God - God versus religion

Trust in God’s peace – living with cancer

Don't waste your cancer, Learning from a dog

God’s peace: Just over six months ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. The genomic testing from the biopsy said I could wait for treatment and go into what they called active surveillance. Part of the active surveillance is a rotation between biopsies and MRI’s. According to the biopsy, as I said, it was reasonably safe to go into the surveillance mode. They give the percentage chance that the cancer will spread beyond where it is, then you make your decision whether to remove it, treat it, or wait. I chose to wait.

The thing is, years ago I think that waiting would have driven me crazy. So much uncertainty. Fear and anxiety. And that would lead to depression. Which would then lead to a desire to die. Thoughts of suicide. That’s the way I was.

But now, it hasn’t been that way. Yes, I have the head knowledge to know that I can trust in God to take care of me. And yes, I have the head knowledge to know that the next life is what’s most important. But head knowledge doesn’t get rid of the fear and the anxiety. It just can’t.

It’s only through what we Christians call heart knowledge that those things can be overcome

Trust in God’s peace – living with cancer More

Do American Christians care about truth at all?

A look at ourselves

Do American Christians care about truth at all? That should be a dumb question. Dumb in the sense that all Christians care about truth. Don’t we? Sadly, apparently not.

The headline from NBC News reads: RNC airs video clip of ‘Biden’s America’ — it was actually Barcelona. Just in case you’re not aware of it, Barcelona is in Spain. You know – Spain, as in the country across the Atlantic. In Europe. Not in America. Although some people, notably our President – Trump – don’t seem to know this. Or maybe just flat out don’t care?

Do American Christians care about truth at all? More

Donald Trump or John Lewis – who is poor in spirit?

A look at ourselves

Donald Trump or John Lewis – who is poor in spirit? That surely depends on what I mean by spirit. In one regard, I can think of no one in his position that’s ever had more spirit. However, in another way, I find spirit pretty much absent. So which one am I asking about? Well, this site is about religion, specifically Christianity. Which “spirit” do you think I’m talking about?

The image at the right kind of gives a clue.

Donald Trump or John Lewis – who is poor in spirit? More

Is not testing really a good idea?

A look at ourselves

Is not testing really a good idea? You probably think I’m asking about COVID-19 testing. Well, I am, sort of. But only a little bit. Mostly, I’m asking about something else. However, looking at the question with an eye towards COVID does help come up with a valid answer for my actual topic.

Do we then really want to go through the rest of our lives with absolutely no idea as to whether or not likely to achieve that goal?

Is not testing really a good idea? More

120,000 more children will die of malnutrition. Who will mourn?

A look at ourselves

120,000 more children will die of malnutrition. Not 120,000 will die. 120,000 additional children will die of severe malnutrition this year, due to the effects of COVID on the food supplies for children around the world. Who will mourn? Someone once said, “Blessed are those who mourn …” But who is mourning when they read the headline: “Rising child malnutrition rates to lead to 120,000 excess deaths during pandemic”? Even more than that, who is doing something about it?

Not “just” donating money, although money is needed and is important. My question is, who is in a position of power that has the ability to do something about the root cause of this? And what are they doing? Even more to the point, my question is for Christians in those positions do do something, and yet do nothing. Where are you? Are you mourning?

120,000 more children will die of malnutrition. Who will mourn? More

You are amazing! Who are you people?

A look at ourselves

You are amazing. What does it take to have someone say that to us? But even then, what does it mean? What does amazing really mean? What kind of amazing do we want to be? And why?

We are those who must withdraw from society in order to survive it. Like you, we have all undergone a drastic change to everything we know. For many of us, secluding ourselves was the only remaining option if we wished to conduct normal lives. The world does not welcome us anymore, so we have made a place where we can belong, here, together. In this place, far from the cares of civilization, we are safe.

You are amazing! Who are you people? More

American beliefs – do all religions lead to the same God?

American Theology is mixed up

Do all religions lead to the same God? When Americans were asked to react to the statement, God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, more than half agreed, with 46% strongly agreeing. Just based on an approximate 70+% of Americans claiming to be Christian, that number is surprising.

And disappointing. It means, right or wrong, only about two-thirds of American Christians even think they know enough about their claimed religion to have a strong response to the statement.

American beliefs – do all religions lead to the same God? More

Why can’t America deal with the Coronavirus?

A look at ourselves

Why can’t America deal with the Coronavirus? Maybe for the same reason we can’t seem to deal with much of anything these days? We’re so split on just about every issue. If you ask people what color is the sky, I bet we couldn’t even agree on that!

But maybe it’s not what you think. I don’t believe it’s really political, although that seems to be a big factor. I don’t think it’s race either, even though that also appears to be another big factor. The question is, are those really the problem? Or are they symptoms of the real problem?

Why can’t America deal with the Coronavirus? More

The Trinity: Is There One Christian God?

Messed up American Theology: Is The Trinity One Christian God?

American Theology is mixed up

The Trinity: Is there one Christian God? In other words, do you agree with the following statement? There is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Would you believe, only 56% of Americans strongly agreed with that statement? As of 2019, about 65% of the population of the U.S. claims to be Christian. That means at least 9% of them don’t agree that there is one Christian God, made up of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Oops.

Truth is, that number could be over 9%. There are likely quite a few non-Christians that would know Christianity teaches about the Trinity: one God in three Persons. Even Muslims know about the Trinity in Christianity, even though they teach it’s not correct. Oops again.

Messed up American Theology: Is The Trinity One Christian God? More

Blessed are those who are persecuted

The Beatitudes

Blessed are those who are persecuted. Huh? Persecuted for what? And why? Why is it a blessing to be persecuted? And what is the blessing that’s received? If you don’t know what this is about, it probably sounds like someone’s really into being dumped on. But then, if you’re a regular here, you know what this is about. It’s the conclusion to our series on the Beatitudes.

Blessed are those who are persecuted More