Stupid Christians

"The difficulties of the anti-theists begin when they try to engage with anyone who does not agree with them, when their reaction is often a frustrated rage that the rest of us are so stupid." Peter Hitchens

Your Own People

Jesus said that a prophet was not respected by his own people. I've found that likewise people who have a vibrant Christian faith are not respected by their own people.

Signs

Concidence? It's just in your head? But, if you're willing to believe, they can actually build your faith. God speakes to me through scripture at times. When a passage speaks about something happening in my life for instance, is it just concidence? My faith has grown by being open to the signs of God as they come to me.

Father Against Son

"They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.'”
Luke 12:53 (NIV)

Focus

The reason I started posting today was that this post was in the back of my head. I've been thinking about this one for a while. It's a huge pet peeve of mine that Churches seem to be loosing their focus. For example (one example--there seem to be an ever growing number now), I'm hearing so much about--and am so sick of hearing about--green policy. Save the Earth. That's fine. But, it's really a social issue. If I wanted to be a green hero, I'd go to Greenpeace meetings on Sunday mornings. I know we should be good stewards of God's planet, but come on. Focus on God. I want the sermon to talk about God, preach the Gospel. Focus people! St. Paul said to focus on the prize. It'd be like if I was a priest and my sermon half the Sundays was on keeping fit. Well, you know, our life is a gift from God; we should show respect by protecting our bodies and staying fit. Fat people go to hell. Remember, St. Paul spoke about the benefits of physical exercise. Our body is a temple you know. Come on! Focus people.

I went to a United Church a few years ago on a day for water (water day?) when Chandra's guide group had to go to get a religion badge. I went to my own Church on the same day a year later. I heard two very different sermons. The pastor at the United Church preached about fresh water conservation, and pollution, and being green. The Anglican priest (Cannon Phibbs) preached about the ties between water and life, baptism, symbolic cleaning, etc.... To me, they were worlds apart. For me, it reinforced that I'd made the right choice by leaving the United Church. It has become too watered down. Just a little joke there folks. Although, it was (the joke)--as my grandfather used to say--half in fun and all in earnest. I do find the United brand a very watered down form of Christianity. Now, be aware, I'm not judging them; I'm not saying they're all going to hell. That's up to God. I just don't find the worship very meaningful.

So, please people, lets focus on God. Please. When we go to Church, let it be for religion, for God, for faith, for Christianity, not for Greenpeace etc.... This is not a social betterment group or moral club. If I wanted only that, I'd join the Freemasons.

A Special Note on My Friends

It may seem that I am always fighting with my non Anglican Christian friends in what I write in my posts. While we do have some good discussions and debates, we try to keep it respectful and friendly. Actually, it is what we have in common that was the biggest reason we became friends in the first place. Because this blog is a collection of my thoughts on God and religion, my Christian friends' ideas and thoughts (expressed to me--of course) appear here often as well.

Cart Before the Horse

Sometimes, some of us Christians change interpretations of scripture to fit our doctrine. Or, as I like to call it, we put the cart before the horse. The JWs do this when they say that Jesus was not raised to life in the body to fit their doctrine that He returned in 1914 and we just can't see Him. I bring this up for a reason: A friend of mine, a fellow Christian, is so against the idea of Bishops (and the terrible evil they bring) that he has suggested to me that when the disciples chose Matthias to replace Judas, it was against the wishes of God. This however is just supposition, and is another example to me of people putting the cart before the horse.

Dangerous Creatures

It occurred to me the other day that women are very dangerous and tricky creatures. I mean, the snake didn't deceive Adam--not directly. The woman talked him into it. A woman betrayed Samson to find the secret of the source of his strength to destroy him. In their favor though, just as the perfect man in Jesus released us from the sin of the imperfect man Adam, Mary undid the job Eve did: Through Eve, the snake brought sin into the world; and through Mary, God brought salvation into the world in Jesus. Although I still believe women are slippery deceitful dangerous creatures at times. And, no one can betray a man's trust like a woman can.

What Not to Do

"We emphasize the compulsions we must fight. But the goal is to become free."
Br. Richard Paul Vaggione

Our Suffragan Bishop's Visit

So, today was a special day for us at St. Paul's. Our Suffragan Bishop was with us for our service of Holy Eucharist, much to the chagrin of my evangelical friend; he hates the whole pomp and show of it all. So, why is it special? Well, our bishops don't get to come very often. We only have two bishops for about 130 Churches, and with only 52 Sundays in the year, well...you do the math. They are our chief pastors, and a link. They are a link to the rich history of the Church's past, and they are a link to our Christian brothers and sisters in other parts of the Anglican Communion. They are our link with the Anglican Communion. We are an episcopal Church, and that comes with bishops. Weather you believe that apostolic succession is real or not, they are a symbol of our connection to the ministry (and indeed are a symbol of the ministry) of the original apostles. It's not for everybody. Some feel it is too catholic. Some feel that it gives (wo)men too much glory. Is it necessary? Well, that depends on what you mean. Is it necessary for salvation? No. Is it necessary to be Anglican? Yes. It makes us part of something larger than ourselves. But God is bigger than all of us, and we are already part of the Christian family some may argue. Yes, that is true. We do have a one on one personal relationships with God. But, don't forget, St. Paul told us not to give up fellowshiping. Bishops join our fellowship with other fellowships, present and past, all around the world in a unique and special way that goes beyond administrative links that exist between like minded Churches. Are Bishops a bad thing? I don't believe so. But, if you do, then Anglicanism is probably not for you. Do you have to be Anglican to be saved? Of course not. Jesus saves us. He paid the price for our sins. However, for many, bishops are special. Those who are opposed to the idea may never understand how that is. All I ask is to not be judged; so I'm a foot. So what?

And it was a special day for us. Bishop Terry was funny, and friendly, and it was a nice service that we shared with our bishop, worshiping God together. Then, at the pot luck dinner after the service--wouldn't you know it--he sat right beside me. I usually shy away from the spot light or attention, so it was not something I expected or really wanted. But, here I was sitting with the bishop. I tried to make small talk, and it was a struggle at first. But as we talked it went better and I discovered that he was just a person; I wasn't surprised by this, but it did make him more human, more real. He said the biggest challenge of being a bishop is keeping his weight under 220 lbs. Everywhere ho goes, he is eating. He talked about his family, about his work, about the snow outside, about his ministry in Africa, etc.... He's always on the road, always at a new Church. It occurred to me that being a bishop must be a lonely position at times, a sacrifice he makes to watch Jesus' sheep.

One Year

Well, it's coming up on one year since I started this blog. I post my thoughts and ideas as they pop into my head, about God, about Church, about religion, about life. It's sometimes even therapeutic. And, I hope that it will some day help others (it people ever discover my blog). Stay tuned.

