Burky's Blog

Notice

2010-05-07T16:52:00.001-04:00

Notice

Message from deafdemophile@gmail.com:

Notice

All church problems and difference between church groups are not based on the Cornerstone of the Church. (1 Corinthians 3:11, Ephesians 2:20)
It is human nature to find security in no change; therefore all resistance to change are associated with adherence to traditions of man, to which there are more Scriptures condemning than there are that supports. (Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23; 1 Corinthians 11:2,16; 2 Corinthians 3:3,6; Galatians 1:14; Colossians 2:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6; 1 Peter 1:18)
All forms of resistance are associated with visible things which are temporal. (2 Corinthians 4:18, Hebrews 11:27)
Such resistance to losing traditions often, if not always, cause the church lose their vibrant love for the being. (Revelations 2:1-7)
Such resistance always leads to church problems. All church problems will disappear if everyone would focus on life and the living.
Since God create everything in the universe, therefore scientific principles and spiritual principles will overlap and can be used interchangeably, hence Jesus use parables to help our limited mind to understand. (Genesis 1,2; John 1:3)
If Satan and sin brings bondage, then who gave us freedom? With freedom, there had to be free will. If there is free will, then there had to be a support for individuality and individualism. Notice 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 and Hebrews 8:6-13.
If God is unlimited and impartial, then His words should be the same way. Therefore, we should not place any limitations or conditions on any of teachings in the Bible. How else can God teach anything other than what He really is?
Place unlimited applications of any Biblical teaching, even if teachings seem to contradict each other, and be prepared to be surprised with what conclusions you will arrived.
If 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 takes note of our reaction to our health and apply it to church life, then believing that God being unlimited can make us take that application bit further and apply it to all less-spoken-about teachings in the Bible, and treat them equal to extremely obvious ones. That approach can expose your inefficient beliefs, even those that was taught.
Since Matthew 5:9 says that peacemaking is a trademark of children of God, then what are those who are zealous in keeping traditions because it means obedience to the Bible?
If God make no scrap, then everything we can see or feel are valuable part of the universe. That includes our emotions and characteristics.
Notice our feelings when we focus on something that is losing. Are those not the feelings of resistance? Notice our feelings when we focus on something we are gaining. Are those not the feelings of eager acceptance? Think about Matthew 5:38-48, which teaches nonresistance. Which way is easier?
Can you tell the difference between the feeling of love and acceptance? What about that feeling of falling in love and adoration? Are they not all positive? Then think about resistance and rejection, hatred and separation, and all other negative feelings. Then you can easily see that words are structural in themselves. "The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart."
As peacemakers (so to be children of God), how about harmonizing all the contradicting teachings of the Bible without placing limitations or conditions on any of them? How about unifying all scientific principles and spiritual principles, all visible occurrences as part of (or as end products of) invisible occurrences, and everything else you can think of?
If God is everywhere, then there is no place where He is not. Think about this when you think about all bad or negative experiences you wish to avoid or fight against. See Ephesians 4:6. Also think about terrorism and all social evils.
Harmonize the last two points, and see what you can come up with. Would fighting against or resisting bad experiences or changes harmonize you with your circumstances or your enemies? If working peaceably with your circumstances and enemies, would that not harmonize you with everything in the universe where God is?
Notice when you decided to stop resisting. Do you not feel release? When you feel release, do you not feel relief? When you feel relief, do you not feel more alive? Is that not what Jesus meant when he said, "Lose your life and you will find it"? Would this not be what the Bible talk about when it refers to obedience, submission, and such?
Notice the problem with many men who lose temper easily. Is it not because they deny the value of emotions? When persist in denying, did it not build up and then explode one day? Would it not be better if we catch our first feeling of resistance and be determined to solve it, whether by removing resistance or following after what makes us feel truly alive on continual basis? If you have perpetual inner peace, how can you lose temper?
If Hebrews 8:6-13 make it seem God is for common man, think about all natural things compared to what man made. Are horses not cheaper than cars? Are herbs not cheaper than medicine or drugs? Also think about many people who cannot or do not enjoy reading. Perhaps then feelings are more important than structural wording of Biblical terminology? Could this not also be what 2 Corinthians 3:3-6 be talking about?
If you feel this listing is dangerous, why do you feel that way? Is there something you want to keep in control? Which is better: avoid facts or face them? Let's lose our lives and enjoy doing it!

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Fwd: Entitlements sink America

2010-04-30T15:17:00.001-04:00

USA: Born 1776, Died 2008?? It does not hurt to read this several times.

Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul
Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning last Obama's
Presidential election:

* Number of States won by: Obama:19 by McCain: 29
* Square miles of land won by: Obama: 580,000 by McCain: 2,427,000

Population of counties won by: Obama:127 million by McCain: 143 million

Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Obama: 13.2 McCain: 2.1

Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory McCain
won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the
country.

Obama territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in low income
tenements and living off various forms of government welfare..."

Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between
the"complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of
democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already
having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal
invaders called illegals, and they vote, then we can say goodbye to
the USA in fewer than five years.

Fwd: Manure

2010-04-30T15:09:00.001-04:00

Manure...An interesting fact
Manure: In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be
transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's
invention, so large shipments of manure were common.

It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than
when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier,
but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by-product is
methane gas.

As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles, you can see what could
(and did) happen. Methane began to build up below decks and the first
time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!

Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined
just what was happening.

After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term
'Ship High In Transit' on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it
high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the
hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the
production of methane.

Thus evolved the term ' S.H.I.T' , (Ship High In Transport) which has
come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day..

You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I.

I had always thought it was a golf term.

________________________________
The New Busy is not the old busy. Search, chat and e-mail from your
inbox. Get started.

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

Innocent View of Love

2010-04-27T14:18:00.001-04:00

(I got this forward from a friend, and just had to share it. --Omar)

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined

See what you think....

----

'When my grandmother got arthritis , she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore.. So my grandfather does it for her all the time , even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love.'

Rebecca- age 8

'When someone loves you , the way they say your name is different.
You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'

Billy - age 4

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'

Karl - age 5

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'

Chrissy - age 6

'Love is what makes you smile when you're tired.'

Terri - age 4

'Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him , to make sure the taste is OK.'

Danny - age 7

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing , you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'

Emily - age 8

'Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.'

Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

'If you want to learn to love better , you should start with a friend who you hate , '

Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt , then he wears it everyday.'

Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'

Tommy - age 6

'During my piano recital , I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'

Cindy - age 8

'My mommy loves me more than anybody You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'

Clare - age 6

'Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.'

Elaine-age 5

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford .'

Chris - age 7

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'

Mary Ann - age 4

'I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.'

Lauren - age 4

'When you love somebody , your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.' (what an image)

Karen - age 7

'Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross.'

Mark - age 6

'You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it , you should say it a lot. People forget.'

Jessica - age 8

And the final one

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry , the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard , climbed onto his lap , and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor , the little boy said ,

'Nothing , I just helped him cry'

Waiting...

2010-04-23T14:42:00.001-04:00

Waiting – just think of all the things people are waiting for. You
don't have to wait anymore. You don't have to change all those things
around you. You can't anyway, because when you do try to change them,
they'll try to change you. And when they do, you won't like it.

I realized I can't change everything, but there's one thing I can
change. All I need to do is change my list of priorities. The change
has to come from within. That's why I'm saying it's easy. You don't
have to throw anything out, just rearrange. Of all those things that
have taken priority, put the priority to be content at the very top.
That's all.

Yes, you can be fulfilled. That's what's important. The greatest gift
you can give yourself is the gift of joy, the gift of peace. That is
tops. And every step counts toward knowing the one thing you thirst
for – that your life be fulfilled.

— Maharaji, Prem Rawat

Blessings and curses

2010-04-23T14:37:00.001-04:00

Many observers, right or left, pro-Israel or anti-Israel, would agree
that Israeli-American relations are the worst they have been in
memory. Among the many indications is that only 9 percent of Jewish
Israelis think President Barack Obama's administration is more
pro-Israel than pro-Palestinian, according to a Smith Research poll
taken during the last week of March on behalf of The Jerusalem Post.
Given how much Israelis love and admire (and emigrate to) America,
this level of mistrust is all the more remarkable.

Commentators on the left, of course, blame Israel. For them, this is a
no-brainer; blaming Israel is as natural as breathing. One just does
it. Furthermore, Israel is headed by a conservative prime minister,
and America is presided over by the most pro-left president in its
history.

Meanwhile, commentators on the right are virtually unanimous in
supporting Israel. This is not simply an anti-Obama,
pro-conservative-Netanyahu reflex, however. It stems from a variety of
reasons:

First, Israel is our staunchest ally. Among other things, Israel votes
with us in the United Nations more often than any other country, and
it provides us with uniquely important technological know-how and
intelligence.

Second, conservatives' values are closer to Israel's values than
perhaps those of any other nation. As President Harry Truman said,
"Israel is the embodiment of the great ideals of our civilization."

Third, while a rift with Israel hurts Israel, it hurts America at
least as much (as we shall see) and does not make Palestinians any
more likely to make peace with the Jewish state. Recall, the
Palestinians unleashed mass terror against Israel after a left-leaning
Israeli prime minister agreed to give the Palestinians 97 percent of
the territory conquered in 1967 and 3 percent more from Israel itself.
Why, then, would the Palestinians make peace with Israel now, when
half of the Palestinians are governed by Hamas, whose charter calls
for Israel's destruction? Because Obama humiliated the Israeli prime
minister during the latter's visit to Washington — over Israeli plans
to build 1,600 apartments in Jerusalem?

Fourth, the greatest international threat today emanates from Iran, a
threat that will be exponentially increased if Iran is not prevented
from developing nuclear weapons. A weakened Israel means an emboldened
Iran. And this frightens conservatives more than it does the world's
left and Obama.

Finally, there is a fifth reason tens of millions of Americans, many
conservative commentators, support Israel and worry about America if
American support for Israel wanes.

To the left in America and around the world, this reason is dangerous
nonsense. But for a vast number of America's Christians, many Jews and
even many non-religious conservatives, it is deeper than any military
or political reason. The reason is based on a verse in Genesis in
which G0d, referring to the Jewish people, says to Abraham: "I will
bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you."

One need not be a Jew or Christian or even believe in G0d to
appreciate that this verse is as accurate a prediction of the future
as humanity has ever been given by the ancient world. The Jewish
people have suffered longer and more horribly than any other living
people. But they are still around. Their historic enemies are all
gone. Those who cursed the Jews were indeed cursed.

And those who blessed the Jews were indeed blessed. The most blessed
country for more than 200 years has been the United States. It has
also been the most blessed place Jews have ever lived in. Is this a
coincidence? Many of us think not.

Those who curse the Jews today seem to be cursed. The most benighted
civilization today is the Arab world. One could make a plausible case
that the Arab world's preoccupation with Jew-hatred and destroying
Israel is decisive in keeping the Arab world from progressing. The day
the Arab world makes peace with the existence of the tiny Jewish state
in its midst, the Arab world will begin its ascent.

The converse is what worries tens of millions of Americans: The day
America begins to abandon Israel, America will begin its descent.

Israel shares America's values, such as liberty, an independent
judiciary, a free press, freedom of religion, free speech and women's
equality. The Arab and Muslim worlds have none of these. Those facts —
and America's Judeo-Christian roots — make support of Israel, no
matter what the Arab and Muslim "street" feels about America, a moral
lynchpin of American foreign policy.

This administration's desire to have America liked in the Arab and
Muslim worlds therefore has to mean altering that lynchpin. You cannot
protect Israel and strive to be liked in the Arab and Muslim worlds at
the same time. And you cannot weaken that protection without weakening
America's moral values, which form the basis of America's greatness.

Even aside from compromising America's moral essence, weakening
American support of Israel will only strengthen the America-hating
Islamists. The notion that the primitive monsters of the Taliban,
Hamas, al-Qaida and the like will become pro-American — or just stop
attacking America — if America weakens its support of Israel betrays
an ignorance of evil that is frightening.

So there is nothing to gain — and America's soul to lose — by
weakening, or by even seeming to weaken, American support for Israel.

In 1968, Eric Hoffer, the longshoreman turned philosopher and author
of the classic work "The True Believer," wrote in The Los Angeles
Times:

"The Jews are alone in the world. If Israel survives, it will be
solely because of Jewish efforts. And Jewish resources. Yet at this
moment Israel is our only reliable and unconditional ally. We can rely
more on Israel than Israel can rely on us."

Hoffer concluded: "I have a premonition that will not leave me; as it
goes with Israel so will it go with all of us. Should Israel perish,
the holocaust will be upon us."

Genesis was right.

By Dennis Prager

Symptoms of Inner Peace

2010-04-20T14:39:00.001-04:00

Symptoms of Inner Peace

Message from deafdemophile@gmail.com:

Symptoms of Inner Peace

Ø A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears developed from past experiences

Ø A natural ability to enjoy each and every moment and experiences, whether good or bad.

Ø Too busy enjoying life to even bother judging others, and went so far to think that others are enjoying life as well

Ø No interest in interpreting the actions of others

Ø No interest in conflict, being a natural peacemaker in all areas of life

Ø Free from worry

Ø Appreciate everything spontaneously and naturally

Ø Easily contented and peaceable with others.

Ø Feel unified, harmonized, and at peace with everyone and everything

Ø Couldn't help but smile often

Ø Sensitive to love from others and have uncontrollable urge to return it

Ø Perpetual and overflowing joy and happiness

Google Docs makes it easy to create, store and share online documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

Symptoms of Inner Peace

2010-04-20T14:38:00.000-04:00

Symptoms of Inner Peace

Ã A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears developed from past experiences

Ã A natural ability to enjoy each and every moment and experiences, whether good or bad.

Ã Too busy enjoying life to even bother judging others, and went so far to think that others are enjoying life as well

Ã No interest in interpreting the actions of others

Ã No interest in conflict, being a natural peacemaker in all areas of life

Ã Free from worry

Ã Appreciate everything spontaneously and naturally

Ã Easily contented and peaceable with others.

Ã Feel unified, harmonized, and at peace with everyone and everything

Ã Couldnât help but smile often

Ã Sensitive to love from others and have uncontrollable urge to return it

Ã Perpetual and overflowing joy and happiness

Attached: Symptoms of Inner Peace

Message from deafdemophile@gmail.com:

Google Docs makes it easy to create, store and share online documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

April 19, 2010

2010-04-20T14:34:00.001-04:00

It has been a long time since I wrote the update. I did start writing one, but didn't finish. Really, I didn't feel comfortable with it. My original inspiration in writing kind of died out before finishing, so I decided to set it aside.

Everything is green now. Spring definitely is here. We did have a cool spell, which remind myself of my own life. Isn't your life so much like pendulum? There are days when you want to be so good as gold and have great desire to serve the Lord. Then there are days when you feel like rebelling and doing everything destructive. When transiting from winter to spring, it didn't change consistently and gradually, but will give us warm days then cool days then back to warm days again. Perhaps, it is good to check what cause us to be happy and want to do everything right and see if there is ways we can avoid falling back into sin. 1 Corinthians 11:31 said, "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." Do you suppose that means almost same as "Watch and Pray"?

Nothing much was new, except I am still learning and discovering exciting truths. Even if it merely confirms my existing beliefs, at least such confirmation would further ingrained my mind and influence my response toward life.

I am reading through the Bible in one year. As you know before, I always enjoy finding contradicting teachings in the Bible and trying to harmonize them without placing conditions on either one. Few weeks ago, I came across Luke 12 and saw something exactly contradicting within two or three verses from each other! Notice verse 5 said we should fear God and verse 7 said we should not fear Him. Of course, we all already knew that the first one is only talking about reverential fear and second one as emotional fear. Yet, when I checked the Greek glossary in Strong's concordance, I saw that both originals are the same Greek word! That further confirms my existing beliefs that there are words that can mean different things to different people. Therefore, let us read and study the Bible with care. Yes, with watchfulness!

Since it is warmer out, I again enjoy walking along the river. It is so relaxing and gives me good exercise to stay fit.

I found the update that I never finished and it was dated April 7. Now it is April 16. So it was over a week. So much have happened.

This morning I want walking on towpath along Potomac River and got thinking about when I went to Messiah Bible School. I remember I took class on how to study and interpret the Bible. And I also remember I bought a book from CLP on how to study the Bible. I thought I would have to look at Bible School papers and that book to see if I deviated from proper Bible study methods. I am suspecting that I did follow the same principles of studying the Bible, but I don't want to precondition my thinking before tacking those writings first.

I wonder if you, especially my cousin Janet, read the book, Front of the Class. It wouldn't hurt to check the library to see if they have it, but it sure is a good book. It is based on true story, and it makes me weep at the end. Not heart-rending, but overwhelmingly touching. It is a story about a boy who refuse to let his Tourette's Syndrome win and finally succeeded in becoming into a schoolteacher, despite his father's doubts. Brad Cohen is a real name and lives in GA—if I remember correctly.

It made me think. Am I letting my deafness win? Perhaps. Why would I be so obstinate in not going to Writer's Conference, just because I felt burdened about my interpreters having to be obligated to me?

I also read the book, The Happening, by Harvey Yoder. It is a story about a neighbor man shooting the Amish girls in schoolhouse that became international news. What impressed me was that Rebecca Sue remembers the detail when she talked with the milkman the evening before. She didn't understand why it impresses her mind until after the shooting.

When I read that part, I thought about there are several times when I felt I should do it or do something, but didn't just because of other reasons. Later, when it is too late, I wish I had done it. For example, my friend and I want to tour the factory. It was very warm, that sandals would be cooler. Unfortunately, when we got to the factory, we are required to wear footwear that covers toes. That make me think it could be part of being fully conscious and aware of what is happening around you. When you are aware of something that keep probing or pricking you, better take heed. You may even save your own life. Most importantly, we don't know when Jesus will come again, so let us watch.

I am slowly but surely inching toward the end of the book, Les Miserables. It is too detailed and wordy for me to endure for long. The same is true of Rita Come Home, published by Rod and Staff. Les Miserables is said to be complete and unabridged, so apparently there are condensed editions.

I am also reading Whedon's Commentary, and find it very interesting. What stood out to me the most is its' explanation of the word, "naked". I have always assumed that Isaiah 20:2,3 is saying that Prophet Isaiah did go around buck naked for 3 years, but Whedon's Commentary explain differently. It said that, in Biblical culture, if you are only wearing undergarments, you are considered naked. The undergarment is more like a sack with holes for head and arms. That would be more sensible and less shocking, that's for sure. Yet, I wonder how can Whedon be so sure. I don't doubt that I am not the only one thinking that Isaiah indeed goes around buck-naked. Of course, we all know that it is less lust-tempting to dress modestly on everyday basis, so this interpretation should not be an issue for us.

I finally got to go to Lancaster County for weekend. April 10 was the planned birthday party for one of my friends, and I was invited. Since my car is not street-legal, I decided to convince Julia to visit her cousin for her birthday weekend (her birthday is April 9). She drops me off at Nelson Zimmerman's house and I taught sign language there. Then I went to Jay's and stayed there all weekend, only going elsewhere with Jay.

After leaving Jay's, Julia had her first experience in auto accident. It is unfortunate, as it was her fault, but at least she start to drive more cautiously. One problem, though, is that it makes her tenser. Now her back pain is back. Sadly. I wish she would learn to be more conscious of what's happening around her so to be preventive, yet at same time relaxed so to enjoy life, trusting that everything will happen for a good reason, whether we cannot see it or not.

She was crossing the crossroad of Gristmill Road and 322, less than ½ mile east of Christian Aid Ministries building near Ephrata, PA. It is not far from where Landis Weaver lives either. She crossed and she didn't see the eastward van on 322, thus she bumped into the van and swiped its side. There are no black marks on the road, so no one was going fast. And it can even be saying that no one was really paying attention. No one got hurt, which is very fortunate. It is just that Julia got her back pain back, which is unfortunate. Hope it will alleviate with time—without any future accidents! Julia only lost her front bumper; nothing else was damaged on her car.

One day I was looking for explicit quotation from the Bible that Jesus is our perfect example. There is no verse saying that, but I did find that Hebrews 7 and 8 talks about Jesus as our high priest and our perfect example. As I got reading the chapter, I came across something very interesting! If you read toward the end of chapter 8, you will see what I meant.

