If you look up at the top right corner of the page, you’ll hopefully spot a new option: Podcasts

There are now three, and I’m still in testing mode, but give it a shot and see how it works for you. This is also being set up to work with iTunes and all the others once I figure everything out.

Let me know what you think!

When the movie “Sixth Sense” first came out back in 1999, the trailers convinced me that I had no interest in the latest endeavor by Director M. Night Shyamalan; as I was convinced it would be a ugly, demonic horror film. I have always made it a point to avoid those, as I simply find no entertainment in the butchering of humans or dealings of demons.

But so many people told me how “great” it was, and that my preconceptions were incorrect. I finally saw it long after the hubbub had died down, thanks to the miracle of DVDs, and the propensity of people to share the ones they love with their friends.

As movies go, it was indeed a very fresh take, and as a science fiction buff, I enjoyed it thoroughly; though as a Christian, I was saddened by the usual incorrect teaching on the afterlife and theology in general. It seems there is no end to the efforts to muddy the waters of spiritual life.

But one thing never left me, and that was the scene of the young boy Cole, played by the talented Haley Joel Osment, telling Bruce Willis,
“I see dead people…”

Willis, as Cole’s psychiatrist Dr. Malcolm Crowe , asks for more understanding, “Dead people, like in graves and coffins?”

The boy counters with, “No, walking around, like regular people… Some of them don’t know they’re dead… All the time. They’re everywhere.”

By now, you’ve either seen the movie or never will, so I’ll safely reveal that the info Cole neglected to share with the kindly shrink was that he, Dr. Malcolm Crowe was one of the dead people himself! Of course, the audience had no idea either at that point, which is what made the movie so popular; the truth wasn’t revealed until the very end of the movie!

What a completely unexpected twist! We were seeing the dead people, too, and didn’t realize it.

But I don’t say all of that to coerce you into seeing a decade old flick.

I say it because I see dead people. All the time. They’re everywhere. Walking around, like regular people… and most of them don’t know they’re dead.

Personally, I have always identified with the prophet Jeremiah, known as “The Weeping Prophet“. You’d be mistaken if you thought I felt worthy to even clean his sandals, though, because Jeremiah was a far greater man than I could ever hope to be. I only wish I had the unique closeness with God that he enjoyed, or his heroic, dauntless courage in the face of complete rejection.

But I do understand all too well the types of things that made him weep.

You see, Jeremiah was told by God to deliver a message to Judah, the remaining two tribes in the Southern Kingdom at Jerusalem. The Northern Kingdom - other ten tribes, known as Israel - had already been destroyed and carried off to Assyria (basically an extended modern Syria).

Things were bad in Jerusalem for Judah, but they didn’t realize just how bad they were. The Law of God, His Holy Scripture, which was supposed to be kept in The Temple had actually been misplaced! The people were without the Word of God and had done what comes naturally; they had become worldly, making their own choices based on their own desires. They were in a sort of passive rebellion to God, but barely aware of it due to their relative prosperity and comfort.

Jeremiah, however, had been commissioned by God to inform them that Jerusalem was about to be utterly destroyed, along with the Temple, and that the ones who lived would be taken into custody in the huge and godless city of Babylon!

Well, they all repented and turned toward God!

Just kidding. Oh, if it were only so. No, instead, they all pounded on poor Jeremiah in any number of ways, completely ignoring him and subjecting him to constant ridicule as well as “punishments”. But the courageous Jeremiah stood up to it and continued to bravely deliver his message, despite the fact that it fell on deaf ears, and made him wildly unpopular to say the least.

Personally, I have never been through anything like Jeremiah suffered, but I do understand his loneliness, feelings of separation from the world and and above all, his discouragement and dejection. He cried for his beloved nation, knowing that things were out of his hands, despite his efforts and warnings.

Which brings me to those dead people that I see.

I’m not being overly dramatic, nor am I being poetic. All of mankind is born into spiritual death; we are spiritual stillborns. Every one of us, bar none. Dead the day we were born, killed by the seed of sin that resides in every one of us, and living our entire lives in a natural rebellion against God.

Almost every one I know, see or come into contact with is walking around, virtually unaware that they are already dead. But they are going to find out at the “end of the movie”; that is, when they physically die as well. They will stand before their Maker, having been already damned by their own sin even before they had a chance to actively rebel against Him. Even if they were always “good people”. Even if they lived their entire lives doing “good things”.

