A 6th century mosaic of Jesus

Image via Wikipedia

Interestingly, Tao Te Ching first chapter coincide with the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Genesis is the foundation of our Faith, the elementary level of our learning. Though, it is difficult for many to believe God created the Heavens and Earth in 6 days and rested on the seventh, it is our Faith we know anything is possible with God. He is the immortal and infinite God (Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17). God is eternal, thus He had no beginning and His existence is everlasting. God is sovereign, thus He is supreme above all. There is no one like Him in works or being. All of His creation put together cannot avert His purposes (Psalm 93:1; 95:3). God is unchanging; his constant and eternal nature is beyond understanding. If God could be understood, defined by naming, or expressed in words, it is not the constant, unchanging, eternal true God. Names did not exist prior to creation. The nameless God is therefore the origin or source of all things, the Heavens and Earth. God can not be understood through the rational mind since our spoken words and written texts are limited. Our tendency to categorize, define, and analyze gives us the limited understating of how God acts upon the world. If we are free from desire and become aware of our wordless communion with nature (God), we may catch a glimpse of God’s divine wisdom.

The Bible, God’s Word, tells us what God is like and what He is not like. Any attempt to explain God’s nature without the authority of the Bible is no better than an opinion, which by itself is often incorrect (Job 42:7). To say we must try to understand God is a huge understatement. Failure to do so can cause us to set up or worship false gods contrary to His will (Exodus 20:3-5). The revelation of God can Only be defined by his own Words in the Bible.

Why did God chose to be nameless? If God was given a name like the false god, many worshipers will begin to believe by chanting his name repeatedly will bring favor. Names are given to the false Gods, manifested in our minds to fulfill our desires. Once anything manifests itself as the physical universe, it can be named. The true and eternal God is nameless.  If God did have a name, how can we express the Nature of God with our own knowledge? Exodus 3:13-15, ¹³ Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” ¹⁴ God said to Moses, “I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “ ¹⁵ God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. Rather than identifying himself with a person’s name, God reveals himself as YHWH which means, The One Who Is The Self-Existent One. A God that never changes. His promises never fail. When we are faithless, He is faithful. The professional titles and famous names achieved by one’s own accomplishments in this world are not important to God. Many times titles are used to manipulate people, convey a false sense of power, builds ego, and provides a shield to cover up for our insecurities. We live as One in the body of Christ regardless of our title. Matthew 22:30, ³⁰At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, ¹⁶Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? ¹⁷Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

How did names begin? God gave us the freedom to observe the Mystery of God or the external physical manifestations. Free from desires, we observe the inner wonders and marvels of God. This establishes the connection of our spirit with  God, the vast intelligence of the universal consciousness. The spirit is the invisible and intelligence behind our creativity, emotions, inspirations, intentions, life choices, and intuitive insights. The spirit that guides and endures any experience we go through. However, if we are not guided by the spirit and filled with self-serving desires, we observe the external physical manifestations rather than the inner wonders and marvels of God’s Mystery.  Thus, once the universe came into being, the stage was set for physical manifestation of all things, including human beings. We gain sufficient awareness to observe all things and name them. Everything is derived from it through natural processes, thus the mother of all things. When God brought all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field to see what Adam would name them, it showed that God wanted to please Adam’s desires. God knew the cost of his own son Jesus would be the payment for Adam sins. Adam and Eve’s external manifestation opened their eyes to observe all things, including the good and evil of the world. Instead of living in the mystery of God, Adam and Eve choose to observe the external physical manifestations as their world. Adam named his wife Eve and becomes the “mother of all the living”.