When Julia and I went to Virginia to visit Blue Ridge, we also took advantage to visit other people as well. I got to visit my old friends at Christian Light Publication and we supped with John Dan Burkholder. I ask John Dan about Hebrews 8 and he said exactly what I noticed: that part sure makes it seem like God don't care. John Dan gave me his explanations, and it didn't register in my mind. I do remember that I don't quite agree with him, although he does have a point.

Another point I noticed in Hebrews 8 is the prophecy that everyone would know about God, from least to the greatest. I like that. That is my goal—to present gospel to everyone, regardless of his or her status or his or her previous religion. Plus, I am also thinking of those who don't have much reading comprehension, such as my Belizean friends who don't read much.

While I was meditating on Hebrews 8, I remember two places where it imply that common people loves the law more than those who know the law. Mark 12:37 say that common people heard Jesus gladly, and if you read that verse in its context, you will see that those who know the Law aren't pleased with Him. Acts 13:48 is another example, as you can see in verse 50 that Jews expelled Paul and Barnabas. Quite obviously, God is very interested in equality. After all, He creates every one of us as we are.

Another thought I had from this perspective is that everything God created is more accessible and more dependable than what man made. Think about it. Which is cheaper and even can be free—horse or car? Herbs or medicine? One of my Amish friends talk about when he goes to youth events, he often goes home really late, falling asleep while on road. The horse simply knew he is going home and knew that green light means go, so the horse always take my friend home fine. You can't say that about cars. Herbs have no side effect, so they don't have to be prescribed, which means there is no real control. If you knew what your ailments are, you can know what to take. So in this perspective, could it be that God is more for common people—even individualism? Don't limit this perspective to transportation mode or health. Think about law of the land or church and every other form of structure and see what I meant. Also notice how some things gained popularity so quickly and its legacy last so long afterwards—they usually have democratic qualities!

If we think or say anyone as wrong, what are we subconsciously implying about ourselves? Are we saying that we are better than them? Notice Romans 2:1-3 is written after the list of sins in Romans 1. Titus 1:15,16 also show the similar idea or teaching. Paul wrote both of them, and he probably learn what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:1-5. So let us be careful when we think our church is the only right church. I have talked about this before, and that means you can see I am experiencing confirmation to my observations and beliefs. When we resist differences or change, we tend to want to control others in that field. We become more susceptible to quote Scriptures to defend our views—and make others feel guilty for enjoying such liberties. At least, that is how I notice in myself, and I don't feel I am any different than anyone else.

Let us share the gospel, because we want to be used by God to spread the good news. There are still some people who grew up never knowing about God. Also, we want to share the gospel, so we can receive correction like Paul have experienced with Aquila and Priscilla in Acts 18:26. This is probably my subconscious way of learning. I didn't want to start argument, yet I may seem like I am trying to get the last word. When people have nothing more to say, I often felt bad. Yet when I look back to those times, I realize those people are teaching me something. I am trying to curb my "evil appearance" of always saying things in a way that put my listeners or readers in the box. I am suspecting that is why some people don't like me, although that can be said about Jesus too. Now I am trying to let others have the last word, even if I feel like I am strangling myself! It does help if I remember that everyone have to learn his own way, and no matter how I say it, he won't get it unless he is ready to receive it.

I am back to mowing grass. I think I like that better than making apple dumplings! I make apple dumplings through the winter, which we quit selling by now. Now we are selling rhubarb pies. In a month or two, we will be selling strawberry pies—mmmm!

We are building an additional storage space behind the mini-barn. I sometimes wish I could help, but I hate the thought of working with people who don't know sign language. Another attack of letting deafness win...hm? When they put roofing on, it will be Bradley Horst and his brothers. They are from our church group and they know sign language because I taught them and they have deaf sisters. Maybe I will help then! <Grin>

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

More 2012 prophecy

2010-04-08T14:28:00.001-04:00

Here is a wonderful, and I believe fairly accurate, synthesis of the events and days we find ourselves living in along with the miraculous changes taking place within our very bodies as reflected by the cosmos herself.

The study of our specific time as it relates to the predictions of so many ancient traditions of our world has been the passion of my life for two decades, full time for the last two years. The information below coincides to such an amazingly accurate degree with the new understandings recently brought forth in the worlds' of archaeology, physics, archaeo-astronomy, the completion of the zodiac calendar (which was held by almost every ancient culture on earth as they understood the precessional 25,800 year cycle which we have just begun to understand through modern astronomy as of the last 140 years) and last but certainly not least my own meditations, dreams and insights into these matters.

Please read and ponder the following information with an open mind and above all an open heart 'listening' to the faint vibrations which always accompany truth in whatever form it takes. If such vibrations are indeed felt and you feel so compelled please pass on the information for others to hold. Love, Jon

Betelgeuse & the Red Dawn
Alexander Putney - August 2, 2009
HumanResonance.org An inexorable sequence of natural electromagnetic events is unfolding that demands our full attention, and underlies the shifting currents of human consciousness. Ancient Sanskrit knowledge maintained by the Maya culture explicitly describes the events surrounding the end of this solar cycle, as retold in many forms throughout the indigenous prophecies and wisdom traditions of the world. It is said humanity will be transformed in the red light of cosmic consciousness – quite directly telling us 'man becomes god.' Mayan wisdom identifies the energetic changes of December 22, 2012 as the effect of a synchronization ray emitted from the center of the galaxy. This event is described as an alignment of Earth with the galactic plane, which will ignite Earth's high atmosphere in an all-encompassing red aurora. The Pyramid of Fire Codex foretells that the sky itself will be in flames, and the red flames will spread amongst the pyramids – from one 'Hill of the Star' to another along flaming plumes of celestial water: Tláloc, God of Celestial Water, god of the vapor that rises, from the earth warmed by the sun after the rains, god of the mist that ascends from the valleys at dawn... Tláloc is the return of vapor that strains to rise, is the return of time that strains to remember. Tláloc, God of the Fight Against the Current, with whose aid the hero battles against the torrent toward his own origin and beginning, towards the wings of his soul, the wings that Tláloc hides in the hero's past...It is the self within ourselves that we have to sacrifice. It is our own heart that has to be torn out of the false being and offered to the light. May Xiuhtecuhtli, Lord of Fire, burn my false being, May Itzli, Obsidian Knife, liberate my heart. To sow life in the fires of sacrifice: Are the flames rising on the Hill of the Star, toward Cauhlacan? Or is it my own heart that is afire? The cycle of years is past - the waiting ended. Come - reunite, pilgrims, for the sky is in flames! From Xochicalco to Teotíhuacan the red spreads one step, another step, and another, only twelve short steps from the cave of the womb to the final conflagration... The flames rage in consummation- Rise, oh flames! What light, what heat! What great holocaust! The smoke ascends and spirals... Obscurity disappears as the flames rise to Tonatiuh, the purest light.The kundalini technology of the pyramids employs the crystalline memory of celestial waters to awaken human divinity at sacred temples like Teotihuacan, meaning 'site-where-man-becomes-God.' The resonant frequency of the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan closely matches the 1.45 Hz heartbeat oscillation of the Great Pyramid due to its comparable base length of 740'. Itza Mayan Elder Hunbatz Men describes the pyramids as generators of the brilliant light of heaven that imbues the human being with eternal life. Cosmic Creator Hunab K'u guides the initiatic work of the Mayan Elders at their sacred pyramids: "Take care of the light that I leave within my temple. When you form the human being, teach him to venerate my house, for within it they will find the light they need for eternal life. Teach him also that if he should stray, due to his errors, vices or ignorance, then I, Hunab K'u will reclaim my beloved beings and take them to my temple of wisdom and nourish them again with my light which is in the heavens. Then, together, Tepeu, Gugumatz and Huyubcaan will perform purification rituals using that brilliant light for the benefit of my beloved whom we created and molded, so they can live in the light of eternal wisdom." A heavenly life-giving light radiating inside pyramid chambers is also related in hieroglyphic texts inscribed on the interior walls of the pyramids of Saqqara, Egypt. Profound details of the luminal and acoustic effects of the Great Pyramid transducer in full operation have been recorded in stone: House bright and dark of Heaven and Earth, for the [solar] ships put together; Great Pyramid, House of the gods with pointed peak; for Heaven-to-Earth it is greatly equipped. House whose interior glows with a reddish Light of Heaven, pulsating a beam which reaches far and wide; its awesomeness touches the flesh... House of Eternity: its foundations are stones, the water; its great circumference is set in the clay. House the rightness of whose howling the Great-Ones-Who-See-and-Orbit bring down to rest... Mountain by which Utu ascends... whose deep insides men cannot penetrate. Both the Egyptian and Mayan hieroglyphs are descendant forms of the ancient logographic Sanskrit, as deciphered by epigrapher Dr. Kurt Schildmann (1909-2001). This antediluvian proto-Sanskrit can be identified as the Atlantean script, having been found on all inhabited continents of the world on stone and ceramic artifacts dated to the Pleistocene period – being over 12,000 years old. The pyramid traditions of these cultures of Atlantean descent provide us with stunningly explicit descriptions of future events tied into the ancient Sanskrit conception of water as the transformative agent of consciousness. The Atlantean psychoacoustic technology of quartz crystal skulls reflects the Sanskrit tradition of augmenting consciousness through the purification and crystallization of the water within the human body. The refraction of light within the human body that is fueled by crystalline water enables the higher capacities of human consciousness by biorhythmic alignment at 1.45 Hz heartbeat entrainment in the pyramid chambers. The Great Pyramid's upper chamber does not contain a sarcophagus – the granite box was actually a water-birthing resonator filled with celestial water. The closed shafts rising from the chambers are its "deep insides men cannot penetrate", designed to focus infrasound heartbeats at 1.45 Hz into the tiny newborn infants. Usually born as twins, the infants' skulls were elongated by this process.The celestial waters of La Maná, Ecuador and Tlacote, Mexico have been extensively studied for their astounding resonant properties. Test results have shown the spring waters of La Maná and Tlacote have the highest water purity found anywhere in the world, containing virtually no salt or other dissolved solids. This in itself is remarkable, but tests have also identified trace amounts of gold and silver nanoparticles and an energy rating of over 1,000,000 on the Bovis scale. There is no modern technology capable of creating energized waters like those flowing flow the springs of La Maná and Tlacote. These celestial waters are the nano-technological product of the transdimensional civilization of Atlantis – the central component of the pyramid kundalini tradition of psychoacoustic gestation and water-birthing practices. Artifacts from the ancient Sanskrit sacred site in La Maná, Ecuador reveal the origin and use of these celestial waters as a technological product of the global pyramid system itself. Over 300 metal, stone and ceramic artifacts have been recovered, among which are diverse UV-fluorescent maps of standing wave resonance patterns within the electron, mineral calcite, andGreat Pyramid of Giza, Egypt. The artifacts preserve logographic Sanskrit script, while their numerals from 1 to 10 are presented in fluorescent inlays adorning a set of 13 stone goblets precisely designed for water volume measurement. Among the artifacts found below the sacred site is a large stone lingam in the form of a kundalini cobra, engraved with complex UV-fluorescent inlaid patterns – as well as a gold psychoacoustic helmet, accompanied by dozens of ceramic figurines that show both adults and children using the helmets while barefoot for electrical contact to the pyramid. The largest stone artifact from La Maná is a breathtaking global map of the Earth with all the continents accurately depicted as they were before the fall of Atlantis! Star maps on flat stone plates were inlaid with UV-fluorescent calcite mortars depicting the constellations surrounding Orion, with Betelgeuse (fluorescing in red) as one of the three large stars forming the Winter Triangle with Sirius and Procyon. This star map is also presented on the largest goblet (above, center). Celestial waters were the primary enablers of this advanced psychoacoustic Atlantean technology, by which human bodies became superconductors of electricity. The suspension of gold and silver nanoparticles enhances the conductivity of the body by creating a pathway for electrical flow without shock. Shock waves do not form inside crystals for the crystal lattice distributes pressure evenly and the whole mass is set vibrating in unison. The celestial waters maintain the integrity of the body's cells during exposure to the electrical currents inside the pyramids at resonance. The gold and silver nanoparticles are from 2-10nm in size and act as transducers in the body, converting electrical pulses into light pulses. Gold nanoparticles scatter RED light inside all of the cells of the body. This is the key to understanding the words of the pyramid-builders concerning the "heavenly red light of eternal life"! The fact that these water sources are still flowing, and in fact greatly increasing their output with time, is primary evidence that the pyramids are automatically roaring to life with the input of infrasound energy from solar storms as we approach the full onset of the new solar age. These widespread effects are already being observed. (Note: monoatomic gold, aka white powder gold, does NOT scatter red light, and is not recommended!) Golden waters and wisdom of the Chichimeca and Chichicastl cultures of Tlacote, Mexico have been preserved by the Maya Elders, and is passed on through translation by Gerardo Aceves Quetza Sha: Tlacote is a great assembly point of the ancient gods where once existed the Golden City of the Golden Water, built by the Chichimeca and the Chichicastl. In other times, our ancestors left us transcendental information... Man has always been looking for something else, something that lives inside of him, and he recognized the inner light manifesting in his heart. It is this inner light that will cause the changes in humanity and that will make the dream come true, that the animal which is the human being will be able to live thousands of years. Man opens his heart to understand the revealing truth, creating consciousness and elevating his thoughts. This process is necessary, because we must understand and solve the enigmas of earth and the planetary system, in order to develop in perfect conscience right from the beginning of creation. We meet thousands of phenomena in our life. Man calls this coincidence; spirit calls it cycles of comprehension in the evolution of man. Therefore, if a new race emerges to a new cycle of existence, this happens because the information imprinted in the subconscious of the Inner Self has been completed. All the information we need is imprinted in the subconscious of the inner self, so it may evolve according to its individual level, remembering who it is and knowing its task on earth: 'AWAKEN, INNER SELF, and recognize your inner creation in order to understand the movements of the universe!' This is how the different races and religions developed in their particular states of evolution. Each religion in its particular language has accompanied us on a very important part of our path and accomplished the demands of a particular time. Now humanity is awakening to a new cycle of consciousness. A new race is born, constantly bringing in new knowledge and spheres of conscience, and being aware of the past, the present and the future... This message predicting the awakening of the Golden Water is sacred and was created and given to us by beings from other dimensions, so that other generations can be born, prepared for the great changes that will be produced from the center of the earth. Not only are the acoustic environments enhanced at these sacred sites, but the quality of water is also correspondingly enhanced to become crystalline. These profound findings reveal the sophisticated yet invisible technologies that enhance human consciousness and longevity at these sites – for those who choose to live close to spirit and purify their bodies to be bathed in the energy of the pyramids. The red light scattering of golden celestial waters induces DNA enhancement through heartbeat synchronization. The ancient Hopi wisdom echoes that maintained by the Maya, describing the imminent shift from the second phase of Creation, during which the sun has shone yellow, to the third phase of Creation during which the Earth is bathed in red light: "The third phase of Creation is the time of the red light, Talawva, the perfect light. Humanity then, having been fully formed and [crystallized,] proudly faces the Creator for the first time, to know the true warmth of love." While the Hopi prophecies ascribe no calendar date to the coming of the red light of the new solar age, their wisdom perfectly harmonizes with that of the Mayan culture, with its profound and complex calendar system providing the end date of December 22, 2012. What could possibly trigger the dramatic changes in human consciousness, involving a shift in the light reaching Earth's surface to a red hue? Solar physicists confirm the 11-year cycle of solar activity corresponds with the 2012 date, the last solar maximum having been recorded in 2001. At each solar maximum the sun's magnetic field reverses, but what could possibly induce the Earth's magnetic field to reverse with our sun? Recent stellar observations in 2009 reveal the hidden threads which link one star system's fate with another. A research team at UC Berkeley has recently reported data indicating the nearby red supergiant star Betelgeuse is shrinking in the process of imminent collapse: Betelgeuse is enshrouded by vast clouds of gas and dust, so measuring its size is difficult. To cut through this cocoon, Charles Townes of the University of California, Berkeley, and colleagues used a set of telescopes that are sensitive to a particular wavelength of the star's infrared light. The team used these instruments to measure the size of Betelgeuse's disc on the sky. Over a span of 15 years, the star's diameter seems to have declined from 11.2 to 9.6 AU (1 AU, or astronomical unit, is the distance from the Earth to the sun)... The cause for this reduction is unknown, as it is unclear how red supergiants behave near the end of their lives. One may easily identify similar patterns in the energy fluctuations of both red supergiant Betelgeuse and our own small yellow Sol. The contraction and collapse of Betelgeuse is being mirrored on the Sun, which has seen a prolonged period of spotless inactivity for the period of 264 days preceding the appearance of Sunspot 1024 in July of 2009. Both stars dimming together represents the contraction before the full strike of the wave, as the supernova's energy reaches the Earth. Plasma physicists proposing the Electric Universe theory have keenly observed the pulsed throughput of energy that generates the dynamics of stellar interactions, overturning the false notion of stars as independent thermonuclear generators with their own self-determined lifecycle. The lifecycles of stars are actually intertwined with the cycling waves of energy that traverse the spiral arms of our galaxy.Galactic waves are generated as pulsations of infrasound emitted from the center of our galaxy that traverse its arms, gaining momentum from the radiated energy of supernovae that are set off by the wave's influence in a chain of events moving outward. Red supergiant Betelgeuse, at the shoulder of the constellation Orion, is the nearest in a chain of supernovae events along the expanding wave front, and acts as our local indicator by which we can estimate the arrival time of the galactic wave. Further analysis of the data obtained by the UC Berkeley team should also provide the rate of acceleration of the stellar collapse and give us a fairly good estimate for the moment of supernova. Considering the fact that Betelgeuse is our close neighbour at about 600 light-years distance, this event has already occurred and the nova will be visible to us in just a few years time. So, when exactly will the electromagnetic wave hit Earth, and how will it affect us? Certainly, the Betelgeuse supernova will be seen as a major flash of light plainly visible even during the daylight hours. The 'nova may shine very brightly for many days. The more complex unfolding of events triggered by the supernova involve many factors not commonly understood by astrophysicists. For time indications of the potential hazards and benefits of these electromagnetic changes we must turn to the most ancient and most accurate calendar system known to man. Mayan wisdom gives us an exact date for the change of the ages (December 22, 2012), and an exact sign is given as well – the Red Sky.The Maya use of sacred celestial waters within the pyramids for healing and longevity is an open invitation to sacrifice the false comforts of urban society that disrupt the natural acoustic environment and isolate people from electrical contact with the Earth. Industrial man finds dissonance and disease in concrete boxes, whereas resonance and longevity are to be found in the celestial waters and barefoot lifestyle practiced at sacred sites. The Maya invite us all to come together as one: "The cycle of years is past - the waiting ended. Come - reunite, pilgrims, for the sky is in flames! From Xochicalco to Teotíhuacan the red spreads one step, another step, and another..." Yaqui Elder Don Juan spoke of waiting for the 2012 event during his teachings to cultural anthropologist Carlos Castaneda, stating emphatically: "[As seers] our case is a bit different, because we are at the end of our trail. We are not seeking anything... we go from day to day doing nothing. We are waiting. I will not tire of repeating this: we know that we are waiting and we know what we are waiting for. We are waiting for freedom!" The progressive energetic changes currently raising human consciousness will cause fear and panic only for those who are unprepared, while many spiritually awakened individuals have been preparing for the Purification Day. Apache Elder Stalking Wolf related his profound visions of the future in theProphecy of the Red Sky, received in the 1920s and later published by Tom Brown Jr.: Grandfather spent the next four days at the cave entrance, though for those four days nothing spoke to him, not even the Earth. He said that it was a time of great sorrow, of aloneness, and a time to digest all that had taken place. He knew that these things would not appear in his lifetime, but they had to be passed down to the people of the future with the same urgency and power with which they had been delivered to him. But he did not know how he would explain these unlikely events to anyone. Surely the elders and shamans of the tribes would understand, but not society, and certainly not anyone who was removed from the Earth and Spirit. He sat for the full four days, unmoving, as if made of stone, and his heart felt heavy with the burden he now carried. It was at the end of the fourth day that the third Vision came to him. As he gazed out onto the landscape towards the setting Sun, the sky suddenly turned to a liquid and then turned blood-red. As far as his eyes could see, the sky was solid red, with no variation in shadow, texture or light. The whole of Creation seemed to have grown still, as if awaiting some unseen command. Time, place and destiny seemed to be in limbo, stilled by the bleeding sky. He gazed for a long time at the sky, in a state of awe and terror, for the red colour of the sky was like nothing he had ever seen in any sunset or sunrise. The colour was that of man, not of Nature, and it had a vile stench and texture. It seemed to burn the Earth wherever it touched. As sunset drifted to night, the stars shone bright red, the colour never leaving the sky, and everywhere the cries of fear and pain were heard. Again, the warrior spirit appeared to Grandfather, but this time as a voice from the sky. Like thunder, the voice shook the landscape. "This, then, is the third sign, the night of the bleeding stars. It will become known throughout the world, for the sky in all lands will be red with the blood of the sky, day and night. It is then, with this sign of the third probable future, that there is no longer hope. Life on the Earth as man has lived it will come to an end, and there can be no turning back, physically or spiritually. It is then, if things are not changed during the second sign, that man will surely know the destruction of the Earth is at hand. It is then that the children of the Earth must run to the wild places and hide. For when the sky bleeds fire, there will be no safety in the world of man." Grandfather sat in shocked horror as the voice continued. "From this time, when the stars bleed, to the fourth and final sign, will be four seasons of peace [that is, one year]. It is in these four seasons that the children of the Earth must live deep in the wild places and find a new home, close to the Earth and the Creator. It is only the children of the Earth that will survive, and they must live the philosophy of the Earth, never returning to the thinking of man. And survival will not be enough, for the children of the Earth must also live close to the Spirit. So tell them not to hesitate if and when this third sign becomes manifest in the stars, for there are but four seasons to escape." Grandfather said that the voice and red sky lingered for a week, and then were gone as quickly as they were manifest. Apache Grandfather Stalking Wolf experienced visions of the dramatic changes that have since occurred, and are yet to come, providing us with the culminating event marking the emergence of a new solar era. However, there are multitudes of more subtle signs of these oncoming electromagnetic changes that can be understood only in this context. The effects of shifting gravity and enhanced electromagnetic fields have been documented all over world, especially in areas where we find pyramids, or megalithic structures. Research in Sevres, France has measured the subtle gravity change in their calibrated kg weight system, which is measurably offset to different degrees in different locations. These electromagnetic fields are focused by the axis-symmetric geometries of the pyramids of Giza, Egypt, thereby redistributing solar energy into a fixed global pattern of infrasound standing waves (below). These patterns of infrasound resonance have even been observed by satellite on the night of December 7-8, 2001, in the infrared spectrum. This invisible, prime force of Creation is heating waters through freezing winters in Minnesota, boiling seas off Sicilyand even acoustically levitating large sandstone boulders into tall trees in Limon andYellowwood State Parks in Indiana. Deeply resonant humming heard in these infrasound hotspots is continually generating millions of reports of disturbance and annoyance worldwide, with new telephone hotlines even fielding calls from concerned residents to quell the panic. Deep infrasound booms like heartbeats have been reported in Llanidloes, Mawnan, Bridlington, Auckland, Sydney, Klai, Ranchlands, and in the US in Anderson, Kimberley, Richmond, Wilmington, Knoxville, Mobile,Knob Noster, Denver, Seattle, Arroyo Grande and Atwater. What is initially perceived as an annoyance quickly becomes a clear and present danger, as the infrasound resonance starts to overload all metals and wires with electricity until the extreme heat ignites fires. As Stalking Wolf emphasizes, "when the sky bleeds fire, there will be no safety in the world of man." All of the modern electrical technologies of humanity will not only cease to function, but will endanger human beings by spontaneous combustion. The surprising ignition of plastic-sheathed copper wiring was first noted in 1859 when a massive solar ejection shorted out and then ignited telegraph lines across the entire United States and all of Europe, and auroras were seen as far south as Rome and Hawai'i. Periods of elevated infrasound resonance have generated hundreds of fires in homes across the world. These resonant fires are located in the nodes of an infrasound standing wave pattern that is increasing in intensity, eventually requiring the complete evacuation of residents from areas like Tenerife, Babura, Lalapansi, Mapuve, Bodibe, Landovica, Peschici, Berici,Messina, northern Greece, Kishtwar, Ratria, Santo Tomas, and in the US in Colorado Springs,San Mateo, and Santa Barbara. A grave danger to personal safety in these regions of infrasound resonance will be posed by cellphones, which will ignite spontaneously in the pockets of clothing, as discovered already by one unfortunate man in Vallejo, California. Such surprising events will be an inevitable occurrence in the years to come. One of the most interesting incidents of this kind recently occurred in Soesterberg, Netherlandswhere, on the morning of July 19, 2009, ball lightning descended on the town in an unprecedented series of events. Residents reported fast-moving ball lightning in more than 100 homes that sustained extensive damage to electrical systems. One eyewitness described a purple beam of light that shot skyward through the roof of one home. The fact that nobody was injured in Soesterberg is remarkable. Clearly, modern civilization's embrace of electrical wiring is becoming a dangerous trap in many parts of the world, eventually threatening to kill anyone who cannot return to a life close to spirit and in the natural places of the Earth. Even high above the planet, infrasound drumming has been reported on multiple occasions onboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2004 – the result of an infrasound resonance of standing waves that will inevitably destroy the station's systems as it has in many homes far below: The two men aboard the international space station heard a strange metallic sound again Friday, four months after being startled by it the first time... Cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri was talking to flight controllers in Moscow when he heard a loud drum-like noise coming from the instrument panel of the station's Russian-built living quarters. Kaleri and astronaut Michael Foale first heard the mystery noise - described as a flapping sheet of metal - back in late November. Neither the crewmen nor flight controllers were ever able to identify the sound... "It's very strange," Russian Mission Control said. "I doubt that it would be a coincidence that you're hearing the same thing coming from the same place." During a spacewalk in February, Kaleri and Foale were supposed to check the exterior of the space station where the noise originated last November. But Kaleri's spacesuit overheated and became damp, and the spacewalk had to be cut short, so the men did not have time to inspect the area.The fact that Kaleri's investigative spacewalk was not possible as his spacesuit overheated is another result of the electrical effects of the standing wave resonance. While the event has been passed off as the result of 'space junk', NASA directed a spacewalk mission that abruptly failed, yet no link has been drawn between the anomalous acoustic energy heard with the anomalous heating of the astronaut's spacesuit. The infrasound energy that is likely causing the noisy drumming and the overheating of the cosmonaut's spacesuit will likely recur for a longer duration, building an electrical charge capable of rendering the systems of the ISS inoperable. Hopi Elder White Feather relates a sacred prophecy describing the nine signs preceding the emergence of the new solar age on Earth – known to the Hopi as The Fifth World. The final sign clearly describes the destruction of the ISS as the last warning preceding the morning of the Red Dawn: "And this is the Ninth and Last Sign: You will hear of a dwelling-place in the heavens, above the earth, that shall fall with a great crash. It will appear as a blue star. Very soon after this, the ceremonies of my people will cease." "These are the Signs that great destruction is coming. The world shall rock to and fro. The white man will battle against other people in other lands -- with those who possessed the first light of wisdom. There will be many columns of smoke and fire such as White Feather has seen the white man make in the deserts not far from here. Only those which come will cause disease and a great dying." "Many of my people, understanding the prophecies, shall be safe. Those who stay and live in the places of my people also shall be safe. Then there will be much to rebuild. And soon - very soon afterward - Pahana will return. He shall bring with him the dawn of the Fifth World. He shall plant the seeds of his wisdom in their hearts. Even now the seeds are being planted. These shall smooth the way to the Emergence into the Fifth World." The Hopi prophecy details the order of events to occur, which can be deciphered when combined with the Mayan calendar wisdom which links the Red Dawn prophecy with the end date of 12.22.2012. Thus, the ISS may be interpreted as the sign of the Blue Star Katchina that precedes the 2012 event, like an alarm clock heralding its imminence. The Hopi tell that soon after the fall of the space station will come the appearance of the Red Star Katchina bringing the Day of Purification, when the skies in all lands of the Earth will bleed red. Hopi Elders describe this future cosmic event in simple and clear terms: "a small Red Star which will come very close and sit in our heavens watching us." Now, just wait a minute... stars are not known to wander around and sneak up on anyone! What exactly is being suggested by the Hopi? While it may come as a startling surprise for many, the Hopi description accurately reflects the scenario presented by the Binary Research Institute. Astrophysics is now coming to grips with the reality that our solar system is a binary star system - that we will imminently discover a dark star companion in close proximity to our sun. The binary model is the only one that predicts the extremely elliptical orbit of Sedna, which must be highly influenced by our sun's dark twin to maintain such an orbit. The Hopi sacred prophecies tell of the impending incandescence of a red star in the close vicinity of Earth, describing it as a revelation of the solar twins. The now hidden brown dwarf companion star will soon reach a critical proximity to the sun – its dormant surface will reignite, transforming it into a brilliant red star. The small size and dark brown color of the long-ago extinguished dark twin sun has allowed it to creep on its elliptical path back into close proximity of the solar system without our awareness, and its ignition will likely be triggered by the imminent wave front from the supernova of Betelgeuse. The red light of purification will emanate from this newly visible star, dramatically changing the color of our skies to a flaming red. This is referred to in the ancient wisdom as the Red Dawn of the forever cycle, where the consciousness and DNA of every living being will be transformed through the influence of the red light. Dr. Robert Ghostwolf and the Hopi Elders retell sacred traditional prophecies of the coming of the new world as an opportunity for the advancement of consciousness: The return of the Blue Star Katchina who is also known as Nan ga sohu will be the alarm clock that tells us of the new day and new way of life, a new world that is coming. This is where the changes will begin. They will start as fires that burn within us, and we will burn up with desires and conflict if we do not remember the original teachings, and return to the peaceful way of life. Not far behind the twins will come the Purifier, the Red Katchina, who will bring the Day of Purification. On this day the Earth, her creatures and all life as we know it will change forever. There will be messengers that will precede this coming of the Purifier. They will leave messages to those on Earth who remember the old ways. The messages will be found written in the living stone, through the sacred grains, and even the waters (Crop Circles have been found in ice). From the Purifier will issue forth a great Red Light. All things will change in their manner of being.

