Tuesday, March 31, 2009

TWO FOR TUESDAY



Not every song that will be featured here will be what is generally considered as being “Christian” in the eyes of this world. For some will be anguished cries from the pit of despair, and others will be quite obviously ferverent rants of rebellion. Nonetheless, be assured that they will all be of our Heavenly Father (in one way or another) and I hope that you have been given ears to hear the message.



Link: [On YouTube]

What It’s Like
Everlast
We’ve all seen the man
At the liquor store
Beggin’ for your change
The hair on his face is dirty
Dreadlocked
And full of mange
He ask the man
For what he could spare
With shame in his eyes
Get a job you f#$%in’ slob’s
All he replied

God forbid you ever had to walk
A mile in his shoes
‘Cause then you really might know
What it’s like to sing the blues
Then you really might know
What it’s like
What it’s like
Then you really might know
What it’s like
What it’s like
Then you really might know
What it’s like
What it’s like
Then you really might know
What it’s like

Mary got pregnant
By a kid named Tom
Who said he was in love
He said
Don’t worry about a thing baby doll
I’m the man
You’ve been dreamin’ of
But three months later
He said he won’t date her
Or return her call
And sweared God d@#$
If I find that man
I’m cuttin’ off his balls
And then she heads for the clinic
And she gets some static
Walkin’ through the doors
They call her a killer
And they call her a sinner
And they call her a whore

God forbid you ever had to walk
A mile in her shoes
‘Cause then you really might know
What it’s like to have to choose
Then you really might know
What it’s like
What it’s like
Then you really might know
What it’s like
What it’s like
Then you really might know
What it’s like
What it’s like
Then you really might know
What it’s like

I’ve seen a rich man beg
I’ve seen a good man sin
I’ve seen a tough man cry
I’ve seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I’ve hard an honest man lie
I’ve seen the good side of bad
And the down side of up
And everything between
I licked the silver spoon
Drank from the golden cup
Smoked the finest green
I stroked the baddest dimes
At least a couple of times
Before I broke her heart
You know where it ends
Yo
It usually depends
On where you start

I knew this kid named Max
He used to get fat stacks
Out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out
Late at night
Liked to get s#$%-faced
And keep pace with thugs
Until late one night
There was a big gun fight
Max lost his head
He pulled out his chrome .45
Talked some s@#$
And wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught
In the midst of all of his pain
You know it crumbles that way
At least that’s what they say
When you play the game

God forbid you ever had to wake up
To hear the news
‘Cause then you really might know
What it’s like to have to lose
Then you really might know
What it’s like
What it’s like
Then you really might know
What it’s like
What it’s like
Then you really might know
What it’s like
What it’s like
Then you really might know
What it’s like


Link: [On YouTube]

Saving Grace
Everlast
One time
Around the block
Two times
Around the clock
Three times
Don’t cross
The little lady
Lady

So pretty
And oh so bold
Got a heart full of gold
On a lonely road
She said
I don’t even think
That God can save me
Save me

Am I
Gainin’ ground
Am I
Losin’ face
Have I lost and found
My saving grace
Thankful for the gift
My angels gave me

Born alone
We die alone
‘N’ I’m just sittin’ here
By the phone
Waitin’ for the Lord
To send my callin’

Street-wise
From the boulevard
Jesus only knows
That she tries too hard
She’s only tryin’ to keep
The sky from fallin’

Any man
Who says it’s Heaven and Hell
Prob’ly got
Somethin’ useless to sell
You ask me if I’m saved
But what’s it to ya

Blow a quarter
Cop another eight
You’re runnin’ out of high
You’re losin’ your faith
Throw your hands up and scream
Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Amen

One time
Around the sun
Another year older
And my work ain’t done
It’s time for me to write
The final chapter
Chapter

Deal the cards
And roll the dice
Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll
Are my only vice
Tryin’ to figure out
Just what’s here after
Here after

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Amen

Link: [Everlast]

Lyrics From: [A-Z Lyrics Universe]

Monday, March 30, 2009

Come Monday...Black and Blue

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of, or commentary about, websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time. Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.” This is subject to change, however. In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while. For rants promote change, and change can be good—right? Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told).

