My Heart Christ's Home by Robert Boyd Munger

In Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, we find these words: 

"That (God) would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith" (Ephesians 3:16). Or, as another has translated, "That Christ may settle down and be at home in your hearts by faith." 

Without question one of the most remarkable Christian doctrines is that Jesus Christ Himself through the presence of the Holy Spirit will actually enter a heart, settle down and be at home there. Christ will make the human heart His abode. 

Our Lord said to His disciples, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23). It was difficult for them to understand what He was saying. How was it possible for Him to make his abode with them in this sense? 

It is interesting that our Lord used the same word here that He gave them in the first of the fourteenth chapter of John: "I go to prepare a place for you .. that where I am, ye may be also." Our Lord was promising his disciples that, just as He was going to heaven to prepare a place for them and would welcome them one day, now it would be possible for them to prepare a place for Him in their hearts and He would come and make His abode with them.

They could not understand this. How could it be? 

Then came Pentecost. The Spirit of the living Christ was given to the church and they understood. God did not dwell in Herod's temple in Jerusalem! God did not dwell in a temple made with hands; but now, through the miracle of the outpoured Spirit, God would dwell in human hearts. The body of the believer would be the temple of the living God and the human heart would be the home of Jesus Christ. It is difficult for me to think of a higher privilege than to make Christ a home in my heart, to welcome, to serve, to please, to fellowship with him there. 

One evening I invited Jesus Christ into my heart. What an entrance He made! It was not a spectacular, emotional thing, but very real. It was at the very center of my life. He came into the darkness of my heart and turned on the light. He built a fire in the cold hearth and banished the chill. He started music where there had been stillness, and He filled the emptiness with His own loving, wonderful fellowship. I have never regretted opening the door to Christ and I never will - not into eternity! 

This, of course, is the first step in making the heart Christ's home. He has said, "Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20). If you are interested in making your life an abode of the living God, let me encourage you to invite Christ into your heart and He will surely come.

After Christ entered my heart and in the joy of this new relationship I said to Him, "Lord, I want this heart of mine to be Yours. I want to have You settle down here and be perfectly at home. Everything I have belongs to You. Let me show You around and introduce you to the various features of the home that you may be more comfortable and that we may have fuller fellowship together."

 He was very glad to come, of course, and happier still to be given a place in the heart. 

The Library 

The first room was the study - the library. Let us call it the study of the mind. Now in my home this room of the mind is a very small room with very thick walls. But it is an important room. In a sense, it is the control room of the house. He entered with me and looked around at the books in the bookcase, the magazines upon the table, the pictures on the walls. As I followed His gaze I became uncomfortable. Strangely enough, I had not felt badly about this before, but now that He was there looking at these things I was embarrassed. There were some books were there that His eyes were too pure to behold. There was a lot of trash and literature on the table that a Christian had no business reading, and as for the pictures on the walls - the imaginations and thoughts of the mind - these were shameful. 

I turned to Him and said, "Master, I know that this room needs a radical alteration. Will You help me make it what it ought to be? - to bring every thought into captivity to you?"

"Surely!" He said. "Gladly will I help you. First of all, take all the things that you are reading and looking at which are not helpful, pure, good and true, and throw them out! Now put on the empty shelves the books of the Bible. Fill the library with Scriptures and meditate on then day and night. As for the pictures on the walls, you will have difficulty controlling these images, but here is an aid" He gave me a full-size portrait of Himself. "Hang this centrally," He said, "on the wall of the mind."

I did, and I have discovered through the years that when my thoughts are centered upon Christ Himself, His purity and power cause impure thoughts to back away. So He has helped me to bring my thoughts into captivity. 

May I suggest to you if you have difficulty with this little room of the mind, that you bring Christ in there. Pack it full with the Word of God, meditate upon it and keep before it the immediate presence of the Lord Jesus. 

The Dining Room

From the study we went into the dining room, the room of appetites and desires. Now this was a very large room. I spent a good deal of time in the dining room and much effort in satisfying my wants. 

I said to Him, "This is a favorite room. I am quite sure You will be pleased with what we serve." 

He seated Himself at the table with me and asked, "What is on the menu for dinner?" 

"Well," I said, "my favorite dishes: money, academic degrees and stocks, with newspaper articles of fame and fortune as side dishes." These were the things I liked - worldly fare. I suppose there was nothing radically wrong in any particular item, but it was not the food that should satisfy the life of a real Christian. When the food was placed before Him, He said nothing about it. However, I observed that He did not eat it, and I said to Him, somewhat disturbed, "Master, don't You care for this food? What is the trouble?" 

He answered, "I have meat to eat that you do not know of. My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me." He looked at me again and said, "If you want food that really satisfies you, seek the will of the Father, not your own pleasures, not your own desires, and not your own satisfaction. Seek to please Me and that food will satisfy you." And there at the table He gave me a taste of doing God's will. What a flavor! There is no food like it in all the world. It alone satisfies. Everything else is dissatisfying in the end. 

Now if Christ is in your heart, and I trust He is, what kind of food are you serving Him and what kind of food are you eating yourself? Are you living for the lust of the flesh and the pride of life - selfishly? Or are you choosing God's will for your meat and drink? 

