The Library.

If you go to the library there is no guarantee that you will be safe from evil influences.

Apart from the obvious evils like the Marquis de Sade and Edgar Allan Poe there are many historical works of literature which feed the dark side of human nature.

And many of these are not obvious.

Men and women have rebelled against good from the beginning of human history.  And many still do today.

So be discriminating in your choice of literature.

If you are uncertain pray about it.

God will deliver you from evil.


Photo Credit: Remi Mathis via Compfight cc

Survival.

Most people in the world corrupt themselves in the name of survival.

They sell out their ideals and compromise their principles.

They are complicit in the crimes of the corporations they work for.

They laugh at evil and wink at corruption.

But what is survival but fear.
Fear of poverty.  Fear of starvation.  Fear of death.

If only they knew that they could appeal to God for support and rely on Him to provide.

"Food doesn't grow on trees you know."

I'm afraid it does.
And this is a symbol of God's abundant love providing for us.

Pray to God.
And overcome your fear.

God will provide.


Photo Credit: thirdblade via Compfight cc

Good.

There is an elderly man who attends my church who always asks, "Have you been good?"

But what does he mean by good?

Being good is more than just obeying your parents, your teachers, your elders, authorities, the law etc......

Merely complying with their requirements does not make you good.

Being good must be an intrinsic part of your being.
It is an orientation to benevolence in all your transactions.
And a kind-hearted way of life.

Jesus said, "'Why do you call me good?  No one is good but God.'"  Mark 10:18 (NRSV)

God is good.

But we can aspire to the perfect goodness of God.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: do small things with great love via Compfight cc

Mother.

A woman will often say that her man wants her to be a substitute for his mother.
He wants her to cook and wash and look after him.

What he is unconsciously doing is looking for the love that his mother showed him.  He wants to be loved.

To be loved is one thing, but to love another is something else.

To be loved is good, but to love another is even better.

If he can learn to give love to others he will have solved life's basic dilemma.

And opened the doors of Heaven.


Photo Credit: Kévin N (Keay) via Compfight cc

Reality.

The Reality is that the soul, or the divine spark, resides in the heart of every living being, and it is animated by love.


Photo Credit: AlicePopkorn via Compfight cc

Splitters.

The dark forces at work in our world are trying to split religions in two.

They will set right against left, conservative against liberal, anti-gay against gay, generation against generation.  They will even set one theological position against another.

"'Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls upon house.'"  Luke 11:17b (NRSV)

They seek the downfall of every religion.

So any attempt to heal the rifts between denominations and religions is welcome.

Unity in diversity.

Tolerance.

Peace.

Pray for these things.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: oravino via Compfight cc

Buried Alive.

To a man's man spiritual qualities look like weakness.

Showing compassion, forgiveness, consideration, even love is anathema to him.

These are like chinks in his armor.
And you can't afford to show chinks in this world.

His win at all costs mentality makes him corrupt himself even to the point of using violence and torture.

But below the tough guy facade, below the ego maniac, below the sexual athlete; and below the fears that created them; lies a heart crying out for love.

Deep, deep down there is someone totally different.

It is him you should seek.


Photo Credit: zouhirkharmaz via Compfight cc

Satan's Followers.

Satanists:
pick on the vulnerable,
scapegoat the different,
tempt the faithful,
persecute the righteous.

They make the innocent look guilty,
and the wicked look wise.

In all ways they are backwards and upside-down.

So don't be fooled by the deceit of devil worshipers.

Their words are lies.

And their images are deception.


Photo Credit: Jürgen Lousberg via Compfight cc

Hearts.

If you have attended discos or night clubs you will have noticed that the bouncers only admit you if you are young and beautiful.

The rope excludes all others.

The values are superficial, shallow, and cruel.

But "'the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"  1 Samuel 16:7b (NRSV)

We cannot see the heart, we can only see the outward appearance.
But God knows our hearts and regards us accordingly.

God does not reject those with cruel hearts, however, because He knows that they are ruled by fear.

He always gives us another chance.

Until all are reconciled to God through Love.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: K e v i n via Compfight cc

Yare.