Several weeks ago, I received a friend request from those responsible for the [Black and Blue Movie MySpace page]. After going to see if this was a legitimate page or just another redirect to a “Wild Cougars Hunting Kittens” porn site, I was delighted to find that this was indeed a legitimate page that captured my full attention almost immediately. For it was dedicated to a new movie project, starring [Christine Evans], and I promised to post a review as soon as I was given the time to do so.

Well, the time must have gotten away from me. For I feel like this review should have been completed long before now.

Making matters even worse, I feel like I have not done due diligence to even post a review of the movie. For the most that I could find about the movie, which appears to be stalled in production at this time, is from a synopsis on [IMDB] that says that it is about a 17 year old homeless girl who strives to rise above her current circumstances through her music with the help of a kindly stranger.

Okay, I was allowed and enabled to find an embeddable trailer for the movie, which can also be viewed on the MySpace page. It was this trailer that helped to capture my attention so thoroughly, and I hope it does the same for you.

If you view the movie trailer and participate in the short survey that they want you to, they will give you a download of the theme song, which has been included here. I really love this song in all respects, and I have fallen in love with many of Christine Evan’s songs.

Yeah, I should naturally be most envious. Perhaps even consumed with a jealous rage. For not only has our Heavenly Father blessed her with great physical beauty, He has also given her an enormous amount of both musical and theatrical talents while not doing the same for me.

No, life in this world is not fair in our own sight. Be assured that it is not meant to be as such. Thankfully, a life beyond compare awaits those who will but want to live it.



Link: [On YouTube]


MP3 Audio Player From: [BlogDumps Video]

Black and Blue
Christine Evans

Yeah
Yeah

This isn’t the first time
And probably will not be the last time
My heart has been broken
So many words I haven’t spoken
Echo inside

Am I okay
Tell me if it’s normal
Am I crazy
Feelin’ like I do
There’s an answer
But you expect no action
Sometimes I think I am black and white
It’s black and blue

I know we’ve all been here
I scream is anybody out there
I can’t keep pretending
I’m healed when I’m not even mending
Broken inside
So much to hide

Am I okay
Tell me if it’s normal
Am I crazy
Feelin’ like I do
There’s an answer
But you expect no action
Sometimes I think I’m black and white
It’s black and blue

No matter what I’m going through
I’m giving up
I’m giving into you
Because no one knows me like you do

Am I okay
Or am I crazy

Am I okay
Tell me if it’s normal
Am I crazy
Feelin’ like I do
There’s an answer
But you expect no action
Sometimes I think I’m black and white
No
Sometimes I think I’m black and white
It’s black and blue

Yeah
Yeah
Black and blue
Tell me
Tell me
Am I crazy
Black and blue
Oh
Black and blue
Yeah

Link: [Christine Evans on MySpace]

Sunday, March 29, 2009

A Sunday Drive

Back during my childhood, our parents would often load up my brother and I after Sunday morning church services for a leasurely drive around where we lived. Even though we were seeing mostly familiar sights, it was still good to see them, and this is why “A Sunday Drive” sounded about right for the name of a weekly series revisiting familiar sites that are well worth seeing again and again.







Saturday, March 28, 2009

Bittersweet Refinements: XI

Bittersweet Refinements is another book that I have been given to publish. If it gets to sounding an awfully lot like a broken player stuck on repeating the same old wrong song over and over again that is because it is to a fairly great extent. For most of it contains rewritten parts of the Bitter/Sweets that were published here before. Hopefully, it will get to sounding a lot better to you very soon, and for the benefit of those who do not have access to multiple versions of our Heavenly Father's Holy Bible, numbered Scripture references in the text (for example, [1]) provide links to such through Bible Gateway this time around. The same also applies to verses included in the text.


Chapter XI
The Words Of The Word


But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach.
Again, let us not make it harder for the lost and confused to fully accept what our Heavenly Father actually says is absolutely true, but how can anyone do this if they are lost or confused themselves? For how can the blind lead the blind anywhere but to where they know not[1]?

