tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post2373140716224564358..comments2024-03-28T17:51:54.517-04:00Comments on My perspective -- What Constance thinks: WiserEarth.org -- Where much of the current New Age action residesConstance Cumbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181096121385621574noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-28927415729325677552009-03-05T23:01:00.000-05:002009-03-05T23:01:00.000-05:00Constance has not authorized this request for dona...Constance has not authorized this request for donations to Micro Effect towards her radio program; My Perspective. We want to help Constance stay on the air. MAKE YOUR DONATIONS TO MICRO EFFECT, JOE MCNEIL AT P.O. BOX 164, KAMIAH, ID 83536 Let Joe know in a note either by email at the station or by snail mail with your donation, you are donating to My Perspective Radio program with Constance. Any donation would be appreciated. <BR/><BR/>Also you can donate through the CHIP IN box on the main page of Micro Effect Radio. It's a paypal donation. Just let Joe McNeil know you are putting this toward Constance's show only.<BR/><BR/>Some have already donated. Thanks! MargieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-76052143000697957392009-01-08T05:12:00.000-05:002009-01-08T05:12:00.000-05:00It's an interesting trick you are up to here Joyce...It's an interesting trick you are up to here Joyce. You are denouncing Roman Catholics because of the nearly 2000 yo belief of Christians in the Trinity. (Note all other Christian NOT attacked, just RCs). Then you give a very nice "description" of the general understanding of the Godhead that would satisfy many Catholic theologians. No doubt about it. Can you consider that you are a "closet" Catholic? What "doctrine" is next that you will attack? And then affirm while you attack. Maybe its time to come out of the closet and embrace your inner RC. I fear thou does protest too much.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-83206478659607798122009-01-08T02:09:00.000-05:002009-01-08T02:09:00.000-05:00Doug, I was sprinkled and immersed too, but the fi...Doug, <BR/><BR/>I was sprinkled and immersed too, but the first time it wasn't by choice...I was a few months old.. so no one asked my permission..<BR/><BR/>The thief on the cross could come down and be immersed by Yeshua looked at His heart...Baptism doesn't save you any more than circumcision does.. That's the point of Galatians. We are saved by faith, and then we walk in obedience.<BR/><BR/>HM, <BR/><BR/>I guess I would say the same to you as I said to Doug. Salvation is by faith, no arguments there. <BR/><BR/>As for Paul's use of the word "church" you probably missed some of my other posts but that should be translated "called out community". The Greek word ekklesia is used in the Greek Septuagint which was written 200 years before Yeshua and talks about the "ekklesia in the Wilderness". You can see how important this might be in effecting the way we see the "called out assembly". Which was built on the rock:<BR/><BR/>1Cor. 10:4 and all adrank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. <BR/><BR/>They also went through "waters"<BR/><BR/>1Cor. 10:1 -2For aI do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all bunder the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; <BR/><BR/>now look, Paul is talking to believers:<BR/><BR/>1Cor. 10:5-12 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as aexamples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as bthey also craved. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “bTHE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO cPLAY.” Nor let us act immorally, as asome of them did, and btwenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. <BR/> Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. <BR/><BR/>Messiah was right there with them, but they fell anyway...It's quite interesting when you examine what happened to the "ekkelsia" in the the Wilderness. <BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>JoyceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-68460628832070004852009-01-07T17:41:00.000-05:002009-01-07T17:41:00.000-05:00Hi, Joyce. Thank you for replying.The way I see it...Hi, Joyce. Thank you for replying.<BR/><BR/>The way I see it— If someone, whether Jehovah’s Witness or Muslim, does not accept Jesus as God *and* God’s Son in flesh who died for our sins, he/she is not going to accept it whether we use “trinity” or not. How do you explain Hebrews 12:2? “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus sitting at the right hand AND being God? It is difficult to understand in itself. God coming down to Earth as a baby is *already* foolishness for some. God dying on a cross is *already* a stumbling block for some. (Seen as "failing", right?) 