What Do YOU Think About CoExist and The LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP Movement?

Last Sunday, in our worship service at International Bible Baptist Church (IBBC-Riverside), our associate pastor, Paul Garcia, shared a photo of a bumper sticker which has been seen on many cars in the past several decades.  The bumper sticker suggests that we should COEXIST - and, with that I can agree.  However, we must look much deeper at what that bumper sticker is advocating.  What is it really suggesting?

After the service I shared with Pastor Paul that one of the oldest churches in our city of Riverside actually teaches that misguided theology - that people from all religions, including atheism, can come together, sitting side by side, with each worshiping his own god or gods:

The Universalist Unitarian Church of Riverside, previously known as the All Souls Universalist Church, is a Universalist Unitarian church located in Riverside, California, United States.  It was built during 1891-92 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "All Souls Universalist Church" in 1978. 

According to their web site:

We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience.  These are the Six Sources our congregations affirm and promote:

•  Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;

•  Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;

•  Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;

•  Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;

•  Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;

•  Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions, which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

 
Another Universalist Unitarian church web site tells us: 

Universalist Unitarianism is a liberal religion that encompasses many faith traditions.  Unlike most religions, it is not centered on specific theological beliefs.  Universalist Unitarians are free to search for truth on many paths. 

Universalist Unitarianism arose from two liberal religions, both of which were originally part of the Christian tradition.

Unitarians believed in the oneness of God and questioned the Trinity.

Universalism was founded on the premise that a loving God would not condemn a person to eternal punishment for earthly errors.

The two denominations merged in 1961.  Over the years, Unitarian Universalism has evolved into an even more open and accepting faith.  (https://peoriauuchurch.org/whoweare_1.html)

 
And, following that line of thinking, we have this sermon from a Universalist Unitarian pastor who claims to have initially been a Baptist:

A Unitarian with a Dash of Baptist
Sermon by Universalist Unitarian Rev. Dr. Todd F. Eklof, May 28, 2017
http://uuspokane.org/WP2/services/unitarian-dash-baptist/

One of the most frequent questions I’m asked is how I went from being a Southern Baptist to becoming a Universalist Unitarian?  As theologically different as these two faiths are, there is also much they have in common.  For me, becoming a UU wasn’t a radical shift, but the continuing evolution of the core values that drew me to the Baptist faith to begin with, values that abide in me still, values that are also at the core of Unitarian Universalism. .  .  .

Bill Gray Note:  Very similar rationalization which is used by most atheists and non-believers to justify a false theology or a self-imposed blindness toward God and spiritual reality.

My father, on the other hand, whom I’m confident was an undiagnosed, untreated paranoid schizophrenic, often spoke in religious terms, though only about his version of an authoritarian, punitive God of the Old Testament, and never about Jesus or as if he considered himself a Christian.  In his mind, he was God’s anointed agent, a delusion of grandeur symptomatic of his illness, and, in our home, he acted as if he was God. .  .  .

Bill Gray Note:  To deny God, he first denies his Christian earthly father, which he does with typical atheistic flair.

Yet we, as Universalist Unitarians, remain free to ordain and install our own ministers, and, thankfully, have a long history of breaking with tradition, calling upon women, gays, lesbians, transgenders, even a few atheists, to minister to us and to occupy our pulpits.

Bill Gray Note:  What more can be said?  In that church anyone who wants to stand and declare that their knowledge exceeds that of God - is welcomed into their pulpit and into their clergy.

If you will google "Humanist Manifesto" you will find three Manifestos published by the American Humanist Association whose logo declares "Good Without A God."  These declarations are:  Humanist Manifesto 1 (1933)  ~  Humanist Manifesto 2 (1973)  ~ and Humanist Manifesto 3 (2003).  Looking at these Manifestos, they are basically the American Humanist's atheistic Statements of Faith.  

And, very important to note - you will find that many of the people who signed these Humanist Manifestos are Universalist Unitarian pastors, along with many theologians from liberal universities and colleges.

On the web site for Humanist Manifesto 1 (1933) we find this introduction:

The time has come for widespread recognition of the radical changes in religious beliefs throughout the modern world.  The time is past for mere revision of traditional attitudes.  Science and economic change have disrupted the old beliefs.  Religions the world over are under the necessity of coming to terms with new conditions created by a vastly increased knowledge and experience.

In every field of human activity, the vital movement is now in the direction of a candid and explicit humanism.  In order that religious humanism may be better understood we, the undersigned, desire to make certain affirmations which we believe the facts of our contemporary life demonstrate.   (https://americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/manifesto1/)

And, all of that brings to me my reason for writing this blog.  Folks we have often heard the old idiom "from the sublime to the ridiculous."   What is an idiom?  It is a word or phrase used to describe a situation where something serious and important - is followed by something absolutely silly and ridiculous.  And I doubt I will ever find a better example of an idiom than this article posted on Facebook today. 

Basically it is taking us from Genesis 1:27, "So God created man in His own image;.  .  . male and female He created them"  ~ to LGBT, then LGBTQQIAP, and now to LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP.   I know it is a silly question - but what can possibly follow this new Liberal slap in the face of God?

Teachers Attend 'LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP' Sensitivity Training
BY Megan Fox, NOVEMBER 26, 2017
https://michaelsavage.com/2017/11/27/teachers-attend-lggbdtttiqqaap-sensitivity-training/

Gather 'round children!  The Canadian Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (Canada) has some super interesting new information for you!  First, we're going to learn a new acronym.  Can you say, "LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP?"  Let's try it to the tune of "Old MacDonald!"  Everyone sing along!  Next, we'll learn what these letters mean.  Are you ready?

L — Lesbian  -  Everyone knows what this is, right?

G — Gay  -  And I'm sure I don't need to explain this to you smarties!

G — Genderqueer  -  Now this one is new.  So let's make sure we all understand what this means:  "Genderqueer; denoting or relating to a person who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions but identifies with neither, both, or a combination of male and female genders."  That's easy, isn't it, kids?  Basically, this is a person who has no idea who or what "x" they are, okay?

B — Bisexual  -  That's self-explanatory, isn't it?

D — Demisexual  -  Oh boy!  Another new one!  Let's get out the ever-expanding queer dictionary to figure it out!  "A demisexual is a person who does not experience sexual attraction unless they form a strong emotional connection with someone."   This used to be known as monogamous love.  But now we throw the word "sexual" on it to make it attractive to the kids.  Got it?

T — Transgender  -  You all know all about this one!  These are boys or girls who dress up like the opposite sex and want everyone to pretend not to notice!

T — Transexual  -  You are familiar with these people too!   Same as above, only they've gone through irreversible surgery to remove healthy body parts because of feelings.  Let them in your bathroom.   Everything is fine.