The Living Room 

We walked next into the living room. This room was rather intimate and comfortable. I liked it. It had a fireplace, overstuffed chairs, a sofa, and a quiet atmosphere. 

He also seemed pleased with it. He said, "This is indeed a delightful room. Let us come here often. It is secluded and quiet, and we can fellowship together." 

Well, naturally as a young Christian I was thrilled. I couldn't think of anything I would rather do than have a few minutes with Christ in intimate companionship. 

He promised, "I will be here early every morning. Meet me here, and we will start the day together." So morning after morning, I would come downstairs to the living room and He would take a book of the Bible from the bookcase. He would open it and then we would read together. He would tell me of its riches and unfold to me its truths. He would make my heart warm as He revealed His love and His grace He had toward me. These were wonderful hours together. In fact, we called the living room the "withdrawing room." It was a period when we had our quiet time together. 

But, little by little, under the pressure of many responsibilities, this time began to be shortened. Why, I'm don't know, but I thought I was just too busy to spend time with Christ. This was not intentional, you understand; it just happened that way. Finally, not only was the time shortened, but I began to miss a day now and then. It was examination time at the university. Then it was some other urgent emergency. I would miss it two days in a row and often more. 

I remember one morning when I was in a hurry, rushing downstairs, eager to be on my way. As I passed the living room, the door was open. Looking in, I saw a fire in the fireplace and Jesus was sitting there. Suddenly in dismay I thought to myself, "He was my guest. I invited Him into my heart! He has come as Lord of my home. And yet here I am neglecting Him." 

I turned and went in. With downcast glance, I said, "Blessed Master, forgive me. Have You been here all these mornings?" 

"Yes," He said, "I told you I would be here every morning to meet with you." Then I was even more ashamed. He had been faithful in spite of my faithfulness. I asked His forgiveness and He readily forgave me as He does when we are truly repentant. 

"The trouble with you is this: you have been thinking of the quiet time, of the Bible study and prayer time, as a factor in your own spiritual progress, but you have forgotten that this hour means something to me also. Remember, I love you. I have redeemed you at great cost. I value your fellowship. Now," He said, "do not neglect this hour if only for my sake. Whatever else may be your desire, remember I want your fellowship!" 

You know, the truth that Christ desires my companionship, that He loves me, wants me to be with Him, wants to be with me and waits for me, has done more to transform my quiet time with God than any other single fact. Don't let Christ wait alone in the living room of your heart, but every day find some time when, with your Bible and in prayer, you may be together with Him. 

The Workroom 

Before long, He asked, "Do you have a workroom in your home?" Down in the basement of the home of my heart I had a workbench and some equipment, but I was not doing much with it. Once in a while I would play around with a few little gadgets, but I wasn't producing anything substantial or worthwhile. 

I led Him down there. 

He looked over the workbench and what little talents and skills I had. He said, "This is quite well furnished. What are you producing with your life for the Kingdom of God?" He looked at one or two little toys that I had thrown together on the bench and held one up to me. "Are these little toys all that you are doing for others in your Christian life?"

"Well," I said, "Lord, that is the best I can do. I know it isn't much, and I really want to do more, but after all, I have no skill or strenghth to do more."

"Would you like to do better?" He asked. 

"Certainly," I replied. 

"All right. Let me have your hands. Now relax in me and let my Spirit work through you. I know that you are unskilled, clumsy and awkward, but the Holy Spirit is the Master-Worker, and if He controls your hands and your heart, He will work through you."And so, stepping around behind me and putting His great, strong hands over mine, controlling the tools with His skilled fingers He began to work through me. 

There's much more that I must still learn and I am very far from satisfied with the product that is being turned out, but I do know that whatever has been produced for God has been through His strong hand and through the power of His Spirit in me. 

Do not become discouraged because you cannot do much for God. Your ability is not the fundamental condition. It is He who is controlling your fingers and upon whom you are relying. Give your talents and gifts to God and He will do things with them that will surprise you.. 

The Rec Room 

I remember the time He asked me about the playroom. I was hoping He would not ask about that. There were certain associations and friendships, activities and amusements that I wanted to keep for myself. I did not think Christ would enjoy them or approve of them, so I evaded the question. 

But there came an evening when I was on my way out with some of my friends, and as I was about to cross the threshold, He stopped me with a glance and asked, "Are you going out?" 

I replied, "Yes."

"Good," He said, "I would like to go with you." 

"Oh," I answered rather awkwardly. "I don't think, Lord Jesus, that You would really want to go with us. Let's go out tomorrow night. Tomorrow night we will go to prayer meeting, but tonight I have another appointment." 

He said. "That's alright. Only I thought that when I came into your home, we were going to do everything together, to be close companions. I just want you to know that I am willing to go with you." 

"Well," I said, "we will go someplace together tomorrow night." 

That evening I spent some miserable hours. I felt wretched. What kind of a friend was I to Jesus when I was deliberately leaving Him out of my associations, doing things and going places that I knew very well He would not enjoy? When I returned that evening, there was a light in His room, and I went up to talk it over with Him. I said, "Lord, I have learned my lesson. I can't have a good time without You. From now on we will do everything together." 

Then we went down into the playroom of the house and He transformed it. He brought into life real joy, real happiness, real satisfaciton, new friends, new excitement, new joys. Laughter and music have been ringing through the house ever since. 

