God Uses Confessed Sin

"When a competitive marksman misses the bullseye, s(he) still gets points for hitting an outer ring of the target. Father God is a similar record keeper. When Jesus Followers fall short in our daily battle with 'Mr. Sin', God promises that He'll work out even our screw-ups to our good when we confess ...because He loves us unconditionally in Jesus, our King!" ~ gfp '42™ (Romans 8:28-39 at http://diigo.com/0lc07) #sin Sent from Catch Notes for Android https://catch.com

God’s No-Cost Protection Services

epistoli: God’s Protection Services -- Exodus 14:19-20

"Hell Is Not A Fairy Tale!"

"Hell is not God's cruel punishment. It's the eternal choice of each wo(men) who does not follow and obey Him. He says so!  ~ © gfp '42™ 

What to do about it is clearly explained in Romans 10:8-12 in the Christian Bible at http://diigo.com/0lk6j. 

Many Scientists' Position On Faith

Luther On Books

Martin Luther defines too many books!

Why Peaceable Muslims Are Irrelevant!

The Guest Post below is by Paul Marek. He has some amazing insights about the dangers of the oft-repeated, but nonetheless, irrelevant truth: "The Majority of Muslims are peaceable". He had these insights seven (7) years ago ...long before "A

The Peaceful Majority

by: Paul E. Marek

I used to know a man whose family were German aristocracy prior to World War Two. They owned a number of large industries and estates. I asked him how many German people were true Nazis, and the answer he gave has stuck with me and guided my attitude toward fanaticism ever since.

“Very few people were true Nazis” he said, “but, many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories.”

We are told again and again by “experts” and “talking heads” that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unquantified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the spectre of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam.

The fact is, that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the

Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China’s huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people. The Average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a war mongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of Killing that included the systematic killing of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel, and bayonet. And, who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were “peace loving”.

History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the

fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars world wide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honor kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. The hard quantifiable fact is, that the “peaceful majority” is the “silent majority” and it is cowed and extraneous.
most basic and uncomplicated of points. Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by the fanatics. Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don’t speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awake one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.

Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Bosnians, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others, have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention primarily to the only group that counts; the fanatics who threaten our way of life. 


Paul E. Marek is a second-generation Canadian, whose grandparents fled Czechoslovakia just prior to the Nazi takeover. He is an educational consultant specializing in programs that protect children from predatory adults. You can discover more of Paul's writing here, including the original post.

How To Live & Love Longer & Better

Another Patton Associates S-M-A-R-TBriefing™

“Science Confirms How We Can Live Longer With Higher Quality of Life”

by: Gary F. Patton (gfp'42™)

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? There’s “Good News”! You’ll be glad to hear that even Zoomers can live longer ...better!

A ‘Zoomer’ * if you're not sure is a "Baby Boomer with Zip”!  And ‘Boomers‘ are the huge, post-WW II generation born between 1943 or ‘46 and 1964, depending on which expert one reads.

There will be over one Billion of we Boomers who are over 65 by the year 2030. Our continuing lack of excellent wellness could bankrupt our much fewer children and grandchildren who will be working and paying taxes to fund Medicare.

“Watch what you eat.  Poor choices can kill you because not all so-called food is healthy nor created equal!” ~ gfp '42™

You Won't Believe It. ..But It Is True!

Thankfully, there's a brand new health study, recently released, that offers hope. This hope is for not only longer life for we Boomers and members of all other GENs. But the hope is also a future without as much pain, discomfort, and anguishing death which too-often now accompanies ageing.

Given "The Terrible Trifecta" of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease plaguing Westerners, even those in their 20s, THIS IS FABULOUS NEWS!

The study results represent an incredible breakthrough in research on wellness and quality of life. That’s because for the first time, it’s been proven that a diet ..."The Mediterranean Diet"... can be as effective as drugs in preventing heart attacks, strokes and deaths from cardiovascular disease. 

And this diet does so without the added, high cost or debilitating side-effects of drugs.

Plus, you may eat all you want as outlined by the nutrition expert in the video linked at: Mediterranean Diet Has Huge Health Benefits, New Study Finds.

You can read about the results of this impressive double blind, research study of 7500 Westerners here. It’s even more intriguing because the results were so clear and so dramatic, this research project was actually stopped early.

It's What God Already Said!

