Wisdom On A Whim

Psalm 55:19

2011-01-18T06:07:00.000-05:00

Because they do not change, therefore they do not fear God.

Dinner

2010-08-17T11:44:00.002-04:00

1st appetizer: lobster, shrimp, oysters, clams
2nd appetizer: Ahi tuna
3rd appetizer: watercress salad with mozzarella
Main: Filet mignon, rice n asparagus
Dessert: hazelnut ice "drowned" in espresso, lemon and orange sorbets, chocolate cake
Finish: Mint tea and home made grappa!

Difference between religions and God!

2010-07-25T21:23:00.000-04:00

Religions (including Christian ones) and other spiritual disciplines try to get closer to God.
But, God did give us what we need. Do you acknowledge what He did for you?
The man who died next to Him did.

Nobody is "better" or "worse" than their neighbor. By accepting what He did for us makes us both mere recipients of His amazing love and grace and eternal life.

Pasta n Broccoli w Shredded Cheese

2010-06-28T20:23:00.001-04:00

A favorite!

Choose your pasta: Farfalle (bow tie), Penne or Pennette (small penne), even Rigatoni.
Have either fresh or frozen broccoli florets.

Sauce Ingredients:
1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 - 6 cloves of garlic, chopped or sliced (however you like)
1 cup cooking water

Put your pasta pot up with enough water, salt the water! See Pasta Cooking Instructions
In a smaller saucepan start heating the oil
Add the garlic.
When the garlic starts to sizzle, add one cup of the salt water (from the pasta pot) and close the lid.
This step prevents the garlic from burning and provides a "thinner" oil sauce, which coats the pasta more evenly.

When the pasta is almost done, throw the broccoli in the water. This will cool the water (obviously), but no worries, the boiling will resume soon. For my personal taste, the broccoli just take a few minutes till they're done.

Once pasta and broccoli are done, drain and put back into the pot.
Add the sauce mix to the pasta/broccoli.
Add freshly ground black pepper and your favorite cheese.
I highly recommend shreeded parmesan or combination of parmesan/romano/asiago...

Enjoy!

Life Line

2010-06-26T19:42:00.000-04:00

If our very own bodies would (dys)function like the US politics we would long be dead.

Cooking Pasta Right (or Pasta-Cooking for Dummies)

2010-06-17T09:26:00.001-04:00

Cooking pasta the right way!

As I was reading through some forums and blogs I came across a few strange comments about cooking pasta the right way; some even said that it doesn’t matter and that everybody should just eat anyway they want.” Well, fine!

However…personal taste, in my opinion, does not determine guidelines, much less plumb lines. Nobody can take away your right to eat however you like! That’s a given. But, there is a right way of cooking pasta and there are wrong ways! Whether we’re talking about cooking spaghetti or painting a wall, I would always advice to learn the basic principles and then build from there. I don’t want to come across as being boastful, but here are my facts: I’ve learned from my mother whose pasta cooking has never disappointed anybody. I am 44 and I’ve been cooking pasta her way for the last 25 years and my friends not only came back for more, they brought others with them! Cooking spaghetti is one of my “things”. So, consider following these steps and you should be successful with any pasta dish!

First Step: When cooking pasta you must start with the right size pot! For a pound of pasta you should have at least a 4-quart (approx 4 L) pot. Use a bigger pot if you are cooking pasta for more than 6 people.

The second important step when cooking pasta is to salt the cooking water. I am surprised at how many people are actually cooking pasta in plain water. For a 4-quart pot I usually cup my left hand and heap a nice hill of salt on it. Cooking pasta in salt water will give it its distinguished taste, which will allow you to make simple and clean tasting sauces to accompany the pasta. In other words, you won’t have to overpower the pasta with over-seasoned and spiced up sauces. I once ate pasta that was cooked in sweet water and even though the sauce was tasty and delicious, it still had that undercurrent of blandness, which was very dissatisfying. Once the pasta is cooked, that’s it – you can’t “sprinkle” salt over the cooked pasta! That will result in patches of overly salted pasta – an irreversible disaster!

Third important step when cooking pasta: wait till the water has reached a rolling boil.

Fourth important step: when cooking spaghetti watch how you “throw” the spaghetti in the water. Definitely do not “place” them in the water. You should hold all the spaghetti together like a big tube. Place the “tube” perpendicularly in the center of the pot so that the end of this tube touches the bottom of the pot. Now let go of the spaghetti and let them fall randomly like a flower that opens up. Come to think of it…let the spaghetti fall in the water just like you would start a Mikado game.

Fifth important step when cooking pasta: as soon as you let go of the pasta, you must gently stir (for spaghetti: push down the upper ends of the spaghetti as fast as possible to ensure that all the spaghetti are fully immersed in the water).

Please note: the water will “calm down” for a minute or so, but it will quickly resume the rolling boil. Continue to stir the pasta until the water is boiling again. Once it is, you only have to stir occasionally until the pasta is cooked al dente.

Cooking pasta al dente is indeed of utmost importance! I know; so many people subconsciously consider themselves experts just because they mention the term “al dente”. I’ve eaten pasta that supposedly was cooked al dente but in reality they were overcooked. Cooking pasta too long causes them to puff up like a sick person that retains too much water in the body. They become too heavy and lose their firmness and shape and whatever sauce you add will only worsen the scenario. I’d rather just eat the sauce with some good bread than waste it on “puffed up” pasta.

So…apart from personal preferences…what is a good guideline in knowing for sure that your pasta is indeed cooked al dente? The cross section will tell! Let’s say you are cooking spaghetti no. 5 from Barilla. Fish some spaghetti out of the boiling water after approximately 9 minutes. Blow some cool air on the few strings of spaghetti and take a bite. If you see some uncooked dough (it appears white in color) in the middle of the spaghetti they’re still undone. I increase the frequency of my cross section tests by the seconds and, as soon as that white part disappears, the spaghetti are perfectly al dente!

Final steps when cooking pasta: turn off the stove, pour one glass of cold water into the pot of pasta, and drain the pasta utilizing your colander. Place the pasta back into the pot or a big bowl and mix with your sauce.

Tip: don’t use all the sauce. I usually coat the pasta with just enough sauce so they won’t stick together while they’re still in the pot. After I serve the plates I make sure I also serve the extra sauce separately on the table for my guests to help themselves.

2010-06-09T21:40:00.001-04:00

Food is spiritual.