The Hall Closet 

There is just one more matter that I might share with you. One day I found Him waiting for me at the door. An arresting look was in His eye. As I entered, He said to me, "There is a peculiar odor in the house. There is something dead around here. It's upstairs. I think it is in the hall closet." 

As soon as He said this, I knew what He was talking about. Yes, there was a small closet up there on the landing, just a few feet square, and in that closet, behind lock and key, I had one or two little personal things that I did not want anyone to know about and certainly I did not want Christ to see them. I knew they were dead and rotting things left over from the old life. And yet I loved them, and I wanted them so for myself that I was afraid to admit they were there. 

Reluctantly, I went up with Him, and as we mounted the stairs the odor became stronger and stronger. He pointed at the door. "It's in there! Some dead thing!" 

I was angry. That's the only way I can put it. I had given Him access to the library, the dining room, the living room, the workroom, the playroom, and now He was asking me about a little two-by-four closet. I said to myself, "This is too much. I am not going to give Him the key." 

"Well," He said, reading my thoughts, "if you think I'm going to stay up here on the second floor with this odor, you are mistaken. I will take my bed out on the back porch. I'm certainly not going to put up with that." Then I saw Him start down the stairs. 

When you have come to know and love Christ, the worst thing that can happen is to sense His fellowship retreating from you. I had to surrender. "I'll give You the key," I said sadly, "but You'll have to open the closet and clean it out. I haven't the strength to do it." 

"I know," He said. "I know you haven't. Just give me the key. Just authorize me to take care of that closet and I will." 

So with trembling fingers I passed the key to Him. He took it from my hand, walked over to the door, opened it, entered it, took out all the putrefying stuff that was rotting there, and threw it away. Then He cleaned the closet and painted it, fixed it up, doing it all in a moment's time. Oh, what victory and release to have that dead thing out of my life!

Transferring the Title 

Then a thought came to me. I said to myself, "I have been trying to keep this heart of mine clear for Christ. I start on one room and no sooner have I cleaned that then another room is dirty. I begin on the second room and the first room becomes dusty again. I am so tired and weary trying to maintain a clean heart and an obedient life. I am just not up to it!" 

So I ventured a question: "Lord, is there any chance that You would take over the responsibility of the whole house and operate it for me and with me just as You did that closet? Would You take the responsibility to keep my heart what it ought to be and my life where it ought to be?" 

I could see His face light up as He replied, "Certainly, that is what I came to do. You cannot be a victorious Christian in your own strength. That is impossible. Let me do it through you and for you. That is the way. But," He added slowly, "I am not owner of this house. I am just a guest. I have no authority to proceed, since the property is not mine." 

I saw it in a minute and dropping to my knees, I said, "Lord, You have been a guest and I have been the host. From now on I am going to be the servant. You are going to be the owner and Master and Lord." 

Running as fast as I could to the strongbox, I took out the title deed to the house describing its assets and liabilities, location and situation and condition. I eagerly signed it over to belong to Him alone for time and eternity. "Here," I said. "Here it is, all that I am and have forever. Now You run the house. I'll just remain with You as a servant and friend." 

He took my life that day and I can give you my word, there is no better way to live the Christian life. He knows how to keep it in shape and deep peace settles down on the soul. May Christ settle down and be at home in your heart as Lord of all!

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Judging Right Judgment

By P. Amsterdam

Audio length: 7:29

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There exists some confusion at times in our Christian walk between when to fulfill Jesus’ commandment to “judge not, that ye be not judged,”1 and when to “judge righteous judgment.”2 We are commanded both to not judge and condemn others and to make right judgments—which entails discerning, evaluating, and differentiating between right and wrong, and “choosing the good and eschewing [or turning away from] the evil.”3

One of the pitfalls that we face as Christians, and which is part of the process of growth and becoming a mature Christian, is the tendency to want to pin blanket labels or judgments on people or situations, or to categorize issues in a black-and-white way, in order to more easily discern and judge what is right and what is wrong. We are called, as Christians, to have conviction and to be willing to “give an answer to anyone that asks us a reason of our faith and hope,” while we are also to “yet do it with gentleness and respect.”4 Part of Christian discipleship is identifying and categorizing issues, attitudes, or actions as right or wrong, as acceptable or unacceptable in order to judge right or correct judgment; and yet in our interactions with others and sharing our faith and convictions, we are called to do so with gentleness and respect.

Christianity provides a clear moral code, and the Bible teaches us what is expected of believers. Throughout the Gospels Jesus taught the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, God’s will and self-will, and the apostles expounded on that and created rules and policies to govern the church, providing timeless principles of sharing God’s love and following Jesus’ example to live a godly life.

While Jesus spoke against judgmental attitudes and conduct toward others, it’s clear that as individuals, we still have to “judge righteous judgment”5 as far as evaluating and discerning whether something is a good choice or a poor one, or whether something is morally right or not. Those decisions don’t always come our way clearly marked and straightforward, and it’s natural to ponder attitudes, actions, or conduct that we see around us and to attempt to categorize them as right or wrong, good or bad, a good choice or a poor choice.

Not being judgmental doesn’t mean that we can’t or shouldn’t evaluate the rightness of things and measure things by the standard of God’s Word, and build our convictions accordingly. For instance, if someone does something that is morally reprehensible, you would certainly reach the conclusion that their actions are morally wrong, and you might feel led to speak out, particularly if these actions were influencing or harming others.

