The X-Factor.

The X-Factor is: 

Satan.

Lucky 13.

666.

And the devil.

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Fear.

Throughout history the Church has taught fear.

Fear of God, fear of sin, fear of the devil, fear of hell.....

But fear is no motivation for action.

Church people will ask you to do things around the church.

But if their motivation is fear then their efforts are in vain.

They will exploit you and take the credit for whatever you do.

But they will not do anything to help.

Because their service is motivated by fear.

And fear begets fear.

It is taking not giving.

So their efforts are in vain.

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Yah-Weh.

Richard Rohr has said that the name of God in Hebrew is not spoken but breathed.

It is a literation of inspiration and expiration.

The Breath of Life!

As the Psalmist says: 

"With every breath we abide with God."  Psalm 33 (Ross Pearce)

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New Life.

The Resurrection brings New Life through Jesus.

When Jesus appeared to the Disciples he breathed on them and said: "'Receive the Holy Spirit."  John 20:22 (NRSV)

This is the Nephesh the Breath of Life that God breathed into Adam. 

It is the air that we breath.

It is the wind that stirs the trees.

It is the oxygen that enlivens our hearts.

And enables us to love.

It is all around us.

It is within us.

It enables us to live.

[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.]

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Salvation.

What is Salvation?

When Zacchaeus said to Jesus: "'Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.'"  Luke 19:8 (NRSV)

Jesus said: "'Today salvation has come to this house."'  Luke 19:9 (NRSV)

So is basic honesty and charity Salvation?

When John the Baptist was asked: "'What then should we do?'"  Luke 3:10 (NRSV) he responded with instructions to practise basic honesty and charity.

When a rich ruler asked Jesus: "'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'" Luke 18:18 (NRSV) Jesus said: "'You know the commandments: "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your mother and father.'"  Luke 18;20 (NRSV)

Then he added: "'Sell all you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.'"  Luke 18:22 (NRSV)

But perhaps the most important instruction is when Jesus says: "'I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you.'"  John 13:34 (NRSV)

This is consistent with Jesus' statement that the most important commandment is to love God with all your heart. soul, mind, and might; and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself.

So, if we are able to overcome our fears and practise basic honesty and charity, and we open our hearts to love God and love our neighbor, then we have achieved Salvation.

[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.]

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Life!

We are surrounded by Life!

The earth brings forth plants and flowers.

Towering trees exhale oxygen for us to breathe.

The Earth is teeming with animals and birds.

The seas are full of fishes:

Tiny minnows and mighty whales.

And humans walk the surface of the Earth.

But what of death you say?

Death is no thing.

Death is a concept based on erroneous Dualism.

There is no spiritual state, no realm, no power of death.

At most it is a moment.

A transformation into new life!

Banish it from your mind.

And partake of the abundant Life that is God!

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The Powers.

The powers and authorities of our world correspond to the Roman dictators and the religious authorities of ancient Israel. 

The Corporate Plutocrats and the Religious Right represent the powers and authorities now.

And it is these powers and authorities which conspired to kill Jesus.

Jesus was God's representative on Earth.

So why did the religious authorities of ancient Israel plot to kill him?

Because Jesus was contradicting the teachings of the Priests.

Jesus taught forgiveness of sins.

And forgiveness of sins did not suit the Priests.

Sin was, and still is, the major tool which subjugates the masses.

Sin puts you in debt.

And debt must be paid off.

But Jesus told parables about the Master writing off debts.

He also taught that God is Love.

But the powers of this world are invested in an angry God - a God of judgement and punishment.

This false God is what keeps the masses in line.

And their major threat is hell.

Jesus did not threaten people with hell.

Jesus promised Heaven.

Jesus was merciful and compassionate.

And these qualities reflect the nature of God.

God is Love.

And His face is Mercy.

We can give thanks for that.

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