That knowledge just crushes me, because despite my efforts - which are nowhere near as impressive as Jeremiah’s - few people are the least bit interested in the most exciting part of my message:

God has provided a spiritual rebirth! He loves you and wants you back alive with Him! It is a FREE GIFT from Him, directly to you personally!

But as long as I have been trying to share that message, it usually falls on deaf ears, or is acknowledged and subsequently ignored. I know better than to blame myself, as it it’s the Holy Spirit that draws people to Him, not me. My job is to simply share the message, and let Him do the work and receive the glory!

Still, I wish I had done more. Perhaps I still can, so I will continue to try, knowing full well that very few others may respond to His Love. Despite my personal comfort, satisfaction and blessed assurance of eternal life and a place in His Kingdom - which does make me ecstatic - I continue to cry internally, and sometimes even externally, to see so many people who I love and care about headed for total ruin and eternal separation from God. Hell is surely bad, but the part about missing out on His Forgiveness, Love and Personal Presence is even worse!

How about you? If you are a Child of the King - a possessor of the “miracle cure for spiritual cancer” - are you sharing it, despite the rejection and personal cost? Or are you like me, often so disheartened and discouraged that you wonder why you even bother anymore? Either way, let’s ramp up our efforts, shall we? We are on a mission from God!

But if you are one of those dead people I see everywhere, and it bothers you as much as it bothers me, will you contact me? I can not tell you how blessed I would feel to hear from you and personally have the opportunity to help you find the spiritual LIFE that you so desperately crave in your soul; whether you realize that’s exactly what “that aching, empty feeling” is or not!

And I’m not talking about the “easy believe-ism” of a quickie, half-hearted acceptance prayer, but the tremendous excitement of letting the God of the Bible fill you with Life, Love and Blessings beyond your wildest dreams - once you change your worldview toward Him. That change is critical, and in “Christianese”, it’s called repentance. I’ll be thrilled to help you understand.

My direct, personal e-mail is eastwood (at) heloved.us - just replace ” (at) ” with “@“. God put me right here specifically for YOU. Use me!

Either way, I am praying for you. And I wouldn’t mind a few prayers headed my way, either!

That’s just crazy talk.

In reality, your comments will be what brings this project to life! Not only will I be getting feedback that will help me in the future as I try to make things useful and exciting, but I am sure your comments will add much to the value of the entire effort. It’s not like I am some wise sage from the world’s top seminary… far from it! I’m just a layman who has struggled mightily to understand - and attempt to live - what God has given us in His Word. And I’m trying to share what I think I have learned.

Besides, when used properly, the comments area of a blog can quickly begin to resemble a forum, or community, and that’s the kind of fellowship I hope to generate among those of us who have a similar worldview.

So please, post away! Let me know how the articles affect you, or if you have something to add, or even if you have problems with something I am saying. In the end, we will all benefit from it.

Don’t imagine yourself to be “not important enough” to post… you are important enough to God, so you’re important enough for me.

If frank discussion of human sexuality causes you to squirm, or you’ve taken a vow of chastity, this isn’t the post for you. Turn, and walk away.

I like sex. I always have. I am an American male still in his pre-Viagra years, and I am very much alive. My lovely wife is a beautiful, attractive, sexually exciting woman, and after nearly 20 years, she still turns me on without any effort on her part. I love her so much, it’s downright stupid.

But I am also a Christian, stuck in an era that might best be called “Rome, 64AD, minutes before Nero fiddles“.

I haven’t had cable TV for 10 years, and rarely watch many regular programs, but what I do see thanks to commercials, movie trailers and network promos (not to mention the actual shows) is a non-stop visual onslaught targeting both of my brains. If you didn’t realize that men have two brains, again I say, “Turn and walk away!”

Even if I never walked past a functioning television, though, I still work on a computer all day, and as a website designer, researcher and information junkie, those same ads are still right in my face. Even the weather.com site will have a “weight loss” ad or some beauty product banner with a hottie there smiling at me, or showing me her navel. Maybe it’s a vacation trip or cruise ad with the prerequisite bikini frolicking shot. Sooner or later, it’s coming. Again.

I suppose I could change jobs, but on my way to work, I’d see billboards and even worse… real live females strutting their stuff, whether they realize it or not. The point is, in America 2008, sexual imagery is non-stop and all but completely unavoidable.