However, there are times when right and wrong are not so clearly delineated; the right or wrong choice is not so evident, or something that might seem right or wrong at the time later turns out to be the opposite. Sometimes we make mistakes in judgment and learn through our mistakes. Or something that is generally wrong, such as violence, might be right in the rare case when it is necessary to defend oneself or others who are in danger.

Of course, many things are clear and they are always black and white; right and wrong are immediately apparent. For example, we know that it is wrong to intentionally hurt others, to cheat people, to steal or take advantage of others, etc. We have clear markers for our conduct and what God expects of us, and He’s also given us a conscience, which speaks to us when we do something that is wrong in some way.

But it’s not always possible to place a simple “right” or “wrong” label on the decisions of others, or on situations or events. Jesus said that we would be able to recognize or discern things by their fruits,6 which may mean that we won’t know if something bears good fruit for some time, until it has played out and we are able to better discern the ultimate results of certain decisions or situations. This is why seeking the Lord’s tailor-made guidance for situations and decisions is often necessary in order to better understand how to apply the principles in His Word to specific situations.

While it’s normal, and at times necessary, to evaluate and reason out the decisions and actions of others and to weigh them on our moral scale, it doesn’t follow that we should then treat people in an unloving, judgmental way, or be quick to condemn others because of the choices they’ve made. Only God is in a position to pass wise or fair judgment. We can’t know the burdens and weights that people carry, or all the reasons why they make the choices they do. We can certainly pray for them and try to offer support, counsel, or advice when appropriate. But it’s unlikely that people will be receptive to counsel and advice that comes packaged in a judgmental spirit.

As Christians, we shouldn’t feel compelled to judge every attitude or action of others. We should be more concerned about helping people and loving them into heaven than judging them on earth. God is the judge; He knows the hearts of people and He understands everything about them in a way that we would never be able to. He doesn’t need our help to judge people; that isn’t what Jesus commissioned us to do.

So while it’s natural to internally process someone’s actions, it’s how we treat the person and how we react to them that ultimately counts. Of course, we do need to teach our children and new believers to make moral choices and to discern between right and moral behavior and wrong and ungodly behavior. We need to be grounded in the Scriptures in order to understand biblical and Christian morality, so that we can make decisions based on the Word of God. But in doing so, we also can’t lose sight of Jesus’ boundless love for all people.

We are all sinners and men and women of like passions, who desperately need Jesus’ love, mercy, and forgiveness. We are called to share His love with others, and His power to forgive sin and to conquer its foothold in our lives. Jesus’ love is unconditional and can cover the multitude of sins.7 There is no sin that Jesus can’t redeem and wash away with His blood.8

Originally published September 2010. Adapted and republished February 2017.
Read by Jason Lawrence. https://anchor.tfionline.com/post/judging-right-judgment/

1 Matthew 7:1.
2 John 7:24.
3 1 Peter 3:11 KJV.
4 1 Peter 3:15.
5 John 7:24.
6 Matthew 7:20.
7 James 5:19–20; 1 Peter 4:8.
8 1 John 1:7.

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Letting Go of Regrets

A compilation

http://anchor.tfionline.com/post/letting-go-regrets/
Audio length: 9:21
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If only…

Sometimes you feel that if only you could turn back time, retrace your steps, and undo mistakes, things would be so much better. If only you could apply what you know now to past situations, you could reverse painful experiences and possibly change the course of your life. But the truth is, those situations—mistakes included—have made you the person you are today. The most painful and trying circumstances gave you strength and maturity. Through your mistakes you have learned invaluable lessons. Mistakes also help you to be more humble and therefore more loving, and that makes you more empathetic of others and able to understand the troubles they face.

So instead of regretting the past, be thankful for what it has taught you.—Jesus, speaking in prophecy

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We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.—Steve Maraboli

It’s not the end yet

If some choice you made seems to have had a bad outcome, or one that is not what you had in mind, remember that you probably haven’t seen its full effect yet. What looks like a stone or a serpent may yet turn out to be bread—or even a three-course meal.1Orson Welles once said, “A happy ending depends on where you stop your story.” Or, as someone else put it, “Everything will be okay in the end; and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end yet.” That principle is certainly true for those who love the Lord and look to Him for guidance, because He has promised to always work things out for our good in the end.2

It’s human nature to look back and have regrets about some of the things we did, or to wish we’d done them differently. God understands that and sympathizes. But it’s a mistake to overlook the good that also came from those experiences—the wisdom, maturity, and other lessons learned, which have helped to shape our character and prepare us for things to come.

When you look back on the past, make a conscious effort to count your blessings. Remember those “true, noble, just, pure, and lovely” things that also make up the story of your life.3 Thank God for the good decisions you made in the past, as well as those that He’s going to help you to make in the future.—Maria Fontaine

The city of regret

A significant hindrance to living life in the present is regret. It saps people’s energy and leaves little that enables them to do anything positive.

My friend Dwight Bain emailed me something called “The City of Regret” that tells the whole story:

I had not really planned to take a trip this year, yet I found myself packing anyway. And off I went, dreading it. I was on another guilt trip.