Married Again

"A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof." Proverbs 19:13 (NIV)

"Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
Proverbs 21:9 (NIV)

Jesus Died For Us

We can never ransome ourselves, or deliver to God the price of our life; For the ransom of our life is so great, that we should never have enough to pay it, In order to live for ever and ever, and never see the grave."
Psalms 49:6-8 (BAS)

Married?

"It is good for a man not to touch a woman." 1 Corinthians 7:1 (KJV)

"Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do." 1 Corinthians 7:8 (NIV)

Foot Hand Body Thing Again

"I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that."
1 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV)

:(

"My tears have been my food day and night, while all day long they say to me, 'Where now is your God?' Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? and why are you so disquieted within me?"
Psalms 42:3&6 (BAS)

Hermit

Sometimes I really think I should have been a hermit. I'd have my little cottage on the side of an old rolling mountainside. I'd spend my days in prayer, tending my garden, cutting wood, watching the animals, thinking, and at peace. It's not just because people suck, and people do suck. Okay it's mostly because people suck; but, I also find it very appealing. I'd be like that little old man who pops out of the hole in that Monty Python movie, just kidding.

Borrowing?

The wicked borrow and do not repay.
From the 37th Psalm

Bum Hole--Even More on Judgement

Are you a bum hole? We as Christians keep forgetting one of the most important rules Christ gave us, judge not (born out of love). The people of the Church of Corinth forgot it. All Christians are part of the Body of Christ. A hand should never tell a foot that because they are not a hand, they are not part of the body. We (Christians) are all part of the body. Some of us are bum holes, because we judge. Sometimes I think we fail to understand that, not simply because we may have different views, but because we don't listen to each other.

I had an interesting conversation with a Christian friend not very long ago. This kind of ties in with the above. So, anybody who knows me knows that I complain a lot about secular and government groups and their policies on proselytizing. And, I complained to this friend a lot. And he kept hearing the word over and over again, proselytizing. This is kind of funny: So, the other day, he tells me he has a video for me to watch, on You Tube. It's an atheist saying that it's okay, proselytizing doesn't make him hate us. If we really believe what we believe, then we're trying to save them, and doing it out of love. The atheist gets that. My friend wanted me to know that I didn't have to be afraid to get out there and spread the Gospel. But, my friend hadn't been listening to me. He didn't get it, didn't get me. It's not proselytizing I have a problem with, it's anti proselytizing. He missed my message all along. Only the word proselytizing stuck in his memory, and the fact that I was so upset when I talked about it. I hate organizations' proselytizing policy. I hate it. I feel like they're asking me to deny Christ if I want to be part of their group. "Don't talk about Christ, you might offend somebody!" Anyway, to make a long story stop, this is how we don't listen. And he didn't do it on purpose, he just totally got it wrong.

Sometimes I get a mental image of two Christians in a room yelling at each other, "Jesus is the Son of God!" "No, he's God's only begotten Son!" And sometimes, when we think they have it wrong, we tell them they are a foot and not part of the body; we become the bum hole.

?

Usque quo, Domine?

Troubles

Some say that the closer you come to God, the more the evil one attacks.

"Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord will deliver him out of them all."
Psalms 34:19 (BAS)

Father, protect us from the evil one and from all evil. Forgive us our sins, and keep us safe. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Down?

"How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day?
how long shall my enemy triumph over me?"
Psalms 13:2 (BAS)

The Lord's Servant

I've often said, "I don't understand how a Jew can read the book of Isaiah and still be a jew [not become a Christian]."

"He was pierced for our sins,
bruised for no fault but ours.
His punishment has won our peace,
and by his wounds we are healed.

We had all strayed like sheep,
all taking our own way;
but the Lord laid on him
the guilt of us all."
From the 53rd chapter of the Book of Isaiah

McJob

I've been having trouble sleeping the last few nights. So, while I'm up anyway, I'll catch up on my God Wall. I say catch up because I have a few posts archived in my head. The subject below kind of ties in with my first post.

Do you believe that dreams tell us things? Not in a pagan divination kind of way, but in a subconscious mind thinking kind of way, about past events and the future? One night last week, I had a dream that I went back to work at McDonald's. I thought after the dream that it may have something to do with my discontent with my job (see prior post about bla (blah) and Star Trek). Occupational slumming, or having a McJob, is the concept where one works at a job below their skill level or ability. Although, sometimes dreams come from God. St. Peter had a dream (three times) from God. I just hope God is not sending me back to McDonald's (unless it's to get a Big Mac).

If I was a millionaire I wouldn't have to worry about going to work tomorrow, or ever again. I'm going to be a hurting unit at work tomorrow.

Aggressively Secular

"In a society that is becoming more and more aggressively secular, it is crucial that there be places of the spirit present."
Br. Bede Thomas Mudge

Help in Hard Times

Father, when we feel a little like Job did and nothing makes sense, when those who share bread with us lift up their heel against us, do not let us give up. Strengthen and guides us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Hate Life

Anybody who hates their life in this world will have eternal life.
Paraphrased from John 12:25

Evil Hunts

"Evil shall hunt down the lawless."
From the 11th verse of the 140th Psalm.

Hard to Pray

It was so hard to pray today; I am so angry. I needed to pray though. I needed to start again.

Trust

Trust is such a funny thing. We can get so GIVLRF when we trust blindly. God protect us when we blindly trust, in love or otherwise, those who will take advantage of us and screw us over.

God Give Me Strength

I just want it all to be over. God give me strength.

It's Not God's Fault

It's not God's fault.

Court System

I was just thinking the other day. In our court system, the crown (prosecution) lawyer and the judge work for the state (the same "side" if you will). In the highest court, on judgement day, the accuser (Satan) is on one side, and the judge and defence are one and the same in Jesus Christ (our judge and advocate).

Bla

I'm feeling a little bla, actually...a lot bla. Ever watch Star Trek TNG? Remember that episode where Captain Picard is allowed to re live his life by Q? He is very discontent because he feels that his life has no meaning. That's kind of how I feel right now. It's a little of that, a little of hating my job, a little of not praying too. My prayer life has been slipping. It's a visious circle too; sometimes you don't pray when you're feeling bla, and not praying can make you feel bla. That's when we should be asking God for help. Or, as I've said before, fight with prayer. Sometimes when we feel like we can't or shouldn't pray, we may feel distant from God. But, we can fight that feeling with prayer. I know all this, and yet, I'm in the bla. So, if you read this post today or tomorrow, drop God a prayer mail for me. Pax

Live the Gospel

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."
St. Francis of Assisi

OCAP

Something has been bugging me since Sunday. I have been making a point to not write about politics on my God Wall. I have political views, strong ones. But this is bugging me. Our Rector's homily on Sunday included advice to vote in the upcoming election keeping the poor and marginalized in mind. She said to check out an OCAP article that reviewed the local candidates. My issue is with OCAP. I can not support OCAP because of their violent anti police tactics. And, I don't understand how good people can over look that aspect of the organization when they support them. Think about it; what are they planning to do when they break through the riot police line? Talk peacefully with the politicians? They're anarchists, really. And, I'm sorry, but I can't support anybody or group with links to them. My loyalties lay with the law enforcement agencies, the rule of law, and the keeping of the peace and order.

