(11/03/2019) Christian Celebration And Rejoicing

Returning Home with Victory, Washington Nationals 1^st Baseman, Ryan Zimmerman displays the 2019 World Series Trophy

Today, reply is on authentic Christian celebration. Many Christians will not celebrate Halloween and popular holidays that appear to continue fear, gluttony, idolatry, misery, rebellion, wickedness, and willfulness. Even so, Christians are committed to celebrating liberty, life, and prosperity. To acknowledge the home team winning the 2019 World Series baseball championship, the Nation’s Capitol, Washington, D. C., held a public sports rally on a Saturday (Sabbath) afternoon that was attended by thousands. Among the followers of Jesus Christ, rejoicing does not have to appear as colorful and loud social gatherings that feature eating, drinking, excitement, and carnal pleasure. Because joy is an aspect of divine fullness, where genuine joy appears, divinity always is present; and joy that also is invisible may be discerned by balance, modesty, quiet, restraint, silence, and rest. Divinely provided joy is inseparable from faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Joy will appear as the expression of gratitude and reverence to divinity through actions such as affirming accord and agreement; confessing ones own accountability, commitment, limits, needs, and infirmities; declaring the name (accomplishments; reputation), personhood, and works of divinity; displaying humility; bestowing gifts, offerings, praise, sacrifice, and worship on behalf of divinity; and yielding to GOD for reconciliation, resolution of conflict, and the settlement of disputes and quarrels. It is written: Psalms 45: 6-8, King James Version (KJV): 1 My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. 2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. 3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. 4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. 5 Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under thee. 6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1^st Peter 4: 12-14, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Divine Anger at Harvest? (05/26/2019); Sabbath Acknowledges Divine Personhood? (05/14/2018); Chocolate Bunnies! Easter Eggs! (04/18/2017); Why An Easter Season? (04/19/2017); On Wearing Sports Jerseys? (11/20/2015); Spring-training (04/11/2014); Kill the Blog Writer! (04/12/2014); Will GOD Bless My Team? (12/31/2012); Put Every Man His Sword By His Side (01/01/2013)

While Christian belief is to be firm, grave, and sober, believers are not to be dark, depressing, morbid, and scary. It is no sin, and it is not wrong to work hard, to become excellent, to be pleased with your own performance, and to seek fair and meaningful incentives, payment and wages along with correct measures of respect and support. However, many, today, pursue goals of becoming outstanding, prominent, and special on the basis of covetousness, deceit, envy, and exaggerated pride. The greater part of their lifestyle and daily routines may be devoted to accomplishing objectives, and measuring up to standards that are not shared by family, friends, and others, and that they may experience as attacks, unfair criticism, judging others, and thrusts against themselves. Ones determination, focus on personal goals, practice that results in growth, and adhering to self-discipline should provide great satisfaction, yet, lasting joy, happiness, and success will continue to be elusive. The working of appetite, desire, lust, passion, and sensuousness come and go, so to speak, and emerge as displays from ones flesh that can only be brief and episodic. Genuine joy abides, is organic (part of what and who you are), and is unending; even so, joy, may be denied, dismissed, ignored, neglected and unseen. There must be a correct acknowledgment of divinity as the origin and source of joy through endowments and operations of spirit content imparted from divine fullness. Joy shared within the Godhead may appear among men as cheerfulness; comfort during bereavement; dancing; discovery; ecstasy; forgiveness; healing of depression and melancholy; inebriation; jumping for joy; laughter; newness; receiving and speaking truth; remembering; recovery; restoration; music and song. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:

(1.) Psalms 100: 1-5, King James Version (KJV): 1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. 5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

(2.) Nehemiah 8: 8-11, KJV: 8 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. 9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.

(3.) Psalms 150: 1-6, KJV: 1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, a selection from the music ministry of Donnie McClurkin (4.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXmOK8MpaeU.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

Image downloaded 11:45 PM, October 31, 2019 @ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIPaGHtWkAAsqV0.jpg

THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

(04/12/2014) Kill the Blog Writer!

Today, I continue using spring training, and other ideas from baseball to spark insights on how to behave in the public forum as an educated person who brings value to the conversation on Christian belief.