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”<BR/><BR/>I'd also like to note that in Chapter 1 of Ephesians the Apostle Paul (certainly knowledgeable of the OT) *constantly* refers to God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and the role of each; says that we are adopted as sons through Jesus Christ (one family, "under one head"); and ends with “the church” as Christ’s body. (What a great chapter!) I would agree that more of us Christians, the church, the bride (myself included!), need to be diligent in studying Scripture and not simply rely on what we’re told by another human being.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately, the good news is that although I will never understand everything, I really don’t need to worry! All I *need*, I already have-- I've accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and I want to follow Him. The bottom line for me is that I continue to see more support in Scripture to continue using the term "trinity" and more benefit in it.<BR/><BR/>This is my last post regarding this discussion, so please feel free to have the last word if you like. ;) (I will read your response, but am moving on to Constance’s next blog post! lol)<BR/><BR/>Sincerely,<BR/>~HMHistory Makerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01353198203884045830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-58827328142407090352009-01-07T17:03:00.000-05:002009-01-07T17:03:00.000-05:00To DouginMi (4:51 PM):Thank you for your very kind...To DouginMi (4:51 PM):<BR/><BR/>Thank you for your very kind thoughts.<BR/><BR/>Yes, I am very happy that God reads our hearts (as well as our souls).<BR/><BR/>;~)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-3248439789328482682009-01-07T16:51:00.000-05:002009-01-07T16:51:00.000-05:00Hi Joyce -I enjoy the discusions - there are no ar...Hi Joyce -<BR/>I enjoy the discusions - there are no arguements with me - praise God - I am not (or no longer should I say - since mmm, 1976ish) Catholic, but I respect each persons opinion - your's included there sister :-).<BR/><BR/>Just for the record - I guess I am covered either way - got a nice sprinkle as a baby - immersed as an adult.<BR/>Aren't you as glad as I am that the Lord God looks upon the heart of a person and thier intent?<BR/><BR/>DouginMIAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-65851023452824895102009-01-07T16:25:00.000-05:002009-01-07T16:25:00.000-05:00The New Agers obviously don't believe in the Trini...The New Agers obviously don't believe in the Trinity since:<BR/><BR/>- they deny the actual divinity of Jesus Christ. <BR/><BR/>- they believe in the God within<BR/>(thus, elevating themselves to God status).<BR/><BR/>- they work relentlessly to try and convince traditional Christians to abandon "their old way of thinking and believing." <BR/> <BR/>Therefore, in their view, there can be no "Trinity."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-67785790541529622002009-01-07T15:08:00.000-05:002009-01-07T15:08:00.000-05:00To Joyce (2:02 PM):Re: "Argue with Him, not me.."_...To Joyce (2:02 PM):<BR/><BR/>Re: "Argue with Him, not me.."<BR/><BR/>___________________________________ <BR/><BR/>There is no "argument" between me and Jesus . . . only between me and YOU.<BR/><BR/>Jesus and I are "on the same page."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-24152176318445830392009-01-07T14:45:00.000-05:002009-01-07T14:45:00.000-05:00MESSIANIC JEW BARRED FROM SERVING AS JEWISH CHAPLI...MESSIANIC JEW BARRED FROM SERVING AS JEWISH CHAPLIAN BY U.S. NAVY<BR/>12/29/2008<BR/><BR/>http://tinyurl.com/7mjt8r<BR/>_____________________________<BR/><BR/>NAVY SAYS MESSIANIC JEWISH CHAPLAINS MUST WEAR CROSS (AS LAPEL INSIGNIA)<BR/><BR/><I>Observant Jews have applauded the Navy’s decision regarding Michael Hiles, a Messianic Jew who applied to serve as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy.<BR/><BR/>Hiles was approved by the Navy to serve as a chaplain. However, when he showed up for training he was told to wear a cross on his insignia instead of the Luchos that all Jewish chaplains wear, due to indecision on the Naval board as to the correct insignia.<BR/><BR/>Hiles protested to commanders that as a Messianic Jew, he should be given the Jewish insignia. He asked that the Navy reconsider. He was told that the decision came from the senior Chaplain Command and nothing at that time could be done<BR/><BR/>He was given the choice to wear the cross on his insignia, or leave the Navy. Hiles chose to leave.<BR/><BR/>The decision requiring Messianic Jews to wear the cross was made officially on November 26, 2008 by the President of the Navy Uniform Board, Vice Admiral M. E. Ferguson U.S. Navy Deputy Chief of Naval Operations.