Enemy

Fr. Gabriel said that relationship breakdowns, specifically not speaking to those who we have/had close relationships with, is a sign of demon activity. Others have said that as we draw closer to God, the attacks of the enemy grow stronger.

Monks Might Agree

"I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them."
John Stuart Mill

Title Change

I've changed my blog's title. Since Facebook decided to delete my God Wall from my profile, and this blog is a continuation of the same, I will remand and call it my God wall (explanation is in my first blog post).

Religion

What about religion? "Well, religion does make a person very rich, if he is satisfied with what he has." 1 Timothy 6:6 (TEV) Note to the anti religious: St. Paul uses the word religion here, not spiritual, or spiritualism, or faith, or even I'm a Christian but I don't need to go to Church, religion.

Guidance

I hope and pray that God will guide me, always, as I write in this blog.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be always acceptable in your sight LORD, my strength and my redeemer. Amen.

Another Irony

I was talking with an evangelical friend a while ago, who gave me trouble for saying that I didn't think that I needed to have a road to Damascus experience to be a Christan. He said that "words have power"; if I say it, I will make it happen (and not have a vision/healing/dream/manifestation/other miracle). Okay.

Skip ahead to the next conversation. Same guy, different day, he was accusing priests of using a spell to magically (I really hate the use of that word by evangelicals toward the Eucharist--I find it very insulting) turn bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, likening it to witchcraft. He insisted that words mean nothing, do nothing. They are, after all, just words.

But words have power....

Spiritual War

I was reading the 66th Psalm the other day, and I was reminded of the spiritual enemies we all have. Some will read the Psalm and see it as speaking of human enemies only, and the rebellious humans against God. St. Paul said that our fight was not against flesh and blood, but against rulers and spiritual powers. If we truly believe this, then we have to know that there is a real struggle, a real war going on, that most of us just don't see (or believe).

Monkey Thing Again

Why aren't there monkeys walking out of the woods talking? If you've been reading this blog, you know what I'm talking about with the monkey woods thing. Why do we pretend to not understand?

I was again reminded of this when something somebody said was misused. Ann Coulter is a conservative outhouse upsetter who liberals love to hate, (right or wrong, love her or hate her) and they (liberals) do hate her. But, to be fair, they (liberals) took something she said and ran with it. She said something like (I'm not going to look up the actual quote--but feel free to), in her ideal America everybody would be Christian and the Jews would be perfected. The liberals said her remarks showed that she was anti Semitic and believed the Jews to be subhuman. That's not what she meant. If Christ is THE way to salvation, then ideally we should want everybody to be Christian. If the Jews were God's chosen people, and their scriptures truly speak of Jesus as the Christ, and they rejected Him, then their religion is imperfect and unfinished (until they accept Christ). But none of this is politically correct anymore. And so, we bow to the god of political correctness.

Thank God

Thanks be to God!

Hermit

I sometimes think that I should have been a hermit. Just me, and my cabin, on an old rolling mountainside, with a garden, praying the daily office and working in the peace and quiet. Maybe I can give up people for Lent this year....

Bugs Me

You know what else really bugs me, that the YMCA hides the C like Kentucky Fried Chicken hides the F.

Resisting God

"The biggest obstacle to healing is the refusal to convert from practicing atheism to a life of faith, or from a life of sin to a life of grace."
Fr. Gabriele Amorth

Facebook

Facebook has finally done it; they've deleted my God wall. So, I'll be posting all my God wall stuff here only from now on. :(

Militant Atheists

I was reading the 11th Psalm yesterday morning, and the first few verses grabbed me. I take refuge in the LORD because I believe in Him. How can you tell me to flee? Those who are true of heart, believe in the LORD. The wicked shoot their arrows at them to break their faith. They try to destroy the foundation of their faith. What can the righteous do?

"In the Lord have I taken refuge; how then can you say to me, 'Fly away like a bird to the hilltop; For see how the wicked bend the bow and fit their arrows to the string, to shoot from ambush at the true of heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?'"
Psalms 11:1-3 (BAS)

Zoe

I was watching this show on archeology where these fellows were with their crusty old professor, and he couldn't pronounce this one girl's name. I think her name was Zoe. He kept calling her Zow'y. Anyway, he was talking about this one chamber in the pyramid where he had a spiritual feeling. I had two thoughts. One was that he may be being lead by a false god/spirit. The other thing was that I thought about Br. Bede's thin spot, a place where we are closer to the spiritual realm. Maybe this Egyptian holy place was a thin spot with the false ancient Egyptian gods.

Irony

I think it's ironic; who, two hundred years ago, would have thought a right wing party would become the champion of the liberty of freedom of religion?

Desert Fathers

Sometimes I really...really think the Desert Fathers had it right.

Prince of North America

The Bible sometimes speaks of Angels and spirits as princes. The “prince of this world” or the “prince of the air” etc…. I often think that the prince of North America is Asmodeus.

A Thought on Prayer

William Ramier wrote
at 12:21am
"Prayer was there waiting for me to make some kind - any kind - of movement in its direction, and when I did, it came running to meet me."
Br. Bede Thomas Mudge

The Man With the Pick

William Ramier wrote
at 12:20am
Let the man with the pick swing where may.

Is a bear Catholic? Does the Pope live in the woods?

William Ramier wrote
at 1:47am
"Let me put it this way: each one of you says something different. One says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Peter'; and another, 'I follow Christ.' Christ has been divided into groups! Was it Paul who died on the cross for you? Were you baptized as Paul's disciples?"
1 Corinthians 1:12-13 (TEV)

Jesus Crucified For Me

William Ramier wrote
at 1:32am
The more time passes, the more I realize why Jesus had to be crucified for me. I am too weak to keep God's law. Jesus' sacrifice is the only way I will ever enter the kingdom.

Fine Words Deceive

William Ramier wrote
at 11:18pm yesterday
"For those who do such things are not serving Christ our Lord, but their own appetites. By their fine words and flattering speech they deceive innocent people." Romans 16:18 (TEV)

The Matrix Has You

William Ramier wrote
at 11:15pm yesterday
I was thinking about some disturbing news I'd heard this week. Stephen Hawking has declaired that there is no God. It may be faith breaking for some to hear that from such a smart man and an authority in the scientific comunity. Then I remembered, after reading a passage in a Bible study, that we're in the matrix anyway.

"You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed." Romans 13:11 (TEV)

Secret Net

William Ramier wrote
at 10:55pm yesterday
So I was reading the 31st Psalm tonight, and one phrase meant something to me today: "Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, for you are my tower of strength." Psalms 31:4 (BAS) Why was the net set in secret? Well, if I had seen it, perhaps I would have avoided it; I'd like to think I would have. If it is set in secret, then I could be tricked into walking into it, deceived. The net of course is sin. How many times have we said somethink like, "It's not really all that bad"? Well, if it's wrong I guess it's wrong. But if the enemy can trick us into thinking that it is okay, then we have walked into the net set in secret.

Jumping Psalms

William Ramier wrote
at 3:02pm
I was reading the 119th Psalm the other day, and some stuff about sin jumped out at me. It jumped out because I am very aware of the evil that I do that I don't want to do, to take a page from St. Paul's writing.

"Great peace have they who love your law; for them there is no stumbling block." Psalms 119:165 (BAS)

"Let my supplication come before you; deliver me, according to your promise." Psalms 119:170 (BAS)

"Let me live, and I will praise you, and let your judgements help me. I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; search for your servant, for I do not forget your commandments." Psalms 119:175-176 (BAS)

Monks do it!

William Ramier wrote
at 2:55pm
"Seven times a day do I praise you, because of your righteous judgements."
Psalms 119:164 (BAS)

Never stop praying!

Prayer

William Ramier wrote
at 9:32pm
"Prayer is something that is always going on in your heart. The connection between you and God is always there, always live, always reaching out."
Br. Bede Thomas Mudge OHC

Just a building (cont.)

William Ramier wrote at 4:16pm
I know our bodies are temples too (God dwells inside us), but if it's just a building then why did Jesus kick the money changers out in anger.

80 if we are strong

William Ramier wrote at 4:07pm
Go back O child of Earth.

Where does faith come from?

William Ramier wrote at 4:04pm
How do we get faith? Faith comes from hearing the message. The message comes through preaching of Christ.
Swiped from the 10th chapter of the book of Romans.

Not just a building

William Ramier wrote at 4:00pm
"My devotion to your Temple burns in me like a fire; the insults which are hurled at you fall on me."
Psalms 69:9 (TEV)

649 Happy Dance

William Ramier wrote
at 3:24pm
I read a Psalm the other day, and I can't remember which one because I'm a knob; but, it was around the 60s, I think, and said that we should not wish for what the evil have and to put our trust in God. It kind of reminded me of the sermon that the Rev. Deacon Tom Patterson gave at St. Paul's, the one about the 649 happy dance, and how if we put our trust in God we wouldn't need a 649 happy dance.

Strong Sins

William Ramier wrote
at 7:30pm on August 14th, 2010
I was reading the 65th Psalm the other day, and I had something, yes you guessed it, jump out at me. It was the third verse, which reads like this:

"Our sins are stronger than we are, but you will blot them out." Psalms 65:3 (BAS)

It reminds me of St. Paul saying that he ended up doing the evil he did not want to do.

Women and Hair

William Ramier wrote
at 7:28pm on August 14th, 2010
I've always found that women look much more attractive with long hair, and after reading the 11th chapter of 1st Corinthians, it would seem that St. Paul agrees with me.

Not "A" Way...The Way!

William Ramier wrote
at 7:26pm on August 14th, 2010
Jesus is THE way, the truth, and the life.

What do we celebrate?

William Ramier wrote
at 7:25pm on August 14th, 2010
I was thinking the other day: What does Christmas and Easter mean to most North Americans?

I imagined an outsider, coming here, and asking, "What are you celebrating?" Then I imagined that the average person would respond, "Well...it's kind of...a time we all get together...and spend time with family, eat big meals, maybe put up a tree...and take a break from work...because you know, family and stuff is important." Scratching their head, I then imagine the stranger asks, "That's a wonderful way to celebrate; but, what are you celebrating?" To which they might continue, "Well, it's like...we get together and give each other gifts and presents and chocolate because we're family and...well...we love our families, right? So, it's like we are showing our love. And, everybody gets a long weekend," because they don't have a friggen clue. But, what are we really celebrating? I remember I was very surprised last Christmas when I watched the Charlie Brown Christmas special...and they actually got it right!

Enemy of My Friend

William Ramier wrote
at 7:16pm on August 14th, 2010
I don't get the whole the neighbor of my enemy must be my neighbors enemy thing, and I never did. But, I've seen it lots.

Hamilton

I female dog a lot about bad stuff, so here's something good: I just wanted to say what a good job of witnessing Hamilton did at the MLB All Star break a few year ago. Was it right that he used his fame to praise the Lord? Did it feel out of place to you? Should faith comments be banned?

Eucharist for dogs?

William Ramier wrote
at 9:23pm
By now, you've probably heard about the Anglican Priest in Toronto who gave communion to a dog. At first I was pissed off, really pissed off. Now I don't know for sure how I feel about it. It seems to me to be another sign of the Canadian branch of the Anglican Church becoming increasingly more irreverent...liberal, watered down, and compromising--throwing out Anglican traditions to fill pews and turning every Bible account into a metaphor. It worries me. So, I guess I'm worried then. I'm not arguing for transubstantiation here, but if Jesus is present in the elements of bread and wine, how can you feed it to a dog? That's extremely sacrilegious. Cast not your pearls before swine? I understand that people love their pets, but come on. What about the warning in the New Testament about taking communion without understanding. Do you think a dog understands? Or is it an empty warning because none of it is real anyway? I'm sick and tired of it not being real. How do atheists get into positions of authority in Christian Churches? I guess the Devil is good at what he does. It reminds me of another New Testament warning about the Devil being able to mascaraed as an Angel of Light...and his servants as servants of God.

Baptism Issues

William Ramier wrote
at 9:01pm
Baptism: It can be a very controversial topic for Christians, full immersion or not, infant baptism or not, even water baptism or not. The last one is new to me. The argument against, as I understand it, is that the baptism rite done by mainline Christian Churches is a ritual of vain repetition with the Spirit not present in the rite. And, that, true baptism of the Spirit happens when you surrender yourself to/accept the Lord.

What do I think? Well, I think that in my Church baptism is more than just an empty rite. It's not just a water baptism; it's not John's baptism, which was a symbolic baptism with water. It's the baptism Jesus ordained, done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as He instructed. It IS baptism with water AND the Spirit. If a sacrament is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, then the Spirit is present in the rite. The Holy Spirit is present and working.