THE BATTLE AXE:  Spring-training (04/11/2014)—For full Christian belief, there is only one message; and so, the process of acquiring perfected belief is simple, yet, profound (we say, deep; far-reaching in application, consequences, and effect).  Using familiar language, that of baseball, we can make an analogy to the Christian work of salvation, and to generate parables to convey various points.  For example, just as everyone who is fit to own a season ticket, or watch the game from the bleachers is not fit to play shortstop or center field, everyone who reads a book or has an opinion in a public forum is not fit to speak as a person having correct knowledge and a right relationship with GOD, or is a believer having place in the church of Jesus Christ.  There will always be those who neither “know the game,” nor play it, yet, who show no respect to those who can, and do.  Also, making the roster for a Series-bound team will require more than athleticism, physical strength, and stamina; there must be “chemistry”, and a good fit.  While homerun hitters and sluggers are important, those who master the automatic outs—laying down a bunt to advance the men on base, countless foul balls to work a pitcher’s arm before granting him the strike, and willingness to deliver the in-field fly (some say, a pop-up, a sacrifice) that allows a runner to sprint to the next base—are often the true heroes of a game.  To reach ones highest level of value, repetition of the fundamentals such as control of power, stance, and timing can never be regarded as “boring.”  The player who insists upon breaking bats, destroying the dugout, having locker-room hissy fits, throwing the punch that causes a brawl, and going nuke in anger or frustration, is quickly understood to be a distraction from the mission, a candidate for trade or release from contract, a liability to the owner and his teammates.  Just as the box scores, standings, overall stats and win/loss record all must be used together to describe a team’s performance, believers must master using the language, precepts, principles, proclamations, and prophecies contained within the Scriptures for the most correct appreciation of salvation for mankind through the operations of GOD, of Christ, and of the Holy Spirit.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:  so is every one that is born of the Spirit.  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?  (John 3:  7-12, KJV)


There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, there are many rules that govern play in baseball, and disputes frequently arise regarding their correct application.  In addition, there are recurring situations that demand input by a neutral, third-party having a privileged and intimate view of all action and exchange on the field (we say, umpires).  Unlike team coaches and managers, the officials tend to remain unknown, having no trading cards, celebrity or popularity among baseball fans.  Despite the continuing malice toward officials (Kill the ump!) with accusations of incompetence and cheating, umpires must fearlessly hold to their commission as guardians for the game, and as the caretakers who further establish its full integrity, and value.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the measure of divine faith that resides in you.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(04/11/2014) Spring-training?

Today, a response is made to “Omgurd34”, a blog writer at www.thoughts.com , who chose to attack my post (10/20/2010) Speaking of GOD.  Also,  there is more on persecution, and warfare against the early church.


THE BATTLE AXE:  The “Miniature War”?—(6.)  It was first believed that the crucifixion of Jesus would have the same result as the beheading of John the Baptist:  All his disciples would be leaderless, would go into hiding, and would be scattered.  The death of one man would destroy all that had been built up as heresy, nonconformance, rebellion, and schism.  Before the time of Jesus and John, other movements and “uprisings” had occurred, that were successfully put down by destruction of their charismatic leader.  Not so with the work of GOD through Christ.  Jesus prophesied that there would be violent opposition and persecution.  The early church adopted a number of mechanisms to maintain communication and order.  In addition to the roles of disciples, apostles, and prophets, conferences and meetings and church-wide meetings were held to decide controversies.  Well defined roles as bishops, deacons and evangelist appeared, who all began to apply substance to the skeletal structure that had been supplied.  As the satellite locations and territories in communication with Jerusalem increased, the process of spreading the Gospel would be detailed, refined, and further standardized.

(7.)  Where Peter, James, Paul, or Silas became recognized as leaders after the example and pattern of Jesus, persecution by the Jews and Romans focused upon destroying the church by removing these key figures.  There were multiple imprisonments, public beatings, and, finally, executions.  There were even conspiracies by the Jews against the Roman government in order to eliminate the Apostle Paul.