I won’t lie to you. It affects me. I think women are the most delightful creations on the planet, visually speaking. And regardless of the fact that I already have one who I adore and cherish; it’s like a child at the pet shop surrounded by puppies. “Oh, how cute!” Indeed.

Years ago, I saw people like Pastor Don Wildmon and his AFA assault teams, who’d deluge advertisers and marketers with pithy pleas to “Stop!”, and I appreciated their efforts, but laughed them off as though a bug before a steamroller. “No win situation, guys!”

Despite the fact I was correct - that they would barely affect the tidal wave - I now understand what would drive people to attempt such a ridiculous and losing effort; the fact that these things terribly affect the mind, heart and soul of men.

And the poor wives. Firstly, they are forced to compare themselves to airbrushed models with perfect lighting, make-up stylists, wardrobe people and wind machines. That’s completely unfair. It’s no wonder they either let themselves go in a sad and pathetic surrender; or spend their lives buying new boobs, lips, clothes, shoes, hair, faces, pills, lotions and gym memberships.

And “normal” guys aren’t any help. As a man, I happen to know that guys constantly “rate” women, taking every little flaw into consideration as if they were buying a thoroughbred race horse; and they are generally brutal as far as I am concerned. You’d think they all saw themselves as some Hollywood leading man with six-pack abs, the way they downgrade the girls. Personally, if a gal has had a shower in the last two days, I’d give her at least an “8″. Yes, I am kidding. I don’t play that game anymore.

Regardless, unless the wives have the libidos of college co-eds, they stand little chance of keeping their men so satiated that the men never have to deal with the “visual barrage” problem. However, it’s not that it’s even so much a temptation for the men, since I’d like to think that most Christian men would rarely actually physically cheat on their spouse.

But it’s the mental cheating. When we aren’t paying strict attention, it’s so very to easy to simply gaze and say, “Mmmm.” And perhaps that’s all it is. No elaborate fantasies, no plans of action necessary. Yet it’s still lust, no matter how small, and left untreated it will grow like a cancer.

When we are paying strict attention, striving to be upstanding, obedient, “Christian soldiers of valor”; we quickly realize it is a never-ending battle. Hopefully it’s not as tough of a fight for some guys, but I’m a hot-blooded Hungarian which makes me a lowly infantry man - cannon fodder on Satan’s field of war.

Clearly, the power of God is my only weapon, and you can bet I have cried out to Him to supply as much gunpowder as He is willing to give, so that I might push back the enemy - my own stinking mind. It’s a constant struggle, and I hope I soon reach an age where the testosterone subsides and I can go AWOL from the front lines. But I don’t even know if that always happens for everyone?

I literally thrash myself mentally over the issue at times, to the point of cussing myself out for being “a sick SOB” or worse; hating myself for being unable to completely “take every thought captive”. I’ll admit that these days I do better than in the past, but that’s after years of warfare, and I still lose skirmishes all the time. Though it’s pretty much all internal, it’s still enough to drive one loony.

So what is a man to do? Relax and not take it so seriously? Allow himself to simply enjoy the show? Maybe for some guys, but not me.
I want to be free from it, once and for all!

And there it is.

For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but [now] I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or [that] he heareth of me.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 KJV

People talk about Paul’s “thorn in his side”, but the passage says “thorn in the flesh” and further calls it “the messenger of Satan”. Doesn’t sound like he plowed into a pricker-bush to me… it sounds like he has a personal “kryptonite” that messes him up big time. Perhaps it’s something specific - even lust - or perhaps it’s just the seed of sin itself that torments him.

But Paul pleaded for it to be removed, and God said, “No.”

And God, being God, had an excellent reason for denying Paul his request; He chose to make sure that Paul would always rely on Him, rather than relying on himself. If you think about it for a moment, that’s huge. It’s the entire point of our Salvation, as a matter of fact.

So does God expect me to be Charlie Chaste? Or does He know full well I will have consistent bouts with lust, and through those bouts, I will draw closer to Him? I’d say it’s both, but neither of us believes I’ll actually become that first one.

Beyond that, guys, I’m not sure what to tell you. Let’s pray for each other, and let’s always remember that God is greater, and we will never be perfect. When you see a sexy lady, think of Him instead, and remember that true fulfillment is in Him.

That’s all I got on that for now. Maybe after a few thousand more battles…

Though this post might mean something special to virtually anyone, I’m specifically writing to those who, like me, have suffered from spending life in fear of the Lord, yet without feeling close to Him.