Secular Pride

2010-04-23T23:19:00.006-04:00

It is incredibly presumptuous and pretentious to say that there is no God. The majority of atheists or contenders of any deity have NO CLUE whatsoever about the subject. They'll fight you and even ridicule you using "science" and various cultural or historical facts (of which the majority have only heard on TV from the History or National Geographic channels) as a back up for their arguments. But, they (meaning 97% of them) have probably spent a total of three hours (if that!) in their entire life studying, or let's say "reading" the Bible. Yet, they feel qualified to label you or me (who have spend at least 1 to 3 hours a day for the last 20 years reading, studying and, most importantly, living the Bible) a fanatic, a fundamentalist, even a "hater"...oh...."narrow-minded" and intolerant are good ones too!
Would I dare argue with a heart surgeon on how to proceed with the surgery? No. Would I question the astronaut about the steps to prepare for take off? No. Would I tell a the Bank CEO how to lead his bank? No. Would I instruct a carpenter on how to put together a table? No.
Unless...I can muster up the same arrogance. This arrogance also "allows" them to dictate the believers on how and when to speak about their faith. They proclaim "it's a...private matter". They say there are more than just one way (based on what/whose wisdom?).
I'm sorry, but if you don't read the Bible than you are a Bible illiterate and it's really not even fair that I should discuss "faith" with you. Because compared to you I have a PhD on the subject. Will a surgeon talk to a kindergartener on the same level about surgery? No. Will the astronaut...(let me stop...)
I suggest you start with the "kindergarten-level" and fundamental statement found in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life".
Important tip: You believe with your heart, not your mind! Intellect has nothing to do with "believing". God can't fit in the minds of people. He's too big for that. Wow! Can you in your pride and arrogance accept the fact that there are "things" like...the Living God, Creator of the Universe..., that are actually bigger than your ability to think and compute and reason?
God fits in every heart that allows Him entrance. If you refuse to accept this "elementary" statement found in John 3:16 as truth you should be quiet and just watch the surgeons and astronauts at work. However, if you choose the latter option please be warned (by a "surgeon"): your eternity won't look so rosy (and you are the only one to blame for your poor choice)!

Finite Mind

2010-04-18T07:06:00.003-04:00

I mean...really! How can a finite mind "decide" or even just come to the conclusion that there is no God?
The issue is not an intellectual one, but a heart condition. God is way too big to "fit" in our minds (intellect, logic, etc.), but He fits in every heart that opens up for Him.

Lesbian Christian Artist

2010-04-16T21:46:00.004-04:00

There we go again...another artist who had "the courage", "the honesty" and whatever other virtue that it took to "come out" and reveal that she is a lesbian. The usual flood of reactions that follows with all kinds of controversial opinions (and I hate to be part of that...but, hey...somebody will read mine...even if only one person...which might be God Himself...) is just as pathetic...
So...if you care to read on go ahead...
To every story at least two sides, right? To the evangelicals "homosexuality" seems to be the topic or should we say "the issue". To the liberals "Christianity" or intolerance is the committed offense.
Everybody (or at least most people) likes to think of themselves as a "good person". A person that understands, a sensitive person.
For those that don't know me, I'd like to clarify where I stand: I am a Bible believing, born of the Spirit of God, disciple of Jesus Christ, worshiper of the Father in Heaven, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Call me "Christian", "Fundamentalist", whatever makes your world feel in order; it doesn't change who I am in Him and who He has made me to be.

I'd like to say to the house of believers, the ones that call themselves "Christians" and condemn the person, in this case Christian artist Jennifer Knapp: remember God's love for people. He loves people, but hates sin! He didn't come to condemn the world, but to save it!

To the liberals I'd like to say: there is such a thing as sin. And it is designed to destroy people. The Word of God talks about many sins: homosexuality is one of them. But, so is heterosexual misbehavior!
I wonder if all adulterers (those unfaithful to their spouse) should come out and demand "equal rights".
Adultery (having sexual activity with someone else other than your spouse) is hurtful to at least one person. It is a sexual (mis)behavior. Does anybody out there believe that the God who condemns such behavior (notice "behavior", not "person") is concerned with the person who is hurt in the process?
Sinful behavior has its roots in various hurts and iniquities (weaknesses of character). To some extent, we all are victims of hurtful things happened to us. As a conscious or subconscious reaction we build up walls of "protection" around us and in the process we are trying to fill some kind of void (caused by the hurt).
The world and its system (which is under the influence of demonic, unclean activities) offers 1001 products that promise to fill that void. For every hurt there is a specially designed product that (falsely) proclaims to heal that hurt. But, many find themselves in a rat race or vicious cycle of all kinds of dependencies and addictions.
True peace comes from the Creator. The One who knows you inside out! If you let Him in, He will fill you and you no longer have to look for something or someone else! Promise! When you have found Him, you know!

So far, that's all I have to say! There is so much more!

Great Outpouring Worship Gathering

2010-01-21T10:51:00.002-05:00

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2010-01-08T10:46:00.000-05:00

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Which One Are You?

2009-12-04T07:35:00.012-05:00

Luke 23:39-43 (New King James) says:

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."

But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong".
Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."
And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

So...which one of the criminals would you (like to) be? Of course...the one who goes to Paradise and be with God forever! Where is the other one now? Hmmm....

This passage is one of my favorite ones in the Bible. It gives such a strong message of God's power, love, forgiveness, and redemption. It silences any form of religiosity or spiritual loftiness. It shows the highest form of spirituality and practicality at the same time. It frees us from ourselves!

God's power

After being ridiculed and disrespected, Jesus suffered even more humiliation by being stripped of His clothes and given a "king's robe" to wear. Then, He was beaten by Roman soldiers (I'm sure that was not a joke...); furthermore, the Bible says, they ripped the beard from His face, they spit on Him, then they whipped Him with 39 slashes with a whip that had sharp object. Every whip would tear parts of His flesh off His body. After all that, He was given the very cross (or trunk) He soon would be nailed upon to carry. Now He was stripped down (in public) before He was actually nailed to the cross. As they erected the cross, His dead body weight would tear at the perforated hands and feet. Hanging on that cross He endures continued mocking and humiliation. They even offer Him vinegar to drink. AFTER ALL THAT JESUS HAS THE EMOTIONAL, INTELLECTUAL AND SPIRITUAL WILL POWER TO FORGIVE THE PERPETRATORS and cry with a LOUD VOICE to his Father in Heaven: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!", and, "it is finished, into Your hands I commit my spirit".

I probably left out so many details. But, to me, this is a display of supernatural power!

Love

Throughout the above described process there is no record of Jesus using profanities, expressing disappointment, defending himself, complaining, threatening...He silently and lovingly endured all that abuse. Why? The author of Hebrews puts it this way in chapter 12:2: "...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

He endured all the abuse "for the joy that was set before Him"...He was thinking of all of us; how we would know about His amazing love and receive it and eternal life!

Forgiveness

Not only did Jesus publicly and "officially" forgive all perpetrators, but he also forgave the criminal who was crucified right next to him, who really has not done anything against Jesus on a personal level. Forgiveness (and the ability to receive it!) is extremely important to God. I mean...it's a necessity. Forgiveness is extended by a person who, after being wrongfully hurt, decides to put their own hurts aside for the sake of the relationship with the goal to free up the perpetrator and not hold any debts against him. To forgive means "to forgive". Let's assume Jesus had come back down from the cross. He would have treated all the people who caused Him all the pain as if they had never done anything wrong against Him! No ill feelings, nothing! On the contrary, He probably would have asked them if they're in need of anything and He would have met that need.