Every living thing will be offered the opportunity to change from the largest to the smallest thing. Those who return to the ways given to us in the original teachings, and live a natural way of life will not be touched by the coming of the Purifier. They will survive and build the new world. Only in the ancient teachings will the ability to understand the messages be found. It is important to understand that these messages will be found upon every living thing, even within our bodies, even within a drop of our blood. All life forms will receive the messages from the twins... those that fly, the plants, even the rabbit. The appearance of the twins begins a period of seven years and will be our final opportunity to change our ways. Everything we experience is all a matter of choice...When the Purifier comes we will see him first as a small Red Star which will come very close and sit in our heavens watching us. Watching us to see how well we have remembered the sacred teachings.This Purifier will show us many miraculous signs in our heavens. In this way we will know Creator is not a dream. Even those who do not feel their connection to spirit will see the face of creator across the sky. Things unseen will be felt very strongly. Many things will begin to occur that will not make sense, for reality will be shifting back in and out of the dream state. There will be many doorways to the lower world that will open at this time. Things long forgotten will come back to remind us of our past creations. All living things will want to be present for this day when time ends, and we enter the forever cycle of the Fifth World. We will receive many warnings allowing us to change our ways from below the Earth as well as above. Then, one morning in a moment, we will awaken to the Red Dawn. The sky will be the color of blood, many things will then begin to happen that right now we are not sure of their exact nature. For much of reality will not be as it is now. Hopi culture foretells invisible acoustic changes in the environment and in the hearts of human beings, as "things unseen will be strongly felt." The Elders inform us "the messages will be found written in the living stone, through the sacred grains, and even the waters (Crop Circles have been found in ice)."For decades now, conscious plasma orbs have been forming geometric messages in ice and grain fields, providing coherent mathematical formulas. The most complex quadratic functions were rendered in England, where the Mandelbrot Set [ zn+1 = zn2 + c ] appeared in Ickleton in 1991. Subsequent agroglyphs formed at Lurkley Hill in 2006 and Wayland Smithy in 2008 presented a variation on the fractal formula: [ zn+1 = zn2 ]. Remarkably, this formula exactly describes unusual IR satellite data from 2001. The sacred grains of England were also impressed with the value of Pi in 2008, in the form of a ratcheted spiral that accurately renders the first 10 digits (3.141592654...). The conscious plasma ball entities that form these stunning messages are offering advanced hyper-dimensional mathematics to human beings at this time in our spiritual development to prepare our consciousness for multi-dimensional awareness. The agroglyphs provide us with a map of the nodal points of infrasound standing wave patterns now being stimulated by increasing solar activity. The circle-makers have even provided a specific and unmistakable calendar date in a truly massive formation in Avebury, England in 2008, showing a precise configuration of all of the planets of the solar system – confirming the T'zolkin calendar of the Maya: Avebury Manor of July 15, 2008 reminds us that the Mayan Long Count calendar will end on December 23, 2012: by showing precise orbital locations for all nine planets of our solar system on that date, plus an accurate elliptical orbit for Pluto. The 5125-year Mayan Long count calendar will end on December 22-23, 2012. Given the long period of time which it represents, all nine planets of our solar system need to be shown in order to mark its end uniquely. Such a clever astronomical diagram was shown at Avebury Manor on July 15, 2008. All nine planets appear there precisely as they will be located in space four and one-half years from now on December 23, 2012... The indigenous Elders tell us that the messages of change will be received inside all living things, and each will be given an opportunity to change. Russian researchers have used infrasound and light waves to induce DNA transmutation, by which one species is genetically transmuted into another (Gariaev). This discovery provides a new framework for quantum leaps in evolution, whereby quantum shifts from high to low levels of planetary infrasound resonance regulate the expression of DNA in Earth's many
lifeforms. New animal species are being encountered that are a sign of planet-wide genetic transmutations now occurring in hotspots of infrasound humming. An unusual new species now recorded often is a mostly hairless variety of purple/grey-skinned canine dubbed the 'hyote' (hyena/coyote), photographed and videotaped in Minnesota, Maryland, Texas andSaudi Arabia. Sightings of various giant species of 'thunderbirds' have also been increasing around the world as species exhibit spontaneous DNA changes. These same infrasound-related DNA changes are expressed in extraordinary human beings who possess profound cosmic knowledge of their pristine origins and the unlimited holographic capabilities enabled by such knowledge. A shining example of this truth is a young woman from the taiga forests of Siberia named Anastasia who has mastered ayurveda – the art of living. Having inheriting the deepest of cosmic wisdom from her Vedruss forefathers, Anastasia provides us with the spiritual information that will germinate the seeds of human divinity now being planted in the fields of the Earth. The voices of the indigenous Elders of the world speak as one, revealing ancient Vedic knowledge of the transdimensional nature of human consciousness to guide our path of ascent into the red light of Oneness. Copyright 2009 Alexander Putney. Used by permission.

Sola Scriptura

2010-03-30T15:30:00.001-04:00

During Reformation, Protestants boast that they practice "sola
scriptura". Luther and Zwingli broke away from Catholic faith after
they study the Bible, thus discovering that many Catholic traditions
and teachings does not line up with the Bible. Anabaptism develops
during same time by insisting in keeping the original Bible
interpretations that was arrived by both Luther and Zwingli. They
want to literally obey the whole Bible, taking it to say exactly what
it says. Then Anabaptism spread throughout the Europe very quickly,
despite suffering persecution in hands of Lutherans, Protestants, and
Catholics.

Today, most Christians want to follow and obey the whole Bible.
Unfortunately, there are so many groups, that it is enough to confuse
the sincere seeker. How can we know which Christian are truly
following and obeying the whole Bible? As I delve into the
Scriptures, observing different faiths within the Christian world,
taking note how seriously each of them want to follow the whole Bible,
I was surprised how many of them are lopsided in sense of Biblical
interpretation.

Be prepared to face the facts, even if it may be uncomfortable. What
good can come from avoiding the unpleasant facts? By facing the
facts, we can arrive to pleasant unity within Christian faith. What
would this world be like if every Christian became unified?

One ex-Mennonite was asked if he believes in nonresistance. After a
long pause, he said that depends on how we define nonresistance. What
did Matthew 5:21-26 say alongside with verses 35-45 in same chapter?
Note, if practiced, you will be answering your own prayer if you
prayed Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:10b.

Charismatic Christians say that Mark 16:16-18 proves that you are not
saved until you speak in tongues. Yet, how many of them literally
obey 1 Corinthians 11:1-15? Other groups believes that 1 Corinthians
11 is for our day, yet would hasten to say that Mark 16:16-18 is for
the early church. If both kinds of Christians are right, where in the
Bible say which part of the Bible is for our day and what is for the
early church?

Some groups believe that 2 Corinthians 6:11-18 applies to every area
of their lives. Thus they become known as Plain People. If they
interpret that part accordingly, do they interpret all other teachings
in the Bible accordingly as well? What about 1 John 2:28, Luke 17:21,
Hebrews 8:6-13, and other similar verses? Don't forget John 10:10b
here.

How many Christians thought about that Ephesians 4:6 can support
pantheism? Or that Hebrews 7-8 clearly says that Jesus is our Perfect
Example and applies that to John 14:12, which can prove Mark 16:16-18?
What about John 14:6 and John 14:21? Would that affirms we are
created in the image of the great I AM, the idea derived from Genesis
1:26,27 alongside with Exodus 3:14? Summing up these thoughts in this
paragraph, would that prove the truth in Jesus' quoting Psalms 82:6 in
John 10:34?

Many Christians believed that both 1 Corinthians 11:1-15 and Mark
16:16-18 are not really applying to modern church, an action that
Hebrews 8:13 can fully support. Since there is no statement in the
Bible proving which and what are for when, what about homosexuality or
cohabiting unmarried couples? As we think about this, did we also
think about Matthew 7:1-5 alongside with 15-20 in same chapter?
Remember, as Christians, we want to obey the whole Bible!

MOM'S EMPTY CHAIR

2010-03-23T14:36:00.001-04:00

A woman's daughter had asked the local minister

To come and pray with her mother.

When the minister arrived,

He found the woman lying in bed with her head

Propped up on two pillows.

An empty chair sat beside her bed.

The minister assumed that the woman

Had been informed of his visit.

'I guess you were expecting me, he said.

'No, who are you?' said the mother.

The minister told her his name and then remarked,

'I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew

I was going to show up..'

'Oh yeah, the chair,' said the bedridden woman.

'Would you mind closing the door?'

Puzzled, the minister shut the door.

'I have never told anyone this,

Not even my daughter,' said the woman.

'But all of my life I have never

Known how to pray.

At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer,

But it went right over my head.'

I abandoned any attempt at prayer,'

The old woman continued, '

Until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me,

' Prayer is just a simple matter

Of having a conversation with Jesus.

Here is what I suggest.

'Sit down in a chair;

Place an empty chair in front of you,

And in faith see Jesus on the chair.

It's not spooky because he promised,

'I will be with you always'.

'Then just speak to him in the same way

You're doing with me right now.'

'So, I tried it and I've liked it so much

That I do it a couple of hours every day.

I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking

To an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown

Or send me off to the funny farm.'

The minister was deeply moved by the story and

Encouraged the old woman to continue on the journey.

Then he prayed with her, anointed her with oil,

And returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called

To tell the minister that her ;mama

Had died that afternoon.

Did she die in peace?' he asked.

Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock,

She called me over to her bedside,

Told me she loved me and kissed me on the cheek.

When I got back from the store an hour later,

I found her .

But there was something strange about her death.

Apparently, just before Mom died,

She leaned over and rested her head on the chair

Beside the bed. What do you make of that?'

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said,

'I wish we could all go like that.'

Just send this to four people or more,

And do not break this, please.

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.

I asked God for water, He gave me an ocean.*

I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.*

I asked God for a friend, He gave me all of YOU...

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.

Difficult moments, seek God.

Quiet moments, worship God

Painful moments, trust God..

Every moment, thank God.

Just Stay

2010-03-23T14:20:00.001-04:00

Just Stay

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.

'Your son is here,' she said to the old man.

She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened..

Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw
the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent.

He reached out his hand.

The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp
ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.

All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lit
ward, holding the old man's hand and whispering words of love and
strength.

The nurse suggested he move away and rest awhile.

But he refused.

Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her
and of the noises in the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank,
the laughter of the night staff exchanging greetings, the cries and
moans of the other patients.

Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words.

The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Towards early dawn, the old man died.