Infant baptism? Sure, why not? I understand the argument that one should be old enough to decide for themselves. I get it. They should understand to be able to accept the Lord. But, in the first century Church, whole families were converted and baptized. And, Jesus said to let the little children come to Him. Who are we to say that the Holy Spirit CAN'T work in the the person being baptized as an infant. I don't think it's wrong to do it or not to do it, and the parents can decide. The only thing wrong here is to say that somebody else's baptism is wrong/invalid.

Full immersion is the least controversial of the above for me. I know that in the first century, they did full immersion. But, Jesus' instructions don't say that full immersion is the way to do it. So, again, make up your own mind. Just make sure to USE water, and to do it in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

One Body

William Ramier wrote
at 8:17pm
ONE Lord ONE faith ONE baptism

Ep 4:5

Jesus will repay the wicked.

William Ramier wrote
at 1:28am
Today's Psalm was Psalm 41. Now, I've seen Jesus in this Psalm before with the bread part, but today when I read on to "raise me up, that I may repay them", it got me thinking; Jesus was raised from the dead, and when He comes back he will repay the wicked.

Sometimes I think we have to stop telling God how to work.

William Ramier wrote
at 4:08am
Last weekend, I was watching the Gospel of John. Probably, as much as anything, it was to help me with the anxiety of going back to work. Anyway, as it often does, something "jumped out at me". When Jesus is speaking with the official, in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John, he says that none of you will believe unless you see miracles. It got me thinking about my evangelical friends. They believe very strongly in, not only the existence of miracles, but the need for them. They seem to feel that my faith isn't "real" because I haven't "experienced" a miracle. Plus, they question whether I can be an effective tool for God; they don't believe that the Gospel alone can bring people to God. It would seem that for somebody to have more than a shallow relationship with a God they can't "experience", they need to have a road to Damascus type of encounter. So, if I just use words (bring the Gospel to people), it will be like the seed falling on the rocky ground. It won't sink in. Because, I guess, the Spirit never works like that. They have to "experience" God to really believe. I always thought that when Jesus said some of you won't believe unless you see a miracle that it was a bad thing, that He was complaining about their lack of faith. However, if He did indeed mean that one must see a miracle to believe, why did He use the word "some" of you? I have, maybe always, believed that there were different gifts of the Spirit, and that not everybody will have every gift of the Spirit. I find it very discouraging to constantly be told that my faith is not real because I haven't had any "supernatural" experience. Maybe I actually have, and call it by a different name, or experience it differently. There have been times in the past, at worship, when I'm sure I've felt the presence of God. Maybe it's just that I can't articulate that experience to their satisfaction. Or, maybe I've never had a "supernatural" experience, or at least on a grand scale. I've seen the hand of God in my life. That doesn't count? Because it wasn't in a flash of light? Because there was no booming voice? Because I didn't fall to the floor? Part of me would love, love, to have an experience like St. Francis did; and, part of me is afraid to come physically face to face with my God. And, I know it would change my faith; my belief in God would no longer be a choice I make. Maybe God wants me to choose? Do I need to have a road to Damascus experience to be a Christian?

And, sometimes I think we have to stop telling God how to work.

Final Judgment

William Ramier wrote
at 11:32pm yesterday
Today's morning reading had something interesting in it to me. "So you should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgment must wait until the Lord comes;" (from the fourth chapter of 1 Corinthians). And I thought, how often do we follow this one. We judge each other every day. We are not to judge the servant of the Master. Only He may judge.

Love

William Ramier wrote
at 3:04am
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.

Hate

William Ramier wrote
at 3:02am
There's so much hate in the world. Of course we all know this. But, when you come face to face with it, it can really surprise you.

When is it time to stop arguing?

William Ramier wrote
at 7:50pm
I said I had another post, and here it is. For me, it`s time to stop arguing when somebody uses the monkeys coming out of the woods question. When you get to the talking monkeys coming out of the woods part of the debate, it`s over. I`ll explain below. First, some great advice:

In my first semester of Police Ed. at Sir Sandford Fleming, I met a guy in my program who was ex army. He was very opinionated, but a great guy. He always used to say something like," I don`t want you to agree with me, but do you understand what I`m saying? Then I'm done." That's such great advice.

Now, about knowing when it's time to stop arguing:

When a Creationist and an Evolutionist argue, there comes a point when an irate Creationist may exclaim, "Then why aren't there talking monkeys walking out of the woods every day!" This shows more than just ignorance. This shows a lack of willingness to understand, plus it is inflamitory.

Well, I was having a discussion with an evangelical friend of mine once, who hit me with a monkey woods question. We were discussing the issue of prophecy. He said I needed to find out what God wanted me to do. I said that I trusted God, and that his goal would be carried out no matter what I knew. So, I gave him an example. I said, God used the Egyptians (this is where it ties in with the last post, see?). He used the high priest to prophecy, even though he was plotting to kill Jesus. That's when we got to the monkey woods part of the debate, where he refused to see my point at all, when he asked me, "So, you're telling me that you're evil like the high priest and God is going to use you like that. You'd better hope not my friend." :) Yes, we're still friends.

God Used the Roman Empire

William Ramier wrote
at 6:49pm
I just read an interesting piece of scripture during a Bible study, and I'll share it here:

"For the scripture says to the king of Egypt,'I made you king in order to use you to show my power and to spread my fame over the whole world.'"
Romans 9:17 (TEV)

This scripture reminds me of another post I've been meaning to make, but that's for another day. However, I've often thought (while others are quick to point out the terrible pagan influences the Roman Empire had on Christianity) that God used the Roman Empire as a tool to spread Christianity. Interesting....

Insight, Church Decline, and Dishwashing

William Ramier wrote
at 7:32pm
There was an article in the last Anglican Journal, by Canon Harold Munn, that I think hit the nail on the head. I want to share some of that with you here:

He starts off by telling us a story about a little girl who says, "'My mom said she was so tired, and my dad said he couldn't take it anymore, they were washing the dishes, and that's when they yelled at each other. And if I'd done the dishes, it wouldn't have happened. I'll wash the dishes every night. Maybe they'll get back together.' And she is serious." He says that "the church is treated like one more marginal form of entertainment for the few who like that sort of thing, and churchgoing is no longer a social norm."

How do we respond? According to Canon Munn, "like the child, the church responds to the crisis with self-blame. We declare that the precipitous decline of churchgoing is out fault."

What do we do about it? "So we search desperately for a solution that we can implement. We need to be more friendly. We need to be more modern. We need to be less modern. We need guitars. We need an organ. We need a different style of leader. We need to be more radical. We need to be more conservative. We need to re-organize. We need to work twice as hard. Then it will get better and people will flock back. But that's the church's version of hoping that more dishwashing will bring your parents back together."

"The truth is society has moved on to other interests on the weekend."

How insightful. What a great article.

Warm and Fuzzy?