How do we  intercede with the inner wonders (void, oneness, the flow, essence, inner truth) and the external manifestations (cosmos, nature, life, outer appearance) of this ultimate reality? They represent the spiritual realm and material world, respectively. Both worlds emerge from God because He encompasses all, not only spiritually but also the physical universe. The Spirit of God living in us observes the wonders of God (Mystery of God) and the body (flesh) observes the external manifestations. The unity of these two reality gives us an interesting paradox. The inner wonders and external manifestations are distinctively different in nature, with different names, but yet are two sides of the same coin leading to one another. Similarly, the Spirit and soul have different names but is one intangible part of the body. Spirit and soul are the same in the manner they are used but different in reference. The Spirit is man’s vertical view of the world observing the Mystery of God and the soul is man’s horizontal view of the world observing its external manifestations. Both refer to the immaterial part of man but Spirit refers to man’s walk with God and Soul refers to man’s walk with the world, both material and immaterial. Unfortunately, our soul desires the material manifestations, beholding the mere forms of this world identified by our own perceptions. Thus, rather than observing our inner essence of God’s Mystery and Wonders, we desire the external manifestations of the physical world. Matthew 26:41, ⁴¹“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Romans 6:19, ¹⁹I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. Mark 10:18, ¹⁸“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good-except God alone.

Why do we die? After death, will we return to the Wonders and Mystery of God?  When evil entered through Adam and Eve, sin and suffering of mankind spread through the generations. We are not “born in sin and inequity” but born with the “stain” of original, a sin contracted and not committed. God’s plan was to end suffering and wash away our sins by sacrificing his son Jesus as the payment for our sins. Jesus gave up his Spirit on the cross to be closer to us.  The Glory and Spirit of God no longer hovers over the waters, no longer fills the tabernacle, but is now living intimately in you. Believers who are indwelt by his Spirit can observe the Wonders and Mystery of God. 1 Corinthians 6:19, ¹⁹Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; After Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, God placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. We temporary dwell outside the gates of  God’s Kingdom, however the Second Coming of Jesus will deliver us to God in a Kingdom prepared for us since the beginning of time, the Gateway to Wonders. Matthew 25:34 ³⁴“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. The first Adam led to death but the second Adam, Jesus, gives eternal life. Romans 5:12-21 (Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ) ¹²Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— ¹³for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. ¹⁴Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. ¹⁵But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! ¹⁶Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. ¹⁷For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. ¹⁸Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. ¹⁹For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. ²⁰The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, ²¹so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is a matter of our Faith we come to Know and Love God. Faith is not a question of scientific theory or historical facts, but a gift we can openly receive from God. Science is the byproduct of our consciousness woven out of our spirit.  It is when we narrow the relationship with God, we become spiritually dead. God love us first as a Father and gave us salvation as a gift through his Son, Jesus. Are you ready to receive him?

Our body is important to God. If we honor God with our Body, then we must be free from immoralities committed outside or against our body. We are members of Christ himself, the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. When we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our body is united with God in Spirit and becomes “One” with him. However, our temptations and sexual desires can disconnect our body from embracing the Oneness of God. The bible asks us to keep watch of our body and pray so we can remain strong in Spirit and not fall into temptation.

Our body is in harmony with the Spirit when the mind is still. Uncertainties, fears, and worries fog the mind to think clear, disconnecting us to God. When we are Spiritually Dead, the Body’s desires is to act on its own which may result in sin or doing immoral acts. We become consumed with our own self-desires to fulfill our needs and take things in our own hands. When trouble comes, we waste a lot of energy fighting our own battles whether it is for the right or wrong reasons. Psalm 37:7, ⁷Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

The Bible reminds us to be humble and worry free like children. Matthew 18:2-4, ²He called a little child and had him stand among them. ³And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Psalm 131:1-2, ¹My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. ²But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. When we are free from worries and uncertainty, our mind begins to think clearly. Young children tend to be worry free, have no ego, do not concern themselves, and have no need to be better. Their innocents are the qualities God wants us to imitate and not their thinking. 1 Corinthians 14:20, ²⁰Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. Whether our life is wonderful or troubling, a still mind will open the door for the Holy Spirit to Act for us. When we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the body is Spiritually Alive. The Spirit enables us to live accordingly to the Word of God. Instead of wasting energy, we draw the highest energy into our body from the Spirit that restores your Body. As a result, we are loving toward others, generous givers, kind, respectful, and joyful. Leaders of nations indwelt by the Holy Spirit can rule a nation with righteousness. During King Solomon’s power, he was able to judge righteously according to God’s Law because he was “One” with the Spirit. What he spoke were not words taught by human wisdom but words taught by the Spirit of God, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. King Solomon became the greatest Kings because he didn’t ask for power, wealth, or honor but Wisdom and Knowledge. 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 (Solomon Asks for Wisdom), ⁷That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” ⁸Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. ⁹Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. ¹⁰Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” ¹¹God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, ¹²therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