T — Two-Spirit  -  Oh my goodness!  How exciting!  It's another category no one on earth has ever heard of!  This one is complicated, dear ones.  For sure you have to be a Native American.  And smoking a lot of peyote could only help to understand what the heck a two-spirit is.  It appears to be a third gender, not yet discovered by science, and only found in the Native American community by gender studies majors who take adventure vacations and hang out in sweat lodges.

I — Intersex  -  This is that very rare condition that we used to call hermaphrodite, where a child is born with both sex organs of male and female.  It is very rare, as in, hardly ever happens.  It is a birth defect.

Note:  We are just motoring through all these new terms and if you need a snack to recharge, choose something high protein!  We are going to need those brains functioning at peak capacity for this one!

Q — Queer  -  Just when you thought you couldn't use the word "queer" because it's an insult, think again!  It's back!  Queer is an umbrella term designed to describe all people who aren't normies.  I think.  It's hard to tell.  These things do change on an almost daily basis.

Q — Questioning  -  This is a term used for people who are still deciding where they are going to fall on this list.  It seems contradictory to the "born that way" theory - to have a bunch of people still questioning their sexuality - but the LGBTQWTF brigade says it's fine, so rest assured, there's nothing to question about questioning.

A — Asexual  -  People who have no interest in sex.  This also used to be known as "people who are married with kids."  See the classic TV show "Married with Children" for an example.

A — Allies  -  People who "virtue signal" constantly on Twitter about supporting their LGBTQWTF friends and family.  These people aren't gay, queer, or even questioning!  They're simply shielding themselves from the "gaystappo" squads who come around looking for people who aren't properly broadcasting their approval of the queer agenda.  Be an ally, children... if you know what's good for you!

P — Pansexual  -  Just a more confusing way to say bisexual.  There really is no difference, only we pretend there is so we can use a word that reminds us of Greek mythology and it sounds more interesting than bisexual, which is so last decade.

P — Polyamorous  -  People who are basically leftover Hippies, who miss their communes.  Or hardcore Mormons.  Either way, they are people who like to have more than one partner, sometimes at the same time.

Now that we've finished our lesson for today, children, it's time for questions!   What's that?   "Why are there no furries on the list?"

AAAARRRRGHHHH!!!  The discrimination is rampant!  Get the markers!  Add a letter!  Print new flyers!

If you are wondering where all this could lead and why I take the time to post such blogs, you might want to read these two articles:

The LGBT Agenda vs. Religious Freedom
https://pjmedia.com/faith/2017/09/13/lgbt-agenda-vs-religious-freedom/

LGBT Activist Threatens to Burn Down Church
https://pjmedia.com/faith/2017/09/21/lgbt-activist-threatens-to-burn-down-church-over-traditional-marriage-billboard/

And, if that is not convincing to you, take a look at this very recent video posted by the professional hockey team, the Anaheim Ducks, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of hockey in America.  In it one of the Anaheim Ducks players is filmed walking through the Anaheim Ducks headquarter offices totally nude - while unsuspecting office workers look on in shock.  And this video was obviously approved by the Anaheim Ducks' management.  Does that give you food for thought?

Is this the Anaheim Ducks' management and team's way of giving all Christian believers, and God, the "Shove It!" salute?  Works for me - about as well asColin Kaepernick's salute to America and our American military.

(Anaheim) Ducks celebrate NHL anniversary with nude Ryan Kesler video
https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/ducks-celebrate-nhl-anniversary-with-nude-ryan-kesler-video-then-apologize-for-it/

Folks, I realize I have given you a lot to think about - but, how else will you know how to respond when someone in the secular world asks you, "What do you think about the LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP Movement?"  Now you will not have to respond, "The what movement?"   Glad I could help.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Just Be Ready!

In the wee hours of the morning on November 25, 2012, a Friend on the TimesDaily Religion Forum asks me:

Bill,  Do you believe those who claim to have near death experiences, who say they went to heaven and were sent back to earth?  And, are angels all males or are there female angels?  Are we near the end of time?  So many say we are.

 
Let's break her questions down:

First,  "Do you believe those who claim to have near death experiences, who say they went to heaven and were sent back to earth?"

We know that Hebrews 9:27 tells us, "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment."   That tells us that no one has died and then come back.   But, you asked about "near death experiences" - which I do believe can happen.

But, do those people truly see heaven or hell?   Or is it something which happens due to preconditioning of their minds?

Years ago, I frequently drove the Los Angeles freeways in my field engineering and then computer sales work.   At that time, I purposely preconditioned my mind to react when and if danger quickly came upon me.  When driving, I would repeatedly think to myself, "If you have a blow-out, or your car starts to spin - turn your wheels into the spin - not against it."   I told myself this, and other precautions, over and over - until my reaction became second nature.

And, I can attest that this saved my life several times.  Once, when driving north on Freeway 5 going through Buena Park, California - I had a blow-out while driving 70 mph in the fast lane, in mid-day traffic.  My automatic preconditioned reaction helped me put the car into the ditch on the side of the road - instead of rolling over or hitting another car.

Another time, the second trailer in a tandem trailer configuration broke from the 18-wheeler truck and first trailer, right in front of me - and while I was maneuvering around that trailer, the front trailer broke off and jack-knifed right in front of me.   Only my preconditioned reflexes saved me.

All this is to say that people can precondition their minds:  for driving dangers as I had done - or - about seeing heaven or hell.  And, in a near death experiences those preconditioned thoughts can seem to be very real to them.  That is what I believe happens.

Next, my Friend asked, "And are angels all males or are there female angels?" 

Even though the angels mentioned in the Bible always have masculine names - I believe angels do not have a specific gender, that they are neither male nor female.   

When the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with the story of the women who married seven brothers in succession (Matthew 22:23-30), by asking Him, "In the next life, whose wife is she?"

Jesus told them, in Matthew 22:30, "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven."

God made us male and female so that we might marry and have children, i.e., "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth" (Genesis 1:28).  That is the same thing He told Noah and his sons after the flood (Genesis 9:1).

Angels were not created to procreate - so, they have no need to be either male or female.

Next, my Friend asks, "Are we near the end of time?  So many say we are."

Jesus tells us:

Matthew 24:36, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone."
 
Acts 1:7, "He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.' "

In Matthew 24, Jesus gives us food for thought about the end times, i.e., there will be wars, heavenly disturbances, calamities on earth, increasing apostasy, etc.  All of these are happening now, but will happen to a greater extent during the seven year Tribulation, which is what Matthew 24 is describing.  One last key gating factor for the Rapture to occur, is the return of Israel as a nation.  That did happen in 1948.  