The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went
to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited
patiently.

Finally, she returned.

She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.

'Who was that man?' he asked.

The nurse was startled, 'He was your father,' she answered.

'No, he wasn't,' the Marine replied.

'I never saw him before in my life.'

'Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?'

'I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed
his son, and his son just wasn't here.

When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his
son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed.'

The next time someone needs you .... just be there. Stay.

******************************
WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.

WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
(I love this line)

THIS IS WHAT WE ARE PUT ON THIS EARTH TO DO ANYWAY.

RIGHT ?

March 14, 2010

2010-03-16T14:52:00.001-04:00

Today is Russel's birthday, and I am trying to think what I can do to make it more special. Maybe I should do nothing. Gilson says that the older you get, the less important birthdays are to you. I agree--but it don't work for me. I reminded him of Romans 14 where it says that some man esteem one day above other and some people esteem every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. I wish I would have thought of that verse when my father ask if New Year's Day is more special than any other day. For my father, holidays and any other event is meaningless, but for my sister and me, we like to have special days. One thing I notice that it is usually emotionally sensitive that enjoy special days! Gilson is not very emotional being, so birthdays are meaningless to him.

Those who use Rod & Staff Sunday School books for their Sunday School would know what I am talking about last Sunday. It talks about Jacob's last words to his sons, and how Levi is hard man, but it is Levites who is on Lord's side when Moses called out in the din of golden calf worship. It is priests who came to faith in Acts. What I see is that people don't change when they became Christians--they only channel their same temperaments or personality type into right places which make them seem totally different than before!

I thought about my life. I used to be a crybaby, overreacting to everything. I think about committing suicide countless times, but never had a heart to actually do it. I wouldn't be surprised there are some people who think I am a bad boy through and through. I was much like Reuben who is unstable. Finally frustrated at myself, I decided to study the opposite temperament or personality. One thing I learn that people do like consistency. When I finally understood that God made all four personality types, and that they each have their good points, I start learning about spiritual life much faster. It is only next month when I finally understood self-denial, then the following month I recognize the value of emotions!

In Sunday School class, one gave answer that our emotions are not dependable. That is true--only if you don't stop and think why do you feel that way! I believe that is the spiritual meaning of self-denial. Jesus even begs us to count the cost. (Luke 14:25-35) Now I am working on being very conscious of my feelings and still work toward "substituting" my negative feelings for positive ones. Jesus told Glenda few times that if she would listen to her heart and understand the Bible through her heart, she would understand the Bible to say exactly what God wants it to say--regardless of mistranslations.

When I heard that there was a deaf boy in Belize who ran off with a girl, I suspect that the mission is not giving him what he needs. When I finally found out who it is, I knew that boy is emotional person. I found a old website talking about deaf mission school in Belize and how that same boy says he like that for his home because he feel loved there. Why can't he stay feeling loved?

Sunday morning, David Halteman preached about the importance of trust in brotherhood. Jared Petre afterward testified that how can there be any brotherhood if there is no trust? When I heard David preached on trust, I realize that is basically same as letting go! Not long ago, I got a message about a small girl on airplane. After the announcement over the loudspeaker that everyone must be belted and be ready to escape if anything go wrong while the airplane go through the turbulence, everyone became very apprehensive--except that one little girl. After the safe landing, a pastor ask the girl how can she do it. She answered, "How can I not be? Daddy is the pilot and he is taking me home." Total trust, total surrender, total childlikeness! I suspect that is the secret of longevity as I check over my limited personal knowledge of centenarians. I even ask Lyndon Risser about his Grandmother (whom the book, Vera's Journey, is about) and he said that she love blood-clogging food up until the last. She didn't go on any special diet. But as I read along in the book, the more I suspect that if that is actually her--she obviously trust totally. She is willing to surrender all the way. She is willing to trust and let go. Then she live over hundred years.

If everyone would completely let go and treat each other with love and trust, how much better would this world be? Would that not be creating the foretaste of heaven here on earth exactly like we pray for, when we pray Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."?

From now on, I decided to limit my e-newsletter list to only those who don't have Internet access. That would leave only three names on the list. I did think of eliminating the list altogether, but decided that it wouldn't be fair to those who don't have Internet access, as I will continually post blogs on deafdemophile.blogspot.com and that same blog will appear in notes in Facebook. I am liking Facebook much better than email, because it seems like no one is really answering my update emails with their update emails. Also, I believe it is really part of my personality--I like to be a listener to any conversation than doing the talking, and Facebook allow me to do that. I can look at other people's pictures even if it is not specialized for me to look at and I can read other people's conversations and insert my thoughts at times.

If you want to keep posted with my updates and you have internet access, I think there is a way you can subscribe to my blog or note in my Facebook. Sometimes I post things that I don't send through my update email, simply because I want to keep them on file as they are interesting tidbits and facts I like to keep. Or if you have Gmail, you can always use Buzz, a new kind of social network that will inform you whenever I posted anything new in my blog. I have a special email that I include in my e-newsletter list, that will post directly into the blog, and I have Facebook set to automatically upload every new blog. So far, I have not lost any files using Google features. I even have an email that can send directly to my Google documents and then I can do editing right there on Google Documents and then I can email from Documents to any name I have on my Gmail contact list. Now you can see why I really like Google features!

March 13, 2010

2010-03-16T14:43:00.001-04:00

My, how time flies! Tomorrow is Russel Petre's birthday, and I am remembering he have brothers that have birthday in March. The problem is: which day?

I am thinking much these days, but I guess I always have. Especially since I learn that it is a great joy to be a Christian and no man have the power to take it away from me. The only power anyone can have over me is deception, because we believe that truth will set us free. I am very much look forward to the day when we all are redeemed and vindicated by our Heavenly Father.

If perfect love cast out fear, and doubt feel much like fear, then what room is there for us to be skeptical? Is there any conditions found in the Bible that it is okay to be skeptical? Is there any such commandment that we are to doubt? If we believe and pursue truth, would we be easily swayed by deception? Thanks to Leonard Eby's message as mentioned in my last email/blog/note, I learn there is a statement in the Bible about confidence! The reason that caught me off guard was because I had figured that confidence is not in the Bible. Why else would some Christians talk against self-confidence and say we should be God-confident? Finally, can we say there is any difference?

"Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)..." (2 Corinthians 5:6,7) While I was using concordance, I notice there is other verse: "A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident." (Proverbs 14:16) It is no wonder that most English-speaking Christians fear sin, because there are verses in the Bible that say so in English! Well, I won't say more on this subject as I believe in "let[ing] every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." (Romans 14:5b)

When I heard about my deaf Belizean friends eloped, I couldn't help but wonder. What did we do wrong? What did we do that "push" him away from love, truth, and goodness? I know for myself that, when I feel derivated from something I need, I will react, rebel, and whatever you want to name it. If you feel void in your heart, what should you do to fill it? If you believe there is an answer in your parent, church, or some strong Christian, what would you do if no one gave what you need?

I often thought about Jesus' words, "Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath." (Matthew 13:12) While I was hunting so hard for this verse, not remembering the exact words or phrases to find it, I found other verse with similar wording, although in very different context, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." (John 15:2) The first one was why Jesus use parables. The second one was talking about unfruitfulness. Anyway, the first verse is what I often think about--that can also explain why there are some unmarried people who long to get married. There is something about them that their love is not sufficient. There is something about them that no one attract to them. Until he finally learn the art of true loving, then he is ready to get married. At that appointed moment, God send him what he needs. In same way, I am thinking about why people are not sending me updates about their lives. Is there something about me that people don't want to share?

Now back to my Belizean friends, what are they derivated of that make them act like that? I strongly suspect it is because they have the same problem I have--the feeling of not being wanted or needed. Whenever I feel that, then I can either become aggressive or go into my shell. I shared my idea with my friend once about deaf school in Belize and that it should be run by deaf staff, he didn't say anything specifically to that. Forgive me, but I do suspect that he don't agree with it, because he talks about Bait of Satan. I would like to read that book and see if it would move me to love God more. Does it make a married man or woman to love God more than their spouse? Or does it generate fear against doing a wrong thing? To what point is fear permissible? If loving God with our whole being is the primary law (Matthew 22:37-40), then is there still some room for fear? If we understand that fearing God means respecting Him for who He is, then should we respect sin? Now, let's catch our breath and rethink: what is the right way to think or say in order to get the right answers we are looking for?

Suppose if we give people what make them feel fulfilled, how much sin would they commit? We can be thankful that we are living in Information Age, because we have no reason to be ignorant about anything. Those who watch Chuck Norris's TV shows about Texas Rangers would learn the benefit of giving criminals some community service. Often the rangers give them freedom for doing good work. Or if you watch the old black-and-white movie, Boys' Town, you will get the same impression. Wouldn't you think Jesus would have done the same thing? Ah, that is why I am increasingly thinking, "Even so, come Lord Jesus." His second coming would bring a grand finale of redemption and vindication!

I also noticed that some people quickly reply that they don't believe it. If we don't believe it, would that make it any less true? Wouldn't it be much better if we stop and reconsider what the speaker is saying? In what way would we be as peacemakers, as we want to be called the children of God? (Matthew 5:9) I stopped the Bible Study with the ministry, because I got tired of structural study. I want unlimited and unstructured Bible Study. I have already study Bible Doctrines and why Mennonites believe. Now I want to study why other groups don't observe Mennonite doctrine. I want to know why they don't see it in the Bible. I want to learn the "Zero Point" where all Christians agree on. I want to be a peacemaker, because I want to be a child of God. I want to be easy to be entreated, peaceable, gentle, merciful, impartial, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17) Notice impartiality--that also includes the perspective of others outside our group! Also notice without hypocrisy--that also includes not being false to oneself.

Well, I am just thinking--thinking--thinking--

March 8, 2010

2010-03-09T15:31:00.001-05:00

It sure is feeling spring-like these days. Will I have to let go my dream of a winter that broke records?

Leonard Eby preach Sunday morning about Abundant Life versus Pleasure of Sin. What impress me is the meaning of "versus". To me, that is a better word than comparing or judging. It give appearance of opposites, but not really. That is exactly what I think about God and Satan.

I was thinking about losing your life in order to find it. The more I thought about it, the more I find it very meaningful.

I finish reading Halley's Bible Handbook. It is so fascinating, that it almost tempt me to be a Messanic Jew. It make me love the Bible more, realizing that in the Bible is wealth of wisdom that I grew up missing. At same time, I am reading through the Bible in one year, so I am in Deuteronomy right now. Reading through Halley's Bible Handbook makes me think about the first 5 book in the Bible, or we can call it Torah. My mother said she don't see how the Levite priests can remember all that law, but I think they can. If loving God is the primary law, and the Ten Commandment secondary, it is much easier to remember everything else.

The reason people couldn't comprehend is because they are trying to master the whole Bible. Most of what is in the Bible is just details. It have history to show how things happen and why. It has poems or songs. It has prophecy. All of the Old Testament give the groundwork for New Testament. The New Testament give the groundwork for us. But to make life easier, let us focus and make real the necessary points, especially the primary law as found in Matthew 22:37-40. Then build from there.

Writer's Conference is coming up on first weekend in April at CLP. My problem in going is that would I have an interpreter? I don't want an interpreter who is going as a attendent. I want an interpreter who is willing to be my right-hand servant the whole time there at Christian Light Publication.

I got to see pictures from 2008-2009 year at CDI. I saw a picture of David Oberholzter, and I remember he did enjoy visit there for a short time. My sister, Susan, was there from January to June 2009. There even is some pictures of me and I was only there the last two weeks.

Those pictures and videos of CDI really make me to re-think of going. I know I once say I wouldn't go to CDI again. Since I understood what it means to live a Christian life, especially the fact that I am no longer moody and melancholy, I can enjoy being at CDI. I know I told Joel before I left to go back home that I still don't feel ready or willing. At that time, I am not too sure how everything is. I am glad I didn't go this year, because I am not as ready as I am now. I probably wouldn't learn what I need to learn if I went. I don't know. All I know is I feel I am in God's will.

If it is God's will for me to go to CDI again, so be it. I am ready, willing, and able--after I get my investment return.

Oops, for some of you who wonder what CDI is--that is Cayo Deaf Institute near Spanish Lookout in Belize.

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

February 27, 2010

2010-02-27T11:38:00.001-05:00

I was reading Halley's Bible Handbook last few days, and found it very fascinating. It confirms two things that I learned from my most favorite books beside the Bible, Love Without End: Jesus Speaks and The Keys of Jeshua. On page 410, first paragraph or section, it is known that Aramaic was the language used by common people in Jesus' day. I also read about that Joshua is the Hebrew spelling whereas Jesus is the Greek spelling. One thing that I wonder is that if Joshua and Jeshua is the Hebrew spelling and Hebrew language have no vowels, could that means that Joshua and Jeshua is pronunced the same way in Hebrew tongue? Other thing I thought about is Spanish pronouncation of "Jesus" wouldn't be too far off from Aramiac pronouncation of "Jeshua"! So the English tongue has changed drastically since Indo-European beginnings in Latin and Greek!

And I thought about Washington-Franklin Mennonite Conference have the mission in Ethopia and they are learning to speak Aramaic. Frankly, upon learning the above, I wish I could learn Aramaic. According to Halley's Bible Handbook, on same page, second paragraph or section, they did have Aramaic translation of Old Testament! I wonder if today's version is same as that?

Yesterday, I read the new issues of Companions. I suppose most of you don't get those Sunday School papers from Christian Light Publications, and maybe some of you get Companions as part of your Sunday School papers. If the latter is the case for you, you won't get the papers until April. I was very intrigued by my reaction to the stories therein.

When I read the stories, I felt it was bit too primitive or something like that. If I would say that to some staunch Mennonites, they may response that I am rejecting the message. Maybe I am. Yet, that philosophy don't satisfy me why I react like that. I would enjoy those stories back in those days when I am struggling in my Christian life. It is no longer the case now.

According to the story based on the teachings from Martyr's Mirror that today are more dangerous than in Anabaptistic days, I believe that the time is always "dangerous" ever since the Fall of man. I got a message from my South African friend about his thoughts on King David's mistake of counting his soldiers, not fully trusting in God. I replied back, inviting him to observe the same pattern in King David's mistake and in Eve taking the forbidden fruit as well as the fall of Lucifer. They all start to think differently than simply accept things as they are. Since the Fall, man always struggles with accepting the reality. We all know we are to "fear" and "love" God, which means we are to respect Him. When we no longer accept the reality, we also lose respect of God in who He is. My feelings of those Companions stories is that they are good for those of lower consciousness.

Recently I read something that scientists are finding that there are same kind of cells in the heart as there is in the brain! That shouldn't surprise us, if we consider that God is love and He want every man to come to repentance, and we also think about many people died lost, why wouldn't God create man in such a way that man could know Him without the means of having access to the Bible or any other religious training? Ever notice that whenever you feel downcast, where does it hurt? In the heart area, of course! You are THINKING negative, so why can't you FEEL hurt in your head? In same way, whenever you feel happy, you feel blissful in the heart area, not in the head. So, isn't it any wonder when we start THINKING, we lose touch with our heart. No longer do we have to feel sad or guilty for all those lost souls that we cannot reach. We the human race are all the same. Sure, we should evangelize the world, but I believe that evangelism is more for our good than for anyone else. When we share our thoughts, we become more convinced with them. We know that we should all increase in faith, so let us share our thoughts! In same way, when we cease to evangelize, the more legalistic we will become as we can see in Amish or similar settings. 2 Corinthians 3:6 fit well here and also the fact that the list of laws are the result of THINKING!

It snowed a bit last night, but I am jealous of those in West Virginia and New York having more than we do. One Saturday, Julia and I went to Family library, owned by Mennonite women. I found the book about the blizzard in 1888 and wish for other experience of that. If we could have that kind of experience now, then Washington County could have two records in one winter--the largest snowfall and the snowiest winter! It happens in middle of March, so that is not here yet.

Today is February 27, 2010, so that means my Aunt Edith is now 103 years old! And it is 3 years since the collapse in stock market at Wall Street. Our lifestyle haven't change much, but our money value is fast losing. I wouldn't mind seeing America tumble. It happens to Roman Empire, so why wouldn't it happened to us? We overextend our means.

I was thinking other day that with horse and carriage, we would be able to go through the snow. Much better than cars. And at Bible Study we are having every Wednesday evening this winter, we have discussed about that when you buy a new car, it lose it value. I thought about that don't happen with horses. In fact, the horses can reproduce and we can have free colts! So, with all those modern conveniences we enjoy, they are not all peach and cream. We will eventually overextend ourselves by having them.

From reading Halley's Bible Handbook and also from reading my devotions by reading the whole Bible through in one year, I have read the first three books so far, and I was so intrigued by Mosaic Laws. They are truly common sense and very benefical to every one. Just think, if we become broke that we have to sell ourselves into slavery, every 7 years, we can be freed and start all over again. Wouldn't that means if we work for a master, we would gain experience? Then we have chance to put our knowledge to work? Maybe I am wrong about 7 years in this case, as I remember they also have Jubliee Year every 50 years. I would have to read it again to be sure, but you know what I meant. I always did think it would be fun to have wide variety of experiences, and being a butler for awhile would certainly add to life's experiences.

Everything for me is going well. Everything is same. I still work in bakery and then take naps and read books the rest of the day. Of course, I go to library every time it opens to check my email and Facebook. Since I found out my car tags are long expired, I am "stranded" at home. The only time I get away is when I ride along with my family. So I no longer go to other libraries, but the one in the town, only two blocks from my home, and they open only on Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday. That is why I often find a longer list of unread emails on Tuesday afternoon than any other times.

Well, maybe the only problem I am having is that I am feeling restless.
--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

Fwd: Fw: FreshMail

2010-02-24T14:29:00.001-05:00

> "Don't worry, be happy"
>
> Good advice for a longer life?
> Findings published in the European Heart Journal make the claim that
> being happy and naturally optimistic actually cuts the risk of
> developing heart problems.
>
> Researchers found that those who are generally content and
> enthusiastic have a better chance of keeping their heart healthy. They
> claim this is the first study to find such a strong link between
> positive emotions and a lower risk of heart disease and to reveal the
> potentially damaging effects of pessimistic thoughts and long-term
> negativity.
>
> Lead researcher Dr Karina Davidson claimed it might be possible to
> help prevent heart disease by boosting positive emotions and called
> for more clinical trials in the area. She said, 'If the trials support
> our findings, then these results will be incredibly important in
> describing specifically what clinicians and patients could do to
> improve health.'
>
> Might be possible?
>
> More clinical trials?
>
> What clinicians and patients could do?
>
> Give me a break!
>
> When is western, reductionistic, separate-the-mind-and-body medicine
> ever going to catch up with what the great spiritual teachers and
> quantum physicists have already discovered? We ARE our thoughts. Our
> hearts (and every other organ in the body) cannot possibly be
> disconnected from what we think and believe.
>
> It simply isn't possible, and never has been.
>
> Barb Jarmoska

Repent

2010-02-23T14:24:00.001-05:00

"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Both John the Baptist and Jesus said at the beginning of their ministry in various ways. (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15)

Why so sudden and so early in the ministry? Throughout the Old Testament, God called the Israel to repent, then in New Testament, it seems like Jesus call individual repentance. That is not much different than what Ezekiel 18 is saying, "...the soul that sinneth, it shall die." (verse 4b)

Could the reason be that Biblical terms of surrender, submission, obedience, and such is much same as losing one's life in order to find it? Notice the Biblical teaching on nonresistance in Matthew 5:38-48. Isn't that same as accepting whatever comes? Then think about Jesus saying we are to be as children. (Matthew 18:3-5; Mark 10:14,15; Luke 18:16) Also notice that Jesus called his followers as sheep. (Matthew 25:31-46; John 10:1-18)

Have you ever notice the similar connotations between children and sheep? It is obvious that they both accept each other as they are! They don't judge each other by testing each other first to see if other is trustworthy. They forgave each other much more quickly and forget each other's wrongs. They even tolerate each other's selfishness, although they don't always give into each other's wishes. They always allow each other to be an individual. They don't label each other—not even think about what religion they are of.

Notice the examples in Jesus Christ. He makes Himself of no reputation. (Philippians 2:7) He turns Himself into the form of servant. (Philippians 2:7) He is humble and obedient. (Philippians 2:8) Notice that Philippians 2:1-12 shows the pattern of sowing and reaping in Jesus' case. He surrenders Himself completely unto us and reaps all of us under Him. Verse 5 calls us to have the mind of Christ.