Redemption

For every action there is a consequence. It's also known as the law of reaping and sowing. In that sense one can view every action as "sowing". Hence, every action is going to reap something! Not that I understand any of it, but I heard from a quantum physicist that the very flapping of a butterfly's wings affect the universe! Whoa!!! But, I don't think we have to get that "deep" to understand that all our actions, good or bad, have the correspondent consequence. Bad action, bad result. Good action, good result. Do you have the same question in mind as I? What's "bad", what's "good"?
I can hear the secular, "logical", maybe "humanistic" or just "human" point of view of relativity. And yes, we can relate scenarios to different cultures and times and find various answers, which would make us come to the conclusion that good and bad are relative terms. Truly, what was viewed as "bad" one hundred years ago, today is considered "common sense" and vice versa. What we do, however, is merely base our judgments on human experiences. They're not invalid per se, but neither are they of absolute value. Human judgment is limited and has always room for error and misconception.
What Jesus did, however, His actions, His conduct, His Words, His death and resurrection, His fulfillment of all ancient prophecies, His accurate prophecies prove His divinity. And, His actions were not "relative", they were absolute.
I ask myself: Why did Jesus do what He did? Why endure such suffering? Why did He even go against the many traditions of His very own culture? Difficult to answer in a few words. But, simply put, Jesus did what He saw His Father do and said what He heard His Father say, Who saw our condition and came to rescue us from that condition. Since He sees eternity, He didn't merely come to pull us out of our earthly condition, but also from our eternal condition, truly redeeming us by giving Himself as a ransom, paying the price that we could never pay on our own. Hence, providing the true equality between all mankind. All have sinned, all were separated from Him. But now, all can come to Him, through Him.

The Father's love, expressed through His Son Jesus' redemptive work, cuts through traditions and religions because no longer should one ask "what can I do to be accepted by God" or "what can I do to become more spiritual" or "how can I achieve a higher spirituality", but rather "Do I recognize what God has done for me?". I believe this constitute the fundamental difference between all religions and philosophies and God's family. He has made the way. All we have to do is accept it and walk in it.

Who proselytizes who?

2009-11-14T14:17:00.015-05:00

The definitions I found for proselytize are: "to try to convert somebody to a religious faith or political doctrine" or "to try very hard to persuade someone to leave their religious faith, political party, etc. and to join yours". Dicitionary.com says: 1. To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith. 2. To induce someone to join one's own political party or to espouse one's doctrine.

The definitions I found for evangelize are: "to convert somebody or the people of an area to Christianity, especially by preaching or missionary work" or simply "to try to convert people to Christianity". Dictionary.com says: 1. To preach the gospel to (that's pleasantly surprising and a correct definition; sadly, and I personally blame "Christians", so many have no clue what "the Gospel" really is...) and 2. To convert to Christianity.

What I deduct from these two definitions is that evangelize is the "Christian version" of proselytize.

My question is: who has come up with these definitions? They really don't differ from each other, as a matter fact they're synonyms, or at least, they're used as synonyms. Is that so or should we revise the dictionary and possibly demand a new definition for the one or the other term?

I'm not here to deny the truth that Christians have indeed "proselytized", trying to convert people (let's say force people) to accept their belief; we all know the atrocities that have been committed under the banner of the "Christian Flag". I do intend, however, to clarify the true meaning of evangelize according to the Words of Jesus Christ.

Let me start with saying that Jesus Christ did not walk around holding up a Christian flag (you know...the white flag with the blue corner and a red cross on the blue...). As a matter of fact, He did not walk around as a Christian either! Also, He did not celebrate "Christmas". Instead, Jesus walked under the "banner of His Father's love", He walked, talked and lived as a Jew and He celebrated Hanukkah! But this is just a small side thought. Let me get back to the definitions of "proselytize" and "evangelize".

Proselytize is one thing - evangelize is another! Now...from a secular point of view I can see how this may sound totally ridiculous; isn't it all one and the same? Somebody is trying to convince me of their faith! Every religious or political fanatic tries to do just that: win you over to their belief. As I said, I understand this point of view. To the secular mindset, it doesn't make a difference which "god" you're trying to talk about...just don't push the envelope trying to convince him/her that your religion is right! That is proselytizing, isn't it? ...Won't work...unless...you have a tremendous and extraordinary gift of persuasion, which is manipulation and control - not exactly a characteristic of God (not the One I know, at least - besides...if God is indeed God, why would He have the need to try to persuade somebody...?). I have no other choice but to believe that the definitions I've found for "evangelize" originate from a secular (and maybe understandably "annoyed") mindset. But, because "Christians" have not done their part, they are equally responsible for not giving the secular minded population any reason to believe and know that "evangelize" is indeed a different activity than proselytize, and that it deserves its rightful definition in today's dictionaries!

Jesus didn't come to start a new "religion" called Christianity. His command was not "go into all the world and make "Christians", but rather "go into all the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit". Before believers were called "Christians", they were known as the followers of "the Way". Jesus' movement was called "the Way". It's interesting to note here that Muslims say that Islam is not a religion, but a way of life. Well, sad to observe that Muslims do a better job at being Muslims than Christians at being disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus started a powerful movement, a counter cultural movement, a radical movement. I know: nowadays words like "movement", "radical", etc. are not cool and carry a rather political incorrect connotation. These are terms that are often used to describe extremist groups who impose their way of life or belief on others by life or by death. The followers of "the Way" soon were associated with the One called "the Christ" (the Anointed One, the One empowered from on high), hence the term "Christ-ians". Whether the term was used in a mocking way or not is irrelevant and wouldn't change who the true followers of Christ are, but, and this is my thought about it, it made way for the secular minded population to have a "new category", a new "box" in which to put this group of people. Today, the same thing happens; a widely secular minded population is grouping people into categories such as "extremist", "fundamentalist", etc. While one could argue that these terms help the communication, I submit to you that these terms also create a "safety zone" for many, helping them to disassociate from such groups and continue to live in their self-erected little kingdoms. "As long as I am able to categorize people that behave in an extreme way, or a way I don't want to understand, my world is safe."

But, what exactly were these "radical people" all about? They were followers of Jesus Christ and they followed Him whether by life or by death! Many actually lost their lives. Not surprising. When Jesus was confronted and threatened by the hostile crowds He asked "for which of the works I've done do you accuse me?" Well, they couldn't find any "bad" works in Jesus, but they couldn't accept the fact that He made Himself equal to God (by forgiving sins, by saying "before Abraham was, I am", etc.). And, here we are today and we are all guilty of "not being able" to answer like Jesus did "for which of the works I've done do you accuse me?", unless, if anyone dares to lose his life for Jesus and completely follow His way of life, die to his own desires and dreams and follow Him, literally lose his life for His sake...would then also your works die with you, the good and the bad ones? Nobody would mind obliterating all the bad works from the history, but is anyone willing to also discount the good works? As if you're dead!? If yes, then you step into His Way of Life as a disciple, a true student and servant and you will see the same results you read in the Bible: miracles, odd encounters, opposition from family and friends, authorities, etc. Jesus said, if...IF...anyone follows me he shall do greater works than I...". Obviously the majority of "Christians" don't believe this to be true because they have created a niche for themselves in their religious way of life instead of His way of life.

They embrace the wonderful promises, even the amazing love God extends, but are afraid of letting go of everything to see His kingdom grow. Whether we like it or not, that is called hypocrisy, which turns away people instead of attracting them. Mix that with human imperfection and you have all of today's Christian denominations and their attempts or views of how to win people to the Lord. Some have seemingly worked, but that has still to be verified because it's the eternal fruit that speaks, not the tree.