The study demonstrates, with irrefutable medical proof, what God said thousands of years ago when He caused His "Story Of Creation" to be documented. In the Christian/Hebrew Bible, our loving Heavenly Father lays down his "Perfect Diet" for His "Perfect Pleasing Creation" … we wo(men). (In His story, God named both genders 'Adam'.)

God’s ideal diet is short, sweet, and appetizing. It includes the vast collection and exotic variety of all fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and grains. You can read about God’s perfect diet in context in Genesis 1:29.

Science finally agrees with God in this Study ...again! (Human Genome researchers had previously proven every wo(men) alive today has the same two common ancestors.)

It's Also What God Showed Us!

About 15 years ago, Karen, my life partner of 47 years, was diagnosed with the "Big C". There was a huge tumour in her colon. I had already been seriously ill and totally unable to work for over 3 1/2 years because of Chronic Fatigue & Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS)*.

We were scared! We didn't know what to do!!

We'd had first-hand experience with Doctors destroying the quality of life of Karen's sister with their normal cancer treatments, i.e., burn, cut, and poison someone with an already compromised immune system. We wondered how this was much different than blood-letting of sick people ...not long ago stopped by Doctors as disastrous? Karen was legitimately leery.

In the nick of time, God led us to a simple, low-cost lifestyle change which is similar to the one analyzed in this ground-breaking study, but different in two crucial ways. You can read about the miraculous healings which resulted for both Karen and me.

And Now God Has Led Us To Another Miracle Food!

If you wish to enhance your longevity and wellness even more, don’t eat even the limited amounts of flesh that Mediterranean people eat. Fish and other sea products are carriers of deadly Heavy Metals and other toxins. Even so-called organic pond-grown fish are often full of the unhealthy bacteria that thrived in their stagnant growing-habitat.

As for red-meat, what other horrors can I share which you that you don’t already know about.

But you may not know that there is an even better source than fish of “Essential Fatty Acids” (EFAs) ...especially Omega 3s which you’re always hearing about because it’s so crucial to your family’s well-being. And that superior source of all EFAs is an easy-to eat and digest, inexpensive seed that is readily available at your local bulk store.

That source which deserves the name ‘Superfood’ is Chia Seed. You can discover the stupendous benefits of Chia here.

“Add years to your life plus added quality of life to those years by taking control of  your wellness back from the hands of all healthcare practitioners whom you should allow to consult to you only!" ~ gfp '42™

Footnotes

* Credit for the invention and development of the name ‘Zoomer’, plus its companion “Zoomer Philosophy”, goes to Canadian entrepreneur Moses Znaimer.

* * Medical Science, by the way, doesn't call cancer, like CFIDS, a ‘syndrome’ any more. That's because Cancer Researchers knew over 50 years ago what causes it. They knew, disgracefully, even before engineering the launch of Pres. Nixon's totally unsuccessful, money-sink called "The War on Cancer". Pure and simple, Science has known cancer is primarily a “Lifestyle Disease” for a very long time. Lifestyle Diseases are also what most diabetes and heart problems are as well ...the other dis-eases of the "Terrible Triplets". (Sure, the genes of some of us may also be involved. But, our 'tendencies' do not have to condemn us as our 'destinies'!)

You’re Up Now

I'd love to hear what you think and how you feel about what I share above. Or answer any questions you may have. Any complaining, complimentary, or condemnatory comments you wish to make, I'd welcome. 

You may add your comment at the link just below. Your doing so would encourage others to dialogue. Alternatively, you may e-mail or Skype me which I'd also welcome.

You also may sign up to be notified confidentially when I post again here. You do so at the e-mail or Friend Connect windows in the right margin. You may also learn more about me than the standard Blogger profile to the right at the links below.

With my compliments and permission to reproduce, without change or profiteering, including the following:

© Copyright 2013 Gary F. Patton, PattonAssociates.ca, People Development Coaches

"I specialize in business & life coaching that measurably improves the performance of people!"

Toronto ON CAN  M1E 4S4    GaryFPatton    E-Mail: Gary F. Patton

My Practice Profile   Discover places where we can connect.  

Schedule a FREE “Coaching Call” with me by clicking here.

You may share what God has given me in this article only in accordance with the Creative Commons 3.0 License you’ll find briefly explained by clicking the CC Logo below.

Who Says Christians Aren't Supposed to Judge? Not Jesus!