Fitting all above into one single thought, we can say with Apostle Paul when he said about his Pharisaical upbringing in Philippians 3:4-8. Jesus emptied Himself and became like us. We should empty ourselves so we can win Christ.

Jesus calls us to consider carefully in Luke 14:25-35. Notice that he follow that parable after his teaching that we are to "hate" our family! Does that include those of us who have very good homes where we grew up? What about being Christian because our parents are Christians? What about being a member of a specific group because our parents taught us that way?

Now, don't overreact. Let your moderation be known to all man. (Philippians 4:5) Why? Because the Lord is at hand. Be honest with everyone—including yourself, see Luke 8:15 in its context. Notice Jesus said about the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Just look at Matthew 19:29,30. Then look the following chapter, Matthew 20:1-16.

Did you notice that the angels announced the birth of Jesus to common shepherds? (Luke 2:8-20) Jesus chose most of his twelve from among common fishermen of Galilee. Even one is a despised tax collector. The wise men from the East are just like all those mentioned men—none of them are Bible scholars! Is that what Jesus meant about that the last shall be first? The less pet interpretations, doctrines, and dogmas we have, the better. Children and sheep have none of these.

How would that account to the fact that the well-educated contributed much to the Bible? Moses wrote 5 first books of the Bible and some Psalms. Paul wrote 13 books out of 27 books in New Testament. Being well-educated in Mosaic law, Paul still have to empty himself. He went as far to renounce all rites that God gave to Moses and leave us much fewer rites than the Jews have to put up with. That would make it seem it is good for us to be well-educated, but we must remember that everything is subject to change.

Wouldn't that agree with the fact that God is God of living? See Matthew 22:32. Dead Sea is "dead," because the freshwater Sea of Galilee flows into the Jordan River that carries water into the Dead Sea without any outlet. Wouldn't that make sense how an unchangeable God can also be a God of change? Water is still water, whether it is moving or not; it just lose it freshness by not moving! Notice that the fundamental laws of life are same from the book of Genesis all the way to Revelation. It is just the external forms that change.

Did you know that repentance in Greek means complete change in one's mind? In other words, dare to think different! The conclusions you arrive may be same as others, but at least you are thinking for yourself. You think as an individual, not as part of a mob. Wouldn't that explain how Prince of Peace could bring a sword? (Matthew 10:32-41) That is when you can be more receptive to what God want to teach you. None of favoring certain parts of the Bible but all of it equally. John the Baptist and Jesus both are preparing their followers to be open to whatever they want to teach. Did you ever truly repent?

Christians who follow their Christian parents' footsteps will have harder time being sure if they ever truly repent. The same is true of any other religion. Those will be last and least in the kingdom of God. Why? Because they have too much "baggage" of unnecessary knowledge as that "the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21), and also because, Apostle John can say, "Ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1 John 2:27) Also Proverbs 12:3 said, "The root of the righteous shall not be moved." It sure seems like we need no religion! The only primary "religion" required of us is to accept and respect everything as it is, and to have a relationship with everything and everyone like you would with yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40 in view of John 1:3 and Genesis 1,2. This also supports Proverbs 12:10, Leviticus 19:14, Matthew 5:44 and other similar teachings. This way, we can react and response toward everything around us like pantheists and yet believes like monotheists, simply because we only deify the invisible cause-cause rather than the changeable, temporal, and visible things in existence!)

For more like this, you can send $10 via PayPal to deafdemophile@gmail.com for a e-book that consolidates the whole Bible and make it understandable--and liberating for everyone!

Re: 37 Things abt me

2010-02-13T09:24:00.001-05:00

Learn 37 things about your friends, and let them learn 37 things about you!
Send back to me and to several more friends!
******************

1. Do you like Blue cheese dressing ? kinda
2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? No
3. Do you own a gun? No
4. What flavor Kool-Aid was your favorite? Dunno. Maybe Grape? That was years ago.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not the last time which is years ago.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Love them
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Dunno
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Usually drink water
9. Can you do pushups? Yes, I can.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? necklace.

11. What's your favorite Scripture or wise saying? "How good is life, the mere living!"

12. Do you have A.D.D.? Huh?
13. Do you wear glasses? no
14. Middle name? Ray
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment: Belize, more snow, and more wealth.

16. Name 2 or 3 drinks you regularly drink? water, not much else.
17.  Current worry? Why worry?
18. Current hate right now?  the deceived and the deceiver
19. Favorite place to be? C&O towpath
20. How did you bring in the New Year? Running around and eating popcorn balls
21. Where would you like to go? Europe
22. Name 3 people who will complete this. I ain't no prophet
23. Do you own slippers?  Yes
24. What color shirt are you wearing?  Purple/blue checkered western style
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Haven't experience that yet
26. Can you whistle?   Yep
27. Where are you now? Sharpsburg library
28. Would you be a pirate? It does sound romantic according to those museums, but the real life, especially in storm, it wouldn't be that much fun.
29. What songs do you sing in the shower/bath? I don't sing
30. Favorite girl's Name? Ivy
31. Favorite boy's name? Horace
32. What's in your pocket right now?  USB storage
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Snow Buddies, that's a good movie
34. What vehicle do you drive? 2004 Hyuandi Elantra.
35. Worst injury you've ever had? When I am lame from the fall at 5 something years old?
36. Do you love where you live? I do love my beautiful room
37. How many TVs do you have in your house? Does laptop count?

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

January 30, 2009

2010-01-30T10:17:00.001-05:00

It has been a long time since I wrote an update on my life. It was mostly because there is hardly any change since I last written. I still work in the bakery. I still live at home. Nothing new.

The only major difference probably would be the invisible. I just finish writing a book to meet my satisfaction. I was also pleased that the new version have only 59 pages, while the old version has 92 pages. I did hope that would be enough to make a pocket-size book, but of course we will see. Jean is being my editor, but she is busy woman, living in Guatemala and all.

Grandmother will be moving to old people's home on February 10. I am so glad that it worked out, because she is getting too feeble thus becoming too much for her own children to handle her at home. Our family would be glad to keep her--if my mother wouldn't have to worry about bakery and my sister Julia wouldn't have back injury. Still, Grandmother would enjoy company with other widows like her. Plus, we can visit her and our great great aunts at one place!

At the end of December, Aunt Bertha turned 100. That means two sisters are still living together for 100 years! Aunt Edith will become 103 at the end of February--if she live that long, of course. My sister, Susan urge me to write a book about them. I wrote up a questionnaire, but I am too slow to mail it out yet. I did bit study on their history with what I have, and their father was a deacon at Millers Church and he died in 1930. I tried to imagine how it affect those girls to lose their father and then Great Depression hit them so soon after. Their uncle was a bishop. Their great grandfather was a bishop.

So that means I am descended from church leaders in several ways!

The weather was warm for awhile, but now it is cold again. Yesterday evening I felt need to go on a walk, so I decided to don two coats, headgear with built-in earmuff, and ski gloves that Lisa gave me two or more years ago. I was comfortable enough with a freezing face. When I got back into the house, my legs got warm and then tingled from "thawing"!

Everything else, I am all fine, just wishing for more snow...and dreaming about Belize....

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

I couldn't help but share this poem!

2010-01-22T15:52:00.001-05:00

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

And why's everyone so quiet,
So sombre - give me a clue.
"Hush, child, "He said, "they're all in shock...
No one thought they would be seeing YOU!"

JUDGE NOT. Remember...

Merely going to church doesn't make you a Christian, any more than standing in your garage makes you a car!

Every saint has a PAST, Every sinner can have a bright FUTURE

With thanks to A.S. Fernando

HANDBOOK 2010

2010-01-14T14:16:00.001-05:00

This was forwarded to me, and I couldn't help but pass it on.

Health:
1.       Drink plenty of water.
2.       Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.       Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4.       Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5.       Make time to pray.
6.       Play more games
7.       Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8.       Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9.       Sleep for 7 hours.
10.    Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about....
12.    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13.    Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip..
16.    Dream more while you are awake
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....

Society:
25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything..
28.    Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.    GOD heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change...
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come..
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.    Your Innermost is always happy. So, be happy.

Combining The Law of Attraction & The Golden Rule

2010-01-13T14:35:00.001-05:00

by Ian Paul Marshall

Most people nowadays know of the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Below you'll find this statement interpreted all throughout the ages through all the major spiritual traditions of the world.

But for now lets look at how we can combine the Law of Attraction and the Golden Rule to get some amazing results.

The Law of Attraction can be explained as, "Like attracts like." or "What you think about you bring about." or "The vibrational output that you resonate with will draw to you like frequencies."

The Law of Attraction applies to more than our thoughts. The Law of Attraction applies to:

Our thoughts
Our words
Our actions
Our emotional set-point

But what if we see the world as nothing other than a reflection ourselves. So that when we see another person, we when speak to them, or when we do something for them, in truth, we set the Law of Attraction in motion and we truly are effecting our own lives.

Then we'll have no separation. Then we can apply the Law of Attraction & The Golden Rule in a new creative way. We can use the power of expressing ourselves within the world not only to benefit each other but for the ultimate purpose of benefiting ourselves.

The Law of Attraction & The Golden Rule Applied:

If you want more money in your life then share the money you have.
If you want more support then be supportive.
If you want friendship then be a friend.
If you want love then share your love with everyone you meet.

When we combine the Law of Attraction and the Golden Rule we unleash a power unimaginable to our everyday consciousness.

It becomes a serving-selfishness mindset. Now I'm not advocating running around doing things for others with the sole expectation of receiving something in return. Now that is selfish.

What I'm saying is that we need to free ourselves from the limitations we set for ourselves through fear and lack. So behind the outward appearance of the service you do for others you know that you are tapped into the ultimate source of all existence. A place that is bountiful and abundant. That wishes good things for you. And that will replenish for you anything that you've given away with love.

So be wise and know that, "As you share with others you have truly shared with yourself."

I becomes we and we are connected to eternity.

Be well and prosperous.

Ian

My wish to Joel

2010-01-09T10:46:00.001-05:00

My heart go with you.  Yes, I will pray for you!

Yes, I do agree that those boys need to learn to stand alone.  Many of us feel that they are depending on you, me, and few others too much.  I hope your trip to USA would refresh your spirits!

I hope to attend that deaf event in Lancaster in July.  I hope I don't forget and plan something else over that time, because there is a deaf mission trip to Dominican Republic that I would like to go do.  So if they do conflict, it would help me to save money by going to Lancaster instead.  But if I can go to both...well....  ;-)

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

6-year-old Honorary Fireman

2010-01-09T10:31:00.001-05:00

Perhaps some of you already read this before, but this never fail to move me.

In Calgary, Alberta a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia.

Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination.
Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up & fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible...the leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true.

She took her son' s hand and asked, 'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?'

Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up.'

Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can make your wish come true.'

Later that day she went to her local fire Department in Calgary , where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Alberta
She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, 'Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day.

He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy - one-with the emblem of the Calgary Fire Department on it, and a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Calgary ,so we can get them fast."

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.

Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station.

He was in heaven.

There were three fire calls in Calgary that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls.

He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic's' van, and even the fire chief's car.

He was also videotaped for the local news program.

Having his dream come true,with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.

The chief replied, 'We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes.. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?'

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window-16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room.

With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.

With His dying breath,Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,'Chief, am I really a fireman now?'

'Billy, you are, and The Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand,' the chief said

With those words, Billy smiled and said, "I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing..."

He closed his eyes one last time.

***This is a true story***

Interesting Tidbits I had to share

2010-01-07T14:23:00.001-05:00

If I have wounded some poor soul today

If I have caused one foot to go astray

If I have walked in my own willful way

Dear Lord, forgive

If I have uttered idle words in vain

If I have turned aside from want or pain

Lest I offend some other through the strain

Dear Lord, forgive

Forgive these sins I have confessed to Thee

Forgive the secret sins I do not see

Guide me, love me and my keeper be

Dear Lord, forgive...

----------------------

THE BLOOD

One night in a church service a your woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident.

As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began. You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.

The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting. As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor's son stood. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this:

"My fiancee's past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the Blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.

New Year's Thoughts

2010-01-02T09:14:00.001-05:00

Reflections on the eve of a new year
Tomorrow, a new year and a new decade extend before us with hope and uncertainty. Are you planning to make any New Year's resolutions?

Statistically, the most popular resolutions have to do with losing weight and getting in shape. Unfortunately, the average life span of most New Year's resolutions is about 7 days.

Rather than giving up chocolate or vowing to exercise 4 times a week, perhaps we would be wise to pause tonight and meditate on the ways we can open ourselves to change.

What would happen if we all began to look at the world a bit differently? After all, when all is said and done, we are promised to reap what we sow and receive what we give. Here are a few suggestions:

Keep learning. The best way to sharpen your mind is to learn something new. Life is an exciting classroom; don't make plans to graduate.

Spend time with cheerful friends. The chronically grouchy can rob your energy and your joy.

Live in the moment. It's truly all there is. If you dwell on the past or anticipate and worry about the future, you miss the simple beauty each moment holds.

Allow more room in your life for laughter. Watch or find some children to play with. Discover the freedom and joy in their mirth.

Surround yourself with what you love. Make your home your refuge and fill it with family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, and whatever is lovable that you love.

Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it.

Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the beach or the mountains or even another country but refuse to buy (or accept) a ticket for a guilt trip.

At every opportunity, tell the people you love that you love them

Whatever it is that makes you feel most alive and most connected – do it more often.

Choose life, embrace forgiveness, and remember that no one is in charge of your happiness but you.

I wish each of you a new year filled with expanded awareness, greater joy, better health, exciting adventures, and above all, more love.

--Written by Barb Jarmoska, Freshlife founder

The Aramaic Lord's Prayer

2009-12-23T18:21:00.001-05:00

The Aramaic Lord's Prayer

O Breath of Life, your Name shines everywhere!

Release a space to show your Presence here.

Holy is your "I am" now.

Embody your desire in every light and form.

Bring to us this moment's bread and wisdom.

Untie the knots of failure binding us,

as we release our judgment against others.

Help us to remember our Source,

yet free us to be reborn in every moment.

From You comes forth every Vision, Power, and Song

from gathering to gathering.

Amen

Applied Science

2009-12-16T14:23:00.001-05:00

Have you ever heard of applied science? Because of applied science, we are enjoying all the modern inventions. Man have observed the fixed law of science and start applying it to all areas, thus discovering new inventions. (Think about it: we wouldn't have those inventions if science is actually evolving, would we?) How about doing the same method with Scriptural truths?

Plain People have done it for long time already. The Biblical verses concerning separation did not specify what area to be separated from the world. Yet, they build on those verses and apply it to every area of their lives, hence dress distinction and Biblical lifestyle.

Now I challenge you to think this way with every truth presented in the Bible. Think about verses like "I am come that you may have life and you may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10b) or "the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21). Unfortunately, many Christians observe those verses, but they fit those verses to their theories that they build on other verses in the Bible. Why not treat every teachings in the Bible alike?

Here's few ideas to get your thinking rolling.

If God and Jesus is one (John 10:30) and Jesus is our Perfect Example (1 Peter 2:21), then God is our Perfect Example. Consider that the Bible starts out with creation and then how everything is like it is today, then why don't we start with science?
We talks about sowing and reaping. Did we notice few examples like Ishmael will be against people and they will be against him? (Genesis 16:12) Or even as simple as refusing to forgive someone would make God not forgive us? (Matthew 6:14,15) Suddenly, the whole list of examples from the Bible start popping into our head.
If God is love (1 John 4:8) and we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26,27), then we are love.
If Jesus said, "ye are gods," (John 10:34, basing on Psalms 82:6 and Isaiah 41:23) then it makes sense that we can do everything like Jesus does. (John 14:12) Also think about that God is the Creator, so that makes John 14:12 very true as it support the theory that we are creators! The law of sowing and reaping is also applicable here, hence the importance of faith with works! (Note the cycle in James 2:22 and 2 Timothy 3:13.)
If righteous is as bold as lion (Proverbs 28:1) and we are to be the children of light (John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5), that make sense that, once we learn the truth, we need no man to teach us (1 John 2:27) and also that the kingdom of God is within us (Luke 17:21). Once when you have it, you have it, and no man can move you (Proverbs 12:3) and you don't need to keep learning (2 Timothy 3:7). If Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) and if He dwells within us (John 14:17; Romans 8:11), we will experience John 10:10b. That is in accordance with Romans 8:11!
If God is the Creator and Satan is the created being, then John 1:3 is true, applicable to everything we can think of—even man-made technology. If Satan is not the creator, then all the evil we know of is the actual absence of what is good. That can explain why Titus 1:15 is true. Pornography, alcohol, and drugs then must be taking God's perfection too far, thus making it imperfect or evil. That can explain why man-made medicine have side effects, and herbal medicine aren't as specialized thus more whole and healing. Hence the importance of practicing moderation or temperance (Galatians 5:23; Philippians 4:5), because specialization and extremism is being short of being whole and perfect.

Now what about the paradoxes, even some seeming oxymoron?

If we are to fear God (Exodus 18:21; Matthew 10:28; 1 Peter 2:17) and we are to love God (Matthew 22:37-40; Deuteronomy 6:5; many other verses), then what about perfect love cast out fear (1 John 4:18)? Many Christians believe that means we are to have reverential fear of God. In other words, we are to respect and be aware of God at all times.
If we are to submit (James 4:7) and be humble (1 Peter 5:5), how would that fit to being bold as lion? We know few people that seems to be confident and so sure of themselves and they aren't always submissive. We say Jesus subject Himself to His Father, yet we observe that Jesus does not always submit to man-made laws despite of what 1 Peter 2:13 may say, or even Jesus ask us to in Matthew 23:3. (See Luke 11:37-40) And He is our Perfect Example! If we find the answer to that, then we can answer why the same God who command Isaiah to be nude for 3 years (Isaiah 20:2,3) also inspire Paul to teach us to dress modestly (1 Timothy 2:9). Or even that Moses had Ethiopian wife when Jews are not allowed to marry the outsiders. In finding answers to all this, we can easily understand 1 Corinthians 11:16 as to mean exactly what it said, rather than trying to fit it to earlier 15 verses. Don't forget Matthew 22:37-40, especially verse 40!

Now, I gave you the foundation of how to think. Summing all these observation, we can build on them. I felt that the Bible is the only book that can make more sense, as we try to build on each teachings, using other Scriptures, and yet allowing every teachings to say exactly what it says. Why do I feel that way, even if I don't know much about other religions' authoritative teachings or sacred writings?

Thinking this way can lead you away from some traditions you are bought up in, but it can strengthen some of your convictions that you were bought up to. Don't worry, because if God is truth (Compare John 14:6 and John 10:30) and He is consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), then you can know that truth will always win, no matter what. Hence is why I felt confident that the Bible supersedes any other book or sacred writings of any other religion.

Now would you stop and think about this: if Jesus came so we can have full life, are we experiencing full life by following traditions and standards in the church we attend to? Does it make us feel quickened, fall in love with God, and make us want to obey and follow after the Spirit and stay in that way forever after? In a sense, that promises us a happy ending—here and now. Yeah, those fairy tales may end "...and they live happily ever after", but it can be true for us. Yes, even if it leads martyrdom! No longer do we need to marvel at Anabaptists or such Christians suffering and dying for their faith. We would even tolerate other's views such as celebrating Christmas or any other holiday that the Bible have no say about.

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

Fwd: FW: Christmas Blessings....

2009-12-15T14:23:00.002-05:00

Jesus is Better than Santa
Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh.
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year .
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies.
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited.
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. And then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa.
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap.
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name,
all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did.
Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too.
He knows our history and future,
and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly.
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO .
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry" .
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys.
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts,
repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle, but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree,
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.
May The Lord Bless & Watch Over You & Your Loved Ones This Christmas 2009.
And May He Prosper & Bless The Work Of Your Hands In The New Year.
GOD BLESS!

Fwd: Merry Christmas to You

2009-12-13T08:03:00.001-05:00

I will be making a conscious effort to wish everyone

A Merry Christmas this year ...

My way of saying that I am celebrating

The birth Of Jesus Christ.

So I am asking my email buddies,

If you agree with me,

To please do the same.

And if you'll pass this on to

Your email buddies, and so on...

Maybe we can prevent one more

American tradition from being lost in the sea of

"Political Correctness".