The Hebrew word yare is the word used in the Old Testament as fear God.

But the word yare does not mean fear in the way that we use the word today.

A more precise meaning is to respect or revere.

We are to respect God or revere God.

The use of the word fear is a mistranslation which causes us to think of punishment and hell in relation to God.

We think we are to fear punishment and hell.

But this is not the correct attitude.

We are to respect and revere God - which is to love God.

And this is the first commandment.


Photo Credit: pigelmann via Compfight cc

Beauty.

God embodies the most beautiful qualities.

Mercy, forgiveness, compassion, fidelity, affection, goodness, kindness, patience, intelligence, imagination, understanding, and love.....

All of these qualities are aspects of Love.

And all of these are part of God.


Photo Credit: KRW_GNS via Compfight cc

Devotion.

Devotion is fidelity in reverence or respect.

To be devoted to God is to be loyal and full of respect.

But what is it we are respecting?

God's mercy, God's faithfulness, God's steadfast love.

This is not about fear of violence or punishment.

This is about deep admiration for God's qualities.

God is forgiving, God is trustworthy, God is non-violent.
He is patient, understanding, empathetic.
God is beautiful, transcendent, and sublime.

He does not wish to hurt us or even boss us around.

He wishes the best for us.

He gives us joy and peace.

But this is not a bargain.
We are not to barter with God.

It is love freely given.

We are in awe of that.  


Photo Credit: Magalie L'Abbé via Compfight cc

Finding the Words.

What words can I use to inform you?

Freedom!

You are free to do whatever you like.

I am not trying to tell you what to do.

But it should be remembered that not everyone out there has your best interests at heart.

Money motivates many.

They will try to get you to spend your money.

Some will try to addict you.

Some will try to kill you.

There are those in our popular culture who will tempt you and try to get you into hell.

Why?

Because they have sold their souls for fame and fortune.
They do the devil's work.

You don't believe in the devil?

Neither do I.

But they do and they act accordingly.

It's a huge joke.

We all end up in hell.
Ha! Ha!

But there is no hell in reality.
God does not punish us.

So find a liberal church.

Or go into your room and close the door.

If you pray to God He will hear you.


Photo Credit: Javcon117* via Compfight cc

Millennials.

It has begun!

The quest for the minds of the next generation.

They have been dubbed the Millennials.

And there are already problems with pornography and sexting.

I have noticed some psychedelic influences.

Drugs!

Whole generations have suffered mental illness and ruin through drugs.

With planets in Aquarius the negative interpretations of drugs and rebellion are prominent.

Their rock stars will lead them unto death and destruction if we cannot alert them to the danger.

What is needed is alternative messages.
Positive messages of understanding and love.

If we can point out the negative influences in the popular culture they may rebel against it and embrace a reactionary positivism.

But how to do this?

This is our task.


Photo Credit: YWAM Orlando via Compfight cc

Black and White.

When we think of evil we think of black, darkness, shadow etc..

But evil can be disguised as good: white, light, shining etc..

It can even be both at once.

How many images have we seen with one word right way up and another upside down, or one letter backwards and the rest forwards?

This is Satanic magic - backwards and upside  down.
The upright images are a cover up.
They make evil look good.

So beware of images that use black and white, upside down and upright, backwards and forwards.

They are out to deceive you.


Photo Credit: ueyfeuor via Compfight cc

Satanism.

So you think that Satanism in our entertainment doesn't do anything!

1.  The churches are empty.

2.  Whole generations are wrecked by drugs.

3.  Everyone's divorced.

4.  There is an epidemic of obesity.

5. The disparity between rich and poor is at an all time high.

6.  Nothing works.

And you say that Satanism doesn't do anything!


Photo Credit: Femme.von.Steel via Compfight cc

Winners.

"Life ain't fair! Boo-hoo!"

This is the attitude of the winners of our world.

We watch them.
We copy them.
We read their biographies.
We visit their internet sites.
We strive to be like them.

But is this what life is really about?

To our surprise God is with the losers of this world: the poor, the outcast, the marginalized.....

God's ways are the ways of mercy, compassion, peace, justice, forgiveness, love.....