We know there is growing apostasy.  For we see the world and the United States becoming more and more secular, allowing secular society more and more freedom to spread their aberrant teachings and lifestyles in all levels of our schools and in our society.  And we see growing persecution of Christians worldwide.  There are many signs.  But, from Scripture we know absolutely that NO ONE knows the time, day, or hour of His coming.

That is why we are told to be ready at all times.  Just as I preconditioned myself for automatic reaction in times of danger while driving - we must precondition ourselves spiritually to always be ready for our Lord and Savior to return - when least expected.

Luke 12:40, "You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."
 
Matthew 24:44, "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will."

So, regarding the End Times and when Christ will come to Rapture His church; the best advice anyone can give is - always be ready.  Have your spiritual house in order and be ready for Him to come at any time.  It could be today, tomorrow, next year - or not for a hundred years.

But this we know beyond all doubt.  The Rapture, Christ taking His bride, His church, into heaven, will happen. 

John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words."

He is coming for us when we least expect it (Matthew 24:44).  Just be ready.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

  

Who Should Decide - You Or "Big Brother"? ~ Flash Back To A Dialogue With Dr. Fred Saure

Those of us who have been living in the Wonderful World of Internet Technology for a long while have most likely experienced many of the horrors imposed on us by the Internet Big Brother team of AOL and then Yahoo.   Almost thirty years ago, God gave me a Christian writing ministry.  First it was doing a snail-mail Christian newsletter I named "The Good News."  Then my long time Christian brother, Pastor Freddy Cortez, suggested I start using e-mail to send my newsletters via the internet.  As he told me, "You can send to thousands of people and it is far cheaper than the printing and postage needed for snail-mail newsletters."

Never one to ignore good advise, about twenty years ago I began doing my Friends Ministry eNewsletter via e-mail - using the old and slow dial-up internet connection.  It took a while to send the messages, especially when I built my mail list to about 600 folks around the world.  But it was exciting.  I met a lot of interesting folks and many good Christian Friends along the way.

Then AOL and later Yahoo began to impose their version of censorship on our e-mails.  Especially those with Christian content.  And that led to the dialogue below with my long time Christian brother,  Dr. Fred Saure.

On June 23, 2007, I sent the following eNewsletter, which was written in response to Dr. Saure, but sent to all in my Friends Ministry eNewsletter mail list.  It was titled "Who Should Decide - You Or 'Big Brother'?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Today, I received an e-mail from my Friend, Dr. Fred Saure, retired president of the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary in Baguio, now living in the United States.  Dr. Saure has been a Friend in my Friends Ministry for quite a while, and has been very supportive of the writing ministry God has given me.  I truly appreciate the support, suggestions, and encouragement he has offered me - once telling me, "Bill, if you will put your writings into a book, I will be first in line to get one."   Coming from a Christian leader and teacher such as Dr. Saure, that was very encouraging.

Initially in this e-mail, I was only going to respond to Dr. Saure.  But then decided that I should include all my Friends.  In reading over my response, I realized that this goes far beyond AOL, Yahoo, or any other self-ordained protector of our cyber-world messages.  So, I decided to share this with all my Friends Ministry eNewsletter Friends.

Please do not get me wrong; I absolutely, firmly, believe that we MUST have more control over the content of the internet.  Pornography and all sorts of abhorrent information and images are rampant on the internet.  And, through the Liberal imposed "freedom of speech" rhetoric - the pornographers and other predators have free rein to send those images to everyone, including our children. 

Some years ago, I was writing about the assassination of President Kennedy.  I went on the internet and did a search for Kennedy Assassination - and was rewarded, maybe assaulted is a better word, with a pornographic image.  Can you imagine how many times this has happened to our young children under similar circumstances when doing research for school work?

So, my dialogue with Dr. Saure is not about having no control over the content of internet information.  Rather, it is about NOT having Corporate Big Brother telling YOU which e-mails you may receive, and which e-mails you may not receive - without asking you if you want those e-mails or not.

I will reiterate that I am firmly behind, supportive of, and demand that internet pornography and other such distasteful poison should be removed from the internet.  On the other hand, if you and I, as Christians, want to consensually send Christian messages to Friends - Corporate Big Brother should not interfere.  By the same token, if a Mormon wants to send a Mormon message; or a Muslim wants to send a Muslim message; or an Atheist wants to send his atheist message to his Friends - Corporate Big Brother should not be a self-ordained censor or gate keeper.

Pornographic images are bad and distasteful, except to those making money from it - and should be eliminated.  They may have the First Amendment right to free speech - but, you and I have the same right to not have that vulgar speech and image forced upon us and our children.

Spam mail is another issue; but, I feel that it is best left to the individual to handle this situation.  As I say in my response below to Dr. Saure, by using Spam Blocker software and setting up a special BLOCK folder, I have this under control.  Another thing I did was to build a special Spam Friends folder and send them my messages, which is not Spam because I am only responding to the e-mail they sent to me.  Amazingly, in resolving my Spam issue, I have found a number of new Friends through this effort.

As you can see, I do have very strong feelings about both the issue of pornography on the internet and about e-mail censorship.  Share this with you Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors --- all your FRANs.  Together, we can beat the Porno Monster and the Censorship Monster - and bring the internet back to the positive usage it was designed to give us.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill Gray

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dr. Fred Saure wrote:   "On Yahoo Blocks"

Dear Bill,

When I was still at the seminary in Baguio, some of my group e-mails could not go through because the recipients exceeded the limit.  Or, so it was internally explained.  I then merely resent the email by installment.

But you seem to think there is censorship involved here.  Is this so?

Thanks and God bless!

Fred Saure

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hi Fred,

Yes, since the advent of DSL there are several things happening in the realm of e-mails.  For quite a while, AOL was blocking on content.  So, if your e-mail appeared to have words that smelled like Christian, or if you had URL links which had that same smell - AOL would block your e-mail.  It appears that AOL has quit being the bulldog; and now it is Yahoo doing the censorship.

Yahoo, in attempting to control the Spam problem (so they say), has established themselves as the Gate Keeper without asking the owners of the gate.  This is something they should leave up to the client.  Personally, I receive about 500 Spam e-mails each day.  What I have done is to set up a BLOCKED folder and train my Internet Security to recognize Spam and divert it to this folder.  

Then, I can scan that folder quickly to see if any good e-mails have been diverted by mistake, and delete the remaining e-mails.  It is aggravating and time consuming to have to do this; but, it is far better than having a company such as Yahoo make my decision for me which e-mails I can receive and which I will not be allowed to receive.  I want to be my own censor, not have a corporation force their censorship upon me.