Another Patton Associates Spiritual GrowthTip™

“Jesus Commends Judging the Behaviour of Other Followers"

by: Gary F. Patton  (gfp'42™)

Have you like me heard someone say: “You can’t judge other people? How about: “It’s Biblically wrong to judge?” Or even worse: “Don’t judge me! Jesus says you can’t.”

On the contrary, what I believe the Bible says is:

“Who says Christians aren't supposed to judge? Christians who say we cannot judge others are ONLY partially right!” ~  gfp '42™

Please read on and I will explain the Biblical reasons that I say the above. Plus, I’ll explain the major exception and how, when, who, and for what Jesus commands us to judge.

God Says!

To start with on this heavily-debated, Biblical subject of a Jesus Followers right to judge, here's what our Master says in Revelation 2:2:

"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false."

If Jesus commended the Ephesians in their day for judging so-called Apostles within the Body of The King and finding them false, why would we not judge leaders and others in the Body today?

Further, in Luke 12:57 our Master says: "Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?" Again, in John 7:24  Jesus also says "Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly."

In light of the above, therefore, I further suggest that, while we are to judge other Followers' behaviour, we must judge by the power of Holy Spirit operating in us to avoid a "fleshly”, unBiblical judgement.

Woah Nelly! Doesn’t Jesus Also Say?

Despite my comments and Scripture references above, we may not judge another Follower's motives ...even if we think it's by the Spirit! We must not because Jesus Followers, even those with the Gift of Prophecy, "see through a glass darkly". I also say this because of Jesus' otherwise contradictory command in Matthew 7:1 and Luke 6:37:

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Taken out of the context of the whole of New Covenant Scripture, one could mistakenly think Jesus’ is a blanket command to never judge anyone for anything. The problem with this interpretation, however, is that it cannot be jibed with our Lord’s own behaviour and teaching ...both of which are models for Followers.

For example, our King often judged others: Jesus said the Pharisees were “whitewashed tombs”; He said Herod was a ‘fox’; He called the disciples ‘fools’; He labeled Peter was a ‘Satan’!

To rationalize this obvious contradiction, some Christians would argue that Jesus had the right to pass judgment because He is God and we’re not. True, but in leaving final judgment to Him, as the New Covenant says elsewhere we must do, does Jesus really intend us to pass no judgment of any kind on anybody or anything?

We can know this is not correct because both Jesus and His first Ambassadors tell us to beware of “false prophets”, but how do we know they are false prophets unless we judge the content of their teaching? He also tells us to not cast our pearls before swine, but how do we know who’s ‘swiney’ unless we pass judgment on their observable character traits? In addition, Jesus tells us to rebuke Brothers who sin against us, but how do we do that without first judging what they did is sinful?

The fact is, Matthew 7:1-5 is not hung on a sky-hook, alone in the New Covenant. The passage is only a small part of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount”. One aim of it was to contrast for Jesus’ first listeners and us the righteousness of God’s Kingdom to what the scribes and Pharisees call ‘righteousness’.

I suggest this command of our Master and Saviour ONLY means that we are to NOT judge another Follower's motives, but it does not refer to their observable behaviour. And if you require more truth regarding a Jesus Follower’s Biblical requirement to judge Fellow Followers, I commend to you the entire book of Jude.

God’s Ambassadors Say

As for judging non-Followers, Father also makes VERY clear through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:12 that we may not do so:

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?"

As you can see in this latter Verse, Jesus, “God The One & Only”, also inspires through Paul’s writing His previously clear, personal statements that His Followers must  judge Believers in Him. You'll note that Paul's question here is obviously rhetorical!

Likewise in James 4: 11-12, another of Jesus’ Ambassadors, His half-Brother James, warns

us not to ‘slander’ or “speak against” (not to)  a fellow Follower behind their backs because that is NOT carefronting but the worst kind of judging ...sinful gossip. The ‘Law’ James says we slander when we do gossip is the Jesus’ “Law of Love”, not the old Covenant Law. You’ll note that James also reconfirms we must not judge non-Followers he calls our ‘neighbours’.  

Having reviewed what the Bible actually says about ‘carefronting’, you will now understand why I believe the much-believed myth of Christian non-judgmentalism is demonic in origin. I think it is Satan's attempt to short-circuit mutual accountability within the Body of Christ.

Satan's myth also negates tough love which is just as crucial a part of Jesus' "Platinum Rule" as any other dimension of Body-commanded love.