William Ramier wrote
at 3:34pm
I've heard before that some people have problems with the psalms. Because, they're not all lolly pops and candy canes, not all warm and fuzzy. I never really have had a problem, because my God is a god who does judge, who does punish. However, if I had to pick one psalm that stands out as being particularly unnerving, it's the end of the 137th psalm:

"O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,
happy is he who repays you
for what you have done to us-

he who seizes your infants
and dashes them against the rocks."
Psalms 137:8-9 (NIV)

Ritual, Structure, Dreams, Visions, etc....

Some people think that ritual is evil in and of itself. But who are we to judge someone's heart? It's all about intent. Ritual can become an idol, yes, if we put it before God. And do we need to have dreams, visions, etc... to be Christian? Daniel prayed three times a day, religiously. That sounds like ritual and structure. I guess God fed him to the lions then. Seven times a day David worshiped God, like a monk. But, I guess God didn't visit favour on him either eh? What about St. Francis (Assisi)? When did God speak to him? When he was in the middle of a very structured style of prayer? I guess he wasn't rewarded with a vision then. And, speaking of visions and dreams and stuff, must we have them to be a Christian? Whatever happened to blessed are those who believe not having seen?

Epilepsy?

William Ramier wrote
at 3:23am
When Jesus cast out the "demons", something went into the pigs. Was it epilepsy?

Who cares what they think?

William Ramier wrote
at 3:20pm
"They Came to him and said, 'Teacher, we know that you tell the truth, without worrying about what people think. You pay no attention to a man's status, but teach the truth about God's will for man. Tell us, is it against our Law to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor? Should we pay them or not?'"
Mark 12:14 (TEV)

They knew that He told the truth regardless of what people thought; we should all be like that (telling the truth without thinking about what people will think).

Me, Judge?

William Ramier wrote at 4:52am
On more than one occasion now, I have been accused of judging somebody. When confronted with this accusation, I reflect on what has been said. I don't believe that I have. God loves everybody equally. They have the same chance of salvation as I do. I can't look at somebody and tell if they're bound for hell. Sometimes I think that what is actually going on is that they judge themselves. They look at my Christian life, and become angered. It reminds me of the scripture that says help your enemy and you heap coals on him. I think they look at the wrong in their life, which they themselves see as wrong, and look at my Christian life (what they actually see is God's light shining through me) and judge themselves. (And, people who do wrong hide from the light because the light shows everybody their sin). If they only knew; I am not good. I am as deserving as anybody of a one way ticket to hell. It's Jesus who paid the price for my sins. That's the only reason. It's because I'm a Christian that I try my best to live a good life. It's not to earn my salvation. Because, we can not earn salvation through works. I myself see my sins, and am ashamed. They are ever before God. Jesus did all this for me. Trying to live for him is a very little thing to ask.

Have Reverence for God!

William Ramier wrote at 4:26am
"You call him Father, when you pray to God, who judges all people by the same standard, according to what each one has done; so then, spend the rest of your lives here on earth in reverence for him."
1 Peter 1:17 (TEV)

Do you have to have a Road to Damascus Experience to love Jesus?

William Ramier wrote at 4:22am
"You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express, because you are receiving the salvation of your souls, which is the purpose of your faith in him."
1 Peter 1:8-9 (TEV)

Trials?

William Ramier wrote at 4:20am
"Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honour on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed."
1 Peter 1:7 (TEV)

...

William Ramier wrote
at 3:46am
"A perverse man stirs up dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends."
Proverbs 16:28 (NIV)

Have Faith

William Ramier wrote
at 5:01pm yesterday
"Our steps are directed by the Lord; he strengthens those in whose way he delights. If they stumble, they shall not fall headlong, for the Lord holds them by the hand."
Psalms 37:24-25 (BAS)

Zeal for the House of God

William Ramier wrote
at 2:33pm
"When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, 'Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!' His disciples remembered that it is written: 'Zeal for your house will consume me.'"
John 2:13-17 (NIV)

Sometimes I wonder.

William Ramier wrote
at 2:14pm
Sometimes I wonder how long it will be until Anglican Bishops will need to have secular jobs to pay their bills, like vocational Deacons.

Father Guide Me

William Ramier wrote
at 2:04pm
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in your sight LORD, my strength and my redeemer. Amen.

Religious?

William Ramier wrote
at 2:08am
Atheism is the Devil's religion:

"Do not let anyone deceive you in any way. For the Day will not come until the final Rebellion takes place and the Wicked One appears, who is destined for hell. He will oppose every so-called god or object of worship and will put himself above them all. He will even go in and sit down in God's Temple and claim to be God." 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (TEV)

Enlightenment?

"Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious;" 2 Timothy 3:1-2 (TEV)

Too hard on yourself?

William Ramier wrote
at 1:26am
We all know how people judge each other. However, sometimes we're harder on ourselves. This jumped out at me:

"Now, I am not at all concerned about being judged by you or by any human standard; I don't even pass judgement on myself."
1 Corinthians 4:3 (TEV)

Save the Lord's Prayer?

William Ramier wrote
at 11:03pm
I've been mulling this one over for a while. Some time ago, the Liberal government in Ontario decided to get rid of the Lord's Prayer in the legislature. I even heard some Christians say that they agreed with this. Their reason was that if people are forced to say it, they don't mean it. They don't respect it etc.... This is the same reasoning that had God's name removed from the Bible. Anyway, I think it stinks of atheism and secularism and anti Christian sentiment to name but a few things. This country was founded by Christians. God is in our constitution. Canada was founded on the belief in God. The sad irony is that, as we remove more and more of our Christianity from our society, we breed more and more atheists. Removing the Lord's prayer to be more tolerant toward others is not a Christian value; it's a republican value. Why is that more important? I'm not saying we should advocate theocracy. But this land was founded on God by Christians, not republican atheists. I'm just trying to support and grow the faith; and, I see it being eroded everywhere in our society.

Believe Without Seeing

William Ramier wrote at 1:03am
"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy," 1 Peter 1:8 (NIV)

I was reading 1 Peter the other day, and this jumped out at me. It reminds me of something from one of St. Paul's letters where he says something about faith being believing without seeing. So we can believe without seeing.

Why Change?

William Ramier wrote at 12:59am
It annoys me to see Church leaders and others struggling so hard, and changing everything, to make the Church relevant in the world today. They don’t get it. It’s not the way we worship. It’s that we worship. Nobody believes in God anymore, not in Western society.