(8.)  In addition to repelling life and death situations imposed by outside enemies and persecution, the church also has had to endure forms of spiritual warfare appearing as betrayal, false members, and heretics in order to maintain the integrity of its doctrines and teachings.  The goal to establish openness and religious liberty often has had to be seen as secondary to the works for maintaining continuity and survival.  As in the time of David, who fled to the caves of Adullam, the church even has been known to “go underground” to escape the carnal and physical threats.  See Acts 5:  34-42, Acts 12:  1-3, 1st Corinthians 11:  19, 1st Corinthians 12:  27-28, 2nd Corinthians 11:  23-31, Acts 23:  12-14 and 2nd Timothy 3:  12, KJV.


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.  To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:  and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:  but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient:  whereunto also they were appointed.  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:  which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.  (1st Peter 2:  1-10, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Faith Given By GOD (03/13/2014); Miracles Are From GOD (03/14/2014); Is Science the Right Tool? (12/04/2013); To Grieve the Spirit? (12/05/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013); Science and the Laws of Nature? (03/23/2013); How To Love GOD? (03/24/2013); A Second Adam? (03/25/2013); The Gospel not Logical? (09/16/2012); Unwelcome Gifts? (09/17/2012)


“Omgurd34d”, many Christian believers are willing to nourish you, and build you up.  There is a rational process (i.e., a logical pattern and series of planned events) now in place for gaining direct access to divinity, and correct knowledge regarding the things of GOD that have been revealed to mankind.  Humans must engage the Almighty through one another.  Right relationship to GOD begins as interaction among created beings and living creatures who are made in the image of GOD.  In that sense, it is like ones journey to a World Series:  Victory must begin at the onset with spring-training, scrimmages, and pre-season games, before season opener, and the umpire’s yell, PLAY BALL!  Winning it all is not impossible, however, it requires that everyone makes their best possible effort to maintain a championship level throughout.

Every alcoholic father and husband will say that he has a right to enter his own home, vomit in the living room, the kitchen, the foyer, the den; on the children, on the dog, on the wife, and then insist, he does not have a drinking problem—especially where he did it only one time!  Such guys feel they are granted this same right in the homes of close friends, co-workers, parents, and siblings—everybody who would protect them while they are out of their skulls.  More than this, many dare to think they will have the same “human rights and privileges” to spew out filth in heaven, and before the high throne of divine majesty, because “GOD is love.”

Those who have not been permanently changed through baptism (death of ones inborn spirit, rebirth having divine DNA, so to speak), are outside of Christ.  There are human aspects of baptism (attending church, making a conscious choice, cooperating with clergy, etc.); however, there are unseen, divine aspects of that sacred event, that may be completed only by GOD.  Those not yet reborn will never understand either the human, or divine truths of new life.  Thus, a starting point to access is acceptance:  there are things that come only through operations of spirit matter that must reside within the living.

There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example, a person is free to dismiss everything spoken to them, quoted from the Scriptures, or shared as the conviction and personal testimony of caring believers.  No one is to “swallow” everything they hear, hook, line, and sinker.  We are to test the quality and substance of each presentation that may be made.  However, by choosing to reject divine offerings shared by others, believers also may lose their privilege to claim innocence, integrity, or respect for the Spirit from GOD that was present through the ministry from others.  Consider this:  No one attacks a baby for soiling itself, and its caretaker.  You cleanse the child, and encourage its growth—even when its someone else’s baby.  At first.  By age five, the child should be toilet trained, and, when it is not, we regard the little one as a “special needs” child, who may require institutional placement with professional attention and skills beyond that of their parents.  Certainly, at age twenty, twenty-five, few mothers have the necessary physical strength, and emotional, psychological and spiritual balance to continue to manage such a child, despite their being firmly rooted in love.  Can you understand, then, why believers feel forced to turn away from those expressing lack of self-control, and count it “case closed,” game over?  A coach, a player, a team will face many losses, batting slumps, and shutouts before arriving to the playoffs.  Everyone knows, however, extra batting practice is not enough; the only way out of a slump is to keep going to bat, and to keep swinging at the pitches they throw you.  There are always possibilities until you leave the field, and quit.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to the measure of divine faith that resides in you.


Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility:  for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  (1st Peter 5:  5-6, KJV)


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC