Saturday, September 1, 2012

Help From Tech Support ???


Dear Tech Support:
Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in the overall performance, particularly in the Flower and jewellery applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0.

In addition, Husband 1.0 un-installed many other valuable programs, such
as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5 and then installed undesirable
programs such as: Football 5.0, Basketball 4.3 and Baseball 3.0. Conversation 8.0 no longer runs; it simply crashes the system.
I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, to no avail.
What can I do?
Signed
Desperate.

Dear Desperate
First keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while
Husband 1.0 is an Operating System.
Try entering the command: C:/  I-THOUGHT-YOU-LOVED-ME to download Tears 6.2, which should automatically install Guilt 3.0. If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewellery 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.
But remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband
1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0, or Beer 6.1.
WARNING: Beer 6.1 is a nasty program that will create Snoring Loudly.
CAUTION: Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-in-law. This is not a
supported application and will crash Husband 1.0.

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited
memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider
buying additional software to improve memory and performance. I
personally recommend Hot Food 3.0 and Lingerie 7.7.
Good Luck,
Tech Support

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Which Bible???

I received a message asking which English bible he should choose as there are so many to choose from and it was confusing. I have answered this question before but it is worth repeating.


Unless you are competent in reading Hebrew and Greek you need to choose a good study bible in your native language. Choosing one is not as easy as it sounds. We need to realize that EVERY translation is the translators’ opinion of the meaning. You just have to look at the variety of English translations to know the truth of that statement. So how do we know which translation will be best for us to use?

First is it a direct translation from the Hebrew and Greek? Some bibles are translations from translations in other languages or versions of the same language.  There are also paraphrase versions like “The Living Bible” that are meant for easy reading not study.

Second is it a translation by a committee or by one person. A single translator can not help but provide you with that person’s opinion. Translations done by committees have the added values of all their opinions being discussed and consensus being reached. It is still opinion but the chances of the opinion being a better choice is greater.

Third is what year was the translation completed? This is more important than you might think. What year was YOUR language skills set? For High School graduates it is the year of your graduation. For University graduates you choose that year of graduation. Then choose a translation done close to that year for the language YOU best understand.

NOTE about margin notes: There is a difference in what is in the “text” of the bible and what is written in the margins. Information in margins and footnotes are OPINIONS! That doesn’t mean they are wrong but they could be so check them out. We all have opinions and I believe mine are correct or I would not hold them. 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Thoughts on Changes




What is the relationship between Christianity and the New World Order? The world is quickly becoming a single economic unit and that could lead to a single political unit. Some people see this as a terrible thing and others see it as a major blessing to have a United States of Earth. As we are attempting to understand the almost incomprehensible essence of what it means to be a human being with an infusion of spirit, mind, and body in all of our relationships we ask, “What difference will our faith make in all this coming change?”

There are so many ways of looking at the changes in our world. Other people have opinions that they believe are correct but are opposite of our opinions. The ideas and concerns which are the foundations of some people’s views of them selves and the world around them can appear decidedly odd to people from a different tradition. What is self evident and proper behavior to some of us is often an anathema to others; and we must understand that we need to open up our thinking to embrace and analyze the concerns of others, rather than simply insist that our ways of thinking and doing are the only reasonable ways.

What is critical in seeking understanding between Christian groups and indeed between Christians and non-Christians in this modern [ugh post-modern] world, with its increasing impetus towards globalization? One of the very real problems we face is the tendency and danger of reducing everything to a form of religious short hand. It is so easy to generalize our faith and then dump all our presuppositions, all of our assumptions, all of our prejudice and characteristics in to one big basket of simple faith. Finding understanding and common ground for discussion can bring about peaceful co-existence between people of different opinions. The important thing is that all of us have to be willing to try for understanding.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Living Up to Our Ideals


Human beings often fail to live up to their most important ideals. The failure to realize ideals is often a mixture of apathy, baseness, cynicism, self-interest and ego. Even in our increasingly secular culture there is a conscious desire for people to find a spiritual dimension to their lives. Early Christians were first called the “People of the Way.” Christians are in essence members of a community of faith who follow a definite and certain path of the way of Jesus the Messiah. Church traditions sadly sometimes confuse the issues of following the way of Christ faithfully.