Proof of just how blind far too many are can be found in the fact that most in the Christian community consider “The Word” to be our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible. For the absolute truth of the matter truly is that “The Word[2]” is the Lord Jesus Christ[3]—not the sum-total of the words that He had placed into written form[4] in order to serve as written confirmation[5] of what He Himself wants to personally reveal, albeit through the efforts of His Holy Spirit[6], to each and every one of us, on an individual basis and without exception[7].

Yes, our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible is often referred to as being the written word of God, but this does not change a thing. For instead of teaching that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God[8] means that faith comes from Christ Jesus Himself, it is taught that faith comes from hearing the Bible being preached.

Yes, preceding verses in the related passage certainly seem to support their convictions—especially in regards to there being a need to preach the Gospel far and wide in order to fulfill The Great Commission[9]. For it is written: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [Romans 10:14-15 KJV]

On the other hand, how can any of us come to have faith in what is so unnatural to us[10] without the true Word of God being there ahead of any effort made on His behalf[11]? Therefore, is it not really by His efforts, first and foremost[12], that anyone comes to have faith in Him[13]?

No, this is not just another futile exercise in semantics, nor the splitting of theological hairs, in an effort to make some ridiculous point. For it is written: “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” [John 5:39-40 NIV]

To get the full magnitude of what is being addressed, the entire related passage should be considered. For it is written: “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid. You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light. I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” [John 5:31-47 NIV]

Simply put, we are talking about a matter of eternal spiritual life and death here[14]. For the faith of far too many is based upon what is contained in our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible instead of upon it’s Author, which is to make it an idol[15].

No, this is not to say that what is contained in our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible is of little value. For it is written: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. [2 Timothy 3:16-17 NAS]

Nonetheless, it would do us all well to obtain a proper perspective. For it is written: Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. [2 Peter 1:20-21 NIV]

In other words, Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible was never meant to be employed as a book of instruction—certainly not in the same way as an educational textbook about science, mathematics, nor even history normally would be. For it is truly a book full of spiritual truths that only the spiritually-minded can correctly discern[16].

Yes, it would be different if we really were as much on our own as we appear to be in our own sight[17], but since we are not[18], would it not be better to have the Author to teach us instead of relying upon just the book by itself? For it is written: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30 NIV]

No, it should not be assumed that it is the same for everyone. For it all depends upon what our Heavenly Father wants to accomplish in and through someone that determines when, and to what extent, He will allow and enable them to come into the knowledge and understanding of His absolute truth[19].

A good example of what I have been given to say about no one being able to truly understand what our Heavenly Father’s Holy Scriptures are really saying without Him allowing and enabling them to can be found in Luke 24:13-49, with the optimum verse of the passage being the 45th one. For it is written: Then He (thoroughly) opened up their minds to understand the Scriptures. [Luke 24:45 AMP]

Yes, there is something to say for tradition. For it naturally makes a great deal of sense to us that a belief system would not last very long unless it was based upon something tangible, and our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible is something that we can literally grab a hold of[20].

Therein lies a problem—does it not? For who could really be sure that what is contained in our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible is any more true than any of the other texts that are held to be sacred by millions upon millions of others of other beliefs if it was not for the witness of His Holy Spirit[21]?

Alas, woe be it to us all if there is really no way to be absolutely sure. For who can leave this world in peace without such knowledge and understanding[22]?
Since there are still some (quite a few, actually) who insist that the King James 1611 Authorized Version (KJV) is the only true and accurate English-language translation of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible there is, it would be good to address this before proceeding any further. For it is pure folly to believe in such a way as this[23].

No, this is not to say that the venerable KJV should not be held in high esteem. For it is as fine of a translation as we have been given, but it is no better than many others.

Yes, there are some versions of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible that are really not versions at all. For they have been rewritten to fit a particular set of doctrines adhered to by the followers of certain denominations.

Be assured that the same thing is required to tell the difference between what is truly of our Heavenly Father and what is not—regardless of what version you may be reading. For the worshippers of the King James 1611 Authorized Version base their claims about its superiority upon the fact that it was compiled from completely accurate copies of the earliest known copies of the original manuscripts in their native language, but how can they be so sure that those copies of the earliest known copies of the original manuscripts really do contain the very words that were given to be placed into written form without the witness of the One who first gave them[24]? After all, were they not actually copies of earlier copies of earlier copies of even earlier copies, and have not many other versions of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Bible been compiled from the very same texts?