I booked my reservation on Wish I Had airlines. I didn’t check my bags—everyone carries their baggage on this airline. I had to drag it for what seemed like miles in theRegret City airport. And I could see that people from all over the world were there with me, limping along under the weight of bags they had packed themselves.

I caught a cab to Last Resort Hotel, the driver taking the whole trip backward, looking over his shoulder. And there I found the ballroom where my event would be held: theAnnual Pity Party. As I checked in, I saw that all my old colleagues were on the guest list:

The Done family—Woulda, Coulda, and Shoulda.

Both of the Opportunities—Missed and Lost.

All the Yesterdays—there were too many to count, but all would have sad stories to share.

Shattered Dreams and Broken Promises would be there, too, along with their friends Don’t Blame Me and Couldn’t Help It.

And of course, hours and hours of entertainment would be provided by that renowned storyteller, It’s Their Fault.

As I prepared to settle in for a really long night, I realized that one person had the power to send all those people home and break up the party: me. All I had to do was return to the present and welcome the new day!

If you have found yourself getting on a flight to the City of Regret, recognize that it’s a trip you book yourself, and you can cancel it at any time—without penalty or fee. But you’re the only one who can.—John C. Maxwell4

Admit your need

I see into your heart and know your regrets. I long to release you from their weight and take away the pain and hurt they cause you. You just need to give your regrets to Me; ask for help.

I am near to the broken-hearted and I save the crushed in spirit.5 Don’t try to hide the hurt in your heart from Me or yourself. Don’t try to pretend it’s not there. I already know everything about you, and it doesn’t change My love for you one iota.

You feel you deserve to bear the load of guilt and remorse, but that’s not the way it’s meant to be. You’ve made mistakes, but I died for the express purpose of lifting your mistakes and sins from your shoulders. Ask Me to forgive you, and I will both forgive you and free you from that weight and the burden of regret.—Jesus, speaking in prophecy

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Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:13–146

Published on Anchor July 2016. Read by Jason Lawrence. Music by John Listen.

1 See Luke 11:11–13.
2 Romans 8:28.
3 See Philippians 4:8.
4 Failing Forward (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2000).
5 Psalm 34:18.
6 KJV.

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1,500 Medical Studies Declare Healing Power of Prayer Undeniable

Amanda Casanova, Religion Today, April 06, 2015

A belief in God may make people healthier and happier, according to new studies.

“Studies have shown prayer can prevent people from getting sick–and when they do get sick, prayer can help them get better faster,” Duke University’s Harold G. Koenig, M.D., tells Newsmax Health.

The analysis of more than 1,500 medical studies showed that “people who are more religious and pray more have better mental and physical health,” Koenig said. The results come from a study published in the Southern Medical Journal.

“And out of 125 studies that looked at the link between health and regular worship, 85 showed regular churchgoers live longer,” said Koenig, director of Duke’s Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health.”

Researcher and writer Tom Knox agreed with the findings. Knox was an atheist who became a Christian after studying faith and medicine.

“What I discovered astonished me,” Knox said. “Over the past 30 years a growing and largely unnoticed body of scientific work shows religious belief is medically, socially, and psychologically beneficial.”

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Dark Legacy - JFK & the FED

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“Imagine There’s No Religion”

By Dennis Edwards:

The following is a conversation I had with some friends recently. I am posting it because I think it may be you may find it interesting! I am trying to share my faith without coming across self-righteous. Let me know what you think. we are all learning! Dennis

Ethan: John Lennon said, "Imagine no religion." I agree, totally. Religion is an unnatural, divisive force separating people into antagonistic groups, who cling desperately to beliefs based on their fear of death, salvation and the afterlife. We need to live in the moment. When those irrational beliefs are questioned, people "of faith" become disoriented and violence is their only option. That's what happened in the Roman siege of Gaul, the Crusades, the Inquisition and... Boston. Debate is not an option, because religion is not at all based on logic - it's based on fear. Pathetic, really. Sorry, Dennis, but Religion is a myth. God may or may not be real, but the rest is just crap.

Dennis : False religion was the opium of the masses until we got TV and shopping malls and computers. I agree in living in the moment. That´s what one of the prophets said. "Take no thought for tomorrow for tomorrow will take thought for itself, sufficient unto the day are today´s troubles."[1] And another said, “Forgetting those things that are behind, I reach forth for those things that are before."[2] The evidences you mention above about religion´s bad conduct are from the false hypocritical religionists who have always persecuted the real followers of love and peace. If God is love like the good Book says and we do unto to others like we want them to do unto us, which basically means to treat others like we would want to be treated, then that´s all the religion we need. But that idea so infuriated the religious leaders of the past, that they killed the prophet hoping it would wipe out those revolutionary ideas. You are right, friend. Religion is not an option. But religion and faith are not equals. Real faith is logical. The reason we can do science is because we are in a universe that operates on rational or reasonable laws. Where do those laws come from? Scientists confess that there are around 100 physical variables that need to be perfectly fine-tuned for the universe and life on earth to exist. Can we explain that fine-tuning?