Mark 10:18, ¹⁸“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good-except God alone. If there is anything good to boost about, it is the Holy Spirit working in you. We are hand picked by God as vessels to serve and fulfill his purpose. The spirit endures all the body experiences to regenerate, indwell, restraint, and provide service. The Spirit is the immaterial facet of man allowing us to have an intimate relationship with God. The “Opening and Closing Gate of Heaven” is the gateway to our soul for God to intercede in our life. When the gateway to the soul opens, the mind is in motion; when it closes, the mind is at rest. In the opening and closing of this gateway, can we keep the principle of serenity and quietude? Our mind animates the body to act accordingly to our thoughts. If our thoughts are “serenity” and “quietude”, the body will imitate those thoughts. Moments of serenity and quietude keeps us still so the Spirit can Act for us. Our bodies feel re-energized by the Spirit when we are One with the Spirit, the highest level of energy we can receive. However, when we are down and depress, the gateway to our soul closes and the mind is at rest. We become restless because the Spirit is no longer in motion to energize the body. Instead, we disconnect with the Spirit and use our own energy until nothing is left. Depriving the body from re-energizing itself has negative effects, such as depression, loneliness, aging, and early death.

God is the Creator of all things, living and non-living. We are born again as imperishable seeds, through the living and enduring Word of God; the Word that stands forever. God nourish us with the living water. Anyone who drinks this water will never thirst again and will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. For everyone born of God and believe that Jesus is the Son of God overcomes the world. Thus, when we have nothing, but yet possess everything. In our achievements, there is no need for arrogance for God will exalt the humble ⁽Matthew 23:8-12). God is impartial, who judge the world in righteousness and govern the people with justice (Psalm 9:8). God grace overflow to the many who are in Spirit with him.

Are you living a balance life?

Image via Wikipedia

Dualities exist in humans because we came to perceive the world as our own and wish to take control of our destiny. When we are free from desires, we observe the inner wonders and marvels of God. However, if we are filled with desire, we observe the external manifestations of this physical world, rather than its inner essence.  In the story of Adam and Eve, the external manifestation opened their eyes to the world, desiring God’s wisdom, knowing good and evil. The universe is now full of dualities, where one descriptive concept creates its own opposite. God keeps us in balance because he recognizes the relative nature of mankind to live a meaningful life. If there is nothing else to compare against, the task cannot be rated in terms of easy or difficult. Thus, we can only say a task is “Easy” if we are comparing it against another similar task that is “Hard”. Similarly, we can say an object is “Long” if we are comparing it against another similar object that is short. It is the same with people. Absolute good and evil can exist as concepts but will never be found among human beings. Each half of duality cannot exist without the other half. Everything is relative and values have meaning only by comparison.

Everyone is a mixture of varying proportions and no one is one thing. This is true for any metal and non-metal elements found in nature. No element is absolutely pure or free of impurities, though it can come close to 100%, but never quite get there. Our own bodies is a building block of atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems. In any element sample there will be trace amounts of other elements simply because the separation of all atomic particles cannot be successfully achieved. The elements themselves can be found in different forms where various radioactive isotopes exist for many elements. Thus elements are combination of different isotopes. In the case Carbon 16 and Carbon 14, which is considered pure? GE made a diamond that is harder than the natural diamonds by eliminating all isotopes except Carbon 16. Does that make Carbon 16 more pure? Therefore, if there are impurities, then what is pure? Does duality exist in God? Lets examine why we may think God is pure.