To one and All...

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Jesus or Allah? Read It

2009-11-28T09:51:00.001-05:00

This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a
well-known leader in prison ministry. The man who walks with God
always gets to his destination. If you have a pulse you have a
purpose. The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per
capita in the United States , especially in the minority races!!!

Last month I attended my annual training session that's
required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During
the training session there was a presentation by three speakers
representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who
explained each of their beliefs.

I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to
say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam,
complete with a video.

After the presentations, time was provided for questions and
answers. When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and
asked: 'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most
Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war]
against the infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel,
(which is a command to all Muslims) they are assured of a place in
heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an
infidel?'

There was no disagreement with my statements and, without
hesitation, he replied, 'Non-believers!'

I responded, 'so, let me make sure I have this straight. All
followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of
your faith so they can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?'
The expression on his face changed from one of authority and
command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand
in the cookie jar.'

He sheepishly replied, 'Yes.'

I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to
imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your
faith or Dr. Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order
to guarantee them a place in heaven!'

The Imam was speechless!

I continued, 'I also have a problem with being your friend when
you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me!
Let me ask you a question: Would you rather have your Allah, who
tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who
tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to
be there with me?'

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in
shame. Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the
Diversification training seminar were not happy with my way of dealing
with the Islamic Imam, and exposing the truth about the Muslims'
beliefs.

In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S.
to elect the President!

I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this,
but with ACLU, there is likely no way this will be widely publicized,
unless each of us must send it on! This is our chance to make a
difference.

FOR GODS' SAKE! SEND THIS ONE ON!

Re: Dear Omar,

2009-11-28T09:42:00.001-05:00

Dear David,

I know you are not the first person to "disbelieve" that Jesus may have appear to anyone in visible form today. I don't blame you, because it is much easier not to believe something that you yourself never had experience. It is much easier to be skeptical of anything supernatural, especially if we never experience it. I am sure you also have hard time believing that Don Piper actually visit Heaven and came back to earth as in 90 Minutes In Heaven. Or you probably wonder if there are actually such things as haunted houses.

When I read stories like that, I always think of John 14:21 where it says that Jesus will manifest Himself to us if we keep His commandments. I don't know much about Glenda Green and her life, although through her websites and her videos on YouTube seems to show her to be doing things that we labeled New Age practices. In short, I felt that she is almost like a mixture of Buddhist and Christian if there is such a thing. She believe in Jesus and read the Bible, and she still practices few things that we tend to shy away from because of New Age connotations. The only reason I find her book very impressive, is because it conflict nothing to what I understand the Bible. In fact, it agrees everything to what I understand so perfectly. It is just explained bit differently.

The reason I say she practices a bit of New Age practices is because I notice how naturalistic she is. Because Jesus encourage her to read Song of Solomon (ever think about we don't read that book much?), she became so much a gardener. I suppose you are a gardener too, but do you work in garden with your love for God's creation like she does? Do you treat every plant so reverently like she does? She even points out that Jesus seems to prefer natural prodecures over the supernatural. That is understandable because it is like someone else point out, 90% of God's dealing with people as recorded in the Bible is not supernatural. God most often use natural means.

The basic reason I love her book is because it make sense of everything recorded in the Bible. It confirms my beliefs that if God created the world, why can't we notice God's working in every single thing we can think of? If more and more scientists noticed the fine-tuning of the universe, shouldn't we think that God treat everything alike? In other words, both spiritual and physical world are so perfectly balanced, that whatever we do out of ignorance or oversight, we destroy that perfect balance. Hence the need of rules as presented in the Bible, so if we obey them, we will be helping that perfect balance to continue.

It was just our immediate family together for Thanksgiving. I am sorry, but I don't really enjoy being with my brother. He talks and talks and talks and don't listen as much as he should. He seem to have an attitude that he knows more than anyone else does, but I did detect there are few things that I knew more than he does, like, for example, computers. My sister is home from Ohio, and she trigger afresh my need of remembering nonresistance. Being so picky in what to buy while shopping yesterday, I get so frustrated with her. I had to remind myself again and again that I need to practice nonresistance. It does help, but you tend to get influence from the very aura of other person, so it is a recurring thing the whole day. One thing that make me think is that she does have more white hair than the rest of my siblings, even if she is second youngest. It makes me think that when you are picky eater or so picky in finding something to suit your fancy, you are actually resisting something. Once when you learn to accept food with innocence, you probably would be able to like any food set on the table. The same true in finding a suitable sweater or any other piece of clothing. I sometimes had to get away from Susan to calm down.

She has a book, Why Do I Put So Much Pressure On Myself? I read the whole book and find it very fascinating. In fact, I think I am a perfectionist when it comes to writing. So it does make me feel encourage to go ahead and publish my book. I will change few things around in my book yet before I would publish it. Philip Cohen, the co-author of Angels Over Waslala and Weeping May Endure the Night, But Joy Comes In the Morning, (both books are available from Christian Light Publication) is now my friend on Facebook, and he told me a website where he had his books published. So I think I will try that one.

Thanks for your emails. I was kind of disappointed not to see you at Bible School, but I figured it is my fault for not going on Sunday evening. I could have went, but my gang feels like my family, so I stayed with them.

Sincerely,

Omar Burkholder

Keep Faith!

2009-11-25T14:23:00.001-05:00

The Devil has many methods and devices which he uses to try to discourage the faith of believers. But out of all of Satan's strategies, he has a favorite "secret weapon" which has been more effective in destroying Christian lives than anything else in his arsenal. He delights in this wicked device. Each time it succeeds, I can imagine that he gleefully prances about, celebrating the downfall of another poor soul.

Unfortunately for many Christians, Satan's ultimate weapon still remains a secret. Even though its lethal strike has caused countless numbers of believers to stumble away from God and the Church, and into the clutches of the Devil, most never actually recognized what the weapon was.

By now I'm sure that you're very curious and wonder why the Bible didn't warn us about this weapon. However, it does warn us. As a matter of fact, Jesus taught about it repeatedly. He certainly knew its danger and made it a priority to instruct his followers of how to protect themselves against it. The Apostle Paul also exposed the weapon, teaching believers how to be protected from it, and made it clear that no one should be ignorant of its dangers. He said, "A further reason for forgiveness is to keep from being outsmarted by Satan; for we know what he is trying to do" (2 Cor. 2:11 The Living Bible).

There! Did you see what the Devil's secret weapon is? If it's not yet obvious, you can find one more clue in the writings of John. He also taught how to overcome this scheme so that it would never make us stumble. He wrote, "Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble" (1 John 2:10 NIV).

Are you catching on now? Satan's secret weapon is "unforgiveness and an absence of love!" Satan knows that if he can deceive us into harboring anger, bitterness, or grudges toward our fellow Christians, he can actually cause us to fall from the grace of God. The scripture says, "looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled" (Heb. 12:15).

According to the Bible, it brings grief to the Holy Spirit if we will not forgive and love one another. The Apostle Paul said, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you" (Ephesians 4:30-32).

Is it really possible to lose one's salvation by merely holding a grudge against someone? Jesus left no room for doubt on the subject. He clearly stated that we cannot have God's forgiveness if we choose to withhold forgiveness toward others. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt 6:14-15).

It's no wonder why Satan works so hard to stir up turmoil, and tries to keep us from forgiving and loving each other. If he can deceive us into harboring bitterness, he knows that we will exempt ourselves from God's forgiveness of our sins, and will ultimately go to the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). The consequences of unforgiveness is reiterated in many scriptures: Matt. 18:21-35, Mark 11:25-26, Matt. 6:12, Luke 6:37, Luke 11:4.

The scriptures make it very clear that the person who withholds forgiveness in not right with God. Their prayers go unanswered, they lack the Lord's joy and peace. They will usually mainfest a critical and judgmental attitude, along with a dissatisfaction with with the people and circumstances around them. They may blame their unhappiness on a variety of other things, but the problem lies within themselves -- they're simply out of fellowship with the Lord.

Friends, it's time to wise up and become aware of Satan's most effective weapon! Many believers still seem to be ignorant of these tactics of the enemy. They coddle offenses and grudges as though they were "pets" to be fed and watered. There is probably nothing else that has been more devastating to the body of Christ than unforgiveness. It has split Churches, destroyed families, and ruined lives forever! No wonder Christ spent so much time on the subject.

Jesus taught that loving God and loving one another were the highest ideals of His followers (Luke 10:27). Love and forgiveness is the most basic standard of Christianity -- it is the mark of followers of Christ -- the highest display of spiritual maturity! Love is the evidence necessary to convict you as a true follower of Jesus Christ. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

Therefore, Satan's secret weapon is not really so secret after all! Every Christian can be totally protected and immune from its effect by merely obeying this simple scripture:

"Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know Him better. But if a person isn't loving and kind, it shows that he doesn't know God - for God is love" (1 John 4:7-8 The Living Bible).

Partial Obedience Cause Confusion

2009-11-24T14:12:00.001-05:00

One Sunday morning, we were studying about Abraham's faith. One question was "How might we by partial obedience compromise our profession of faith? I especially like one answer, "Partial obedience makes one confused."

The reason I love that statement is because it is very true in all points. How do I know that it is true in all points? Simple. Just think that it is true in one way and then see if it is true in the opposite way. If part obedience or half-hearted obedience makes one confused, then what about if one is confused or uncertain about what is good and right is really obeying partially? I think so.

After all, didn't the Bible say "The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble."? (Proverbs 4:19) Plus, Jesus confirms this, "these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

I learn from experience that surrender as referred by the Bible is really letting go everything that was part of you. Apostle Paul wrote, "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," (Philippians 3:8) All things, even what was taught to you. Even the teachings of the church where you grew up. All things, period.

I always find it puzzling that preachers preach about submission, surrender, repentance, nonresistance or humility, but seldom, if ever, preach about boldness in the same message. What about the seldom-mentioned verse, "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."? (1 John 2:27)

And guess what? As I hold Bible studies with such people, I notice one thing common about them. They become so detailed about their doctrines, quite forgetting that the gospel of Christ is very simple. (There is some teaching in the Bible that confirms this fact, although I can't find the reference at this time of writing) They would say that the teaching of separation applies to all areas of life, but not prayer without ceasing to apply that church is to have all-night prayer meetings. Interestingly, they all admit the difficulty of living Christian life. May I ask you: if you experienced years of frustration in trying to live a victorious Christian living and then suddenly realize the real meaning of Christianity that helps and established you to be victorious, would you want to go back? I certainly do not.

Some people seem to feel that preaching is serving God, but they forget that God is everywhere and that Jesus talks about a cup of cold water will reap its reward. If God create the world, why can't we take into account that there are reasons for our emotions? I like one man say that our guilty conscience is a blessing, because it causes us want to return into the peaceful bosom of our loving Father. Did he take into account about the inner peace and joy in the everyday life?

More and more scientists marveled at the fine-tuning of the universe. Everything is just right. So where was the problem? Obviously, it is human who have power of choice and can choose against the laws of the Universe. The fundamental laws of the Bible really are all about restoring to the laws of the Universe. It is all about getting back into the tune and harmony with everything around us.

Hence, the precious teaching of nonresistance. Because we choose to stop resisting, we cease to have problems. Because we choose to focus on the now, rather than pine about the past, we become synchronized with the eternal and timeless Father. Because we choose to act upon the laws of love, we reap love. I could go on, but sufficient is it to say that the fundamental laws in the Bible are same as the law of Universe. If everyone, regardless of religion, would practice all the fundamental laws in the Bible, this world would exactly be a foretaste of heaven. And there will be no darkness, confusion, and uncertainty. The Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," will be answered.

Peacemaking or Resisting? (Part 2)

2009-11-24T14:11:00.001-05:00

One points out about Jesus sending not peace, but a sword. (Matthew 10:34) That reminds me of two other verses that I may have overlooked in my first article. There is a verse about truth as a double-edged sword, (Hebrews 4:12) and one about resisting the devil (James 4:7).

Let us look at those verses in context of their verses. Hebrews 4:12 is easy, the truth is obvious. James 4:7 is easy too, although the trick of words can confuse us. In my experience, I find that nonresistance is the primary key of Christian life. It is same as surrendered life, submission, humility, and self-denial that we all seem to be fond of talking about as part of Christian life. Because of nonresistance (none resistance) is the key to rejoicing in time of adversity, resisting the devil is more like stop resisting. Since everything is gift from God, it is our choice to react what we will. When we resist something, we tend to feel negative and unhappy. When we let go and accept things joyfully, we tend to feel positive and rejoicing in the Lord. So what do you choose?

One morning, at work, I was carrying a tray, so I had my hands full. My co-worker would open the doors for me on some mornings. But that particular morning, I was expecting my co-worker to open the door for me. He got frustrated and told me to hurry up because I was in his way. I could see that he wasn't having a good morning. If he was in good mood, he would have opened the doors as he does some mornings. But that morning he wasn't, so he didn't think about courtesy. I thought about that is very true of myself. Whenever I was in bad mood, I tend to do wrong things more quickly than when I was in good mood. Because of this, I am determined to stay in good mood.

I noticed that when I am in bad mood, it is usually because I am resisting something. Whenever I am tempted to feel negative something, I bring my thoughts into captivity. I stop and re-think before I would wallow in negative feelings. Why am I feeling this way? Nearly always, if not always, I find myself resisting something. When I resist, the inner peace is gone. When I let go and relax, the inner peace returns.

In this context from my actual experiences and my knowledge of Scriptures, I concluded that when Jesus refers to sending sword was talking about when people seek to ensure inner peace would find themselves at variance at each other. It is very natural for a father to wish the best for his children, but the reality is often the children find the very best for themselves much differently than what their parents may wish for them. Human nature will always find something to resist. Whenever one resists, there will be "sword". Good example could be found in reading stories about famous people. Like, for example, Florence Nightingale wants to be a nurse when it is not a social norm for women to be one, and of course, that cause variance between her and her family and friends.

Some people notice that when nonconformity goes out the window, nonresistance does too. I can see why they see it that way. When one stops resisting the progress, he will tolerate others to go to military. Hence, the church that doesn't practice separation in lifestyle will also have some members going to military. History shows that conscientious objectors are not always those of Anabaptist descendent; there were some objectors from other faiths such as Lutherans and others. The evidence from this is that those who don't resist and recognize the power of love wouldn't go to military, but will tolerate others to go if they wish to go. It is much better to be real than to be "hypocrite", just because you are doing what you are told.

Let us not forget the primary focus of Christian living: Matthew 22:37-40. Or we will be as guilty as Pharisees (see Matthew 23, especially verse 23).

I Think Therefore I Am

2009-11-21T10:24:00.001-05:00

Let not waste your time reading something that you wouldn't have anything to do with. What would you rather be—a close-minded puppet or an open-minded thinker? A close-minded puppets are the victim of their circumstances and, to them, obstacles are hinderances. An open-minded thinkers are the makers of their circumstances and, to them, obstacles are opportunities to overcome.

Most people are in different degrees between the puppet and the thinker. But do you rather be part of the mediocrity? What consequences do most people envy? It is easy to let others do the thinking for you and complain than to do the thinking for yourself and be the change that you want to see. However, most people envied the rich and the popular, who would tell you that you can be like them.

Ten Tips for Power Thinking

1. Remember that experience is the only teacher, that you cannot form sound conclusions until you have some basis for these conclusions.

2. Don't offer judgments unless you have factual, rather than simply emotional, ground for the judgments.

3. Pay close attention to the meanings of words. Remember that different words mean different things to different people.

4. Use words carefully, keeping in mind that they are effective instruments only if they are used with precision.

5. Never abandon your common sense, even if your experience seems to conflict with it.

6. Apply to new problems everything relevant that you have learned in the past.

7. Examine sources of information who interpretations do not agree with your own.

8. Try to keep an open mind even when you disagree strongly with the other person's viewpoint.

9. Recognize glittering generalizations when you come across them. Remember that Cow₁is not Cow_2.

10. Cultivate a desire to learn. Let no obstacles stand in the way of achieving this desire.

Ten Tips for Effective Listening

1. Don't say a subject is uninteresting, for all subjects are interesting. There are, however, uninterested listeners.

2. Gauge the speaker's expertise on the subject under discussion. Listen carefully to the person who knows what he or she is talking about.

3. Don't equate eloquence with intelligence. A very poor speaker may say a great deal, while a brilliant speaker may say nothing.

4. Make every effort to understand the big words used by a speaker. Demand understandable English of people addicted to jargon.

5. Require concrete statements in place of emotion-laden clichés.

6. Determine the speaker's motive before you try to evaluate the message.

7. Don't draw conclusions too quickly. Give the speaker a chance to make his point before trying to contradict it. Evaluate only when comprehension is complete.

8. Learn how to get the nonspeaker into a group discussion.

9. Use every possible method to silence the haranguer and teller of tall tales.

10. Retain your composure and sense of humor. Effective listening demands real effort, and such effort is impossible in an atmosphere highly charged with emotion.

Ten Tips for Logical Thinking

1. Wherever possible, gather evidence before reaching a conclusion.

2. Be careful of generalizations containing the words all, always, and never. There are very few rules which do not have exceptions.

3. Examine statistics with an eagle eye. Statistics can lie, and many statistics are nothing more than special pleadings.

4. Beware of the words average and typical. These are often words of prejudice, not reason.

5. Learn how to make sensible hypotheses. Don't just guess at answers to problems; set up a method for testing them.

6. In reasoning deductively, make sure you know what your major premise is. Determine whether this major premise is really true.

7. Always check your reasoning to make sure it is valid.

8. Avoid inadequate sampling, post hoc, ergo propter hoc fallacies, false analogy, and non sequiturs.

9. Remember that logic involves the meanings of words. Even after something has been logically proved to your satisfaction, it will not necessarily be accepted by everyone.

10. Read and listen carefully and critically. Recognize logical fallacies from your own arguments.

--Selected from Mental Dynamics by K. Thomas Finley

Observe the law of justice. The best rule is the famous Golden Rule. It is true in all religions.

1. CHRISTIANITY:

v "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." (Matthew 7:12)

v "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Luke 6:31)

2. BAHA'I WORLD FAITH:

v "Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself." (Baha'u'llah, Tablets, p. 71)

v "Lay not on any soul a load which ye would not wish to be laid on you, and desire not for any one the things ye would not desire for yourselves." (Baha'u'llah, Gleanings LXVI, p. 128)

v "Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that which thou doest not. This is my command unto thee, do thou observe it." (Baha'u'llah, The Hidden Words, Arabic # 29)

v "Choose for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself." (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 30)

3. JUDAISM:

v "What is hateful to you, DO NOT to your fellow man. That is the law: all the rest is commentary." (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)

v "Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD." (Moses, Leviticus 19:18)

v Brahmanism: "This is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you pain if done to you" (Mahabharata 5:5157).

4. ISLAM:

v "Not one of you is a believer until he desires for another that which he desires for himself." (Muhammad, 40 Hadith of an-Nawawi 13)

v "Do unto all men as you would they should do unto you, and reject for them that which you would reject for yourself." (Mishkat-el-Masabih)

5. BUDDHISM:

v "Hurt not others with that which pains yourself or in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. One should seek for others the happiness one desires for one's self" (Udana-Varqa, 5:18)

6. HINDUISM:

v "This is the sum of duty: do naught unto others that which would cause pain if done unto you." (Mahabharata 5:1517)

v "Do not to others what ye do not wish done to yourself; and wish for others too, what ye desire and long for, for yourself. This is the whole of Dharma, heed it well." (The Celestial Song, 2:65)

7. JAINIST:

v "A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated." (Sutrakritanga 1.11.33)

8. SIKH:

v "Precious like jewels are the minds of all. To hurt them is not at all good. If thou desirest thy Beloved, then hurt thou not anyone's heart." (Guru Aranj Devji 259, Guru Granth Sahib)

9. WESTERN SCHOOLS:

v "What you wish your neighbors to be to you, such be also to them." (Pythagorean)

v "We should conduct ourselves toward others as we would have them act toward us." (Aristotle, from Plato and Socrates)

v "Avoid doing what you would blame others for doing." (Thales)

v "Do not to your neighbor what you would take ill from him." (Pittacus)

v "Cherish reciprocal benevolence, which will make you as anxious for another's welfare as your own" (Aristippus of Cyrene).

v "Act toward others as you desire them to act toward you" (Isocrates)

v Confuciansim: "Surely it is the maxim of loving-kindness: Do not unto others what you would not have them do unto you" (Analects 15:23).