</I> <BR/><BR/>http://tinyurl.com/8x242w<BR/>________________________________<BR/><BR/>JEWS IN GREEN<BR/><BR/>THE ULTIMATE RESOURCE FOR JEWS IN THE ARMED FORCES<BR/><BR/>NAVY MESSIANIC "JEWISH" CHAPLAINS TO WEAR CROSS<BR/><BR/><I>Fortunately already a policy in the Army and Air Force, word on the street is that the Chief of Naval Operations has issued a policy that Messianic “Jewish” chaplains will wear the cross and NOT the Jewish chaplain device. <BR/><BR/>This is marvelous news, as it is a good step in keeping these people from misidentifying themselves and preying (praying) on unsuspecting Jewish service members. <BR/><BR/>Now, if only we can continue to ensure they don’t intercept Pesach seder kits… </I>......read more...<BR/><BR/>http://tinyurl.com/8qsjcjAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-49681055224475755782009-01-07T14:02:00.000-05:002009-01-07T14:02:00.000-05:00Doug in MI,With all my respect to you that does no...Doug in MI,<BR/>With all my respect to you that does not mean there is a "trinity". God says He is echad. That's all He says, although I agree we are to immerse people in the name ( notice, it's not names, it's name singular) of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That is still echad.. not trinity. Immersion is a very important aspect of this instruction. I will remind you that the people that believe in the trinity do not baptize by immersion. Everything has been divorced from its original context and this is the point I have been trying to make. <BR/><BR/>As soon as you use trinity you separate God and He is echad.. Argue with Him, not me.. I'm just quoting His Word. I guess I would use the analogy, if you take a grape from a bunch of grapes, it is no longer part of the bunch.. we have separated God and done something that He Himself has not authorized. <BR/><BR/>I'm sure you know that the immersion is a mikvah.. A mikvah is not something foreign to Torah. Israelites immersed and still do in the mikvah. What I'm trying to point out is that we have introduced concepts that are foreign to the people God gave the Scriptures to, namely the Israelites. God says He is echad. It's the first commandment. Hear O Yisrael, the Lord is God, the Lord is One.. <BR/><BR/>Sprinkling someone with water is another concept that is foreign to the people of Israel and yet today, some groups like the Catholics practice this instead of full immersion. This again is an indication that immersion was not well understood. Now I don't know how you feel about sprinkling with water, but if we baptize someone in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, they receive a new identity in Yeshua and the old person has died and is buried with Messiah and the New Creation is the one who emerges from the water. That is what this signifies. <BR/><BR/>We are a new creation, not two or three. Our new man has been cleansed of sin and the old man is dead and we have a new identity in Yeshua. <BR/><BR/>If you see how God speaks of Himself, you will begin thinking of Him the way HE has described Himself, not the way the historical church has. Lot's of changes were made back then, so we should be aware of this..<BR/><BR/>Blessing to you,<BR/>JoyceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-74300760810084752262009-01-07T12:40:00.000-05:002009-01-07T12:40:00.000-05:00To DouginMi (12:12 PM):Thank you so much!!!To DouginMi (12:12 PM):<BR/><BR/>Thank you so much!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-52024620605443947622009-01-07T12:28:00.000-05:002009-01-07T12:28:00.000-05:00And also . . ."Go ye therefore, and teach all nati...And also . . .<BR/><BR/>"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."<BR/>(Matthew 28:19).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-12648178708863574412009-01-07T12:12:00.001-05:002009-01-07T12:12:00.001-05:00Anonymous @ 11:42 am -There is scripture to bolste...Anonymous @ 11:42 am -<BR/>There is scripture to bolster the Trinity:<BR/>Mathew Chapter 3:13-17 <BR/>13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. <BR/><BR/>14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? <BR/><BR/>15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. <BR/><BR/>16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: <BR/><BR/>17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. <BR/><BR/>Here - detailed out is the Lord Jesus - having the Holy Spirit decend upon Him and the Father speaking from Heaven - unless there is some one who thinks that the Lord Jesus is a ventreloquist??<BR/><BR/>DouginMIAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-64773724468381153162009-01-07T12:12:00.000-05:002009-01-07T12:12:00.000-05:00The Trinity is the term employed to signify the ce...The Trinity is the term employed to signify the central doctrine of the Christian religion — the truth that in the unity of the Godhead there are Three Divine Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, these Three Divine Persons being truly distinct one from another.