Brothers and Sisters, as our almighty God commands us, be obedient and judge well because...

“Christians who say we are not to judge others are only partially correct! Judging rightly is what Jesus commands. Love and truth are “The Commanded Conjoined Twins” for Jesus Followers; they must never be separated if we wish to obey Jesus’ “Platinum Rule”!” ~  gfp '42™

Please drop me a line at the address below. I'd love to hear what you think and how you feel about the above. Or answer any questions you may have.  You also can ask to be added to my Spiritual GrowthTip™ Mailing List or to book a complimentary Coaching Session. I waive my normal coaching fee when the topic is spirituality.

With my  compliments and permission to reproduce, without change or profiteering, including the following:

© Copyright 2012-13 Gary F. Patton, PattonAssociates.ca, People Development Coaches

"I specialize in business & personal life coaching that measurably improves the performance of people!"

Toronto ON CAN  M1E 4S4   Tel:  GaryFPatton  E-Mail: Gary F. Patton

My Practice Profile    Discover places where we can connect    

Schedule a 'FREE Coaching Call’ with me by clicking here.

You may share this article under a Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Really? Jesus Meant That?

What Jesus Actually Says About Violence & Warfare

Many in the Body of Jesus, The King, are unconvinced by our Master's clear call to complete non-violence. His personal example and that of His Apostles also doesn't seem to sway them to pacifism. Nor does the consistent, recurrent testimony of New Covenant Scripture. 

It's like many of us don't even see the truth when we read our Bibles because it's not taught from most pulpits.

You'll find "Jesus' Key Peace-Making Commands of Total Non-Violence" as they apply to individual Jesus Followers in Matthew 5:38-48. There He makes no exceptions and allows for no ambiguity by us or our preachers. (Attached to the linked Scripture are some of my further comments on what our Master says. They're in e-Sticky Notes on various verses in the passage.)

Many Christians don't seem to believe that Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant in these and other similar passages when He commands that our attitude as individual Followers of His must be to "Wage Peace ...Not War".

However, all of Jesus' early Followers took our Saviour at His word! They were not yet captured by the demonic denial that grips many modern Christians like a vice. Many today don't even know that they're caught by the Great Schemer as it says in 2 Corinthians 2:5-11. Let alone how to resist getting caught in the first place as explained in Ephesians 6:10-19 where Holy Spirit describes "A Jesus' Following Warrior's Armour".

So that you'll not think this only my opinion, you'll find below a small sample of quotations from the early Body of The King during its first 400 years. These quotes are by leaders who learned directly from Jesus' Ambassador, John, and/or hearers of theirs.

You'll see in their actual quotes that early Jesus Followers no longer believed or acted upon Old Covenant laws like many Christians today do. Early Jesus Followers understood and were taught that Jesus abrogated, fulfilled, and replaced everything that God had inspired about violence before He sent Yeshua, their King and ours.

The non-violent position proclaimed by these first leaders of the early Body, who followed immediately after the Apostles, held both international and universal sway among Jesus' early Followers. Active pacifism, Jesus' Third Way between passivism and violence, was a Follower's only lifestyle until the Roman Catholic Bishop of Hippo emasculated Jesus's words. Augustine did so with his unBiblical "Just War Doctrine" in the early Fifth Century. 

Augustine promulgated his perverse Doctrine, which denies the example of the Cross, so that the Emperor could attract Jesus Followers as soldiers. The Fifth Century populous group of our Lord's Followers were sorely needed in the army to protect the state Catholic Church's lands and wealth.

So What's A Jesus Follower To Do? 

"What am I to do", you rightly ask, "if personal violence is out in order to protect myself or those I love ...regardless of circumstances?" 

"Plus are you really telling me that, in deference to Jesus' commands and God's Kingdom, I also cannot serve my country as a gun-carrying soldier, police person, guard, etc. or as a life and death-legislating politician?" 


Firstly, every Jesus Follower who follows Jesus' pacifist lifestyle can claim the sure promise that "Our Heavenly Father Provides A Way Through Every Trial".

Also we know that Father provides for our National Governments to protect us from foreign states, international terrorism, as well as from our local enemies ...just like the Jesus Followers quoted below trusted He would.