These are hardly the attributes of the famous.

So instead of imitating winners we should look to God for our lead.

And learn what life is really about.


Photo Credit: zenjazzygeek via Compfight cc

Addictions.

Why would people try to addict you?

The answer is simple - money.

If you are addicted to drugs, alcohol, music, T.V., sports. sex, shopping, food, pleasures.....you will pay your hard-earned money to get them.

So be wary of anything which is costing you money.

If you are addicted then the chances are that someone is benefiting from your addiction.

Look closely at that person's motives.

And decide whether they are genuine or not.

Most likely they are not.

Then give up your addictions and be free.


Photo Credit: dolphinsdock via Compfight cc

(Navigating) Dangerous Waters.

We are faced with the task of navigating between two extremes.

Total abstinence from sexual activity.
And complete indulgence in sex.

With regard to gay sex the Church often recommends complete abstinence.

While the popular culture urges us to indulge our sexual appetites to excess.

Not only that but we are told to behave promiscuously with no regard for our partner at all.

This is the culture of the gay scene.
And it is little wonder that many reject it.

But if you are gay there is nowhere else to go to meet people of like orientation.

The scene is dominated by venues which sell alcohol and play rock videos.

There is nothing else.

If we attend a church there is no provision for gay people at all.

If you meet a like oriented person it is a complete fluke.
And you're not likely to meet more than one.

In many cases Church culture is hostile to gay people and may even torture people with a same-sex orientation.

So we are caught between two extremes.
With no choice but to navigate our way through dangerous waters.


Photo Credit: Sebastià Giralt via Compfight cc

Fundamentalism.

When we have freed ourselves from the idols of this world there remains one stumbling block to overcome.

This is the temptation of religious fundamentalism.

Fundamentalism in any religion leads to judgemental, simplistic, and hard-hearted behavior.  It is legalistic and Pharisaic.

This is because fundamentalism is driven by fear.
Beginning and ending with the fear of God.

And anything which is driven by fear is not inspired by Love and therefore does not come from God.

Love is fundamental to God.

So give up your fear and immerse yourself in Love.

Love God and love your neighbor.

Most of all give love.


Photo Credit: Stevie J Brown Photography via Compfight cc

Put Away Your Swords.

When we first encounter evil our instinct is to battle against it and defeat it.

But if we do this we are not following Jesus.

In the garden when Jesus was arrested he told his disciples to put away their swords.

And when Pontius Pilate asked Jesus if he was King of the Jews Jesus said, "'My kingdom is not from this world.  If my kingdom was from this world my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.  But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.'"  John 18:36 (NRSV)

So if we decide to battle against evil we are not worshiping Jesus we are worshiping the sword.

And Jesus rejected the sword on all occasions.

Jesus lays down the sword and prays for his enemies.

And we should do the same.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]      

Photo Credit: Lawrence OP via Compfight cc

Bring Down the Patriarchy.

If you have been wondering why the reaction to the sexual abuse in the Churches has been so virulent then I would offer this possible suggestion.

Since the 1960s women have used the slogan "Bring down the Patriarchy".
And the Church is a major representative of the Patriarchy.

Male priests are prime targets of women's rage, which accounts for the glee with which they meet every new allegation of abuse.

I am not trying to apologize for or diminish the seriousness of the crimes committed by Church officials and priests but I am trying to account for the destructive reaction that has resulted.

One constructive solution would be to encourage the Catholic Church to consider allowing their priests to marry and be more open to gay relationships.

Another constructive suggestion is for the Churches to look more closely at their teachings on sex.

Unfortunately the sex abuse scandals have increased the fear in most congregations which in fact makes the issue more volatile.

The psychological archetype of God is The Father.

So women's rejection of the Patriarchy can result in a rejection of God.

Hence the prevalence of the Goddess and witchcraft - which is a manifestation of women's power.

These things may seem alright on the surface but they can engender a subconscious apostasy which leads to evil.

So there you have it.

Some women have thrown out the baby (God) with the bathwater (the Patriarchy).    


Photo Credit: geoftheref via Compfight cc

Redress.