10. TAO:

v "Pity the misfortunes of others; rejoice in the well-being of others; help those who are in want; save men in danger; rejoice at the success of others; and sympathise with their reverses, even as though YOU WERE in their place."

v "The sage has no interests of his own, but regards the interests of the people as his own. He is kind to the kind, he is also kind to the unkind: for virtue is kind." (T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien)

11. NATIVE AMERICAN:

v "Love your friend and never desert him. If you see him surrounded by the enemy do not run away; go to him, and if you cannot save him, be killed together and let your bones lie side by side." (Sur-AR-Ale-Shar, The Lessons of the Lone Chief)

v "Do not kill or injure your neighbor, for it is not him that you injure, you injure yourself. But do good to him, therefore add to his days of happiness as you add to your own. Do not wrong or hate your neighbor, for it is not him that you wrong, you wrong yourself. But love him, for The Great Spirit (Moneto) loves him also as he loves you." (Shawnee)

v "Respect for all life is the foundation." (The Great Law of Peace)

12. AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION:

v "A SAGE is ingenuous and leads his life after comprehending the parity of the killed and the killer. THEREFORE, neither does he cause violence to others nor does he make others do so." (Yoruba Proverb, Nigeria)

v "One going to take a pointed stick to pinch a baby bird should first try it on himself to feel how it hurts." (Yoruba Proverb, Nigeria)

v Zoroastrianism:

v "That nature ONLY is good when it shall NOT DO unto another whatever is not good for its own self." (Dadistan-i-Dinik, 94:5)

v "Whatsoever is disagreeable to yourself do not do unto others." (Shayast-na-Shayast 13:29)

v That which is good for all and any one, for whomsoever - that is good for me. What I hold good for self, I should for all. Only Law Universal, is true Law." (Zoroaster, Yasana-Gathas)

13. BAHA'U'LLAH:

v "O son of man! If thine eyes be turned towards mercy, forsake the things that profit thee and cleave unto that which will profit mankind. And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself." (Baha'u'llah, The third Leaf of the Most Exalted Paradise, Tablets, p. 64)

To summarize: be open-minded, objective, honest, and practice Golden Rule at all times in all situations in all areas as much as humanly possible. It is same as surrendering and submitting yourself to the facts, totally accepting the most obvious truth.

"If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things." (Rene Descartes) One problem with this is that it can eventually confuse one from finding the right truth. The safest bet is to doubt all truths where there are disagreements. However, it is noteworthy to see that Descartes arrives at only a single principle: thought exists. Thought cannot be separated from me, therefore, I exist (Discourse on the Method and Principles of Philosophy). Most famously, this is known as cogito ergo sum (English: "I think, therefore I am"). Therefore, Descartes concluded, if he doubted, then something or someone must be doing the doubting, therefore the very fact that he doubted proved his existence. "The simple meaning of the phrase is that if one is skeptical of existence, that is in and of itself proof that he does exist."

Observe science. When I refer to science, I am not referring to any specific branch. I am including philosophy, psychology, psychiatry, geology, and so on. Because of our limitation, we tend to specialize in some specific field. Hence we have the problem of missing out the whole truth, so it is good to read all angles as much as possible. Even go as far as thinking opposite of your observations, such as any specific moral standard you believe in. Think like this: what would happen if someone else have similar beliefs and impose them on you? This is where Golden Rule can be observed. For example, if you hate someone, how would you feel if that person hates you? What feeling would you feel at the very thought? Remember, feelings are the part of reality, in which science have studied. Observe why you react the way you do and try to find ways to avoid such reaction—especially if you don't like that reaction. But don't let emotions control you. Emotions are very fickle, extremely undependable. Rather, look at cold, hard facts—even if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Then check why it made you uncomfortable. Be honest at all times.

Note five keys that require philosophy, which is also a branch of science: rationality, life, consciousness, thought, and the self. How come we have ability to rationalize? How come we have life? How come we are conscious of being conscious? We even can make conscious choice. Why do we think? How can science explain all that? Finally, we see the self very fascinating. As we read before, thought cannot be separated from me. We may hear people say, "I hate myself." Our body is not the self, because the cells are always replacing. Cut open any corpse and you cannot find thoughts, consciousness, and rationality. You only see physical cells. So what is the Self? Although our whole body replaced itself every 2 years, our personality remains the same.

When you study or observe different religions, try finding their authoritative book or sacred writings in which they believe in. Which sacred literature would make sense out of science? In other words, which sacred writings most agrees with what science has proved? Once when you find which sacred writings that meets to your observations, follow after that book. We all know that each religion have their good people and bad people, so don't let changeable mob control you. Be rational. Think for yourself. Even if you are not strictly religious, it is always best to stick to truths provable by science. By agreeing with the truth, it is much easier to be in control of yourself. When I mean provable by science, I am referring to following after the common sense.

After you find such sacred writings that most agree with factual science, the writings may include few examples that cannot be proved by science. That is where Golden Rule comes into play. Would you rather have us hold you guilty until proven innocent or would you feel better if we hold you innocent until proven guilty? Then treat such sacred writings as you would want us to treat you. After all, some people have experiences that most people don't have and how would you feel if no one would believe your actual experience?

Finally, you should be able to say, "I am because I think."

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

Peacemaking or Resisting?

2009-11-21T09:37:00.001-05:00

As I read about church history, I notice one point. All church problems or splits were never about Jesus, which the Bible clearly says is the cornerstone of the church.

Take, for example, there were only two church splits in history affecting to my childhood church brotherhood. The first one occurred because one minister resists compliance to the agreement of the Conference. He allows his children have their way even in points where the Conference forbids. He was not being a good example to his flock. He could have become proud of his achievements, because very few ordinate brethren in his day are as educated and carry message very well over the pulpit as he was.

The second one occurred because one bishop resists the progressive changes, especially the changes that may threatened the Mennonite doctrines. I did wonder if he became more aggressive after he was the senior bishop of the conference, as the Conference gives such a responsibility of a moderator of the Conference. One may forgive him to be like that because of the situations that bishop finds himself in. In those days, people start to lack a necessary respect for the leadership of the church. Whatever the case, it is interesting to notice that in both church splits, it all start with one church leader resisting something.

One Sunday School we study about the Tower of Babel. We analyze the story and try to make it practical to our day. When I see the question, "In what ways might we become guilty of uniting in a wrong cause?", I couldn't help but think about my church history. Since human nature are basically same since Adam, I wouldn't be surprised if all other church splits originated with one church leader resisting something.

The first church split happens because one church leader has too much pride. He resists the admonishment of others. He knew the Conference would prefer if he keep quiet about his premillennial views, but did not do so. His case was very blatant, and if he would be honest with himself, he could easily see he was in wrong. The second church split is a whole different story. Everyone wants to be Biblical and they have different ways of going about it. Some ordinate brethren felt it is necessary to be considerate of how lay members feel, but one bishop felt it is necessary to make the changes regardless of how others feel. He wants to keep his church conservative. He felt church standards need to be enforced. If he would be honest with himself, he would have much harder time recognizing his sin. In fact, he is not sinning intentionally. He only wants uniformity and harmony in the Conference. However, recognizing human nature as it is, we can noticed that the reason they want to build the Tower of Babel was so that they would not be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. Isn't that the similar idea as that bishop who desire conservative standards harmonizing the Conference?

We study about Tower of Babel and say we do not want to be like them. The Bible did not explain that situation very well, but it did say that God is displeased with them. For "punishment", God confound their language. As the result, people start to single out others who they can communicate with and understand. Notice the same pattern in the history of the church. Whenever they split, they go with their like mind. Human nature is always the same since Adam.

One more thing I notice in this whole situation is that the Bible teaches sowing and reaping. When you resist, you will reap resistance. The progressive side is more forbearing than the conservative side—according to the second situation here.

I am aware this is not always the case. There are situations like the book, Uncle Dale and His God, shows. In that book, the conservative broke off, because of reaction to the leadership. The church leaders discourage testimony and confessional before the congregation. If the permissive church leaders would recognize the confessions and bless it instead of putting it down, the church may become stronger. They were suppressing the spiritual growth in their congregation. Therefore, the honest Christians who desire spiritual growth noticed that and break off. Generally, you can tell which group is right by their earnest effort to preserve peace.

To summarize the whole picture, you can see why I don't approve of Conference. I like one comment that his leading church, or "Conference headquarters", is the church in Jerusalem. It is where Christianity all begins. I believe in tolerance that each church group has their own standards or traditions. After all, the world has great variety of cultures, which means that what is Biblical in one culture may not be Biblical in other. When one church doesn't tolerate other church's practice, there will be dissatisfaction and problems. Let every church to her own.

Also, I notice that the more conservative the group, the least likely they practice the Great Commission and collective prayer (I mean, really praying together like the book of Acts talks about). They are also more negative and judgmental prone. If they would experience liberating power of Christ and observe that God is the Creator of free will, they would be more positive prone and less condemning.

We can't force others to think like us, but we can leave an example. I admire one Amish man who starts practicing Holy Kiss without demanding it, and by his example, his church eventually all practice it because of one man's conviction. We can do the same.

If we want peace, let us sow peace and be peacemaker. Remember the law of sowing and reaping! We say the Lord's Prayer, "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven." Let us sow heaven if we want to reap heaven. That is applicable to when others may mistreat or disregard us, and we are to sow love and peace even to our enemies. Let us stop resisting to anything—ideas or circumstances—and surrender to them, acknowledging that everything is God's gift to us. Think about it: nonresistance, surrendered will, and self-denial are all the same thing. They are the only way we can experience and influence peace and serenity in this changing world, because it is truth that last and God is truth eternal. Even church structure is earthly and is subject to change. If we all stick to the truth eternal and focus on Christ alone, we will have peace within and without.

November 11, 2009

2009-11-12T15:41:00.001-05:00

Is it the day of days?

I was on way home from Bible Study with the ministry and got a flat tire on the way. Fortunately, it is not too far to walk the rest of the way home.

I had headache that day, simply because I slept too much. And I have to help Papa unload the freezer off the truck and put it into the bakery.

Next morning I slept in too late, because my piling laundry hides my timer light that wakes me up in the morning. My shirt is on the light bulb too long and got melted spot. I pulled the shirt away from the light bulb and burn my finger.

Now my first finger on right hand has burn blister on it. I put honey on it and it alleviates the pain. But the blister wouldn't go away.

Then I was greeted to the new "wall" in the bakery. It makes me feel claustrophobic. Because of my low adaptability, I didn't take the changes very well. Plus, I hate to see cuts in the furniture. I like keeping things as new as possible.

Then I put together the ingredients for white bread in the mixer bowl. Without checking the speed, I turn it on. Voila, the batter spit out of the bowl! Oh dear, the speed is at number 3.

What a mess to clean up!

Then I was tempted to despair.

I thought about how I understand nonresistance. Just let it go. Relax. Go with the flow. In fact, I study that just an evening before. I was surprised how cool I felt. I didn't feel provoked or out of whack like I used to be.

Then I remember I believe that every experience is a gift.

However, that didn't stop me from thinking about finding or starting a new job. For a long time, I did think off and on about I could be a taxi driver for horse-and-buggy people. It would be a good way to witness to them. It would be a good way to get paid to travel! I am thinking more seriously about that right now.

Yesterday I got a book from the library. It was fascinating book, a testimony of one journalist who became Christian when he hit bottom and how he grew in faith until he decided to do some journal work on Christianity. Eventually, he got disillusioned and left Christian faith.

As I type this, I can't really type right. My burnt finger isn't normal!

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places (Habakkuk 3:17-19) Amen!

Last weekend was inspiring. I went to Ephrata for the whole weekend. I enjoyed the message at Charity Bible School on Friday. In the afternoon, the message was about nonresistance. The speaker showed the power of love and peace over war. Then in the evening, we enjoyed the message about naming sin as it is. It was very inspiring, so much that I was bit disappointed that there is no service to enjoy on Saturday. There was a message on Saturday evening, but I already promised Debbie that I will see her that night.

Sunday morning I want to experience Tony's church. He interpreted to the best of his ability, which I believe, if given enough real-time practice, he will become pro. Tony is one of people who I admired greatly, therefore I want to see his church.

I am sorry, but I am not impressed with the church. Why so few of them? Tony said that about ten years ago it holds 300 people on Sunday mornings, but now there are so few of them. What happens that make people go elsewhere? I don't know everything about that church history, but I do know that our nature tend to become dissatisfied with the mediocrity.

Next church I want to experience is New Joy, and I hope I can convince Tony to go with me just once. After all, there are certified interpreters there, and Tony need more exposure to other interpreters and deaf people, especially if he is interested in deaf ministry. (I still find it amazing that he would become interested in sign language while he was still Eastern! My impression of Eastern Mennonite churches is that they tend to expect the deaf people to step up to their level, rather than they going down to their level.)

I believe I already talked about Smoky Mountain vacation the week before that. So this is all for now. That is all the excitement I have since the last letter!

November 5, 2009

2009-11-05T14:30:00.001-05:00

It turns out that I did have enough money to go around.

All that worrying for nothing.

And that is not all...

When I got back home from the cabin in the mountains, I flipped the perpetual calendar and read something interesting.

It was in NIV version, so I decided to go to my favorite Bible to see for myself.

"Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun." A bit variation from NIV Ecclesiastes 8:15, but the words are close. Now, what does "mirth" means?

"Joyfulness or gaiety, especially when shown by laughter." So goes that Webster New World Compact Office Dictionary. I decided to check the root word in the Greek dictionary in the back of Strong's Concordance. "blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival):--X exceeding(-ly), gladness, joy(-fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice(-ing)"

Ah! Is that what we experienced the whole weekend in Smoky Mountains? We sure had a lot of fun and laughter. Is that good or bad? I remember hearing one pastor saying that God created the world for our pleasure. I tried finding where in the Bible that would give such notion. So far, no success. But Ecclesiastes 8:15 is close.

Psychologists would tell you that a good humor would get remembered long after the criticism would. If you would try to memorize the Bible or anything, try mixing in a bit of humor, and you would remember it with delight than with a burden.

I remember the second lesson in Nonresistance from Lamp and Light. I had that with the ministry. We study the words and the Greek meaning of them. Richard Lehman point out that the fruit of the Spirit shows the state of calmness while the works of the flesh have the touch of extremism. I could see that Leon Hoover and I enjoyed the state of calm. Even through we went crazy at times to have fun, there would be times when we are simply contented to just sit in the lovely cabin, enjoying the lovely scenery outside as well as the fellowship of just talking with friends.

Paul said, and I have heard that from different people so he is not alone, that after the vacation is all over, then you feel "blah". I thought that was interesting, because I don't recall ever feeling that way. I enjoyed going home loaded with good memories and feel ready to go back into a good ol' routine that provides security.

Friday morning at 1 AM on October 30, I got into Paul's truck and we started a long trip to the mountains. It took me 7 hours to get there. We got to where some want to ride horses at 8:30. We got there first to our disappointment. So we did some gadding around in the town of Gatlinburg. We tried mirror maze, and it was interesting. Then we had a quick breakfast at Pancake restaurant. The food was good. We went back to the horses, but no one there yet. So we decided to drive through the mountains. Beautiful scenery! I wish I had a camera, but Ashley and Jay did take pictures.

Again we went back to where the horses are. We waited a bit until the carload finally arrived. Now all of us are here, except for Ricky and Alma. Most went horseback riding, then the rest of us who aren't interested went shopping for food. Then we went to walk around in the town. We got prices and I got bunch of brochures.

We went to Dixie Stampede. That place is famous to all I know who went to Smoky Mountains. It is a lovely place. We waited until everyone got together and then got tickets. Then we went hunting for the cabin. We found everything really fine. We got to the cabin about 5pm. We unloaded and then when we are all ready, we went to the indoor swimming pool. So much fun trying to play a combination of soccer and volleyball in water.

Because it was bit cool outside, it was cold to walk from pool to the cabin. It sure feels good to relax in hot tub. We were disappointed that the hot tub couldn't hold us all, but some of us went for shower and then we relax in the living room. We ordered pizza. Yum!

We played Black Trump late into night. I think it was about 12 when we finally bunked. I slept on the sofa in living room.

Saturday morning is cloudy. While Friday and Sunday weather was gorgeously sunny, Saturday is cloudy and drizzle most of the day. That was too bad, because that is the day we plan to go around in town and see sights. Still, it went well, though.

Saturday evening we went to Dixie Stampede. It is the highlight of the vacation. The stunts they do with horses are really beautiful. The mind-boggling puzzle they pulled on us is how did they make the girl disappear and put her back into the stands without us seeing her go from buggy to there?

Sunday morning Rodney shared his thoughts about Judgment. It is thought-provoking to think where we could be going. Only a simple faith in God and trust in Jesus' blood can we have assurance to go to heaven. I want to add that if we truly believe in that, then why do we need to have fun, so to speak. While I may like having fun, I am just saying that we don't need to depend on anything to make us happy. Jesus makes us happy, and that is enough. Once when we experience happiness "for no reason", then we can live moderately and live according to what the Bible commands us.

Sunday at 11pm, we got out of the cabin. Some went home, while Paul's truckload went to Aquarium. I wish I could have my sisters with me there. We would enjoy live fish swimming overhead!

Now this coming weekend I plan to go to PA. I plan to attend Youth Bible School Friday evening and most of Saturday. If nothing else happens, I probably would go on Sunday as well, which I doubt it. Timothy Fisher called yesterday, saying that I am to bring my own interpreter to his wedding this Saturday.

This Saturday!

I thought it is on November 11, Wednesday. How strange that my mind play tricks on me. I went to check the wedding invitational and found it is this Saturday. Here I was thinking it is on 11th all along. Seventh and Eleventh sure can play tricks on your eyes! O well, I don't have interpreter that I would feel free to ask to go to Tim's wedding, so I am going to Youth Bible School for sure.

I always hate it,when I ask for interpreting service, they tell me to bring one. That is the "burden" of being Mennonite. I ask for interpreters at Writer's Conference at CLP and also at Rod and Staff. They all say the same thing. It is a stark reminder that the Bible did not have anything to say about deaf believers. No man of God in the Bible is deaf. While I don't allow that fact to stop me from being a Christian, I still think about it at times. It also make me feel it is totally unnecessary for people to worry about me for not being a Christian. Besides, if Mennonites are to be law-abiding, they do well to recognize that there are ADA laws that requires deaf to have full access to services as everyone else.

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

Fwd: Jerry

2009-10-29T14:37:00.001-04:00

Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a unique manager because he had several waiters who had followed him around from restaurant to restaurant. The reason the waiters followed Jerry was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Jerry was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jerry and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jerry replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jerry, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes it is," Jerry said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life." I reflected on what Jerry said. Soon thereafter, I left the restaurant industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Jerry did something you are never supposed to do in a restaurant business. He left the back door open one morning and was held up at gun point by three armed robbers. While trying to open the safe, his hand, shaking from nervousness, slipped off the combination. The robbers panicked and shot him. Luckily, Jerry was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma centre. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jerry was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.

I saw Jerry about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he said, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should have locked the back door," Jerry replied. "Then, as I lay on the floor, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live. "Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jerry continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man." I knew I needed to take action." "What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jerry. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead." Jerry lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

Fwd: Quality Time

2009-10-29T14:33:00.001-04:00

The man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5 year old son waiting for him at the door.

"Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

"Yeah, sure, what is it?" replied the man.

"Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?"

"That's none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?" the man said angrily.

"I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?" pleaded the little boy.

"If you must know, I make $20.00 an hour."

"Oh," the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said,

"Daddy, may I borrow $10.00 please?"

The father was furious. "If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you're being so selfish. I work long, hard hours everyday and don't have time for such childish games."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy's questioning.

How dare he ask such questions only to get some money.

After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son.

Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $10.00, and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

"Are you asleep son?" he asked.

"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.

"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier," said the man.

"It's been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here's that $10.00 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, beaming. "Oh, thank you daddy!" he yelled.

Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills.

The man, since the boy already had money, started to get angry again.The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.

"Why did you want more money if you already had some?" the father grumbled.

"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.

"Daddy, I have $20.00 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?"

***** Share some time this weekend with someone special. ******

Always leave loved ones with loving words, it may be the last time you see them.

Fwd: What Jesus Did

2009-10-26T16:23:00.001-04:00

I hang here…
with the piecing pain of nails beneath my flesh,
as rust wars with my blood.