Fear of the Lord, in a “worshipful respect” sort of definition, is very important! But terror before the Lord, especially if it’s because you’re stuck deep in sin, isn’t something to continue. If that’s the case, you need to get on your knees, and pour out your heart in apology, being ready to repent (change your thinking) toward Him.

If you already do that, but want to have a relationship of love rather than just respectful fear, then this one is for you.

I often tell people that “God doesn’t want a religious person, but a relationship with Him”.

With all my opportunities to talk to spiritually-young Christians and unsaved seekers, a repeat question often asked is what I mean by a “relationship“?

How can we have a real relationship where we can’t see or hear the other person?

It’s a great question. It took me many years to move the “head knowledge” of what the Bible taught me - and I completely believed - down into my heart where it felt like I was a real part of the system. Before I felt it “in my heart”, I went through what seemed like eons of internal mental bickering with myself; trying to figure out how to “be good” and take God seriously, and whether I was even truly saved! That’s a headache, and enough to drive one bonkers.

I think the first time I really felt it inside was when I moved out of my girlfriend’s apartment - to spend a few months trying to put my spiritual life back together - after an extended wallow in the filth.

I should explain that I moved out specifically because I recognized that I had become something very wrong in God’s Eyes. I knew my spiritual life had literally gone to pot, and that I first needed to get out of there and clean up my lifestyle before I could really draw close to Him. (As an aside, my girlfriend was saved while I was away, independently of any of my efforts! God drew her to Him in His Own Way, and she broke down before Him. What a Blessing! A few months later, we reunited and married and have remained that way for many years. God knew what needed fixing, and fixed it!) Glory be to God Almighty!

Now back to my exile and spiritual awakening, The Book of Hebrews is what did it for me; hitting the concept home that I really WAS forgiven! I had known that, but couldn’t understand how He could continue to forgive the same sins, time after time. It didn’t add up.

I finally realized, internally, that I wasn’t surprising God with each new sin, but that He had really already forgiven them all. Despite the fact that He knew in advance that my Christian walk would be covered with ugly potholes, I was forgiven. Wow.

My response was a series of many heart-felt “Thank you’s” and more than a few tears as well. You have no idea how good it felt to get over that hump. But maybe, and I hope so, you actually do.

If not, what I tell people about “beginning the Relationship” is,
“Try this exercise…“.

• Start by getting somewhere alone; while you’re driving, taking a walk, looking out the window, on your knees - whatever.
• Then, just say, “Lord, Thank You for watching over me.”
• Then silently think on that - and only that - for a moment or two.
• Say it again, this time with feeling.
• And follow up with, “… and Thank You for _________. ” Use the first thing that pops in your head, and then ponder it.
• Then, “and Thank You for __________, “. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Keep a rough count as you go, no need to be exact. You should hit 2 dozen with ease. If not, you aren’t even trying! Imagine all the things He does. Every breath. Every heartbeat. Every proper function of your body. Your sight. Your home. Your car. Your life. His Grace. His Mercy. His Forgiveness. Your Salvation. Your Salvation. Your Salvation. Your ______.

One thing I include is thanking Him for the shame and guilt of my sin, as it pushes me to change, and denies me of happiness in that sin. That’s a heavy thought.

On the lighter side, if you’ve been behaving well; maybe think back on the apple you ate earlier, and how really amazing that apple is. And tell Him about it. Just keep telling Him what you discover. And smile. Be happy in Him.

I guarantee, that if you do that in an honest approach to Him, He will be listening and smiling a very knowing smile. Why? Because He knew exactly when The Relationship would eventually start, and He sees you right now, in your day! It’s happening, because as you pass 50 Thank You’s, you will be full well realizing just Who this “guy” you’re praying to really is!

He’s your Loving Father, and He has had your back since prior to Day One. He really digs you, and wants to have a “spirit to spirit” relationship of love - a communion - with you. And my experience is, as you approach 200 and maybe before, you should probably have a tear in your eye, realizing just how much you love this God, and how you wish you Two had met earlier!

He is far more than we can imagine.

And He Loved us the entire time.

And now that you have met… talk to Him like the beloved Father He Is. Laugh with Him. Cry on Him. Tell Him the things that you are having trouble with, and ask Him to continue Cleansing you. Apologize and ask forgiveness. Do the Thank You thing at least once a week, if not daily.