{1}1 Timothy 1:5-11; {2}John 1:1-18; {3}Revelation 19:13; {4}Ecclesiastes 12:11-12; {5}Romans 15:4; {6}John 16:13-15; {7}Hebrews 12:2-3; {8}Romans 10:17 KJV; {9}Matthew 28:18-20; {10}Job 11:7-9; {11}John 15:5; {12}John 16:8-11; {13}2 Peter 1:1-4; {14}1 John 5:9-12; {15}1 John 5:20-21; {16}1 Corinthians 2:14; {17}Isaiah 45:15; {18}Psalms 139:7-12; {19}Philippians 2:13; {20}Proverbs 14:12; {21}1 Corinthians 12:3; {22}Ephesians 1:13-14; {23}Isaiah 29:13; {24}Psalms 119:105.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Sites To See

This is the new version of FIVE FOR FRIDAY. As with the former, it is the SOLE purpose of this weekly series to call attention to sites that I think many would find most interesting—in one way or another. Please, go see for yourself.







Wednesday, March 25, 2009

WhiteHeart Wednesday

Link: [Emergency Broadcast]



MP3 Audio Player From: [BlogDumps Video]

Montana Sky
WhiteHeart

Gazing
From a lonely mountain top
Face to face
With a sky that never stops
Here
Where an empty soul can turn
To look for some reasons
The riddles of why

They happen
Things we just don’t understand
But there’s a peace
For what we cannot comprehend
Oh
We can climb higher than the pain
To find some comfort
When the answer isn’t plain

We don’t know why
But when the world is lost in shadows
There is a Light that will remain
The love He gave
That cared enough to die
Is as endless as the Montana sky

Flowing
On the mysteries of time
Are secrets
That are hidden from my mind
Oh
For all I cannot understand
My loving Father
Holds the answers in His hands

We don’t know why
But when the world is lost in shadows
There is a Light that will remain
The love He gave
That cared enough to die
Is as endless as the Motana sky

When there’s no why
There is a hope beyond the sorrow
It is the Truth that will not change
His love that gave
That cared enough to die
Is as endless as the Montana sky
Pure as the Montana sky
Endless as the Montana sky

Link: [WhiteHeart]

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

TWO FOR TUESDAY

Not every song that will be featured here will be what is generally considered as being “Christian” in the eyes of this world. For some will be anguished cries from the pit of despair, and others will be quite obviously ferverent rants of rebellion. Nonetheless, be assured that they will all be of our Heavenly Father (in one way or another) and I hope that you have been given ears to hear the message.



Link: [On YouTube]

Sunny Came Home
Shawn Colvin
Sunny came home to her favorite room
Sunny sat down in the kitchen
She opened a book and a box of tools
Sunny came home with a mission

She says
Days go by
I’m hypnotized
I’m walking on a wire
I close my eyes
And fly
Out of my mind
Into the fire

Sunny came home with a list of names
She didn’t believe in transcendence
It’s time for a few small repairs she said
Sunny came home with a vengeance

She says
Days go by
I don’t know why
I’m walking on a wire
I close my eyes
And fly
Out of my mind
Into the fire

Get the kids
And bring a sweater
Dry is good
And wind is better
Count the years
You always knew it
Stike a match
Go on and do it

Days go by
I’m hypnotized
I’m walking on a wire
I close my eyes
And fly
Out of my mind
Into the wire
Light the sky
And hold on tight
The world is burning down
She’s out there on her own
And she’s all right
Sunny came home

Sunny came home


Link: [On YouTube]

These Four Walls
Shawn Colvin

I’m gonna die in these four walls
I’ve had enough
And I’ve tried it all
I’ll watch the day break
And I’ll see the night fall
In these four walls

Show me trouble
I’ll take ‘em down
I drew a line on this patch of ground
Everything’s safe
And everything’s sound
In these four walls

Up on the rooftop
I can remember
Borders I had to break
But now I can see
I had this life to make
To make

I’m gonna miss your southern drawl
A baby’s footsteps
In an empty hall
And every little thing
I can ever recall
In these four walls
In these four walls

Up on the rooftop
Feel like you’re flyin’
Thinkin’ your heart could break
Oh can’t you see we had this love to make
To make

I’m gonna die in these four walls
I’ve had enough
And I’ve tried it all
I’ll watch the day break
And I’ll see the night fall
In these four walls
In these four walls
In these four walls

Link: [Shawn Colvin]

Lyrics From: [LyricsMode]

Monday, March 23, 2009

Coming Monday...League Bowling

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of, or commentary about, websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time. Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.” This is subject to change, however. In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while. For rants promote change, and change can be good—right? Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told).

Obviously, there has been a fair amount of outrage over President Obama’s [off-color] remark about his [bowling] skills and the [Special Olympics]. If you happen to be one of the four people left in this country who has not seen a clip of it yet, this is for you:


Yes, he shouldn’t have said what he did about the Special Olympics, but what I am wondering is where all of the outrage is from [League Bowlers]? After all, a 129 could not be all that of an uncommon score—especially when too much beer is involved.

So, was his remark really a shot at [Joe Sixpacks] in general, and maybe even [Joe the Plumber] in particular? For I seem to recall hearing something from somewhere that plumbers love to bowl because it proves that “stuff” doesn’t always run downhill, and if you have ever seen a ball you’ve thrown decide to veer off at a 90 degree angle for no apparent reason after going perfectly straight until just before striking the pocket between the one and three pins, you know what they mean.

Methinks that it may have actually been a diversion to distract our attention away from the trial balloon that was floated about having retired and wounded veterans start paying for at least a portion of their own healthcare. For the only thing that I have personally heard about it so far is just a short report on the [NBC Nightly News] a little over a week ago, and some mentions on a few blogs [here] and [there].

Yeah, it was a trial balloon, and it was [brought back down] very quickly after it became clear that there was virtually no support for the proposal in congress at this time. It still gives me another reason for great concern—as it should for us all.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

A Sunday Drive

Back during my childhood, our parents would often load up my brother and I after Sunday morning church services for a leasurely drive around where we lived. Even though we were seeing mostly familiar sights, it was still good to see them, and this is why “A Sunday Drive” sounded about right for the name of a weekly series revisiting familiar sites that are well worth seeing again and again.







Saturday, March 21, 2009

Bittersweet Refinements: X

Bittersweet Refinements is another book that I have been given to publish. If it gets to sounding an awfully lot like a broken player stuck on repeating the same old wrong song over and over again that is because it is to a fairly great extent. For most of it contains rewritten parts of the Bitter/Sweets that were published here before. Hopefully, it will get to sounding a lot better to you very soon, and for the benefit of those who do not have access to multiple versions of our Heavenly Father's Holy Bible, numbered Scripture references in the text (for example, [1]) provide links to such through Bible Gateway this time around. The same also applies to verses included in the text.


Chapter X
Creative Possibilities


There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. [Proverbs 14:12 NIV]

No, it is not the intent of this book, nor that of my own desires, to unfairly demean, embarrass, nor insult anyone in any way, shape or form for whatever they may want to believe is the truth. For it would be to work against what our Heavenly Father wants to accomplish to do so[1].

Nonetheless, I cannot imagine why anyone in their right-mind would not want to have full and complete faith in the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ[2]. For in comparison to all of the other ways that are said to provide a viable means of obtaining eternal spiritual life, only the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ offers[3] to pay the price in full that is required to redeem all of us from having to pay for all of our own sins ourselves[4].

Yes, it is easier said than done. For in order to truly have full and complete faith in the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, it must be accepted that we are just plain not good enough to make it into our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven on our own[5], and this goes against everything that we naturally want to believe about ourselves[6].

Hence, the significance of being in one’s right-mind[7]. For it is written: The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. [1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV]

Tragically, not everyone in the Christian community have full and complete faith in the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. For it has been widely taught that we must also earn our keep through the doing of various things[8], which naturally makes a lot of sense since this is the way of this world[9].

Alas, does that not make religions that teach reincarnation all the more attractive? For reincarnation promises many lives to get things right instead of just one[10].

Oh yes, it is a tempting thought. For there is much about my life that I am deeply ashamed of, and I would want to change some things if given an opportunity to do so. There are also many very good times (naturally-speaking) that I would not mind living all over again, of course.

However, that is not the way it is supposed to work—is it? For there is rarely any memory of past lives, and certainly no guarantee of being placed in the same circumstances with the same people as before. So, I cannot imagine why anyone in their right-mind would want spend much time thinking about the possibilities of doing anything all over again[11] when no judgment awaits them[12], and a world beyond wonder does[13].

Sadly, little of that holds much appeal for a growing number of this world’s population. In fact, it is infuriating to some. For they insist that our time would be better spent on searching for ways to improve and extend the lives that we now have instead of pursuing what cannot be confirmed (in their opinion).

Talk about taking “seeing is believing” plumb seriously. For their argument is based upon a lack of empirical evidence, and it extends all the way back to the very beginning of this world.

In other words, they demand scientific proof, which is proof that can be tested, and unless our Heavenly Father cooperates, no such proof will ever be found. For it is written: By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. [Hebrews 11:3 NAS]

No, this is not to say that He will eventually concede to their demands, but if He was willing to provide the Apostle Thomas[14] with the proof that he needed, would He not also go way above and beyond all reasonable expectations for everyone else? For it is written: For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! [Ezekiel 18:32 NIV]

Therefore, let us not make it harder for the lost and confused to fully accept what our Heavenly Father actually says is absolutely true, and the promotion of such things as the teaching of intelligent design in our public school is not helping. For it seeks to employ natural means to explain what can only be spiritually discerned[15].

No, this is not to deny the sincerity of their efforts, but the absolute truth of the matter truly is that proponents of intelligent design are as deceived as the proponents of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. For who is so blind as the one who does not want to see[16]?

Be assured that science poses no threat to our Heavenly Father. For what it is really doing is “discovering” what He has done and is still doing, and no one will be able to honestly say that they did not understand everything that He wanted them to[17], come Judgment Day[18], despite being taught that our earliest ancestors were amoebas swimming around in primordial ooze[19].

Speaking of science, there is another creative possibility that needs to be addressed—even though many will insist that it is really nothing more than science fiction. For there are some who want to believe that we are the descendants of colonists from a galaxy far, far away.

To be honest, I would like to believe that some of the alleged sightings of UFOs may have been a few distant cousins coming by for a look. For I find the idea of there being other worlds not so unlike our own absolutely fascinating.
Nothing has been revealed to me about such, however. For when I have asked our Heavenly Father about it, the only answer I have received is that whatever He may be doing somewhere else has nothing to do with the plans that He has made for us of this world[20].

Yes, it could be argued that the Lord God Almighty would never say such a thing. For it is written: And Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. [Genesis 3:20 KJV]

The trouble with that line of reasoning, however, is that Eve is obviously not the mother of angels—not to mention plants and animals. Therefore, it must be that she is given credit for being the mother of all of mankind, and that leaves the door wide open for other possibilities.

Yes, it could also be argued that mankind being created in our Heavenly Father’s image[21] narrows down the possibilities considerably, but let us not ignore what the Apostle John saw in our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom of Heaven. For it is written: Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God; and before the throne there was something like a sea of glass, like crystal; and in the center and around the throne, four living creatures full of eyes in front and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.” [Revelation 4:5-8 NAS]

{1}2 Timothy 2:24-26; {2}Romans 1:16; {3}1 John 5:12; {4}Hebrews 10:1-18; {5}Ephesians 2:8-10; {6}Jeremiah 17:5-10; {7}1 Corinthians 12:3; {8}1 Timothy 4:1-3; {9}2 Corinthians 11:3-4; {10}Hebrew 9:27; {11}Isaiah 45:9-10; {12}Hebrews 9:28; {13}Romans 8:18; {14}John 20:24-28; {15}1 Corinthians 2:6-16; {16}Psalms 14:1; {17}Romans 1:18-20; {18}Revelation 20:11-15; {19}Jeremiah 32:26; {20}John 21:18-25; {21}Genesis 1:27.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Sites To See

This is the new version of FIVE FOR FRIDAY. As with the former, it is the SOLE purpose of this weekly series to call attention to sites that I think many would find most interesting—in one way or another. Please, go see for yourself.