Bill Gray Note:  Today I use a program called MailWasher which flags Spam and unwanted e-mails so they can be deleted before being downloaded.

When I began my e-mail ministry about nine years ago (1998), I was using dial-up internet service from Pacific Bell and I had no trouble sending to my complete list of about 600 people.  Then SBC and Pacific Bell merged; and even then still with dial-up service, I had no trouble sending to my Friends Ministry mail list.

But when SBC introduced their DSL service, they joined with Yahoo to offer the service.  It became SBC Yahoo DSL.  All of a sudden, I was told that I could only send to 25 recipients in one e-mail.  With over 600 in my mail list, that would have meant that I would have had to rebuild and send each e-mail 24 times.  And that would have been prohibitive to my writing ministry.

I called someone in SBC administration and asked about this problem.  I was told that, with the advent of DSL, SBC Yahoo was concerned with people sending Spam.  I reminded the lady that, every day, SBC sends e-mails to tens of thousands of people - and most do not request those e-mails.  Her response was, "Yes, but we use T1."   Well, duh!  Because SBC uses an even faster method of transmitting e-mails - their e-mails are not Spam?  Yet, when I moved up from dial-up to the mid-range DSL, my e-mails became Spam?  There seemed to be some inconsistency in that logic.

T1 is merely a faster method of sending than DSL.  So, in effect she was telling me that my e-mails were Spam because I was sending over DSL which is faster than my previously used dial-up.  But SBC's much larger volume of e-mails, by using the T1 faster method of transmission, are not Spam.   Really?

At this point I made a telephone call to the office of the president of SBC Corporation in Houston, Texas.  After talking with a lady in his office and through her, by talking with the office of the president of SBC DSL in St. Louis, they finally assigned a man to help me.  He did whatever was required to allow me to send to my full list without restrictions - and all was well.

That solved my problem of sending e-mails.   But then Yahoo decided to take it upon themselves to censor e-mails BEFORE they arrive at the Inbox of the recipients.  In other words, Yahoo is now not limiting my sending of e-mails - but Yahoo is now deciding which e-mails YOU are allowed to receive, without you having an opportunity to decide for yourself.

When I spoke to a person at Yahoo Tech Support about this, I was told that, if I send to 50 or more Yahoo recipients in a period of several hours - Yahoo will stop those e-mails from being delivered.  Yet, I have found that Yahoo also blocks based upon content.  If an e-mail has a URL link to another web page and it is an active link, i.e., if it contains the http in front of the www.web page name.com - very often Yahoo will block the e-mail.  The reason for adding the http is for the convenience of the reader; so that you merely have to click on the link to visit that page.  Otherwise, the reader has to copy/paste the URL into their browser.

To get around this, in my e-mails to the group, I leave off the active link http.

I have also found that Yahoo does not block the e-mails to all the Yahoo users in my mail list.  It appears to be a "selective" blocking.  However, there are many that appear to be consistently on their blocked list.  So, I have built several separate Yahoo Blocked folders, using those e-mail addresses.  That way when I get a "mail blocked" message back from Yahoo - I can rebuild and resend the e-mails just to those special folders.  However, I do not resend all messages - for I get busy and do not always have the time.   Because of this censorship, often many Friends who have requested my Friends Ministry eNewsletter - do not receive it.

When it was SBC Yahoo blocking me from sending; I could take action - which I did.  And I worked with them to resolve the problem.  However, this problem now is not on my end; but, on the recipient's end.  And I have no control over that.  Only you, the Yahoo client, can complain to Yahoo about this censorship.  As with any business; if a company begins to lose clients, begins to lose business - that will get their attention.  Otherwise, they just continue on like the fat and happy cow, chewing her cud, and blocking the gate.

Fred, back to your original question about censorship; we will always find varying degrees of censorship when our messages are Christian in nature.  The censorship tends to come and go, much like that by AOL before.  Since those who censor are obviously not Christian, appealing to them on that basis would be futile.  The only appeal which reaches their ears - is through their wallet.  When enough clients say, "Enough!  I will find a more Christian friendly, or user friendly, e-mail provider" - then that secular corporation will take notice.  Many people just make the assumption, "Oh, I am only one person, what can I do?   What difference will it make if I switch?"

An election can be decided on one vote.  The Supreme Court swings on a single vote.  Many bills in Congress and other legislative bodies have been decided by one vote.  Then, when that one vote becomes two, then three, then more - suddenly "We The People" are back in control, rather than the corporation or the legislative body - as our founding fathers designed the system.

Fred, thank you for your response.  I always enjoy hearing from you.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill 

In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity - Revisited

It is often good to revisit ideas and discussions, to refresh our thoughts and to see if any new insights or revelations have occurred which would change or alter the way we view that issue today.

With that in mind, let's revisit a blog I posted on June 14, 2014, titled "In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity." 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In recent dialogues on the TimesDaily Religion Forum, two Forum Friends, one a Protestant and the other Roman Catholic, have been discussing the meaning of the world "catholic." 

My Protestant Friend wrote, "Neither Ignatius nor any other person in the First Century A.D. employed the word 'catholic' as a title for the Church of Jesus Christ, or some inauthentic division thereof.   He used the word simply as an adjective, meaning 'universal,' which is, of course, what Jesus intended His church to be."

And, my Roman Catholic Friend responds by starting a new discussion which he titled "For The Record."   There he copy/pasted a long article from the web site "New Advent: Catholic Encyclopedia - Catholic."  (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03449a.htm)

In the article excerpts below I found that, from the first paragraphs of the article in the URL link my Roman Catholic Friend has given, it confirms that the word "catholic" means only "universal."

The word Catholic (katholikos from katholou — throughout the whole, i.e., universal) occurs in the Greek classics, e.g., in Aristotle and Polybius, and was freely used by the earlier Christian writers in what we may call its primitive and non-ecclesiastical sense.

Thus we meet such phrases as the "the catholic resurrection" (Justin Martyr), "the catholic goodness of God" (Tertullian), "the four catholic winds" (Irenaeus), where we should now speak of "the general resurrection" - "the absolute or universal goodness of God" - "the four principal winds" - etc. 

The word seems in this usage to be opposed to merikos (partial) or idios (particular), and one familiar example of this conception still survives in the ancient phrase "Catholic Epistles" as applied to those of St. Peter, St. Jude, etc., which were so called as being addressed not to particular local communities, but to the Church at large.

The combination "the Catholic Church" (he katholike ekklesia) is found for the first time in the letter of St. Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, written about the year 110.  The words run: "Wheresoever the bishop shall appear, there let the people be, even as where Jesus may be, there is the universal [katholike] Church."