<BR/><BR/>Thus, the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God. In this Trinity of Divine Persons, the Son is begotten of the Father by an eternal generation, and the Holy Spirit proceeds by an eternal procession from the Father and the Son. Yet, the Divine Persons are co-eternal and co-equal: all alike are uncreated and omnipotent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-22703935966309576042009-01-07T11:42:00.000-05:002009-01-07T11:42:00.000-05:00We Catholics do not feel that we need "to be caref...We Catholics do not feel that we need "to be careful" when we announce:<BR/><BR/>We believe in one God, the Father Almighty<BR/>And in Jesus Christ, His only Son<BR/>Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary<BR/><BR/>We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life<BR/>Who proceeds from the Father and the Son<BR/><BR/>Thst's PROOF enough for US that the Holy Blessed Trinity does indeed exist!!!<BR/><BR/>While, there is only ONE God, there are THREE persons in one God.<BR/><BR/>This is a mystery that we are not necessarily meant to understand, but choose to accept based on faith and supported by Scripture.<BR/><BR/>However, this "debate" may not be resolved (by some of the non-believers) until Judgement Day.<BR/><BR/>I can wait . . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-27481435039000399852009-01-07T10:07:00.000-05:002009-01-07T10:07:00.000-05:00That verse doesn't prove there is a "trin...That verse doesn't prove there is a "trinity". That proves God is Father, Son, Spirit, but God is completely echad. That text doesn't prove that God is a trinity. What I said was there is no trinity in the Bible and Scripture doesn't say there is. Let's look at specific texts and see what it says. <BR/><BR/>Deut. 6:4 “Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! ( echad) <BR/><BR/>Yeshua says this too:<BR/><BR/>Mark 12:29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD;<BR/><BR/>So now, our discussion should really be how do we reconcile this notion of oneness with what we know. <BR/>Yeshua also says He and His Father are one. <BR/><BR/>If you can't answer it, you'll have a hard time talking to Jehovah Witnesses, Jews, Muslims and all those who believe in monotheism. They hear Christians saying there are three gods.. and they reject this. They think Christians are committing idolatry worshipping three gods. <BR/><BR/>I suggest that we compare John 1 to Bereshit ( Genesis)<BR/><BR/>John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. <BR/>All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. <BR/><BR/>"The Word was with God and the Word was God and all things were created through Him.." How can we understand this as anything but "echad". Let's look at Genesis now, which this verse is a clear reference to:<BR/><BR/>Gen. 1:1-3 When God began to create heaven and earth — the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God sweeping over the water — God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. <BR/><BR/>That's the JPS version, now let's look at NAS:<BR/><BR/>Gen. 1:1-3 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and cthe Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. <BR/><BR/>The hebrew world ruach is wind or breath. This is from the Halot lexicon:<BR/><BR/>Aj…wr, Or. ruœhΩ, from jwr meaning 2; the same in Heb.; OArm.,<BR/>Sefire he looked for his breath of life (his nose > his breath of life > security, sanctuary (Donner-R. Inschriften 224: 2, and 2: p. 266; Jean-H. Dictionnaire 39 s.v. yob);<BR/><BR/>So, God is there, His breath, and the Word which spoke the creation into existence. You see, I believe Yeshua was there at the beginning, but in the passages that describe this we see no separation. <BR/><BR/>The incarnation of Yeshua, does not make God any less "echad". He is still "echad".. <BR/><BR/>We also know that the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world, so God transcends time:<BR/><BR/>Rev. 13:8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. <BR/><BR/>If from the foundation of the world, the Lamb was slain and the Lamb is the Word and the Word is with God and is God, can we really separate Father, Son & Spirit. <BR/><BR/>You see the Bible never, anywhere at anytime uses the word "trinity". On the contrary, God goes through a lot of lengths over and over to tell us He is one. If nothing came into being that was not through Him can we separate the Father and Yeshua? I say no.. Can I fully explain all there is about the mysteries of God...well only to extent because Paul says that right now we only see in part, but one day we will fully see. <BR/><BR/>1Cor. 