The bible tells us that God is light. Revelation 21:23, ²³The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. What is light? Scientists identify light having a dual nature as particles and waves. However, light is not made up of particles or waves but is an invisible entity. A wave is not something “is”, but a wave is something “does”. Scientist also identify light consisting of particles but this is what mathematician invoke to model the theory of light. Therefore, we have no idea what light looks like and scientists have given up years ago. This raises the question if the study of light a scientific issue or a philosophical issue. In addition, if God is omnipresent, then light must be connected to every atom. If light is connected to every atom, then light is connected to every human. Einstein theory E = MC2 denotes that if we can travel the speed of light, then time will stop. This is an insight why God can be anywhere without time delay because time is not relative to God. Thus, we can also say all of God’s plans are already finished. Revelation 22:13, ¹³I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Scientist know the more we examine an atom, the more complicated it gets as we continue to find smaller subatomic particles within an atom. If we breakdown our bodies, we are a nonphysical energy frequency flowing throughout the earth, all connected to one another. If light had any physical particles or impurities, the properties of light will be felt when you block light with your hand. Light is perhaps the only property to be completely pure. Therefore, the Light of God is absolute and nothing creates its own opposite. Why is our faith important? Judges 13:17-18, ¹⁷Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the LORD, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?” ¹⁸He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding. Because our knowledge is limited, Jesus asked us to have faith and follow the spirit of God that is at work within you. Luke 17:6, ⁶He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. John 5:19, ¹⁹Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 1 Corinthians 6:19, ¹⁹Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Now that we identify God’s presence as light, what about his thinking? 1 John 4:8, ⁸Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:18, ¹⁸There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. If we know God is perfect in love, there must be no imperfection of his love, relativity, or opposite. God is the pure light and the pure love. Therefore, if the light of God is omnipresent, is not made up of particles and waves, is not relative to time, and is pure, then we can conclude “Light” has no duality. In fact, light is invisible so how do we create its own opposite and how can light be relative to anything. High and low, long and short, front and back, music and tone, difficult and easy are are what God “does” but is not what God “is”. The bible is the only authority to describe who God “is”. Many theologians would say the collective meaning of the whole bible is “Love”, thus God is Love.

Our own desires to observe the external manifestations of this physical world created a duality world of evil and good, high and low, long and short, front and back, music and tone, difficult and easy, light and dark, life and death. The bible calls us to have faith so we can begin discovering a world of mystery, inner essence, living in the light and goodness of God forever. Our faith is not a question of scientific theory and we should not reduce the bible down to a book of historical facts. The bible is the pure love God has for us and the finished work he has already done. Revelation 22:3-5, ³No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

What are your desires for the need?

Image by Filipe Moreira via Flickr

Glorifying idols and achievers portrays an image of a superior person, putting them aside for special treatment. Fame, wealth, and power stimulates our mind to compete aggressively among one another to become like somebody else or better than everyone. Whenever we see anything as desirable, a wave ripples throughout society to replace our emptiness with materialistic things, sometimes at the expense of others. God created each person with his/her own fingerprint and special gift, but many self cautious people do not look inside themselves for answers. Instead, they want quick fixes to fame and power. “If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”