What Post-Apostle Leaders Told Those Who Wanted To Follow Jesus

Justin Martyr (100-165)

“We who formerly used to murder one another do not only now refrain from making war upon our enemies, but also, that we may not lie nor deceive our examiners, willingly die confessing Christ. We who were filled with war, and mutual slaughter, and every wickedness, have each through the whole earth changed our warlike weapons,— our swords into plow-shares, and our spears into implements of tillage, — and we cultivate piety, righteousness, philanthropy, faith, and hope, which we have from the Father Himself through Him who was crucified.”

Tatian (120-180)

“I do not wish to be a king; I am not anxious to be rich; I decline military command… Die to the world, repudiating the madness that is in it.”

Irenaeus (130-200)

“But if the law of liberty, that is, the word of God, preached by the apostles (who went forth from Jerusalem) throughout all the earth, caused such a change in the state of things, that these [nations] did form the swords and war-lances into plow-shares, and changed them into pruning-hooks for reaping the corn, [that is], into instruments used for peaceful purposes, and that they are now unaccustomed to fighting, but when smitten, offer also the other cheek, then the prophets have not spoken these things of any other person, but of Him who effected them.”

Athenagoras (133-190)

“We have rejected such spectacles as the Coliseum. How then, when we do not even look on killing lest we should contract guilt and pollution, can we put people to death?”

“We, a numerous band of men as we are, have learned from His teaching and His laws that evil ought not to be requited with evil, that it is better to suffer wrong than to inflict it, that we should rather shed our own blood than stain our hands and our conscience with that of another.”

Clement of Alexandria (150-215)

"An enemy must be aided, so that he may not continue as an enemy. For by help, good feeling is compacted and enmity dissolved."

"We do not train our women like Amazons to manliness in war, for we wish even the men to be peaceable."

“Above all, Christians are not allowed to correct with violence the delinquencies of sins.”


Tertullian (160-220)

But now inquiry is made about this point, whether a believer may turn himself unto military service, and whether the military may be admitted unto the faith, even the rank and file, or each inferior grade, for who it is not required to take part in sacrifices or capital punishments. There is no agreement between the divine and the human sacrament, the standard of Christ and the standard of the devil, the camp of light and the camp of darkness. One soul cannot be due to two masters—God and Caesar. . . .But how will a Christian war, nay, how will he serve even in peace without a sword, which the Lord has taken away? For albeit soldiers had come unto John, and had received the formula of their rule; albeit, likewise, a centurion had believed, still the Lord afterword  in disarming Peter, unbelted every soldier."

"Christ plainly teaches a new kind of long-suffering, when He actually prohibits reprisals that the Creator permitted in requiring 'an eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth.'"

Hippolytus (170-235)

“A soldier of the civil authority must be taught not to kill men and to refuse to do so if he is commanded, and to refuse to take an oath; if he is unwilling to comply, he must be rejected. If a catechumen or a believer seeks to become a soldier, they must be rejected, for they have despised God.”

Origen (182-254)

“And to those who inquire of us whence we come, or who is our founder, we reply that we are come, agreeably to the counsels of Jesus, to ‘cut down our hostile and insolent “wordy” swords into plow-shares, and to convert into pruning-hooks the spears formerly employed in war.’ For we no longer take up ‘sword against nation,’ nor do we ‘learn war any more,’ having become children of peace, for the sake of Jesus, who is our leader, instead of those whom our fathers followed.”

In Conclusion

You've noted that all the above writers taught Jesus' exclusive pacifism 200 years before the Catholic, Augustine, lead the Body of Christ down a road to carnage and violence with his "Just War Doctrine". This Doctrine, not Scripture, fertilizes Jesus Followers' "flesh" and non-Followers' human nature. 

Also, despite Protestants' cries of no tradition and "Sola Scriptura", from the Reformation to now most Protestant Pastors/Teachers have continued to preach that foul Doctrine's unBiblical perversity. 

If you'd like to review further quotes, there's a more extensive list plus more early Jesus Follower's writings, here.  

Please leave a comment below about what you think and how you feel about what I share above.

With my  compliments and permission to reproduce, without change or profiteering, including the following:

© Copyright 2013 Gary F. Patton, PattonAssociates.ca, People Development Coaches

"I specialize in business & personal life coaching that measurably improves the performance of people!"

Toronto ON CAN  M1E 4S4   Tel:  GaryFPatton  E-Mail: Gary F. Patton

My Practice Profile    Discover places where we can connect    

Schedule a FREE Coaching Call with me

You may share this article under a Creative Commons 3.0 License.