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. <BR/><BR/>It's nice to have a handy word like "trinity" , but Scripture interprets Scripture, so we cannot contradict Scripture and I'm afraid that doesn't agree with the Genesis or the John account of who God is.. Be careful here...I'm not denying Yeshua, I'm disagreeing with the Catholic Church's description the Father, Son, Spirit. <BR/><BR/>JoyceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-71036684448320459702009-01-07T09:35:00.000-05:002009-01-07T09:35:00.000-05:00Joyce:Please state your beliefs without bringing t...Joyce:<BR/><BR/>Please state your beliefs without bringing the Cathoic Church into it. You are neither an expert nor an authority on the Catholic Church, or its teachings!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-23639718098183022132009-01-07T08:21:00.000-05:002009-01-07T08:21:00.000-05:00PROOF OF THE TRINITY (along with the biblical scri...PROOF OF THE TRINITY (along with the biblical scripture to support it):<BR/><BR/>"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."<BR/>(Matthew 28:19).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-71742646191524987302009-01-07T02:36:00.000-05:002009-01-07T02:36:00.000-05:00History Maker, I wouldn't exactly say believing in...History Maker, <BR/>I wouldn't exactly say believing in the trinity causes someone to fall into sin, as much as give a false impression about the nature of God and that in turn can lead to sin. I'll try as best as I can to explain myself. If God is one and He doesn't change that the God of the "Old Testament" is the same as the God of the "New Testament". I don't like these expressions which were made up after the fact again by the Catholic Church. <BR/><BR/>Because many Christians see God this way and there is a long history of how this happened, they do not see Him as the God of Israel. They do not see themselves as grafted into Israel. They see a separate entity called "a church" which I've explained before here, so I'll spare you. God is one and He has One people. From the beginning He called the people of Israel to be a nation that would point others to Him so that they could join together with Israel and be the "set apart assembly". Ruth would be a prime example of this. <BR/><BR/>I believe as God is echad, so are we, but I don't believe that Jews who are part of Israel need to become Christians. They only need to recognize their Messiah. They are Jews and as such are the natural olive branches who are grafted back in to the olive tree. The nations do not need to become Jews, but they need to attach themselves to the called out assembly i.e. Israel. <BR/><BR/>Now today that's hard because many who are the native descendants don't believe in Yeshua, but by understanding that Yeshua is the Word that became flesh we can begin to not separate Him from His Torah When nautral born branches are grafted back in according to Romans, it is life from the dead i.e. the resurrection. <BR/><BR/>God is showing us there is one source. It is Him. He is the root, but if we don't recognize Him, His calling and His commandments because we have made "another god" "another entity" and we have tried to replace Israel we don't see ourselves as branches grafted into the same tree and we will act differently. Now don't misunderstand me and think I am saying that Christians do not receive salvation. That's not what I am saying. What I am saying is in the last days God will have one people. We will not be divided, so clearly something has to change for that unity to be achieved, and I'm not talking about the false unity of the anitimessiah.. I'm talking about the true unity in Yeshua. <BR/><BR/><BR/>The Torah will go out from Zion. In the last days 10 men will grab the tzizit of a Jew, which symbolizes the keeping of the commandments. When the woman with the issue of blood was healed, she grabbed Yeshua's tzizit. Do we understand this, when we read the stories in the gospels. <BR/><BR/>An olive tree will only produce olives.. So an unnatural branch grafted to the tree should produce olives too. I believe sincerely that we have misunderstood the language of the Torah and as a result have created a god that doesn't always resemble the Holy One of Israel. <BR/><BR/>Today people are realizing this. As they do, the Jews and Gentiles are becoming one. I believe this was God's plan from the beginning to have one called out assembly, but if we see ourselves as part of a Roman Church or some offshoot of that then we will never be able to understand who the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is. Yeshua did not come to make up a new definition of who God is. <BR/><BR/>I don't hate Catholics or anyone else who believes in a trinity or who follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. On the contrary, I feel sad because I know what they are missing out on. I feel like joining oneself to the Roman Church is