Diamond, gold, platinum, and silver is only desirable if people have a sense of fame and power connected to these metals. Gold has been much more valuable than platinum, but this changed when stores like Tiffany’s and wealthy advertisers gave platinum a new sense of wealth and power. In a sense, it is not a point of “rare goods” but an image of wealth and power we want people to notice. However, this creates more thieves and violent crimes in our cities, stimulating materialistic desires over human value. There is no such thing as a “Get Rich Quick“, “$25,000 in 30 days”, or “Overnight success in 5 minutes”. If these were true, it would not last long. Instead materialistic desires lead us to a trap for the love of money which is a bottomless pit. 1 Timothy 6:6-10, ⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Trouble begins when fame and power (godliness) is a means of finical gain which corrupts the mind and heart, robbing us of the truth. We can buy many things, but never have a lasting satisfaction. We can be surrounded with precious jewelry but still feel a profound sense of emptiness. The solution to our fulfillment is not found on the HSN, internet shopping sites, or in the Macy’s catalog. In fact, the treasure that brings true joy is where your heart is. Matthew 6:19-21, ¹⁹“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The treasure of heaven is not a “thing”, it is not something you can purchase, showcase, or parade in front of people. It may not look alluring or desirable because you can not see or touch it. People who do find it may assume it have no value and cast it aside too quickly. They may find it only to let it slip away without taking a second look. Those who know the treasures of heaven, no explanation is necessary; but to those who do not, no explanation will be enough.

God ask us to seek within our hearts for the treasures that will last forever in the Kingdom he prepared for us. Being content is great gain in the eyes of God. This is the true essence of fame and power so people can not manipulate or influence you with their scheme or plot. God comforts us with his love to empty our hearts of desires and weaken our ambitions for fame, power, and materials. If you can not do it, just be still and let God.

The labarum (Greek: λάβαρον) was a vexillum (military standard) that displayed the "Chi-Rho" symbol, formed from the first two Greek letters of the word "Christ" (Greek: ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ, or Χριστός) — Chi (χ) and Rho (ρ). It was first used by the Roman emperor Constantine I. Since the vexillum consisted of a flag suspended from the crossbar of a cross, it was ideally suited to symbolize crucifixion. The Chi-Rho symbol was also used by Greek scribes to mark, in the margin, a particularly valuable or relevant passage; the combined letters Chi and Rho standing for chrēston, meaning "good.

Image via Wikipedia

Empty and formless, God created the heavens and earth like an empty well streaming with life and never ceases to flow. Hence, if you fill an empty container with water, it will never overflow no matter how much you do it because its capacity has no limits. It will just continue to produce streams of water that never cease to flow. The “emptiness” is not the same as “nothingness” for the infinite depths of God is the seed of Creation. Thus, there appears to be nothing, and yet God contains everything. God blunts the sharpness, unravels the knots, soften the glare, and mixes the dust to create the heavens and earth. In other words, God separated the light from the darkness, separated the water, formed the sky and dry ground, produced the vegetation, created creatures of the sea and land, and in his own image, he created man and women.

Everywhere you look God is always present, the invisible God who is hidden in our hearts. His Spirit was always near and now living in us. 1 Corinthians 6:19, ¹⁹Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; In the beginning, the Spirit of God hovered over the waters of the earth, so he can be close to us. God lived beside us when he asked Moses to make a tabernacle with cherubim to be placed in the sanctuary where God dwelled with the Israelites. Now, God’s spirit lives within us when he sent his only Son in the flesh to be a sacrifice for our sin. Dying on the cross, the curtains of the tabernacle separated and the spirit of God was released to the world. Jesus, the Lord our God lives intimately within us to give us his unfailing Love and carry us through our troubles. The spirit is the element in humanity which gives us the ability to have an intimate relationship with God. Whenever the word “spirit” is used, it refers to the immaterial part of humanity that “connects” with God, who Himself is spirit. John 4:24, ²⁴God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Colossians 1:17, ¹⁷God is before all things, the creator of the heavens and earth, the beginning and end. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Revelation 22:13, ¹³I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

The Bill of Rights, the First Ten Amendments: The concept of "Separation of Church and State" was to keep the state out of Church affairs. It was never intended to separate the State from the Church. Unfortunately, many have misunderstood it's true meaning; thus we no longer acknowlege or preserve the Church Principles in the State. The concept is found in the First Amendment, which states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. . . ." The Amendment does not contain the literal phrase, "separation of church and state,". -- James Madison and Thomas Jefferson --