These talks eventually become instant, all day quickies, as you automatically begin talking to Him as your beloved Father! You begin to really grasp that He is right there next to you, surrounding you. That’s when it gets fun. Smiling and walking Together with God is something wonderful, that everyone needs to experience.

Just Love Him.

Enjoy your budding Relationship!

Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17 KJV

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God. 1 John 3:18-21 KJV

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. 1 John 4:15-19 KJV

The discussion had devolved to the moderate, but non-”religious” posters stating the fact that people would always believe whatever their culture told them, throughout history. By and large, they were absolutely correct. They also decided that all religions, while diverse with aspect to culture, had the same core principals and directives. Not quite, as one faith stands out from the rest like a sore thumb. The most feared faith of all, Biblical Christianity.

Whereas all religions tell you that you must “work” off your “bad karma”, sin or whatever by doing good, in order to gain enlightenment or get through Purgatory to enter Heaven or find Utopia, Nirvana or Utah…

There is one that says you can not. It differs radically from all the others, in telling you that you are powerless to do so and completely reliant on the mercy of God and must accept the work He did for you. This is unheard of in all other religions. It gives God the glory, rather than men.

In Biblical Christianity, as opposed to religious Christianity, God demands humility, worship and FAITH. But not works… those are done simply as a show of love to Him, out of gratitude, not fear or the Law. (The Bible Believing Christian has been told he is not under the Law!)
This is why the atheist is doomed. He has no interest in faith, but instead demands that God prove Himself to His lowly creature. The sheer audacity is his downfall.

Personally, I find that after years of faith, He has proved Himself to me so often that “faith” is no longer the proper word. It has been replaced by a relationship that is undeniable, and unknowable to people who make demands of God, rather than humble themselves before Him. Any father among you knows how he would respond to a petulant brat vs a loving child full of respect.

Sorry if that sounds self-righteous. It’s not. I am a foul person and I know it all too well.

But I also have no fear whatsoever of death. I look forward to it and welcome it as a transition to His greater reality, for I am well-aware that this place is no Heaven. Just look at the way even “religious” people treat each other; when push comes to shove, all people are inherently self-centered, selfish, rude and even evil people… just like the Bible says we are.

Those who think they are “good people” or “good enough” are in for a big surprise when measured by His yardstick. He already gave us the heads up that every one of us would fail.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Romans 3:10-12 KJV

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19,20 KJV

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans3:23-28 KJV

And if we are honest with ourselves, we know it’s true. True, humble Faith in God is your only hope. Science and proof will not save you. Your pride is the blockade.

This particular atheist was far less skilled at defending his position than others I have seen. Primarily tossing out pedestrian jibes like “Was God a caveman because He made man in His image?”, “The Bible was written by a 1st century goat-herder”, “Who made God, then?” and the old standard “Evolution is a proven fact!”, the poor guy quickly had to resort to name-calling to cover his frustration and angst. Sadly, few of the others involved faired much better, and I was left shaking my head in sympathy for nearly all of the posters.

It caused me to wonder what made this man so upset? And why were his “adversaries” so adversarial, rather than loving?

As an aside, his avatar was from the well-known internet picture to right, which I found humorously appropriate; the tiny yapping dog making big noise behind a plastic facade, the supposed security of his toughness. I doubt he’d agree with me, though!

I believe the anger and viciousness from the atheist was simply evidence of a deep, uncontrollable inner terror. The excessive volume of his yapping was directly correlated to the degree of anger toward his Maker, who he refuses to acknowledge, even though he surely knows internally that he’s not in any control of himself whatsoever.

His initial post was asking if anyone else “was a Freethinker”? He was attempting to find a group of like-minded people with whom he could discuss such issues.

Why? My guess is that, subconsciously knowing that death is headed toward him like a speeding bullet, he’s struggling to find comfort in other God-rejectors, desperately grasping for any semblance of hope. Paradoxically, the hope he desires lies only in the very God he rejects so vehemently.

Those who wish to be their own god, reject God out of necessity.

Those who would make themselves out to be a god are aiming very low indeed.

The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God. They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one. Psalms 14:1-3 KJV

Religions, like the religion of science, the religion of atheism or any other standard religious system, are simply mankind’s attempts to explain his surroundings. Jesus made it clear that He hated religions, saving all of His recorded “aggression” for the religionists of his day.

The problem with the religion of science, for all its amazing additions to Earthly knowledge and understanding, is that it completely hamstrings itself by attempting to explain all things naturally rather than allowing for the supernatural. Instead of exploring such a possibility, it ignores or even denies it, yet without the benefit of any scientific reason to warrant such an approach. Instead, the idea of “the supernatural” is dismissed out of hand, despite plenty of evidence that it should at least be considered.

The Talmudic rabbis, who pre-dated Jesus, did their own pseudo-science based on an extremely deep regard for the same Hebrew writings that make up the early portions of what we now call the Old Testament. Later rabbis, using that book, determined 800 years ago that there were 6, if not 7 extra dimensions that were beyond the “3 + time” that our physical senses can measure.

Quantum physics recently caught up with these text believers and agreed.

Despite the fact that those Talmudic rabbis were searching for hidden knowledge (aka occult knowledge), they were able to glean it from those texts. And they appear to have been somewhat correct! So who supplied those texts? I propose that if it was a “goat-herder”, then it was One who transcendes time and space, and prefers to be called The Good Shepherd.

Those extra dimensions are all but assuredly what we might call “the spirit world”. Realizing that they were apparently very real to the Writer of the Book, Who mentioned that realm extensively throughout its pages, one would have to decide whether the Book might actually be exactly what it claimed to be: The Word of the Creator God.

Add in recent scientific curiosities such as the possibility that the speed of light might not be a constant “c”, but instead may well be slowing down (at the end portion of an exponential curve), and suddenly all bets are off on virtually the entirety of our so-called “scientific understanding” of the messy matter of time.

Further, the global evidence of a catastrophic flood, originating from deep within Earth, as well as from an atmospheric hydro-layer (which created a “terrarium” of sorts, allowing the existence of huge creatures, amazing forests, and other anomalies), and you realize that science is really grasping when they speak ex cathedra concerning our origins. They are assuming that nothing has changed, when in actuality there are at least two radical earth-changes claimed in the Book, just during mankind’s existence: The Fall (when death entered the world) and the Flood (the world eraser). One who believes the Bible can see how dinosaurs, aliens (demons, etc), continental shift and all sorts of other “tough-to-explain” concepts can suddenly be easily explained!

Truth is, the more science discovers these days, the harder it is to deny Him, and His Word.

At some point, does Faith become scientific proof? If so, we are very near “the End”! Once faith is no longer required, what’s keeping Jesus from returning (which is quite a proof in itself!) ?

Sadly, atheists can and usually do bring up the fact that men, “in the name of God”, have historically abused people in the most hideous ways. But when they make those accusations, they are right to accuse the men, but not the Creator those men claimed they served.

How much spiritual damage has Satan enjoyed inflicting, through the actions of “godly” men? Pray that you and I don’t let that happen in our lives any more!

edit - A “Killer Atheism: Part 2” has been added.

Oh, I knew that Jesus Christ had sacrificed Himself for my sins, by shedding His Blood on the cross, so that I didn’t have to shed my own blood.

I also knew God accepted that as payment for my crimes against Him, which was pretty nice of Him, considering He didn’t have to do that, and I had absolutely no way of paying Him.

That niceness is called “grace“, which differs slightly from “mercy“; grace is a loving response to an undeserving (passive) person, where mercy is a loving response to a miserable (active) person. It’s important to note, because

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV

The point is that before I was even aware, God had the grace to take care of me… before I ever had the chance to realize my miserable position before Him (as a sinful man) and cry out for His mercy. By then, He had already taken care of things.

So what was there left for me to do? What would make me any different than anyone else? If He had already taken care of things, why wasn’t everyone saved automatically, and why was there a heaven and a hell?

The rest of that verse explains it; we are saved by grace through faith. He had a loving response based on my needs (not my actions), but it was up to me to respond back to Him and accept His graceful sacrifice as my payment. Faith is that acceptance, that humility before Him that says, “I know I am powerless to save myself, and am desperately depending on You to do it for me!”

Powerless? C’mon, right? We can work off our sins by being good, can’t we?

The answer is “No.” That same verse continues to explain that good works will not do it “lest any man should boast”. Again, God is looking for us to bow down before Him and be humble in the knowledge that we are not little gods, but are completely powerless over sin. The very idea that we could boast about saving ourselves is a slap in God’s Face, making Jesus Christ’s sacrifice worthless. Not cool.