Honor Your Parents

William Ramier wrote
at 10:31pm
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you."
Exodus 20:12 (NIV)

Please pray for the Diocese of Huron

William Ramier wrote at 12:47pm
Prayers for the Diocese of Huron Synod May 16-18

"Lord God, as we set about this work, we ask that you will lead us step by step. Help us to see with our eyes. Help us to listen with our ears. Help us to think about what we are doing in our world. Guide us to recognize how great are our resources, and inspire us to put our plans, your plans, into action. Lord, for your sake, and not for the sake of those around us, may we not falter nor make empty plans but work to share your love and peace and to proclaim your gospel now and always. AMEN"

Shame & Lies

William Ramier wrote
at 12:32pm
"Turn from me shame and rebuke, for I have kept your decrees. The proud have derided me cruelly, but I have not turned from your law. Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, I do not forget your law. The proud have smeared me with lies, but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart. Let the arrogant be put to shame, for they wrong me with lies; but I will meditate on your commandments. Let my heart be sound in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame. The proud have dug pits for me; they do not keep your law. All your commandments are true; help me, for they persecute me with lies. The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not strayed from your commandments. There are many who persecute and oppress me, yet I have not swerved from your decrees."
Psalms 119:22, 51, 61, 69, 78, 80, 85, 86, 110, & 157 (BAS)

:(

William Ramier wrote
at 12:08pm
"Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
Proverbs 25:24 (NIV)

Boy, do I get this.

William Ramier wrote
at 8:59pm
"A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow."
Proverbs 25:18 (NKJV)

Prayer for Synod

William Ramier wrote
at 7:36pm
"GUIDE, we beseech thee, Almighty God, by the light of thy Holy Spirit, the counsels of the Bishops, Clergy, and Laity at this time assembled in General Synod; that thy Church may dwell in peace, and fulfil all the mind of him who loved it and gave himself for it, thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen"
Taken from the BCP

God Protect Us

William Ramier wrote
at 11:25pm
"We expect God to be the ultimate protector. And we wonder if there could be a God if we're not protected. But it's an embarrassing reality that whatever our ideas and our systems may be, God is always going to be greater than our ideas. That's what it means to be finite and to have an infinite God, after all. Whatever we think things SHOULD be like, God is always acting in ways that transcend our expectations. We often find this incomprehensible. Sometimes we find it hurtful."
Br. Bede Thomas Mudge

Little Litany

William Ramier wrote
at 10:28pm
I found that each of the prayers in the the BAS were missing something; so, I decided to write a litany for my own use, borrowing heavily from the BCP. I think it still needs some touching up. I'll share it with you here:

Little Litany
(In peace let us pray to God saying, “Father, in your mercy, hear our prayer.”)

For Your Holy Catholic Church, fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it. Where it is in error, direct it. Where any thing is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen and confirm it. Where it is divided and rent asunder, make it whole again.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the unity of all Christian people, regard not our sins, but the faith of Your Church. Grant unto it that peace and unity which is agreeable to Your will.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the extension of the Church, grant that all peoples of the world may feel after You and find You. And, hasten, O Lord, the fulfilment of Your Promise to pour out Your Spirit on all flesh.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the conversion of the unbelievers, look we beseech You, upon the faithless (especially... Ns said in silence). Open their hearts that they may see and confess the Lord Jesus to be Your Son and their true Messiah, and, believing, they may have life through His Name. Take away all pride and prejudice in us that may hinder their understanding of the Gospel, and hasten the time when all will be saved.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the increase of the ministry, we beseech You, Almighty God, to call many to the ministry of Your Church. And, to those whom you call give Your grace that they may hear and answer Your voice.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the Queen, we humbly beseech You to use and govern the heart ELIZABGETH Your servant , our Queen and Governor, that in all her thoughts, words, and works, she may ever seek Your honour and glory, and study to preserve Your people committed to her charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the Queen’s Forces, stretch forth, we pray, Your almighty arm to strengthen and protect the Queen’s forces in every peril of sea, and land, and air. Shelter them in the day of battle, and ever keep them safe from all evil. Endue them with loyalty and courage, and grant that in all things they may serve as seeing You who are invisible.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the industries of this land, prosper our brethren who maintain the industries of this land, and give to all who labour pride in their work, a just reward for their labours, and joy both in supplying need and in serving You.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For those in Anxiety, regard with Your tender compassion those in anxiety and distress (especially...), bear their sorrows and their cares. Supply all their manifold needs, and help both them and us to put our whole trust and confidence in You.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For travellers; preserve, we beseech You, all who travel by land, water, or air (especially...); surround them with Your loving care. Protect them from every danger, and bring them in safety to their journey’s end.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the sick and suffering: We beseech You to hear our prayers for Your servant N., for whom we implore Your mercy, that by our blessing upon them and upon those who minister to them of Your healing gifts, (s)he may be restored, according to Your gracious will, to health of body and mind, and give thanks to You in Your Holy Church.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

For our many blessings, help us to recognize how truly blessed we are. And, forgive us we beseech You when we do not.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Protect us from harm and evil, and guide us with Your Holy Spirit to follow your plan for us. Allow us to not resist You working through us, and to see our Lord in others.

Father, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.

Father, we humbly ask these things in the name of Your Son our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Even more on judging.

William Ramier wrote
at 8:27pm
I am so sick of being told that I'm not part of the body because I'm an ear and not a mouth. I just want to scream and pull my hair out. I know I have a splinter in my eye; that's exactly why I need Jesus. Whatever happened to judge not lest ye be judged? Our faith should unite us, not drive a wedge between us. We are all united in Christ (Ephesians 4:5); there is only one faith. Jesus said that whoever is not against us is for us; but, apparently if you don't go to the "right" church, you aren't "saved". I'm told that your church doesn't save you, it's your relationship with God; yet, my church "doesn't have the Spirit", and apparently neither do I. Again, how can you judge a fellow servant of the Master? Being a member of a traditional Church, I find it ironic that coming from a Church with "too many rules" I'm told that I have to do certain things (e.g. be drunk in the Spirit) to earn salvation (or at the very least to show that I am saved). There are many gifts of the Spirit. To you would be evangelists, by all means evangelize. Spread the word! But, please, please, do not judge.

Be Still!

William Ramier wrote at 10:36pm
BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD.
Taken from the 46th Psalm.

Swords

William Ramier wrote at 8:41pm
"And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one."
Taken from the Palm Sunday readings, from the Gospel of Luke.

Testing

William Ramier wrote at 8:38pm
"Simon, Simon, Listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
Taken from the Palm Sunday readings, from the Gospel of Luke.

More on Judging

William Ramier wrote
at 10:34pm
Gentiles, heathens, and infidels, it seems as though the people of the one true God have always been judging their fellow man. Nobody has ever listened to the message. Who are we to judge the servant of the Master!