The Bill of Rights, the First Ten Amendments

Too much bureaucracy, too many rules and regulations quickly leads to weakness and failure. It is better to maintain tranquility and non-action so we can subject to God’s law that is  impartial. God love righteous and unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45, ⁴³You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Ephesians 2:3, ¹As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ²in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. So, how can one be more righteous than another, if

we are already dead in our transgressions and sins? It is not your righteousness but the grace of God you are saved. Titus 2:11-14, ¹¹For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. ¹²It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Rather, we should forgive and not judge and condemn others. Luke 6:37, ³⁷“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. A dead person cannot make choices and a spiritually dead person most certainly cannot make a choice for God until he has been made a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are at war with God and our sinful mind is hostile to God (Romans 8:7-8). The sinful mind does not submit to God’s law, so God created government to establish order, punish evil, and promote justice (

Genesis 9:6; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Romans 12:8). God ask us to submit to governing authorities even when they are are difficult. For there is no authority except that which God has established. Authority figures are God’s servants and rebelling against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted. When the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, he was under the government of Rome during the reign an evil ruler Nero. Paul still recognized Roman’s Law over him.

Jesus at the hands of Pilate

Image via Wikipedia

Is the Law of the Land impartial? What if the Law of the Land benefits only the rich and powerful? Is there a time we should disobey the Laws of the Land? ” Acts 5:27-29, ²⁷Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. ²⁸“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” ²⁹Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! This is clear that the Law of the Land must not contradict the Law of God. We are to disobey the Law of the Land and obey God’s law; however we must still accept government’s authority over us. This is demonstrated by Peter and John who did not protest being flogged, but instead rejoiced in the suffering for obeying God. Jesus also humbled himself to the

authority of Rome when he was tortured under the ruling power of Pontius Pilate. Before Jesus was crucified, he knew Pontius Pilate only had authority over him because God, the Father gave it to him. John 19:10-11, ¹⁰“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” ¹¹Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” Jesus did not say much or do much because he knew his Father was at work in him.

Our mission as Christians is to share the Gospel of salvation with the world. When people are saved, the Holy Spirit will begin the work in them of changing their lives into conformity with God’s Word (Philippians 1:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Once Christ died on the cross he indwells us in the form of the Holy Spirit giving us a new nature (2 Timothy 1:14). We are no longer slaves to sin, but to righteousness and can make good choices. Governments “enforce” their laws onto their citizens, but this will eventually fail. Changing people on the inside is God’s work through the Holy Spirit. God is interested in saving people’s souls rather than “forcing” people to obey His Laws.

God must be understood through faith, for “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). We must remain faithful and know with God all things are possible. Too many words without knowledge of God’s law leads to failure. It cannot compare to keeping quiet. The Law of the Land should parallel with God’s Law in everyway possible. James 1:26-27, ²⁶If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. ²⁷Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. And if we don’t like the Law of the Land, it is better to keep still and let God. Psalm 37:7, ⁷Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes .

Icon of the Theophany

God is infinite (1 Timothy 1:17), incomparable (2 Samuel 7:22), and unchanging (Malachi 3:6). God knows everything (Matthew 11:21) and has all power and authority (Revelation 19:6).The spirit of God is everlasting, unfathomable, (Isaiah 40:28) and lives in us whom you have received from God (1 Corinthians 6:19). He is the mysterious Lord, sovereign God, the genesis of all things, creator of all heavens and earth (Colossians 1:16) who has always been there and will always be, existing everywhere (Psalm 139:7-12). The power of spirit is literally inexhaustible. It’s presence is like a continuous flow of light, the essence of life itself, always there working in us no matter how much you use it. Though we tend to take the spirit within us for granted and not pay to much attention to it, the spirit will always be there because we are not our own.