That single verse blows certain religious cults out of the water… like ones that would have you work off your sins in some sort of purgatory, or ascend your way to Utopia by eventually perfecting yourself. In fact, every “religion” other than true Biblical Christianity wants you to earn your way in, regardless of the simple truth in the Bible which says, “You can’t.” Under God’s plan of salvation, God alone receives the glory. Not you. That’s the entire point.

So why then, did Jesus Himself say during His famous Sermon on the Mount, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect“? That’s a very good question!

What we have there is a verse which is often taken out of context and abused to literally “scare the hell” out of people.

Immediately prior to that statement, Jesus gave us an overview of God’s Law - His standard that we would be expected to uphold perfectly, IF we planned to enter His Kingdom on our own. And though He does want us to live in obedience to Him, everyone involved knows that we are entirely incapable of being perfect when measured against that Law.

The entire point of the Law is to expose us as needy, hopeless sinners who must depend on God. Again, humility before Him is the key. We do need righteousness, but we simply ain’t gonna get it by obeying His Law - it’s impossible, case closed!

So, how can we get it? By accepting it as a free gift from God:

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed … the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. Romans 3:21,22 KJV

So, no, God does not expect us to be perfect. He is not stupid. He knows it is impossible, and so should you.

But He must expect something from us, right? If we can’t get in by good works, and we can’t be perfect, WHAT DOES GOD WANT?

He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV

Well, that’s not so complicated, is it? He wants us

1. “to do justly” - meaning to treat each other fairly, the way we would want to be treated, i.e.: The Golden Rule.
2. “to love mercy” - not just “show mercy”, but love to show mercy; the way you want God to show mercy to you.
3. “walk humbly with thy God” - If you just keep in mind who He is, and who you aren’t, you’re halfway there.

He already knows you’ll screw it up. But He also knows that if you truly love Him - if you are truly humble before Him - you’ll keep trying to get it right out of love for Him.

And isn’t that loving respect exactly what everyone really wants?

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Romans 1:22, 23

It certainly seems clear that God doesn’t want man to make images of Him or any god. The Ten Commandments has this mentioned as part of Number Two: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above… (Ex 20:4a)

So what do we do? We make pictures of God: old man, throne, beard, lots of light and a cloud. You may have seen one.

We make Jesus pictures, too, and those vary greatly, though fall into a couple categories:

There’s Baby Jesus, venerated by millions at Christmastime, if you call putting little mass-produced idols on your table, or large baby dolls in your front yard “veneration”. It’s such a common image that “Baby Jesus” is a punchline to many people, and has indeed become an equally common form of blasphemy. One thing to note about this image of the Savior, is that He looks very powerless, whether half naked or even worse, tied up tightly in those swaddling clothes.

Then, there’s EuroJesus, also known as Italian Jesus and even Hippie Jesus, due to the long flowing hair. This one is in millions of Protestant Grandmother’s homes, as well as many other places. In fact, this may well be the residual image that pops into most people’s minds when they think of the Savior; it’s that well known. Sadly, there is very little chance that Jesus ever actually looked like this, since he was hard-working, sun-drenched Jewish carpenter, rather than an effeminate male model from Milan. Isaiah told us straight up that He would not be pretty; “he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2) Again, this representation of Jesus is embarrassingly weak-looking as well.

Then, there’s Dead Jesus, a particularly saddening image of the Savior at the lowest point in His existence. This one, called a crucifix,  is found in cathedrals everywhere in the world, as well as in millions of homes and even hanging from rear-view mirrors. It’s an image that definitely receives a lot of worship and veneration, and again runs the gamut from huge, expensive sculptures to cheaply-made plastic trinkets. Clearly, this is as powerless as He ever appeared in the eyes of men; both dead and completely restrained by nails through His hands and feet.

Finally, we have Sacred Heart Jesus, a very strange and very non-biblical representation of the Saviour. This image is specifically created for worship, and in particular, worship of the physical heart of Jesus. Found frequently in bedroom shrine displays and the Mexican food aisle of Kroger, the Sacred Heart image is actually a depiction rife with occult symbology. The two fingers of the right hand, the heart shape, the sunburst, the flames and more all originate from Chaldean mysticism, forerunner to virtually all satanic religions. Any power that this “Jesus” supposedly has rests solely in that “magic heart”.