Bill Gray Note:  In the paragraphs above, the writer acknowledges that the word "catholic" means universal.  Yet then he states that the "Catholic Epistles" - meaning the New Testament epistles, are addressed to the church at large, i.e., the worldwide church.  But please notice that he capitalizes the word "Church" - which I take to be an inference that he is speaking of the worldwide "Roman Catholic Church." 

Why do I draw that conclusion?  In past discussions I have written "Roman Catholic church" - and have been chastised for not capitalizing the "C" in church.  To me the "church" is a common name (boy versus Bill, girl versus Mary) and not capitalized, i.e., Roman Catholic church, Baptist church, Lutheran church, etc.  So when the writer takes the high road and writes "the Church at large" - I must assume he has fallen back to interpreting "catholic" as being, not universal, but meaning the Roman Catholic Church. 

After Constantine formed his Church of Rome, it eventually began to be called the Roman Catholic church.  But, that is a misuse of the true meaning of the word "catholic."    Jesus Christ founded one church on the Day of Pentecost 33 AD, the Christian church!   It began with 120 members; then added 3000 more; then within a few days it grew to over 5000 members.  Since then it has grown to billions of saved people, His church.

On the Day of Pentecost 33 AD and in the week following, the body of believers grew to over 5000 people.  At that time they were called followers of the Way.  At a later date, as the initial body of believers began to grow, antagonists in the city of Antioch coined a new derogatory word for the followers of the Way, spitefully calling them "Christians" - meaning "Christ followers" or "Little Christs."  Yet, even though it was meant to be derogatory - we gladly wear that name as a Mantle of Honor.

On that Day of Pentecost, Jesus did not found the Roman Catholic church; He did not found the Baptist church; He did not found the Lutheran, nor the Methodist, nor any of the many non-denominational churches.  He founded what soon became the Christian church, His body of believers.

And, in years after the Day of Pentecost 33 AD - man began to found his churches, i.e., Roman Catholic, Eastern Catholic, Church of England, Lutheran, Anabaptist, Baptist, Methodist, etc.  Thus we have the numerous churches, denominations, and the claims of so many to be the "only" church.  What did Jesus really say about His church?

Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

This verse describes how Christ built one Church.  Matthew 16:18: “…I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  Jesus is speaking here in very vivid and bold language.  He is emphatically stating that the church He built would never disappear.  In fact, Jesus promised to build His Church - singular!

Jesus does NOT say, “I will build my churches.”  One has to wonder what Jesus would say about the mess of confusion and often infighting that is seen today, not only within different denominations but also within the individual churches.   Many Christ-followers do not seem to agree on anything.  (http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/5-most-overlooked-bible-verses/) 

German Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century, Rupertus Meldenius, in a tract on Christian unity written circa 1627, wrote: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.“    If only we could all live by those wonderful words.

We all should be able to acknowledge that there are Essential Christian doctrines which define our salvation and which cannot be compromised.

And, there are many Non-Essential Christian doctrines and teachings which, while important to understand, interesting to discuss, and are helpful in making us more mature believers and witnesses - DO NOT define nor affect our salvation.

What are the Essential Christian Doctrines which cannot be compromised?

1. The Deity of Jesus Christ:  Preexisting deity, God incarnate - fully man; yet, fully God.  (John 1:1, 1:14, 4:25, 8:58)

2. The Trinity:  God eternally existing; one God manifested (revealed) in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1, 1:26,  John 1:1, Luke 3:21-22)

3.  The Bible:  Is the Holy Spirit inspired Written Word of God and is the sole authority for Christian faith, salvation, and to guide our Christian lives. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21)

4. Salvation by Grace:  By grace we are saved, through faith in Jesus Christ - plus nothing else. (Ephesians 2:8-9, Isaiah 51:6, Galatians 2:16, John 3:16, 6:47, 10:27-28, Romans 6:23, 10:9, 10:13, Hebrews 9:15)

5. The Resurrection of Christ:  He rose from the dead, that we may also be resurrected into eternal life.  (1 Peter 1:3, John 11:25-26, Acts 10:39-43)

6. The Gospel:  The birth, death, resurrection, ascension, and imminent return of Jesus Christ according to Scripture.   (Luke 1:26-38,  Matthew 1:20-25, Acts 2:24, 2:32, Romans 8:33-34, 1 Timothy 2:5, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Matthew 24:36)

7.  Heaven and Hell:  Both are real places and are the only two eternal destinations available to all mankind. (Acts 1:9-11,  Hebrews 9:24, Psalm 139:7-8, Matthew 10:28, Mark 9:47, Luke 16:19-31)

Another way of defining the Essential Christian Doctrines is found in the Five Solas which came out of the Protestant Reformation:    

Sola Scriptura  -  Scripture Alone  (2 Timothy 3:14-17)  ~ The Bible alone is our highest authority.

Solus Christus  -  Christ Alone  (1 Timothy 2:5)  ~  Jesus Christ alone is our Lord and Savior.

Sola Gratia  -  Grace Alone  (Ephesians 2:4-5, 2:8-9)  ~  We are saved by the grace of God alone.

Sola Fide  -  Faith Alone  (Galatians 3:11)  ~  We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Soli Deo Gloria  -  To The Glory Of God Alone  (1 Corinthians 10:31)  ~  We live for the glory of God alone.

That is telling us:  "We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed in the Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone."

My Friends, instead of bickering over which church is His church.  Instead of bickering over the numerous Non-Essential Doctrines such as Eschatology, Method and Timing of Baptism, Apostolic Succession, Liturgical Traditions, what is contained in the Communal Elements, etc.  .  .  .  What would happen if we ALL just concentrate on sharing His Gospel:  That He came, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven so that YOU and I would have the opportunity to receive His free gift of eternal life? 

What would happen if we ALL concentrate on sharing that Gospel with all those who do not yet believe in Him?

Can you just imagine what a difference that would make in our families, in our communities, in our nations, in all the world? 

That is the Great Commission He gave to ALL believers:  "Go, Make disciples, Baptize them, TEACH THEM. . .  Be My witnesses in ALL the world"  (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15).

How about it, my Friend, can YOU and I begin that transition, that new mode of dialogue about God and eternal life?

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

 

Imminency - What Does It Mean And Where Do We Find It In The Bible?

Last Thursday evening at our Bible study, I shared my thoughts on the doctrine is Imminency.   The Blessed Hope of all Christian believers is that Jesus Christ is going to come again, as taught in this Scripture passage:

Titus 2:11-13, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."

But, is the doctrine of Imminency speaking of Jesus Christ's Second Coming in glory - or is it speaking of another event?  