If we take the example from the first disciples, but also from many saints (not Catholic figures!), but biblical saints, who have lived out His kind of life, we would be more radical. Radical in our love, radical in our obedience to His commandments, yes...extreme! Of course we would be considered obnoxious by many, but also, we would see more of His kingdoms results; various healings, joy, peace, etc.

Here's a way we (I mean the "Christian" parts of the world) could truly evangelize the world. Not so much with words, but with actions: how about "bombarding" countries like Iraq, Iran with clothes, medicine, toys, food, etc. Wouldn't that be following Jesus' command "Bless those who curse you and spitefully use you"? I see a problem though: it's us, "Christians". We are ready to justify our non-action with personal motives like "you don't know what they did to our families, or country, etc." I understand and certainly would not dare belittle the losses and the pain of so many brave families. But, Christ did come to show us a higher way! The way of receiving His love and giving it, and the same with forgiveness, kindness. It counts most, when we extend such favor and grace to an enemy rather than to a people we know already loves us.

But, before we're attempting to truly evangelize hostile parts of the world, I believe it's more necessary to evangelize our own people. Christians need to be evangelized! Ha - how's that for revelation?! Many don't know who they are or who they're supposed to be and how to live the Jesus culture!

While I believe that the word "evangelize" needs revision in our dictionary, I know we don't need to try to re-invent the definition. All we have to do is read and understand what Jesus wants us to do: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, the Good News!!! God loves us, His favor is upon us, He wants to heal all your diseases, He wants to lead you into all truth, He wants to protect you, love you, shower you with His manifold blessings!

The dictionary could read something like:

E-van-ge-lize [i-van-juh-lahyz] 1. to preach the gospel, that is, the good news that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Creator of Heaven and Earth has sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for all of humanity's faults and missed marks, so that His favor, His love and His life can now belong to whomever receives His free gift. 2. to serve and love your neighbor selflessly to the point of seeking their welfare before your own. 3. To shower your hostile neighbor with blessings hoping and expecting that his heart would be touched by His love and he turn towards you instead of against you. 4. To teach the Way of Life examplified by Jesus Christ of Nazareth, aka Son of God.

That, dear reader, would not be proselytizing! But, isn't it funny how the secular world tries to proselytize the "believing, faith-based" population through commercials, movies, games, school programs, curricula, etc.? Imposing "non-religious" views, believing the American lie of "separation of Church and state" (which is based on pure ignorance of the very great American Constitution, but is welcomed because this misinterpretation conveniently serves the secular agenda). A word to the non-believing reader. To believe is still greater than "to know". Our brains and our capacity to think and reason is limited. Our hearts and ability to dream and believe is unlimited. God chose the heart of men as His dwelling place, not the mind - He's too big for that! But, He fits in every heart that receives Him! A child that doesn't know can learn and grow. A child that doesn't believe won't!

Names of Allah

2009-11-07T10:46:00.002-05:00

I've read that Allah has 99 attributes. Interestingly "Love" and "Father" are not one of them. According to a definition I found Al-Wadood is supposed to mean "the Loving, the One who loves His believing slaves and His believing slaves love Him. His love to His slaves is His Will to be merciful to them and praise them; Hence it's meaning is related to the attributes of the Will and Kalam (His attribute with which He orders and forbids and spoke to Muhammad and Musa - peace be upon them -. It is not a sound nor a language nor a letter)".
For comparison, the Bible states that "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life" and "...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, (in other words, we didn't know Him or care about Him or what He thinks) Christ died for us.
The Good News is that you no longer have to "struggle" to enter Heaven. The Good News is that you no longer have to be "religious" to enter into Heaven. You no longer have to question, "will I make it or not?". There is a price to pay for sin, but Jesus was willing to pay it for you and me. By doing that, He made Himself all the more available to us by His Holy Spirit. Because of what He has done, it is actually possible for His Spirit to live in us, in our hearts. When you His Spirit lives in you, you know it and your fruit will demonstrate it. The fruit of His Spirit is not "Catholicism" or "Protestantism" or any other denomination. The fruit of His Spirit are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
I love the story of the two criminals who died on the crosses next to Jesus. All three are about to die. Both criminals mock Jesus together with some Roman soldiers, saying: "If you are God, why don't you help yourself?". One of them, however, had a change of heart and said to the other criminal: "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus: "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom". And Jesus said to him: "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise".
Ha! This criminal was a....criminal! He habitually hurt people in some way or fashion. But now, on that cross, it was too late for him to go and apologize, too late to be "religious", too late to "pray", too late to make it right. He was about to suffer the bitter consequences of his terrible deeds. But..., Jesus granted Him access into eternal life with Him in Paradise (Heaven!). This criminal is in heaven!!! What did he do to "deserve" that?...Two things: He acknowledged his wrong, saying "...and we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds"...and he acknowledged (suddenly...) who Jesus really is and called Him "Lord and King" (you only attribute a kingdom to a king...) and of course, he put his whole trust about his eternal destiny into the will of this Lord and King!
This story should be enough to do away with all sorts of religiosity and false humility and piety around the world. Also, it does away with the belief that it is your good deeds that earn your way into heaven. While good deeds are important to God, they are not the key to salvation! The good deeds are here for us so He can be glorified through us: I cannot save, I cannot heal, etc., but He can do all things through me as I'm a willing vessel.
It's only His goodness, His love, His mercy that makes the way for us.

Equal Rights

2009-11-07T10:40:00.002-05:00

Correct me if I'm wrong: countries in which women enjoy equal rights (or at least - better conditions) are Judeo-Christian countries. Conversely, Biblical (New Testament) accounts involving women in distress, were all liberated by Jesus Christ; socially, emotionally, spiritually.

TRUTH

2009-11-05T17:30:00.002-05:00

Truth is absolute. If it weren't, if wouldn't be truth. The relativity is also true when you consider the individual's experience. However, truth by itself is absolute, because it doesn't need the individual's experience to be truth. It is truth by itself. It's like love. I can be loved and experience the love of another individual through communication. The communication lets me know that I'm actually loved. However, the individual who loves me may have absolutely no means of communication with me, totally be cut off so to speak and yet, (s)he still loves me. Because of the lack of communication I may not even know that I'm loved by this individual, yet I am indeed loved. So...that love is in itself absolute. It's not relative. That love exists for me, even though I may not experience and receive it.