Dennis: How did they get fine-tuned within the first sixty seconds after the "singularity"? The speed of light, the strong nuclear force, the weak nuclear force, electromagnetic field, gravity, the vigor of the "big bang," etc. How come water is perfectly "made" to make life possible? When the "big bang” occurred where did the matter that was spinning around in that little small dot smaller than a period come from? Why did it start to spin? Who or what made it spin? Where did the energy come from that gave the "big bang" just the perfect amount of force so that the universe did not fall back upon itself, or disappear completely and be unable to form galaxies etc. Evolution has no answers for these questions except nothing exploded and made everything. To me, that is not logical. The scientific law of causality states that if something has a beginning it has a cause, the First Cause. Einstein´s theory of relativity led to the scientific mathematical conclusion that the universe had a beginning. This fact led Einstein to abandon his belief in the Steady-State Theory of the universe which said the universe has no beginning or end. He said the bigger mistake from being wrong would be to not acknowledge that he was wrong and not change. But he did acknowledge it even though it had theological implications. He changed his belief system based on the physical evidence. He confessed the universe had some kind of creator though he stayed away from traditional religion. He also said when men discovered the Universal Theory that it would be both beautiful and simple. Most people today do not even realize the illogicality of their belief system. But Faith is in fact logical. True science leads to faith as many great scientists of the past have acknowledged. Most people can see the faults and hypocrisy of the man-made religions of today and therefore many conclude there is no God. However, has anyone ever thought that maybe the religious ceremonies and systems we observe may have very little or nothing to do with the creator of the universe?

Dennis: I do not want to be part of that false religious/ political system that wages war against the true followers of love and peace. The true followers of love and peace will always be in the minority, because though many are called, so few will pick up the call and follow. The voice of conscience is "God´s" voice speaking to our heart. Do you hear his voice? Or have you hardened your heart, because of so much pain, suffering, and injustice, that you see in the world around us? Friend, once when I was young and the FBI was after me, because I did not show up for my physical or induction, I called out to "God," though I did not believe "He" existed. Usually there is some catalyst that causes us to seek "Him." But the prophet Jeremiah said, "You shall seek "Me" and find "Me" when you shall search for "Me" with all your heart."[3] Have you really sought for "Him" with all your heart? Or are you letting your concept of religion get in the way of finding out if there really is a creator of the universe?

Dennis: The book In Six Days: why 50 scientists (Doctorates) believe in creation, edited by John Aston, may give you some logical answers to questions you may have. Dr. Lee Spetner, who holds a PHD in physics from MIT, has a book called Shattering the Modern Theory of Evolution which you may also find interesting. Then there is Werner Gitt an information scientist who poses some very good questions about the information code found in the DNA molecule in his book In the Beginning Was Information. I hope you will investigate further by reading one or more of them. Religion may be illogical and based on blind faith, but real faith is based on reason. Will you reason with me for the answers? 

( The above posts to Ethan I shared privately but then he re-posted the Lennon quote again.)

Ethan: Believe what you want, or need, to believe. DO NOT try to change what your neighbor believes, no matter how alien it seems to you, and DO NOT hate them for their equally irrational beliefs. If you do, the world will slip further and further into terminal darkness.( Dennis - I do not agree with the idea of not trying to change people. As Christians we are commanded by Christ to loving preach and live the gospel to affect change in others. Peter also says we should be ready to give an answer to every man that asks us of the reason of the hope that is in us with meekness and fear. Paul told us to vigorously contend for the faith, but it is important that we do so humbly and with kindness.)

Jane: Spot on!

Dennis : To Ethan: I believe we are all in the business of moving people, influencing people. Why did you put that post if you did not want to influence others to your way of thinking? We all try and influence others, but the way we do it makes the difference. Love is getting down where someone else is and trying to lift and help him up. Much of the progress of the pass came from a few individuals who were willing to stand up and fight for some unpopular issue, like emancipation for the blacks, equality for the Jews, etc.

Jane: Dennis I think of the Christmas song....just be good for goodness sake....to define a way of believing eliminates all those who think differently ... live and let live

Ethan: The only law we need is the Golden Rule. "Do unto others as YOU WOULD HAVE others do unto you." Not, "Do unto to others BECAUSE (Jesus, Allah, Yahweh) say so..." Why doesn't matter. Be good for goodness sake is a wonderful phrase; a perfect phrase. (Dennis -  I agree with that first line that all we need is the golden rule. If we followed that we find it is even harder than the ten commandments.)

Ethan to Jane: Thanks, Jane.

Jane: Just heard on NPR..an apathist.....it doesn't matter what the "story" is after we die..we will die..I'm not expecting anything afterwards.... I make my happiness one day at a time...if there's anything after..bonus time...if not I won't be disappointed...(Jane told me she was a Unitarian.)

Dennis : To Jane: If there are absolutes then one of the purposes in life is to find out what those absolutes are and live according to their dictates. If someone finds a way to light a candle in the darkness, then his moral conscience obligates him to try to teach others how they too can light a candle. Let´s say someone invents a baby food that is more nutritious than the traditional, then he feels morally obligated to try to influence others to use that product. Love is sharing the knowledge and experience that life has taught us in a loving way. We cannot legislate righteousness but as believers we should shine forth the truth with love and tolerance.

Ethan: What a load. Who’s to say that that particular baby food is the best? What if experts disagree (as do “holy men“)... and I use the words in their most sarcastic tone.