"Bill,if not His Second Coming, then exactly what event is Imminent?"  Glad you asked.

First, let's define Imminent.   In the secular dictionary we find:   Imminent:  an adjective meaning "likely to occur at any moment; impending"

Where do we find the doctrine of Imminency taught in the Bible?

Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 24:36, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only." 

He tells us in Matthew 25:13, "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

And in Luke 12:40, "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Jesus is teaching us that since no one can know when He is going to come to gather, Rapture, His church - we must be ready at all times.  For He will come when we do not expect Him, i.e., "like a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2).   Is this calling Jesus Christ a thief?  Of course not, it is a comparative analogy.  For example, a thief will not come into your home when you are awake and aware - he will come in the night when you are asleep. 

In the same way, Jesus Christ will come for His church at a time when we do not expect Him.  For that reason we must always be spiritually awake and aware - so that we are not surprised, but instead we should always be ready to welcome Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:2, "For you yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night."

The "Day of the Lord" can be viewed as a period of time, i.e., such as the full period of the End Times.  Or it can be viewed as a specific day, i.e., the day when Christ will come to gather, or rapture, His church from earth.  Both are valid interpretations and the correct meaning is defined by the context of that specific Scripture verse or passage.  In this context, it is referring to the PreTribulational Rapture of the church.

Biblically all this means that Jesus Christ's coming for His church is IMMINENT.  It means that He can appear at any time, any moment, to take His church, His worldwide body of believers, into heaven, i.e., the Rapture of the church.  It could happen as I am writing this blog (if you are reading my blog, then the Rapture did not happen yet), it could happen tomorrow, next month, next year, or it may not happen for many years.  But one thing we do know, for we have His promise - the Rapture will happen!  The big question is:  When?

Prophecy is obviously important to God.  Otherwise why would 30 percent of the Bible (one third of the Bible), Old Testament and New Testament, contain prophecy?  Prophecy is important to God and it should be important to us - for it validates the Bible as the sole source and full authorityfor our Christian faith, our Christian life, and our eternal salvation.

Prophecy is not found in any of the sacred books of the world religions.   Prophecy is found only in the Bible.  And of the 1817 prophecies found in the Bible - all except those telling of the End Times have been fulfilled. To date, no Biblical prophecy has failed to be fulfilled, as validated in both religious and secular writings.  Fulfilled prophecies are the absolute proof that the Bible is the Written Word of God. 

Since prophecy is so important to God and is the true validation of our Bible - then why do many pastors and churches not teach prophecy?  Why do some pastors even go to the extreme and denigrate prophecy and the teaching of prophecy?  Is it because prophecy frightens them - or because they spiritualize prophecy, viewing it only as mythical allegories in many liberal theology churches?  Or do they just not believe God and His prophecies?

This is an excerpt from Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life" published in 2002 which caused many churches and Bible study groups to lay aside the Bible for 40 weeks (close to a year) and study his book instead:

If you want Jesus to come back sooner, focus on fulfilling your mission, not figuring out prophecy.

It is easy to get distracted and sidetracked from your mission because Satan would rather have you do anything besides sharing your faith.  He will let you do all kinds of good things as long as you don't take anyone to heaven with you.  But the moment you become serious about your mission, expect the Devil to throw all kinds of diversions at you. 

When that happens, remember the words of Jesus:  "Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God."   ("Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren, page 286)

Notice that Rick Warren follows his common practice and quotes from a paraphrase and not from the Bible.  His quote above is from the Living Bible.  The Living Bible is an English version of the Bible created by Kenneth N. Taylor and first published in 1971.  Unlike most English language versions of the Bible, The Living Bible is a paraphrase. 

According to Kenneth Taylor he wrote a paraphrase of the Bible so that it could be understood by children (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Living_Bible).  A paraphrase is nothing more than a commentary - not the Word of God, but the words of man.  In his books Rick Warren frequently quotes from paraphrase Bibles, i.e., commentaries, such as the Message and the Living Bible paraphrase commentaries.

In his book Rick Warren has taken a Scripture passage which has nothing to do with prophecy - and twisted it to help him deny prophecy.

Let's look at the real intent of that Scripture passage.  In the Bible we read of Jesus' traveling toward His destiny with the cross in Jerusalem:

Luke 9:61-62 (nkjv), "And another (another disciple) also said, 'Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.'  But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'" 

In His teachings and parables during His earthly ministry, Jesus often used examples taken from agriculture, for that was their way of life at that time.  We see an agricultural example used in this Scripture passage.  And, from David Guzik's commentary on Luke 9, we read:

No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God:  In plowing a field in that day, a farmer kept the rows straight by focusing on an object in front of them, off in the distance (such as a tree).  If the farmer started to plow, and kept looking behind, he would never make straight rows and do a good job plowing.  In our Christian life, we keep our eyes on Jesus in front of us, and never take our eyes off Him.

Throughout the Bible all prophecy is effectively pointing toward one event - the Glorious Second Coming of Jesus Christ to establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth for 1000 years.  After that 1000 year Millennial Kingdom on earth, He will take His own into eternal life in the presence of God.  The design, purpose, intent, and ultimate goal of all Scripture - is to bring all who will, into the family of God (2 Peter 3:9), and into His eternal presence.  And prophecy is pointing us all toward that day when He will come again, His Second Coming, which will be triggered by the Imminent Rapture of His church seven years earlier. 

Often in Scripture, some event must happen before a prophecy can occur, i.e., in Daniel 9:24 the Messiah had to be cut off (crucified) before the Holy Spirit would come into all believers in the Upper Room, indwelling those 120 disciples, and beginning the church age.  In Daniel 9:27 the Antichrist must sign a false peace covenant with the nation Israel before the seven year Tribulation can begin. 

That seven year period, the Tribulation, is God's time to bring the remnant of His chosen people, Israel, back into His family.  That is the main purpose of the Tribulation, to bring the remnant of Israel into the family of God:

Daniel 9:24. "Seventy weeks are determined For your people (Israel) and for your holy city (Jerusalem), To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy."

And the Tribulation must happen before Christ will come again, His Second Coming in Glory.   Only one event, or prophecy, is remaining to be the gating factor for those End Time prophecies to be fulfilled - the Imminent Rapture of the church.  The PreTribulational Rapture will start the End Times clock ticking.

What is the gating factor for the Imminent Rapture of the church?  There is nothing left, no signs, no prophecies, which must occur before the Rapture.  Does that mean that the Rapture is going to occur in my lifetime?  I cannot say and neither can anyone else.  We just know that it can happen at any moment - for there is nothing left which can hold it back.  Are YOU ready?

