when so many consider Revelation to be a book of doom and gloom, I choose to also present is as one of amazing hope. Hope that is available to every one of us. Hope that will keep us out of the doom and gloom that will come – but doesn’t have to come to us.
I can’t help but wonder – if this father is so wonderful, how come neither of his sons knew it? Further – how could the father be so blind as to not know that neither son really knew him? And if he was aware that his sons didn’t know him – how come he didn’t do anything about it? In other words – why is it just accepted that the father was good and the problem was with the sons?
Lost Son Parable – Parenting 501 – update More
I can’t help but wonder – if this father is so wonderful, how come neither of his sons knew it? Further – how could the father be so blind as to not know that neither son really knew him? And if he was aware that his sons didn’t know him – how come he didn’t do anything about it? In other words – why is it just accepted that the father was good and the problem was with the sons?
Lost Son Parable – Parenting 501 More
All of this sounds very good. There’s nothing in here that, as Christians, we would disagree with. All is well. But – is it really? I left out some things. Some very important things. All of the parts where Islam and Christianity disagree as to who Jesus really is. Below is the full text of the quotes from the Qu’ran – words that present a very different picture from the Jesus that we know and love, and count on for our hope of salvation and everlasting life.
Jesus – God, or just a prophet? More
… in the very first article – “what religion was Abraham” – that there are promises made by God (the Jewish and Christian God of the Old Testament) to Abraham, Hagar and Ishmael. At the beginning of this whole controversy – Abraham – there was a common God. A God that made promises to Abram / Abraham, Sarai / Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael, Isaac.
It’s not unlike the scenario we have today with the various religions / denominations / sects that believe the others are apostates that will go to Hell. They started out believing the same thing. Then something changed.
God: Christianity and Islam – Home page More
And so now we’re ready for Revelation. And finding out what happens to the “seeds” that fell in all four areas – which of course is a way to describe everyone who is – has been – and will be on the face of this earth. God has offered salvation to all of us – but only those who successfully make it through the hype cycle – who achieve a relationship with our Savior, Jesus – are guaranteed that salvation.
Parables and Hype Cycles (Part 4) More
As you read through these, if you’re already a Christian – think about your own experiences, like with reading the Bible and what you’ve expected after that. You’ll probably see yourself as having gone through these very feelings.
If you’re not a Christian – this will give you an idea of what to expect, and let you know that if / when you feel discouraged or wondering about things as you move along – you’re not alone. It’s part of the process of getting to know / believe / follow Jesus.
Revelation, Jesus and Hype Cycles (Part 3) More
Oh – by the way – that forgiveness thing. It’s good for anything we have done. Literally – anything. There’s nothing, no matter what some may say, that won’t be forgiven. Some would say if you’ve done certain things – you can’t be in “the church”. Well – maybe not in their “church”. But in Jesus’ church – sincerely ask for forgiveness from Jesus – and you will be forgiven.
As you read through these, if you’re already a Christian – think about your own experiences, like with reading the Bible and what you’ve expected after that. You’ll probably see yourself as having gone through these very feelings.
If you’re not a Christian – this will give you an idea of what to expect, and let you know that if / when you feel discouraged or wondering about things as you move along – you’re not alone. It’s part of the process of getting to know / believe / follow Jesus.
Revelation, People and Hype Cycles (Part 2) More
Anyway – back to the hype cycle. When you look at it from the human behavioral point of view – it makes sense that the hype cycle and Revelation would have so much in common. After all – while Gartner presumes to know people in the IT field very well – who knows more about all of us than the One who created us? (Answer: no one.)
Revelation and Hype Cycles – Introduction More
