Is God?. In this deeply personal work, religious scholar and philosopher Needleman cuts a clear path through todays debates over the existence of God, illuminating an entirely new way of approaching the question of how to understand a higher power.N…
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Want to change your city, state, country and world? Following is your best way:

CALL YOUR CONGRESSPERSONS: http://www.contactingthecongress.org/
Even if you get a voice mail, leave a message for they count the “For/Against.”
Vote for the candidate who WILL BE FAIR TO ALL because
 
ON ANY DAY WE COULD GO FROM WELL OFF TO POOR.
Sep 26

Christians Debate Human Origins………….

Posted on by

September 22, 2011

“The story of Adam and Eve is a primary belief for many Christians. Some Christian scholars argue that research on the human genome shows that modern humans did not descend from the Biblical couple, and that Christianity must find a way to reconcile modern science and religious beliefs.

NEAL CONAN, host: This is TALK OF THE NATION. I’m Neal Conan, in Washington. The Book of Genesis tells the story of creation, of the sea, the sky, the birds and animals and, finally, Adam. Chapter 2, Verse 7 reads: The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. Eve was formed out of Adam’s rib.

Then a cunning serpent and – and original sin stains a perfect world. Opinion polls report that four out of 10 Americans believe this account of the creation story. It’s a central tenet for many conservative Christians.

Science tells a different story. And recently, several Christian scholars argue that the scientific evidence must be accepted, which profoundly concerns others in the evangelical intelligentsia.”

To read or listen to the entire article click on: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/22/140710361/christians-divided-over-science-of-human-origins

Sep 14

THE SEVENTH DAY GOD RESTED…WHY?

Posted on by
THE SEVENTH DAY GOD RESTED…WHY? Does God need rest like we do? What were those ancient Jewish writers trying to say? What does “created in His image” mean? Do you think that becoming aware of what the jewish scholars and rabbis are writing today might give us a better insight?-mackie
 
While it is true that many translations of the Bible such as the New Revised Version Standard (NRSV), the King James’ Version (KJV) and others render the word Shavat as “rested” a more accurate translation of Shavat is “abstained,” i.e., “God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because He abstained from all His work which God created to make” (Gen. 2:4). Nachmanides (12th century) interpreted these words to mean “he ceased to perform all His creative work.”
Why the need to abstain? Obviously it wasn’t because of tiredness! God’s resting from creation teaches us that as human beings created in the image of God, we too need to make time for rest and purposely abstain from interfering with creation one day of the week. The passion to create can sometimes be dangerous — especially for a technological society that prides itself on its ability to create, manipulate and control the world around it.
There’s a great story I would like to share with you from Mrs. Lettie Cowman’s wonderful book, Springs in the Valley. In the deep jungles of Africa, a traveler was making a long trek. Coolies had been engaged from a tribe to carry the loads. The first day they marched rapidly and went far. The traveler had high hopes of a speedy journey. But the second morning these jungle tribesmen refused to move. For some strange reason they just sat and rested. On inquiry as to the reason for this strange behavior, the traveler was informed that they had gone too fast the first day, and that they were now waiting for their souls to catch up with their bodies.
 

 

Aug 27

ACT OF GOD? means

Posted on by

SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF HUMAN CONTROL

The phrase is used religiously and legally.  The Bible and other ancient texts cite the Acts of God.  Legally, there are lawsuits against God.  When a cow breaks through a fence, goes out to a road and is hit by a car, it is legally called an Act of God.   One can’t sue the ownerof the cow for damages, unless the driver of the car can prove that it wasn’ t an act of God, but the act of the cow owner that caused the accident.  Example: if the car owner can prove the cow owner did not use proper care of maintenance the fence, the cow owner will have to pay damages to the car; unless the cow owner can prove the car owner was reckless in his driving.   Sense we believe that everyone that is agrieved should have their day in court to find justice, many times it  takes a long period(see #1).

ARE HURRICANES, ETC., CONSIDERED ACTS OF GOD?

The two essential ingredients in every hurricane are warm water and moist warm air. That’s why hurricanes begin in the tropics. Most Atlantic hurricanes start to take shape when thunderstorms along the west coast of Africa drift out over warm ocean waters that are at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), where they encounter converging winds from around the equator.
Hurricanes start when warm, moist air from the ocean surface begins to rise rapidly, where it encounters cooler air that causes the warm water vapor to condense and to form storm clouds and drops of rain. The condensation also releases latent heat, which warms the cool air above, causing it to rise and make way for more warm humid air from the ocean below.   This continuing heat exchange creates a wind pattern that spirals around a relatively calm center, or eye, like water swirling down a drain.

Some scientists believe that the increase in global warming is a result of  pollution caused by humans, corporations and countries through out the world that generates more hurricanes. etc.  Others believe its just natural causes of the survival of a vibrant earth.

It’s interesting: the more we find out through science  the causes and effects of humans, the earth and the entire universe, the less we BLAME GOD.

1- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_God

2- http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/a/hurricanecauses.htm

Aug 25

EVANGELICALS ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE?