Minaretten in der Schweiz

2009-10-31T14:45:00.009-04:00

Kann man überhaupt geistliche Angelegenheiten mit nicht-gläubigen besprechen? Wie wäre es, wenn ein Koch und ein Quantumphysiker (was auch immer das ist...habe ich ja nur irgendwo gehört...) sich über ihre Disziplinen/Berufe unterhalten? Angenommen, dass der Quantumphysiker nichts vom Kochen versteht und umgekehrt, der Koch nichts vom QP...ist ein sinnvolles Gespräch nur möglich, wenn beide bereit sind, einander zuzuhören und Fragen stellen, usw.
Wenn es um geistliche Wahrheiten und Prinzipien geht, besteht irgendwie eine allgemeine Annahme, dass jede Person irgendwie gleich qualifiziert ist. Jeder ist heutzutage irgendwie "geistlich" oder "spirituell"...und man hat gefälligst jedermann's Glaube zu akzeptieren! Sonst ist man ja ein Hasser oder zumindest eine schlechte Person.
Ich glaube, dass Jesus Christus der Sohn Gottes ist. Gestorben für die Sünden der Welt und auferstanden. Heute sitzt Er auf der Rechten des Vaters im Himmel. Er hat gesagt, "Ich bin die Wahrheit, der Weg und das Leben. Niemand kommt zum Vater denn durch Mich".
Wir haben heute einerseits unendlich viele "christliche Religionen", natürlich die katholische eine der grössten Religionen, die mit dem biblischen Jesus Christus sehr wenig zu tun haben, andererseits haben wir die sekuläre Welt, die alles, was irgendwie mit "Gottheiten" zu tun hat automatisch unter "Religion" kategorisiert. Weitere Kategorien sind "Fundamentalist", "Fanatiker", usw. Meiner Meinung nach, muss der menschliche Verstand solche Kategorien erstellen damit die eigene Welt stimmt.
Nur schnell eine kurze Bemerkung für die Leser, die sich Christen bezeichnen: Jesus hat nie gesagt, "geht, und macht Christen"...sondern, "geht und macht Jünger...Der Unterschied ist, dass die erste Bezeichnung eben in hunderte von "Religionen" ausgeartet ist, hingegen die zweite Bezeichnung spricht von einer neuen KULTUR - die Jesuskultur.
Ich muss sagen: davon wissen die Muslime wirklich mehr. Wo immer sie auch sind, legen sie ihren Teppich nieder und beten fünf Mal pro Tag (nur als kleines Beispiel). Sie leben die muslimische Kultur aus. Der Druck ist so stark, dass unsere (westliche) Welt sich ja anpassen muss, sonst...?!!). Andere gehen in die extreme, fundamentalistische Kultur (sekulär und intellektuell ausgedrückt...) und wir alle kennen die Konsequenzen...
Wie würde es aussehen, wenn Christen anstelle ihrer "religiösen Pflichten" die biblische Jesuskultur ausleben würden? Hier eine kleine Liste von Geschehnissen, die ich täglich sehe: Menschen werden geheilt; phyisch, seelisch und natürlich geistlich, Friede und Freude im Herzen ist "normal".
Was, wenn Christen auf der Welt ihren "Christentum" verlassen würden, und wahre, fanatische Jünger Jesu würden? Mögliche Folgen wären z.B., dass wir unsere Feinde lieben würden und gewisse feindliche Länder und Völker mit Kleider, Medizin, Lebensmittel, usw. "bombardieren" würden, Männer wären ihren Frauen von Herzen treu, Frauen ihren Männern gegenüber, Männer würden ihre Frauen so lieben, wie Christus die Kirche liebt und sich für sie hingegeben hat...(Epheser brief).
Aber eben..., was sage ich da auch?! Das ist doch fanatisch! War Jesus vielleicht fanatisch?
Wer sich auch nur im kleinen persönlichen Umfeld entscheidet, eine wahrliche Jesuskultur auszuleben, setzt sich starker Kritik aus: einerseits von der sekulären Welt, was ja auch Verständlich ist, aber das Traurige ist, auch von sogenannten Christen, die die sekuläre Welt nicht zu stark aufwühlen wollen (Geld, Macht, Positionen hängen meistens davon ab...).
Hätte Jesus gepredigt, was heute in den meisten Kirchen gepredigt wird, wäre Er nie gekreuzigt worden! Alle hätten Ihn "geliebt"...jööhh....ist er nicht ein lieber Mensch?...

Er war radikal. Seine Liebe war radikal, seine Leidenschaft war radikal. Er hat Sachen gesagt, die unser Intellekt regelrecht beleidigen. Eine Beleidigung fühlt sich nicht gut an, aber was die Beleidigung tun kann, ist unser Herz entblössen. Und Gott will unser Herz, nicht unser Intellekt.
Er ist zu gross fürs menschliche Intellekt. Aber, Er passt in jedermann's Herz, der Ihn reinlässt!

STOP - Sign Syndrome

2009-10-29T10:39:00.004-04:00

Scenario: You're approaching a 4-Way Stop intersection. Another vehicle precedes you by just a few seconds. It's clear that the other vehicle has the right of way. Have you noticed how most (99.9%) of drivers actually wait until you also stop before they go? I mean, they could go and shorten your time of "stoppage". Of the 99.9% there is approx. a 80% of drivers that actually stretch their necks to seek eye contact with you...! As if to say "I want to see if you stop for me" or "did you see that I was here first?" or "just want to make sure you respect the stop sign...".

My other absolute FAVORITE scenario is this: You approach a STOP intersection. There are no cars left or right, but you HAVE to stop because the sign says so...or you get a ticket, if caught! I'm not advocating rebellion to traffic regulations, but I am taking the liberty to question the application of the Stop signs. Personally, I find it a patronizing approach of the law giving bodies, to expect drivers to stop because the sign says so. It kind of smells like "the government knows best...if you don't stop something terrible can happen to you. Let the government protect you...". I would prefer "yield" signs, where you leave it up to the driver whether (s)he stops or not. There are, of course, indeed intersections where you just don't see "around the corner" and where you slowly have to approach the road you're about to turn on to in order to see if there is any oncoming traffic. That's where the stop signs are needed. But, we have stop signs on parking lots!!!! Open wide parking lots...! where you SEE an ant crossing the road!
I guarantee people will stop and not even so much to protect themselves, but rather their beloved cars!!! The proof of that is when hurricanes hit SW Florida, none of the traffic lights were working and people still behaved politely at every intersection, YIELDING to fellow drivers and stopping when necessary.

Well - STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP - and think about that!!!

The Reality Show Continues!

2009-10-10T12:22:00.005-04:00

Adding drama to Washington DC's reality show is the Nobel Committee in Oslo. FANTASTIK. Now prizes are given for your intentions, not your achievements! Any good intentions anyone? Just submit them to the Nobel Committee and see what happens...you might get recognized and win $1.2 Million along with the recognition.
Sorry for the sarcasm, but, as I mentioned in my comment posted on CNN.com the Nobel Peace Prize has lost my respect and recognition for "peace" achievements. Here's one reason: Can somebody explain to me why in the world a cold-blooded terrorist like Yasser Arafat would qualify for the Nobel Peace Prize? Has he achieved what he "intended". Actually...come to think of it...he has: there is no peace! By the way...what he and his people "say" on the TV is not what they say to their own people or what they preach in their mosques. While the rest of the (oblivious) world is misconceptually trying to work towards a peaceful solution on the Land, it always was Arafat's goal to obliterate Israel and make it disappear from the face of the earth. This, by the way, is still the goal of the Palestinians. Go to Israel for yourself and consider what they teach their children, see their geographical maps: there is no Israel on it (TALKING ABOUT A VISION FOR YOUR FUTURE!). What struck me is also this: they live in the same land, yet you see enormous differences in how the land is cultivated. I am not attacking the Palestinians. I have no reason to. I just comment on my observations. Actually, I believe many Palestinians are not only victims of the system, but also would speak out if their lives were not endangered by it. The rest of the world is desperately trying to find a "intelligent" solution, a "human" solution. Newsflash: there is none!
Well, back to the Obama Reality Show. Being a recipient of such a "prestigious" prize certainly will open doors for Mr. Obama: even more speaking engagements, positions in various world organizations. It automatically also provides credibility, authority, power. If the Nobel Committee agrees with a politician's or activist's agenda, the prize is certainly a diplomatic, efficient and powerful way to endorse such agenda. I really believe that is what's happening with Mr. Obama as well. He is a tremendous speaker, he has charm, he is socially "palatable", ethnically adaptable and acceptable. Makes for an excellent tool/medium in the world's reality show! If not THE man, could Obama be at least a forerunner to actually bring "peace" in the Middle East...I don't know...one part of me thinks he seems an ideal candidate, the other part of me doesn't want to accept the speed of how world events progress!!!