If you believe in Jesus Christ, God is with you, beside you, above you, and inside you. His presence and watchful care never leaves you because of his love. If you do not believe in Jesus Christ, God is right in front of you, inviting you, offering his love, and grace that He longs to give you. During times of painful trials it may seem God is no longer there to carry you. Even Jesus asked, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Though it seems God forsaken Jesus, we obviously know the events that unfolded after the crucifixion, the truth was revealed that nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even death (Romans 8:37-39). After Jesus was crucified, He was glorified (1 Peter 1:21, Mark 16:6). We can be assured that even when we do not feel God’s presence, we can still believe His promise that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

Via Dolorosa : Station 3

Jesus suffered the weight of all our sins to open the Gates of the Heavens.

John 1:1-4: ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men. It is this Word who became incarnate in Jesus. John 1:14, ¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Everything God the Father “Is”, Jesus “Is”. Death has no power over him because he is the God who is infinite and eternal. Anything born, non-born (is God), or created by God is everlasting. Everlasting life only exists when we let go and let God be the author of our life. God makes things everlasting and is the maker of the Heavens and Earth. Our fears grips onto a world of self desires that leads to our own death. Jesus death on the cross was the sacrifice he made to wash away our sins. The first Adam lead to death but the Second Adam lead us to eternal life; born again in Jesus Christ, living as One where the light of God will reign forever. Revelation 22:5, ⁵There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Jesus sacrifice was an example how he humbles himself to serve the least of men, only to be exalted by God alone in his Kingdom . The resurrection and glory after death is the fulfillment we receive from the love of God and his mercy.

Nature is God

Water is the most fitting metaphor how God designed forces of nature to serve all the living. Water nourishes every plant and thirsty animal. It assumes the lowest places no matter where it may be. This is the characteristics of God. John 1:14, ¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 3:16-17, ¹⁷For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Jesus rained down from Heaven to bring hope and salvation to all who repent and believe he is the Son of God, our savior. John 14:11, ¹¹Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. He takes the lowest places where the poor and sick settled. Water moves accordingly to nature. Nature is God and Jesus moves accordingly to the forces of Nature, nourishing all the living at the lowest places where people disdain.

Thus, in dwelling, the word from above became flesh among us. Like the deep body of water, his love has great depth beyond our understanding. When giving, it is for all, raining with great kindness without contention. Jesus reassembles the characters of water, reflecting it’s surrounding without hiding or changing anything. When Jesus speaks, his words are transparent, not hidden but are the reflections of his righteousness. He speaks with the sense of honesty so people come to trust him. Jesus ruling is impartial, nourishing everything in its path like the four headwaters moving along the lowest point of the world. When Jesus is working, he does whatever you ask in his name; like water conforming to the shape of any container to do its work. Changing, adapting, and moving to your constant needs or new challenges. Jesus fulfills his promise accordingly to the Word of his Father at the appropriate time. Everything God planned has already been finished and the Promise of God is set for us. His timing is like water moving in accordance with Nature. Whether it takes the form of rain, snow, or hail, water follows the timing of natural events. Jesus came to serve and not compete for wealth, power, or honor. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you and even more without expectation or return.

The Apostles learned not to compete among each other and shared their wealth. Those with money and possessions distributed their wealth to provide for the sick and poor. They learn not to compete among each other to fulfill God’s purpose. Acts 4:32-37, ³²All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. ³³With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. ³⁴There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. ³⁶Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), ³⁷sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

On the other hand, destructive competition seeks to benefit an individual/group/organism by damaging or eliminating competing individuals, groups, and/or organisms. It is a “winner take all” attitude where the success of one group is dependent on the failure of the other. This tends to promote fear, a “strike-first” mentality, which is common in our economy today. We can identify this behavior in the stock market where multi-billion dollar companies compete for survival by monopoly. Competition is not only expensive but can be damaging, as is the case with political elections, international sports, and advertising wars. It can lead to the compromising of ethical standards in order to gain an advantage. For example, athletes who use banned steroids in professional sports to boost their own chances of success. This is harmful for athletes who injure themselves when pushing their body past its natural limits.