Posted on by

Following are dangers illustrated when people worship the Bible as a god instead of being aware that the kingdom of God is within us right now.

“when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21-22. Be aware of His presence within you now. -editor

_____________________________________

An  emerging Christian movement that seeks to take dominion over politics,  business and culture in preparation for the end times and the return  of Jesus, is becoming more of a presence in American politics. The  leaders are considered apostles and prophets, gifted by God for this  role.

The international “apostolic and prophetic” movement  has been  dubbed by its leading American architect, C. Peter Wagner, as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Although  the movement is larger than the network organized by Wagner  — and not all members describe themselves as part of Wagner’s NAR — the  so-called apostles and prophets of the movement have identifiable ideology that  separates them from other evangelicals.

Two ministries in the  movement planned and orchestrated Texas Gov. Rick Perry‘s recent prayer rally,  where apostles and prophets from around the nation spoke or appeared onstage.  The event was  patterned after The Call,  held at locations around the globe and led by  Lou Engle, who has served in the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders  of the NAR. Other NAR apostles endorsed Perry’s event, including two who lead a 50-state “prayer warrior” network. Thomas Muthee, the  Kenyan pastor who anointed Sarah Palin at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church in 2005, while praying for Jesus to protect her from the spirit  of witchcraft, is also part of this movement.

To read or hear more click on:

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/24/139781021/the-evangelicals-engaged-in-spiritual-warfare

Aug 18

ABOUT ME…..

Posted on by

Many have asked who I am, my training and experience.  Here it is:

In my teenage yrs I joined the Youth For Christ and became a follower of evangelist Billy Graham. At that age I played church, read and preached his sermons on Sunday mornings in our yard.  My childhood friends would come dressed up for church.  I preached and we sang songs.

At 17 I joined the Navy and learned a lot about the other side of life.  Once most of my oats were sown I returned home and went into  business with my father.  I later joined a local church and became a choir director, sunday school teacher, and deacon and began to lay preach.  I entered college, was ordained, called,  and served several churches while becoming envolved with a multi-level company.

Becoming aware that I would need to make more money to support my family I studied for and became a Chartered Financial Consultant at The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA.

As I had learned more about religions and philosophies I became aware there were similarites in their beliefs about a diety or dieties but far apart in who or what they were, expected and did.  This led me to believe that there was a higher power, the Ground of all Being, the Eternal One, the Holy Spirit, the “I AM” who lives within us who came to us that we might have life more abundantly and continue to live forever in  His Spirit, love and truth.

I grew up in Florence, SC; in the Navy 58-64; have BA from Baptist College, Charleston, SC 65-69 (now Charleston Southern University); MDiv from Southeastern Seminary, Wake Forest, 70-73; DMin from Union Seminary, 77-79; served pastorates in Allendale, Sycamore, and Kline, SC, Charlottesville, VA, Louisburg and Williamston, NC; minister and counselor 70-83; ChFC and CLU from American College, Bryn Mawr, PA 87-89; was in financial services and part time  ministries 83-08.  My wife and I are still in part ministries: preaching, singing, writing, guest speaking, seminars, counseling, personal consultant, etc.  My wife, Glenda, has worked with me for over 35 years in our part time ministries, is an accomplished musician (piano and organ), served as secretary at several churches, Dept. of Agriculture, restaurant catering manager, etc. and has worked (part time)  helping the unemployed find training and internships at Piedmont Technical College.  Now we are both care givers for her active 91 yr old mother who is of sane mind, goes shopping, likes to read the paper daily, cooks, etc. and puts together jigsaw puzzles at night.  Of course, we have to support her in many ways.

~mackie

Aug 11

UNDERSTANDING MICHELE BACHMAN BELIEFS/ACTIONS

Posted on by
Rep. Michele Bachman officially threw her hat into the presidential ring on June 27. Since then, the Minnesota congresswoman has emerged as a Republican front-runner, riding on a wave of Tea Party support and national media appearances.
New Yorker Washington correspondent Ryan Lizza spent four days with Bachmann and her staff aboard their campaign jet in mid-June. On Tuesday’s Fresh Air, he talks about his unprecedented access to the congresswoman, whom he profiles in the Aug. 15, 2011, edition of The New Yorker. The piece looks at the writers, beliefs and books that Bachmann has specifically mentioned as major influences in her life.
“To understand her, you have to understand the movement that she came out of,” Lizza tells Fresh Air‘s Terry Gross. “Her early ideological roots were formed by opposition to abortion … and she’s always been concerned with social issues, the culture war issues. … She takes her Christianity very seriously. She comes out of a religious evangelical conservative movement that is very much concerned with developing a biblical worldview and applying it to all corners of one’s life.”
For a number of years, Michele Bachmann’s personal website had a list of books she recommended people read. …  I was looking over the list and noticed this biography of [Robert E.] Lee by [Steven] Wilkins. [I had] never heard of Wilkins and started looking at who he was. And frankly couldn’t believe that she was recommending this book. … It is an objectively pro-slavery book and one of the most startling things I learned about her in this piece.
To read or hear the rest of the story click on:
Nov 26

A BETTER UNDERSTAND OF THE STORY OF JESUS…

Posted on by

Many Christian preachers, teachers and members believe that the story of Jesus WAS CLOSED, SEALED AND DELIVERED 2000 YRS AGO IN THE BIBLE.  The following shares the latest insights on the story of Jesus for those who are not religious or do not understand. -mackie

 (quoted)

“Most Christians seem to assume that the details of their faith system dropped out of heaven in a fully developed form. Nothing could be further from the truth.