Leave people alone and teach them to respect themselves and others, and god becomes a useless appendage to our lives. ( Dennis - I mentioned the Baby food because he sells his own brand that is suppose to be better for babies and even shared it on my photo page, which I left there because he is a friend and I want him no harm.)

Kathy: Explaining the existence of God to someone who has never experienced Him is like trying to describe an orgasm to someone who has never had one. Does that mean that orgasms do not exist or are useless? (Dennis - Excellent example!)

Jane: I think I'm going to leave this conversation. Addressing Dennis ..absolutes...I absolutely know I'm going to die..what happens after is based on belief as no one on this earth knows what comes next. I don't waste my time worrying about the hereafter. ( Dennis - I am not worrying. I have that question worked out. Jesus has given me eternal life because I believe in Him.)

Ethan: There is, female friend, no assurance that the orgasm you experience is like anyone else's. If a Muslim experiences Allah, is it different from Christian experiencing Jesus? But this conversation is not at all about the existence of god... it is about the rules.

Abby: So interesting that I'm reading your conversation just after reading a NYT editorial that states..."religious attendance boosts the immune system and decreases blood pressure." (P. 9 in Sunday Review section. If you wish to read the rest for a good laugh!)

Dennis : Jane: Pascal´s famous wager. Live a good life following the golden rule is the best bet. But it is sad that people wait until they die to find out if God is real when He wants to have a personal relationship with us today and help us through the struggles of life. He wants to be a friend that sticks closer than a brother. For those who have experienced that friendship, it is hard for us to shut up about it. Like a Near Death Experience, it totally changes your life and your life´s goals. Like Paul said, "I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

Dennis : Ethan: Where does universal morality come from? I agree with you, Ethan, that the endless following of religious rules means nothing and this is what the prophet said and showed with his life style. The religious leaders of his day where so infuriated with him that they had him accused of political crimes against the state and killed.

Ethan: I'm out of this. When I start heeding scripture... whatever scripture it may be... I am at peace with life and I am at peace with the inevitable prospect of death. Invictus: I am captain of my fate, master of my soul. QED ( Dennis - And a few lines earlier the quote says..."My head is bloodied, but unbowed!)

Dennis : But Ethan: Where does objective right and wrong come from if it doesn´t come from God? You see we all know that there are absolutes, there is an objective morality and that objective morality must come from somewhere. Our conscience is God´s presence which brings about objective morality. It´s like the information within the DNA. It did not just get there by itself. Information always goes back to a sender. The tremendous amount of information in the DNA molecule cries aloud of a supernatural creator much more intelligent than you or I. He has put His signature in the cell for all to see. He has put it in the beautiful sunset, in the sky at night and the experience of sexual pleasure with someone we love. He can be seen in all these things and so many more. And He wants us to enjoy life and gives us a simply rule to live by: love.

Ethan: Dennis, it's referred to as "evolutionary conscience". We would not have been able to form ever larger and more complex civilizations were we without that aspect of our psychological makeup. It is as essential as opposable thumbs, language and stereo vision in our development. If we didn't have it, we'd simply kill each other willy-nilly. It was here before we even thought about one god... or any gods. Pagan civilizations possessed it. Primitive man possessed it. You argue against evolution, and even radio-carbon dating, based on a book written before willow bark was known as an anti-inflammatory; before real "empirical science" existed. There is no book, Dennis. There is only life and death. I do not need, seek or desire a "relationship" with god. Never have (I was literally forced to be bar mitzvahed), never will. I am an agnostic. I don't say a god or gods don't exist. I just don't care, and I'm sick and tired of being told I should care about what I have every human right to consider biblical smoke and mirrors. We "prohibit" gay marriage, marijuana, prostitution and a host of other personal choices which are none of anyone else's business. In the name of religion, we burned witches, slaughtered Muslims during the Crusades and committed countless genocides. We prohibited alcohol based on a radical, party-pooping group of Christian women called the Temperance Movement. That was a disaster, in every respect. Every prohibition is. Keep religion, god and biblical precepts out of our lives and legal system. Let logic be the rule of law and intelligence based on fact (rather than fear based on belief) reign supreme. (Dennis - My faith is based on reason not on fear. The evidences in nature and in life and in science point me to a eternal God infinitely superior to man.)

Ethan: If you believe it, that's great. I hope you find strength, solace and meaning in it. I don't, and most of us are sick of hearing about it. DO NOT try to "sell" it to anyone else, or insist that you're beliefs (or what you label "knowledge") are for everyone else to follow, believe in or care about. That sort of blind, self-centered insistence is exactly what a just god would NOT want. ( Dennis - Well, I do not want to come across self-righteously, but neither do I want to let others make claims that I believe are false and not speak up.)

Ethan: BTW, to Kathy, I know a lot more about orgasm than I know about god... more experience. LOL Seeking out THAT knowledge has served me better than Hebrew school ever did.