Running through me…
coursing through my veins the taint of metal
staining from within.

I close my eyes…
The pain's too much...
To shut my eyes might shut the pain away.

Yet still I see…
the nails before my eyes and in my sight,
with eyes shut tight.

I can feel them in me…
the man shaped metal mingles with my blood;
The blood of God.

And in my mouth…
I feel the drops that trickle
from the wounds above my eyes.

I long for them…
To quench the thirst that burns.
A drop to douse the fire in my mouth.

My head…
stabbed with thorns from the crown that makes me king
of the people that would slay me.

King of what?
These people? This world?
Hanging on this tree… do they deserve me?

This tree…
who's very life was given by my breath;
knows whom it holds.

An honoured role…
for a tree, made by me,
to hold my final moments so the world may see.

And now…
the very breath that gave it life is failing.
The weight's too much, the weight's too great.
If you are…
the Son of God, come down.
Tempting.

With Mother…
Watching - the pain within her face.
Her Son the criminal, hanging with disgrace.

But what crime?
Teaching?
Healing?
Helping?
Feeding?
Caring?
Loving?

Are these the crimes that warrant death?
Torture?
Pain?

And all the while…
my Mother looks upon me
with a look
that serves
to tear
the dying embers
of love for this world
from my heart.

She sees me with the very eyes that saw me born into this world.

She sees me with the very eyes that saw me grow into a man.

She sees me with the very eyes that saw me fly toward my goal.

And all the while she knew.
If only they knew.
If only they realised.

The nail…
that's driven thorough my feet stings.
I feel it as it grates against my bone each time I feel I have the strength to move.
I can hear it grinding.

This is what they give me?
For caring for them?
This is what I get?
For loving them?
Foolish men.

Consumed by love for themselves, they are lost.

It's hard to breath up here.
It hurts to breath up here.
My thoughts aren't clear, up here.

Forgive them Dad; they don't know what they do.
Dad?
Dad…?
Dad!

Why have you forsaken me?

And in that moment, everything you ever did, everything you'll ever do, was held by God Himself.
And in that moment, the world changed…
The world changed…
The world changed…
The world was saved!

Washed clean, by blood that stains with love.
My blood.

Innocent blood.

Blood that should not have been shed.
Blood that should not have bled.

a price owed, a price paid.

And all you have to do is believe.

I did the rest.

Holy Bible

2009-10-26T15:47:00.000-04:00

Generations follow generations -- yet it lives.

Nations, rise and fall -- yet it lives.

Kings, dictators, presidents come and go -- yet it lives.

Torn, condemned, burned -- yet it lives.

Hated, despised, cursed -- yet it lives.

Doubted, suspected, criticized -- yet it lives.

Damned by atheists -- yet it lives.

Exaggerated by fanatics -- yet it lives.

Misconstrued and misstated -- yet it lives.

Ranted and raved about -- yet it lives.

Its inspiration denied -- yet it lives.

Yet it lives -- as a lamp to our feet.

Yet it lives -- as a light to our paths.

Yet it lives -- as a standard for childhood.

Yet it lives -- as a guide for youth.

Yet it lives -- as an inspiration for the matured.

Yet it lives -- as a comfort for the aged.

Yet it lives -- as food for the hungry.

Yet it lives -- as water for the thirsty.

Yet it lives -- as rest for the weary.

Yet it lives -- as light for the heathen.

Yet it lives -- as salvation for the sinner.

Yet it lives -- as grace for the Christian.

To know it is to love it.

To love it is to accept it.

To accept it means Life eternal.

October 24, 2009

2009-10-26T15:44:00.001-04:00

Oh my. It really feel different not to have a computer. My computer got virus while checking message on Facebook and I am trying to save my money for my vacation in Great Smokies over Halloween weekend. So that means I will not spend my money trying to get my computer repaired. (I'm using my sister's computer and go to library's computers to check emails and Facebook)

And that is not all...

On way home from my last trip to PA, my back left tire blew. So my car is on spare tire.

Few bills came up. One has a deadline.

Ah, I am feeling that the darkest hour is just before the dawn. I prayed and prayed for help. So far I haven't gotten any. But I am not quitting.

My biggest dream or desire is to be able to have direct communication with God. I read about it, and I believe it can be done. Even today. That is the main reason why I am not publishing my book yet. I want a clear directive from God.

I told my mother that I always felt my family is awkward. It seems like we have some "demons" among us. My family mainly don't have much faith. I am trying, but I fear to get out of boat into the unknown and stormy sea. I know you think that is scandalous for me to say so, but that is my feeling. That's why I desperately feel need for God's coaching. Besides, I like the idea of doing right things all the time. Not only that, I also love the idea of having open communication with the Creator of the Universe. According to one experience I read about, God's voice is peace-penetrating.

Just imagine asking God for direct answers, and you hear it from Him. I have been dreaming about making a computer that are available to everyone. I mean, why do we need to pay monthly for Internet access? Or why do we need to pay electric bills? I am dreaming for self-sufficiency. When we can have those things for free and they work, then there are less chance for anyone else to control us. We have more control over our activities.

There are information on how to have free electricity. We may have heard of solar generators, fuel generators, or windmill. I recently found another information: magnetic generators. Just suppose if I could make magnetic generator small and light enough to fit into laptop, imagine not needing adapter to charge up the battery! Another one I never heard before, but heard from Gilson Eby for the first time: geothermal generators. The heat from the earth generates electricity! What about the heat from computer motor?

I suppose you all think I am having wild dreams. I always dream big. It makes me feel alive. I always love improving things.

I dream of providing a job to my deaf friends in Belize, yet I am torn between living in America and in Belize. My conclusion is why not have two homes? Live one place 6 months and then next place other 6 months! My deaf friends in America are more my type...we can talk our level to each other, while in Belize, I had to step down a bit. But I love the weather in Belize...never needing to wear a coat! Plus, going barefoot is healthy, according to one doctor.

Yet, all these things cost money. That is something I never have. I always was a poor manager with my money. That is another reason I feel need for God's help. Of course, I think about I should find a wife who would help me with that. I figured the reason why I am bit restless, is because I don't have anyone at home who enjoy same things I do. My family believes in working more than playing together. And when we do have family times, my family more quickly talk than sign which leaves me feeling out of picture.

That's why I love my gang. That's why I wish to live in PA...in my own home! Plus, there are two deaf churches in Lancaster County as well as few others who provides interpreting services.

Oh dear, I am talking too much. I should shut up. I wrote two letters for my E-Newsletter group, but didn't send them, because I fear controversary. I finally concluded that people learn about God and understand the Bible in their own way. If I encourage individualism, then I should respect others and their way of understanding their Bible. What we all agree on is the primary focus of Christianity...love God with our whole being and that Jesus is the cornerstone of the church. Go down the church history, and you would see that not one church problem is based on Jesus Christ.

I just finish reading Pilgrim Church. You can buy that book from Christian Light Publication. I don't know if they still sell it now, but that is where I bought it when I still work there. Yeah, I had that book all those years, but never get around reading the whole way through until now. Now I am reading Mennonites in Canada. That is another book I had in my collection for years but never read--until now.

Pilgrim Church is very fascinating book. What stood out to me is about Waldenseses (sp?) and about George Fox. Waldenseses are the continuation from the time of apostles and they have high toleration to each other's views. George Fox noticed there is a verse in the Bible, "The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1 John 2:27) I point out that verse to the ministry last Bible Study, and they didn't think it means what it says. I ask them is that how they would understand it if they are reading it for the first time, without any prior Christian upbringing. Of course, they try to shift the conversation to other points.

After the conversation I had with the ministry, I had deep-seated peace and when I arrived home, I decided to read a chapter from Pilgrim Church before going to sleep. Again, I experienced confirmation that I understood the Bible correctly! I thought how interesting it is, that evening I felt a bit (only a tiny bit!) unsettled from our discussion, and reading a book about church history put me at rest. It is not the first time, and I hope it won't be last! I wrote few e-newsletters ago, that every time when I start to question my own views, I get reconfirmed. It happens so often that I am now firmly settled. That is why I may seem unteachable. Because of 1 John 2:27, I like to tell my friends, I WANT TO BE TEACHABLE IN ORDER TO BECOME UNTEACHABLE!

Thanks for your prayers. Despite of what is happening in my life, I am excited about my future. And thanks all of you for your updates on your lives. When I can, I would like to answer each of you individually.

David Oberholzter and Rachel Raber...because of my tire, I may not be able to go to Youth Bible School. One way I can do is to borrow my sister's car to go to PA. Just letting you know, so David would check his email shortly before November 6-8 weekend to be sure if I am coming or not. Thanks!

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

Fwd: FW: Free Ice Cream???

2009-10-22T15:12:00.001-04:00

THE COW AND THE ICE CREAM

ONE OF THE BEST EXPLANATIONS

OF WHY OBAMA WON THE ELECTION

From a teacher in the Nashville area

"We are worried about "the cow" when it is all about the "Ice Cream"

The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third
grade this year..

The presidential election was heating up and some of the children
showed an interest.

I decided we would have an election for a class president.

We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and
the class would vote.

To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members.
We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have.

We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked
to run for the top spot.

The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates
were good kids.
I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support.
I had never seen Olivia's mother.

The day arrived when they were to make their speeches.
Jamie went first.

He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place.
He ended by promising to do his very best.

Everyone applauded and he sat down.

Now is was Olivia's turn to speak.

Her speech was concise.
She said, "If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream."

She sat down.

The class went wild. "Yes! Yes!
We want ice cream."

She surely would say more. She did not have to.

A discussion followed.. How did she plan to pay for the ice cream?
She wasn't sure.

Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it.
She didn't know.

The class really didn't care.
All they were thinking about was ice cream.

Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a landslide.

Every time Barack Obama opened his mouth he offered ice cream and

52 percent of the people reacted like nine year olds. They want ice cream.

The other 48 percent know they're going to have to feed the cow and
clean up the mess."

Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone ---

that they have not first taken away from someone else.

Fwd: Nothing but the Blood

2009-10-22T15:09:00.000-04:00

THE BLOOD

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart.

She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and
prostitution.

But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a
faithful member of the church.

She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.

It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the
eye and heart of the pastor's son.

The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans.

This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with
a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.

The church began to argue and fight about the matter..

So they decided to have a meeting...

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting
was getting completely out of hand.

The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought
up about her past.

As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak.

He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be.

He began to speak and his statement was this:

"My fiancee's past is not what is on trial here.

What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin.

Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial.

So, does it wash away sin or not?"

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been
slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a
weapon against our brothers and sisters.

Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely
then it cannot cleanse us completely.

If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble..

What can wash away my sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall
never suffer the righteous to be moved."

Psalm 55:23

My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless
and I picked you.

Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed and a copy back to me.

This prayer is powerful and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive..

There is no cost but a lot of rewards, let's continue to pray for one another.

Here is the prayer:

"Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and email buddies
reading this right now.

Show them a new revelation of your love and power.

Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment.

Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy.

Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace.

In Jesus' precious name.

Amen

I know I picked more than four, and you can, too.

IN GOD (THE I AM) WE TRUST

The Story of Cassie

2009-10-17T10:48:00.001-04:00

Is Your Jesus Worth Dying For?
The story of Cassie Bernall

by Tiffany Fate
Used with Permission

As Cassie entered the ninth grade, her mom Misty just "had that gut feeling that something was wrong. I couldn't pinpoint it, but I just knew something was wrong. I didn't feel like either I nor my husband had any connection with her."

Desperate for answers, Misty began to search Cassie's room regularly, and on one occasion was shocked to discover evidence that her daughter had developed an interest in witchcraft, drugs and alcohol. Facing the trauma of how to deal with their troubled teen, Cassie's parents decided that the only way to stop their daughter from making more bad decisions was to make a few good choices for her.

So, they began making changes. For starters, they transferred Cassie to a new school--Columbine High School, in suburban Littleton, Colorado. They also kept closer tabs on her friends, her attitudes, and her study habits. In general, they put their foot down, and said, "Cassie, it stops here. You must now choose to take responsibility for your life."

Cassie began to respond - positively...new friends, new attitudes. One of the new friends was Dave McPherson, youth pastor at West Bowles Community Church. McPherson admitted to the Denver Post that, when he first saw Cassie, he thought to himself, "There's no hope for that girl. Not our kind of hope." The joyless look on her face, the monosyllabic speech which came from her lips -- all of it suggested that perhaps Cassie was just "too far gone."

One weekend, though, McPherson encouraged Cassie to accompany the church youth on retreat, and, with her parents' enthusiastic permission, she agreed. That weekend which changed Cassie's life. Said Brad, her father, "When she left, she was this gloomy, head-down, say-nothing youth. When she came back, her eyes were open and bright and she was bouncy and just excited about what had happened to her and was just so excited to tell us. It was like she was in a dark room, and somebody turned the light on, and she saw the beauty that was surrounding her." Said Misty, "She looked at me in the eye and she said, "Mom, I've changed. I've totally changed. I know you're not going to believe it, but I'll prove it to you.'"

The "light" that had been turned on in 17-year-old Cassie's life was the light of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom she had trusted as her personal Lord and Savior at that church retreat. Jesus changed Cassie-from the inside out. A deep-down, 100-percent kind of transformation, like Paul spoke of in Romans 12:2 when he exhorted us, "be transformed by the renewing of your minds!" Gone was the preoccupation with the occult; instead, Cassie began to spend her spare time, along with her new Christian friends, ministering at Denver's inner-city Victoria Outreach Church, serving dinner to prostitutes and drug addicts as part of that church's mission ministry. Cassie even planned to cut off her cornsilk-colored hair that hung halfway down her back, so that it could be given to "someone who makes wigs for kids who are going through chemotherepy," according to her aunt, Kayleen.

One night, Cassie spoke of her newfound hope for the future with her mom. She said, "Mom, it would be OK if I died. I'd be in a better place, and you know where I'd be." The same girl who, just a couple years before, had been spinning on the edge, in danger of falling into hopelessness. Jesus change her-she was living life sacrificially in Jesus' name, and she was ready to die as a child of the Lord Jesus.

On Sunday night, April 18, Cassie stood up and gave her testimony to her youth group at church. She told them, "You really can't live without Christ. It's, like, impossible to really have a really true life without Him." Cassie was ready. With her life--and with death, if necessary.

Two days after that, Cassie was sitting in the library of Columbine High School when Eric Harris and Dylan Kelbold burst in with homemade pipe-bombs and guns. They knew who she was; she'd made no secret of her newfound faith.

The Bible stacked on top of her textbooks, along with the WWJD ("What Would Jesus Do?") bracelet around her wrist, clearly marked Cassie as one of the "Christians" of Columbine High.

"Do you believe in God?" was the question which was posed to her by that young member of the self-proclaimed "Trenchcoat Mofia." Her friend, Keven Koeniger, later said that Cassie paused for a long moment. He said, "I think she knew she was going to die."

Finally, the response came: "Yes, I believe in God." The trigger was pulled.

You think the question, "Are you ready to die for Jesus?" isn't an urgent one? Just ask Cassie Bernall. Ask her parents. Misty and Brad said, "We looked at each other and we said, 'Would I have done that? I would have begged for my life!' She didn't.

Cassie Bernall's brother Chris found this poem on her desk. It was the last poem she wrote before she died.

"Now I have given up on everything else.
I have found it to be the only way
To really know Christ
And to experience the Mighty power
That brought Him back to life again
And to find out what it means
to suffer and die with Him.
So, whatever it takes
I will be one who lives
In the fresh newness of life
Of those who are alive from the dead"

Is your Jesus worth dying for?

(Editor's note: The "poem" above is actually a quotation from the Living Bible Phil. 3:10-11. The author of this article was mistaken in thinking that Cassie had been the author. However, it is fairly certain that Cassie looked to these verses soon before her death.)

A Christian Prison

2009-10-17T10:44:00.001-04:00

Near the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, is a remarkable facility. Twenty years ago the Brazilian government turned a prison over to two Christians. The institution was renamed Humaita, and the plan was to run it on Christian principles. With the exception of two full-time staff, all the work is done by inmates. Families outside the prison adopt an inmate to work with during and after his term. Chuck Colson visited the prison and made this report:

'When I visited Humaita I found the inmates smiling- particularly the murderer who held the keys, opened the gates and let me in. Wherever I walked I saw men at peace. I saw clean living areas, people working industriously. The walls were decorated with Biblical sayings from Psalms and Proverbs...My guide escorted me to the notorious prison cell once used for torture. Today, he told me, that block houses only a single inmate. As we reached the end of a long concrete corridor and he put the key in the lock, he paused and asked, "Are you sure you want to go in?"

"Of course," I replied impatiently, "I've been in isolation cells all over the world." Slowly he swung open the massive door, and I saw the prisoner in that punishment cell: a crucifix, beautifully carved by the Humaita inmates-the prisoner Jesus, hanging on a cross.

"He's doing time for the rest of us," my guide said softly.'"

--Max Lucado

Ah, the power of NONRESISTANT Love! --Omar

Fwd: FW: Sometimes religious emails are better!!

2009-10-17T09:22:00.000-04:00

Sometimes religious emails are better than some of the funny ones we get and pass on....

Priceless ..

Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement and when his Plane arrived there was a limousine there to transport him to his home.

As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver.

'You know' he said, 'I am 87 years old and I have never
Driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?'

The driver said,
'No problem. Have at it.'

Billy gets into the driver's seat and they head off
Down the highway.
A short distance away
Sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap.
The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone.

The trooper pulled out
And easily caught the limo
And he got out of his patrol car to begin the procedure.
The young trooper walked up to the driver's door
And when the glass
Was rolled down,
He was surprised to see
Who was driving.

He immediately excused himself and went back to his car
And called his supervisor.

He told the supervisor,
'I know we are supposed
To enforce the law....
But I also know that
Important people are
Given certain courtesies.
I need to know what
I should do because
I have stopped a
Very important person.'

The supervisor asked,
'Is it the governor?'

The young trooper said,
'No, he's more important
Than that.'

The supervisor said,
'Oh, so it's the president.'

The young trooper said,
'No, he's even more
Important than that.'

The supervisor finally asked,

'Well then, who is it?'

The young trooper said,

'I think it's Jesus,
Because he's got Billy Graham for a chauffeur!'

Smile - God loves you! I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today;
To guide you and protect you, as you go along your way
God's love is always with you, God's promises are true.
And when you give God all your cares, you know God will see you through

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

I can only imagine...

2009-10-14T14:24:00.000-04:00

Beautiful, a must see!

http://www.andiesisle.com/icanonlyimagine.html

--
Omar Burkholder
"Burky"

Fwd: Australia may be my next home

2009-10-14T14:15:00.001-04:00

America , Canada , all Europe ..... needs a President like this.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - Australia

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques.

Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom. We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, Learn the Language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Maybe if we circulate this , American citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths.

If you agree, please SEND THIS ON.

What Did You Do?

2009-10-02T14:34:00.000-04:00

What Did You Do?

Did you give him a lift?...he's a brother of man,
and bearing about all the burden he can.
Did you give him a smile?...he was downcast and blue,
and the smile would have helped him to battle it through.

Did you give him your hand?...he was slipping down hill,
and the world, so I fancied, was using him ill.
Did you give him a word?...did you show him the road?
...or did you just let him go on with his load?

Did you help him along?...he's a sinner like you,
but the grasp of your hand might have carried him through.
Did you bid him good cheer?...just a word and a smile,
were what he most needed that last weary mile.

Did you know what he bore in that burden of care,
that is every man's load and that sympathy shares?
Did you try to find out what he needed from you?
...or did you just leave him to battle it through?

Do you know what it means to be losing the fight,
when a lift just in time might set everything right?
Do you know what it means - just the clasp of a hand,
when a man's borne about all that a man ought to stand?

Did you ask what it was - why the look of despair,
and the sad face deep lined with shadows of care.
Were you a brother of his when the time came to be?
Did you offer to help him - or didn't you see?

Don't you know it's part of the brother of man,
to find what the grief is and help, what you can?
Did you stop when he asked you to give him a lift?
...or were you so busy you left him to shift?

Oh, I know what you meant, what you say may be true
- but the test of your love is, "What did you do?"
Did you reach out a hand? Did you point him the road?
...or did you let him go on carrying his heavy load?

1 Cor. 13:3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender
my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.