We say amen when something we see or hear confirms our own impression. We also become agitated or furious when something we hear is out of kilter with our personal beliefs. What are the truly basic beliefs of the Christian faith? There is a sense of beauty in the ideals of the total commitment and submission to God, the ideal Christian community, justice and peace.


It is sad that these same ideas are frequently corrupted to justify and legitimize the authoritarian and even brutal actions of people who contend that they are right. We must not confuse the ideal of the Christian faith with its misuse and abuse by people with political or power issues. This problem is not unique to Christianity as other religions are also hurt by mean spirited, power hungry; ego centric people who miss apply the tenets of our faith to their own perverted needs.


We as individual Christians must focus on what the Gospels teach us and seek to truly be people of the way of Jesus. We are each capable of focusing our lives on the teachings of Jesus first and saying AMEN to following those teachings. The way of Jesus was never easy for Jesus calls us to a different way of living than the way of the world. Say amen [ may it be so] and be a follower of the Way of Jesus.


Monday, August 27, 2012

Wedding Vows



A question from Gary Kelly

 Now in Jesus sermon on the Mount he said the following " Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one". I am sure you are familiar with the passage. 

The question is " does that include wedding vows"?

Answer:

Some Christians take this injunction very seriously. The Quakers among them will not make any oath of any kind. There is a lot to be said for that stand. It is better not to make any oath at all than to take a chance of violating an oath made to God. Even in court they will only affirm that they are telling the truth.

To the question of wedding vows. When doing a wedding I always caution couples that the wedding vows are not made only to each other but first to God and should be taken very seriously. Some make promises to each other before the Lord but not make it an oath. Violating any oath made to God puts your eternal soul in grave danger. I made vows at my wedding and I would never break that sacred oath. Because of my strong understanding of a Christian Marriage I feel the oath to God is important for the idea of “Until Death do us part.” Too many people say the words but don’t live my them.

Any one who makes a vow to God knowing that they are not going to keep the vow is taking God’s name in vain. This is listed as the unforgiveable sin.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Fundamentalist Characteristics



Fundamentalist movements in all religions share certain characteristics. They reveal a deep disappointment and disenchantment with the modern experience. They also express a sense of real fear. Every single fundamentalist movement is convinced that the secular establishment is determined to wipe their religion out. This may not always be a paranoid reaction as there have been times in the past when governments have tried to squash new religious groups.

Fundamentalist look back to a “Golden Age” before the irruption of modernity for inspiration and signs. They are often radical in their reinterpretation of religion to a point that it does not even reflect the old religion they think they are returning too.  The usually proclaim that their way is the ONLY way and that all others are slated for destruction.

Jewish

Zionism –Goals
1.     Unity of all Jews
2.     Ingathering of all Jews in Israel.
3.     Israel = promise to Moses
4.     Strong state of Israel
5.     Preservation of Jewish identity through Hebrew education, spiritual and cultural values.
6.     Pure actions by Jews
7.     Rebuild the Temple

Anger against Jews who do not agree

Islam


1.     Islamic State = world
2.     Jihad –personal struggle
3.     All Muslims obey Koran
4.     Resist plural societies
5.     Free the holy city of Jerusalem


Anger against Muslims who do not agree

Christian/American


1.     Restore right Belief in the Bible
2.     Bible = Word of God literally
3.     Repeal Separation of church & state
4.     Prayer in school
5.     Majority of right wing Christians in the congress.
6.     World Evangelism
7.     Prepare for the Rapture
8.     Destroy Liberalism
9.     Pro Christian Family
10.  Stop Abortions
11.  Stop Gays


Anger against  so-called-Christians who do not agree