a substitute for joining oneself to Israel and being a grafted in Olive branch. For the Israelites who do not know their Messiah, what can I say? This is revelation that God gives us when He pulls us out of the darkness and puts us in His kingdom. <BR/><BR/>I think we all desire to know God as He is, not as someone describes Him. It is only by searching and seeking and knocking, and being in His Word that we can really know Him, not through religion. Religion becomes ritual that has a a feeling of some kind of "spirituality" but God has revealed Himself through His Word. He is the Word and to know Him that's where we have to seek HIm. <BR/><BR/>If we are able to just read Scripture and not bring all of our "baggage" to it we can sometimes hear His voice in a more accurate way. I just spent several days doing this with some friends, and it was awesome. When we look at the Scriptures, we do need to know original language which is possible today with the many lexicons on the market, and original context to understand the who, what, where, why and when of Scriptures or we can easily misinterpret. I know Catholics were never encouraged to do this, but that might be changing a little in our days.. but we should all be doing this. <BR/><BR/>When you are able to see what it means to be a "new creation" in HIm, you realize there is no condemnation in Yeshua, but you want to know Him as He is, so that you can truly worship Him in Spirit and in truth. I think this is the point of what I am saying. It is also a safeguard against deception. Don't forget, in the Last Days many churches are going to be deceived. They are already starting to be and we have a responsibility to be in relationship with God and hear from Him. There might not be a "church" to go to. <BR/><BR/>Whatever it's going to look like, it's likely to be so compromised that it will be useless. The church in Germany during Hitler's time is a perfect example of this. How could so many Germans allow themselves to follow Hitler? Only if they were so deceived as to not understand the Scriptures and not understand God's love for the Jews and Israel. This allowed them to be deceived and to rationalize what they were doing. Don't think history can't repeat itself. It can and it will. People will turn against Israel because they don't understand the plan of God. Today this is happening. There are leaders sending a document to divide the land. These are people who have Phds, so it's not for lack of education. <BR/><BR/> How can you read the Bible and do this. The Word of God is 100% clear on this issue and yet heads of seminaries and denominations are doing this. The Catholic Church also wants a "Palestinian State". I don't always like the actions of the secular Israeli govt. but this is not the point. The point is God is not a man that He should lie and we need to follow what He says regardless of what man thinks. I don't believe secular Zionism is the answer. I truly believe God will put Torah on the hearts of all Israel and the Torah will go out from Zion, when Yeshua comes back, but having said that, we have NO RIGHT to divide the land. Scriptures is clear on this. <BR/><BR/>If you believe as I do, that God is still working with Israel and has never stopped, then the Scriptures are not going to contradict the Tanakh, but rather fill it with meaning and God will restore Israel and they will know Yeshua. I have said and will say it again, we will never drive the Jews to jealousy with a Messiah that says the "church has replaced Israel". As a result when I speak, I try to look at things in a hebraic context and do not use the language of the Roman church, which was infused with Greek philosophy. I read the Bible as one book, and I always start in Genesis, not at Matthew. One part cannot and will not contradict another, therefore our interpretation must be in light of this. <BR/><BR/>JoyceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-80679369273629729702009-01-07T01:33:00.000-05:002009-01-07T01:33:00.000-05:00Constance,I am not denying Yeshua, so the Scriptur...Constance,<BR/><BR/>I am not denying Yeshua, so the Scripture that you chose is not exactly appropriate. I am denying the use of a word to describe the nature of God that Scripture does not use i.e. the Catholic Church's definition, which is trinity. This is quite different. <BR/><BR/>God said He is "echad" (composite unity). He says this over and over again. He NEVER says He is trinity. Having said that. Let's look closely. The Ruach that we call Spirit is wind or breath. The Word is Yeshua. God spoke and the universe was created. Can we separate God from His breath or His Word? No. He is echad. John says, in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God, He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Did the Word that spoke the universe into creation become separate from God Himself? No.. <BR/><BR/>Miriam was overshadowed and through the "breath" of God was with child. That child is the fullness of deity in bodily form. <BR/><BR/>I prefer to describe God the way He describes Himself. Yeshua and the Father are "echad". They cannot be divided. Yeshua does exactly the will of the Father. The Spirit leads us in all truth. Is the Spirit separate from God who breaths and creates.?