GPSed Track "To Spokane"

2009-09-29T14:30:00.001-04:00

View my new track "To Spokane" started in United States, Washington, Chewelah.

GPSed Track "To Spokane"

2009-09-29T14:04:00.001-04:00

View my new track "To Spokane" started in United States, Washington, Chewelah.

Obama - Not Reality; Actuality!

2009-09-06T17:49:00.003-04:00

Have you noticed the style of news reporting? It seems as it's formatted to cater to reality show viewers. When you hear about the president of the United States it feels like you're actually watchin..."TRU-TV". when we turn the TV off we continue our lives as if the news we just heard didn't even happen. We get our intellect stimulated and our emotions poked, we feel better about ourselves and that's about it! Meanwhile, the hunger goes on, the White House makes decisions we know nothing about or, at best, the mere headline.
Is it necessary that the whole world knows when and where the president vacations? How wise is that? The enemy is wiser.

Love Love Love! All You Need!

2009-09-05T16:32:00.003-04:00

The Beatles didn't get it right, but, they wrote a song about this truth! All you need is Love! Not eros or phileo, but agape. Eros and phileo are important, too. But, what sustains and nurtures our spirit and subsequently our soul and body, is agape: the unconditional, four-dimensional, never-ending, amazing love of God.

God always loves and His love is always available. I am convinced that any person (ANY!) who is touched by one fraction of an ounce of God's love will change forever.

God is the radio station that sends out the signal on a continuous basis. We are the radios. If the signal is not clear we must check what's wrong. Usually, there's nothing wrong with the radio station, but rather, we have to check our batteries (are we charged up?), the position (Adam, where are you? ...as if God didn't know...Question is: did Adam know where he was?), the antenna (is the receiver intact?).

God is the food we eat: take any food - let's say a Kiwi. This Kiwi has a nutritional value; most likely it provides vitamins and fiber, and maybe some minerals, i don't know. These nutrients are intended to be assimilated by our bodies in an ideal fashion so that our bodies can function to the fullest potential possible.

I can take this Kiwi and split it with my friend. Let's say that my friend has a perfectly healthy body; all organs, all tissues, all cells, every aspect of the body work perfectly the way they're intended to work. Hence, my friend's body is able to receive and assimilate all the nutritients of the Kiwi and is also able to eliminate every unnecessary or potentially harmful parts the Kiwi.

My body, however, may not be as well functioning as my friend's. Even though I'm eating the very same fruit with the very same nutrition in it, my body, because of its malfunction, is not able to assimilate and receive all the nutrition the body has. My elimination process may not work properly either. What does that mean? It means that my body will slowly but surely be on some kind of overload of toxins, and soon show symptoms of sickness or other ailments due to the lack of nutrition.

The same way God's love is here for everybody, every single person on this planet. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

But, not everybody receives or is even able to receive this love. So many things can go wrong in our bodies - conversely so many, many things have gone wrong with our societies, our minds, our spirits, our intellect, that we are simply not able to receive this amazing love. I'm talking about everybody: believers, atheists, agnostics, etc. etc.

This love confronts, yet it invites. It exposes, yet it protects. It challenges, yet it supports. It assures, affirms, comforts, strengthens, forgives. It..."makes no sense". It makes you fall on your knees, but it picks you back up feeling better than ever.

A Common Enemy...

2009-09-04T23:24:00.004-04:00

...of atheists and God: religion.
...of atheists and believers: self.

God is too big to comprehend intellectually, but He comfortably fits in the heart that will allow Him entrance.

Once you've "installed" His Spirit into yours you can put one of His Spirits great applications to work: the Simultaneous Translator. Never again be confused about His will, His guidance, His plans, His Word. The Simultaneous Translator application works for you 24/7. Its Firewall updates itself on a continuous basis.
The following operation systems qualify for the download and installation of this program:

Contrite-IntelPlus
Bro_Ken.hrt
Innee-D
H.I.T.DaBot.um
NDuv\Y0Cell.v

If you don't see your operation system listed here, please contact us. We will put our team to work immediately to develop a compatible system.

...Thinking of linguini with white clam sauce!!! Hmmmmmm...Stay tuned for recipe!

Discipled!

2009-09-03T09:57:00.001-04:00

As my friend pastor Curtis put it this morning: "Being discipled often means to be trained in areas we don't want to be trained in and taught things we don't want to be taught. We must be teachable." Ouch...

When U Fall

2009-08-31T08:51:00.002-04:00

When you fall the Lord is always there to catch you. Remember: your fall is none of the devil's business, as much as he would love to make it his. Take the example from King David, who owned up to his faults and ran to God. He received and walked in the forgiveness and righteousness of the Lord!

Song of the season: click here

This Morning's Breakfast!

2009-08-27T09:44:00.002-04:00

Do you like Crêpes? This is what I did this morning! ...on a...whim! Don't ask me why...

I made fresh Crêpes; took 1/2 cup of flower. Mixed in 1 egg, pinch of salt, 1 cup of milk, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp olive oil (I'd used butter, but didn't have any...). Whisked all together. Brushed my medium size pan with olive oil ('cause no butter in the house...) and ladeled the batter into it. Quickly turned the pan on all sides to make sure the batter expands evenly. 2 minutes on one side, 1 minute on the next side. Done.
Now the magic. I had fresh figs (the green ones are sweeter than the dark ones!). I cut them in slices and placed them on the hot crepes. Drizzled with some honey. Rolled the crepes. Sprinkled confectioner sugar and bit into three of these crepes. "Washed down" with my tripple espresso. All I could say is: "I am pleased"!
I didn't have any cream cheese, or even better: mascarpone! OMG! Can only imagine the delight!

2009-08-27T07:20:00.002-04:00

Garlic is in heaven. Coca Cola isn't.

Brain washed?!

2009-08-26T21:37:00.002-04:00

To think that my thoughts and my thought process, conclusions, assumptions, logic are an original result of "me" is ignorant at best. I consider it utter foolishness.

Every human being comes into the world naked and an empty vessel. This vessel starts to be filled up with endless data (to use some tech terms). Hence, today I am a result of all the data that has entered as well as all the thoughts and choices I've made all the way up until one minute ago! Maybe that's put very simplistically, but I believe it's the bottom line.