When the Jewish nation of Israel was reborn in 1948 - that was the last gating prophecy which had to occur before the Rapture of the church.  There are no more prophecies pending before the Rapture.  What does that mean?  Is the Rapture going to happen very soon?  No one knows, nor can anyone know, the time of the Rapture.  Keep in mind what Jesus Christ told us in Matthew 24:36, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."   Prophetically, nothing more has to happen before Christ comes in the air, i.e., in the clouds, to Rapture His church before the Tribulation begins.

Some folks will say that His Second Coming is a two-phase event.  Not true.  These are two totally different events, seven years apart.  Actually there are three events which mark the End Times:  the Rapture - the Tribulation - the Millennial Kingdom on earth.   At the end of those three separate events, He will create the New Heaven, New Earth, New Jerusalem, and then He will escort all believers (from Adam down to the last soul saved during the Millennial Kingdom) into Eternity, into the eternal presence of God - on the New Earth and in the New Jerusalem.

So, the doctrine of Imminency is not speaking of Christ's Second Coming.  Instead it is speaking of His coming in the clouds (not to earth) to take His church into heaven.  Those believers who have died in Christ and we who are still alive -"shall be caught up " to meet Him in the clouds where we will be given our immortal body like His (1 John 3:2) and then He will lead us into heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up (in Greek,"harpazo" - in Latin, "rapiemur" -  in English transliterated to "Rapture") together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord." 

And, in the final words of that 1 Thessalonians passage we are promised:

1 Thessalonians 4:18, "Therefore comfort one another with these words."

Could you find comfort if you and your loved ones were going to live through the 7 year Tribulation, or even a part of it?  In other words, can you find comfort in suffering and seeing your loved ones suffer?  Not really!   Yet we CAN comfort one another because we KNOW that all believers will be taken out, caught up, raptured - before the Tribulation begins.

One last thought on the Imminence of the PreTribulation Rapture:  Why is it that those who support other Rapture theories, i.e., MidTrib Rapture (3 1/2 years into the Tribulation) - PreWrath Rapture (5 1/2 years into the Tribulation) - PostTrib Rapture (after the Tribulation) often become vehement in their attacks on the PreTrib Rapture and we who believe it?

We do not say that we believe in a PreTribulational Rapture of the church and a PreMillennial Second Coming of Jesus Christ - because that belief will give us eternal life.  A true believer is saved and will spend eternity in the presence of God - regardless of the End Times scenario that person believes.  We are saved "by grace through faith" alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) - and our eschatological beliefs have no effect on that salvation.

However, our "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1) is most definitely affected by our eschatological beliefs.  How can a person have true "peace with God" in our Christian walk - if we believe that we, and our loved ones, will have to suffer the horrors of the seven year Tribulation before we can see our Lord in heaven?

To all my Christian brethren, let us enjoy discussing these non-essential Christian doctrines and teachings, i.e., baptism time and method, eschatological events and timing, etc. - without allowing those discussions to bring animosity and division into the body of Christ, our churches.   In such discussions we all grow and mature in our knowledge of God's Word, which is His desire, for those discussions can lead us into a deeper study of our Bible and our Christian faith.

So, let's share, talk, discuss, even agree at times to disagree - but let us remember that all believers are members of the body of Christ - and He is the Head.

In closing, to my non-believing Friends, let me share a thought with you.  I read this today in the daily devotional (October 15, 2005) of Our Daily Bread published by RBC Ministries:  "It is never too soon to accept Christ - but at any moment it could be too late!"   Think about that, your next breath could be your last breath on this earth, in this mortal body. 

Yet, if you are still breathing - use that breath to ask Jesus Christ, "Lord, remember me in Your kingdom" - and I promise He will reply, "Today, or soon, you will be with Me in Paradise" (Luke 23:42-43). 

That, my Friend, is the true comfort spoken of in1 Thessalonians 4:18. 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

How Well Do You Know Yourself?

Let me ask you a question:  "How well do YOU know yourself?"  No, I am not playing some psychological game, I am serious.   Recently I learned that I have carried a bias for over thirty years - and never knew it.  First let me state that I believe there are different levels of bias, i.e., I may like strawberry ice cream - and you may hate strawberry ice cream.  Have you ever asked yourself, "Why?"  That is  a personal bias, a choice.

And, at the other end of the spectrum, there can be a very deep-seated bias which has come from a trauma in your life. 

I recently discovered that I have carried an erroneous personal bias against Lentil soup since 1985.  Weird?  Yes.

In 1985 I was hired as a Regional Sales Manager, Computer Graphics, for Ferranti International Controls Corporation headquartered in Houston, Texas.  Ferranti International was the U.S. arm of Ferranti Computer Systems Wythenshawe, a division of Ferranti International plc, in England.  Being a large user of computer graphics in their various products for industry and government, Ferranti made a decision to develop their own computer graphics product - for their own use and to sell to other companies. 

When I was hired Ferranti did not yet have that computer graphics products.  So my first assignment was to do a marketing survey across America, visiting Engineering and Corporate Management representatives in companies large and small, in different market segments,including government agencies, to see what features should be designed into the Ferranti graphics system to best fit the needs of key market segments. 

For three months I traveled around the country doing face-to-face marketing interviews.  Back in Houston, we organized my findings and then, along withwith three engineering and marketing management associates, flew to Manchester, England, and sat down with engineering and division managers at Ferranti Computer Systems Wythenshawe to plan our new computer graphics product.

Now, back to my personal bias of Lentil soup.  The hotel where we stayed near Manchester was a small, two story hotel with about 30 rooms.  And the hotel had an excellent French restaurant.  Actually it seemed the main focus of the hotel was the restaurant, which was first class.  One evening the four of us were having dinner and Bob (Ferrranti International VP of Engineering) wanted to order soup.  He asked the waiter what kind of soup they had and was told it was Lentil soup.  Bob hated Lentil soup - so he ordered the second choice on the menu, their soup du jour.  

When his soup came, Bob took one look and asked the waiter, "What is your soup du jour?"  He did not know, but called to another waiter across the room, "What is our soup du jour today?"  His answer, "Lentil."   So, the special soup for that day was Lentil - and the soup du jour was Lentil.  Bob was not a happy camper.

Since I had never tasted Lentil soup, I unwittingly accepted Bob's dislike of it.  And, for over thirty years I have avoided Lentil soup - until recently.  For dinner one recent evening I wanted soup, sandwich, and a salad.  When I went to my cupboard - the only soup I had was one can of Lentil soup.  How did that even get there?

Left with no choice, I  ate the Lentil soup - and, wonder of all wonders - I LIKED IT!   All these years I have avoided Lentil soup, I guess because Bob hated Lentil soup.  And, that evening I had a revelation, I like Lentil soup!  Yes, we humans can be strange characters.