Generation X dresses exclusively in black.

Black is the color of darkness, death, and evil.

And that is their curse.

But God wishes to redress them.

He wishes to set them upright again.

So throw out your black clothes.
And put your caps on forwards.

You have been deceived.
You have been tempted.
You have been corrupted.

Turn to God.
And be forgiven.

And be redressed in new clothes.


Photo Credit: Alejandra Lezcano via Compfight cc

The Answer.

While we are growing up we mostly encounter negative people - people who are fearful, aggressive, domineering, even violent.

This teaches us to be cynical and negative ourselves.

But when we encounter God we experience such overwhelming love and goodness that we decide to be part of the answer, not part of the problem.

And this means to be positive and helpful to those around us, especially those who are suffering.

It means showing concern and consideration for others.

But most of all it means sharing our love with all those we encounter.


Photo Credit: See-ming Lee 李思明 SML via Compfight cc

Sensible?

By using force and coercion the right-wing fundamentalists in our world are cutting their own throats.

This is because by adopting these methods they make the anti-religious elements in our society look more sensible than religion.

The result is that people reject religion altogether.

And the world is at the mercy of evil.


Photo Credit: Dan4th via Compfight cc

Force.

The right-wing fundamentalist socio-political groups in our world put their faith in sheer force.

They think that they can make everyone obey them by the force of their own will.

But this approach betrays its origins in fear:
Fear of punishment.
Fear of hell.

By doing this they resemble the mythological Beast that they claim to oppose.

The Beast relies on force, violence, hatred, and terror.
His methods are the methods of war.
And his nature is that of a tyrant.

But God's way is the way of peace and non-violence.
He does not use force or coercion.
He does not punish us.

"'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.'"  Zechariah 4:6b (NRSV)


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division Of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

Photo Credit: CelebMuscle via Compfight cc

Black Sheep.

It is characteristic of humanity to call people evil.

But there is only one group of people we can call truly evil.
That is people who have consciously chosen evil as an alternative to good (God).

But even these people are part of God's family.

They are the black sheep of humanity.
And as such we should not seek to destroy them but to redeem them, to reconcile them with their heavenly Father.

No one is beyond God's saving Love.

God loves even His own enemies.

Therefore we should seek to remedy the misunderstanding which inspired them to rebel.  That is that God is harsh and vindictive and anti-sex.

This false image, which was given to them by the Church, is the root of their rebellion.

If we can rectify this then their edifice of evil will crumble like a sandcastle.

And they will have no further reason to rebel against God (good).


Photo Credit: David Schiersner via Compfight cc

Visualization.

Any book or practitioner that uses visualization is fraught with danger.

Dark forces lurking in the collective unconscious will smell this immediately.

They will manipulate the images you use and turn you to their purpose.

They will turn you against God and Jesus and say that it's your own unconscious thoughts.

So don't get involved in any visualization practices no matter how helpful they may seem on the surface.

They will be used by evil against you.


Photo Credit: Eddi van W. via Compfight cc

Our Entertainment.

Not only are our news and current affairs programs tainted but our entertainment as well.

What passes for entertainment in our world is full of poison and evil.

An obsession with malevolence, darkness, horror, and violence infects all of our entertainment - our music, our movies, our T.V., even our sports and the internet.

So be conscious of what you are watching.

Question what they are telling you.

It may not be as benign as you think.


Photo Credit: _KopaBill_ via Compfight cc

The News.

If you watch the news and current affairs programs on T.V. you will be told that C.E.O.s and employers are mums and dads and workers and employees are units of productivity or consumers, the unemployed are dole-bludgers and cheats, and those on pensions are welfare dependent.....

None of this, of course, is true.

But we believe it none the less because it suits us, or more precisely it suits the billionaires who own our media.

So turn off the T.V. and free your mind from this modern day propaganda, this humanizing/dehumanizing programming.

Be discriminating in what you read.
Don't bother with newspapers which are full of Evil and Hell.

Be selective on the internet.

And know that all people, even immigrants and boat people, are human beings - part of the human family - whose Father is God Himself.      


Photo Credit: Corey Oakley via Compfight cc