Just because I have the ability to think and process thoughts and make choices doesn't give me the right to use these abilities at my discretion! I need direction, I need correction, I need replacement, I need renewal, I need revival, I need..., I need...

Have you ever been accused of being..."brainwashed"? Well, isn't everybody? Your brain is being "washed" with whatever you allow to enter. Beware, because what ever you allow to enter is a "seed" that will produce after its own kind. Whether you believe it or not! ...the banana seed will produce a banana tree, whether I believe it or not... I can even "concentrate" and pray until I'm blue in my face that it's going to yield an orange tree...but, guess what? It will produce a banana tree.

Ideas, ideologies, comments, articles, videos, movies, books, internet, all communication that happens around us on a daily basis, all are seeds being thrown at us: some casually, some with direct intent. All, however, are seeds that stem from a fruit. And, as any seed, it is designed to produce after its own kind!

What fruit do you see in your life? Well, you see: even the ability to distinguish between a good or a bad fruit is not innate. This ability can be fine-tuned with experience in life, but its origin and fountain is Wisdom Herself. Confused about the gender...don't be. He/She is Elohim, also known as El Shaddai, the breasty one. There has to be male and female in God for Him to be able to create both, right?

So...who or what washes your brain daily? Choose your soap carefully, or better... wisely!

Coffee / Coca Cola

2009-08-26T15:15:00.001-04:00

Coffee grows on trees.
Coca Cola doesn't.

Today's Proverb

2009-08-26T08:27:00.002-04:00

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:4-5

The Real Jesus!

2009-08-25T09:14:00.002-04:00

Let's face it...if the world (the atheists, agnostics, your neighbors, your family, etc.) has not been touched by God yet, it's because we, the "believers" have not shown them the Jesus we profess we really believe in.

Religion, culture, fear, selfishness are some of the things we need to get rid off (or, to use the Biblical term: "die to") in order for Christ to increase in us.

Anyone who has been touched by the love of God will never be the same again.

Big Bang / Jesus Christ

2009-08-22T16:54:00.004-04:00

Who Would Have Thought?

2009-08-22T07:55:00.006-04:00

Atheists and God actually have things in common:

1. Both either hate or at least have an adversity towards religion

Reciprocally, in the life of Jesus, it was the religious people of that time (Pharisees) who hated him most. Prostitutes, thieves (Matthew was one of them!), and other sinners had no problem with Jesus and neither did He have a problem with them! Did they stay the same after a personal encounter with Jesus? No. His love completely changed them.

Conversely, today many religious organizations, yes...the Catholic "church" is pretty much the biggest one, and many, many other Christian denominations/organizations, and, of course many other religions are structured and built upon partial truths. It seems that these organizations continue to exist driven by self-preservation, insisting on rituals and laws that really have almost nothing to do with Jesus Christ anymore! The result is hypocrisy, rules and regulations that are imposed on people, false hopes and expectations. I believe these organizations are at least partially responsible for many people walking away and disassociate themselves from God altogether. Understandably so.

A brief search of the word "Christian" in the Bible, shows that this word appears approximately three (3) times in the whole Bible. However, a search for "disciple" yielded so many instances I did not even want to count. What does that say to us? I think it says that I'm to be a disciple for Jesus, rather than a "Christian". Nothing wrong with calling yourself a Christian, but, there is something wrong if you do that, but your life doesn't show it!

We have to follow the Bible-Jesus, not the "American" Jesus. If you decide to do that you can guarantee you'll be called "fanatic", "freak", "hater", just to name a few things I've been called... Most of the times you're called that because you don't fit in the mind frame of people. Well, isn't it logical? If you start acting the way Jesus commands you to, like "love your enemies", "preach the Gospel to every creature", "give", etc. you're basically not going to make sense to a lot of people... You can call yourself anything you want, go to church, to synagogue, to any spiritual gathering...just don't act like Jesus, don't ruffle the feathers! Well, Jesus did disrupt many people's lives. To some the disruption meant love, freedom and power, to others it meant rivalry and the end of their "kingdom".

Besides, God doesn't fit in anyones mind. But, he fits in the heart of those who open it for Him.

2. Both love freedom

John 8:36 says: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Freedom from what? Destructive behavior, compulsive behavior, fear, anger, lust & perversion, lying, stealing...etc., etc. All these things have deeply seated roots that cause these kinds of behaviors, but Jesus is able to go to the very root cause and, as His Word says, set you free indeed! Forever! Isn't that awesome!?

Freedom is..."tricky". Freedom allows us to think and act the way we best know how to. It allows us to make decisions and determine our own walk and destiny. Our free will is God-given. Therefore the will to love Him cannot be imposed either. Neither will He Himself do so. But...with freedom comes a less glamorous "ingredient". That would be responsibility. Both pillars grow together, I mean simultaneously. You have to be willing to carry both pillars. If you like a lot of freedom you have to be willing to carry a lot of responsibility. Selfishness will talk you out of that and still let you enjoy your freedom. Altruistic behavior, however, will utilize and sacrifice your freedom for the true benefit of others.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power

The Power To Do Good!

2009-08-21T08:33:00.002-04:00

This is going to sound extreme, but... I think the USofA would have the power to take care of terrorism. I'm thinking of two options, both extreme. The first option is the ugly option, which would be total and immediate annihilation of all terrorists, including their countries and all inhabitants, just to make sure nobody survives! (DISCLAIMER: I'm just hypothetically speaking for illustration's sake. I am personally opposed to acts of violence or killing or destroying of other's properties) Never mind agreeing with this method, but I'm sure everybody agrees that it would probably take care of the "problem", wouldn't it?

However, and I'm convinced of this: the USofA (and many other prosperous countries for that matter...) has indeed the power to "shock" the very same terrorism-breeding countries by "bombarding" them with the following items: Food, Medicine, Toys, Blankets, etc. I mean, lavishly overwhelm them with these gifts!

Such extreme benevolence would be the most adequate, the most logical, and also the most obedient act, if the USofA still considers itself a Christian nation (under Barack Obama, as we all know, that is not so sure anymore...). Jesus said (as quoted in Matthew 5:43-48): Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you".

What hinders us to obey this Scripture? To act upon a thought you must be convinced of it. We as a nation, as a "culture", do not identify with the kind of people God wants us to be. In that sense, the terrorist actually does a better job in identifying him/herself with who (s)he is as the follower/disciple of their god. We, however, don't know who we are in Christ and therefore are weakened.

Goodness / Faithfulness

2009-08-20T09:28:00.003-04:00

According to Proverbs 20:6 it is easier to find a good person than a faithful person. Why?

"Goodness" is a quality everybody can put on at any given time, whether for selfish or altruistic reasons; I am good so you will be good to me. Everybody (Christians and non-Christians) behave well when they gather for worship on Sunday mornings... While "goodness" is a commendable trait to own and live by, it also is a quality that leaves room for my personal interest and gain.

Faithfulness, however, focuses on my neighbor. I hardly struggle to be faithful towards my personal needs and interests... But, how about the promises and commitments I made to my pastor, my spouse, my brother/sister, my friend, my family? Will they hold true in times of pressure and distress? Will I put my neighbor above my personal interest and keep my word? I know I have failed in this area. I can't touch on every possible reason why we fail. But, one precaution I will take in the future is that i will be careful before I promise or commit; I won't commit based on my emotions alone. (Example: I'm touched by someone's testimony in church therefore I will "commit" to a monthly pledge. Or...I see an infomercial on TV about poor children in a third world country and I "commit" to a monthly pledge). While it's not wrong to be emotionally touched by such stories I believe it is wrong to make an impulsive decision based on your emotions alone. Will I keep this commitment even when I will go through financial hard times? We all "understand" when those hard times come and draw back from our commitments. However, the bottom line is: how will you answer the question "have you been faithful with your promise/commitment?".

So, before I make a long term commitment I consider a one-time gift first, then I pray about the situation and allow the Lord to lead me, so that my commitment ultimately is to Him, for Him and in Him. Hard times will still come, but at least I'll know He's behind me!

Needy? Me?

2009-08-19T21:58:00.006-04:00

Isn't it interesting: when you ask people "is there anything you need?" or "Is there anything I can pray for you?" often you get almost a defensive attitude as a response. Now...I don't base the thoughts solely on today's experience. Today wasn't the first time I've approached people with such questions, it was the first day of my new commitment to approach at least one stranger a day. But, back to people's responses: People either don't have time to talk to you (understandable, but then again I'm not exactly approaching somebody who's about to hop on the bus...I mean...I do use some common sense...) or they switch into some kind of defense mode as if to say "do I look like I need help?" or "man...what do you want from me? I better behave he must be some kind of Christian so let me be as nice as possible and politely say no thank you, I don't have any prayer request". I understand one has to overcome the "surprise factor", fine. But, once that is done it takes a strong character to actually admit "you know what? I do have some areas in my life that are out of control and that weigh me down. I need some help".

On the other hand it's also interesting to think about the reverse scenario: what if some stranger approaches me offering me his/her prayer? Hmmm... as a believer in Jesus Christ would I want his/her "credentials" like: who do you pray to? In who's name do you pray? I have to honestly say that I would indeed ask those questions and if not comfortable with the answer I would have to politely decline the offer, but thank them for their concern. Wow, for a moment, this solution came across as "spiritually prideful", but then again nobody would blame the pilot if he/she would decline the offer of just any passenger to fly the plane. Why? Because the pilot knows that he knows that he knows not only how to fly the plane but, most importantly, how to reach the destination. Good night everybody!

2009-08-19T21:45:00.002-04:00

I've had the chance to approach people in two instances today. The first one was in the supermarket where I asked the cashier if she needed any specific prayer. She was visibly taken back a little bit. Either nobody ever asked her such a question or nobody every did it at her work place. Anyways, after she thought about it for 15 seconds she submitted a prayer request for her two friends who are in desperate need of employment. So... I wrote down their names (and hers) and told her I was going to lift her up in prayer.

The second instance was at the pizza place across from where I live. I had to pick up two pies and while waiting I asked the three people behind the counter the same question. They wanted me to pray for their business to go up. Okay!
Well, it's a beginning. I'm expecting great things to come!
In His amazing love.
PS: anybody reading this, if you have any jobs in the Fort Myers, Florida area, please contact me. I'll tell the cashier!
Oh...and if you are in the Fort Myers area and want decent pizza, try Amicis Pizzeria, 2215 Winkler Ave (plaza with closed down movie theatre!) I had the one with eggplant and fresh garlic! Yum.

Tip of the Day!

2009-08-19T09:40:00.003-04:00

Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength! Love your neighbor as yourself! Let's elaborate: Spirit; Love the Lord with the very center and depth of your being; with your acknowledgment that He is the very reason you exist, that He gave you your breath and heart beat. Your soul: your emotions and feelings are excited at the thought of Him, they are energized and lifted up and completely satiated by His Spirit. Your mind; You love Him with your intellect and understanding being fully engaged, weighing out and fully accepting any (seemingly negative) social or political consequences. Strength: relying on His supply when you run out of physical or emotional strength!

Challenge!

2009-08-19T09:35:00.002-04:00

My challenge to talk to one person per day about Jesus in one way or another starts today. I asked the Lord to provide that opportunity/divine appointment. I know He will!

You know...I want to rephrase this challenge! I want to "reach out to people" in Jesus' Name. So, I ask the Lord to not only provide the divine appointment, but also reveal the real need that He wants to meet. I just want to be that vessel through which His blessings flow! Voilà, that sounds better!

On A Whim Recipe

2009-08-18T21:11:00.005-04:00

It's one of those moments that you know you have to eat "now", but you can't go to the store and you're stuck, so to speak, with what you have in the fridge, pantry, washing machine...ewww...
Well, this is what I came up:

MY TUNA SALAD!

Tuna
Onions
Celery
Italian Herb mix
Kosher Salt (just obeying Alton Brown!)
Black Pepper
Olive Oil (yes...EVOO!)
Herbamare (superb, organic herb/sea salt mix)
1 Tbsp Lite Ranch dressing

That's it!

Mix it all and serve with WASA bread. DE-LI-CIOUS!

Goes well with:

Banana Peppers
Fresh Mozzarella

Buon appetito!

New Challenge!

2009-08-18T20:38:00.007-04:00

In collaboration with the local body of believers here at my church and Lee County, Florida I've decided to take on a new challenge: Starting Wednesday, August 19, 2009 I will speak to at least one stranger about Jesus Christ on a daily basis. I am asking the Lord to give me a daily opportunity to do so! I am ready to be sent by Him! Anybody out there wants to join me? Lee County is praying for 40 days (it started August 10th).

True Condition

2009-08-18T08:48:00.005-04:00

Just received a txt msg from my friend Pastor Curtis at Shinnecock Nation. He said "how honest are we? In confession we find God's forgiveness. In admitting our weakness we can find His strength. If we deny our true condition we deceive ourselves.
During meditation one day, the Lord showed me the picture of a clock (maybe because I'm Swiss He likes to talk to me through a clock...). 12 o'clock representing Him, the absolute Truth.
Now...if you're the "1-minute-after-12-person" you probably are considered a very nice person (after all you're closest to the truth). You could be a "15-minutes-after-person" and you probably are the average good guy. What if you're the "12:30" person? Well, you could be the indifferent kind or even an atheist (in reference to a relationship with God). For illustration's sake, if you're a 12:45 person you might be a criminal, an outlaw of some kind, asocial. However, what if you're the 12:59 person? Well, you're the farthest from the Truth. But, what interesting is, you're as close to it as the 12:01 person; JUST ONE MINUTE!
This "one minute" is detrimental on either side. You know the wedge is getting bigger and bigger as we travel through time and space. We desperately need constant re-alignment. Spirtual chiropractice, so to speak!
Another interesting aspect: both the "12:01" and "12:59" person will probably have a similar appearance to you and I; after all, both are "close to the Truth? Aren't they? Who is right? Who is the counterfeit, who is the real thing? Actually...if you think about it, neither is. They're both off, we just like the 12:01 person better!
We need discernment. The Scripture says in John 16:13: "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.