Personally, I find all of these images outrageous. Like it or not, Jesus Christ is God Himself, and is singularly worthy of glory. It is a well-established fact that He was murdered and subsequently rose from the dead to be seen by over 500 people before ascending into Heaven in front of many onlookers. Jesus lives. Today, we are told, He sits at the Right Hand of the Father, prepared to return as King. That cross no longer has a dead body hanging on it, even though some would prefer to leave Him on there for eternity.

So if you feel the need to visualize Jesus Christ, I propose you read the following passage from Revelation 1, which is a very different picture from the ones that the religionists employ to batter us into senselessness:

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead.

And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:10-18

That’s Jesus today, right now, and I am not sure how much more powerful one could possibly be. So worthy of worship that John fell down before Him as a dead man; yet so loving that Jesus lifted him back up with words that no one else could ever say.

I can’t wait for my opportunity to fall at His Feet! That’s my God. That’s God Almighty. No image can begin to do justice to that picture of our Savior.

Rich is told the parachute will improve his flight. He’s a bit skeptical at first, and can’t see how wearing a parachute could possibly improve his flight. But he decides to experiment, just to see if the claims are true. He quickly notices the extra weight on his shoulders and has difficulty sitting upright. However, he consoles himself knowing he was told that it would improve his flight, and gives it a little more time.

But then Rich notices that other passengers are laughing at him and he begins to feel a little humiliated. They continue, and soon he can’t stand it anymore. He slinks down, unstraps the parachute and throws it on the floor, disillusioned, bitter, and feeling like he was told an outright lie.

Seymour is also told to put a parachute on, but he’s told it’s because he’ll soon need to jump 25,000 feet out of the plane. He is very grateful and doesn’t notice the added weight, nor that he can’t sit upright. His mind is consumed with the thought of what would happen to him if he didn’t have that parachute!

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the “Christian life” parallel: The Parachute = Salvation.

Taking it further, Rich was “saved” by hearing about salvation’s rich benefits to him; presumably that he’d get to Heaven and God would bless him greatly while still on Earth. Seymour saw more, realizing that salvation kept him from certain spiritual death and was grateful for the safety. He continued in salvation, while the unimpressed and embarrassed Rich blew it off due to the hassle and lack of obvious reward.

What a cute story, huh? I suppose that it has some merit, but the reason I shared it with you is that it’s similar to the way today’s Christian Church reaches out to the lost. Either rope them in with promises of great spiritual wealth, or scare them silly with threats of spiritual death. Ostensibly, the better way between the two is Seymour’s way, because it lasts longer, and keeps more “Christians” in the pews over time.

However, there is an even stronger reason to use that parachute, and that is to please the parachute maker! It’s stupid in this analogy, because who would ever think to do such a thing?

And that’s the point! Both analogies get to the same motivating factor: What can the parachute do for me?

The real question should be: How can I thank the parachute MAKER?

So, the analogy falls apart, in my mind, because even though Seymour has a much better motive, it’s still a motive defined by selfish-desire… in this case, for his safety.

That’s one big problem with today’s Christianity in a nutshell. I call it “God as Vending Machine” Christianity… where God is looked at as Big Daddy, the supplier of treats. We pray, He gives us stuff. If we really pray hard, He should give us even more! Me. Me. ME. “I’ll love You BECAUSE You’ll do something for me.”

Instead, our approach should be, “I am dead and have no hope whatsoever. Yet, You have offered me life for nothing at all. How may I express my gratitude in a way that will please You the most?“

Or as my modified JFK quote goes (in a thick Boston accent) “Ask not what your God can do for you. Ask what you can do for your God!”

Everyone knows God can do anything. It is so easy for Him to give you anything and everything He wants to give you. So why not leave the giving up to Him, and focus on finding ways to love Him more. Deeper worship, more heart-felt praise, continuous thanksgiving… and the biggie: obedience to Him out of your love for Him.

Look at God from that perspective, and you’ll never even worry about the parachute… because you’ve fallen deeply in love with its Maker! The parachute is an awesome gift, but the Maker is the most wonderful Friend imaginable. Our Heavenly Father wants close, real relationships with his children - not badgering self-centered kids who simply want to know what presents He brought home for them today.

This is the beginning of Christian maturity; when our reason for wanting to die and go to Heaven is to be with our best Friend and Father, in order to more fully love Him - not just to escape Hell or see the golden streets.