Free Will

For those of you out there that have children, you know that the little darlings can bring bliss or frustration. My favorite saying concerning children: "Don't you just hate it when they get little minds of their own?"

But, think of a child without free will. An infant would not cry when it was hungry. A toddler would never explore. School children would never ask questions and teens would bend to the will of those around them. Without free will, we would have no learning, no discernment, no wisdom in choosing. We would have no diversity.

God did not create free will just so we could "choose" to love him. Frankly, I believe God has much in common with earthly parents. There are probably days when he shakes his head and says to the angels, "Don't you just hate it when they get little minds of their own?"

God did not give us free will so we could choose to love him. God gave us free will because he loves us. We need free will to survive. We need free will to learn that placing you hand on the stove hurts. We need free will to steer clear of posion ivy. We need free will to eat, sleep, work and play.

God knew that free will would be a component of every decision we make. That is why he said,
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live, ..." Deuteronomy 31:19 RSV

The Mirror Theory

My favorite pastime is learning new things. In this pursuit, I watched a Nova special on CPTV titled, "The Elegant Universe". I applaud the program as it opened the door of quantum physics to scientific plebeians like myself. The subject of the program was "String Theory", and for those who have never heard of "Strings", you can learn more about this at http://superstringtheory.com/

String theory is still in its infancy with many questions and concepts still unanswered. As I listened to Brian Greene, the scientist explaining Strings, I marveled at how scientists expect to understand God's creation without understanding God.

Brian Greene stated that although they believe that Strings exist, they have not yet proved that they exist. I thought - "Wow, faith from a scientist!" I am no scientist, nor am I an intellectual giant, but I do understand God. So, let us study God's theory. It is called "The Mirror Theory".

Mirror Theory simply stated - "Everything in the physical or spiritual world has a corresponding reflection."

For example: Expanding Universe/Black Holes, Light/Dark, Matter/Energy, Body/Soul, Good/Evil

We can use this theory to prove the existence of virtually everything.

In the physical world, we have five ways to prove that something exists. They are called our five senses. Three of these senses are based on matter - touch, smell and taste. Two of these senses are based on energy - sight (light) and sound (vibrations). We must utilize one of these senses to perceive the existence or earthly things. So, if you want to prove that a certain matter exists, then logically you would utilize the senses that are based on matter - touch, smell and taste. If you want to prove that a certain energy exists, then you would wisely choose the senses that are based on energy, sight and sound.

Let me give an example. How do you prove that God exists? I mentioned this concept in a previous blog entry - because he moves. The same holds true for Strings - if you can prove that they move, then they exist. " Then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. " I Chronicles 16:33 RSV How is it possible for the trees to sing? The vibrations of their strings, and if the strings move, then they exist. Logically, we cannot see the strings, but perhaps by increasing or decreasing their vibrations, we can hear them, or record their sound.

Let me give another example of changing the vibration or movement. "But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out for fear." Matthew 14:26 RSV Here we see that Jesus walked on the water.

We know that God set all the laws of earth down when he created the universe. This includes the law of gravity. When God created earth, his intent was that Adam and his descendants would have dominion over the earth, but he also knew that Satan would wrest that dominion from Adam. Therefore, when God set down the scientific laws of space and time, he made sure they could not be changed by anyone. So, how did Jesus walk on water without changing the law of gravity? He walked on water by changing the vibration of his Strings. If the vibrations on one body are faster/lighter than that of another body, then the faster/lighter body will negate the force of gravity. Newton's Second Law proves this theory, and as God fully understands all his laws, and Jesus is God incarnate; he walked on the water.

This brings us to The Mirror Theory. By increasing or decreasing the vibrations of "Strings" you are effectively holding the strings in front of the mirror to prove their existence. Just what is the reflection of a string?

Christian Maturity

The earmark of Christian Maturity is when you have moved from Spiritual Masturbation to Spiritual Fertilization.

Who Is Caring for The Soul of The Earth?

I recently received an email from a Christian writer on the subject of head coverings for women in the church. I know that the Bible has much to say about head coverings, or coverings of any kind. The Old Testament required men to cover their heads when in prayer. In the New Testament Paul instructs the women of the church to cover their heads when in prayer or prophesying.

The Ark of the Covenant required a covering and in the new economy, we are covered with the blood of Jesus. With all this mention of "covering", I went to God and asked him what all this meant.

God gave me I Corinthians 11: 7-12 RSV
"For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.) That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels. (Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. "

Still confused, I asked again, "Yes, but what does it mean?" God replied with the beginning and the ending.

It started when God formed Adam. Adam was made from the dust of the earth in the image of God. Subsequently, he possessed many of God's attributes - strength, power, justice, aggression, defense, analytical thinking - basically all he would need to live on the earth. However, time passed and God noticed that something was missing - a soul. So God created woman from Adam. Adam now had a soul and this soul could love unconditionally, dispense mercy and forgiveness, nurture, create and inspire. But, God knew that Eve was not well designed for earthly survival, so he charged Adam "to keep her covered." In other words, God charged Adam to protect Eve; even from the angels.

We see that when the serpent entered the Garden, Eve was alone. Apparently, Adam had shirked his responsibility and left Eve alone. He was well-equipped to defeat the serpent; Eve was not. Adam did not guard his soul from Satan.

Now God would need to send another to guard the woman - or soul. He sent his son, Jesus. Just as Eve came from Adam, the Church came from Jesus, and as Eve was the bride of Adam, the Church is the bride of Jesus.