<BR/><BR/>When you look at the interrelationship of Father,Son and Spirit, we are not talking about three separate but equal entities. We are talking about One God united in purpose who manifests Himself to man. It's up to us to know Him as I will be what I will be. <BR/><BR/>None of the disciples used the word trinity, God does not use the word trinity, so why should we? I am not denying Yeshua or His deity, so that is not what I am saying. Yeshua has to be deity, because He is one with His Father, otherwise we can be accused of polytheism. <BR/><BR/>When I look at Yeshua, I see no separation from the Father. They are echad, therefore Yeshua is deity. <BR/><BR/>Can you be separated from your word? I grant you this is not easy to understand, but God is a lot bigger than we are. How do we explain that Yeshua is the Lamb slain from before the foundations of the earth. God transcends time. He transcends our definition of Him. He reveals Himself through His word, but He does say that the hidden things belong to Him, so I only have to understand what He tells me and not go beyond that. <BR/><BR/>As for progressive revelation, that is a pretty commonly excepted idea in theological circles. I believe that Abraham, Moses and others looked forward and saw Yeshua's day, but between that and the Bible revealing exact detail of what would happen, no. We know what happened when it happened, and in the same way, in the Last Days which I believe we are living in, we will know what happens when we are in it, so as much as I read the prophecies and seek to understand them I believe there are specifics that I will know when they arrive i.e. is Solana or Prince Charles or Obama or Joe Blow the antimessiah? I don't know that now, but when I see someone enter the Holy Place i.e the reconstructed Temple ( in my opinion) I will know that the end is near according to Matt 24. <BR/><BR/>All I'm saying by that is we cannot know with precision the details of what will happen until God reveals it. Had this not been so, more of the Jews would have followed Yeshua, because they would have understood precisely from the Scriptures who He was. The fact is with all the prophecy about Him, many rejected Him. They had the veil that was placed over them...<BR/><BR/>Moses came down the mountain and his face was too bright for anyone to look at so he put a veil after being face to face with God. Do you think he saw Yeshua's coming? I do.<BR/><BR/><BR/>The eyes of the unbelieving are veiled so thy cannot see the glory of God. <BR/><BR/><BR/>JoyceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-7225914748264831342009-01-07T01:24:00.000-05:002009-01-07T01:24:00.000-05:00Setterman 6:36, This is the second time you have...Setterman 6:36, <BR/><BR/>This is the second time you have quoted the same single sentence from me, and then added your own statement, “Where are moslem’s tolerant?” Obviously you misunderstood my viewpoint. Granted, I could have chosen a much better way to phrase what I was trying to say. But I did post lengthy follow ups…perhaps you missed them. <BR/><BR/>Let me try to clarify. Fundamentalists of all religions are the target. Anyone who dares claim “my way is the only way” or “the right way” is going to get marginalized, compromised, persecuted, or exterminated. The goal is to place everyone under “dhimmi” status. If the AOC gets it's way, and if the Bible is true, than we can expect one big overarching religious "standard" will try to dominate all the others.<BR/><BR/>The AOC and WEU, and related orgs, have identified an important precedent set during the middle ages, when what was generally recognized as a fairly “moderate” form of Islam ruled much of Europe for 700 years. <BR/><BR/>Granted, in Islam” moderation” is a relative concept. There are always various factions striving for dominance. Take for example the Spanish Caliphate, which may have seemed intolerant at certain times, but was considered exceptionally tolerant in comparison to what came after. (I.e. The Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of all Jews from Spain.). <BR/><BR/>ca. 900–1100 The tolerance for non-Muslims under the Umayyad caliphate and Ta’ifa kings creates ideal conditions for harmonious coexistence among Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The tenth and eleventh centuries are especially significant for Spanish Jewish history and are often regarded as a golden age of literature, philosophy, and science.