Though we can have a Co-operative competition promoting a mutual survival where everyone wins, our competitiveness to get less and benefit the whole can be difficult. We don’t need a $100 million to live happily and giving away $99 million of your competitive winnings won’t be easy if we had to share the wealth so everyone wins. Matthew 19:21-23, ²¹Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²²When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. ²³Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

How does the evolutionary theory contradict Creation? Many evolutionary biologists view inter-species and intra-species competition as the driving force of adaptation, survival of the fittest. This evolutionary idea does not create life but results in death. A competition where the strongest and most adapted survives and the weak, less adapted dies. Is this how we really want to view our humanity? Jesus came here to be with the poor and sick. God is about the Creation of Life. Creation and Evolution are both scary outcomes. If you believe in a Creator, one day you will be judged according to your sins. If you believe in Evolution, than who is watching over us? The earth will move sporadically in space at approximately 66,000 mph, adaptation of the fittest will result in death due to war, and life on earth will end after death. There will be nothing to look forward too. Do we really want to compete like wild animals to survive by taking another life?

St Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.

Filling your stomach up with riches, keep sharpening your sword, and the love money can excite the fascination of “getting excessively rich”. It is too great a temptation to resist potential wealth when we don’t keep our faith in God. The body do not have the ability to do anything above our mental and physical capacity. Unfortunately, some desire to live above their means to cover up their insecurities which may lead to stress, anger, violence, and possibly suicide. These excessive behaviors start to shape our life and soon become destructive habits.

Living in moderation can be quite a challenge when you have the opportunity to live like a wealthy celebrity. Let’s say, you won 2.3 million dollars and a bracelet at the World Series of Poker. What about $21,000,000,000 playing the lotto? If that isn’t enough, what about an inheritance of 1.3 billion dollars? Do I need the money to be happy? If you were content without it, then what purpose does excessive wealth serve you? Do you plan to keep it all for yourself or give a portion away? Of course, the money can buy many desirable things; however, the true essence of who we are is to “Give” and not receive. This is the basic foundation God created us to be for true happiness. Acts 20:35, ³⁵In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “ Immediate wealth weakens our ambition to learn new things in life. What do you have to look forward too if everything is at hand? All the special moments of your incremental success are now replaced with money. In fact, the vast majority of lottery winners who won a large sum of money are in a worst financial situation. Many of them claim to be playing the lottery so they can give to the church or good cause, but few, if any, truly give.

Do I need to earn excessive amount of money? Money does not create happiness and desiring too much are the reasons for the housing and stock market to collapse. The Rich gets richer and the Poor get poorer at the expense of another person. This is the excessive greed along the higher chain of people who live to improve their status quo. The chances of excessively gaining wealth are extremely small, which results in many peoples’ lives being ruined. God does not need your money to fulfill his Promise for us. He is the Sovereign God who provides for our needs, especially to those who ask in his name. John 14:14, ¹⁴You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. Build your wealth honestly in increments you can appreciate and give to the poor what God has given you.  Proverbs 13:11, ¹¹Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow. To whom much is given, much is expected! Luke 12:47-48,  ⁴⁷“That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. ⁴⁸But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Hebrews 13:5, ⁵Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10 ,⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Matthew 6:24 , ²⁴No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Many professionals “Require” the use of their “Title” named accordingly by their profession to fulfill any insecurity they may have. It is a primary fragment of what they “Come To Be” and not who they really are. The “Title” gives them an edge above everyone else and becomes the grounds of their identity. These titles may include Dr., PhD, DDS, MD, CEO, CFO, President, Bishop, Pastor, Father, Rabbi, and many more. Matthew 23:5-13, ⁵“Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; ⁶they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; ⁷they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’ ⁸“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. ⁹And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. ¹¹The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹²For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. ¹³“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Though we may be the CEO of a fortune 5 company or the top surgeon in the world, God ask us to do our work and remain humble. Let the people around you, honor you. There is no need to sit on a pedestal above everyone else. “Live To Give!”