 The creeds began as baptismal formulas in the 3rd century and did not receive the shape we now recognize until the 4th century. Doctrines like the Trinity and Incarnation were still being formed in the 5th century.

 Moving closer to the life of Jesus, scholars now suggest that miracles were added to the Jesus story only in the 7th and 8th decades of the Christian era. The Virgin birth and the suggestion that resurrection meant physical resuscitation are products of the 9th decade, and the account of Jesus’ ascension enters the tradition only in the 10th decade. Perhaps the biggest gap in our knowledge of Jesus, however, occurs in those years between 30 C.E. when Jesus’ earthly life came to an end and 70 C.E. when gospels began to achieve written form. Today, by lining up the gospels in chronological order with Mark first (ca. 70 C.E.), then Matthew (ca. 80 C.E.), Luke (ca 90 C.E.) and finally John (ca 100 C.E.), we can see how the miraculous was heightened; the details become more graphic and supernatural activity more pronounced.

 If the story could grow as dramatically as it did from 70-100 C.E., is it not reasonable to assume that it also grew from 30-70 C.E.? Yet with no written sources, entering that time of oral transmission is a problem.

 For the past year that forty-year oral phase of Christian history has been the primary focus of my study. In a series of columns not necessarily on successive weeks, but as a theme to which I will return often during the next six months, I want to begin to share this study with my audience under the general topic of “Jesus for the Non-Religious.”
 For much more click on: http://johnshelbyspong.com/bishopspongon_jesus.aspx

 
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SEARCHING FOR RELIABLE SOURCES,
not hearsay, rumors, or falsehoods.
Oct 15

LIVING IN THE ETERNAL PRESENCE……

Posted on by
( this message is for anyone who believes in the power of the good, whether you are religious or not.  I only use quotes from the Bible because many believe that is the only source of truth.  I know of many different sources of truth that have convinced me nothing dies, it just changes forms, like mist to clouds to ice or rain to moisturing the earth and repeating.  Just read the following and translate it into your belief system).
 
In the OT there were rituals, rules and laws that are complicated and hard to understand.  Believing that that God wrote every word in all the books of the Bible is dead wrong, even blasphemous. There are other people besides God who are reported to have said things in those books chosen by men.
 
Thank God, later on the prophets began to greatly simplify this.
 
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Mh 6:8)
  
THE ETERNAL ONE DOES NOT CHANGE, BUT HOPEFULLY OUR FAITH CHANGES AS WE COME TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THIS BEING THROUGH STUDY, SCIENCE, PRAYER AND MEDITATION.
  
The WORD OF GOD is not words written in a series of books called the Bible, but:
 
 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
 
Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.  John 1:1
 
 
Then comes this Jesus who is reported to be the Son of the ETERNAL ONE who by his life, words and actions in human form points us to the ETERNAL SPIRIT. 
 
AND WHO DOES GOD LOVE AND GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO?
 
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
  
He loves the WHOLE WORLD AND EVERYONE AND THING IN IT.  And what does it mean to believe in Him?
 
Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of
 
heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.  Matt: 21:7

 
Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?
The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.  John 14:10
 
It’s not the going to church, smiling, singing, giving a little money, etc. that gets us into the kingdom of God; 
 
IT’S LETTING THE FATHER (The Eternal Presence, The Holy Spirit, etc) LIVE IN YOUR WHOLE BEING (mind, soul, body, work, play, etc) SO HE CAN DO HIS WORK THROUGH YOU.
 
“The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21nor will people say, ‘Here
 
it is,’ or ‘There it is,’
 
because the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21
 
 Did we miss that? 
 

7 the LORD God formed the man [a] from the dust of the ground and

breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living

being.

 
In conclusion, to live in the Kingdom of God (Heaven, Eternal Life, etc) RIGHT NOW AND FOREVER is to:
 
FORGET ABOUT WHO WE THINK WE ARE AND WHAT WE THINK WE WANT, AND:
 
Letting the Father, already living in us, doing his work. 
 
Every morning, 1st thing, before anyone else is up:
 
Sit it a chair quietly.  Empty your mind.  Be aware that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  As you breathe Him in deeply, breathe out all your cares, worries, resentments, etc. to make more room for Him.  Repeat this until you are totally relaxed and sense His presence.  Ask Him to live in you and do His work through you today.  Remain quite and silent being aware of what He might want to do through you that day, and then let Him do it.
 
St. Paul states how he did it:
 

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

To be continued.  editor@unbiasedtruth.net  

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SEARCHING FOR RELIABLE SOURCES,
not hearsay, rumors, or falsehoods.