Kathy: I thought this was a conversation where anyone could jump in and pick up a thread. You mentioned that you don't think that God exists and I stated I did. I agree that religion divides men, because men, who are fallible, make up rules of religion; such as not eating bacon or drinking coffee. I don't think that I am trying to force my beliefs upon anyone else. It's none of my business what you choose to believe or where your soul may end up. Because I do believe in God, I leave such matters in his hands. I do not understand why everyone gets upset with others for sharing their beliefs. I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I don't go around bursting children's bubbles at Christmas. And, Ethan, I do agree that my orgasm is individual to me; but I would hazard to say that the dictionary defines what it is at least physically. We have the freedom to believe what we choose in this country. Why is there so much emotion in people sharing their beliefs? I really don't think anyone wants to convert anyone else; I don't. If you go to an outstanding restaurant or see a hit play it is completely normal to go out and tell everyone about it. Nobody hates anyone for that. Let's just all respect that we are all different and let's support everyone's right to believe and share their opinion. Love to all. P.S. I have a splitting headache today and cannot take anything for it because of a medical test I'm having tomorrow. Does anyone know any way to get rid of it without ingesting anything?

Ethan: Unfortunately, you are in limited company as someone of faith who does not try to convince others Every day, someone from the JWs or LDS knock on doors to convert we heathens.LOL As for the analogy, everyone knows the play is fiction. The quality of the writing and acting ate the topic. That is not at all what religious faith is about. Specious comparison.

Kathy : Content isn't what I was talking about; I meant that nobody thinks you're an idiot for going on and on about how great that play or dinner was. Our society elevates a hot playwright, producer, actress, or chef to the level of a god. I think that is extremely odd.

Kathy: Any headache cures forthcoming? Any one?

Ethan: I agree. Look at Beiber's behavior at the Anna Frank house pathetic.

Ethan: When I get a headache, I take a soaked hot washcloth and place it over my eyes. Reheat and repeat. It usually works.

Kathy: Done and done. I'll try it now. Thanks!

Jane: Kathy, I guess your MO...is pray for it to go away..

Dennis : I take a cold washcloth and place it over my eyes and when it gets warm I get it cold again and repeat. It is comforting. I used to tell my wife that having sex would take her headache away! Take your choice. In any case, I´ll pray for you! (Dennis - It is quite funny that me and Ethan did the exact opposite to relieve a headache. I was not trying to be sarcastic.)

Dennis: So few people realize that the false religions of churches and temples and mosques have actually very little or nothing to do with the true worship of God. God is a spirit, the spirit of love and "He" wants us to worship "Him" in spirit and in truth in how we live our lives. It´s not a rule keeping, or fear of death, but a purpose for living. It´s a lifting up of the heart and mind above the morass of the sad world we live in and seeing beyond into the unknown dimension and finding light, love and purpose in living! It´s a spiritual orgasm and it´s wonderful! Try it, you might like it!

Jane: I'm thinking at best god is a she....

Ethan: The best anything is a she.

Kathy: Tsk tsk Jane. Your intolerance of other opinions is showing.

Ethan: Ok. Show is over. Thank you all for attending, and Jane for adding reason and logic to the mix. 'night all.

Kathy: Oops you forgot about the golden rule. Shouldn’t you treat us all with respect and not just the friend who shares your views? Hardly the sign of a good host.

Dennis : Actually, the book of Proverbs seems to present the Holy Spirit in the feminine case.[4] In the traditional Christian belief of a Three-in-One-God, it would seem to make sense that there needs to be a feminine aspect. In the book The Shack by William P Young, the author also presents "God the Father" as a woman. The Father, Son and Holy Ghost can be seen as a Heavenly family, if that is the case, then the Holy Ghost would be the woman. Of course I am speculating as we have only glimpses into the spiritual dimension. But some in depth studies on this subject have been made by others. That was why I put "He" in quotations as God is a spirit with infinite abilities so whether we should use "He" or "She" I do not know. And I do not think it matters. Like Paul said, "Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face."[5] Hope this helps!

Dennis: Ethan, and as far as empirical science is concerned, agnostic Biologist Dr. Michael Denton does a good study on the topic of the impossibilities of changing a reptile into a bird which evolutionists claim. It can be seen on YouTube on “From a Prince to a Frog," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtDX17KjjG0 In his book Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, Denton wrote, “Neither of the two fundamental axioms of Darwin´s macro-evolutionary theory- the idea that all of life forms are linked together and ultimately lead back to a primordial cell and the belief that all the adaptive design of life has resulted from a random process – have been validated by one single EMPIRICAL discovery or scientific advance since 1859.”[6]

Reiterating the point once again, neither natural selection nor mutations, which evolutionists claim are the mechanisms for evolutionary change, can form new genetic information. The theory that you are trusting in does not have a mechanism. People have been duped into believing that evolution is true and therefore their disbelief in God is justified. But, Ethan, when we look at the scientific facts, we find that evolution is the far less reasonable and logical of the theories. But, nevertheless, we accept it because we have rejected the concept of God. Our empty and hypocritical religious experiences from childhood and adolescence have taught us that God is dead, or at least inattentive to this life. In any case, we don´t want a religion that will crowd out our sexuality. We want to be free to live life to the full. I fully understand that and I´m sure God does, too. I just think you have quite a few misconceptions due to the obvious faults with the religious systems around the world. Very few, if any, have much to do with the "Spirit of the Living God."[7]

Footnotes:

[1] Matthew 6:34

[2] Philippians 3:13

[3] Jeremiah 29:13

[4] Proverbs 8; Proverbs 9:1-12

[5] 1Corinthians 13:12

[6] Denton, Dr. Michael; Evolution in Crisis

[7] 2Corinthians 3:3

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