Holy Days and Judgment

William Ramier wrote at 11:53am
"Who are you to judge the servant of someone else? It is his own Master who will decide whether he succeeds or fails. And he will succeed, because the Lord is able to make him succeed. One person thinks that a certain day is more important than other days, while someone else thinks that all days are the same. Each one should firmly make up his own mind. Whoever thinks highly of a certain day does so in honour of the Lord; whoever will eat anything does so in honour of the Lord, because he gives thanks to God for the food. Whoever refuses to eat certain things does so in honour of the Lord, and he gives thanks to God. None of us lives for himself only, none of us dies for himself only."
Romans 14:4-7 (TEV)

Holy Altar

William Ramier wrote at 11:45am
"You also teach, 'If someone swears by the altar, he isn't bound by his vow; but if he swears by the gift on the altar, he is bound.' How blind you are! Which is the more important, the gift or the altar which makes the gift holy?"
Matthew 23:18-19 (TEV)

Real

William Ramier wrote
at 12:47am
What is real? What is true? Is the Bible just stories? If everything is metaphor, what's the point? Is the Bible all metaphor? St. Paul said that if the crucification and resurrection wasn't real, our faith is pointless. Ask yourself this. If Holy Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation, why would God make it not understandable to the average person? Why would He hide the meaning? That sounds a lot like gnosticism to me. Would He encode it? Make it so that only a scholar could find the meaning? Beyond the understanding of a common fisherman?

Matrix

William Ramier wrote
at 11:33pm on February 10th, 2010
The Matrix has you. Plato described reality as a fire in a cave with people who, because chained, could only see shadows of reality cast by the fire behind them which they couldn't turn around to see. They believed that the shadows were all that there was, because they couldn't turn to look at the fire. We are only here in this world for a finite time. We will spend the rest of eternity in the next world, like breaking the chains and turning to look at the fire. So, what is reality really?

Wolf

William Ramier wrote
at 11:14pm on February 10th, 2010
"I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves."
from the 10th chapter of Matthew.

Golden Calf

William Ramier wrote
at 11:03pm on February 10th, 2010
Is science the new golden calf? An idol is anything you put before God. God may have used evolution. I don't know. I wasn't there. However, if you say, "We know for a fact that the Earth evolved over billions of years, and so did the life on it, therefore the story of creation in the Book of Genisis can only be metaphore," aren't you putting science above God? Or, let me put it this way: Do you think it is possible that science could be an idol?
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If you were deceived, would you know it?

William Ramier wrote at 11:37pm

A phrase a friend of mine passed along to me is, “If you were deceived, would you know it?” I’ve heard it is used often by some Churches. It is often used as a barb or veiled insult; because, the answer of course has to be “no”. It forces us to admit fallibility, while at the same time insinuating that we are wrong. About deception: It is incredibly easy to be deceived. Suppose an Angel were to come to you and say, “Well Bob, it’s like this….” Wouldn’t you believe an Angel? “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14. What if somebody came to you with a sound argument for something you were sitting on the fence about? What if the logic was impeccable? What if they had proof? “It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:15. “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.” Matthew 24:24. I’ve often wondered how Satan could deceive most of the people, or so many people. “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.” Revelation 13:14. It would have to be a very convincing lie. It would have to be air tight. Proof would be required, like evolution or the big bang. What do most people believe now? Does God exist in North America? An interesting observation I’ve made is how easy it is to deceive a person with the truth. Remember the joke about the Minister who was out fishing on his boat Visitation; he was out on visitation. Everybody believes that they are being saved, even those who are on the wide road. The narrow road is not traveled by many.

Hell Again

William Ramier wrote at 11:34pm

"And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
Mark 9:47-48 (KJV)

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Bride

William Ramier wrote at 10:39pm

"For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."
From the 62nd chapter of Isaiah.

Hell

William Ramier wrote at 10:36pm

Why is it that nobody talks about hell anymore? You never hear it. Could it be that we're judging God by human standards? "A kind and merciful god could never condone eternal torture." Maybe it's what I call Three Little Pigs Syndrome. We hide from things that make us uncomfortable in our society. You know, before the story was changed (panzified?) the first too pigs didn't run to the third house to hide. They were eaten. Maybe the point of the story was for parents to scare their children into not being lazy, to impress upon them a lesson with a story they wouldn't forget.

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Pervert

William Ramier wrote at 11:18pm on January 14th, 2010

Some people are trying to pervert the Gospel of Christ!
From Galatians 1:7

Buddha

William Ramier wrote at 11:10pm on January 14th, 2010

Why is it that when people are angry or startled they take the Lord's name in vain? Why don't they yell, "Muhammad!"? I think my new obscenity will be, "Buddha H. [effing] Vishnu!" And you know what, there's a part of me that actually hopes that people find it as offensive as I do when they take the Lord's name in vain. But, I know that's wrong; it's wrong to repay evil with evil. And, I have to work on that.

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Judge

William Ramier wrote at 11:40pm on January 12th, 2010

"'Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)

This can be good news, or it can be very bad news.

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William Ramier wrote at 4:26pm on September 7th, 2008

"But you say, 'What the Lord does isn't right.' Listen to me, you Israelites. Do you think my way of doing things isn't right? It is your way that isn't right.
Ezekiel 18:25 (TEV)

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William Ramier wrote at 4:23pm on September 7th, 2008

Do you think I enjoy seeing an evil man die?" asks the Sovereign LORD. "No, I would rather see him repent and live."
Ezekiel 18:23 (TEV)

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William Ramier wrote at 7:27pm on July 20th, 2008

"How was Christ begotten? And thus do they attempt to comprehend Infinite Being within the limitations of their own reasoning."
St. John Chrysostom

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William Ramier wrote at 8:01pm on June 22nd, 2008

"Manifestations of the spiritual part of our being are both real and perfectly natural, and my own belief is that they happen to most people. But living as we do in a society that values the rational over everything else, I think that lots of people completely miss these things when they happen, and those people who do notice them are usually reluctant to talk about them."
Br. Bede Thomas Mudge

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William Ramier wrote at 8:34pm on May 11th, 2008

"Do not wait for leaders. Do it alone, person to person."
Mother Teresa

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William Ramier wrote at 8:07pm on May 11th, 2008

"Living in a culture that promotes and values independence and encourages self-help through books, classes and gurus (all with a price tag!), we can feel not up to the task of witnessing."
Fr. Ted Hales

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William Ramier wrote at 9:17pm on May 2nd, 2008

"Believing in the abundance of God's gifts is counter-cultural in 21st century Canada."
The Rt. Rev. Bruce H. W. Howe

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William Ramier wrote at 9:19pm on December 28th, 2009

"I do not occupy myself with great matters, or with things that are too hard for me."
Psalms 131:2 (BAS)

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William Ramier wrote at 8:58pm on December 28th, 2009

Sometimes I really truly believe the Desert Fathers had it right.

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William Ramier wrote at 2:34am on December 13th, 2009

Some days I really get what St. Paul said about doing the evil I don't want to do.