I mentioned that God also gave me the ending. Revelation 12:5-6 RSV

" she brought forth a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which to be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days."

So we see in the beginning woman came from man, but in the end, man came from woman. The circle is complete.

Pray for Peace

I often listen to the artist Jewel while driving in the car. Her songs are poetry. In one song she sings, "Plenty of people pray for peace, but if praying were enough it would have come to be." Well I do know that praying is enough; it is enough that we pray, but how are we praying?

God wants us to pray with our hearts; not our minds. God wants us to pray out of a feeling of love; not fear. So when we pray 'globally' for peace, just how heartfelt is that prayer. Is it from your heart, or is it felt somewhere outside yourself? Is it only personal to you because of fear, or is there a way to make it personal with love?

"Who stirred up one from the east whom victory meets at every step? He gives up nations before him, so that he tramples kings under foot; he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow. He pursues them and passes on safely, by paths his feet have not trod." Isaiah 41:2-4 RSV

So I pray to you Lord - please save Osama bin Laden. I pray that your Holy Spirit will come into his heart with conviction changing the stone into flesh as the leaves change in the autumn. I pray that your conviction will wither his anger and fear as the winter winds wither the autumn. I pray that you will give him a new heart as fresh and supple as new spring growth. Save him, Father. I claim his soul for your kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Pray for peace with forgiveness and love. Make it personal.

The Witness

It is early Saturday morning, and the doorbell rings. You sigh because you are clothed in your 'I need to get this house cleaned today' sweat pants and t-shirt. You have not yet combed your hair, brushed your teeth or put on your make up. Gingerly, you open the door and two women are standing on your porch, dressed in their Sunday best. They carry black Bibles in one hand and the latest copies of The Watchtower in the other. Do you let them in or do you refuse?

As Christians, we are instructed to witness to the world, however, even I would find ringing doorbells on a Saturday morning a daunting task. Instead, I ask God to set someone before me; someone he has chosen to hear his word.

Once God has chosen someone, I pray daily for their salvation; then I wait. Eventually, an opportunity to share my testimony will present itself. The person will ask a question, or will share some strife or pain in their life, then I will give them my testimony. I continue to pray for their salvation and share more and more about Jesus as the opportunities arise.

Witnessing, or giving testimony to unbelievers can be an intimidating experience for some, but if you ask God to 'set someone before you', he will provide all the tools and opportunity you need to complete your mission.

Love/Hate

Hate is not the antithesis of Love; it is Fear that barricades the loving heart.

Oil and Water

Two children were born to Abraham. The first born, Ishmael, was born to the Egyptian handmaiden, Hagar. The second child, Isaac, was born to Abraham's wife Sarah. Centuries later, the conflict between these two half brothers is still waging. Who is the first born of Abraham? Which child inherits the land promised to Abraham?

Arabs claim they are the descendants of Ishmael and as Ishmael was born first, the land belongs to them. Jews claim they are descendants of Isaac and as Isaac was born of Sarah, Abraham's wife, then the land rightfully belongs to them. Jews claim that Ishmael was born of a household servant, therefore his descendants have no right to the land of Abraham.

Centuries later, this battle is still being waged, and contrary to current belief, this fight was never about oil or what lies beneath the land. The purpose of this fight is about what lies on the land - water.

Maps of the Middle East show few sources of fresh water. On the east, there is the Euprates and the Tigris rivers running between Iraq and Iran spilling towards the Persian Gulf. To the west, we have the Nile River coursing its way through Egypt. The only other major water source in the region starts in Lebanon and carries its life giving water to the Jordan River and the Sea of Gailee in Israel.

The 1967 conflict between Israel and the surrounding Arab states had nothing to do with Zionism or a conflict over lands. This conflict started when Jordan and Syria began plans to dam the headwaters of the Jordan River. By daming the headwaters, they would stop the flow of water into the fledgling nation of Israel.

Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and the highly disputed West Bank are in conflict with Israel for the control of the area's fresh water supply. With an annual rainfall comparable to Arizona, this region's most precious resource is water. As a coastal region, the West Bank does receive significanly more waterfall than the other regions mentioned above, but as the ground is comprised of porous sand, this water is quickly absorbed - moving underground to feed wells and eventually the Jordan River. Thus, both the Arabs and the Israelis covet the West Bank as a great source of fresh water.

Both the Arabs and the Jews claim Abraham as their founding father, yet, their dispute has waged for thousands of years. So how did Abraham acquire this land?

Let us read Genesis 13:5-9
" And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's cattle and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle. At that time the Canaanites and the Per'izzites dwelt in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left." RSV

Lot was Abraham's nephew, the son of his brother. So we see another dispute between familial members - this one over grazing land and probably available fresh water. But, notice how Abraham handles the dispute. "Let there be no strife between you and me." As we continue in Genesis, we learn of Lot's response.

" And Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw that the Jordan valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zo'ar; this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomor'rah. So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan valley, and Lot journeyed east; thus they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, while Lot dwelt among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom." Genesis 13:10-12 RSV

Lot took the whole valley, leaving Abraham with the arid land of Canaan. As we continue to the end of Genesis 13, we see that God portioned a land just for Abraham and his descendants.

" The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see I will give to you and to your descendants for ever. I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your descendants also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you." So Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron; and there he built an altar to the LORD."

It should be noted that Lot did not hold onto his land for long. His land was destroyed along with the city of Sodom by fire.

Strife will last for centuries, but the pain of the peacemaker will sting for a short time.