<BR/><BR/>http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/07/eusi/ht07eusi.htm<BR/><BR/>Granted also, that during 700 years of Islamic rule in Europe there were plenty of atrocities committed by the so-called “moderate” ruling classes. I posted repeatedly about this topic when it became apparent that the WEU meeting place was granted to Barcelona, which is historically significant. <BR/><BR/>There is much scholarship regarding Islamic rule in Europe, and much historical evidence documenting that both Jews and Christians were allowed to rise to prominent roles in the various Islamic governments of the time. In my view, the AOC, and even more importantly, the WEU, are using this time period as a philosophical model. <BR/><BR/>It's quite apparent that Islam is once again gaining a foothold in Europe. The flood of immigration is changing the cultural landscape in Spain, France, Great Britain, etc. There are more mosques than churches in GB these days.<BR/><BR/>The AOC and the WEU must get moslems to buy into their "plan" in order to be successful, indeed, even survive. The AOC and the WEU are cozying up to “moderate” Islamic nations to gain support against those they label, “fundamentalists”. Yet we all know that this “support” comes with a price. The influence Islam is gaining within the WEU will shape what I call “the last days policy” the EU/UN ultimately adopts towards Israel. The proverbial "thirty pieces of silver".<BR/><BR/>You may or may not have read my lengthy post on Gothic architecture re Pedralbes and the WEU where I wrote: <BR/><BR/>This new political edifice, emerging out of the sea, which we are now supposed to call “The Union of the Mediterranean”, is founded on the AOC’s Andalusian model of the Islamic empire that swept over Europe in the middle ages. In the opening pages of her book, “the Ornament of the World: How Muslims, Jews and Christians Created a Culture of Tolerance in Medieval Spain”, author Maria Rosa Menocal reveals that, “The very heart of culture as a series of contraries lay in Al-Andalus, [the medieval Spanish Caliphate] which requires us to reconfigure the map of Europe, and put the Mediterranean at the center.” <BR/><BR/>The fact is, Islam can be quite “tolerant”, as long as it has it’s foot on the necks of the infidels. While Islam is not the coming "one world religion", it does provide a historic model for those preparing the way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-52049623302575076192009-01-07T01:08:00.000-05:002009-01-07T01:08:00.000-05:00Mariel, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of you...Mariel, <BR/>I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. May the Lord give you His peace that surpasses all understanding and guard you in Him.<BR/><BR/>JoyceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-44158329226112292812009-01-07T00:30:00.000-05:002009-01-07T00:30:00.000-05:00Dear Mariel,Never forget. Love is stronger than d...Dear Mariel,<BR/><BR/>Never forget. Love is stronger than death.<BR/><BR/>The Great Commandment is an eternal one.<BR/><BR/>Apart from our vision of God, those who were closest to us here on earth will be closest to us in Heaven.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-72347756050575303002009-01-07T00:07:00.000-05:002009-01-07T00:07:00.000-05:00Dearest Mariel,I'm so sorry that I've had a busy s...Dearest Mariel,<BR/>I'm so sorry that I've had a busy schedule and just caught your posts tonight.<BR/>I'm praying for you right now. May the Lord comfort you and may you know His peace.<BR/><BR/>With Deepest Sincerity,<BR/>-SVAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11772087.post-61689894163951045742009-01-06T23:51:00.000-05:002009-01-06T23:51:00.000-05:00Dear History Maker,Re: I think it's less likely th...Dear History Maker,<BR/><BR/>Re:<I> I think it's less likely that someone will stumble because of our using the word “trinity.” I'll continue to use the word unless I’m absolutely convinced that it will cause another person to sin. The term sums up what we do know about God (what He has revealed to us), and I think it is Biblical.<BR/><BR/>I hope this makes sense...</I><BR/><BR/>It makes perfect sense, History Maker. The word "Trinity" is a DESCRIPTIVE term used to described a DOCTRINE that is found in the Bible.....implicitly in the Old Testament.....explicitly in the New Testament. <BR/><BR/>It is kind of a verbal "shorthand" coined by Tertullian along with the word "person" to describe the three objective, co-eternal, and personal realities of the one Godhead known as "Father, Son and Holy Ghost."<BR/><BR/>If you prefer to use the verbal "longhand," however, it is to be found in the Chalcedonian and Nicene Creeds. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com