But, back to my main thought.  How about that deep-seated trauma based bias?

I grew up in a single-parent family, just my mom, my older brother, and me.  Her mother died of pneumonia when she was an infant, so mom was raised by her five older siblings while their dad worked.  Living in the rural South of the early 1900s, since her siblings only went a few years in grade school, they saw no reason to send my mom to school.  So she grew up not knowing how to read or write.   However, before I went into the Air Force at age 17, she had taught herself to read and write - an amazing accomplishment.

I believe my mom was a perfect example of what Paul teaches in Romans 2, that all people are born with an innate desire to know God, even though many learn to suppress it in their lives:

Romans 2:14-16, "For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus."

We often hear this referred to as an "empty hole in our souls which only God can fill."  And I believe that empty hole in my mom's heart was in play when my brother, Bob, and I were young. 

My mom wanted to go to church, but because she could not read nor write she was too embarrassed.  She was afraid they would ask her to read the Bible or something else.  The only time she felt comfortable going to church was at a Wednesday night service or an event such as a revival meeting where she could be anonymous, one hidden in a crowd.

Yet, when I was about ten, she wanted my brother, Bob, and me to go to church.  Since she could not go with us, she sent us to the closest church.  That church was the Nazarene church which was about two blocks from our home in Sheffield, Alabama.  Bob and I would to to Sunday School, but most often would skip out after that.

Fast forward a couple of years, she was married to my step-dad and they were going to a revival meeting at the Nazarene church.  Mom really wanted me to go with them.  Bob was about fifteen then, so he was off with his friends.  Not wanting to hurt mom's feelings, I agreed to go with her to the revival meeting.  Keep in mind that I was only twelve years old, not really a church goer, and definitely not a believer even though I had heard all about Jesus Christ in Sunday School.

The revival meeting began and the traveling revival preacher got up a full head of Pentecostal steam.  Then, he paused and told us, "Everyone please stand up." 

Everyone stood.  Then, he told us, "Those who are saved believers, sit down."   That left a handful of us still standing.  At that point, numbers must have begun to ring in his mind, for he told us, "After you decide to come forward and let us pray over you, then you can sit down."  In other words, let's add another conversion to my tally sheet.

Thinking back on it later, as an adult, if a preacher had pulled that stunt - I would have turned and walked out of that church.  But, as a twelve year old boy there with my parents, and who did not want to lie about such an apparently important issue as salvation - I could not sit down.  I had only one alternative - go forward and let them pray over me.

When I got to the altar, the revival preacher and three or four of his accomplishes began to really build up a head of steam, laying hands on me, praying, and pronouncing "Hallelujahs" over me.  And, I will admit that with such a thing happening to a twelve year old boy - I got caught up in the excitement and went home believing I was saved - whatever that meant.

What happened after that?  Well, being a twelve year old boy and being full of testosterone I found that I still got funny feelings around pretty young girls.  How could that be happening?  Didn't that revival preacher tell me that I was saved and not a sinner anymore?  So, how could I still have these sinful thoughts?  You can see what was happening.  With no one to explain to me what it meant to be saved, with no one to explain to this twelve year old boy that he was still only a supposedly "saved sinner" - my self image went into the basement.

And, in my mind, because I was obviously a fallen saved person with no hope - I did not want anything more to do with anyone called a "preacher" or any "revival meetings."   The secular world seemed much more accepting and warm to me, a fallen ex-supposedly saved person - so I jumped into the secular pool with all my being. 

After the trauma of my so-called conversion - that 12 year old boy began a journey of running from God.  And, for the next thirty-eight years, until I was fifty years old, I mindlessly swam in secular society's polluted pond.  Until one day, as an answer to Dory's ten years of praying for me - God led me to a pastor who would love me to the cross of salvation.

When I was 50 years old, I found a pastor and a church, Pastor Sam Lacanienta and the Fil-Am Church of Irvine (CA), which loved me to the cross.  He did not drag me kicking and screaming as that Revival Preacher had done all those years before.  Finally, I found a pastor and a church who, in love, calmly pointed me through teaching sermons, discussion Bible studies, and Sunday School classes - to the foot of the cross where I met my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In 1987, Pastor Sam Lacanienta led me, through love, to Jesus Christ - and I have been a believer, a "forgiven sinner" since then.

Today, I have been a Christian believer for thirty years and counting, and "intellectually" I understand what that early revival preacher did to me.  And I want to believe that, in his heart, he believed what he was doing was right. 

Yet, to this day I cannot address anyone as "preacher."   I will address a person as pastor, pastor/teacher, or maybe brother - but never "preacher" for that brings back memories I would just as soon forget.  In the early 1990s, my brother and his wife were visiting from Alabama and we took them to our church, Fil-Am Church of Irvine (CA), for Sunday worship.

After the service, my brother told Pastor Vince, "Preacher, that was really a good sermon."  I literally had to bite my tongue to keep from telling Bob, "Don't call him 'preacher' - he is our Pastor."    

Yes, I have to admit that the 12 year old Bill Gray still is inside me.  While I love my Pentecostal brethren and praise God for their enthusiasm for the Lord - their passionate, fiery, and often over-enthusiastic sermons awaken that 12 year old boy inside me. 

When I see a pastor like TD Jakes and others who, when giving a sermon will start yelling, stomping his foot, and pounding on the pulpit - I have to change the channel or, if I am in a service, get up and walk out for a while - to give the 12 year old Bill Gray time to relax and go back to sleep.   Talk to me and I will listen.  Yell at me and I may be there physically, but I am gone mentally.

While I have been saved for thirty years, several times over those years I have felt called to go forward and rededicate my life to Christ.  Once, at the Irvine church, I went forward with our daughter, Lana.  And a couple of other times I have done the same - when I felt the Holy Spirit putting it on my heart.  Those times were when I chose, at the urging of the Holy Spirit, to go forward for special reasons. 

But, if someone tells me, "You come forward now!" or "You kneel and pray right now!" - my 12 year old Bill Gray hears that Revival Preacher from years ago, saying, "After you decide to come forward and let us pray over you, then you can sit down" - and that still young Bill Gray inside tells me, "Watch out, there is that Revival Preacher again!"

Even today when the preaching gets too excited or someone "tells me" to come forward - I will often get up and go outside for a breath of fresh air.  For, in my mind, an altar call is an invitation - not a command.

So, my Friends, now you know the real Bill Gray, warts and all.  I love Lentil soup - and my child inside awakens when the messenger gets too excited!  Other than that, I am just your everyday "forgiven sinner."

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill