tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84723877028225656282024-03-16T11:21:37.237-07:00ABC HistoryA personal history of the beginnings of the "Assembly of the Body of Christ" denomination.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-13192544203309181692023-11-29T17:28:00.000-08:002023-12-01T06:40:10.273-08:00HOW LONG IS YOUR YARDSTICK?<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziWxzu986xV58gIXMHLZw58n9rHBM4kii9irKfpr9uDysOpDtHhI7YEWDyfaKzJJvQUlvAlT8n0romQ_zOIz4nkOnHRnPYZlLGBFxVQxyo1I8jLJOkpeAyzqnwPY_NpvCr7h7BRaK2VtHP-EcphecfH_Rr3SBwd5dSPclXL0YQXHbifc7tM5V_p8rBVk/s1568/dream_TradingCard(254).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziWxzu986xV58gIXMHLZw58n9rHBM4kii9irKfpr9uDysOpDtHhI7YEWDyfaKzJJvQUlvAlT8n0romQ_zOIz4nkOnHRnPYZlLGBFxVQxyo1I8jLJOkpeAyzqnwPY_NpvCr7h7BRaK2VtHP-EcphecfH_Rr3SBwd5dSPclXL0YQXHbifc7tM5V_p8rBVk/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(254).jpg" width="245" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Do not judge,
or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be
judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus</span></i></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="1efb"><span style="font-size: medium;">I sometimes imagine every person walking around with a proverbial righteousness yardstick they can use to measure up others. For the majority, these sticks are likely about the same size, even if the unit of measure is perhaps different. But there are some who feel no one could measure up to their own perception of righteousness and these individuals have a very long yardstick they use to judge those around them. These persons feel their yardstick is the only true measure of God’s righteousness so they believe they are capable of judging those around them to see if they are righteous or unrighteous. But they are not the judge, only God can truly judge. Jesus confronted some of these
people in his day and they were often called Pharisees. </span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="1efb"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Pharisees were a small group of religious zealots, believed to number about six-thousand, who felt they were the "true Jew". They had great influence over other people because their words, no matter how wrong or oppressive, were believed to be true in spite of offering up no valid proof. This is because they spoke these words with force and intimidation, were often testy, and their manner made it difficult to speak against them. They could be very crafty. </span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="1efb"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span title="Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text"><span lang="grc">The Pharisee were isolationists who looked down on all others as inferior. They felt they alone were the gatekeepers of salvation. The Pharisee devoted more to the study of words and doctrines than to actual care for others. Feeding the poor, clothing the unclothed, providing care for the sick and injured; all beneath them. When Jesus came doing these things it was in direct opposition to the Pharisee and it placed them in a very bad light. </span></span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="1efb"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Pharisee considered themselves to be the "called out". Their Aramaic name </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span title="Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text"><span lang="grc">Φαρισαῖος) literally means "separated". They ignored the important matters such as justice and mercy, in favor of an exactitude of doctrine through an intense study of the law. Jesus turned the tables on their philosophy of life and, if the manner in which Jesus spoke of and to the Pharisees is any indication, God was not in any way pleased with the way of the Pharisee. Their piety was false.</span></span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="1efb"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span title="Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text"><span lang="grc">In Matthew the Pharisees are depicted by Jesus as having these characteristics and more:</span></span></span></p><ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Hypocrites, </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Children of hell </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Blind </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Whitewashed tombs </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Brood of vipers</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Leading people astray </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Straining out a gnat to swallow a camel</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Cleaning the outside of the cup while leaving the inside filthy</span></li></ul><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="1efb"><span style="font-size: medium;">Jesus told </span><span style="font-size: medium;">a parable</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> of an encounter with a Pharisee and it is found in the book of Luke:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span>Also He spoke this parable to <u>some who
trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others</u>: “Two
men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax
collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus <u>with himself</u>, ‘God, I
thank You that I am not like other men—<b>extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or
even as this tax collector</b>. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that
I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as
raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me
a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than
the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles
himself will be exalted.”</span></i></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: 18pt;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7jNbIhAk2lvlNua-3Edvj5vRC7vWZCtFnQ92yMNuK-Vhl3pqwJoW2bN4iez6vzTqqiytGLk1IhJV7FJA3P0rg4Ht3ThJx85BT5AjUoanWcxLWqRnKEhDFKp36Icbl6TRgHghgIH8y5_UQ4ccuNXlaOPdFTdtA_MpMYxtBgm-qYQNDWZ1WgwbozzaK4Q/s1568/dream_TradingCard(256).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7jNbIhAk2lvlNua-3Edvj5vRC7vWZCtFnQ92yMNuK-Vhl3pqwJoW2bN4iez6vzTqqiytGLk1IhJV7FJA3P0rg4Ht3ThJx85BT5AjUoanWcxLWqRnKEhDFKp36Icbl6TRgHghgIH8y5_UQ4ccuNXlaOPdFTdtA_MpMYxtBgm-qYQNDWZ1WgwbozzaK4Q/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(256).jpg" width="245" /></a></i></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There can be no assumption of righteousness based on any sort of affiliation with any earthly organization or movement. This Pharisee assumed his position and affiliation with the Pharisee sect brought him some form of overt righteousness above all others. It did not. This man the Pharisee observed in the distance, this tax collector, the Pharisee simply lumped together with extortioners, adulterers and, for good measure, pretty much any other "unjust" man he felt might walk
the earth. All evil or deficient persons were equivalent to this tax collector in the view of this Pharisee and he, of course, exempted himself from such scrutiny, so never measured himself against his own righteousness yardstick. When he looked in the mirror he saw only perfection without blemish. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW62Gq_072QfRLU7J3qMX12ZHRe_UFWa-EN7Ba0afmIdqYglfXKhraF2svq6Zknsl6vK-mxjAPOSHZgggw_He4t6kowYiXJVua6_aYJ2uZ1wnETVL8r1Jqu_z4wVFmV2IKnkTMxLmsQdz8TyvFxRoj8fdRX_Jy5knKOlUk0qhLCF4fKKdHbTTYNVQKXY/s1568/dream_TradingCard(274).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyW62Gq_072QfRLU7J3qMX12ZHRe_UFWa-EN7Ba0afmIdqYglfXKhraF2svq6Zknsl6vK-mxjAPOSHZgggw_He4t6kowYiXJVua6_aYJ2uZ1wnETVL8r1Jqu_z4wVFmV2IKnkTMxLmsQdz8TyvFxRoj8fdRX_Jy5knKOlUk0qhLCF4fKKdHbTTYNVQKXY/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(274).jpg" width="245" /> </a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This tax collector was likely a man who had a very bad job which he inwardly hated. I once held a position in a government agency that was under intense scrutiny by prosecutors for fraud and other crimes. I did not know this when I accepted the position, but quickly learned when I arrived at work about a month into the job and was hustled into an impromptu meeting where it was announced several of the top officials had been arrested that morning for their actions but "we will get through this". They were later convicted and sentenced. Their arrest did not change the culture of this agency in any way and each day I needed to hang my moral compass at the door and hold my nose just to do my job. I held a lot of power over people's lives in my position. Lives that had been destroyed by serious injury. The modus operandi of this agency was to deny everything, in any way they could, then let the lawyers fight it out in court. I had an attorney assigned to me and was expected to keep them busy. The fight could take years and meanwhile people lost their homes, their vehicles, their savings and ended up homeless when the resources ran out. The blame for this was always shifted elsewhere but it was our actions that so degraded their lives. Any attempt on my part to show any mercy or compassion was met with distaste by those above me. What we did as an agency was extremely cruel and we were schooled regularly by management in what was termed "the paper bag test". If you could deny something, even if it was plainly evident it was due the person, and did not need to wear a paper bag over your head when you left work that day, do it. Perhaps this tax collector found himself in a similar position. I had obligated myself in writing for a year when I accepted the position but when my year was done, I was too. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This Pharisee was likely not far off base in his outward assessment of this tax collector's character, but he had no way to see this man's heart to see the real man beneath. A tax collector was often a brute beast who laid waste to people and property in order to extract tax money. This is what was expected of him, it was just part of the job. A tax collector was much like a shakedown artist not far from what is depicted as an “enforcer”
in mob movies. One who collects “protection money” for "da boss" and if one chooses not to pay what they owe "da boss", the enforcer would then just breaka their legs. But it was for their own protection, of course, so something worse wouldn't happen to them next time. That was the life of a tax collector and they were generally hated among the population. All tax collectors were considered unscrupulous simply by association with the position, even if they were doing their job fairly. Many were thieves, skimming taxes off the top, then overcharging citizens to cover their tracks. We can see this in the story of Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who became very wealthy by way of fraud and intimidation but then had a change of heart:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span><span class="text Luke-19-1">Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.</span> <span class="text Luke-19-2" id="en-NIV-25734"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.</span> <span class="text Luke-19-3" id="en-NIV-25735">He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.</span> <span class="text Luke-19-4" id="en-NIV-25736">So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.</span><span class="text Luke-19-5" id="en-NIV-25737"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, <span class="woj">“Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”</span></span> <span class="text Luke-19-6" id="en-NIV-25738"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.</span><span class="text Luke-19-7" id="en-NIV-25739"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”</span><span class="text Luke-19-8" id="en-NIV-25740"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, <b>“Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”</b></span><span class="text Luke-19-9" id="en-NIV-25741"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Jesus said to him, <span class="woj">“Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-19-10" id="en-NIV-25742"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”</span></span></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Luke-19-10" id="en-NIV-25742"><span class="woj">Jesus was able to look up into that tree and see this man Zacchaeus had a good heart. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Luke-19-10" id="en-NIV-25742"><span class="woj">The Pharisee, on the other hand, just like the rest of us, saw only the outer representation of the man and could not read his heart. To the Pharisee this man was just a tax collector, a cheat, a thief, potentially even had murdered in the process of his job. He was not worth much to the peace and safety of society so he instantly judged and rejected him. But to God this tax collector in the parable was a good man inside and had found his way to a point of contrition. It is he who was honored by God that day, not the one who had isolated himself from the rest of the "riff-raff" and devoted his life to an ultra-literal interpretation of all things with a false show of piety. <br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: medium;">This Pharisee scoffed at this tax collector without investigation then prayed and boasted<b> </b><u><i><b>to himself</b> about his own perceived righteousness</i>. </u>The tax collector, in a moment of true humility,
momentarily acknowledged his absolute nothingness directly to God, not even lifting his face because he was such a broken man. He had likely kept a tough facade on the exterior throughout his career but was secretly keeping score of his own failings deep inside. He may have been a brute on the outside but he still had a conscience. The Pharisee was a brute in other ways and lacked any conscience. He too kept score, but he kept score of others failings and never his own. Undoubtedly he was able to "find a law" that would justify his heart of stone feelings toward this tax collector and kept his distance from this tax collector, thinking himself
to be a “man of God”, this tax collector unworthy of his very presence. He was likely worried he might become stained by him should he get too close. Avoid all appearance of evil was likely on his mind when he rejected him in this way. We read how Jesus was put down for being too close to those felt to be of no value. Jesus would have stayed at this tax collector's house, taken a meal with him, cared for the wounds of his soul, just like he did with Zacchaeus. Jesus hung with a crowd most considered to be "low lifes" and "sinners", not those who basked in their own self-righteousness and seemed pious. <br /></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: medium;">This Pharisee felt his actions of "faith" and "piety" proved his closeness to God but, in truth, the Pharisee was nothing but air and a facade. Less than zero since his actions of false piety were actually causing him to be indebted at the end of his earthly journey. When he saw this man, this tax collector, he didn't provide aid and comfort to him, he instead whipped out his extra tall yardstick of scriptural knowledge, keeping in mind his own "righteous" life, then began to size him up with his imagined shortness of righteousness, further boosting his own bloated ego in the process, making him feel tall. Without ever measuring himself, he declared his own righteousness to be far above
that of the tax collector. He declared this to himself because did all the right things. He fasted regularly, score, tithed on his gross income and then some more, score, undoubtedly made
long loud flowing prayers in the street in perfect vernacular as a show of his fervent religious “faith”
toward God. Score again. Undoubtedly he was a great scholar of the law, studied the scrolls religiously and precisely in the Aramaic language and knew the mind of God perfectly. Score yet again. He could probably recite the prophets and poets verbatim when it was convenient for him. Double score. He was likely a regular at the temple, perhaps even selling sacrifices to the poor to save them some time as they entered seeking forgiveness. Huge score for the win! He was proud of his pious nature and this Pharisee saw his judgement on the tax collector as his duty. He was assured within himself he was doing God service. He wasn't. This Pharisee’s god could only be viewed in a mirror. This poor
tax collector, expected to measure up to this Pharisee’s self-righteousness, perhaps felt himself a fraud at that moment, one who would fall far short of this Pharisee's standards of religiosity and knowledge. But simply by his momentary contrition it was he, the tax collector, who walked away from that place standing tall in the eyes of God. The Pharisee only acquired more debt, payable at the end.<br /></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: medium;">No
one can possibly measure up to this Pharisee's self-righteousness yardstick
because it is impossibly tall. This Pharisee never held this yardstick
to his own life because deep down he knew he could not measure up to the righteousness he boasted to have attained. It was all whitewash. This made him far worse than a hypocrite because this Pharisee, lifted up with pride, had a haughty spirit. It is these two things, pride and a haughty spirit which make up the recipe of destruction of one's self. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus, a man who never wore flowing robes, never sought a position in the temple, professed affiliation with no earthly structure, lived a homeless existence, broke the law of Moses on a regular basis, and did not fit into any mold of a religious person, did not like Pharisees.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUhi_2akTnmLKM0uEZYohoe2Ll6NhSFTSINmHC_Zyog4CFFoimDI4GiXhXap3B_qUUeZr9s7oMU1EgRjR53TWkVFu51tvM8Fwf8TxhRv252-OC_YwKcjj8fBXr0k1w2fuSNE4ATpjff3tn_nonK8DM4P3d7-EPzL6SPQUHlS9PkpucTsItec-WHAnYXg/s1568/dream_TradingCard(261).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUhi_2akTnmLKM0uEZYohoe2Ll6NhSFTSINmHC_Zyog4CFFoimDI4GiXhXap3B_qUUeZr9s7oMU1EgRjR53TWkVFu51tvM8Fwf8TxhRv252-OC_YwKcjj8fBXr0k1w2fuSNE4ATpjff3tn_nonK8DM4P3d7-EPzL6SPQUHlS9PkpucTsItec-WHAnYXg/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(261).jpg" width="245" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If Jesus was right, and I<span style="font-family: inherit;"> tend to think
he was, the righteousness yardstick we c</span>arry and measure others with is the exact same yardstick we will be held to account
with on the day of our judgment. Many on that day, when measured with the yardstick they carried in their life, will not measure up and will be found wanting. A little humility can go a very
long way to make one stand tall in the eyes of God. Carrying a very short yardstick through life can be a
wonderful thing for a person in the end when they are placed against it to see if they stand tall or are lacking. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span><span class="text Gal-6-3" id="en-NKJV-29192">For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. </span><span class="text Gal-6-4" id="en-NKJV-29193"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. </span><span class="text Gal-6-5" id="en-NKJV-29194"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For each one shall bear his own load. From the Letter to the Galatians</span></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="text Rom-12-3">For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. </span><span class="text Rom-12-4" id="en-NKJV-28250"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, </span><span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-NKJV-28251"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. From the Letter to the Romans</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-NKJV-28251"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-NKJV-28251"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOKvhzv1d_hPF9V-eM3voEAfqHW7JMuoyZjkmVygBo_zH5R6y880PJmUapYDsTeRJMajUVvufAIMnKUlg65fnjvemq6SLjZNcOtXTtYF9Ht01zyP23OuRWobv2-3IWSRb0nCnAIVn_um121WIO1RITMwkn_rHHTxws_Ue54n1gnCPAoBZ7rC6axEvvp4/s1568/dream_TradingCard(276).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOKvhzv1d_hPF9V-eM3voEAfqHW7JMuoyZjkmVygBo_zH5R6y880PJmUapYDsTeRJMajUVvufAIMnKUlg65fnjvemq6SLjZNcOtXTtYF9Ht01zyP23OuRWobv2-3IWSRb0nCnAIVn_um121WIO1RITMwkn_rHHTxws_Ue54n1gnCPAoBZ7rC6axEvvp4/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(276).jpg" width="245" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-NKJV-28251"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-NKJV-28251">In a letter written to the Romans <i>(text shown later)</i>; Paul begins by juxtaposing Jews and Gentiles and the opportunity he believes each has for salvation. It's a bit of a word salad but this text addressed some of the degrading issues in the area at the time. It appears perhaps some were expressing prejudice against either Jew or Gentile, feeling they were the ones more accepted by God than the other side. This problem with sorting the "approved" and "disapproved" continues in our world today and is even the cause of some wars. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-NKJV-28251">There is some acknowledgement in this text God selected the children of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be the first to receive the commandments, then the law, but all of that ended under the new covenant. All became equal at Christ's death and resurrection and there is no longer any Jew or Gentile. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-NKJV-28251">Abraham, and his forbears until the time of Moses, lived by faith, and not by direct commandment or written law. For a time mankind even lived without any law and simply did what seemed right in their own eyes. Jesus returned us to the original state of living strictly by faith, not by law, and things have now returned to be just like in the days of Abraham, except we have an eternal sacrifice now and need no longer sacrifice bulls and goats daily. It was hardness of heart that brought about the law. The law was a curse and not part of the original design. There is evidence the prophets of old came speaking of this but they found themselves cast out and killed by zealots, like the Pharisees of Jesus day, instead of being listened to. But I've drifted slightly from the main topic. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-NKJV-28251">The primary message here is this. There is none that is righteous. This statement from Romans, shown below in CAPS, was extracted very loosely from writings in the book of Isaiah. Jew, Greek, Roman, Gentile, male, female, rich, poor, young, old...there is not a single righteous person living on earth. None. Not then, not now, not ever. I'm not, you're not, we are all unrighteous, just like that tax collector who found righteousness only through his inaction and a heart of <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrition" target="_blank">contrition</a>. No one is capable of being as righteous as the Pharisee assumed himself to be. He was worshiping his god in the mirror, all the while thinking he was worshiping the God in heaven. He wasn't, even though the masses caused him to feel accepted in his manner of self-worship. A Pharisee spent his days seeking an ever finer point to the understanding of God but it was a vain pursuit. It is why Jesus spoke of them straining out the gnats while they swallowed camels. Granular thinking behavior was their specialty and it was a behavior Jesus found detestable. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Rom-12-5" id="en-NKJV-28251">The yardstick we each carry is just another piece of wood that decorates our home. It will in the end, after we have been held to its measure, burn. It has absolutely no value to us and should be ignored, stowed away and not ever used. I quote below from the amplified bible, not generally a version I prefer, but I use it here because it elaborates this statement to the Romans well. <br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="text Rom-3-10" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">There is none righteous</span> [none that meets God’s standard], <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">not even one</span>.</span><span class="text Rom-3-11" style="font-family: inherit;"> T<span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">here is none who understands</span>,</span><span class="text Rom-3-11" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">there is none who seeks for God</span>.</span><span class="text Rom-3-12" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">All have turned aside, together they have become useless</span>;</span><span class="text Rom-3-12" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">There is none who does good, no, not one</span>.</span><span class="text Rom-3-13" id="en-AMP-28005" style="font-family: inherit;"><sup class="versenum"> </sup></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span class="text Rom-3-13"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Their throat is an open grave</span>;</span><span class="text Rom-3-13"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;"> They</span> [habitually] <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">deceive with their tongues</span>. </span><span class="text Rom-3-13"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">The venom of asps is beneath their lips</span>.</span><br /><span class="text Rom-3-14"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness</span>.</span><sup> </sup><span class="text Rom-3-15"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Their feet are swift to shed blood</span>,</span><span class="text Rom-3-16"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;"> destruction and misery are in their paths</span>,</span><span class="text Rom-3-17"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;"> and they have not known the path of peace</span>. T</span><span class="text Rom-3-18"><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">here is no fear of God</span> [and His awesome power] <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">before their eyes</span>.</span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18">Paul stated this in a rather hyperbolic manner, intending to drive home a point. Paul, by nature, was a fervent man given to bold statements in his writings and it appears he was one who worked hard to restrain this fervent nature at times but was unsuccessful. I believe this fervent nature is what he considered his "thorn". But we can glean much from his writings and the fact remains we are all unrighteous in a form, but we are not completely unrighteous before God. We have been made righteous, without our effort, through the prism of the propitiation for our sin. Yet still, there are none who can, on their own, meet God's standards. No matter their actions, devices or assumed perfect granular doctrine. None. When we hold up a righteousness yardstick of our own making then judge others by their outward appearance we are deceiving ourselves. Only God knows the heart, only the Chief Shepherd is allowed to separate sheep and goat, the foundation of God is solid having this seal "The Lord knows those who are his". When we judge another man's salvation by our own standards, what follows is vanity, deceit, lies, bitter words, bloodshed, destruction and mischief. God can save who he will, no matter the rules, laws and processes we decide to put in place. This is the very trap this Pharisee had fallen into. He became so convinced he stood at the gate and had the keys to righteousness, to the exclusion of all those he found distasteful, which was pretty much anyone outside his sect, he elevated himself to a position he should not ever inhabit. It's a long fall from there. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18">I witnessed a great deal of this granular, separatist, isolationist, doctrine and thinking in my time in the ABC. The separatist, doctrinal adamant way of the Pharisee is a core doctrine of the ABC and creates exclusion and isolation from others deemed to be less. The ABC is a school for pharisaic thinking. This crooked path it leads one through obscures the sight and those who stay on this path soon find themselves blinded to the false judgments they make of others. Some begin to feel, just like this Pharisee, God is on their side due to their affiliation and advanced granular knowledge. They then feel free to judge others at will because, like the Pharisee, they believe they have a more perfect knowledge. They begin to feel, wrongly, they have become <i>the</i> holder of truth because they have sought out the "higher, deeper things of God" and thus have this more perfect knowledge they can wield like a sword of words. It is arrogance and pride. Our only path is to accept we are lowly, none are righteous without intervention of the propitiation, and we all know nothing. Below is a small bit of </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text Ps-51-17">Psalm 5. I encourage a person to read the entire Psalm. David, a very imperfect man after God's own heart, wrote of this contrition. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;<br /><span class="text Ps-51-16">You do not delight in burnt offering.</span><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><i>The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,<br /><span class="text Ps-51-17">A broken and a contrite heart—</span><br /><span class="text Ps-51-17">These, O God, You will not despise.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span class="text Ps-51-17"> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18">When I was ambushed, the "judgment" passed on me was declared to be "eternal" since, and I quote, "eternal judgment is a part of our foundation". But so is "repentance", so is "faith". This is an arrogant falsehood and Pharisaical thinking that leads to an attitude of non-repentance. Looking beyond the foundations there are greater things than "eternal judgment". Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, meekness... We cannot dwell in our foundation, we can only dwell in the house built on that foundation. Our foundation is not intended as a basement to inhabit since our foundation is solid stone and uninhabitable. When one wrongfully, and disgracefully, passes an "eternal judgment" on another person they have forgotten the weightier matters of the law and are exhibiting hardness of heart. True justice, true mercy and pure faithfulness are the most important things, judgment is not. Mercy will always triumph over any judgment we make. This judgment on my soul, even it were valid, is of no effect and is the vain ramblings of a Pharisee. It is vain words because they are triumphed by any necessary mercy. True eternal judgment is that point at which we are measured against the righteousness yardstick we carried and measured others with. Eternal judgment is seeing if we measure up to our own words and judgments. By our words we are justified and by our words we are condemned. True "eternal judgment" is not the passing of an eternal sentence on another person, as this Pharisee did. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth and the royal law supersedes everything else. Everything. This is unquestionable. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18">This parable speaks not only of judging a brother, but also the judging of all other persons, like this tax collector, who inhabit the world around us. This is a very hard truth for a blind and deaf Pharisee to accept, but it is truth. <br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18">Later Paul admonishes the Romans: </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span><span class="text Rom-12-3">For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.</span></span></i><span><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18"> </span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18"> </span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18">I repeat now the words of Jesus when he warns us to hold a very short yardstick: </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Do not judge,
or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be
judged; and <u>with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.</u> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus</span></i><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18">The just will live by faith. Faith is nothing if love is not coupled with it. Together faith and love equal righteousness and it is this coupling together of faith and love that protects the heart of man, not knowledge and action as this Pharisee wrongly assumed. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Rom-3-18"> </span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEVgAMQknbj3p5qHSEzcfFl2BpnwfDlnnY8WTaqt2ZjZgOibE97Gvz7rOx_cBMMzMCaT6Quv8NnHahUYC4mu3t-TzOJwUWmKiRcx68EuxBqDwLmS-8YRIM2aj9LLzWxo83RZrCVBagoHTZmbx3cyLxhyphenhyphenDr6Cy1YdjPc7GTkIEseF3bW_JEDKkfJUrJtk/s1568/dream_TradingCard(275).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEVgAMQknbj3p5qHSEzcfFl2BpnwfDlnnY8WTaqt2ZjZgOibE97Gvz7rOx_cBMMzMCaT6Quv8NnHahUYC4mu3t-TzOJwUWmKiRcx68EuxBqDwLmS-8YRIM2aj9LLzWxo83RZrCVBagoHTZmbx3cyLxhyphenhyphenDr6Cy1YdjPc7GTkIEseF3bW_JEDKkfJUrJtk/w558-h640/dream_TradingCard(275).jpg" width="558" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i><p></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/2-my-crime.html" target="_blank">TO MAIN SITE</a></span></i><br /></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-9033110612557682362023-10-20T14:30:00.010-07:002024-01-28T12:23:38.417-08:00It's No Secret, the Wise and the Foolish Watch the Same Exact Road<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjiNsR5VN_c7nOefV4ypcMPtTnxyfA63-Fum8-rg-mFhlBFuTCSVekKTXRGz5PxKuNfEx1L6CpivseSIoJTRLuiq34vV37vM1m_TNPVQEKNXS4FOFDfib4HCi6WYPiQs4uR-0anarnZUxj3VEdtNOyoY3RxiC_seO-7_U_rB_jYEXeiXNeCikPDn0-qw/s1568/Woman%20on%20Road.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjiNsR5VN_c7nOefV4ypcMPtTnxyfA63-Fum8-rg-mFhlBFuTCSVekKTXRGz5PxKuNfEx1L6CpivseSIoJTRLuiq34vV37vM1m_TNPVQEKNXS4FOFDfib4HCi6WYPiQs4uR-0anarnZUxj3VEdtNOyoY3RxiC_seO-7_U_rB_jYEXeiXNeCikPDn0-qw/w392-h640/Woman%20on%20Road.png" width="392" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In Proverbs 9 there is a tale of two
women; a "foolish woman" and a “wise woman”.<span> </span>The foolish woman calls to persons passing by promising them stolen water and secret bread. This foolish woman does not legitimately have these things in her possession and makes this
offer to be tantalizing and appeal to the curiosity of mankind. She is successful at drawing in persons to her lair but, once this person enters, she captures
them to herself, leaving them in worse shape than when they first arrived. These persons are then likely not able to finish
their journey with strength after having been taken captive by this foolish woman. <span> </span> <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">A foolish woman is
clamorous; she is simple, and <u>knows nothing</u>. <u>For she sits at the door
of her house, on a seat <b>by</b> the highest places of the city, to call to
those who pass by, who go straight on their way</u> “<u>Whoever is simple, let
him turn in here</u>”; and <u>as for him who lacks understanding</u>, she says
to him, “<u>Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant</u>.” <b>But
he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of
hell.</b></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">On the other hand, the wise woman has
busied herself making bread, mixing wine, furnishing a real table and sends out
maidens to invite others in for true, not stolen, sustenance. She herself is also crying out from
the highest place, offering prepared food and drink to any who choose to show
up. When these travelers arrive, they eat, drink and rest before continuing
on their journey of pursuing wisdom and embracing understanding. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Wisdom has built her
house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; she has slaughtered her meat, she
has mixed her wine, she has also furnished her table. <u>She has sent out her
maidens, she cries out <b>from</b> the highest places of the city</u>, “<u>Whoever
is simple, let him turn in here</u>!” <u>As for him who lacks understanding</u>,
she says to him, “<u>Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed</u>.
Forsake foolishness and live, <b>and go in the way of understanding.</b></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Compare the visual
of the foolish woman to that of the wise woman. The stories are very similar,
nearly alike actually, but there are a couple small, but crucial, differences
between the two. I have <u>underlined</u> and <b>bolded</b> these similarities and
differences since these are the most important elements of this poetically
phrased parable. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The foolish woman is
like those who promise things they cannot truly deliver, but draw in
converts and capture souls to themselves with lies, deceits and a facade. Those who are like the foolish woman offer up tantalizing knowledge they only pretend to have. The
foolish woman presents a facade of being a place of peace, a place where one
can find truth and understanding but, in fact, she is as one who presides over
the dead and those who enter become captive guests of hell, just like herself. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The wise woman, on
the other hand, does not capture souls to herself, she does not hold them to
her will, she serves exactly what she has promised, a bread of truth
and wisdom, a drink of mixed wine that soothes the soul, a full spread to
nourish and build up, and a place of peace, safety, comfort and rest. The wise woman sends these travelers back on their
way fully refreshed and does not demand their money, dedication or capture.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Both the wise and
the foolish woman call to the same simple people on their way but only one, the
foolish woman, tantalizes with a promise of "stolen water" and
"secret bread". This foolish woman sits <b><i><u>by</u></i></b> the
high place, not <b><u><i>in</i></u></b> it. She promises mysteries of God with secrecy but cannot deliver. She does not
belong in the high place and cannot enter. She pretends she belongs there, and her intent is to proselytize the unwary so she can ensnare their soul. She delivers food which does not nourish, offers
stolen water from a tainted well, and gives nothing of value that will serve
a person’s needs. She lives a lie and her home is a facade. The
foolish woman entices travelers in much the same manner as the wise woman, but she
has no maidens to send and sits alone in her offering up of secret bread and
stolen water. Few who enter her gates ever leave because she ensnares their
soul with lies and secrets. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The wise woman sits <b><i><u>in</u></i></b> the highest place because this is where she belongs and she is only offering truth.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">As Jesus traveled
about with his ragtag bunch of “sinners” and “lowlifes” he did not capture men
and women of great esteem who would then build him a physical church, temple or
tabernacle dedicated to his memory. When a rich young man called him “good”,
Jesus refuted this by saying, "w</span><i>hy do you call Me good? No one is
good but one, that is God.”</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Jesus invited people to come listen without judgment, healed their wounds and sickness, fed
their bellies, gave them drink to quench their thirst, then sent them on their
way fulfilled. He likely did not ever see most who came to him ever </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">again, </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">and
found no need to offer up secrets to entice them in. He fulfilled every
promise he made to them and spoke to them in parables of illustration to wake their
minds to a few simple truths while he fed their needs. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">We have today many
denominations, churches and Christian movements which build their membership rolls
by promising to share “secrets” of God. But God is not a secret and is, in
fact, not far from any person. These secret doctrines offered are based strictly
on suppositions, not simplicity. Matthew 24 warns there are many “foolish
women” in the world and we should not be enticed by any of them;</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="woj"><i>“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’
or ‘There!’ do not believe it.</i></span><i> <span class="woj">For</span> <span class="woj">false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and
wonders… </span></i><span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The ways of God are
simple, easily understood and are not secret or mysterious wonders or full of signs. The ways of God can be easily learned and do not require hours of study to understand. But don’t take my
word for it. Here is but a sample from Psalms and Proverbs:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The law of the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> is sure,
making wise the simple. Ps. 19</span></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> preserves the simple: I was
brought low, and he helped me. Ps. 116</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The entrance of
thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Ps. 119</span></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">To know wisdom
and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the
instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the
simple… Pr. 1</span></i></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpRo06L3-kkgSw7T_JsII9wvQcZjrl1Ar-rkogaYTqMJlhyAsTp18vMUtAOC9WPRStMfpUIYb4YdSRUb7CqUUYAKmB1oAXkXxksaP1qNIGctHgIs27E_zWBhR-Y1VRkImmQs-oxL7Vkp892R_hBV4odN53MeIuh4JyNpQ2e6FxL4fxA07ryOJdS3r_b4/s1568/dream_TradingCard(15).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpRo06L3-kkgSw7T_JsII9wvQcZjrl1Ar-rkogaYTqMJlhyAsTp18vMUtAOC9WPRStMfpUIYb4YdSRUb7CqUUYAKmB1oAXkXxksaP1qNIGctHgIs27E_zWBhR-Y1VRkImmQs-oxL7Vkp892R_hBV4odN53MeIuh4JyNpQ2e6FxL4fxA07ryOJdS3r_b4/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(15).jpg" width="245" /></a></i></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">WISDOM</span></i></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Anyone can crack
open a book and write down what they read.<span>
</span>Anyone can fill up a phylactery with knowledge and appear wise. Anyone can put together an assortment of scripture together and create a doctrine or two or many. True
knowledge comes only from receiving wisdom, the understanding of wisdom and from no other
place. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Who is
wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their <u>good life</u>,
by deeds done in the <u>humility</u> that comes from wisdom…but the wisdom that
comes from heaven is first of all <u>pure</u>; then <u>peace-loving</u>, <u>considerate</u>,
<u>submissive</u>, <u>full of mercy and good fruit</u>, <u>impartial</u> and <u>sincere</u>.
Peacemakers who <u>sow in peace</u> reap a harvest of righteousness.<span> </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">Letter to James</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get
understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will
honor you.<span> </span>Proverbs 4</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers
down.<span> </span>Pr. 14</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I have
underlined those things in the letter James wrote to the twelve tribes, shown above, which
show the true fruit of those who serve up wisdom and understanding on their table.
Every one of these things center on three basic traits: humility, peace and
mercy. All of the ways of God are peaceful, full of mercy and truth. All! There
is no room for judgment at the table of God. If the place in which you stand serves a bread that does not taste of humility, peace and mercy, it is time to assess
where you stand.<span> </span>Knowledge is not equal
to wisdom and knowledge is not equal to the understanding of wisdom. Knowledge puffs
up but the wisdom of the Spirit builds. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Einstein was wise when he said,<i> “the pursuit of knowledge is more
valuable than its possession.”<span> </span></i>We
are to be seekers of wisdom, not just pursuer or possessors of vain knowledge. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74AduSpM65GO2wj8JqoJmYxCBzUOupSNHPR_NKVCbBJyRd-CoxEyo7kBB2rOWcSGaRigOb_bPAQipH9pYyNxNzfzfLv55W2Hd8GqTtAPGxsZgVO8WapfDN2PQ-1PjBcCNYnmlDESF7El1X9V6jPwhx-YQjSxD8uooOUbxu2GQ29MHzC3XMeis0qm-UxM/s1568/dream_TradingCard(124).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74AduSpM65GO2wj8JqoJmYxCBzUOupSNHPR_NKVCbBJyRd-CoxEyo7kBB2rOWcSGaRigOb_bPAQipH9pYyNxNzfzfLv55W2Hd8GqTtAPGxsZgVO8WapfDN2PQ-1PjBcCNYnmlDESF7El1X9V6jPwhx-YQjSxD8uooOUbxu2GQ29MHzC3XMeis0qm-UxM/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(124).jpg" width="245" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /><br /></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">MYSTERIES</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I occasionally get flyers
in the mail promising to show me the mysteries of the end times, or they give me a
promise to expose the facts of the creation of the earth. Most allege this creation
happened roughly six thousand years ago, or portend the Revelation events are
imminent so I must fear what is soon to come. These seminars are intended to invite me in. Fear sells. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The physical evidence does not usually
support their “biblical” interpretation of the Genesis story. Genesis is likely
somewhat, or entirely, allegorical and not cleanly historical. Genesis gives us only a very simple outline
of this event. An event that likely took place over a much longer time-frame than just six
human days. But no one knows for certain how many days, or eons of days, it
took for the earth to form and become inhabited. We know very little of this event because we
have only this sparse outline in Genesis from which to determine the facts. To be adamant
is equal to vanity so we can be adamant on very little. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">In my lifetime the
“mysteries” I was shown in the ABC regarding the end times did not ever once come
to pass. My father definitively “proved” mathematically
Jesus would return in his lifetime. This he based on the date Israel regained
statehood, but he died nearly four decades
ago without any of his Revelation predictions or prophesies coming to pass.
Others came after him making similar predictions, which also did not come to
pass. I have heard differing tales of trumpets, vials, beasts, horses, angels
and the like from multiple sources, inside and outside the ABC. These are
always attributed to catastrophic current real life world events, intending to prove we
are in the last days, but these dates and events pass with no prediction being
fulfilled in the right time-frame. There have been many assumptions made, along with much conjecture of
what will transpire in our lifetime, but with no truly valid proof. It has been stated
many times, in the last century or so, the antichrist would soon arrive, the
earth will fall into a one global government system, with one central bank, and
instead of cash, debit or credit cards we would have a mark on our flesh with
which to buy things like food, gas and toilet paper. There will be three and a half years of peace followed by three and a half years of utter chaos. If one were to accept this
tattoo with which to buy and sell, they would then lose their eternal salvation. It was once presumed God
would bring back manna as we hid in the hills waiting for the very end. Three men were sent into the hills to find a place for us to hide and eat manna but they almost died when they were caught in a blizzard. I heard tales of government
plans to imprison those who are “believers”, simply because they follow the
words of Jesus. It has been predicted there would be massive death in various forms
around the globe very soon. There was even a prophesy by one man that those in San Francisco should run to a particular rock when the imminent falling of California into the ocean occurred. My father showed pictures of the weakening pillars that would soon collapse taking most of California with them. All of these predictions and prophesies went without fulfillment. These things may someday
come to pass, who knows, and it may be in our lifetime, or it may not, but it is foolish
to make such solid predictions as to when, where, how or even if they will occur. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There have been many
“watches” throughout all of history. The center of power has shifted many times. During these upheavals there has been great tragedy but were not followed up with the coming of Christ. We have no way to know if the “watch” we are in
is the final watch. Jesus spoke of this when he said; “</span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">And if he should
come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed
are those servants.”</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> There is a huge etcetera attached to that statement. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Society has gone
through many periods, or watches, of gradual building up of society with sudden rapid declines;
good times followed by very bad times, periods of prosperity followed by days
of famine and destruction. This is just the nature of the entire universe. Flux and change, seasons and orbits. Some
or all of Revelation may be strictly figurative as well, and for certain not all is meant
to be taken literal, and not all necessarily applies to the end of days. <span> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Each of us are humans frozen
in our own space and time. We see what lies ahead and behind through
dimmed eyes. Supposition and conjecture about things such as the creation of
the earth, or end of days Revelation, while tantalizing and interesting to hear, is nothing
more than stolen water and secret bread intended to entice persons in with the intent of capturing their soul. The
teachers of these things decry this “secret knowledge” to appear wise
when, in truth, they are not possibly expert because true knowledge of these things is completely absent. An expert is one who can speak quite knowledgeably about things of which they truly have no clue. We, as humans, have no solid proof of what came
before us and, for certain, we are unable to see what lies around the next bend
of time. It is an impossibility. Our vision is much too dim. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Science is full of individuals making assumptions from experimentation, writing papers, presenting theories from their discoveries, only to have those theories smashed by more solid facts later. The age of mankind is continuously pushed back by new discoveries. Religion too presents its theories and often attaches God's name to them in an attempt to make them irrefutable. But a wise man examines everything for truth and evidence of stolen water and secret bread. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">So the errors remain, as if they are the rock on which was must have faith. If we put our faith in doctrinal sand we will fail. Jesus represented love and tolerance, not formulated doctrine. Love is coupled with faith in the armor of God, the breastplate. Tolerance and love are the royal law and inseparable. <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">When we try to
reveal the secrets and mysteries of God we will always fail because our days
are short and numbered, we lack absolute proof of nearly everything, and acquired knowledge from past
generations soon fades. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> There have
been many centuries of persons predicting when Jesus will return, always without
fulfillment. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">To seek to know anything perfectly is a loss of
faith in the invisible and intangible God. Faith is the opposite of proof. God is not a bread to be eaten in secret. We need not
steal his living water to drink. Those who claim to harbor this bread and water are like the foolish woman because
both are free for the asking and not in any way complex, convoluted or mysterious.
They are not truths that must be intensely studied to be discerned. The wisdom of God
sets one free and does not capture.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The ABC, and other
church organizations, declare to understand the mysteries of Creation and
Revelation, but these are simply theories intended to tantalize those
passing by into believing they have a better or deeper understanding than all others.
This is not an uncommon practice. There are several other church organizations in
my area, such as Jehovah Witness and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints, that regularly conduct similar creation and / or Revelation seminars. These
mysteries have no value in building up or edifying one’s soul and they do not
bring rest and refreshment. They are essentially “scriptural candy” intended to
draw persons in so they can then become ensnared. It's a Pinocchio story. They are like the promise of secret bread and stolen waters </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">made by
the foolish woman</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> but the only thing that follows that promise of sweetness is bondage. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Even the writer of
Genesis, presumed to be Moses, severely abbreviated the story of Creation
because they had no complete account of those days, in any form, written or
verbal. Knowledge fades. There is clear evidence the writer of Genesis, written
at least two-thousand years after the actual event of creation is considered to have
occurred, obtained some or all of their information from ancient Mesopotamian writings
once held in libraries that no longer exist. It is difficult to pass
information between generations and it is these lost writings, likely imperfect to begin with,
that memorialized the Genesis story passed down through history. It is certainly flawed by the abrasions of time itself, so the writer of Genesis spoke in very vague terms. We know this story in Genesis is a grossly abbreviated outline of time because,
at a time when there was an account of only four people living on the planet,
one of Adam and Eve’s sons was off building a city and had a wife with no
record of whence she was even born. <span> </span>There
is much we will never know.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIYfDtLm0QUUttYQv87V8PoVxgeR8LuXWX24S0IrYI3x7p7wBU9mCrJPCeogJ7YJKZfdJGelz05qQ9ecdlM96ORXqhUBPMl8T3cjoDTH_letE1uSeAta6GiipuH9yw4Q4W89bVTkqSU0kZHyd-2U7JXFPv6lrkABQDyPYW6E8Y9DClRjVyOn2FS_5_fU/s1568/dream_TradingCard(131).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIYfDtLm0QUUttYQv87V8PoVxgeR8LuXWX24S0IrYI3x7p7wBU9mCrJPCeogJ7YJKZfdJGelz05qQ9ecdlM96ORXqhUBPMl8T3cjoDTH_letE1uSeAta6GiipuH9yw4Q4W89bVTkqSU0kZHyd-2U7JXFPv6lrkABQDyPYW6E8Y9DClRjVyOn2FS_5_fU/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(131).jpg" width="245" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">BABYLON CAPTIVITY</span></b></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">When the Hebrew
people could finally leave the captivity of Babylon, many remained. Even though
they were still technically enslaved, they were eventually free to go if they chose. But life
had become quite comfortable in Babylon, after so many years </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> in captivity</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. Many,
after sixty-six years of captivity, had been born into this bondage and knew of
nothing else. Some were simply too old to travel and so remained for
the rest of their lives. Some acquired houses, farms, possessions, and even
obtained Babylonian government posts. Even their king, who had once been fully imprisoned,
joined the royal courts of Babylon when released from his imprisonment. The
people, in their heart, had a desire to return to their ancient homeland, but many voluntarily remained
in Babylon, in bondage, out of apathy or fear of what lay beyond those walls that
enclosed them. The walls made them feel safe from the unknown outside, but it also
imprisoned them. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">To return to
Jerusalem was a trek of over nine-hundred miles on foot. That does not sound
far today, with automobiles that travel a mile a minute, and planes that travel
at ten times that speed, but to one wandering on foot it was the equivalent of
an eighteen-thousand-mile journey at freeway speed, through mostly barren land
and desert. That is equivalent to a distance roughly three-quarters of the way
around the globe, at the equator, at modern speeds. It is physically about half the distance of the Appalachian Trail, but with very few spots of respite along the way. It was a months long journey on
foot, fraught with many unknown perils. But God had already led his people
through the desert once before and those who did not make it to the Promised
Land that time failed only because they did not have faith in God and grumbled
once too many. This conflict of thought by the Babylonian captives is memorialized
in Psalms 137. It begins; </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">By
the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept</span></i></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">when
we remembered Zion.</span></i></span><span class="text"><span> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There on the poplars we hung our
harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors
demanded songs of joy;</span></i></span><span class="text"><span> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">they said, “Sing
us one of the songs of Zion!”</span></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Some appeared glad
on the surface, but were not as glad in their hearts. They sang the songs
of Zion in Babylon, and lamented being held captive, but still did not
come out of Babylon when they were finally allowed to leave. This was because they had
become fully invested in where they dwelt and had set their roots in Babylon,
not in a faith in God. In modern science we us the term “Stockholm Syndrome”, which
exemplifies this human nature of putting faith in one’s captors, rather than
struggling for freedom. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Babylon remains today,
but is now a hidden, or a “mystery” Babylon. When the scripture speaks of
“Mystery Babylon” it is not speaking of a specific place, church or specific
group of people. <span> </span>It is not a direct
condemnation of any denomination, religion, church or movement born out of the “mother
of harlots”, considered widely to be the Catholic church.<span> </span>It is speaking of the “Hidden Babylon” of the
heart which keeps a person who has been set free by the propitiation of Christ still enslaved
to ritual, dogma, men’s doctrines and false religion. It is a trust in man, rather than a trust in God. They see their capture as a place that will protect them and provide “safety” so to come out of captivity is a scary
proposition. It makes God much less tangible and, as tangible humans, we
are not always comfortable with the intangible and unknown. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">There is only one Chief Shepherd who divides those who are
righteous and those who are not. Only the Lord knows those who are His. It is
up to each person to determine where their feet stand and it is not for another
to judge. If someone crosses our path, it is not incumbent on any of us to
demand they follow our same exact path. We are all merely travelers in this same life.
</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">One must ask
themself; is the doctrine they adhere to one of a foolish bondage, like
Babylon, or is it a wise freedom, like the spiritual Zion? This is where one
must examine themselves to see if their feet stand in true faith on this
sometime uncomfortable journey, or in the bondage of Babylon, a sometimes
beautiful place filled with creature comforts that hide the actual bondage. <span> </span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">We do not worship
God in any specific place. If someone says, “go here, go there”, to find God,
we must not go because God is everywhere. We worship God in a temple made
without hands and we, each one of us, can become that temple, God’s building.
This is where we must worship. In God’s building. When we think of “church”,
where people gather, what we are really describing is “fellowship”, not
church or worship. I have stated this many times over the years and always get the same feedback "Well, we come here to worship God too, don’t we?” This after my saying worship
happens twenty-four hours per day within us. Of course we are still worshiping God
when we fellowship, but that worship is internal, the fellowship is an external building up of each other. It is for us.<br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The only necessary
sacrifice taking place now in our temple is the propitiation, or perpetual
sacrifice, of Christ. Fellowship is whenever two or more are gathered, building
or none, to comfort each other and build each other up. This is wisdom. It is
the foolish woman who condemns, judges harshly and tears down. It is truly that
simple. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Churches,
denominations, religions, movements all offer differing brands of fellowship and encouragement. Some
are like that wise woman that builds up; others like the foolish woman who tears down. The wise provoke to
good works, edify a person’s soul with healthy bread, show people the well of
living water, invite them to eat and drink freely before they continue on their
journey again, without dedication or capture. Those enticed in by the foolish
woman will find themselves held in captivity by men’s doctrines, dogmas and statements
of a creed to which they must strictly adhere. In the long term they will find this nourishment deficient because the
foolish woman delivers a diet that produces a loss of faith and creates extreme apathy,
just like those who remained in Babylon. The wise woman provides fellowship that builds up and nourishes the soul and is never a place of
captivity. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></span></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-56055753768434569722023-09-05T15:49:00.014-07:002023-10-11T05:28:04.682-07:00 A COMMON COMMUNITY COMMUNICATES WITH ALL COMMONALITY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtj_OsaQUla_VouG0dyovfd8qguHTxhY2Jn0ijNSLVLZTAvFWBqxlpK93zgknuiTGY1fVuyQ6GDFH7WhMgcnAmFF60l-QGUxbTItQ8tMRW3JKxJ8YrJWKJaKYMD1eOKJ_toka1u88o2oX6rA0SLNZV9lYdeI03gWT9nJfEQqHF42I_lSHr3XeGq8RLBuU/s1568/dream_TradingCard(456).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtj_OsaQUla_VouG0dyovfd8qguHTxhY2Jn0ijNSLVLZTAvFWBqxlpK93zgknuiTGY1fVuyQ6GDFH7WhMgcnAmFF60l-QGUxbTItQ8tMRW3JKxJ8YrJWKJaKYMD1eOKJ_toka1u88o2oX6rA0SLNZV9lYdeI03gWT9nJfEQqHF42I_lSHr3XeGq8RLBuU/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(456).jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">At most “Christian” churches a small segment of a specific service,
usually weekly or monthly, is devoted to “Communion”. <span> </span>This concept of “taking communion” is drawn
primarily from the gospel of Luke: </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>For I say unto you, I will not drink of
the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.<sup> </sup>And
he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, this
is my body which is given for you: <u>this do in remembrance of me</u>.<sup> </sup>Likewise,
also the cup after supper, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood,
which is shed for you.</i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text">The other gospels make note of this “last supper communion”,
but John focuses mostly on the betrayals of Judas and Simon Peter, rather than
the eating and drinking and only Luke specifically mentions the words of Jesus
instructing us to continue this practice. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text">In most churches the practice of “taking communion” involves
a piece of “bread” a sip of “wine” then move on to more pressing matters. In
many, if not most churches, the bread is a piece of matzo cracker, or perhaps a
bland wafer purchased from a Christian supply house; the wine typically grape
juice and not actual wine. This is actually something that would have been
impossible in Jesus’ day since grape juice begins to ferment soon after
picking. Since alcohol is frowned upon in many segments of Christianity, the
use of grape juice has become commonplace instead. Grape juice requires
pasteurization to stop the fermentation process, and this process was developed
by Thomas B Welch in 1869, so the use of grape juice, rather than wine, is a
very modern development. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text">The original last supper was first a cup of wine, which the
disciples were told they must share but Jesus did not drink, then the bread
which all present ate, including Jesus. There was then another cup of wine which
was, per accounts, intended to represent the new covenant. This second cup was taken
individually and not shared. This, to me, represents we can have an individual
relationship with God through the new covenant, even though we also share a
common spiritual lineage through the Spirit.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text">The accounts in each of the gospels are similar, but each
writer has a slightly different focus and perspective. That is pretty normal
since we all view the world through different eyes. From these combined four
gospel versions the religious practice of “taking communion” was introduced to
the world and is now practiced in most, if not all, Christian churches. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text">In truth, this meal, these two cups and the bread, were not
intended as a somber religious observance. In actuality this was to be a
“Passover feast” meant to celebrate the salvation of the firstborn of Israel
when the death angel passed over killing the firstborn of Egypt. This led to
the Hebrew people’s escape from captivity and Jesus, and his disciples, were at
the time following Jewish tradition by celebrating this feast. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text">This meal, the Passover meal, was intended to be eaten in a
reclined position, per Jewish tradition, rather than seated. When the gospels
speak of the disciple Jesus loved leaning against him, this would have actually
been a quite common practice of the day. It is doubtful there was a table and multiple
chairs as depicted in Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”. Instead, the group was likely
lounging on the floor. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>The
churches we attended when I was a small child usually had a stackable silver
tray set with hole cutouts for tiny grape juice cups and was made specifically
for the taking of communion. There was also a second flat tray for the unleavened
cracker pieces or wafers. These were passed around the auditorium by ushers.
When everyone had their cup or “bread”, and for just a moment, everyone would reverently
consume the cracker or solemnly drink their ration of grape juice. It was soon over
and we moved on to the next item on the agenda; likely a song. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>When I was
a teen, and my father formed the ABC in our living room, communion became less
formalized and was expanded to be a complete meal. Unleavened bread was baked
in the Old Testament manner, rather than being a boxed matzo cracker or
purchased wafer, and eventually the grape juice too was replaced with actual
wine. At first the bread was placed on the table with the potluck meal, but
soon after was separated out into a more religious observance. The meal was more
in line with the true “Last Supper” experience in the gospels, and practice of the
early church. As far as I know, this format continues to this day in the ABC.
Not quite a celebration, but not quite a momentary religious observance with
stainless steel trays adorned with a cross and lid on a linen covered table
with flowers. But true communion is not actually about the food and the wine. These
are merely tangible symbols of the remembrance of something that is, for the
most part, completely virtual and intangible.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>The ABC
teaches a doctrine one must enter into the “Kingdom of God” through an
intricate seven step salvation practice. This seven-step process can only be
proven by use of multiple study books and a grid.<span> </span>One of the songs this church sings is <i>“The
Kingdom of God is not meat nor drink, but righteousness, peace and joy…”</i>
Hard to argue with that statement as this song is drawn directly from a letter
written to the Romans. However, these words followed a direct admonishment to
not be judgmental but instead make peace and edify each other. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but
judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in
his brother's way.<sup> </sup>I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus,
that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to
be unclean, to him it is unclean.<sup> </sup>But if thy brother be grieved
with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat,
for whom Christ died.<sup> </sup>Let not then your good be evil spoken of:<sup> </sup>For
the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy
in the Holy Ghost.<sup> </sup>For he that in these things serveth Christ
is acceptable to God, and approved of men.<sup> </sup><b><u>Let us
therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith
one may edify another</u></b><u>.</u></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>This is
something sincerely absent in the ABC. They are quite judgmental, there is not
a peace that exists among their members and this is a stain on any feast they
celebrate. The first letter to Peter references a similar situation when it
speaks of false teachers and likens them to <a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2022/05/tolerance-and-ass.html" target="_blank">Balaam with his ass</a>. <a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2022/05/tolerance-and-ass.html" target="_blank">Balaam</a> was a
man who placed too much burden on his ass then wished it dead. When the ass
refused to take the abuse any longer God gave the ass the ability to speak and
it said essentially; </span><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 107%;">“Have I ever wanted <i>you</i>
dead? Even though it is <i>you</i> who have burdened <i>me</i> all these years
and not <i>I</i> who has burdened <i>you</i>?”<span>
</span><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2022/05/tolerance-and-ass.html" target="_blank">Balaam</a> lacked love and tolerance.</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">But these, like natural
brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do
not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, </span></i></span><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">and
will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to
carouse in the daytime. <u>They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own
deceptions while they feast with you,</u></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">This is just a small excerpt from the second letter to
Peter, what has been divided out as the second chapter, but it is worth the
time to read the text before and after this because there are many false
teachers who promise liberty with their words then seek to bring about bondage.
This is opposite the ministry of Jesus. </span><span class="text"><i><sup> </sup></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">It is interesting to note Jesus, at the last supper,
first handed them a cup of wine which they were to share. He did not single out
Judas, the man who would soon cause his death. He did not single out Simon
Peter, the man who would soon deny him. He did not elevate any person in the
room to be greater than another, even though there was one in the room Jesus
dearly loved above all the others and who was, at that moment, leaning against
his breast in a show of deep affection. There was a pure equality in that room,
regardless of character, position or even rightness, as illustrated by even Judas
not being left out. <span> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">In Matthew Jesus, speaking on the mountain, says, <i>“<span class="text">But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto you.” </span></i><span class="text"><span> </span>So, if the kingdom is what we should be
seeking, and not food and drink, this begs the question about communion; is it really
about the food and drink, the bread, the cup of wine, or is it more about
celebrating a unity of Spirit? <span> </span>We can
determine the answer to that question from Jesus’ parting words, directly after
the supper was over:</span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the
Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him,
God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.
Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I
said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. <b><u>A
new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you,
that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another.</u></b></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>We know also
from Jesus previous words, as he traveled about, this “new commandment” was
coupled with an equal twin commandment to “love our neighbor as ourselves”. <span class="text"></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span>An
individual I am acquainted with in Australia recently wrote about why the
Christian church is failing mankind and he paralleled some of the falsehoods that
have taken hold in churches, rather than the truths which should be present. In
his writing, he adequately juxtaposed some of the reasons he felt were creating
this failure. I have grossly abbreviated his list below in a chart and will
address these truths and falsehoods one by one.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><br /></span></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTable15Grid1Light" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #666666 1.5pt; border-color: windowtext rgb(153, 153, 153) rgb(102, 102, 102) windowtext; border-left: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-right: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-style: double solid solid double; border-top: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-width: 2.5pt 1pt 1.5pt 2.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #666666 1.5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 153; mso-border-left-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-yfti-cnfc: 5; text-align: center;"><b>Truth</b></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #666666 1.5pt; border-color: windowtext windowtext rgb(102, 102, 102) currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-style: double double solid none; border-top: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-width: 2.5pt 2.5pt 1.5pt medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #666666 1.5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 153; mso-border-left-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-yfti-cnfc: 1; text-align: center;"><b>Falsehood</b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor rgb(153, 153, 153) rgb(153, 153, 153) windowtext; border-left: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-right: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid double; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt 2.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4; text-align: center;">Community</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor windowtext rgb(153, 153, 153) currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-style: none double solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 2.5pt 1pt medium; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Tribalism</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor rgb(153, 153, 153) rgb(153, 153, 153) windowtext; border-left: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-right: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid double; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt 2.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4; text-align: center;">Acceptance</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor windowtext rgb(153, 153, 153) currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-style: none double solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 2.5pt 1pt medium; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Adherence</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor rgb(153, 153, 153) rgb(153, 153, 153) windowtext; border-left: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-right: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid double; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt 2.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4; text-align: center;">Faith</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor windowtext rgb(153, 153, 153) currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-style: none double solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 2.5pt 1pt medium; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Certainty</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor rgb(153, 153, 153) rgb(153, 153, 153) windowtext; border-left: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-right: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid double; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt 2.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4; text-align: center;">Unity</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor windowtext rgb(153, 153, 153) currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-style: none double solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 2.5pt 1pt medium; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Uniformity</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor rgb(153, 153, 153) rgb(153, 153, 153) windowtext; border-left: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-right: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid double; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt 2.5pt; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4; text-align: center;">Love</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor windowtext rgb(153, 153, 153) currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-style: none double solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 2.5pt 1pt medium; mso-border-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: text1; mso-border-bottom-themetint: 102; mso-border-left-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-themecolor: text1; mso-border-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Fear</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-color: currentcolor rgb(153, 153, 153) windowtext windowtext; border-left: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-right: solid #999999 1.0pt; border-style: none solid double double; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 2.5pt 2.5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-left-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-right-themecolor: text1; mso-border-right-themetint: 102; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4; text-align: center;">Authenticity</p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: double windowtext 2.5pt; border-style: none double double none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 2.5pt 2.5pt medium; mso-border-bottom-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: text1; mso-border-left-themetint: 102; mso-border-right-alt: triple windowtext 2.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #999999 .5pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: text1; mso-border-top-themetint: 102; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 232.75pt;" valign="top" width="310">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">Hypocrisy</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><b>Community vs. Tribalism</b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 107%;">True communion is not just a solemn
prayer, then a piece of bread, then a solemn prayer, then a sip of wine. Those
mean nothing if we have hatred in our heart toward our brother, <i><u>or</u></i>
even our neighbor, who is that person very unlike ourselves--or even one we
would consider heathen. Anything that is not love, is hate. There is no middle
ground. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 107%;">We each individually, <u>but not
collectively</u>, live in the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is personal, within
us and we, like a community, are “individuals”. The only thing that truly unites
this community of individuals is a common intangible Spirit. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 107%;">It is no coincidence the word
“community” shares a likeness to “communion”. Truly “communing” together is
accepting each other’s diversity of thought, excusing each other’s differences,
and loving each other, despite our many flaws. It is living not as a commune,
but instead as a community. Considering a piece of cracker or bread, and a sip
of juice or wine, to be “communion” is missing the entire point of Jesus
message about remembrance. It’s not about the food and drink, it’s about the
celebration. It’s about remembering why Jesus came and died. Our repentance and
faith, His propitiation. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The “community” connection we should have
with each other is intangible, and without affiliation of any kind. “Tribalism”,
on the other hand, requires and even demands a devotion to a specific group or
organization with strings attached that bind. In another post I will address
the similarities, and differences, between the wise woman and the foolish woman
of Proverbs 9 but for the purpose of this post I will abbreviate and say only
that the foolish woman seeks to capture souls with empty promises of secrets,
while the wise woman invites in, feeds and quenches thirst, then sends that
traveler on their way, asking nothing in return. Tribalism, the foolish woman,
tries to create a </span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">strong feeling of identity, and loyalty,
to a false tangible tribe, organization or group, rather than to the intangible,
and true, Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is universal. Am I of Paul,
Apollos, the ABC… </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The ABC, as well as many other similar groups, demand
one identifies with their tribe alone and no others. Leave that tribe, question
that tribe, appear to be disloyal to that tribe or identify with another
perceived tribe, and you are now considered “lost”, “in the wilderness”, “out
of God’s will” or one of many other demeaning catch phrases that seek to
condemn.<span> </span>But the Lord knows those who
are his. The true “body” consists of many members globally, most of whom we
will never meet or know. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Can the eye say to the hand, etc. <span> </span>I will never in my life meet my liver, or
kidneys, or pancreas. If I ever do try to meet these organs with my eyes, I
will likely kill my entire being in the process. These things are unseemly and meant
to remain hidden and never seen. Yet they are still a necessary part of my
body. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">When a body begins to “tribalize”, cells glom together
inappropriately and then begin feeding off the nutrients meant for other parts
of the body. This is called cancer and brings about great destruction of souls.
The earthly body of Christ has within it many such cancerous growths, tribes
like the ABC that have walled themselves off from the rest of the true body in
a frivolous effort to be shielded from “the ways of the world” or “Mystery
Babylon”. <i>(Note: Mystery Babylon is not a place, church, group, movement or any
such like. Mystery Babylon is hidden away in the heart of man when we harbor an
attitude of bondage once again. <span> </span>The
Hebrew people were not captured into bondage in Babylon, they were drawn in by
its perceived beauty then became mired in complacency. Even those who feel they
do not worship in Mystery Babylon can still have hidden Babylon in their heart.)</i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Cancer survives in the physical body by creating walls
around itself so the antibodies to this intrusion cannot enter. These cancers in
the body are allowed to remain, for now--like the wheat and tares parable--but they
will one day be excised and burned. Those who are of the Lord are all members of
the “body of Christ” universal, and we were never intended to become a tribe of
“believers”. <span> </span>To do so is arrogant and
prideful and to do so we are stating we have the knowledge of who is His. We do
not have this knowledge. We can look for fruit but must also remember every
tree has its seasons and we may be observing a fruitless tree when it is in its
off season. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Acceptance vs. Adherence</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Much of Christianity today teaches a doctrine of
“accepting Jesus into your heart” through a quick “sinners’ prayer” format of
salvation. Unfortunately, this is just a modern contrivance formulated in the
era of mass “revival” events and not even close to the instructions Jesus left
for us. The origins of the “sinners’ prayer” is best illustrated by a man named
<cite>Thomas Ross in a dissertation he entitled<span>
</span></cite></span><a href="http://faithsaves.net/the-sinners-prayer/"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">"The
Sinner's Prayer: A Historical and Theological Analysis.</span></i></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"> (Click to read the entire dissertation).</span></i></span><cite><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></cite><cite><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 107%;">The dissertation is
long but here is one small sample that mostly encapsulates the whole:</span></cite><cite><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></cite></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i><span>First,
the Sinner's Prayer does not come to us from Scripture. Rather, it developed
out of need for reproducible methods to assist in efficient evangelism. But
efficiency entails more than time. Efficiency also entails effectiveness. In
that regard, the Sinner's Prayer, rather than leading to efficiency in
evangelism may be leading to a deficiency in disciples. As it is often used in
evangelism, the gospel is not adequately explained or understood. The prayer,
rather than Christ, seems to take center stage. In such cases, the Sinner's
Prayer represents no more than an impotent magical formula and no less than a
new sacrament for evangelism.</span></i><span> <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>If
we truly “accept” Jesus, there is no reference to accepting Jesus into our
hearts, we accept his example and message of love and tolerance. If one seeks
out these two things, love and tolerance, they will have then fulfilled the
entire law and, if one fulfills the entire law perfectly, they will then find
salvation. That is the promise given.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? </i></span><i>This
persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. <b>A little leaven leavens the
whole lump.</b> I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no
other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. And
I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution?
Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble
you would even cut themselves off! <b>For you, brethren, have been called to
liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through
love serve one another.</b> <b><u>For all the law is fulfilled in one word,
even in this: <span class="oblique">“You shall love your neighbor as yourself</span></u><span class="oblique">.”</span></b> But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest
you be consumed by one another! </i></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i><span>
</span>From the letter to the Galatians</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span>Owe no one anything except to love one
another<b>, <u>for he who loves another has fulfilled the law</u>.</b></span></i></span><i><span> For the
commandments, <span class="oblique">“You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall
not murder,” “You shall not steal,”</span> <span class="oblique">“You shall not
bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,”</span> and if there is any other
commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, <span class="oblique"><b>“<u>You
shall love your neighbor as yourself.”</u></b></span><b><u> Love does no harm
to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.</u></b></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i><span><span> Fr</span>om the letter to the Romans</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The law was imperfect in that it was impossible for
any person to fulfill the whole law, yet righteousness demanded an adherence to
the entire law. The only hope then was a constant stream of sacrificed animals
to ask refuge from our failings. This is why we now have a new covenant through
Jesus and is the basis of the “good news”. When we fulfill this two-sided coin
of the only law remaining; love God and love our neighbor; we then fulfill the
entire law and find rightness with God. If this is how we find rightness with
God, and since God is not a hypocrite, this is also how God finds rightness
with us; love and tolerance. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Faith and love, held together by the hope of
salvation, are inseparable. There is no greater thing that will “save” a person
than faith by grace. By faith, Noah, by faith Abraham, by faith Rahab… The ABC
and other ultra-fundamentalist churches teach a doctrine of strict “adherence”
to a specific set of guidelines to achieve salvation and believe it is through
them alone. In the ABC this focuses around a specific water baptism requiring a
precise incantation of words, witnesses to assure not even a nose tip pierces
the surface of the water and the words are spoken correctly, proof the baptizer
has a perfect baptismal lineage (an impossibility) and can only be performed by
a male gendered person. They believe only they can perform this adequately and
accept no other baptism not performed by them. Any newcomer must be baptized
again by them. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Noah was not saved by water; he was saved by faith. God
was able to give him grace and guide him to a new life through the water but the
water was secondary to his faith. It was his faith alone that saved him, not
the water. Noah’s action of faith to walk through a door, feed a few animals,
take a long boring cruise then wait for the earth to be renewed again expressed
his utter faith in the invisible. We know the cruise was boring because Noah
became anxious to get off that ark and sent birds out a little too early
looking for a bit of dry land. Sailor’s lament I suppose. It is important to
note all those who did not enter the ark were baptized in these waters but the
baptism did not save them because they lacked the necessary faith. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Faith vs. Certainty</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">But what is faith?<span>
</span>Faith is the only tangible thing we can hold onto to understand an
intangible God. But that faith is still deficient since God is invisible, not
easy to perceive, and so it requires also some trust. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">In the seventies there were many bumper stickers on
cars that read “I Found It”.<span> </span>The
connotation being this person had found God. Really? First, I don’t recall God
being lost and second, can we ever truly find God? God is an infinite presence
in an infinite universe and we are finite so God is completely beyond our
understanding. No one has ever seen God at any time because God is invisible.
We can only be seekers of God, but never finders. If one claims they are
“certain” in their faith, they truly do not have faith because faith is not certain,
faith is tenuous, not knowing, not understanding, yet still willing to seek, still
willing to trust, knowing we will never actually find God completely. True faith
in the intangible, not knowing, not understanding, is uncomfortable, but it is
the only faith there truly is. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Bildad the Shuhite, in the book of Job, had at least
this part right when he said, <i>for we are but of yesterday, and know nothing,
because our days upon earth are a shadow… </i>None of us has enough days on
this earth to ever find God in His entirety, though many try. If what you call
faith is not knowledgeably uncomfortable, you truly do not have faith as there
is no certainty in true faith. We see through darkened glass. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Unity vs. Uniformity</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">My body fits together perfectly. Well, I guess I
should actually say mostly. Each half of my body is different from the other
and it is the same with everyone else on the planet. <span> </span>On my left foot the last three toes to the
left are much shorter than those to the right on my right foot, but I don’t
walk in circles because my brain compensates for this slight discrepancy. It is
likely if you begin comparing your own body halves to each other you will find
similar differences in your own anatomy.<span>
</span>Photoshop allows us to use a photo of a single face, split it in two
digitally, delete one half, flip the other half to be a mirror image then marry
these two identical halves together to form a whole face again. <span> </span>The result can be a bit creepy because you
will not look to be the same person. The real you is not perfectly symmetrical.<span> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Some persons are born as mosaics, or as chimera, and may
have fully different features on each half of their face. Blond hair on one
side, brunette on the other, green eye right, blue eye left, etc. Most women
are slightly mosaic and, it is assumed, most persons born, male or female, have
some small amount of mosaic in their makeup. This is due to genetic
interferences that happen during growth in the womb and is harmless unless the
mosaicism overwhelms the normal cells. The full explanation of this is long and
convoluted, but the bottom line is this. No body is ever meant to be a cookie
cutter image and every single body is intended to be diverse from the other.
Even identical twins are not truly identical and, as they age, they progress
differently. Yet, despite all of these differences, and imperfections, our body
still fits together perfectly and is fully human. <span> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The “body of Christ” is the same. It is a multitude of
parts joined together as a whole but no two pieces of the body are ever alike
or are uniform or symmetrical. When a single cell begins to replicate itself
over and over in exactly the same image that is cancerous growth, not positive
growth. <span> </span>This is uniformity, not unity,
and this is born out of pursuit of tribalism and is not representative of true
community. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Love vs. Fear</span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Perfect love casts out all fear. Period. There should
be no contention over this but there are some who feel, like the Israelites
trembling before Mount Sinai, we must tremble before God, or before those who
have elected themselves our religious superiors. The love of God is so severe toward
us we can boldly come before the throne of grace, at any time, at any moment,
and find peace without trembling.<span> </span>We
need not be afraid of God for God is our father. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">For those who are led by
the Spirit of God are the children of God.</span></i></span><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>The Spirit you received does not make you slaves,
so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about
your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba Father.”</span> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that
we are God’s children.</span> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>Now if we are
children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we
share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.</span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 107%;">If the environment where you find
fellowship enables fear in you, rather than comfort, it is best to see where
your feet stand and run. If you are living in perfect love, there will be no
fear because there is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus and if we have
no condemnation from God, we should accept no condemnation from any man. </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;">Authenticity vs.
Hypocrisy</span></b></span><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">We are all hypocrites in one way or another, but the
hypocrite I refer to is the one who acts like a Pharisee. <span> </span>The one who puts up a façade of perfection but
inwardly are stained.</span></span></p>
<p class="chapter-2"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and
to His disciples, </i></span><i>saying: <span class="woj">“The scribes and the
Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.</span> <span class="woj">Therefore, whatever they
tell you</span> <span class="woj">to observe, that observe and do, but do not do
according to their works; for</span> <span class="woj">they say, and do not do.
For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but
they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.</span> <span class="woj">But all their works they do to</span> <span class="woj">be seen by men.
They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.</span>
<span class="woj">They love the</span> </i><span class="woj"><i>best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,</i></span><i>
<span class="woj">greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi,
Rabbi.’</span> <span class="woj">But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is
your</span> <span class="woj">Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do
not call anyone on earth your father;</span> <span class="woj">for One is your
Father, He who is in heaven.</span> <span class="woj">And do not be called
teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.</span> </i><span class="woj"><i>But</i></span><i>
<span class="woj">he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.</span> <span class="woj">And whoever exalts himself will be</span> <span class="woj">humbled,
and he who humbles himself will be</span> <span class="woj">exalted. “But</span> <span class="woj">woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the
kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you
allow those who are entering to go in.</span> <span class="woj">Woe to you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!</span> <span class="woj">For you devour
widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore, you will
receive greater condemnation. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make
him twice as much a son of</span> <span class="woj">hell as yourselves.</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">It is part of our human condition to dislike the
things we see around us that remind us of our own flaws so we adamantly reject
them in others. We cannot escape that flaw; we can only recognize it and
compensate for it. But the Pharisees were holding the “laity” to account for
things they did not even do themselves. We must remember, this is prior to
Jesus’ death and resurrection so the “Law of Moses” was still in effect. But
the Pharisees had taken the Law of Moses, added even more layers of difficulty,
then forced these difficulties on others. But then they exempted themselves
from this excess burden. This is the hypocrisy of which we must guard
ourselves. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The Pharisees had these charges against them:</span></span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
teach but do not do. </span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
bind heavy burdens on others, but not themselves.</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
are great actors doing false works so they can be seen of others as greater
than they really are.</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
continuously add to their scriptural knowledge and like to be seen for their
pretense of piety</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
are wolves in sheep’s clothing.</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
are vipers waiting to spring.</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
vaunt themselves and give themselves titles.</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
cover over the path of righteousness, remove peace and kill joy.</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
turn their back on poverty.</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
love long pretentious prayers.</span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They
seek to add members to their following just so they can teach them to be
hypocritical Pharisees as well.</span></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Authenticity is simplicity and humility. When the
disciples asked how to pray, Jesus said a short, almost pedantic, prayer and
told them to follow the same format when they prayed. “Our father which art in
heaven…”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Authenticity is humble. Jesus knew he was to become
the Son of God, yet he hobnobbed daily with the lowest of low, the “sinner”,
the publican, the destitute, not the Pharisee, for which he only showed
contempt. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Authenticity is having faith in God, even if one knows
little. We are not heard for our much speaking. We are not edified by our much
learning. The ten simple commandments became the law of Moses because ten just
didn’t really nail it down. It was unclear when one wanted to get into the
weeds of it all. Under Jesus these ten became just two, love and tolerance.
This is the “Royal Law”, this is the entire commandment, and there is nothing
greater.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">TO MAIN SITE </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></a></p>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ecclesiastes is wisdom. For decades I puzzled over this book
in the Old Testament but it was not until I attempted to perfectly document Zion did I really begin to appreciate this book. I now find kinship with the writer of Ecclesiastes and, for the record, Zion can be many things so any
attempt to define it as just one is actually futile. </span></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The writer of Ecclesiastes discovered the futility of defining everything
as well and concluded any vain attempt at trying is simply a vain attempt at trying to define everything, which then becomes a vain attempt to define everything. All we get is a lot of wheel spinning when we approach such a huge subject matter with only the barest of crumbs for evidence. Knowledge
and understanding is circular because all of creation is circular. That fact about creation being circular dips a little deep into physics I suppose, but study something long enough and that long pursuit
of truth will take you right back to the beginning again. We can see this
frustration with <span></span>“the teacher” in the very
beginning of their writings </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Everything is meaningless. The Teacher says it is all a
waste of time!<sup> </sup>Do people really gain anything from all the hard
work they do...?</span></i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Later he acknowledges there are seasons of everything, then ends his book with the admonition that books and intense study are meaningless;</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><sup><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></sup></i></span><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And further,
my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much
study is wearisome to the flesh.<sup> </sup>Let us hear the conclusion of
the whole matter<u>: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all</u>.<sup> </sup>For
God will bring every work into judgment, </span></i></span><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span class="text">Including every secret thing, whether good or evil.</span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When "the teacher” finally exhausted his futility, he circled right back to the
obvious conclusion. <span class="text"><i><u>Fear God and keep His commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man</u>.<sup> </sup></i></span> In between we see only
frustration and the ramblings of a person in deep travail
as he tried to seek God through knowledge and action, rather than through trust
and faith. Take this excerpt as example:</span></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So I hated life, because the work
that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a
chasing after the wind.</span></i></span><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <span class="text">I hated all the things I had toiled for under
the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.</span> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>And who knows whether that person will be wise or
foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I
have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.</span> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome
labor under the sun.</span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus appreciated "the teachers" perspective. Example below:</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning
together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the
first commandment of all?”<sup> </sup>Jesus answered him, </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The
first of all the commandments is:</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘Hear,
O Israel, the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-variant: small-caps; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> our God, the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-variant: small-caps; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> is one.</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And
you shall</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">love the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-variant: small-caps; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> your God
with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength.’ This is the first commandment.</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And
the second, like it, is this:</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">‘You
shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ <b>There is no other commandment greater
than</b></span></i></span><span class="text"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></b></span><span class="woj"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">these.”</span></i></b></span><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></i></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><sup><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></sup></i></span><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">So the scribe
said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one
God, and there is no other but He. <sup> </sup>And to love Him with all
the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the
strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole
burnt offerings and sacrifices.”</span></i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Now when
Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“You
are not far from the kingdom of God.”</span></i></span></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We often speak about our need for faith in God, but faith runs
both directions. If we are faithful to God, God is then faithful to us. </span></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will
find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Ps. 91</span></i></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If we are <b>not</b> faithful to God, God still remains faithful to us. Now, that
is perfect love.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">Here is a
trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we
endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; <u>if
we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. </u></span></i></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of the basic doctrines of the ABC is the pursuit of the
“Kingdom of God” through what has become, over time, a very ritualized baptism with a specific set of rules and incantation. This baptism has no basis in faith on God, but instead puts its faith and trust in the words and actions of the baptizer and in works. We are saved by grace through faith, not by words and works. There is much more written about faith than any possible work we can ever perform. If we seek the
“kingdom of God” through our works alone, including obeying the command to be
baptized, we have simply taken just one tiny step of the journey. In some ways we may not have even made the journey at all. The remaining steps in the journey, to become close to the "kingdom of God", are not a futile study of
hops between islands of knowledge and understanding, but are instead summed up in the two greatest
commandments; love God, love your neighbor. A neighbor is someone who is most unlike yourself.<i> </i></span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span class="woj"><i><u>There are no other commandments greater
than</u></i></span><span class="text"><i><u> </u></i></span><span class="woj"><i><u>these
two. </u></i></span></span></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If we track the ministry of Jesus, it too came down to these two
greatest commands and the rest is ancillary. The message Jesus preached, and the way he lived his life, was straight out
of the book of Ecclesiastes. Serve God, keep his commandments, that is the
whole duty of man. Jesus advocated giving up the vain pursuit of knowledge
that puffs up and advocated for the giving up of the vain pursuit of righteousness through
self as well. His anger was against the Pharisee,</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> not the imperfect or the "sinner". The Pharisees </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">saw persons around them as
being of lesser value and traded on their souls for money. Jesus saw value in all of mankind and was kind to those who followed him, no matter their background or "issues". Jesus accepted even the ones who were just there for the food.<br /></span></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The ten commandments can be summed up in these two greatest commandments; love God, love your neighbor. The law, for a time, displaced these commandments but the law,
and all its tenets, was annihilated by the ministry of Jesus and is no longer
of any effect. The law, when it first appeared, was deliberately made impossible to follow and became a curse for those in the desert who lost their trust in God. They demanded more clarification on what was right and what was wrong so the law was then given to them as a curse. Just like in Eden when mankind first acknowledged there was was separation of good and evil they too received a curse. All those commands from the Old Testament law became null and void at Jesus death. All of them. <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I quote below from a “Medium” article on this
subject by R.L. Brandner, dated 6/27/23. <span> </span>Medium
is a forum for writers from around the globe and this individual started what he
refers to as "New Ecclesiastes Ministries" on this site. This is just a fancy way of
saying we should follow the two commandments and keep it simple, this is the whole duty of
man and is not an actual new movement or church. Link to the entire article follows at the end of this post, but be aware it is
behind a five dollar monthly paywall for Medium. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here is that excerpt:</span></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“There is One Law, to treat others with kindness and respect”</span></i></b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> But what
about the ten Commandments? What about Leviticus? What about people continuing
in “sin”? I think we can all agree that the one simple law covers all of this.
If you are treating someone with kindness and respect, do you murder them? Rape
them? Steal from them? No, you don’t. This is such a universal concept that
even atheists consider this a good way to conduct yourself as you journey
through life.”</span></i></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“There is One Sin — to cause harm, deliberately or by negligence,
to another.”</span></i></b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> We cannot claim to be treating people with love and respect if we
are actively engaged in harming them. This covers ANY harm you may do —
physically, mentally or socially. This “sin” is always against others. It is
impossible to sin against yourself, because you are consenting to whatever you
do to yourself. If you want to abuse the hell out of yourself, that is your
right. You may not harm others through your actions though. In any form.” <sup>1</sup></span></i></span></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I couldn’t agree more with this writing. Every day our role is not to
study knowledge, but instead study the person in the mirror, then seek a better reflection the next day.
Our war, our wrestle, is not against persons, it is against the principalities
that erect themselves into towering doctrines, sects, denominations, movements,
false apostleship, and the like. These allow persons to assume a false moral high
ground from which to sling rocks and arrows at others. Pharisees! Jesus did not like Pharisees!<br /></span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The “Kingdom of God” is within
you. The place of worship, that temple made without hands, is within you. We seek God not through outer sacrifice, religious pursuit of knowledge through books, or by any cognitive pursuit. We seek God within our soul, not
with our mind, knowing we will never understand God completely. We are instead to seek God by acknowledging any
attempt to define God is simply futile. God just is. There is not even a name we can attach to God.
God just is. Seeking to define the "ways of God" is utter futility. Witness the writings of "the teacher" in Ecclesiastes as he begins to waken to the fact we know very little, and we know not who is truly of the Lord. </span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Eccl-11-5" id="en-NKJV-17519">As you do not know what is the way of the wind, o</span><span class="text Eccl-11-5">r how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,s</span><span class="text Eccl-11-5">o you do not know the works of God who makes everything.</span><span class="text Eccl-11-6" id="en-NKJV-17520"> In the morning sow your seed,</span><span class="text Eccl-11-6"> and in the evening do not withhold your hand; f</span><span class="text Eccl-11-6">or you do not know which will prosper, e</span><span class="text Eccl-11-6">ither this or that, o</span><span class="text Eccl-11-6">r whether both alike will be good. Ecc.11</span></i></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Eccl-11-6"></span></i></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"></p>
<p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love and tolerance are the two greatest commands, It is impossible for us to know who are His and all other
commands are obsolete and inferior.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and
the other a publican.<sup> </sup>The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with
himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners,
unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.<sup> </sup>I fast twice in
the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.<sup> </sup>And the
publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven,
but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.<sup> </sup><u>I
tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for
every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself
shall be exalted.</u></span></i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could
remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing…<u>And now abideth faith,
hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.</u></span></i></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
a person truly wants to understand God, there is no “deeper understanding”, there is
no “deeper knowledge”, there is no deeper anything than love. That is it. I have heard many times in the ABC, when explaining away multiple acts of hate and abuse, "we just hadn't grown enough in the Lord yet". Love needs no growth. Love is not deep. Love is not something far away. As God is near, love is near. And that is not just love for our "brother", it is a love for all, even the neighbor we might regard as "the enemy".<br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God may be complex, but love is not deep. Warren Buffet got it right when he wrote; </span></span><i>“The most important thing to do if you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging.”</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Love lies right on the ground but knowledge must be dug. Seeking deeper knowledge is works so we should seek love, not knowledge, as the ways of God are quite simple. <br /></span>
</p><div class="quoteText">
</div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love and tolerance, with simplicity, is all there is. The result
of these two greatest commands are those things of which there is no law against; love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness… </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The rest, as the teacher of Ecclesiastes
learned by suffering through vain futility, is
all meaningless and will, in the end, burn as wood, hay and stubble. Love and tolerance are pure gold.<br /></span></span></span></p>
<p><i><sup><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1
</span></sup></i><a href="https://medium.com/@rlbrandner/what-is-new-ecclesiastes-anyway-db1f8118de94"><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">https://medium.com/@rlbrandner/what-is-new-ecclesiastes-anyway-db1f8118de94</span></i></a></p>
<p><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></p>
<p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-36626216370830749302023-04-24T17:17:00.048-07:002023-06-27T15:27:04.953-07:00Riss on Hawtin, Watt and the Movement<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6QFhjBK7E-OQzL6BKnnIgnV7ef2nkqmCY5zqN3aXXoJ4ARylwg3Ia79juRql224-CTkUYmYiEHVT43aV0KmcRSEXbzkMtwWGGkqObyJNGksyfVuzWj_MXXwgXrDDcAFCRGFXy5aGlvxl_AO1AIpQpc19q57bFQR61anH_HKZeltAYbpDAFqyDIi4/s1500/Sheep%20Storm_1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6QFhjBK7E-OQzL6BKnnIgnV7ef2nkqmCY5zqN3aXXoJ4ARylwg3Ia79juRql224-CTkUYmYiEHVT43aV0KmcRSEXbzkMtwWGGkqObyJNGksyfVuzWj_MXXwgXrDDcAFCRGFXy5aGlvxl_AO1AIpQpc19q57bFQR61anH_HKZeltAYbpDAFqyDIi4/w400-h400/Sheep%20Storm_1.png" width="400" /></a></div></div> <p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It is undeniable the ABC rose directly from the "Latter Rain Revival" movement, primarily through those who followed it's precepts after it's decline. James A Watt in Seattle, during the Broadway Tabernacle era, being the largest influence of the doctrinal platform on which it was built. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Watt eventually separated himself, mostly, from the Sharon Orphanage, and the movement it spawned, but still held to some of the teachings. These were then adopted, as a whole, by my father, Ramon A Haas, when he founded the ABC. The "Foundation Truth" notebooks, the use of Stegenga's Greek Concordance, Panin's New Testament, the "Daily Reading Card", all of these were the development of James A Watt, and he learned it from his time at Sharon Orphanage, and the influences that followed that movement.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7PYv-JJ5KMy0f8zeNiQF3nvqrJBvFD3fasZX5nwpDrOobt8-47HXE76vYngnVFN6Dx_hbjgfwan_c1fQOxJMVsoEjVroNIKkHeyL6ElXHA8zBo_CyZxx7eLSLP-3JnMuxLvIr80WJpLHXQMBzBm8GI2HuqpSE3eb1b3KUSVj39HqT17DOC9qPEtj/s1056/Riss%20Cover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7PYv-JJ5KMy0f8zeNiQF3nvqrJBvFD3fasZX5nwpDrOobt8-47HXE76vYngnVFN6Dx_hbjgfwan_c1fQOxJMVsoEjVroNIKkHeyL6ElXHA8zBo_CyZxx7eLSLP-3JnMuxLvIr80WJpLHXQMBzBm8GI2HuqpSE3eb1b3KUSVj39HqT17DOC9qPEtj/w247-h320/Riss%20Cover.png" width="247" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For many years I tried to acquire a copy of Richard Riss's out of print book on the Latter Rain Revival Movement, His book gives one of the best accounts of this movement and what soon followed it. I was recently able to acquire a copy of this book after it was withdrawn from circulation at the Assembly of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri and find most of the information I have already acquired from other sources. However, of great interest is a quote in this book shown highlighted below. It is titled,<i> </i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"George Hawtin's Evaluation of His Ministry as Sectarian"</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyks0u8zgdGIiqLmMnTq2k_QBr1faKqPIyNQI93TKeXyQokq2yUBPzKxG-u5hROtdFiyj-hn5SvhofnGXjgqMXMrMwjZJkKijA8P5WUkcok2Xje3xkGidw9wgsmur3PxeMTibVyhk-MeGvZ6zHGOjz67OEo9qM1qubvhKpdeoFRunK-gSeoDap6tg7/s3300/Riss%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="3300" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyks0u8zgdGIiqLmMnTq2k_QBr1faKqPIyNQI93TKeXyQokq2yUBPzKxG-u5hROtdFiyj-hn5SvhofnGXjgqMXMrMwjZJkKijA8P5WUkcok2Xje3xkGidw9wgsmur3PxeMTibVyhk-MeGvZ6zHGOjz67OEo9qM1qubvhKpdeoFRunK-gSeoDap6tg7/w400-h309/Riss%202.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Clicking on the picture will enlarge the text on your screen.</i></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">George Hawtin produced a periodical called "The Page", of which many articles were later turned into a compiled booklet. My father, Ramon A Haas, referenced Hawtin's writings often, especially the three titled, "Mystery Babylon"; "Tribulation or Rapture, Which?" and "Where Do They Worship Who Come Out of Babylon". <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I was able to speak to George Hawtin, by telephone, in about '93 or '94, not long before he passed away. He expressed to me then, as he looked back on the entire movement, some of his exasperation on where the Latter Rain Revival Movement had gone. He talked of the wake of devastated lives and families it left behind. Born from this movement were things like the Shepherding / Discipleship movement, the five-fold ministry, the Florida Five, and other crushing and isolationist doctrines that resulted in the separating of friends and families. Some of his exasperation is evident from this quote in this book (<i>shown above)</i>. <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Remarkably, or perhaps not, the path the ABC took ended at precisely the same place as Hawtin described. A group of people who have completely lost the ability to show Godly <a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2022/11/what-world-needs-now-is-love.html" target="_blank">love</a> ,and left many broken and shattered persons, and families, in it's wake. I share many of the same sentiments about the ABC Hawtin expressed regarding the Latter Rain Revival movement. All movements, like this one, eventually fade away then disappear into other lesser movements. There is little doubt this too will be the path the ABC follows as well since it is built on an unsustainable foundation and is given to isolationist doctrines. </span><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-58315178662178052532022-11-05T10:19:00.041-07:002023-08-14T22:13:28.757-07:00What The World Needs Now is Love <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><i>or The Five Most Important Things</i></u></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-ZPElZsWDN69DiAFNTHnb2crr4QybjdD2qmS4aq6LF2YaXeUYpf19qvZxtXIPGFgZOCn9qAQjwymZ26AcePvTBYzsB1-8qnm9pNPbUhvkaBEz-3hF1m2Hq623JVDjxE_oZKNoaY_fEpTOqZVvjTcQCv7U-teFqFN7pGGfrX2-9CrkVUrl8zACvYG/s1568/dream_TradingCard(27).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-ZPElZsWDN69DiAFNTHnb2crr4QybjdD2qmS4aq6LF2YaXeUYpf19qvZxtXIPGFgZOCn9qAQjwymZ26AcePvTBYzsB1-8qnm9pNPbUhvkaBEz-3hF1m2Hq623JVDjxE_oZKNoaY_fEpTOqZVvjTcQCv7U-teFqFN7pGGfrX2-9CrkVUrl8zACvYG/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(27).jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Over the years I have been contacted </span><span style="font-size: large;">on a variety of topics related to this site</span><span style="font-size: large;">. Some were pleasant, others not as much, but the overarching theme </span><span style="font-size: large;">has been about "doctrine" or "the pursuit of knowledge". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The thing most important to people seems to be, "what do you believe?" or "what do they believe?" If one visits the website of most churches you will find a "statement of faith", or similar document, that spells out the doctrinal views of that particular church. In this way one can select a church that aligns with their own doctrinal perception, or views, and avoid as much internal or external conflict as possible. But one must ask, is doctrine or knowledge the most important thing when deciding on a church? Is this the best way to find people who will <i>"</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>comfort each other and edify one another"</i> as Paul, Silvanus and Timothy wrote to the Thessalonians? </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Oftentimes our personal beliefs are just minor variations of a similar doctrinal concept believed by another, but viewed from a different perspective. Everything we see, taste, touch, perceive and believe, is relative to us alone and no two persons will ever see things precisely alike. To remain congenial, we must sometimes agree to disagree. We must be willing to accept one another, despite our differing views, knowing we too are not right one-hundred percent of the time. All we think and perceive is relative to us alone. God did not intend for mankind to be made in a cookie cutter image. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Einstein conceived of the concept of relativity, in a technical sense, but this concept can carry over to other areas of life as well. One facet of relativity is that we each occupy our own space and no person can ever occupy that exact same space at the exact same time. All part of being human I suppose. As compared to being, say, a quark but quarks may have limits too, not sure, I'll need to ask Pauli that one.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When we view the world we see it from our own relative space and time and, while we may each view the exact same object or doctrine, we have no choice but to view it from a slightly different angle, or perspective, because that is the place relative to us alone. A slightly altered view, by every other person, is inevitable, no matter how close the ties.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If we fail to accept another person's view as being legitimate to them</span><span style="font-size: large;">, the differences we perceive between us may become barriers to valid communication. That is not to say all things are true, simply that we are not able to view a concept, or a doctrine, through the eyes of another person. Their words, and our own, being imperfect, may not accurately portray what is actually in their or our heart. Additionally, sometimes things are just plain undefinable so we can only do the best we can to approach a logical explanation. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Without pointing to a color chart, or a fruit, describe the color orange. Go ahead, do it now, I'll wait. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbisojK_GVWCNA_aWAfxNc5TcTtjfshEQg2jsTh1aUjDrjBvJrcJ-B4QljqeCcNA-r2bXsa080IKsHGA8yr1yEtS00txxRHvoETZqJQrd4i_CFv4d4DJ4A6SvECb8JZJZqLgcHYVx4CT4h8BtmiNGZL_tf_DpsGN737l1m11hiIzoRH2AcSH0K-Fsi/s1920/food-3013795_1920.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1920" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbisojK_GVWCNA_aWAfxNc5TcTtjfshEQg2jsTh1aUjDrjBvJrcJ-B4QljqeCcNA-r2bXsa080IKsHGA8yr1yEtS00txxRHvoETZqJQrd4i_CFv4d4DJ4A6SvECb8JZJZqLgcHYVx4CT4h8BtmiNGZL_tf_DpsGN737l1m11hiIzoRH2AcSH0K-Fsi/s320/food-3013795_1920.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Are you done? Was it tough? Great! Orange is not describable without pointing to something orange. But here's a thought, perhaps the color and hue of the orange you perceive looks entirely different than the perceived color and hue of another person. There is no objective test for this, and we'll never know because orange is undefinable in words. It is only defined by viewing that color with our eyes, not knowing if that color atually appears the same to another person's visual cortex. We know one of our other senses, taste, is perceived differently by another person's brain. Some love the taste of bananas, while others find the taste awful. Why could that concept not also translate to color? <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Doctrines will perish. Knowledge will perish. All things we see, touch, hear and smell will perish. None of these points of knowledge we cling to have much importance in the eternal, and can actually lead us astray from the five most important things if we cling to them too tightly. Learning is great, I love learning, but when it supplants common decency, tolerance and love we run the risk of creating divisions, and may even lose our way completely. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a
noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and
understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so
as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away
all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love,
I gain nothing. </span></i><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">To the Ephesians he wrote, almost in the form of a prayer:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Eph-3-14">For this reason I kneel before the Father,</span> <span class="text Eph-3-15" id="en-NIV-29267"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.</span> <span class="text Eph-3-16" id="en-NIV-29268">I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,</span><span class="text Eph-3-17" id="en-NIV-29269"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,</span><span class="text Eph-3-18" id="en-NIV-29270"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, <u>to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,</u></span><u> </u><span class="text Eph-3-19" id="en-NIV-29271"><u>and to know <b>this love that surpasses knowledge</b></u>—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.</span><span> </span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That bears repeating. "<b>this love that <u>surpasses knowledge</u>"</b>. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus said to the Pharisees of his day: <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and
dill and cumin, and have neglected <u>the weightier matters of the law:</u>
<u>justice and mercy and faithfulness</u></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>. </span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There are five most important, or weightier things, and these are the first three in that list; justice, mercy and faithfulness. These are likely derived from the writings of Micah:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"With what shall I come before the Lord,and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? </i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><sup> </sup>He has told you, O man, what is good;and what does the Lord require of you<br />
but <u>to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"</u></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">That is truly not a question in Micah. It is a statement. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"...to do <u>justice</u>, and to love <u>kindness</u>, and to <u>walk humbly</u> with your God."</i> These are the first three of the five most important things. Seeking knowledge does not make the list at all. This is wisdom which, like the color orange, cannot be defined with word and must be embraced, not learned.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Who among you claims to be wise and intelligent? Let him show that his actions are the outcome of a good life lived in the humility of true wisdom.</i><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the ABC we sang these words from Micah 8</span><span style="font-size: large;">, yet w</span><span style="font-size: large;">hen I began speaking this message, that the <i>adamant</i> pursuit of a "perfect knowledge" was creating a lack of peace and love, I found my words rejected. I found persons would look at me askew, as though I had said something foreign. Eventually I was pushed away entirely. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">God is intangible. Doctrines and knowledge can feel tangible to us, so they are seemingly more comfortable to embrace than wisdom. Believing in an intangible God can feel uncomfortable since we have nothing to grasp and hold onto. We instead attempt to hold onto tangible doctrines in our mind, falsely believing an expanding, or deepening, of our knowledge will gain us a better righteousness. It does not. It only builds knowledge which can decay humility. Solomon fell deep into this trap. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the armor of God, the breastplate of righteousness is not the pursuit of knowledge, it is faith and love. </span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation</span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Even that piece of armor which protects the mind, the helmet, is not the pursuit of knowledge, it is a hope we will achieve a better end. Hope is another one of those intangibles derived from faith and love alone. These three things; faith, hope and charity; are inseparable and indestructible. Everything else will be destroyed, including our adamant doctrines, but not these three.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">To put it bluntly, seeking to "deepen our knowledge" is not part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Seeking to "deepen our knowledge" only results in party arguments, divisions and the like. These are works of the flesh. True faith is the accepting of those things we cannot "pin down", those things we cannot fully see or prove, the acknowledging that perhaps quarks really do exist in creation, even though we will never see, smell taste or touch one. It is the acceptance that a God invisible to us is much more vast than we can ever possibly understand. This requires wisdom to comprehend, not knowledge. Moses wanted God to be strictly defined, but God simply said back "I am". That's the best we get too. The rest we just take on faith and hope.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Justice, kindness (mercy) and to "walk humbly"(faithfulness) are the first of the three most important things. But, what does it mean to be "humble"? Jesus summed that up well in a parable. <br /></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-18-9">To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:</span> <span class="text Luke-18-10" id="en-NIV-25699"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-11" id="en-NIV-25700"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-18-13" id="en-NIV-25702"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’<sup class="versenum"> </sup>“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’</span></span><span class="text Luke-18-14" id="en-NIV-25703"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>“I
tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified
before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and
those who humble themselves will be exalted.”</span></span></span></i></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We are all in the same boat. I am just as guilty, in the past, of feeling that to please God I must fill up my phylactery with knowledge. I had an epiphany one day, if there is really such as thing as an epiphany, and began to teach there is no test of knowledge at the judgement seat. Knowledge, doctrine, understanding, all of these things, unlike faith, hope and love, will pass away and be burned. An endless pursuit of knowledge must take a back seat to the five most important things. I will disclose that fourth and fifth important thing in a moment. </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If we read the second chapter of Colossians we see this same pattern fulfilled:</span><br /></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-2-1" id="en-NIV-29496">I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.</span> <span class="text Col-2-2" id="en-NIV-29497"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and <u>united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding</u>, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,</span> <span class="text Col-2-3" id="en-NIV-29498"><u><sup class="versenum"> </sup>in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge</u>.</span> <span class="text Col-2-4" id="en-NIV-29499"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><u>I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.</u></span> <span class="text Col-2-5" id="en-NIV-29500"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.</span></span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-2-6">So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,</span><span class="text Col-2-7" id="en-NIV-29502"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.</span></span></i></p><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><p><u><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-2-8" id="en-NIV-29503">See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.</span></span></i></u></p><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-2-9" id="en-NIV-29504">For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,</span> <span class="text Col-2-10" id="en-NIV-29505">and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.</span> <span class="text Col-2-11" id="en-NIV-29506">In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ,</span> <span class="text Col-2-12" id="en-NIV-29507">having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.</span></span></i></p><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-2-13" id="en-NIV-29508">When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,</span> <span class="text Col-2-14" id="en-NIV-29509">having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.</span> <span class="text Col-2-15" id="en-NIV-29510">And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.</span></span></i></p><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><h3><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-2-16" id="en-NIV-29511"></span></span></i></h3><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-2-16">Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.</span> <span class="text Col-2-17" id="en-NIV-29512">These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.</span><span class="text Col-2-18" id="en-NIV-29513"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><u>Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you.
Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen;
they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.</u></span><u> <span class="text Col-2-19" id="en-NIV-29514">They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows<b> as God causes it to grow.</b></span></u></span></i></p><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-2-20" id="en-NIV-29515">Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:</span> <span class="text Col-2-21" id="en-NIV-29516">“Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”?</span> <u><span class="text Col-2-22" id="en-NIV-29517">These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.</span></u> <u><span class="text Col-2-23" id="en-NIV-29518">Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.</span></u></span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've never traveled to this area of the world and, lacking a time machine, cannot travel back in time to determine exactly how the Colossians were getting off track, but there are clues. One need not be too specific about this though because this is, after all, a letter written specifically to these people, at that time, and in that place. We are now simply privy to its content and can extract what we can use for our own benefit, even if that is imperfect. That which is perfect has not yet come so we must graciously accept imperfection because that is all we have. We can't read these letters and "find then a law" in them with which we can afflict ourselves or others. It isn't said much plainer than in the letter to the Corinthians, right after it speaks of love;</span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.<span class="versehover" id="12"> </span>But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.</span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The section of the letter to the Colossians I referenced earlier, is used by the ABC to prove the need for baptism and circumcision of the heart. These are important matters that need understanding, but there is much more written in this letter which holds lasting importance to us that has not been given it's due.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In the ABC we spoke often of the command to be baptized, then ignored the rest written here about the frivolity of the excess seeking of knowledge, self-imposed worship standards, false humility and the harsh treatment of others. We focused on instituting a specific pattern of worship, appearing to be humble but then, with a pride of purpose, looked down on those we felt less than ourselves. We felt this was righteousness. The flesh loves this because the flesh loves to feel superior. Or as Paul and Timothy wrote to the Philippians:</span></p><p><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians 2:2-4&version=NKJV"></a></p><div class="singleverse-text text-html"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.</span></i></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">We should not let anyone who is falsely humble disqualify us from seeking God. They can't disqualify us, they can only muddy the waters a bit. On the flip side, when we each consider any other person better than ourselves we will always meet them in the middle. </span><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Col-2-23" id="en-NIV-29518">When Jesus was put to the test about what was the most important thing, this is how he responded, per Mark:</span><br /></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Mark-12-28">And one
of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and
seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the
most important of all?”</span> <span class="text Mark-12-29" id="en-ESV-24695">Jesus answered, <span class="woj">“The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.</span></span> <span class="text Mark-12-30" id="en-ESV-24696"><span class="woj">And
you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’</span></span> <span class="text Mark-12-31" id="en-ESV-24697"><span class="woj">The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”</span></span> <span class="text Mark-12-32" id="en-ESV-24698"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him.</span> <span class="text Mark-12-33" id="en-ESV-24699"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, <u>and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices</u>.”</span> <span class="text Mark-12-34" id="en-ESV-24700"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, <span class="woj">“<u>You are not far from the kingdom of God</u>.”</span> And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. </span></span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Matthew gives a similar account:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Mark-12-34" id="en-ESV-24700"></span></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-22-34">But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.</span> <span class="text Matt-22-35" id="en-ESV-23905"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.</span> <span class="text Matt-22-36" id="en-ESV-23906"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”</span> <span class="text Matt-22-37" id="en-ESV-23907"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And he said to him, <span class="woj">“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-22-38" id="en-ESV-23908"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>This is the great and first commandment.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-22-39" id="en-ESV-23909"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-22-40" id="en-ESV-23910"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” </span></span></span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-22-40" id="en-ESV-23910"><span class="woj">Luke defines this even further:</span></span></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-10-25">And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”</span> <span class="text Luke-10-26" id="en-ESV-25381"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>He said to him, <span class="woj">“What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”</span></span> <span class="text Luke-10-27" id="en-ESV-25382"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And he answered,
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”</span> <span class="text Luke-10-29" id="en-ESV-25384"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And he said to him, <span class="woj">“You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”</span><sup class="versenum"> </sup>But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”</span> <span class="text Luke-10-30" id="en-ESV-25385"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Jesus replied, <span class="woj">“A man
was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who
stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-10-31" id="en-ESV-25386"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-10-32" id="en-ESV-25387"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-10-33" id="en-ESV-25388"><span class="woj">But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-10-34" id="en-ESV-25389"><span class="woj">He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-10-35" id="en-ESV-25390"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’</span></span> <span class="text Luke-10-36" id="en-ESV-25391"><span class="woj">Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”</span></span> <span class="text Luke-10-37" id="en-ESV-25392">He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, <span class="woj">“You go, and do likewise.” </span></span></span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-10-37" id="en-ESV-25392"><span class="woj">I could belabor these points further but, like the color orange, a picture is worth a thousand words. Below are the five most important things written on a chalkboard. In the Old Covenant there are three and in the New Covenant there are just two. These two, extracted from the previous three, can then be boiled down to just one; love. There is a simplicity, not a complexity, in Christ...always! The Old Covenant was not destroyed, it was memorialized in it's place and we have now been freed of it's burdens. We now no longer have a set of rules that bind. Here is that picture:</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-10-37" id="en-ESV-25392"><span class="woj"> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-10-37" id="en-ESV-25392"><span class="woj"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-10-37" id="en-ESV-25392"><span class="woj"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIwshazw73o41MtxgrnIv6pZBMUc1NNHAFHibETjX2sKdyF_D5OunVEPiyZHX86P8CC1VatQ0Ei9531ymyX_T8d66Zz3Y1MSMp2nolZnqYDT5Y7NvqnUaLiYvnJzsjeGUXAcxcgeSP2vkATrlC-bG0b_ReEF4QcsQauVwYmbCBu99LJHk5gNFc0me/s800/Five%20Most%20Important%20Things.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIwshazw73o41MtxgrnIv6pZBMUc1NNHAFHibETjX2sKdyF_D5OunVEPiyZHX86P8CC1VatQ0Ei9531ymyX_T8d66Zz3Y1MSMp2nolZnqYDT5Y7NvqnUaLiYvnJzsjeGUXAcxcgeSP2vkATrlC-bG0b_ReEF4QcsQauVwYmbCBu99LJHk5gNFc0me/w400-h300/Five%20Most%20Important%20Things.png" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-10-37" id="en-ESV-25392"><span class="woj">All of these five things can be encapsulated into the one greatest command: Love.<br /> </span></span></span><p></p><p>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Love suffers long and is kind</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Love does not envy</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Love does not behave rudely, </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Love does not seek its own, is not provoked,</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="fn">Love </span>thinks no evil; </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><p>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Love never fails. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i>But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; <u><b>whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away</b></u>. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.When
I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought
as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. <b>And now abide <u>faith, hope, love</u>, these three; but <u>the greatest of these is love.</u></b></i></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>From the letter to the Corinthians</i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paul also wrote to the Corinthians: </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text 1Cor-8-1">Now concerning things offered to idols: <b>We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love <span class="fn"></span>edifies. </b></span><b>And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.</b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paul wrote here about a situation of eating food that had been offered to idols, but he could easily have been addressing a thousand other matters as well. The underlying issue is simply this. Knowledge is not one of the five most important things and it never will be.<b> </b>Knowledge puffs up, knowledge can kill, knowledge is not eternal, knowledge will burn. When we talk of "pinning it down", "diving deeper into the word", or "finding a fuller or better understanding of a scripture or a word meaning", or even the entire Bible itself, this is wood, hay and stubble, not gold, silver and precious stones. In the end, these phylacteries of knowledge we fill in our heads will burn and they provide us no hope of salvation. No one is better than another and these constructs we build of rules, regulations, doctrines, positions, worship orders and the like, are simply not that important. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then
peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere. </i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="font-medium">
</span>
Blessed are those who find wisdom</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Luke-10-37" id="en-ESV-25392"><span class="woj"></span></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><a href="http://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">TO MAIN SITE</span></a></span></span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-26787792803369147682022-09-14T12:18:00.066-07:002023-11-26T07:36:13.150-08:00Literally!<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimu5kMr_kVxZH7mc96SAp7UDFyQyBalrrwFOHLOZ-WmnjWCetdZeZes5NyFDog3Mn-8cCVbBcklqOrTjmIeweiii5shgO6eaArAkEmZXJ23oX4vQEaInqx9ykJXvoAXh9MJnZn44ka2iKfg-56euLQMfo7oXdA2uaIhTzCBeDFrR5C173AvI9-53VB/s1568/dream_TradingCard(193).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimu5kMr_kVxZH7mc96SAp7UDFyQyBalrrwFOHLOZ-WmnjWCetdZeZes5NyFDog3Mn-8cCVbBcklqOrTjmIeweiii5shgO6eaArAkEmZXJ23oX4vQEaInqx9ykJXvoAXh9MJnZn44ka2iKfg-56euLQMfo7oXdA2uaIhTzCBeDFrR5C173AvI9-53VB/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(193).jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The Pentecostal movement; considered to have begun at <a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/search?q=pentecostal" target="_blank">Azusa Street in Los Angeles</a> but likely had much earlier roots; has been the subject of many research studies due to it's unique beginnings. Below is an excerpt from one such study completed by </span><span style="font-size: large;">David Daniel Kentie </span><span style="font-size: large;">in partial fulfillment of his requirements for the degree of Master of Theological Studies at Tyndale Seminary. I don't personally know this individual, but I found his piece very interesting and worth a read. <br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kentie titled his thesis "Kingdom Now: A Pentecostal Paradigm of Mission". It's a bit of a heady piece, as every thesis is, but he makes some very good points regarding "literalism" in his writings. His thesis revolves primarily around those who adhere to "Classical Dispensationalism". Some Pentecostal adherents focus heavily on different dispensations of time, with a heavy emphasis on the end times and rapture. While the ABC does not perfectly fit this model, despite their heavy emphasis on the end times, they do share in many of the doctrines born out of the Pentecostal Movement and Latter Rain Revival movement that followed. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">A true "Classical Dispensationalist" believes in the rapture, whereas the ABC teaches "believers" will be taken away for a time "into the wilderness" and will then return to meet Christ in the air, after the tribulation is over. As with all end times teachings, these outlooks are somewhat fluid and have changed over the years. A review of the ABC <a href="https://www.gilbertandfriends.net/revelation-2018-12.html" target="_blank">website</a> shows they currently believe what could only be termed the "anti-rapture", where the evil are scooped off the earth instead and the righteous remain behind. A peek through the entire site shows an established doctrine heavy on dispensationalism but, to be fair, the scriptures themselves delineate different periods of dispensational history. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">For the purpose of this post, I am strictly focusing on "literalism", not on the end times doctrines espoused by the ABC, or that of "Classical Dispensationalists". From my own perspective Revelation, and the other associated texts, are nebulous at best so I hesitate to make any prophecy or prediction on when the end of mankind will be. Some who came before me have made various predictions, which then became a moving target as dates passed. The dates left unfulfilled were of necessity pushed forward to another target date. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">For ease of reading I have removed some of the more scholarly segments of text. If one wants to read the entire thesis, without edit, it can be found here: <a href="https://www.academia.edu/27732694/Kingdom_Now_A_Pentecostal_Paradigm_of_Mission" target="_blank">Kingdom Now A Pentecostal Paradigm of Mission</a> The excerpt below is from Chapter 3, Section 2, Subsection 2. <br /><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>This strict biblical literalism is the result of an extremely high view of Scripture...They observe Scripture as firmly inerrant, and historically have behaved militantly towards those who oppose their...perspective.<span style="font-size: xx-small;">129 </span>...all Scripture, including prophecy, is to be interpreted as plainly written. There is no room for allegory or metaphor.<span style="font-size: xx-small;">130</span> Those who oppose this high view of Scripture are often deemed “willfully blind to the plain teaching of the Word of God, and thus apostate.”<span style="font-size: xx-small;">131</span> Most perplexing about the extremism present within th(is) brand of biblical literalism is the utter disregard for linguistic context. For instance...Thomas Holdcroft argues that the “words of the Bible should be taken to mean just what the same words would mean in any normal context.”<span style="font-size: xx-small;">133</span> A glaring problem presents itself here: what defines the “normal context” of meaning? In terms of Scripture, the words that we receive in English are, in fact, interpretations of more ancient languages, influenced and shaped by those respective cultures and time periods. There is no normal context of meaning that remains constant across a millennia of cultural transition. This is not to say that no Scripture can ever truly be grasped. Certainly one can receive impressions, general concepts, and rudimentary instructions through Scripture, but there is apparent assumption...that they have the “true” and normal interpretation, even when it defies basic historical...principals of contextualization. In other words, (one) cannot come objectively to the text and declare their interpretation of Scripture as the normal and definitive interpretation being themselves products of contextual influence.</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;">129 Thompson, Kingdom Come, 26.130 Bass, Backgrounds to Dispensationalism, 22.<br />131 Thompson, Kingdom Come, 27.<br />132 Bass, Backgrounds to Dispensationalism, 22.<br />133 L. Thomas Holdcroft, Eschatology: A Futurist View (Abbotsford: CeeTec Publishing, 2001), 50.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the difficulties with literalism is filling in the gaps that occur when we don't have enough information. It is not possible to put pen to paper and tell an entire story so we, as human, tend to paint the rest of the picture in our mind based on our own perspective. This diversity is how God created us, we need to respect that diversity and we must be humble in our understanding of all things. This is where true "reasoning together" plays a role. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">There will always be gaps. When we read a novel, the author hopes the reader can fill in those gaps from the slight nuances in the tone of the character. The scriptures are no different. When we read scripture, we must interpret the meaning best we can, based on the information provided, knowing the information at hand is quite incomplete. We then fill in the gaps with conjecture and reasoning. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Per ABC teaching, put forward by Gilbert Larson, the earth was created in six human day lengths, with one human day of rest directly after. Thus we have a seven day week but this was not always so. The seven day week was a Babylonish invention in about 700 BCE based on the phases of the moon. The rest of all earth eternity began on the eighth day per the most common Christian teaching. But this is the story of the creation of Earth, not the universe. Prior to the moon and the sun, there was no earth time, just infinity and cosmic motion.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">By the time we get to the "end of days" story, Gilbert Larson now teaches each one of God's days are equivalent to one-thousand human years. Creation, per ABC teaching, is based on human days but Revelation is now based on God's days. If God does not change, how then do we go from human days in Genesis to one thousand years per day in Revelation? Why do we even try to restrict God to human days? Certainly the geologic and cosmic evidence around us does not point to earth being created in just six human days. We have physical evidence of eons of chaos during the formation of the earth. Time is irrelevant to a God that is infinite, is it not? <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we view Genesis with literalism, based on very incomplete text, we put God in a box bounded by human time. Time is a construct that helps us manage our days, but God is not restricted by this measurement of time. Every day we witness sunup, sundown but when we move beyond the bounds of earth there is no sunup and sundown. Just blackness and pinpoints of light on into infinity. God does not see the universe through human eyes, only we do. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">We read in Genesis, Adam and Eve were created then had two children, Cain and Abel. If I were to read this in a strictly literal sense, there are now just four people living on earth; Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel. However, when Cain impregnates his wife... </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wait, Cain had a wife? Where did she come from? How could Cain find a wife if there was only one female and three males living on earth at this time? Well, I'll figure that out later. Back to the story. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Cain's wife gives birth to Enoch in Ge. 4:17, while Cain is away building an entire city to be inhabited by whom? And who were his laborers that helped him build this entire city? At a time when Genesis tells us there were four people on earth. There is a huge gap of time, and knowledge, here in Genesis and the writer, assumed to be Moses, leaves it to us to fill in the blanks best we can. It is likely there was other assumed knowledge during this era, passed down verbally, so the writer just left that part out. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">The scriptures are a great resource handed down for many many centuries, but it is incomplete knowledge. I have heard the position that God intervened and assured the translation between languages was translated perfectly. I find no evidence to support this and , in fact, languages were developed by God, per scripture, to keep us from communicating perfectly. Languages were intended to create a bit of mayhem so we couldn't try to reach into the heavens again. And even if it were translated perfectly, and literally, we all see the world slightly different in our brain and don't read things alike. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some time back I purchased a tool made in China. On the outside of the box someone, in China apparently, translated literal Chinese into literal English:. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmXu5CCuf9bdiC0IL3sbsaL5E8oCPhz8lmoEGo5titirgRo6_46qGHAClpiJ0bYw-yMkmPD3XpLYHt6Vmi1xMQ1WrII8bNbizK7Gfu9sN7O5ZOFRxtCsqXBYTUqgriw6k13TAM8nYyL7eAC26WVzlYZiFwl9cllol6ZOscviLlipN1vVgfxRM1_KC/s800/Tool.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="800" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmXu5CCuf9bdiC0IL3sbsaL5E8oCPhz8lmoEGo5titirgRo6_46qGHAClpiJ0bYw-yMkmPD3XpLYHt6Vmi1xMQ1WrII8bNbizK7Gfu9sN7O5ZOFRxtCsqXBYTUqgriw6k13TAM8nYyL7eAC26WVzlYZiFwl9cllol6ZOscviLlipN1vVgfxRM1_KC/w400-h100/Tool.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>What's Cheaper Than It is no as Good as it, what's Better Than It is not as Cheap as it </i><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think they were trying to say "this is a good tool at a good price", but if I read that literally it says to me "this is cheap so it's not as good, if you wanted something good it's going to cost you" The tool <i>was</i> cheap and it <i>was</i> a worthless piece of junk. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">When you read this text, you may read into it something entirely different than I do. I have no doubt that string of words in Chinese makes perfect sense and they are all correctly spelled English words, but since they are formatted incorrectly for the English speaking mind, they have completely lost their meaning. The ABC has many books which translate Greek to English, assumed perfectly, but these books do not interpret the syntax and flow of the words in sentences so they can never perfectly relate the mind of the author. What seems a perfect translation to us may not be if one has only defined individual words and not the actual concepts being related.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are all diverse creatures and all have differing perspectives. Per scripture there was once only one language, but God intentionally broke up the languages so we would have difficulty communicating with each other. The goal was to prevent mankind from building a tower to heaven. I doubt the tower of Babel was high enough to actually reach into the heavens so, again, we are left to assume part of the story. This was obviously more than just trying to build a skyscraper. The world has plenty of those now, despite the language barriers, and God has not stopped them from being built. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even if we perfectly interpret words in other languages, we still have that huge barrier of cultural definition, syntax, metaphor, analogy and more to overcome. I, in the Northwest of the United States speak English in a much different way than someone speaking English in Boston Massachusetts, Atlanta Georgia or Gloucester Maine. We can communicate, but we have entirely different vernaculars based on our varied locale and culture so we will never communicate perfectly. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">If I were to take a literal view of Revelation there would be painted horses, dragons and mythical beasts roaming the earth at some point. We accept these things in Revelation </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">as figurative</span></span>, then fail to see other things in the scriptures are also analogous, figurative or metaphoric. From my view, the creation story may be translated figuratively as well, not simply historic. Days perhaps represent large segments of time, rather than a twenty-four hour human day. No one really knows. The story is compressed, into very few words, and is more of an outline than an actual story. There are huge gaps in the timeline, so not a great deal can be taken fully literally.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ABC, and others who adopt a mostly literalist view of the scriptures, may be missing the cultural and language nuances that go beyond word definition or context. This can affect the true interpretation of the writing and there may have been errors in translation between languages as well. To be literalist is to be adamant, but we lack enough information to be adamant about anything. Below is a list of synonyms for adamancy. Do these terms speak "fruit of the Spirit" or do they say "work of the flesh"? You decide. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oh38NkgcrPtV4mrmYXTlw4KCTmp-9dOsHtZ2BN1d1pVObIZuRHxpoGm4PnRsOPgqMll8HkoIu-3zJ0xAmFxa84vShb8FQ7zJWy8e8g_kEnbh2oeLJAMKVC3zby19r0KNuGhP1BMurHVfIvPDeBNAEua6Hz4m8TD0RDRxHtxaP4G6_sMmw6qwO6p4/s748/Adamancy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="748" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oh38NkgcrPtV4mrmYXTlw4KCTmp-9dOsHtZ2BN1d1pVObIZuRHxpoGm4PnRsOPgqMll8HkoIu-3zJ0xAmFxa84vShb8FQ7zJWy8e8g_kEnbh2oeLJAMKVC3zby19r0KNuGhP1BMurHVfIvPDeBNAEua6Hz4m8TD0RDRxHtxaP4G6_sMmw6qwO6p4/w400-h100/Adamancy.png" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">And now for just a little fun with language. Imagine yourself a non-native speaker as you read this below. I wrote this back in 2008.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>CLICHES ARE OLD HAT</u><br /></span></b></span></p><div class="post-meta">
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Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Plain
speaking has always begged the question; Why must cliché’s wreak havoc
on our language? Take it from me, the cliché is no longer what it’s
cracked up to be and has simply become old hat. It’s high time we all
step up to the plate and put the whole cliché kit and caboodle behind
us…now! Trust me on this, if we don’t change, we are all going to pay
the piper for the cliché’s overuse.</span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Most
cliché’s are threadbare from overuse anyhow. They do nobody a world of
good in getting any single point across. They, plain and simply, have been
worked to death. Nearly all fly in the face of reason. I pity the
poor soul who speaks a language other than our own and tries to
follow these types of thoughts from start to finish. They are often
forced to take a powder when those around take umbrage at their being a
stickler for the rules of language, then read them the riot act when
they don’t understand. What gives with that?</span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Now
mind you, the use of cliché’s is no skin off my nose personally but, in
the grand scheme of things, are we not creating a no-win situation when
we overuse cliché’s? To put it even more simply; plain speaking grinds
to a halt when we interject clichés that ride roughshod over reason. I
propose we bring down the curtain on cliché’s, let them rest in
peace once and for all. It really is high time we go back to the drawing
board and start from scratch on this one.</span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">I
have plans to review my own cliché habits with a fine tooth comb and
eliminate these pesky devils from my own speech. I think I am well on my
way already. Once I am fully successful, the population at large will
be able to follow my train of thought in one fell swoop. I’ll find no more
need to explain my ridiculous cliché’s which have been
gumming up the works. Undoubtedly my speaking
in public will grind to a halt, at first, while I rethink my choice
of words, but with fast and furious thought I will simply put my best
foot forward and now speak plainly. Yes, from here on in I am putting my
foot down on clichés, putting my money where my mouth is, putting my
shoulder to the wheel, my nose to the grindstone and ridding myself, once
and for all, of the offending cliché.</span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Oh
mind you, I expect my position will not be popular at first. As
every schoolboy knows, cliché’s ring hollow and mean not what they
say. With all due respect, they have left our language in a shambles.
Please forgive me if I sound like I am beating a dead horse but, after
all, it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. As I stated before,
cliché’s are a tough row to hoe for the non-native. To them we sound as if we speak nonsense already. When we begin to use cliché’s they likely think we have bats in our belfry. At the minimum, they
probably think we have heads full of rocks. Sure, it seems simple for us,
the native speaker, but it is they, the
nonnative speaker, who bears the brunt of interpretation. We may even
go full circle in explaining our cliché, but they will still think
our brains are on the fritz. I propose from here on out we make sure we
have both feet firmly planted on the ground and speak only plainly,
without the use of cliché’. Even if our words end up sounding as dull as
dishwater, we will have been polite and hit the nail on the head,
whenever we speak. It should really be our mission to no longer muddy
the waters with our ridiculous cliché’s.</span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Like
it or lump it, the cliché death knell is now tolling. It is just a
matter of time and we will be off and running; forging ahead in a new
direction of plain speaking. You can mark my words on that. I see a new
day dawning for all of us. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Speaking plain and succinct will be our trump card, our ace in the hole
if you will. Finally, the cliché will no longer be our own worst
enemy. In the long run, as we change our speech patterns, these clichés
will no longer be on the tip of our tongue, waiting to spring the trap on
unsuspecting foreigners. It is truly in our own best
interest to go whole hog in this new direction…right now! You can bet
your bottom dollar the non-native will be eternally grateful, to all of
us, when we finally initiate this change. No longer will they think of
ways to give us a dose of our own medicine or lead </span><i><span face="TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT">us </span></i><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">down the garden path too! It will be a brave new world I tell you. </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">By now a few are thinking my ideas are not worth a plug nickel. Some perhaps even feel I
can’t see beyond the nose on my face and are just trying to make the
fur fly. There are probably even those that think I am trying to take
all of us to hell in a hand-basket with my crazy ideas. Others will even
draw a line in the sand, insist language has always played fast and
loose. They'll ask who am I to go off half-cocked, sowing my apples of discord.
But let me bend your ear just a minute longer on this subject. I am
normally a man of few words, and I may sound like a stuffed shirt right
now, but cliché’s simply are meant to string the other person along ,
while saying absolutely nothing of value. I am not alone in my hue and
cry. I am quite certain Noah Webster was a man cut from the same cloth
as I. Over the years I have grown to respect Noah and his letter
perfect dictionary. This is a man who knew which side his bread was
buttered on. I hold forth he is probably spinning in his grave right now
the way the cliché has taken our language by storm. Why, if he were
alive today he would take up the cudgels and knuckle down to the task of
eliminating cliché’s from our speech and writings. Regardless of how
much we huff and puff; we would find it impossible to take the wind out
of </span><i><span face="TimesNewRomanPS-ItalicMT">his </span></i><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">sails.
There would be no resting on our laurels in his company. He was no
slouch when it came to the jot and tittle of language perfected. To go
against his grain would be to meet your Waterloo and, in no uncertain
terms, you would be toast! Don’t even go there!</span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Let
me put in one last parting shot about the use of cliché’s. Perhaps,
since I brought it up, I should be the one to pave the way for this
change. Perhaps I should dish up a serving of humble pie for myself.
After all, I am probably guilty in perhaps some small way of using
cliché’s. So, as of right now, I pledge that soon you will see neither
hide nor hair of cliché in my speech or writings.<span> </span>I, in
fact, entertain high hopes for all of us that we can bear this burden
together, in the heat of the day, and once and for all lay the cliché to
rest. And I don’t mean maybe. We are all in the same boat here. If we do
an about face now, take this slow, and not bite off more than we can
chew, I know we can change. I tell you, it will be a grand and glorious
day when our dear foreign friends no longer need to beat a retreat at our
mixed-up words. Are we up to the challenge? Can we run the gauntlet and
run these clichés to ground? Let the chips fall where they may. We can’t
let this opportunity slip through our fingers. The time is now to get
the show on the road, rout out the cliché from every nook and cranny
of our speech and writing. We need no longer let the rest of society
lead us by the nose. I urge you to return with me to the fold of cliché
free speech. It will be a red letter day for all of us if we can get our act
together, this very minute. Let's get on the ball and finally nail this puppy
to the wall. Then we can all shout in unison. “Way to go!” </span></span></span></p><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>©</span>May 9, 2008, Scott J Haas</span></span></span></p><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></p><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span>I assure you, a non-native speaker, with one hundred dictionaries and thesauruses at hand, could never decipher this mishmash of </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span><span><span style="color: #444444;"><span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">cliché</span></span></span>s through interpretation of each individual word. Culture and nuance count. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br /></span></span></span></p><p data-adtags-visited="true"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span> </span></span></span></p><p data-adtags-visited="true" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><a href="http://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">TO MAIN SITE</span></a></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;"><span> </span> </span></span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-32986776400519041072022-07-28T15:32:00.108-07:002023-05-17T17:38:29.454-07:00oK,oK,oK<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4YyRJ_QksQWiEaKArZvZqmP9PSxgB72Z0WLIjg4evU_mF4SzHOTBlUcukqE34VBd1tIxvKfBg05sDDLaP_DYcdwGj8bTLgkajgB34ppTMl2IBwO5aj4qHt_G6SKU0Mxr-GPMKi_VNCW8NcGiVRQD-jnA3GfqRrDkqPXKQE8x3ODKICw77vYvouJG/s1568/dream_TradingCard(195).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4YyRJ_QksQWiEaKArZvZqmP9PSxgB72Z0WLIjg4evU_mF4SzHOTBlUcukqE34VBd1tIxvKfBg05sDDLaP_DYcdwGj8bTLgkajgB34ppTMl2IBwO5aj4qHt_G6SKU0Mxr-GPMKi_VNCW8NcGiVRQD-jnA3GfqRrDkqPXKQE8x3ODKICw77vYvouJG/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(195).jpg" width="392" /></a></div><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">On my western fence is a tree considered an invasive
species.<span> </span>I have removed this tree four times. Each time it just grows back. Each time it grows back it sends up even thicker trunks and the
branches form an even more chaotic pattern. This tree provides me no shade, it shows no fruit, and it has never produced a single blossom. Yet,
it is still a tree, it is still life, and it is still a part of nature. It's just not a useful
part of nature. This tree saps the water and nutrients from the soil around it, which then starves the roots of plants more useful to me. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I once rented a root
grinder and ground out the root of that invasive tree deep below the surface.
It took longer to grow back, but soon there was an even thicker set of multiple trunks, and an even greater chaos
of green leaves. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I have two other trees near this invasive that provide me
shade and keep my house cool. These two trees pull moisture from deep in the soil then expel
this moisture out into the air through their leaves, giving comfort to the garden surrounding it. All three trees I mention are of a different variety, but they all have one thing in common. They have roots. <br /></span></p>
<p class="reg"><span style="font-size: large;">Luke, in his gospel, says Christ spoke of trees which bear
both good fruit and bad. Immediately after, He then speaks of digging down deep
to lay a solid foundation. The foundation of any tree is its root structure and everything above is just a result of that
root. A tree with a solid root is able to stand for a thousand years without attention from any man. What man builds only remains if it is continuously tended to and there is an entire TV show which illustrates what happens to man's creations when they lack the attention of maintenance. Complete decay.<br /></span></p><p class="reg"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope
the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that
spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but
her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought,
neither shall cease from yielding fruit.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">--------</span></p>
<p class="reg"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth
a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own
fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they
grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that
which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth
forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.</i></span></p><p class="reg"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>-------- <br /></i></span></p><p class="reg"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” <br /></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">There is only one true tree, an olive tree, and this tree
is planted by living waters. If we have been grafted into
that one single tree, we are then nourished by these living waters. It is possible to put one's complete faith in, and be
grafted into, a religious movement, rather than into that true olive tree. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The letter to the Romans juxtaposes the salvation of Israel
with the salvation of those who followed after Christ: </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>But if some of the branches were broken off, and you,
although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in
the nourishing root of the olive tree,<sup> </sup>do not be arrogant
toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not <b>you</b> who support the
root, but the root that supports <b>you</b>.</i></span><i><u> </u></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">When the scripture tells us to “examine ourselves whether we
be in the faith” this is exactly what it refers to. We must ask ourselves, "Have we been grafted into
that true olive tree, or have we been grafted in elsewhere?" That tree in my yard may put out many chaotic green leaves, and seem alive and fresh, but it is a non-fruitful tree and a burden to all the vegetation surrounding it. Look carefully at where you have been grafted. See if that tree you are attached to provides you with nourishment from living water and bears fruit. Look to see if that tree is perhaps invasive and is drawing it's life from those around it, instead of drawing deep water which nourishes the air with a cooling mist. If the fruit is not there, it is time to reexamine. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The doctrines of the ABC have been drawn from the teachings
of Ramon A Haas, my father. His teachings were derived from other sources,
over a period of many years, and this has given the ABC multiple roots. The tap
root, the primary root, I will show, sinks directly into the
doctrines of William Marion Branham and the “Latter Rain Revival” movement, as formulated and adopted at the Sharon Orphanage in Canada and was then passed along through James A Watt and others. These doctrines of the ABC are partially rooted in the doctrines of other men, and movements, that came before it's creation. Some of these men and movements that came before were later proven to be formulated for earthly gain, or esteem, and did not grow out of that true olive tree.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite my father’s assertion one should not listen to
“Christian Radio” he listened in frequently. He, at times, used premises given
by radio preachers to formulate some of his own teachings. I was in
the car with him the day he listened to a man teach on “Wells”. He then adapted
this into a teaching for the ABC. The same for the “Horns of the Altar” teaching. Both of these teachings were
derived from men he listened to on Christian radio. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Many other teachings in the ABC were
derived in this same manner. The
“Mystery Babylon” teaching came straight from a booklet produced by an individual
associated with the Sharon Orphanage, as well as a teaching by Bill Branham. The
Foundation Principles doctrine came straight from the teachings of Derek
Prince, James A Watt, and a team of other persons associated with Broadway
Tabernacle in Seattle and in Canada. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Other doctrines had root in the
Sharon Orphanage. The men at the Sharon Orphanage were greatly influenced by William Branham at a revival meeting in
Vancouver BC. Most of these men, who created these teachings, have passed on now, but there are still many references found online. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">There is nothing new under the sun. I take no issue with the
fact these teachings were passed from one person to another. This is knowledge, s</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">ome sound,
some not so much, and this is how knowledge </span>is passed between generations. However, the ABC presents these teachings as being indigenous to
them alone. They are not. My father drew them from many different sources and one need only Google search “<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Foundational-Truths-Christian-Living-spirit-filled/dp/1591859824" target="_blank">Foundation Truths, Prince</a>” to find the source of just a few of these principal teachings. The
“Foundation Truths" teaching can be found in book form, written by Derek Prince, and easily
available for purchase on Amazon for about fifteen dollars. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Derek Prince was a major
influence for James A Watt at Broadway Tabernacle in Seattle. My father then adopted everything James A Watt created, after he was forced out of the Broadway Tabernacle church and started his own church. First on San Juan Island, then at the Wilcrest Apartments in Seattle, later in Snohomish County and beyond. This, after abandoning nearly half of his family.<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The scriptures say
in every house there are articles that are precious and those that will burn.
My father was no exception. He was incorrect in many of the things he spoke. Many
of his notions were wood, hay and stubble that would not survive the fire, but there are still some things that can be gleaned from the things he taught.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Humans are born, are given a life, and the scriptures tell
us we can be born anew. That is only possible by being grafted into that true olive tree.
If we have been grafted into another tree, with a different root, we are not truly born anew. <span> </span>This is not to say an organization can have no
value.<span> We are social creatures. An organization, if it is functioning correctly, can build a person up and fill the air with life. If it is not functioning correctly, it tears down and, like my chaotic tree, saps life from the plants around it instead of gives. </span>It is possible to find good fellowship
in an organization, but if one grafts themself to that organization, as the source of their salvation, they are misguided. That organization can never impart life. To find life we must be “grafted in” to that living tree, with a
living root which feeds from living waters. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Some point to past abuses of the ABC and say, “we’ve changed
now”, "that was then and this is now", "we've grown since then". <span> </span>I
have heard this many times, over many decades, yet the turmoils reappear again and again. Each time I cut down that
invasive tree in my yard, the landscape changes, looks fresh and new, and there is no sign left of the ugliness of that invasive tree. However deep below the surface that root is still active and it will once again push to the surface in a chaotic display of branches and leaves that
have no value and are robbing the valuable greenery around it of peace and safety. People
can change, people can grow, but institutions and corporate bodies see little
change because they are as immovable as stone and not rooted where the living waters flow. Only people, not organizations, can be grafted in.<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Early on in the history of the ABC, one of my siblings, also
an “elder” in the ABC at the time, watched in horror as the events unfolded in
Jonestown on November 18, 1978. This is the day many hundreds died at a
religious compound </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">operated by Jim Jones</span> in Guyana.<span> </span>This event would become known as “The
Jonestown Massacre”. More than nine-hundred individuals either took
their own lives that day, by drinking poison Kool-Aid, or were murdered by Jim Jones if they refused to drink. Jim Jones too committed suicide once most others were dead. A tiny handful escaped to tell the story. This is the origin of our expression “drank the Kool-Aid”. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">In the aftermath of the Jonestown Massacre, my sibling
reviewed the path of the ABC, and that of Jim Jones, the leader of Jonestown, and saw too many parallels to the path the ABC was following. He walked away. This is not to say the ABC is currently a suicide
cult intent on moving its members to a commune in the jungle to drink kool-aid. There was never a time in the history I experienced this as an issue. However, I cannot know who will
guide the ABC in the future. Given the parallels, under new leadership,
anything is possible. Just like "The People's Temple", Jones' church, there is a root of being secretive in the ABC as well.<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">There is actually a dotted line connection between the ABC and
Jim Jones. It's a dotted line connection in that there was no direct collaboration between the two during the forming of each church, however they grew on parallel tracks. A solid line connection exists between Jim Jones and William (Bill / Brother) Branham. B</span><span style="font-size: large;">oth churches sprang from similar doctrines laid down by Branham and the "Latter Rain Revivalists" at Sharon Orphanage. There are other similar connections, but it is not possible to list them all here. I will give resources later that spell out some of those connections.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Branham is a man my dad spoke of often. He had enough respect for him that he placed one of his tapes top of the list
in the ABC library. (See Illustration).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpQ6pyFJ2NzXuSWqxBWlu16RBC1Bd9N6omUUrmPB2ECofesprjEJgSYS9VcjyD8HVnjxlpTYyJM7eAnfvpp3Y3Ljn0T0X7shmBO7QpBGhgN14YS3bVBq-gCg6bKu9FKYmlRL8eyGZWo1rD8kciKnALrRwVv3_V-KOF5trjEhvWxgGqp9woOJF1iw7/s1600/ABC-Tape-List.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1173" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpQ6pyFJ2NzXuSWqxBWlu16RBC1Bd9N6omUUrmPB2ECofesprjEJgSYS9VcjyD8HVnjxlpTYyJM7eAnfvpp3Y3Ljn0T0X7shmBO7QpBGhgN14YS3bVBq-gCg6bKu9FKYmlRL8eyGZWo1rD8kciKnALrRwVv3_V-KOF5trjEhvWxgGqp9woOJF1iw7/w470-h640/ABC-Tape-List.jpg" width="470" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">One of the stories of Branham told repeatedly was of Branham being able to use "the power of God" to tame a bull. Rev. Lens Jones in Australia recounts this same story in 1954:</span></p><p><a href="http://www.williambranhamstorehouse.com/site_testimonials/ivisitabranhammeeting.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">"<span class="nml"><i>One day he was crossing an open field when a ferocious
bull rushed him. There was no tree to climb and no fence to get
through, for he was in the center of the field. There was no hope but
God. He said a strange peace possessed him, and he knew the animal could
not hurt him. The bull pawed the ground for a time and then charged him
at great speed. There he stood, helpless, in the middle of the field,
with a charging bull coming toward him. All that he did was to stand
there and quietly say, as the bull got closer and closer, "You can't
hurt me, and I don't want to hurt you-now just go over there and lie
down." On the bull came, until it was within three feet of him, when it
just stopped in its tracks and did exactly as he said. Our minds went
back to Daniel in the lion's den.</i>" </span></span></a></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="nml">Branham told many such stories of miracles, always without any witness. Multiple investigations by reporters and even the U.S. Government either disproved these stories or could find no evidence. </span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There is a great deal of information regarding Branham in
books, and on the web. I list below just a few. At the end of this post I will list a few more references but this is still but a small bit of what is available. I encourage the reader to read up
on Jim Jones and Branham. This post is not able to discuss this subject in full detail because, to do so, would run on for hundreds
of pages.<span> </span>Identifying the direct link between
Branham and my father, and the parallel track between Branham and Jim Jones, will identify some of the roots that supported the ABC during its initial forming. This is critical information. </span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">These are two books that give excellent background:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jim-Jones-Malachi-Elijah-Prophecy/dp/1548102636/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1Z21SSHLUHMQA&keywords=jim+jones+the+malachi&qid=1659136198&sprefix=jim+jones+the+malachi%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Jim Jones, The Malachi 4 Elijah Prophecy. ISBN 978-1548102630</i></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160903" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Preacher behind the White Hoods.<span> </span>ISBN <span class="a-text-bold"> </span><span class="a-list-item">978-1735160900</span></i></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">There is also extensive research on
Bill Branham, his connection to Sharon Orphanage, and James A Watt on the web at:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item"> </span><a href="https://william-branham.org/">https://william-branham.org/</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span> </span></span><span class="a-list-item"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">This is an enormous site, still a work in progress, and it carries
the tale of Branham’s roots all the way back to a man named Frank Sandford. For our purposes, we don’t need to research that far
back to get a flavor for the character, and doctrines, of Branham and those who came before and after him. More on that later.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">The ABC teaches they have a perfect baptism because my father
had a perfect baptism by a Spirit-Filled Believer and this was then the catalyst that began the ABC. This is simply not true. My father was baptized in the late forties, or early to mid fifties, then remained in several mainstream churches for quite a few years teaching a "sinner's prayer / personal savior" salvation. No one knows for certain who baptized
my father, or what doctrine this person taught. No one knows if this was a baptism of
Repentance, or one to receive the Holy Spirit. It is only assumed it was
correct, per ABC standards, because no one ever questioned him to find out.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">I inquired </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">of my father
</span></span>several times on who baptized him. I got several different answers, none definitive, and so, over the years, I repeatedly asked. Most times
he would mention a man named "Brother White" who was connected, in some manner, to
the Branham inspired Neo-Pentecostal movement which then forged the "Latter Rain Revival" movement at the Sharon Orphanage. James A Watt, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">from Broadway Tabernacle, </span></span>a man who would later be a large presence in my dad's life, was a principal player at the Sharon Orphanage. More on that later. <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">I discovered a man named <a href="https://lrm1948.blogspot.com/2017/03/thomas-wyatts-multi-faceted-ministry.html" target="_blank">"Brother Wyatt"</a>, in Portland Oregon, who was connected directly to the Branham movement. This
may be the person my dad referenced and I may have just heard “White” instead of <a href="https://lrm1948.blogspot.com/2017/03/thomas-wyatts-multi-faceted-ministry.html" target="_blank">“Wyatt”</a>. I can't say for certain. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">Wyatt was the pastor of the </span>"Wings of
Healing Temple" in Portland Oregon and worked closely with George Hawtin. Hawtin was a man my
father knew personally and would call on occasion. Wyatt traveled across the globe, holding revival meetings for
Branham, so it is very likely he would have traveled the few hours north from Portland to Tacoma to
hold meetings there as well. There are enough connections between my father and this man Wyatt I
can reasonably assume he was the man who baptized my father. But, there is no way to know for absolute certain. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">Branham was
the inspiration for, but not one of the direct founders of, the Sharon Orphanage. His teachings, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">in Vancouver BC, </span></span></span></span>inspired a group of men to start this new Pentecostal movement. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">These men</span></span> would return to Saskatchewan and begin the “Latter Rain Revival” movement at the Sharon Orphanage. There is more to be said about the beginnings of the Orphanage and this can be found in the books mentioned above.<br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">One of the principal players in the
“Latter Rain Revival”, at Sharon Orphanage, was James A Watt. Watt would leave Canada, at the behest of Derek Prince in Seattle, and continue his ministry in Seattle by way of the Broadway Tabernacle church. This church had just been vacated by Prince who went on to start a "tape ministry". My father would join Watt in his efforts at Broadway Tabernacle then later take all of Watt's work to use as his own creation in order to start a new church movement, originally called just "the group", then later named "The Assembly of the Body of Christ". <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">My father and
Watt were close friends and spent a great deal of time together. The ABC adopted, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">in its entirety,</span></span> </span></span>the study method used by Broadway Tabernacle, including the
“Daily Reading Card”. Many assumed this was the work of my father, but it can be entirely credited to James A Watt.<br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rpfBmjMHUvkFcFtGnqzGI8DcxS71Q7GIOPSLrTudR9l5JHmq2Yuws3DEELIoO7BBjXY9SnetrxYRPcc9vsBxrZWtVvvDLim_00i51DcuRPWD7Xk9IMKJrc11iqpusKNvsFSR_Tz_YL24XzQ2YX9xixN_UiN2NUXTX9xnFvgrmopqhBhpSI3jKCJV/s1600/REading-Cards2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1162" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rpfBmjMHUvkFcFtGnqzGI8DcxS71Q7GIOPSLrTudR9l5JHmq2Yuws3DEELIoO7BBjXY9SnetrxYRPcc9vsBxrZWtVvvDLim_00i51DcuRPWD7Xk9IMKJrc11iqpusKNvsFSR_Tz_YL24XzQ2YX9xixN_UiN2NUXTX9xnFvgrmopqhBhpSI3jKCJV/w464-h640/REading-Cards2.jpg" width="464" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">Not long prior to his passing, Watt
was still prophesying the Latter Rain Revival would come, beginning first in Canada,
then to the US, then to the rest of the world. He passed away before that prophesy
was ever fulfilled. <span> </span></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">To verify the doctrine alleging the ABC
has a baptism superior to all others, we must track the lineage of my father’s
baptism back at least a few steps. We must examine the persons in that lineage. Per ABC standards, it must be proven this person was filled with the Holy Spirit and was baptizing to impart the Holy Spirit in order for this baptism to be considered valid. While I can't be certain Wyatt was the man, I do know for certain the individual was directly connected to the Branham ministry and it was either at a revival in Tacoma or Portland. This was the one common thread anytime I inquired. Below is an order from the Branham playbook.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://branham.org/biblestudy/waterbaptism" target="_blank"><i>Now, we believe in water baptism in the Branham Tabernacle, by
immersing in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the apostolic
teaching of the Bible. And may all members of us, or comers to the
Branham Tabernacle, who desire such, may at any time (requesting to) be
immersed, in the Name of the Lord Jesus. May he consult the pastor; if
they have repented, and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, the pastor
will, as soon as possible, even at... then if he can, baptize them
immediately. This does bring them into the fellowship of the believers. <b>
We believe that by water baptism we are brought into a fellowship. But
by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we are brought into the members,
being members of the Body of Jesus Christ, which is all over the world. </b></i></a></span></p><div class="BBquoteText"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://branham.org/biblestudy/waterbaptism" target="_blank"><i>
</i></a></span><div class="BBquoteTextRef"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://branham.org/biblestudy/waterbaptism" target="_blank"><i>
</i></a></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://branham.org/biblestudy/waterbaptism" target="_blank"><i>58-1007 Church Order</i></a></span></p>
</div>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">I have traced
individuals in this lineage back to the 1910’s, but we need only go back
as far as a man named Roy E Davis and examine this man's life. <span> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">Roy E. Davis is the man who baptized
Bill Branham. This is recorded in the historical record in several places. Per my father’s statements, he was either baptized in Tacoma Washington, or Portland Oregon, after a revival meeting held by Branham. As I say, I asked multiple times but always got different answers. I don't hold that out as subterfuge. Memories can meld multiple events into one and it was many decades earlier he was baptized. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">Here are a couple quotes as shown on the William Branham Historical Research site.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://william-branham.org/site/research/people/roy_e._davis" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">"I
am the minister who received </span></i></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">Brother</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;"> Branham into the first </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">Pentecostal</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;"> assembly he ever frequented. I </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">baptized</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;"> him and was his pastor for some two years. I also
preached his </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">ordination</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;"> sermon, and signed his </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">ordination</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;"> certificate, and heard him preach his first
sermon."<span> </span>Rev. </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">Roy E. Davis</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">.</span></i></span></p><a href="https://william-branham.org/site/research/people/roy_e._davis" target="_blank">
</a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://william-branham.org/site/research/people/roy_e._davis" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">“Well,
I remember Dr. </span></i></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">Roy Davis</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">, a—a—a personal friend of
mine, who </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">baptized</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;"> me the only time I've
ever been </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">baptized</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">. And he said that John
was meaning, I remember this in their </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">school</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">, he said, "John knowed that he had never been </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">baptized</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">, himself, so he... </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">Jesus</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">. John suffered </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">Jesus</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;"> to baptize him."
Well, that, I—I different with the—the great </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">doctor</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;"> there. 20 Not for controversy, but for the sake of
Truth I might say this. No, there was two men, the two leaders of the hour, the
</span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">Messiah</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;"> and His </span></i><a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;">prophet</span></i></a><i><span style="background: lightgrey; mso-highlight: lightgrey;"> met in the water.
Branham, 63-0721 - He Cares Do You Care?”</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-list-item">Branham held regular meetings in Portland,
Seattle and Tacoma in the late forties, as well as into the fifties and sixties. I was born in 1955 and, not long before I entered elementary school, my father attended seminary
in Eugene, Oregon. There were
multiple meetings in all three cities conducted by Branham, with Wyatt present, during the
mid-fifties so it is <i>very</i> likely they crossed paths. This is also about the same time
we became connected to Noti Pentecostal Church. Prior to this, my dad attended a more staid denominational church in Tacoma Washington and worked as a youth pastor. I was very young, so I
do not know the exact details on how we left Tacoma and became connected to Noti Pentecostal. This church was affiliated with the same faction of Pentecostalism as Branham so this may have been the influence. It was a very small, very rural, church so it is unlikely Branham ever visited personally. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, there is a
parallel connection between the ABC and the Peoples Temple, founded
by Jim Jones. I will illustrate this connection further, but it's important to first look
at the life of Roy E. Davis. It's important to determine if his doctrine, and his baptism, are sound.
He is nearly for certain in the direct lineage of baptizers that preceded my father’s
baptism. At the very least, those who followed Davis, and adopted his doctrines and theologies, would have baptized by the rules he taught. These rules were passed on to Branham when Davis fell out of favor. Or was arrested.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Roy E. Davis was born in 1890. In 1915 he became a leading
founder of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) movement and was considered to be a National Imperial Wizard. He worked as one of their recruiters and posed as a traveling evangelist. Davis' efforts increased the numbers of KKK members, and also increased their influence in politics and society, by melding the two roles; Wizard of the
KKK and Pentecostal evangelist. He did this through an offshoot of the KKK he named “Knights
of the Flaming Sword”. This organization melded his racial hatred with highly emotional religion and by 1959, Davis had become
the national leader of the KKK. At the same time he continued to hold Pentecostal revivals. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">I am grossly paraphrasing all of this history. More
of this history can be found in Wikipedia, with references notated, or there is a short
video here:<span> </span> <a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x87yg3l">https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x87yg3l</a></span>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Roy E. Davis is the man who baptized Branham, and “ordained”
him, in 1929. Those who followed after Branham, or were "saved" at one of his revivals, like my father, were most often baptized by Branham, or a follower of Branham, that same night. In my father's case that may have been Wyatt. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Roy E Davis was not close to being a model citizen. Over the years he was charged with multiple frauds, thefts, forgeries, sex trafficking, cross
burning and more. This is all confirmed in court records and he served several long prison sentences for these crimes. There is considerable research on the life of Roy E Davis and it can be conclusively proven his ministry
was not in line with the words of Jesus, or a sense of decency or good moral character.<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Neo-Pentecostal religious fire begun by Branham ignited many other smaller "Neo-Pentecostal"
fires around the globe. One of the largest was the Sharon Orphanage movement which, in turn,
began the “Latter Rain Revival” movement. From there other movements were spawned, then disappeared, such as the Florida Five. Many of these groups, roots deeply embedded in Branhamism and "Latter Rain Revival" doctrines,
like the ABC, still exist but take many different forms. Over the years there were multiple splits into factions, doctrines were abandoned, and none follow exactly the words of Branham now. Many, like the ABC, have reduced, cut, or deny the ties to Branham and the "Latter Rain Revival" roots from which they sprang. Denial aside, the roots of
these organizations are, in fact, deeply embedded in “Latter Rain Revival" theology,
as well as Branham doctrine. They are just not openly labeled as such. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">There is much that could be written about the start of
the “Latter Rain Revival” movement at Sharon Orphanage, but that would make this post run quite long.
There is a good encapsulation of this history told by James A Watt, one of the
original seven present at the beginning, and a link below leads to a taped interview in which he briefly references Branham’s
initial inspiration. There is much more to that story than is told in this interview and that information can be found in the book </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1735160903" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Preacher behind the White Hoods.<span> </span>ISBN <span class="a-text-bold"> </span><span class="a-list-item">978-1735160900". </span></i></span> </span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the link to that interview. It runs
about thirty minutes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lrm1948.blogspot.com/2018/03/jim-watt-recalls-lrms-earliest-history_26.html">https://lrm1948.blogspot.com/2018/03/jim-watt-recalls-lrms-earliest-history_26.html</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a link to a visual representation of the Chronology
of the Latter Rain Revival movement:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lrm1948.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-chronology-of-latter-rain-revival.html">https://lrm1948.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-chronology-of-latter-rain-revival.html</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Below are links to information about just a few of the individuals
my father either knew personally or followed after:<span> </span></span></p>
<ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lrm1948.blogspot.ca/2018/01/the-north-battleford-story.html">Ern
Hawtin</a> (Saskatchewan)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lrm1948.blogspot.ca/2018/01/the-north-battleford-story.html">George
Hawtin</a> (Saskatchewan)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.2rbetter.org/embryonics/intro"><span style="background: white;">Jim Watt</span></a> (Saskatchewan)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_UzCzttBK8">George Warnock</a>
(Lethbridge, AB)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://lrm1948.blogspot.ca/2017/03/thomas-wyatts-multi-faceted-ministry.html">Thomas
Wyatt</a> (Portland, OR)</span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.billbrittonministries.com/">Bill Britton</a>
(Springfield, MO) Note: this will actually lead to a list of publications by George Warnock.<br /></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Jim Jones entered the religious scene, it was Branham who gave
him his start. There is no direct connection between the ABC and Jim Jones,
however they are connected in parallel because both my dad and Jim Jones were tutored in the same doctrines espoused by Branham in the the forties and fifties. Like many others, my father later abandoned some of
the more unusual doctrines of Branham, but then still clung to others. One of the
most egregious doctrines my father maintained for most of his life was the “serpent seed” doctrine. This doctrine stated persons descending out of black Africa
were not fully human and so could not achieve salvation. My father abandoned this doctrine only after a black man visited a meeting, and asked to be baptized. The usual practice when one asked to be baptized was to immediately find a pool and baptize but, in this case, a meeting was held later to “determine if this man was
human and could be baptized”. I was present, David North was present, and a few of the other men were present in San Diego at the Casa Grande. I was vocal in my contention a dark skin color did not indicate a person was "non-human". </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the ABC, my father did not teach this doctrine using
the term “Serpent’s Seed”, as Branham did, but rather referred to black people as “Beasts of the
Field”. Not quite human, not quite animal. He was not sure a black man had a soul that could be saved. <span>This "beast of the field" term is one my father picked up from a woman named Vivian in Paradise California, a Branham Pentecostal follower by church affiliation, and not a member of the ABC. I am not sure how they crossed paths but I drove my father to her house one weekend, at his request, and stayed the night. She was an excitable woman that sang church songs without a break. In between she spoke in tongues or would become somewhat trance-like as she praised Jesus. There were very few breaks from this continuous "praise". </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>I had spent those years as a child in a "holy roller" Pentecostal church so I was familiar with her mannerisms. </span></span>When we were at her house, she spoke of various doctrines she espoused. Her analysis of Genesis 2 and 3 </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>is that God created man but he also created "beasts of the field; black man, as animals. This is a doctrine</span></span> my father quickly adopted once again. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of the players in the “Latter Rain Revival” movement, at
the Sharon Orphanage, received their initial inspiration from Branham. A good accounting of this can be found in the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1735160903/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1" target="_blank">“<i>Preacher
behind the White Hoods.<span> </span>ISBN <span class="a-text-bold"> </span><span class="a-list-item">978-1735160900”.<span> </span></span></i></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The Sharon Orphanage, Jim Jones,
Ramon A Haas and, by extension, the ABC, all have roots in Branhamism and the "Latter Rain Revival" movement. This is never directly acknowledged, and I am not sure the current leadership has ever understood, or researched, these connections enough to know they even exist. I was unaware of these connections since childhood an only discovered them when I was ex-communicated for the last time. I can say for certain, the ABC has no official connection to the current Branham organization, but has many roots in the same theologies and doctrines.<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is a link below that will take you to research the connections between
Branham, Jim Jones, the Sharon Orphanage and others. This extensive study was conducted by <a href="https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?s=Branham" target="_blank">San Diego State University</a>. The information is lengthy, but the only proof one need look for in this is
the connection between Jim Jones and Branham. That connection is undeniable. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">Had circumstances not played out as they did in my father's life, with his adultery, followed by abandoning his family, and in turn losing favor with Jim Watt, Derek Prince, Philadelphia Bible College and others, it is likely his name would also appear in some of this research. For as long as I can remember he was intensely motivated to rise as far as he could in mainstream churches. He had many connections to Branham, the Sharon Orphanage descendants, Demos Shakarian and Full Gospel Businessman's Fellowship, and many other Pentecostal and Assemblies of God teachers, preachers and movements. It was only when he was rejected by these organizations, and was faced with starting his own church if he wanted to continue "in the ministry", did he choose to rent a church building on San Juan Island (shown below), completely isolated from the groups in Seattle he once affiliated with.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltHhfl8HDZSiu7_9XlAeNmw1pI-g1YZerb-CHTH-jlriHAa3GmbwdcI_msbz4d3_d8mE36zyNoC11TIRx0K49NU3VbLEgJXv2XJH6f0AyjI82-pJtTQtUSgnF8Zaf98hIZPAtBgFKV93DmI3RsoktValunfJ2N8BlRt1x4_kzjnH778cz0bXhMbSM/s1328/San%20Juan%20Church.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="734" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhltHhfl8HDZSiu7_9XlAeNmw1pI-g1YZerb-CHTH-jlriHAa3GmbwdcI_msbz4d3_d8mE36zyNoC11TIRx0K49NU3VbLEgJXv2XJH6f0AyjI82-pJtTQtUSgnF8Zaf98hIZPAtBgFKV93DmI3RsoktValunfJ2N8BlRt1x4_kzjnH778cz0bXhMbSM/w354-h640/San%20Juan%20Church.jpg" width="354" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">This church was ultimately not successful. Only afterward, is when he took his church movement mostly underground at the Wilcrest. This is a similar path Jim Jones followed when his own movement ran into conflict. Here is the link:<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?s=Branham" target="_blank">https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?s=Branham</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, back to my original point. The ABC relies on a “pure
baptism lineage” to prove they have a better path to salvation than all others.
If you look into the life, and doctrines, of the persons my dad followed, prior to the ABC beginnings
as “the group”, in the late sixties, at the Wilcrest Apartments, there is no proof this “pure lineage” exists. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many, but not all, of the persons associated with the movements my father participated in, or followed, have
been proven to be charlatans, liars, thieves, and scoundrels. There were a few who renounced the Branham teachings, and some of the "Latter Rain Revival" doctrines, then moved more toward a ministry built more on faith and
tolerance. There can be no question, Branham, Roy E Davis, Jim Jones, and others used their “ministry” as a source of financial gain and power through deliberate deception and trickery. Others were more sincere in their intents.<br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is not enough space to discuss these topics completely. I encourage all readers to question, and examine, all of this evidence for yourself. Determine if you have grafted yourself into the ABC, or any other similar aberrant church, or directly to that true olive tree. If the organization you are involved with has a doctrine stating if one leaves it they are jeopardizing their salvation, this is proof one is grafted to an organization, not to that true olive tree. A wander through the voluminous data at the links provided will prove what I say here conclusively. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">My thanks to John Andrew Collins for his incredibly extensive research on this
subject, all found easily found online, and in his books on Branham and Jim Jones. His research is backed up by copies of letters, newspaper articles and the like. He continues to gather information and his work has allowed me to fill in a lot of blanks from the time I was a child.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">Collins was part of Branham's “The Message” cult since childhood. As an adult, like myself, he began seeing through some of the fallacies and myths. He has spent countless hours poring
through newspapers, books, court records and the like to find the truth about Branham and the spiritual arson fires he sparked globally. The ABC is just one of those fires. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">Additional resources: <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><a href="https://freedomofmind.com/group-information-resource/the-message/ " target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">https://freedomofmind.com/group-information-resource/the-message/ </span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><a href="https://lisedwards.wixsite.com/lishistory/post/brother-branham-a-cult-leader-comes-to-london-on-podcast"><span style="font-size: large;">https://lisedwards.wixsite.com/lishistory/post/brother-branham-a-cult-leader-comes-to-london-on-podcast</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><a href="https://en.believethesign.com/index.php?title=Roy_Davis_and_the_KKK"><span style="font-size: large;">https://en.believethesign.com/index.php?title=Roy_Davis_and_the_KKK</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://williambranham.weebly.com/the-chronicles-of-roy-e-davis.html">http://williambranham.weebly.com/the-chronicles-of-roy-e-davis.html</a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are many other books available on this subject at Amazon. </span><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><a href="http://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><a href="http://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">TO MAIN SITE</span></a></span></span><br /></div><div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-24648653908820110112022-07-15T17:33:00.010-07:002023-09-10T06:27:00.245-07:00Walk away, just walk away<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ_ergy2_bdjlf8J2Uwb26rHNmterSByER3DZNIRIh7comvKmd-L2JDIQ-N2OUOeXV8LXQcp43Vo0GQasPoVpoSuwudHNpt6BFr5omtp_H4gQHMyPU25svK7amPigLBaNDal7Z6vCXapBb6FpOibg16zqZS61Cp_BS8Od7pZB4j0KYHnfLz1LRfBz/s1568/dream_TradingCard(14).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQ_ergy2_bdjlf8J2Uwb26rHNmterSByER3DZNIRIh7comvKmd-L2JDIQ-N2OUOeXV8LXQcp43Vo0GQasPoVpoSuwudHNpt6BFr5omtp_H4gQHMyPU25svK7amPigLBaNDal7Z6vCXapBb6FpOibg16zqZS61Cp_BS8Od7pZB4j0KYHnfLz1LRfBz/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(14).jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Below, in <span style="color: #6aa84f;">green lettering</span>, is an excerpt from an article named <a href="#">Pastor Sues for Bad Reviews</a> written by Dan Foster on Medium (emphasis added). The complete article can be found at:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <span><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></span></span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://medium.com/backyard-theology/pastor-sues-for-bad-reviews-724816ea7044 " target="_blank"><span><span style="color: black;">https://medium.com/backyard-theology/pastor-sues-for-bad-reviews-724816ea7044 </span></span></a></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Or complete details of the lawsuit can be found at: </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://spiritualsoundingboard.com/about/bgbc-defamation-lawsuit-archive/" target="_blank">"Spiritual Sounding Board" </a></span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">I add this article because it demonstrates the doctrine of shunning the ABC follows is actually much more common than we realize, and is an ungodly practice. If we use the Bible as reference point there is really no sound justification for this doctrine. And, in fact, those in leadership are admonished they must not lord it over the flock, the opposite of shunning and bullying.<br /></span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Psychology Today describes shunning as, “an act of control and aggression, with powerful consequences”<span>(1)</span>. Shunning is really nothing less than formalized bullying.</span></span></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">______________________ <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: black;">
</span> </span><p></p><p></p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><i><br /><span style="color: #38761d;">"When Julie Ann Smith of Beaverton, Oregon, walked away from her church, she was unprepared for what would follow. Suddenly on the outer, she found herself and her family being inexplicably shunned by church members who were told by church leaders not to associate with her or her family anymore. <br /><br />“If I went to Costco or any place in town, if I ran into somebody, they would turn their heads and walk the other way,” said Smith. <br /><br />And while Julia Ann Smith was shocked at receiving the cold shoulder, this kind of story is an all-too-familiar tale from people who have walked away from churches. Suddenly, those who thought were your closest friends — your spiritual family, even — treat you as if you are a leper. <br /><br />The Church in Smith’s case was the ironically named “Beaverton Grace Bible Church,” although, according to Smith, the “grace” was non-existent. In fact, Beaverton Grace Bible Church was famous for shunning former members/attendees or anyone who dared question the authority of the church leaders. Of all the things a church could be famous for…"</span></i></span><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="6318">___________________________________________<br /></p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">This is "spiritual abuse". On this woman's website can be found one of the best definitions I have seen for the term "spiritual abuse". It is reprinted below. </span><p></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="6318"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
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</p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://spiritualsoundingboard.com/spiritual-abuse-helps/definitions-related-to-spiritual-abuse/" target="_blank"><b>Spiritual Abuse</b>: Spiritual abuse is a spiritual role-reversal
where a shepherd, instead of clinging to and emulating the Great Shepherd by
shepherding God’s people (Acts 20; 1 Peter 5; 1 Timothy 3; Ephesians 4), subtly
demands that members exist to meet the shepherd’s needs (James 4:1-4). Rather
than relating as a servant leader, the pastor “pulls rank” and “lords it over
others” (Matthew 20:20-28; 1 Peter 5:1-6), not for the benefit of the flock,
but for the benefit of the pastor. Rather than speaking the truth in love and
rather than ministering grace and truth (Ephesians 4:11-16, 29; Colossians
4:3-6; Titus 2:10-12), the spiritually abusive pastor intimidates, judges,
condemns, shames, and blames the sheep without regard for the spiritual
wellbeing of the sheep (Jeremiah 23:1-4; Matthew 23:1-39).
</a><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://spiritualsoundingboard.com/spiritual-abuse-helps/definitions-related-to-spiritual-abuse/" target="_blank">Definition from Bob Kellemen, Executive Director of the </a><a href="http://biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/" target="_blank">Biblical Counseling
Coalition</a></span></span></i></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The only thing I might add to Dan Foster's article is those who have been "pushed or driven out" as well, not just those who have "walked away". If one were finding peace and safety where they fellowshipped, they would likely not be "walking away" from it looking for a pasture that actually had green grass and safety. <span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span>I find the treatment she received mirrors closely the behaviors of the ABC toward those it finds "unacceptable" or of the "unapproved". As I have mentioned previously, the things I write on this site relate mostly to the ABC, because that is my direct experience, but this is an issue among many aberrant churches lost in a sense of self-righteousness. These churches encourage submission to the doctrines of a man, instead of to God, which leads to these false doctrines being implemented. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/defendthesheep" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="195" data-original-width="839" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WcVJEHM5umXTbYuljciaiNPfUPKRC2ESca3Ku2GZPks1SdoBkGFl8O9KYSuY6CHtxPoRAPuXCDPqTd51wkLu8OlF_4vXhI_2-U0wvX0G2wk31RG2kL5ukOMytG8_jIcNQuJ9BoF97YPXx_VrN1W3iXOe5UHVWq4KxiGluS5LqOhctZvPNber__Bh/w400-h94/Screenshot%202022-07-15%20172830.png" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"> TO MAIN SITE</a><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><i><br /></i></span></span></span></p>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></span><p></p><p></p><p class="pw-post-body-paragraph" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="6318"><span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;"> (1)<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-bullying/201309/the-silence-shunning-conversation-kipling-william">https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-bullying/201309/the-silence-shunning-conversation-kipling-william</a></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-39711280573442738532022-06-30T10:14:00.037-07:002023-12-26T22:17:41.651-08:00Response to Anonymous 6/29/22 comment on Ch Ch Ch Changes post<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94ivtiMf7agg2XUOiZE_sFM653vZLgRcmvmGTughuOXU5kOC4uuoKdpxye7Xyo83Wbc6ZElx7bCJjJccFmmc0NVfKxEyiog-tAbqpOi6u-kPvKd-MSqIcqy2AHXZRcWQdTZH82Cni5NEmV9tSV2h7q6YxjFWtxdkYWVTNIBaRCGqoC58d6Zfj60j7/s1568/dream_TradingCard(35).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94ivtiMf7agg2XUOiZE_sFM653vZLgRcmvmGTughuOXU5kOC4uuoKdpxye7Xyo83Wbc6ZElx7bCJjJccFmmc0NVfKxEyiog-tAbqpOi6u-kPvKd-MSqIcqy2AHXZRcWQdTZH82Cni5NEmV9tSV2h7q6YxjFWtxdkYWVTNIBaRCGqoC58d6Zfj60j7/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(35).jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />In response to the question </span><i><span style="font-size: large;">"- you stated that the ABC "denies Christ came in the flesh". Is this true?"</span></i><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The ABC has three basic doctrines: the Foundations from Hebrews 6, the Creation teaching and the Revelation teaching. Beyond that, they are mostly stagnant with an undue focus on placing burdens on people, rather than setting them free. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />To answer your question directly; is there a specific teaching in the ABC that states Christ did not come in the flesh? No. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">However, the matter for which I was “eternally judged”, and told I could not speak a word in my own defense was <a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/2-my-crime.html" target="_blank">this</a>. In answer to a question about whether Jesus sinned when he stayed behind in Jerusalem to teach in the temple at age twelve, I stated Jesus did not sin against God, but may have trespassed against his parents by making them go out of their way to fetch him. His parents had traveled a full day into the desert before discovering Jesus was not with them. This caused them to leave the caravan, then travel back through the desert all alone for another full day to go find him. People traveled in caravans because there were thieves, robbers, and other perils. There was safety in numbers so they traveled in groups. Traveling back through the desert alone would have been very risky. Once back in town they frantically searched for three more days before finally finding Jesus at the temple teaching. This was a noble endeavor on Jesus’ part, but it also caused his parents much worry and grief. These were Mary’s scolding words to Jesus when she finally found him “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” So, five full days passed, causing his parents great anxiety and the loss of their caravan. This was undoubtedly not a small expense. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Under the old law there were two types of sacrifice. One for a sin and one for a trespass. The first a bull, the second a goat. A dove if one was poor. Sin and trespass are not equivalent. Sin is against God; trespass is against another person. Did Jesus sin against God? No. Did he inconvenience his parents, put them at some peril, and undoubtedly cost them some money to acquire another caravan? Looks that way. A trespass against another person is not any more a sin against God than if I accidentally stepped on a person’s toes. Jesus wasn’t belligerent in his actions, in his youthful mind it seemed the right thing to do. It wasn’t. Being on the caravan was the right thing to do and his trespass was accidental as he was not born with an adult mind. To a twelve year old this likely seemed the rational course, but he was still reliant on parents for guidance.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Jesus set aside the Godhead and became flesh, like any other infant or boy. Jesus was born to Mary in the flesh, and lived among us in the flesh. He became subject to everything we suffer, yet without sin against God. There is an entire book written about Jesus as a boy doing things such as accidentally using his “power” to kill a playmate. It’s a ridiculous book and carries the "Jesus as God on earth" concept to the absolute extreme. Jesus came to earth with a mind and body appropriate to his age. He was not born with adult thinking. He was not born talking and teaching before learning to read, write and all those other things his siblings learned along with him. He became the "Son of God" at his death and resurrection, not at his earthly birth.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When Jesus was on earth, he set aside being God until after his resurrection. I have no doubt he behaved in much the same manner as any other boy his age and needed to be taught how to behave properly. We know this is true because it is written in the gospel of John </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>"<a data-content="<div class="resourcetext"><span class="lang-en"><a data-reference="Mt13.57" data-datatype="bible+esv" href="/reference/Mt13.57?resourceName=esv" class="bibleref"><span style="vertical-align:normal">Mt 13:57 </span></a><a data-reference="Mk3.21" data-datatype="bible+esv" href="/reference/Mk3.21?resourceName=esv" class="bibleref"><span style="vertical-align:normal">Mk 3:21 </span></a><br /></span> </div>" data-resourcename="esv" href="https://biblia.com/books/esv/Jn7.5#" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 66%; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>For not even <a data-content="<div class="resourcetext"><span class="lang-en"><a data-reference="Jn7.3" data-datatype="bible+esv" href="/reference/Jn7.3?resourceName=esv" class="bibleref"><span style="vertical-align:normal">Jn 7:3 </span></a><a data-reference="Jn7.10" data-datatype="bible+esv" href="/reference/Jn7.10?resourceName=esv" class="bibleref"><span style="vertical-align:normal">Jn 7:10 </span></a><br /></span> </div>" data-resourcename="esv" href="https://biblia.com/books/esv/Jn7.5#" rel="popup"><span style="font-size: 66%; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"></span></a>his brothers believed in him."</i> His siblings saw him only as their sibling as he was growing up, not as a different creature with savant characteristics. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Was Jesus staying behind at the temple a sin against God? No. Did he inconvenience his parents? Of course, he did. It took them five days to find him, put them in peril, and likely cost them money. While his cause was noble to “be about his father’s business”, he was not where he was supposed to be at age twelve. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />When they found him, He said to them, “<i>Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” </i> Their response was not to say, “oh, sorry, yes, we understand now. You are God on earth so, please pardon our interruption. Please continue with your father’s business while we get out of your way” Instead,…"<i>they did not understand the statement which He had made to them.</i>” Jesus then had a change of mindset “…<i>and He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them…</i>;” Like any other boy realizing they have accidentally hurt their parents he subjected himself to their parentage and delayed going about “his father’s business” until he was an adult. So, was Jesus unlike a normal child that needed to learn obedience? Not according to scripture. Jesus had to learn obedience. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />I was not allowed to speak at the ambush, but I spoke up briefly for a moment to state my father, the one who started the ABC, would have agreed with me, and had stated this same fact to me many times. I was immediately shouted down by Bruce Leonard who stated my father would never say such a thing, as though he were somehow privy to every conversation my father and I had in the nearly eighteen years we lived in the same household. My father and I had many conversations about whether Jesus was like a normal boy when he was young, or if he was different. His conclusion was that his family did not see him as any different until much later in life, so he was likely just like any other boy growing up. This thought, Gilbert Larson, Bruce Leonard, and others felt was my “blasphemy” when I referenced it in my answer. I was enticed to the ambush by a lie spoken to me at IHOP by Andy Atwell and a man named Mark. I was then judged for all of eternity to be a blasphemer. I lost every “friend” I had in one day simply because I had stated Jesus behaved like any other boy in the flesh and did not behave like a “god” on earth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />So, while you likely would not hear any person directly teach that Jesus did not come in the flesh, this action of eternally condemning me forever for speaking this truth speaks for itself. The ABC does not acknowledge Jesus came in the flesh, dwelt among us, and was subjected to human frailties, yet without sin. Trespass and sin are not equivalent. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />There was another time I was declared to be a blasphemer that would show the ABC believes Jesus did not come in the flesh. I address this in my post <a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2022/06/haimatos-hidros-and-fox.html" target="_blank">“Haímatos (αἷμα / αἵματος ), hīdrṓs (ἱδρώς) and the Fox”</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />In this teaching I am considered to have “blasphemed” Christ when I related the story of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, when he knew he was soon to die. Luke described this moment as, <i>“And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />I mentioned in my teaching Jesus, at that moment, when he was in great agony, suffered a human medical condition called hematidrosis. This is a condition in which blood enters the sweat glands, causes them to rupture and swell and the sweat becomes enlarged and bloody. This condition is only brought about by a person in extreme anguish and is exactly, precisely, what is described in Luke’s account of Jesus in the garden. We must not forget; Luke was a physician and he spoke as one who was a physician. The backlash was immediate. It was declared to me, Jesus was God, was therefore perfect, and could not possibly have suffered such a human condition. My words then were considered blasphemy against Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />This further shows the ABC does not believe Jesus came in the flesh. My words regarding Jesus being in the flesh were no small issue to the “leaders” of the ABC. After I was ambushed and “eternally judged”, while not being allowed to defend myself in any way, everyone I knew was then commanded not to speak to me under the threat that if they did, they too would be “eternally judged” in the same manner. They were admonished that they needed to decide if they were “in the body” or “out of the body”. The body of Christ is not just a few hundred people affiliated with the ABC. It is universal and none of these men have the right to decide who’s in and who’s out. That is arrogance. <br />Some still showed up at my door, even very late at night. One person even showed up at ten PM, unannounced, to shout at me that I was now a “stain on the body” for my single sentence. Others would show up to plead with me to do what the leaders told me, even if it was wrong. Secret letters were sent to my wife telling her to leave me and come back to the ABC without me. Secret phone calls were made to her work to convince her I was a "blasphemer". There was much, much more harassment, all provoked by Bruce Leonard at the behest of Gilbert Larson. My only option was to sell my house, leave my career position and literally go into hiding to remove myself from the incessant harassment of these self-righteous persons.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />The ABC love bombs a person into membership. When you say, in reference to your ABC friend, “Although most of our conversations about the Lord end up at baptism”, this is because the ABC, a group of only a few hundred on this globe, believe the ABC baptism, by a member of the ABC, is the only valid baptism that exists. All other baptisms are “John’s Baptism” and are considered an invalid baptism, even if that person had proper faith toward God. These friendly encounters you speak about likely have only one goal. To entice you into joining the ABC. This is likely not about being a friend. It is “love bombing”. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br />In Revelation it speaks about an uncountable number of faithful and this is just the number that came directly out of the tribulation, not all those throughout all of history. How many is immeasurable? More than a few hundred? Juxtapose immeasurable with the few hundred persons of the ABC and do the math. Is it really possible the ABC has the exclusive franchise on truth and baptism? They do have a Greek Concordance that is difficult to use and causes spiritual myopia through an intense focus on words rather than truth. I speak as one who once suffered that same myopia, but I took off the polarized glasses obscuring my view. They will accuse me of “abandoning my foundation” but that is quite far from the truth. I just don’t keep laying it down over and over again, as they do. My view on the foundation has not changed one bit, but my focus has shifted to a focus on faith, the more important element in that list. It is a person’s faith toward God at baptism that saves them. Not the lineage of the baptizer, or the right words being incanted, or a witness assuring a nose tip might have not gone fully under which, if missed, supposedly invalidates the whole thing, per the ABC. All those rules were made up by Andy Atwell, but my father, the guy who started the ABC, did not ever meet these rules. They are a real stretch beyond putting faith in baptism, the faith being the thing that saves us. The physical baptizer is of no consequence. If that is a requirement, all in the ABC are lost because my dad was not baptized in the ABC way by this set of rules. All who followed after him are relying on his supposed ABC style baptism to assure a perfect spiritual lineage. That did not happen and I explain those details in several other posts. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Only the Lord knows those who are his. It’s not up to me. It's not up to them. When I do the math, it does not add up to the ABC having an exclusive franchise on truth and baptism. They speak of faith, but have little understanding of true faith <u>towards </u>God and not <u>towards</u> a baptizer. It is not their right or privilege to decide who is “in” and who is “out”. <a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2022/06/sheep-and-goats-and-seeds-and-weeds.html" target="_blank">That is up to the Chief Shepherd only.</a> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html">TO MAIN SITE</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-32140816877211260192022-06-17T22:16:00.040-07:002023-09-18T06:18:16.813-07:00Ch ch ch changes<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRlYIgEe3PS20J_a0izUH1HdyWSwBhBiTTTJ4nCGMFu9FyFyU6SmBRNSYvjLj2AaN2HvQGJLNp4V1XZvAPmMwbyB8KAMLWBQKBBst1rtE_OlZ3Td5Dl6i5ME1WAaPDNDX2SDCsDCJTQZh1Dr1BmybxbKpfvWEF85dY_FE53goqXmfjv_ag6IFuikh/s1568/dream_TradingCard(183).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRlYIgEe3PS20J_a0izUH1HdyWSwBhBiTTTJ4nCGMFu9FyFyU6SmBRNSYvjLj2AaN2HvQGJLNp4V1XZvAPmMwbyB8KAMLWBQKBBst1rtE_OlZ3Td5Dl6i5ME1WAaPDNDX2SDCsDCJTQZh1Dr1BmybxbKpfvWEF85dY_FE53goqXmfjv_ag6IFuikh/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(183).jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">It would appear control of the ABC has passed into the hands of these four men. </span><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">Kenton Miller</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Mark Davison</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Daniel Robertson</span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;">Richard Oslund </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: large;">Kenton Miller and Richard Oslund previously played a legal role in the church, but Mark Davison and Daniel Robertson are now new to that list. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">There is no longer any reference to Gilbert Larson, the "apostle", </span><span style="font-size: large;">in the legal record of the ABC and the previous treasurer, James Shierman, passed away last September. It can be assumed this likely prompted these changes.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Mark Davison, in Vancouver Washington, has now taken control of the treasury and one hopes this change will bring about an era of greater protection, and transparency, for all members of the ABC.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoMOIL_7lcPkBtajyuRBgMOf3xU6r4oKA7wANA0MTHRxUKPT9JsqLesk6VZ_UCuO5MZbmsIcpNXW7EsKCwrdd6FD8A_kEe0LCOeqtyCyd_D4h6dwD9H1mlFYOZwjsHgZkyKntIt_bCu0-RW9zFwGISd_9q83RX6UOW8bbNKY8dsmSJ3yWYmoEr48d/s800/Up%20Close.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="CLICK TO ENLARGE" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoMOIL_7lcPkBtajyuRBgMOf3xU6r4oKA7wANA0MTHRxUKPT9JsqLesk6VZ_UCuO5MZbmsIcpNXW7EsKCwrdd6FD8A_kEe0LCOeqtyCyd_D4h6dwD9H1mlFYOZwjsHgZkyKntIt_bCu0-RW9zFwGISd_9q83RX6UOW8bbNKY8dsmSJ3yWYmoEr48d/w400-h300/Up%20Close.png" title="CLICK TO ENLARGE" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CLICK TO ENLARGE<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">Someone asked me, not long ago, how much income the ABC receives in tithe each year. I was aware, at one point, the income exceeded one million dollars per year. When I was "eternally judged" to be a "blasphemer", and phone calls were made to everyone I knew to tell them I was "evil", and they should not speak to me unless someone "trusted" was present, that ended most of my direct contact with persons in the ABC. I have no direct reference to an exact answer to that question of church income. Many more have left the ABC, or passed away, and this has likely reduced that income level. I could only make a wild supposition. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This new document on file with the State of Washington indicates, by the highlighted <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">"no" statement, the income is still currently <u>in excess</u> of at least one-half million dollars per year and it may, in fact, still exceed that one-million dollar mark but I have no direct evidence of that. <i>(Note: the most recent corporate "Annual Report", acknowledged by the State of Washington on 2/6/23, shows the income level has now declined below the $500,000 mark.)</i> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">I understand, from what I have been told, there is a significant investment portfolio that generates additional income on top of what is received in tithe and offering but of this I have no proof since management of the tithe has always been held secret. <br /></span></span></span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">Most non-profits must give an accounting of their monies to anyone who requests it. There are state and federal loopholes which allow religious non-profits to hide their accounting, and maintain zero transparency. This may be correct legally, but morally and ethically, I am not so sure. It opens up the potential for abuses without any chance for audit.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">I requested a transparent accounting of the monies several times before I was "eternally judged for all of eternity". The only response I ever received back to my requests is I must trust God it is used correctly. This, in effect, keeps the money a mystery. Hidden. <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">After I was ambushed I sent a certified letter to the ABC requesting this information again. This letter was ignored, as expected. The ABC pays a salary to certain select men and makes a payment of sorts to Yvonne, my father's second widow, who previously attempted, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">unsuccessfully, </span></span></span>to take control of the church. As a concession, the church agreed to pay her a monthly "retirement", but the specific information is not disclosed. This secrecy indicates to me there is something to hide. I know, from past experience, the tithe and offerings have, at times, been grossly mishandled so some transparency seems in order. <br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;">There is a word in Greek, </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;">kekaustēriasmenōn, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="greek2"><span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;">(κεκαυστηριασμενος), which means "to be burnt with a branding iron". This word is found in Paul's first letter to Timothy. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="greek2"><span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><i>Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of
devils; <span class="highlight">Speaking lies in hypocrisy; <u>having their conscience seared with a hot iron</u>...</span></i></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="greek2"><span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;">Recently there was a television program depicting life on a large cattle ranch in Montana. In this show, if one showed a special dedication to the ranch, that person could choose to be branded with a hot iron. Just like cattle. Once branded, this person was expected to remain loyal to the ranch for life. Even if that meant witnessing the death and destruction of others. In the show, as atrocities mounted, those branded were expected to "just go along", even if it could later subject them to legal peril. Those branded could never leave the ranch and those who did try were killed to prevent them from disclosing the atrocities they had witnessed. There are some parallels here.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="greek2"><span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;">These persons in the letter to Timothy, the Ephesians, had been "branded" in their conscience. These Ephesians, completely unaware of their own lies and hypocrisy, had begun to teach contradictory laws and created rules for men to follow that were out of step with truth. They had lost their first love and had, in their midst, false apostles who demanded their loyalty. The Ephesians had once again became enslaved to the law and welcomed these false apostles and prophets for a time. For this reason Paul requested Timothy to stay and try to correct things in Ephesus. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="greek2"><span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><span class="highlight">Whe</span><span class="highlight">n one is branded with a hot iron, the nerves become dead and the area becomes numb. In this writing, in Timothy, Paul refers to this branding being of their entire conscience. The effect was a numbing of their conscience to the point they no longer registered the atrocities being committed right before their eyes. They became willfully ignorant and blind to them and no longer cared about the trail of damaged souls left in their wake. They lost all ability to show empathy or care.There is a great deal of similarity between the ABC and Ephesus.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="greek2"><span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><span class="highlight">In Exodus 13:9, just before the escape from Egypt and slavery, it speaks about the law being imprinted, or "branded", on the hand or between the eyes (on the forehead) of those enslaved who were fleeing Egypt. This was to be a memorial to them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="greek2"><span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><span class="highlight">This was before the curse of the law of Moses was given. It was before even the ten commandments were known. The only law that existed at that time was an unwritten law passed down through the generations from Abraham's time. The Lord's law.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u><i><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="greek2"><span face=""Calibri", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><span class="highlight"></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></u></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And it shall be for a sign <a title="3027. yad (yawd) -- hand">unto
thee upon thine hand,</a> <a title="2146. zikrown (zik-rone') -- memorial, remembrance">and for a memorial</a>
<a title="5869. ayin (ah'-yin) -- an eye">between thine eyes,</a> <a title="3068. Yhovah (yeh-ho-vaw') -- the proper name of the God of Israel">that
the LORD'S</a> <a title="8451. towrah (to-raw') -- direction, instruction, law">law</a> <a title="6310. peh (peh) -- mouth">may
be in thy mouth:</a> <a title="2389. chazaq (khaw-zawk') -- strong, stout, mighty">for with a strong</a>
<a title="3027. yad (yawd) -- hand">hand</a> <a title="3068. Yhovah (yeh-ho-vaw') -- the proper name of the God of Israel">hath
the LORD</a> <a title="3318. yatsa' (yaw-tsaw') -- to go or come out">brought thee out</a> <a title="4714. Mitsrayim (mits-rah'-yim) -- a son of Ham, also his desc. and their country in N.W. Africa">of
Egypt.</a> <a title="8104. shamar (shaw-mar') -- to keep, watch, preserve">Thou shalt
therefore keep</a> <a title="2708. chuqqah (khook-kaw') -- something prescribed, an enactment, statute">this
ordinance</a> <a title="4150. mow'ed (mo-ade') -- appointed time, place, or meeting">in his
season</a> <a title="3117. yowm (yome) -- day">from year</a> <a title="3117. yowm (yome) -- day">to
year.</a></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Juxtapose this with a similar "brand", at the end of days, when men will once again become enslaved, just like the Israelites. The Israelites escaped this bondage in Egypt, became enslaved to the law then once again became enslaved, this time in Babylon, drawn in by its beauty. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Revelation speaks about the antichrist causing those who follow to have an imprint, a "brand", placed on their hand or on their forehead. This is a "brand" of enslavement to a "hidden Babylon" and is the polar opposite to the memorial "brand" of freedom which ended the captivity in Egypt. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>And
he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive<u>
a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:</u> And that no man
might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the
number of his name. Here
is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for
it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and
six.</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">While some will disagree, not all things written in Revelation are to be taken literal. The Israelite people did not receive a literal "brand" or tattoo on their hand and forehead, it was a figurative "brand" <i> as a memorial. </i>In Revelation, this too, is a figurative "brand" placed on the conscience, or soul, of an individual. It depicts an enslavement to "Hidden Babylon".</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Mankind has been watching and waiting for "the antichrist" to show for centuries but the spirit of the antichrist is already here. It has been for centuries. The common theme among most Christian sects is the antichrist will be a person in the flesh that will rise up to take over every government in the world, they will </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>then </span>control the entire globe through physical branding and a physical enslavement. Having worked in three levels of government, over a period of thirty years, I can tell you this; governments are not that efficient. Nations do not work together well when not allied during war. There are too many hurdles for this to happen in a literal sense</span><span style="font-size: large;">. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This scripture is a parable of sorts and the "mark" is a figurative mark, not a literal "branding" or mark. It is the "brand" given to those who have enslaved themselves to the spirit of the antichrist rather than having a memorial of becoming free "branded" on their hands and mind. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">When concepts are </span><span style="font-size: large;">spoken in parables there are words attached such as, "<i>If any man have an ear, let him hear." </i>These words are attached to this story of the "mark" in Revelation.<i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This mark in Revelation is just like the figurative mark given to the Israelite people when they fled bondage, but is instead a mark of entering bondage rather than a memorial to freedom. This mark, placed on the hand or the forehead, symbolizes dead works or false teaching and prophesy. This is the anti-mark to the memorial of freedom given to the Israelites. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">We are given a huge clue about the substance of this mark in the wording that directly follows. Not all are able to hear this and understand. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number <i>is</i> <u>Six hundred threescore <i>and</i> six.</u></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">There are two other places we find this exact same number. It is in the book of First Kings and Second Chronicles. Both of these places read nearly identical and both refer directly to the riches of Solomon that caused him to turn away from God, become an idolator and an oppressor of his own people. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>
</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span class="text">The weight of gold that came to Solomon
yearly was <u>six hundred and sixty-six</u> talents of gold...</span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span class="text"> </span></span></i><span><span class="text">It is not a coincidence the number of the "mark of the beast" correlates with the number associated with Solomon's wealth building when he, in a degraded and idol worshiping state, sought his own devices, rather than God's mercy and truth. This is the part we must hear and understand. It is a compact statement that must be extensively unpacked. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">Solomon became the builder of the temple when David failed the test and was rejected by God. After building the temple, Solomon gave himself privilege and status and took control of the treasury to enrich himself with money, wives, horses... Solomon then fell into a steep decline and, during this period of decline, began to tax the people he ruled in such a manner that his income would equate to exactly 666 talents of gold yearly. This is the number of mankind spoken about in Revelation. This numbering system of words was common in ancient languages. <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">In today's currency Solomon's income would be about one billion dollars per year. More than a person would ever need for personal sustenance. This was all about power and control. Ego. Enslavement. Solomon enslaved his own people to build the temple then used the temple for his own worldly gain. Solomon received money from outsiders, but this was not included in the sum of talents that equaled to six-hundred and sixty-six yearly. This number was deliberate and symbolic.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">Deuteronomy laid down some of the rules for a king. Solomon broke them all.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span class="text Deut-17-16" id="en-NIV-5381">"The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of <u>horses</u> for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> has told you, “You are not to go back that way again." </span><span class="text Deut-17-17" id="en-NIV-5382">He must not take many <u>wives,</u> or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and <u>gold</u>.</span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span class="text Deut-17-17" id="en-NIV-5382">Juxtapose this now with Revelation, which uses a great deal of figurative language regarding horses, the bride replaced by a harlot, and gold.</span><i><span class="text Deut-17-17" id="en-NIV-5382"> </span></i><span class="text Deut-17-17" id="en-NIV-5382">These were the root of Solomon's sins. Horses, wives and gold led him astray. That takes some deep analysis to understand, and most of the verbiage is figurative and not literal.</span> <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">Money is often associated with decline. Money is the root of all evil. Think of how Jesus whipped the money changers at the temple who were selling doves used as a sacrifice of forgiveness. A lamb was required as a sacrifice for sin but, if one were poor, a cheap dove could be sacrificed instead. These money changers, buying and selling sacrifices, were actually preying on the poor, denying them forgiveness without them first paying tribute. <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span class="text">...</span></span><span class="text John-2-15" id="en-NIV-26111">he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.</span> <span class="text John-2-16" id="en-NIV-26112"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>To those who sold doves he said, <span class="woj">“Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”</span></span> <span class="text John-2-17" id="en-NIV-26113">His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><sup>"</sup>and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.</i></span><span style="font-size: large;">"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If we are of God, we have a foundation which contains a seal; <i>"The Lord knows those who are his..."</i> It is a memorial just like the Israelite people received on their hand and forehead. If we are of the spirit of the antichrist, we are instead "branded" with the mark of a man. We are told we must rely on an outside money changer to worship God properly or find forgiveness. We are taken captive then led to believe, just like Solomon, we have special privilege. That didn't work for the Jews that sought out John the Baptist, feeling their association with the lineage of Abraham gave them special privilege. It didn't.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The physical Babylon seemed a beautiful place to the Israelites, but it was really a place of bondage, enslavement. So, too, is Hidden Babylon. It appears attractive, feels right, but it is a trap that enslaves.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">God is not a brand. God set the Israelites free and set a memorial of that freedom. He set us free but man often seeks out bondage again, once freed. The Israelites ended up enslaved again in a visible Babylon. We, too can become enslaved again by a Mystery, or a Hidden Babylon. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The buying and selling referred to in Revelation is not the purchase of lettuce and toilet paper for our homes. It is the erecting of a false external temple, real or virtual. It is the belief we must worship at a certain place and time and must find our forgiveness there. It is the establishing of false prophets and apostles to rule over our false temple, real or virtual. It is allowing these false apostles to seek earthly gain from a tax on the people.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It is this "branding" that leads us down a destructive path and enslaves us to an entity, rather than to righteousness and to God. It is this "brand" that stipulates where we must worship God. There is nowhere in this universe where God isn't. We can worship God from the deepest hell, although I don't recommend it.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The kingdom of God is within us. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We are created in God's image. If someone says, go here, go there, don't believe it. Walk the other way since they speak by the spirit of the antichrist. The number 666 in Revelation is a clue for us to look back at Solomon's degraded state, his abuses of power, his taking of wealth from the people, his enslavement of people to build the temple of God then using it to enrich himself. It is a warning not to follow in the same path. Juxtapose that to the memorial of freedom given to God's people when God freed them from Egypt. He gave them just ten commandments but they demanded to be enslaved under a law because ten was just too nebulous. This mark of six-hundred and sixty-six spoken about in Revelation is upon our soul, upon our conscience and not upon our flesh. The Ephesians failed this test miserably, so has the ABC. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The ABC regards itself as being "outside of Mystery Babylon", denies Christ came in the flesh and condemns as a blasphemer those who speak such things. These are the marks of the spirit of the antichrist working in their midst.This is evidence they are deceivers with mysteries and things hidden.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text 2John-1-8" id="en-KJV-30654">And
this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the
commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk
in it.<sup class="versenum"> </sup><u>For
many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.<sup class="versenum"> </sup></u>Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text 2John-1-8" id="en-KJV-30654"><span class="text 1John-2-18" id="en-KJV-30569">Little
children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist
shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it
is the last time.</span> <br /></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Mystery Babylon is alleged to be the Catholic Church which sits on seven hills in Rome, her daughters being the mainstream denominational churches born from her. This is convenient, but not necessarily true. It doesn't account for the many non-Christian religions not born from the Catholic church. It is a ruse intended to avoid the truth that the avoidance of Mystery Babylon is pointed directly at us as individuals, not at "them somewhere out there". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If this concept were true, the ABC is a daughter of Mystery Babylon as the lineage can be directly traced back to Broadway Tabernacle in Seattle, an Assembly of God affiliate. Nearly all of the study materials used in the ABC were developed by James A Watt, pastor of Broadway Tabernacle in Seattle. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The ABC is an incorporated denomination just like all other denominations. This is an unavoidable fact. If this Mystery Babylon teaching is then correct, as taught, the ABC is just as much a daughter of Babylon as all the rest of those denominations they look down on and declare to be evil. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">When Paul wrote to the Corinthians; "<span class="text 2Cor-6-16" id="en-KJV-28915"><i>And
what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple
of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.</i></span><i><span class="text 2Cor-6-18" id="en-KJV-28917"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><u>Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate</u>, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.<sup class="versenum"> </sup>And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." </span></i><span class="text 2Cor-6-18" id="en-KJV-28917">that's exactly what he meant. </span>Come out. Be separate. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">We are all <u>individually</u> a temple of the Holy Spirit and our very life is a worship of God. We can fellowship where we will but should not enslave ourselves again to false temples, apostles or prophets.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The ABC seeks to build large phylacteries of Greek knowledge, institute rules that are burdensome, reverts to old laws that were done away with at Jesus death, builds wealth through a tax, passes eternal judgments without looking in the mirror first, and some even try to stand in place of the Chief Shepherd and rob, maim and kill parts of the flock. These false shepherds enslave sheep with the intent to "brand" with a hidden "brand" that demands absolute loyalty to them rather than to God. We belong to God. They require their followers to look the other way when atrocities are committed and to stay silent under threat of similar treatment. Those who choose to leave the ABC are considered as dead and no longer worth their time. Unless it is to try to woo the person back in. If you are not within the walls of the ABC, it is assumed you are no longer seen by God as righteous. Those who speak of these abuses are defamed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This does not hold up in the light of the fact there is a number that cannot be counted before the throne at the end of time. Compare that with the few hundred of the ABC. Their numbers are not even close to innumerable.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I hope with these recent changes perhaps the culture of the ABC will change. But it has been more than fifty years of a few ingrained false abusive doctrines so it is not likely. Time will tell.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank">TO MAIN SITE</a></span><br /></p><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-78572268213294144542022-06-13T12:58:00.018-07:002023-06-13T05:57:19.675-07:00Sheep and Goats and Seeds and Weeds<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="text"><i></i></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="text"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklMn_aqRUfBDREQCd03oMA4cOWppRo0ExD4W6ZAqv3QdOJ9W2GBIzuJGfYHCl4SE_XljvaFBMkyTof_9DZb3QC3oS23tabrwHXleEqCNcX_NW5IFrJGyjXND1RFGQO8KIvj3TvVwjDvZeHVLgOtSAHFLmKtuHNsdnmeFOtUQlde8fpxdDCZIfxNV-/s1568/dream_TradingCard(217).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklMn_aqRUfBDREQCd03oMA4cOWppRo0ExD4W6ZAqv3QdOJ9W2GBIzuJGfYHCl4SE_XljvaFBMkyTof_9DZb3QC3oS23tabrwHXleEqCNcX_NW5IFrJGyjXND1RFGQO8KIvj3TvVwjDvZeHVLgOtSAHFLmKtuHNsdnmeFOtUQlde8fpxdDCZIfxNV-/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(217).jpg" width="392" /></a></i></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="text"><i>That same day Jesus went out of the
house and sat by the lake.</i></span><i> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>Such
large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while
all the people stood on the shore.</span> <span class="text"><sup> </sup>Then
he told them many things in parables, saying: </span><span class="woj"> </span></i></span></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i><span class="woj">“A farmer
went out to sow his seed.</span> <span class="woj"><sup> </sup>As he was
scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it
up.</span> <span class="woj">Some fell on rocky places, where it
did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow.</span>
<span class="woj"><sup> </sup>But when the sun came up, the plants were
scorched, and they withered because they had no root.</span> <span class="woj">Other
seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.</span> <span class="woj">Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a
hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.</span> <span class="woj">Whoever
has ears, let them hear.”</span></i></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="woj">The premise is simple. All of the
seed was good, some of the ground was not. The rest of the story is about crop yield. In the days before supermarkets, with their ability to import fresh food from around the world, local yield was a very big deal. If crops did not properly yield locally, people could starve and potentially die. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="woj">There is more to this story however. The sower parable was just the introduction and must be read along with the following parable to be fully understood. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="woj">In the sower parable Jesus focused on the entire world as one huge field in which seed has been scattered. In the next parable, often called “the
parable of the weeds”, Jesus now speaks only about the "kingdom of heaven (or God) or "the good ground". This is the ground that will actually produce an increase or crop yield. On the rest of the ground that was not "good", everything died or was eaten. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="woj">In the first parable Jesus speaks of a physical territory, the world, but in the second he speaks of an invisible kingdom without natural walls or borders.<br /></span></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="text"><sup> </sup><i>Jesus told them another parable: </i></span><span class="woj"><i>“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his
field.</i></span><i> <span class="woj"><sup> </sup>But while everyone was
sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.</span>
<span class="woj">When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also
appeared.<sup> </sup>“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir,
didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’</span></i></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="woj"><i>“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.</i></span></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="woj"><i>“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull
them up?’</i></span></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="woj"><i><span> </span>“‘No,’ he
answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, <u>you may uproot the wheat
with them</u>.</i></span><i> <span class="woj"><sup> </sup>Let both grow
together until the harvest. At that time, <u>I will tell the harvesters</u>:
First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the
wheat and bring it into my barn.’”</span></i></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="woj">In the "parable of the weeds" all of the plants are growing in <u>good soil</u>. We know from the parable of the sower these plants are thriving to varying degrees, thirty, sixty or a hundredfold, yet, in the kingdom of God or heaven, an enemy has crept in unawares and cast weed seed into this field of <u>good soil</u>. This is not the path, this not the rocky place and this not the place of thorns. This is not "out there somewhere". This is the <u>good ground,</u> inside the kingdom of God. Weeds are growing right next to the wheat, right up until the day of harvest. The ground is good, but not all of the crop has value. The disciples, in their fervor, wanted to go pull these weeds but Jesus told them, no, just let them all grow together on that same <u>good ground.</u> He cautioned if they tried to uproot them, they would, for certain, uproot good seed as well. <br /></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="woj">I divert now </span></span><span><span class="woj">away from this field to a pasture full of sheep and goats. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="woj">Matthew wrote:</span></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><i><span>When the Son of man shall come in
his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne
of his glory:<sup> </sup>And before him shall be gathered all nations: and
he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from
the goats:</span></i></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Here is a quick test. Below are
pictures of two animals. Which one is a sheep, and which one is a goat?<span> </span></span></span></span> <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nt5dY3M4APdfv17pxMozCl9cAwCO7P9J7lW7AReNoq07_q3qUMNRk5Xmjva0wds17ckqlUxHOTF4lFT6iiQ5Kh3L_xDfKjsa00b0PLKw4GelSAO89nT-zRtkw-60TUSvXzIf7EImcTTVVbmAC3xQhFpY7UBR3X-W5-2J-JF2R4yVago7_pF8a9rg/s1600/Sheep%20and%20Goats.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nt5dY3M4APdfv17pxMozCl9cAwCO7P9J7lW7AReNoq07_q3qUMNRk5Xmjva0wds17ckqlUxHOTF4lFT6iiQ5Kh3L_xDfKjsa00b0PLKw4GelSAO89nT-zRtkw-60TUSvXzIf7EImcTTVVbmAC3xQhFpY7UBR3X-W5-2J-JF2R4yVago7_pF8a9rg/w400-h225/Sheep%20and%20Goats.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span>The sheep we see roaming fields
today (below) have been hybridized and domesticated for maximum wool production and bear little resemblance to the sheep of Jesus day. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2pVGWqiciH4Ixb8P4pWKhprJIAXvd02EV-ogiQBSi8ebh2ph9EtHJfIpiD0ZhDsgqklyQHDvdZ95yAOMpsnpmZIu1kgfGXlvnk5ad_zpbPGqGJhNg-tZhtA9aO0CZA6inas9HflFh1w5cqqZAHpHNZEaJXHSjGirkQYuvsXqv8-s0m2ujN6JsThO/w400-h266/sheep-gf9135ccef_1920.jpg" width="400" /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">The sheep and goats of Jesus day, as shown in the A/B illustration above, looked remarkably similar. These similar looking animals would be placed together in the same pasture where the sheep would graze on the low grass and the goats would forage through the taller stuff. Combining sheep and goats in one field allowed all of the available food in a pasture to be picked clean. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;">Goats can be useful when pastured with sheep, but there are over one thousand breeds of sheep and goats and i</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>t can sometimes take an expert to determine whether an
animal is a sheep or a goat. Especially if the sheep has recently been shorn. Sometimes that determination can only be made by
smell. Goats have a definite smell, most have hair, rather than wool but, when passing large herds through a gate, identification must be made quickly and the goats must be diverted from the sheepfold on the spot. That takes a good eye, an expert and a specialist, a Chief Shepherd trained to know the difference. Hirelings were not trained to know the difference.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>When Matthew wrote this he was speaking to people who understood this fact, but this is lost to us in our modern supermarket world. Some confuse this statement to mean some
are meek, like sheep, and some are stubborn, like goats, but that is not the
point. The point of the statement was not even that sheep are good and goats are bad. Goats are just as useful as sheep. The statement is illustrating there is one who stands at the gate making the decision on who can enter as a sheep and that person is the Chief Shepherd. </span></span></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>We are, none of us, professionals, none of us Chief Shepherds. None of us "stand at the gate" to separate sheep and goats at the last day and we certainly don't have that job today. In fact, as I will show, there is one who stands guard at the gate, but not even this person is allowed to determine if an animal is a sheep or a goat. It is not our responsibility to separate sheep and goats, not now, not ever, because we too are just sheep...or perhaps a goat. A few may be present as hirelings, but there is only one true Chief Shepherd. All others portraying themselves as Chief Shepherds are fakes, thieves and robbers. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span class="words-of-christ">“Truly,
truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door
but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"> </span><span class="words-of-christ">But <u><b>he who enters by the door </b></u></span><u><b><span class="words-of-christ">is</span></b></u><span class="words-of-christ"><u><b> the shepherd of the sheep</b></u>.</span> <u><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"> </span><span class="words-of-christ">To <b>him</b> the gatekeeper opens.</span></u></span></i></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="words-of-christ">We often read these words in the gospel of John, as a "salvation" message. It is often stated Jesus is the narrow door to salvation we must enter and not try to enter by another way, but read it again carefully here. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span class="words-of-christ"><b><u>"</u></b><u>he who enters by the door</u><b><u> </u></b></span><b><u><span class="words-of-christ">is</span></u></b><span class="words-of-christ"><b><u> the shepherd of the sheep</u></b>.</span> <u><span style="font-weight: bold; line-height: 0; vertical-align: super;"> </span><span class="words-of-christ">To <b>him</b> the gatekeeper opens.</span></u></span></i></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="words-of-christ">The sheep are already in the sheepfold. It is the Chief Shepherd who stands at the door waiting for the gatekeeper to open. This is not about sheep waiting to get in. The sheep are already there, waiting for the true shepherd and the gatekeeper will only open the door to the <i>true shepherd</i>. Anyone else pretending to be a Chief Shepherd will be denied entrance and if they do choose to enter, they will need to find an illegitimate way in. Undoubtedly their motive is to steal, kill and maim. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="words-of-christ">Some think exceeding their authority is a way to protect the sheep and they are doing God service. The truth is they are actually thieves, robbers, and potentially even murderers. When the scriptures reference "false Christs" in the last days, it is speaking of these false shepherds, these inward ravening wolves who put on sheep's clothing to appear righteous, then enter the sheepfold by way of deceit and subterfuge to steal, maim and kill sheep. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>We are not to weed out that which we think is bad seed because we will destroy the good in the process. We are not harvesters and have no authority to bundle and burn what we think are weeds. We are not the Chief Shepherd with the authority to determine who is a sheep and who is a goat. At our very best, we can be a <span>hireling</span>, but a hireling merely stands watch over the sheep and waits for the return of the chief shepherd. The hireling may even run the other way, and abandon the sheep, should wolves appear. The hireling has no stake in the life of the sheep. When danger appears they may respect their own life over that of the sheep. A hireling is hired to assure the safety of the sheep. They will be held accountable for any loss. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="woj">Some leaders in the ABC, and similar churches, believe
they have the power to separate sheep and goats present day. They believe they have the power to remove weeds from the wheat before the harvest in the present day. They believe they have the power to pass "eternal judgments" on anyone they choose at any time. We have been warned against this. </span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><i>“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest:
for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou
that judgest doest the same things.” </i></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="woj">We are not to pass a judgment, and especially not an eternal judgement, on anyone. Peter wrote to those who were hirelings to tell them the best we can accomplish is to shepherd the sheep by example and never by lording over the sheep. One could add here, we should not be beating sheep with the rod or the staff. David got it right in the twenty-third Psalm. <i>"...thy rod and staff comfort me."</i> The rod and the staff are for comfort, not punishment. If we wish to be <i>fervent</i> in a belief, we should</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> have fervent charity...for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. </span></i><span>If we are going to <i>provoke</i> one another we should <i>provoke</i> one another to love and good works.<br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><span><span>In the universal sense, we are all simply nobodies. All of us. None is elevated above another. Salvation is without effort. If we seek a reward, that comes from our labors but, if we do not labor, salvation is assured but with no reward. More on that later.</span></span><br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And <u>when the Chief Shepherd appears</u>, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? <b class="highlight">I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.</b> So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but <u>God that giveth the increase</u>. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: <u>ye are God's husbandry</u>, <u>ye are God's building</u>.</span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">I have already written about "God's building" many times so I won't belabor that point here again</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span></i><span>except to say God's fields, God's sheep and God's building are all equivalents. Just different metaphors for the same idea.<br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><br /></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>According
to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I
have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every
man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every
man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire; and <u>the fire shall try every man's
work of what sort it is</u>.<u> If any man's <b>work abide</b> which he hath built thereupon, <b>he shall receive a reward</b></u>. <u>If any man's <b>work shall be burned</b>,<b> he shall suffer loss</b>: but <b>he himself shall be saved</b>; yet so as <b>by fire.</b></u></span></i></span></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>All</b></u> the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth. Miss that point and you miss it all. All those weeds the disciples wanted to pluck up and burn, who is to say they were not just a stalk of wheat producing at thirty-fold instead of one-hundred fold? It still has value and the loss is still great.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">We must never forget </span><span style="font-size: large;">the</span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span></i><span>f</span><span>oundation of God</span><i><span> </span></i><span>has this seal:</span><i><span> “The Lord knows those who are His...</span></i><span> We don't know who are his. Only the Lord knows who are his. If we decide, we may be wrong because we are not experts. <br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span class="text Heb-10-30" id="en-NKJV-30164" style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="oblique">If we take on the role of removing bad seed we run the risk of destroying wheat. For that, we will incur a debt to God, the landholder. The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. It does not belong to us. We are only residents for a time. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">If we attempt to enter the sheepfold, as a false shepherd, and cull or beat the sheep, we are thieves and robbers, potentially murderers. None of us has the authority to stand at the gate and decide who is a sheep and who is a goat. It is not our job now and it never will be since we are not qualified. If we take on this role, we are a false Christ, a false Chief Shepherd and we are working in the spirit of the antichrist. </span></span></span></span><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: red;"> <span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span><span><span>"B" is a Jacob sheep. An ancient breed.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span><span><span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span><span><span>"A" is a Cashmere Goat which has a wool coat,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span><span><span> rather than hair, but is still a goat. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span><span><span>Did you get it right? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;">When Jesus repeated this parable a second time, he now began to call <i>himself</i> "the door". </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="jesus" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><u>I am the door.</u> If anyone enters by me, he will be kept safe and will go in
and out and find pasture. </span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-18-10" id="en-KJ21-16890"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-18-10" id="en-KJ21-16890">The name of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe. Pr. 18<br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="text Prov-18-10" id="en-KJ21-16890"> </span> <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;">While they are not specifically mentioned here, Jesus is referring to the Scribes and the Pharisee, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"><span><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;">the religious leaders of his day,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> as the ones who are thieves and robbers. These are those who steal, kill and maim. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.</i> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;">A wolf in sheep's clothing, is not referring to a canine wolf that has somehow skinned a sheep and cloaked itself in the skin. Wolves in nature do not do this, ever. Jesus is referring to those who dressed themselves in the expensive finery of wool clothing then attempted to appear pious when really they were preying upon people's curiosities and fears. These were the religious leaders of Jesus day. These were the ones who through pride and ego, or by pursuit of sordid gain, enticed sheep away from the safety of the sheepfold then captured them in their own enclosure. Here the sheep are held captive, unable to leave and find green pasture. Unable to enjoy the freedom in Christ Jesus. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;">The freedom we have allows us to enter and exit the sheepfold and go out into green pastures. The sheepfold of the Pharisees is an enclosure with a locked door where sheep are held captive while heavy burdens are inflicted. The Pharisees had one standard for themselves and another standard for "the laity" they captured. One only need read all of Matthew 23 to get a good picture of who the Pharisees were. <br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923"><sup class="versenum"> "</sup><span class="woj">For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."</span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923"><span class="woj"> </span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923" style="font-size: large;"><span><i><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-23-13" id="en-NKJV-23932"><span class="woj">“But</span> <span class="woj">woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.</span></span> </span></i></span> </span></span></span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: #fcff01;"><span style="color: #d9d2e9;"><span style="color: black;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So Jesus again said to them, “Truly,
truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. <sup> </sup>All who came
before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. <sup>
</sup>I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and <u>will go in
and out and find pasture</u>. The thief comes only to steal and
kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am
the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who
is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf
coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters
them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the
sheep. <sup> </sup>I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know
me, <sup> </sup>just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I
lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this
fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will
be one flock, one shepherd. <sup> </sup>For this reason the Father loves
me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it
from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down,
and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my
Father.”</span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Persons acting like these Pharisees have ambushed members of the ABC for decades. I write these words here on my site today, but I am not saying anything different than I did nearly fifty years ago. I had many conversations with Ramon A Haas, the founder of the ABC, and my father, about this subject. When I was asked to the IHOP by the "evangelist" Andy Atwell under the premise they planned to "talk" to a man named Wayne and accuse him of "blasphemy", I made it clear then I had seen a lot of damage done to many people, over many decades, by these unjust judgments followed by disciplines based on the "shepherding movement" precedents and I would not support the discipline, I would only support the truth. I have had this conversation with numerous "leaders" in the ABC over many years. The "shepherding movement" has been proven false by many all across the globe. Yet this scenario will still play itself out in the ABC, and in many other religious organizations across the globe. It is wrong.<br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I was personally ambushed, by men acting like Pharisees, it was over one simple sentence in reply to a question. For this I was then burdened eternally with the label of "blasphemer" and everyone I knew in my life was told I was evil and to never speak to me again. There have been others before me that have been labeled in the same manner. As you will see, these men, having taken undue power and control, feel their enclosure is the kingdom of God. It is not. These men do not inflict themselves with this same burden, just like the Pharisees did not. </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The chief person at this ambush told me I</span><span style="color: black; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> had
"nearly blasphemed the Holy Spirit, thus, there was a justification for
passing an "eternal judgement" on my soul. It was "part of our
foundation", he stated, therefore every judgment he made was
"eternal". I assume this justification was based on this piece of
Hebrews, just after listing the foundation blocks. I can't account for this man's thinking other than to say it is falsehood.<br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For it is impossible for those who
were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become
partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the
powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to
repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him
to an open shame.</span></i></span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The person making this accusation
had previously given a teaching, not once, but many times, that God's forgiveness, the blood of Christ, was of no effect
unless a "brother" first acted as intermediary to pray and request God to give us forgiveness for a sin. This would be equivalent to shoving aside our mediator, Jesus, and would make his death and
resurrection of no value. In effect, this was a "trampling" of
the blood of Christ, a disavowing of the propitiation available to us by our
High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. It was an untruth that tore at the very heart of Jesus purpose on earth.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I went to this person privately, in
an attempt to show him the error of his words, but was angrily shut down. The
response I got back fell just short of being called a fool. I was told I could not
possibly know and understand so, I just let it go and waited. </span></span></span></p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Weeks later, this same person was confronted in a meeting by a number of people when trying to teach this same doctrine again. This time it was
more than one voice speaking and he was willing to repent of his wrong position. No one
ever once accused this man of blasphemy, or called him to an ambush to accuse. No one made phone calls to separate him from his friends. No one condemned his soul for all of eternity. Even though, in essence, this was a
"trampling" of the blood of Christ and was indeed "blasphemy" if one wants to attach a label to it. <br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After the ambush
I sent a letter to this person to remind him of the grace he had once been given when he had essentially nullified the propitiation of Christ with this piece of false doctrine.
(Part of my letter is shown below.) I felt it
my duty to remind him of how effective the grace of God can be since grace, meekness, mercy and truth had obviously escaped him. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 24pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jd2htxcpXL41Ik-tUjHXuvkhXG50PWGOnDxMdDccKzV19m90JtNnzy28mhBGEs3xoNGylr6tldKabr89faiF4IvpOrkiGZYxSibXjv5QTp-42qx92HLUqP27Tx7OziL5L2L5n6Yg3pRuw7X4ZjWBMVUZ45v2nwdoZkYc-A0dIMntD7MRO99YfM4_/s1228/Screenshot%202022-06-09%20151745.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="1228" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Jd2htxcpXL41Ik-tUjHXuvkhXG50PWGOnDxMdDccKzV19m90JtNnzy28mhBGEs3xoNGylr6tldKabr89faiF4IvpOrkiGZYxSibXjv5QTp-42qx92HLUqP27Tx7OziL5L2L5n6Yg3pRuw7X4ZjWBMVUZ45v2nwdoZkYc-A0dIMntD7MRO99YfM4_/w400-h121/Screenshot%202022-06-09%20151745.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to Enlarge<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 24pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 24pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">
</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We know, from later in the letter to the Hebrews,
this could be a serious offense.</span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law
dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. <b><sup> </sup>Of
how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has
trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which
he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?</b> For we
know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again,
“The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will judge His people.”</span></i></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It was stated at the ambush, I had, by one single
sentence, almost blasphemed the Holy Spirit. Even though, when truly evaluating my statement in context, it was fully true. It is those who deny Christ came in the flesh who are of the spirit of the antichrist, not those who state he needed to learn obedience as a child, just like any other child. </span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, if one were to get literal, and
very technical, this man's teaching could be considered to be a
trampling of the Son of God underfoot, counting the blood of the covenant to be
common and the propitiation and priesthood of Jesus to be of no effect. This entire teaching could have been considered blasphemy. But this man was not treated in the same manner as me because in the Pharisaical system his "ministry" exists in a double standard. This man had an elevated and favored position by the apostle, Gilbert Larson, so he was not ever challenged. The Corinthians found themselves in a similar state where they had become divided into the "approved" and the "disapproved". </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What happens to this man's soul is not my decision to make. I am not the one who judges this
man's soul for the eternal. I cannot bundle this person up as refuse then cast him into
the fire. I am not a Chief Shepherd that can decide if this man is a sheep or a
goat. I am a nobody and, in that, I find a great deal of peace.<i>“The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> will judge His people.” </i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I do however warn people to stay away from this, and any other, system that allows men such power and privilege that they can kill, maim, destroy and establish a double standard through abusive Pharisaical behavior. This double standard exists in many church organizations and movements throughout the world. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ABC has developed it's virtual sheepfold. They have no brick and mortar, but they demand membership inside their virtual walls. They stand along the way calling the unwary in, giving the sense salvation can only be found through them alone. Once captured they will then bind many burdens on that person and not allow those who have entered to leave and find green pastures. The writer of Acts spoke of this very thing. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Acts-20-25" id="en-NKJV-27652">“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. </span><span class="text Acts-20-26" id="en-NKJV-27653"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. </span><span class="text Acts-20-27" id="en-NKJV-27654"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. </span><span class="text Acts-20-28" id="en-NKJV-27655">Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. </span><b><span class="text Acts-20-29" id="en-NKJV-27656">For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. </span><span class="text Acts-20-30" id="en-NKJV-27657"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Also <u>from among yourselves</u> men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to <u>draw away the disciples after themselves</u>. </span></b><span class="text Acts-20-31" id="en-NKJV-27658"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.</span></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923"><span class="woj">____</span></span></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923"><sup class="versenum"> </sup></span></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923"><sup class="versenum">"</sup><span class="woj">For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."</span></span></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923"><span class="woj"> </span></span></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923"><span class="woj">____</span></span></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923"><span class="woj"> </span></span></i></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Luke-17-20">Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, <span class="woj">“The kingdom of God does not come with observation;</span> </span><span class="text Luke-17-21" id="en-NKJV-25673"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><span class="woj">nor will they say,</span> <span class="woj">‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed,</span> <span class="woj">the kingdom of God is</span> <span class="woj">within you.”</span></span></i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923"><span class="woj"> </span></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-23-4" id="en-NKJV-23923"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html">TO MAIN SITE</a></span> <br /></span></span></i></span></p></div><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-28873938414059197352022-06-01T15:15:00.045-07:002023-12-20T15:54:54.227-08:00Haímatos (αἷμα / αἵματος ), hīdrṓs (ἱδρώς) and the Fox<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span>In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote:</span></span><p></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>We have little direct knowledge of life in Ephesus but can
make some inference from reading in Revelation what things Ephesus had
against it. The greatest of these was that they had <span class="text">lost their first love. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span class="text">First love is the
love that looks to the heart of a person, rather than on the surface blemishes. The problem in Ephesus was not people that caused this failure
of first love, it was instead principles and powers that allowed for the
elevation of “false apostles” in their city. This created a doctrine of power that stole back their first love, and let it die. There is some indication the people of Ephesus began to see this issue, and were in the process of banishing these men calling themselves
"apostles". Paul was telling them, in his letter to the Ephesians, the
only defense they had going forward was the armor of God. He cautioned this war was not against any person directly, the war was instead against the
principalities that empowered these false apostles and allowed these persons to elevate themselves to a false position and strangle their first love. </span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span>The armor that protects our core, the foundation of our being, is
the Breastplate of Faith and Love. Righteousness. These two pieces are bound
together by hope which then protects the heart of a man. Hope also protects the mind. </span></span><i>But
let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and
love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.</i></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Throughout all of history individuals have been declared to be
“blasphemers”, or “rebellious”, then unjustly condemned simply because their words
ran headlong into the beliefs of those in power. We can infer
from those words in Revelation, Ephesus had an issue with false apostles who sowed discord among them and destroyed their first love. There is more that could be said on this subject but that’s for another
time.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The example I give on this site, of being accused
of blasphemy, then “eternally judged”, is not an anomaly globally. It has
happened many times in the ABC and it has happened many times to others around the globe. This is a principality we must protect ourselves from. This is a principality that gives mere men power over other people then strangles this first love to death.
I believe this is the state the church in Ephesus found themselves in and they needed to work to pull themselves out of it. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When one is allowed to instate themselves in a position of
power over other men’s souls, assume a title, then have control over others; as what seems to have happened at Ephesus with
these false apostles; and are then able to establish followers who will blindly follow,
without questioning, that person will, by the course of human nature, acquire an
inflated ego. This “leader” will feel they have the right to squash any
dissent, or variation of perspective other than their own. These types of scenarios
have played out throughout all of human history and will until time ends. This
is why the scriptures tell us we must guard ourselves against these principalities
that give power to these “leaders”, and cause them to be lifted up with
pride. In reality, our fight, our war, is not with any man (or woman) directly,
it is with the power structure behind these men (or women) that allow them free
license to maim and destroy. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the books my father had on his bookshelf, and read often,
was<span> called </span><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/foxs-book-of-martyrs/" target="_blank">“Fox’s Book of Martyrs</a>”. This book is a retelling of stories of those who had been
beaten, beheaded, and even burned alive because they made statements that ran counter
to the established religious views of the leaders of their day. My story would
not be found in that book, and I have not personally witnessed any beheading or
individuals burned alive by the ABC, or any other religious organization for
that matter, but what I have witnessed is people who have been spiritually,
and emotionally, battered with words of intimidation and false accusation. This
has always been initiated by men with inflated egos who were given their power
through this principality, or doctrine, of superiority. This is not in line with a
doctrine of first love. <span> </span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">What I have
learned is this sort of thing happens all across the globe when hate begins to replace first love. If it is not love, it is hate to a varying degree. These egos
strike at the hearts and minds of others. And, while people
did not lose years off their longevity like those beheaded or burned, this type of spiritual abuse has left a
great many scars on a great many people that will never completely heal. This
is the state of the ABC today, and it has been caused by the embracing of an erroneous
doctrine traceable back to a meeting my father attended when <a href="https://thearda.com/timeline/movements/movement_35.asp" target="_blank">Bob Mumford was introducing the doctrine of shepherding and discipleship</a> to Seattle. <i>(The Charismatic Movement, which predated the Shepherding Movement by about a decade, actually began in Seattle with a defrocked Episcopal priest named Dennis Bennett and Mumford was actually just adding another layer to this movement.)</i><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This has proven to be an erroneous, very harmful doctrine. All those involved in its birth have publicly stated it was a <a href="https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-24-ca-667-story.html" target="_blank">false doctrine that destroys lives, steals love.</a> This doctrine is still
embraced by the ABC and by many other denominations.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><i>"...Mumford decided that he needed to publicly ‘repent’ of his responsibility in setting up a system where so many people were hurt by misuses of authority. “Some families were split up and lives turned upside down,” says Mumford. “Some of these families are still not back together.” Bob Mumford at the Christian Believers United Meeting, as reported in Charisma & Christian Life, February 1990 edition.</i></span><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Years ago, I heard the ABC, the church my father started in our
living room in the 1960's, had started a radio program called “Come Let Us Reason
Together with Gilbert and Friends”, hosted by Gilbert Larson, from Gilbert
Arizona then, Red Bluff California now. The title is in total opposition to the reality of the
ABC. My final encounter with the “leaders” of the ABC, was when they, following
the absolute guidance of Gilbert Larson, the named “apostle”
of the ABC, enticed me to an ambush through lies and deceit. At
this ambush I was declared to be a “blasphemer” forever and ever, for all
of eternity, and the demeanor of all present was hostility without examination. All in the room were acting blindly and following the orders of "the apostle". I was told, at this
ambush, per “apostle” Gilbert Larson’s instructions, I would not be allowed to
speak or defend my alleged “blasphemous words”. I was told I had already
been “eternally judged”, before I ever arrived at the ambush, so there was no reason
for me to speak in my own defense or offer any clarification of my words. In
essence, my hands were tied, my mouth was gagged, and the intent was to then beat and
flog me with words of accusation for an hour or three. This is not love, this
is hate. Hate is a work of the flesh. <span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I refer to a few words from the Proverbs,</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>He who answers a matter before he hears it, <span class="text">it is folly and shame to him. Proverbs 18:13</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This sort of hostile technique, which I witnessed, as well
as experienced, many times over many decades in the ABC is plainly wrong. It is a doctrine
of demons as Satan is the accuser, not God. If one takes it on themselves to accuse and condemn
a man for all of eternity, without investigation, it is they who are flinging the fiery darts that
destroy, just as was written to the Ephesians. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">And the great dragon was cast out,
that old serpent, called <u>the Devil, and Satan,</u> which deceiveth the whole
world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.<sup> </sup>And
I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and
the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">: for<i><u> the accuser of our brethren </u>is cast down,
which accused them before our God Day and night.</i></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was the first time I had seen this “discipline” being
taken to the level of “eternal” and this is quite far from “Come Let Us
Reason Together”. The ABC purports to be open to reasoning, but this is a lie
and a ruse to draw in the unwary. The ABC is not about “reasoning together”. It has not been about "reasoning together" since very early on. All the way back to just beyond those Wilcrest Apartment days in the early seventies. This is when the ambushes began. This is when others had begun to be attacked in the same manner, just not into the eternal. Eternal is a long time. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ABC is about being given specific instructions, and being
expected to follow those instructions without deviating. It is about saying
nothing if those instructions seem cruel and wrong, out of fear that same wrath may
fall back on you. That is domination and control, and this is what the ABC is truly
about. Domination and control of men’s souls, not freedom. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do
not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. </i> <br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had been warned, by a reputable source, Gilbert Larson’s
(the “apostle’s”) goal was to sideline me in some way since he felt I “knew too
much about the history of the church” and “might begin to talk to the new
babes”. I am quoting the words as they were directly spoken to me. I actually
had no intent to speak about those past things and, while this site may not seem
it, there is actually very much more that will remain untold. This person
also told me Bruce Leonard, who called himself the “ruling elder”, had a big
target on my back, and I needed to bow to his authority and follow his
instructions, or I would eventually pay a heavy price. This is not “reasoning together”. This is not righteousness (faith, love) peace or joy, and it is not Godly. <span> </span>It is submission and bondage and those are not
found in the Kingdom of God. I passed off these comments because I did not
truly understand how intense and brutal the ambush would be that would soon
follow. <span> </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not long before I was determined to have eternally “blasphemed”,
Gilbert Larson (the “apostle”) had come to Vancouver, set up a special meeting
at one of the grange halls, then informed us all who were teachers we were only
allowed to teach my dad’s teachings, <i>and nothing else</i>. Period. He had in hand a book of the “accepted teachings” of Ramon A Haas, the founder of the
ABC. If it wasn’t in this book, he stated, it could not be taught in the ABC. <span> </span>I was one of a small chorus
of voices that protested this rule set down by Gilbert, the “apostle”. I had no
intention of following that order and know for certain this put me high on his “bad
list”. I am sure this was one of the “demerits” that led to my eventually being
declared a “blasphemer <u>for all of eternity</u>”. <span> </span>Another reason being that I had notes in my
possession for the Creation teaching, which, according to Bruce Leonard, the “ruling
elder”, was off limits to anyone except the “apostle”. Never mind these
were notes I had personally prepared for my dad during those many hours of research at the
library when I was avoiding being locked in my room at home, for some unknown
“rebellion” on my part. The expectation was that I would hand over these notes so they
could be sent to “the apostle”. I refused to hand over the notes and was told by this “ruling elder” I
was being “rebellious”. These were my personal notes I had had since I was a teen, and this was total nonsense. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are to be led by the Spirit, not by Ramon A Haas, Gilbert
Larson, or any other man. If I teach, it is open to “reasoning together” in
peace and safety, not the expectation of a delayed hostility should we not see
eye to eye on a matter. Teaching is intended for building up, not tearing down. There is no
man who has it all “nailed down”. It's an unachievable goal. <span><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Prior to the ambush, I had already been labeled as a
“blasphemer” several times, yet I still got calls from the local “elders”
asking I teach at their house.<span> </span>In
hindsight I realize this was likely a way to lay a trap, so I could be taken by
my words. When I taught, there always seemed to be an excess of questions from
certain persons trying to determine if I had properly researched the Greek. One
person in particular was very contentious each time I taught at their house. That final night,
after which I am reported to have “blasphemed for all of eternity”, the questions
and contentions over Greek words had become so intense I could barely get out a
sentence or two before I found myself challenged and quizzed. I eventually stopped my teaching,
leaned forward, and stated we needed to admire the beauty of God instead of
contending over words so much. It is clear, in hindsight, there were persons who
had been instructed by Bruce Leonard, the “ruling elder” to keep a record of
what I taught, then report it back to him each time. I cannot prove this
definitively, but know it is likely true since, prior to the ambush, I had repeatedly
been “called on the carpet” by this man who had given himself the title of
“ruling elder”. I found myself often severely misquoted, with my words taken in
isolation, rather than put into context, and there was no “reasoning together”. As one example, I had given a teaching and used the verse Re, 12:12 which reads; </span><i><u><span style="font-size: large;">Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!</span></u><span style="font-size: large;"> <u>Woe to the
inhabitants of the earth and the sea!</u> For the devil has come down to
you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” </span></i><span style="font-size: large;">I made mention that beings in the heavens rejoiced, but the earth would see woe.</span><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: large;">This was then fed back to me later by the "ruling elder", who was not present for the teaching, that I had created a teaching on UFO's and "space aliens" and he wanted to know why. I had said nothing of the sort but, apparently, one person in the room took my one sentence to mean "space aliens". This same "ruling elder", just weeks later, gave a teaching and, in his teaching, referred to angels, seraphim, etc. No one blinked an eye or reported <i>this </i>man for speaking of "space aliens". This is not the ways of God, which are peaceable. <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">At the ambush, Bruce Leonard, the “ruling elder” and
friends, had a full notebook delineating the many accusations of the alleged
“blasphemies” I had committed. <span> </span>My
underlying message for years has always been this. There is a simplicity, not a
complexity, in Christ (2. Corinthians 11) and serving God and keeping his
commandments is the whole duty of man (Ec. 12:13). This never sat well with those who wanted to
bind others with burdens hard to bear. When I learned, at the ambush, I was to
be gagged, then condemned as a blasphemer for all of eternity, I stood, gave
all a genuine hug, but did not stay for the reading of the pages and pages and
pages of accusations against me. I have no idea what those remaining points
were and do not care. I will let Satan do this for them. This is not the mind of Christ, our
propitiation, and is likely the same devilish doctrine that destroyed the first
love of those in Ephesus. The existence of this doctrine can be proven by the
acceptance of most to simply no longer be a friend or even speak with me in peace,
because the “apostle” and the “ruling elder” had commanded it. Some even turned and ran when they saw me in a store. Is this love, or is it hate? “Reasoning
Together” or disobeying an order, no matter how cruel, are not tolerated in the ABC. If one
disagrees, or has a differing perspective, they can assume, at some future
point, they too will be treated very harshly, deceptively and be condemned for
all of eternity. I assure you; no one is spared this potential wrath.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the previous instances where I am said to have
blasphemed was at one of my Saturday teachings. This time I was alleged to have
blasphemed against Christ so, this time it wasn’t for all of eternity, just a short
raking over the coals. One must bear in mind the ABC goal is to “nail
everything down to its most precise exact definition in the Greek”. Going
counter to any accepted doctrine, by even the most minor variation, can bring
about swift, and sometimes brutal, reprimand. This was the case this time. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this teaching I am considered to have “blasphemed” Christ
when I related the story of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, when he knew he
was soon to die.<span> </span>Luke described this
moment as, “<span class="ch-ref"><i>And being in agony he prayed more earnestly;
and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”</i></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ch-ref">I mentioned in my teaching Jesus, at that
moment, when he was in great agony, suffered a human medical condition called h</span>ematidrosis.
This is a condition in which blood enters the sweat glands, causes them to
rupture and swell and the sweat becomes enlarged and bloody. This condition is <i><u>only</u></i>
brought about by a person in extreme anguish and is exactly, precisely, what is
described in Luke’s account of Jesus in the garden. We must not forget; Luke
was a physician and he spoke as one who was a physician. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The backlash was immediate. It was declared to me, Jesus was
God, was therefore perfect, and could not possibly have suffered such a human
condition. My words were considered blasphemy against Jesus. <span></span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is not reality. Luke states Jesus was in extreme <u>anguish</u>.
Anguish is <span class="dttext">extreme pain, distress, or anxiety</span> and is
exactly the condition that brings about <span class="ch-ref">h</span>ematidrosis.
He describes his sweat as falling as blood. To attach a label to exactly what
Luke (a physician!) described is not blasphemy. To quote from a medical
dictionary:</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>An <span class="hvr">extremely</span> <span class="hvr">rare</span>
<span class="hvr">condition</span> <span class="hvr">characterized</span> by <span class="hvr">the</span> <span class="hvr">sweating</span> of <span class="hvr">blood,</span>
<span class="hvr">which</span> is <span class="hvr">said</span> to <span class="hvr">occur</span>
<span class="hvr">when</span> a <span class="hvr">person</span> is <span class="hvr">facing</span>
<span class="hvr">death…</span> <span> </span>It <span class="hvr">has</span> <span class="hvr">been</span> <span class="hvr">seen</span> in
<span class="hvr">prisoners</span> <span class="hvr">before</span> <span class="hvr">execution…</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are many other examples of Jesus being in anguish or showing
human emotion. I sincerely doubt he was “Spock-like” and exhibited no emotion.
Emotion is not sin! We know Jesus had human emotions because even his own
family did not recognize he was different. He was emotional when he drove out
the moneychangers. Jesus is able to sympathize with our human condition in <u>ALL</u>
things because he suffered the human condition just like us. Jesus, per the
scripture, set aside the Godhead and became a man fully. Was he not then
capable of suffering this human condition?<span>
</span>Of course, he was. We know this is true because he is described as
having suffered this exact medical condition in Luke! To report, in a teaching,
exactly what was written in Luke and add a medical name to what is described,
is not “blasphemy. The term is from Ancient Greek, not Hellenist Greek;
haîma/haímatos (αἷμα / αἵματος ), meaning blood, and hīdrṓs (ἱδρώς ), meaning
sweat. Blood sweat. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was described to me, after I taught, that Jesus did not
actually shed sweat with blood. This was supposedly some sort of spiritual
condition instead that made him seem to shed blood, but he actually didn’t sweat
any blood as Luke had stated. It was stated to me Luke was just using this
statement to show Jesus was giving more power to his prayer, or something like
that. I really did not understand the explanation I was being given and it
seemed quite nonsensical. And not to hammer a point home but, those who deny
Jesus came in the flesh are deceivers and are of the spirit of the antichrist. <span> </span>2 John 7. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I speak personally here. I would not want the “Son of God”, who
suffered through our human condition, to be something more than human.
Otherwise, what’s the point? Would he not then be like all the other “gods”
that are elevated above the human condition and lack empathy or care? Think of
the Greek and Roman mythologies about the “gods” who sat in the heavens and
cast down lightning bolts, or entrapped men in terrors, without any empathy or
remorse. Is this really what we want of the true Son of God? <span> </span>Jesus was born less than the angels and angels
are less than mankind. He was rebirthed into being God again when he died and
was resurrected. But much of this is actually a mystery to us. Can we really
explain all this? Not really. All we can do is accept it for the limited
knowledge we have. Isn’t that faith? The substance of things not seen. There
was no reasoning together on this point that night and I was declared to have
blasphemed Jesus. I stand by my statements though and if that makes me a
rebel…so be it. Jesus was a bit of a rebel too. Or is it blasphemy to
acknowledge this as well? </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The condition I see in the ABC, and other aberrant churches
just like it, is many persons have become so “heavenly minded” they are no
longer any “earthly good”.<span> </span>They have leaders
among them who have become puffed up with ego and assume they have a better knowledge
than all others. These are leaders who think they alone guard secrets only they
can reveal. <span> </span>They then seek to destroy when
their egos are inflamed by small disagreements. The ABC is inhabited by people
who have shifted their focus from God to a man. This is evidenced by those who
wrote to tell me I should not speak against the “apostle”, Gilbert Larson, but then
excused this man who calls himself an “apostle” when he commanded lies and
deceits be used to entice me to an ambush. The goal of the ambush being to pass on me an
eternal judgement, forever and ever, while I was gagged and not allowed to speak.
Despite the glaring problems, this was considered to be a “godly act”
because it had been commanded by the “apostle”. <span> </span>Good for the goose, good for the gander? Guess
not.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I have said many times on this site, I focus on the ABC
because that is my life experience, but I am calling out all leaders who
perpetuate these doctrines. My true contention is with the principalities that
have empowered these persons to have undue power over others’ lives. <span> </span>This information I relate can translate to
numerous other church environments, not just the ABC. <span> </span>I know this as fact because I have conversed
with, and read the stories of, many others who have been subjected to similar
spiritual abuses at the hands of egotistical men who have assumed a false title for
themselves. There is no hierarchy in Christ Jesus, despite whatever earthly title
someone claims for themself. We must look to God, follow the Spirit, and not
trust in any man. Even if they falsely claim a title of apostle, prophet,
evangelist, ruling elder, etc. Many use these titles to destroy others. Ephesus
struggled with false apostles as well.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text John-15-14" id="en-KJV-26714"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>TO MAIN SITE </b></span></a></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-67405336949940978612022-05-27T15:45:00.005-07:002023-05-11T07:57:13.516-07:00Fear vs. Afraid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpnLLMUt71l71IDfzA8Idekgvq-ml3NVuXEcc-pu_4MW7-v_a460Yvvf5-c_Y78fGv1zdLqemuk6QadCgHJ2Esaic2yNBKtl1u_ZEwHyEnH4bJJAWFLbfxOu950Xhc4wWrb5cOI9dkV6hjdNx_VvpLCjX4OmH_y6RzvgcuESkwQMWhSZlX64KqQNo/s1568/dream_TradingCard(30).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpnLLMUt71l71IDfzA8Idekgvq-ml3NVuXEcc-pu_4MW7-v_a460Yvvf5-c_Y78fGv1zdLqemuk6QadCgHJ2Esaic2yNBKtl1u_ZEwHyEnH4bJJAWFLbfxOu950Xhc4wWrb5cOI9dkV6hjdNx_VvpLCjX4OmH_y6RzvgcuESkwQMWhSZlX64KqQNo/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(30).jpg" width="392" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the teachings of mine that g</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">ot
me a “chew out” session</span> in Vancouver, and probably even led to my later being labeled a “blasphemer”, was
one I called “Fear vs. Afraid”. The premise of the teaching was that we must <i>fear</i>
God, but we need not be <i>afraid</i> of God since we are "friends of God". </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Merriam Webster gives one
definition of fear as <i>“<span class="dttext">profound reverence and awe
especially toward God.” </span></i><span class="dttext">Afraid is defined as <i>“filled with fear
or apprehension.”</i> The "fear" in this second definition being defined as, <i>“an
unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.”
</i> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="dttext">Language is imperfect so our word "fear" in English can have somewhat opposite
meanings. After giving this teaching, and apparently after someone misunderstood the concept, they then "reported me" for teaching falsely and I was "called on the carpet". I attempted to explain this teaching
to Bruce Leonard, who considered himself the </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="dttext"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="dttext">"ruling elder" of Vancouver and Portland, but i</span></span>t fell on deaf ears. I found myself accused of being a
false teacher. The push back I got on my statements; as the
pendulum swung to the maximum possible position away from what I had actually said in the teaching; is I was
telling people they should not respect God. I actually said quite the opposite in my teaching. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="dttext">What I did say was to give the example of
Abraham being a friend of God and not one who cowered in his presence, afraid he would be killed by God. I used part of the
letter James wrote to the twelve tribes when he states, </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="dttext">“</span><span class="text"><i>And the
Scripture was fulfilled which says, </i></span><span class="oblique"><i>“Abraham
believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”</i></span><span class="text"><i> <u>And he was called the friend of God.”</u></i></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">Moses too was able to speak to God "face to face". Since God is invisible this could only be
presumed it was a representation of God, but who can really say. It is clear Moses held favor with God as a friend allowing him to speak to face to face this way, without being afraid. When Moses
returned from the mountain, with the ten commandments in hand, the people began to cower at the
presence of God and were afraid of God. Moses immediately tells them not
to be afraid of God so they can learn to respect his ways and not sin. Fear
and afraid are polar opposites. Respectful fear causes one to embrace and respect God. Being
afraid, on the other hand, drives one away from God.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">In the letter Paul wrote to the Romans he
stated </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>“What then shall we say that Abraham our
father has found according to the flesh?<sup><span id="en-NKJV-28025"> </span></sup>For
if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not
before God.</i></span><i><sup><span id="en-NKJV-28026"> </span></sup>For what does the
Scripture say? </i><span class="oblique"><i>“Abraham believed God, and it
was</i></span><span class="text"><i> </i></span><span class="oblique"><i>accounted
to him for righteousness.”</i></span><span class="text"><i> </i></span><i><span id="en-NKJV-28027">Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as
grace but as debt.</span>”</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">Abraham had faith and it counted as
righteousness. If we have faith, just like Abraham, it also counts to us as
the same righteousness. Should we expect any less from God?<br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">We are saved <u>by grace</u>, through <u>faith</u>,
and not by anything we can possibly do for ourselves, same as Abraham. It is strictly having a complete trust in God.
To trust in God is to fear (respect, revere) God. Being afraid and cowering indicates there is no trust in God and we must then turn and run away from God. Abraham, through his faith, not born out of his own works, became a “friend”
of God. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">In a letter to the Twelve Tribes, the
Hebrew people, Paul wrote, </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who
has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
confession.<sup> </sup>For we do not have a High Priest who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet
without sin.<u><sup> </sup>Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.</u></i></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">Paul understood the concept of fear vs.
afraid. Fear, or respect, causes one to draw near to God out of
reverence and trust. The one who is afraid of God, runs away from God instead and has no faith that God can save him. If Noah had cowered, and been afraid of God, he would not have built an ark and displayed his faith. He would have been afraid the ark would not float, or the flood would overwhelm him. He revered the word of God and followed God's instructions. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">David wrote in the Psalms, </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>But I am like a green olive tree in the
house of God;</i></span><i><br />
<span class="text">I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.<span> </span></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">God is a God of mercy. We need not cower
and be afraid of God. We can come <i>boldly</i> to the throne of grace and ask for
mercy at any time since we have a propitiation, a perpetual sacrifice. If we have proper
faith, like those in the list in Hebrews; Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac,
Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, and many more, we too
can boldly come to God, without being afraid, knowing there is no condemnation placed on us. Knowing this, we can have an even greater reverence, or
fear of God, without being afraid of God's wrath. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">One of the teachings the ABC has is if one
has a “soul sin” the only manner of forgiveness by God is to go to an elder
and ask for anointing with oil. Having been an elder in the ABC, I found there were
individuals that week after week after week had a “soul sin” and needed anointing over and over and over again.
Really? That's just not possible. It was almost feeling, at times, like the next step beyond this would be to open a “confessional booth”. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">And
what exactly is a “soul sin”? The only reference to this is Old Testament,
primarily in Ezekiel, where it states the soul that sins will die. The old covenant was destroyed when we received
the propitiation. Those who teach the propitiation is of no effect without human intervention are like the foolish Galatians who returned to following the law
again and began arguing over circumcision. Paul wrote to them and said,</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span> "</span>Christ
is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye
are fallen from grace.</i></span><i>”</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">The ABC will quote the scripture in James
that says, </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><sup> </sup>Is any sick among you? let him call for
the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in
the name of the Lord.<sup> </sup>And the prayer of faith shall save the
sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and <u><b>if</b></u> he have committed
sins, they shall be forgiven him.</i></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">The ABC loves Greek words, so this word “sick” is the
Greek word </span><i>astheneo. </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">This
is no common sickness, and certainly does not refer to a "soul sin". It does not even directly refer to any sort of sin at all since it says, almost as an afterthought, </span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>"and <b><u>if</u></b> he have committed
sin"</i></span></span>. IF! That's a big two letter word. </span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">I can give one prime
example for the use of this type of anointing. In the ABC there was once a man named Horace who was a brilliant mathematician. When I
first met him he was in his late eighties and had just finished contract
work with NASA helping design the lunar rover. In a way, he was instrumental in helping put a man on the moon. A little later
in life this man succumbed to some form of dementia after a stroke. He became, in this demented
state, an "atheist" and recanted any belief in God. A meeting was held to
determine if this man was now a “blasphemer” and whether he had “lost his salvation”.
There was no definitive outcome from the meeting but privately my father felt he had lost his salvation. Personally I felt this man was just weak, feeble, </span>astheneo </i>and worthy of God's grace and mercy.<i> </i><i><span style="font-style: normal;">This is a time when the elders should have gone, anointed this person with oil, and <b><u>IF</u></b>
this person had “sinned”, it would be forgiven. This piece of scripture in James is not talking about
a “soul sin”. No one need ask an elder to act as their high priest for forgiveness, counting the propitiation for sins of no effect. This, in itself, Paul said, is tantamount to falling from grace. </span></i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">This doctrine is in place as a dependency measure. If one cannot find forgiveness without the services of an elder of the ABC, they are then captive and dependent on the ABC for mercy and grace, rather than be devoted to God and His mercy. </span></i></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">Though some will disagree with me, we can
be a friend of God just like Abraham. We don’t have to cower and be afraid of God like the Israelite people at Mt. Sinai. If we are less
than perfect, there is no condemnation on us. We can boldly step up to the
throne of grace at any time, without an elder, and, as a friend of God, ask for mercy
and it will be granted. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">We
have Jesus as our high priest now, not any man. </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-style: normal;">If someone feels only Abraham had something special, it was written to the Galatians, </span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><sup class="versenum"> </sup>And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">And if that is not defined enough, the gospel of John reads;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text John-15-12" id="en-KJV-26712">This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.</span><span class="text John-15-14" id="en-KJV-26714"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. <u>Ye are my friends</u>, if ye do whatsoever I command you.</span></i></span><span class="text John-15-15" id="en-KJV-26715"><sup class="versenum"> </sup><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Henceforth
I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord
doeth: but <u>I have called you friends</u>; for all things that I have heard
of my Father I have made known unto you.</i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text John-15-16" id="en-KJV-26716"><sup class="versenum"> </sup>Ye
have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye
should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that
<u> whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.</u></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text John-15-14" id="en-KJV-26714"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Jesus at the Last Supper</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text John-15-14" id="en-KJV-26714"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>TO MAIN SITE </b></span></a><br /></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> <br /></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-24581918123004979582022-05-19T18:32:00.021-07:002024-02-07T08:51:44.239-08:00Tolerance and the ass<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
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<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRUkcIzrB_VCFVBGBxUTlWbYala1Nr1q2Y6jwDoWSDdwPjkPtVqNYvL7j_tIhx6CQsuG4a_R-o4vgld_w0E2eJv3L64_rRv72YyetVz7QsvFAodHNryQXSxF55AJZtcLjShUs96K9oYEctMBrs3vCKhvOUCg2qEd4PuvofQnap3Lo37dgboJm6r5z/s1568/dream_TradingCard(10).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivRUkcIzrB_VCFVBGBxUTlWbYala1Nr1q2Y6jwDoWSDdwPjkPtVqNYvL7j_tIhx6CQsuG4a_R-o4vgld_w0E2eJv3L64_rRv72YyetVz7QsvFAodHNryQXSxF55AJZtcLjShUs96K9oYEctMBrs3vCKhvOUCg2qEd4PuvofQnap3Lo37dgboJm6r5z/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(10).jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In a previous post
I wrote about how love is the only commandment and often what we perceive as
"love" could be better termed as "affection". This love that is the greatest
commandment is not affection, it is tolerance, and not just tolerance,
it is <i>massive</i> tolerance. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Pharisees
considered tolerance to be averse to the ways of God but God is all mercy and
tolerance. When s<span style="color: black;"><span color="windowtext">peaking
to a group of self-righteous Pharisees; lovers of the law; Jesus said, </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span color="windowtext"><i>"(Love)
is the first and great commandment.</i></span><i> <span color="windowtext">And the
second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.</span> <span color="windowtext">On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.</span>"</i>
</span> </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">He was speaking here to Jews, telling them if they truly
wanted to follow the law, they needed to obey this one command, to love, and another
command just like it. Love for neighbors. That’s it. Love. Fulfill that one
commandment, and its mirror image, and you will have fulfilled them
all. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When Jesus was
asked later to define <i>"who is a neighbor"</i> he told the story of
a man, assumed here to be a Jew, who was robbed of all, including his clothes, then beaten and left for dead. This
man was first passed up by a priest, then a Levite, the religious men of his day,
but was ignored and shunned by both. The man who eventually showed him love and tolerance was a Samaritan
man and this Samaritan is a man who would have been considered unworthy to even
enter the temple by this Jew yet he was this Jew's "neighbor". The others who passed by were too busy in their
religious pursuits to take time to help this man but it is this
"unrighteous" Samaritan, a man not considered to be of the proper Jewish faith, considered an “infidel”, who cared for this "righteous" Jew delicately,
without prejudice, and met all of his needs out of his own pocket. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Showing compassion
and mercy to <u>all</u>, no matter their lot in life, <u>or religious views,</u>
is how we love our neighbor. These two men, with discordant cultures and beliefs were in fact…neighbors. That seems a simple, yet
difficult, concept for mankind to grasp. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Churches like the
ABC are schools of Pharisaical thinking and are not places that teach the love
and tolerance Jesus spoke about in the parables. Churches like the ABC look
to confine, enslave, then control others through rote learning and without love.
They are not places that tolerate anything outside what is perceived by the
leaders to be “accepted doctrine”. I believe the Corinthians were caught
up in this same net. Paul wrote to them and gave them a distinct, almost
poetic, list of the pieces of love. </span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love is patient</span></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love is kind. </span></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love does not envy</span></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love does not boast</span></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love is not proud.</span></i></span>
</p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love <span class="text">does not dishonor
others</span></span></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love is not self-seeking</span></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love is not easily
angered</span></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love keeps no record of
wrongs</span></i></span> </p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love does not delight in
evil, but rejoices with the truth.</span></i></span> </p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love always protects</span></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love always trusts</span></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love always hopes</span></i></span></p>
<p><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Love always perseveres</span></i></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span>I
lay no claim to being perfect in all things on this list. Neither does anyone
else on this earth. It is something we strive for but likely will not ever fulfill in our short span of life. </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span>The
commandment to love our neighbor, as if they were ourselves, is where churches, such as the ABC, are severely deficient. They are blinded to their own reality by the
pride of knowledge. Many will take offense at my words, and defend the status
quo, but that’s just the nature of man. We don’t like to feel we have been wrong
because it makes our history seem worth less. Repentance is the first layer
of our foundation and repentance is a difficult thing if we are
lifted up with the pride of knowledge. </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span>It
is widely taught Repentance is metaneo, change our mind. That is accurate, but
some miss the meaning of the other half of that statement; “from dead works”.
The Pharisees sought God through their actions, their works, their much study,
long prayers in the streets and their synagogues. They loved to be seen of men
as more righteous through their religious actions. God ignores our actions, sees our heart
and asks; Is it full of love? Do we tolerate our neighbor who will likely never
see eye to eye with us? This is what love is. Those who saw this man beaten and
bloodied by robbers, and just walked on by, were exhibiting hate, even though
they did not think they hated in their heart. Hate and pride are brothers.</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span>In
an effort to seek and please God churches, such as the ABC, seek to be seen through
their feasts, studies, charts, graphs, head coverings, long prayers to be seen
of men, meetings and then even more studies in a vain attempt to be "closer to God". It's a long list. They saddle
themselves with burdens, then seek to afflict others with these same heavy burdens. When
the burden does not wear well, and becomes too heavy, they then blame the ass
rather than the load. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt9PyCpp87f9qvNxQO2AW6qTQetRUeTLnDXW9HHVEV2KGr00pj9qtf4J3ErgILAcP1nl56xOVeE7MSBsZUDT7vXBwJyndgD6vW78p6osjdSQm-X-MogB2T0t1AL7ESg30BKq5DJWvvIE7o_6rD9ylYapWCbSr0xYROHVbDDcuxgdd0kjBPSdtJ1tL/s1920/dream_TradingCard(52).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt9PyCpp87f9qvNxQO2AW6qTQetRUeTLnDXW9HHVEV2KGr00pj9qtf4J3ErgILAcP1nl56xOVeE7MSBsZUDT7vXBwJyndgD6vW78p6osjdSQm-X-MogB2T0t1AL7ESg30BKq5DJWvvIE7o_6rD9ylYapWCbSr0xYROHVbDDcuxgdd0kjBPSdtJ1tL/w360-h640/dream_TradingCard(52).jpg" width="360" /></a><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> <br /></span></span></span></span></div><p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span>We think the story of Balaam is about how he did not discern he was going
the wrong direction, or how he did not see the angel standing in the way, but
the story of Balaam is really about how he failed love and wished his ass dead. When he wished the ass dead, the ass then spoke up to him and said
essentially, “Have I ever wanted <i>you</i> dead? Even though it is <i>you</i>
who have burdened <i>me</i> all these years and not <i>I</i> who has burdened <i>you</i>?” </span></span><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span>Blaming
the ass did not work well for Balaam, and it doesn’t work well for us either.</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span>Churches, such as the ABC, must examine love to learn it's truth. Fulfill the one commandment
of loving your brother, and its mirror image, to love your neighbor as if it were you in a mirror. We must love the one who is our
polar opposite to fulfill all the commandments. Serve God and keep his
commandment(s), this is the entire duty of man. Much study is a weariness to the
flesh. These are simple concepts that make the burden light, yet many find that
simplicity challenging and so begin to lay more load on themselves and others.
By doing so we seek our own righteousness, just like the Pharisees, instead of
the simplicity that is in Christ. We begin to inflict the ass, wishing it harm, rather than reflect
on ourselves and the load we have laid that has caused the excess burden. </span></span></p>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="text"> </span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"><span>TO MAIN SITE</span></a></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-34754057025283862152022-05-09T17:27:00.024-07:002023-11-13T18:43:24.026-08:00Birds aren't real!
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYA_Xk_9sfX6yG71bp4QmGcrl0xjPbTrCskdgC-a9ubLlkrrJ-SJFx4HK4NZi3Lpn38vEzPwSiaEG_M4eU0WaS0q1SAz24-KTgKpHyKFJk9vFfH0f06jzff09rJJiZpxgR4FSt5HkEF6ptAzQ4qZ5kAc6fTiVNuWFfx49QHNtXI6qvlakaskbOkvyw/s1568/dream_TradingCard(7).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYA_Xk_9sfX6yG71bp4QmGcrl0xjPbTrCskdgC-a9ubLlkrrJ-SJFx4HK4NZi3Lpn38vEzPwSiaEG_M4eU0WaS0q1SAz24-KTgKpHyKFJk9vFfH0f06jzff09rJJiZpxgR4FSt5HkEF6ptAzQ4qZ5kAc6fTiVNuWFfx49QHNtXI6qvlakaskbOkvyw/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(7).jpg" width="245" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">When
things don't make sense our minds can run to absurd conspiracies. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Conspiracy theories are nothing new and, i</span>f we
lack proper objectivity, it's possible to hang onto these absurdities as an attempt at calming or agitating
our minds. Some fall for quite ridiculous theories, despite all evidence showing the belief can't possibly be true. </span><span style="font-size: large;">One of the more absurd movements in our
current age is the "Birds Aren't Real" movement. Anyone watching
these arguments with an open mind can see the satire, but still
there are a few who latch onto this theory and actually believe the US government has killed all the
birds and replaced them with mechanical drones that recharge on power lines. It's ridiculous. I assure you, if that were true, there are bird hunters everywhere who would be quite upset. <br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love this quirky type of satire and humor because it </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>sometimes </span>gives better commentary on human nature and truth than straight up truth. A visit to the <a href="https://birdsarentreal.com/" target="_blank">“Birds Aren’t Real” </a>website reveals some very
talented writing and acting and I applaud their pluck. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In an
interview with "Sixty Minutes" the man who started this movement,
Peter McIndoe, was asked why he created this. He explained briefly he
grew up in a fundamentalist Christian organization surrounded constantly
by conspiracy theories. He rejected these theories, as a child, then as a teen began to protest against the absurdities foisted on him by his church. This led to satirizing these conspiracy theories in high school and now college and this just happened to be the one that stuck. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the early
days of my life my father had theories on the date Jesus would return. His
"date of return" theories changed throughout his life as the dates,
predicted or assumed from others, passed unfulfilled. Most of his theories, perhaps all, were based on
the date Israel became a nation, May 14,1948. Using this date, then pairing
it with words in Matthew,<i> “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon
as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the
door. I tell you the truth, <b>this generation will certainly not pass away
until all these things have happened...</b>, </i>my father believed Jesus would
return in his lifetime. This assumes the figurative fig tree is the physical nation
of Israel.<i> </i></span></p><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></p><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus did not return in my father's lifetime and he died many years
ago. Jesus has not, as of yet, returned in my lifetime as well. Given the
“tribulation” is to last seven years, three and a half years of peace and three
and a half years of utter chaos, and this has not yet occurred, this event is not
likely to occur in my lifetime as well. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The key word
in that piece of Matthew is "generation". What actually constitutes a
generation? Merriam Webster gives one definition as <i>“<span class="dttext">the
average span of time between the birth of parents and that of their offspring”</span></i><span class="dttext"> </span>Some quote the ninetieth Psalm, “<i>The years of our life
are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil
and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” </i>I think, in this day and
age, where people in developed countries live quite often into their nineties
and one-hundreds, we can agree this is poetic language and not an absolute. However,
if one uses this Psalm as a mathematical base, or average, this would mean Jesus would
return by the year 2028 at the latest. This would then mean the tribulation would
have started in 2021 with the three and a half years of peace brought
about by a global leader. Given that we are currently on the precipice of World
War III, and are not being led by a global dictator, demanding all must
worship him, that three and a half years of peace has not yet happened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we are to believe Luke, he speaks of
multiple “watches” and “<i>the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not
expect”. </i>That’s a much safer
position than to make supposition of his return and disguise our own opinion as prophesy.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not in a
position to argue when Jesus will, or will not, return. If we believe the
account in Matthew, Jesus stated no one actually knows. I have heard it said Matthew only states day or hour, not year or month. OK, whatever. The point is
this. If we profess we know when Jesus will return, as so many have done that
came before, we are not being truthful. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 1972 my father was convinced, using a formula, that a generation is 32 years long. Attaching
that formula to the date Israel was reborn, this meant the tribulation would
start in about one year; 1973. (1948+32=1980-7 years of tribulation=1973) The
group was convinced of this date and sent three men, Earl, Tom,
and Jim, up into the foothills of the Northern Cascade mountains to find a place we
could escape the coming troubles. This did not go well. A blizzard hit, they
were quite unprepared, and they almost died. The tribulation never actually began though,
so we were all good.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the
years there were other prophesies and predictions of things that would happen
within my dad’s lifetime. California was expected to suffer a large earthquake
and part of it would fall into the Pacific Ocean. Pictures were shown at meetings of
vast underwater caves and pillars to prove this “prophesy”. There was
supposedly a large rock in San Francisco one could run to and be safe if they happened
to be there during the quake. I do not know where that rock is located. I looked
for it once, but it eluded me.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another
prophesy was the Japanese would rearm and take over the United States
through the port of Port Angeles, Washington. This was entirely based on a dream my father had one
night. It is understandable he would have such a dream as he fought the Japanese
in close combat during World War II and returned with PTSD that lasted a
number of years. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet another theory
that still has legs today is the US government will, at some point, declare anyone who is a true spirit filled Christian to be an enemy of the people. It is said prison
camps have already been built, and all true Christians will be rounded up and
put away in these camps so the truth cannot be told. I sincerely doubt this one.<br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">None of these
things ever happened. These were all man-made theories, not prophesies or even facts.
Fundamentalism is full of these sorts of paranoid theories and today these types
of theories seem rampant. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the first
letter to John, the author writes. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether
they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. </span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span>By this you know the Spirit of God: <u>Every spirit
that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every
spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of
God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming,
and is now already in the world.</u></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we are to
believe there is a spirit of Antichrist in the world today, it is actually those
who do not believe Christ came in the flesh as human and suffered all of
mankind’s pain and frailty. When I spoke this simple truth, the judgment came down upon
me swift and fierce. Curious that. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If someone
professes to have the formula or mathematics of when things will happen in
Revelation, Isaiah, Matthew, etc., know this; those alive at the time of
Christ’s death also believed he would return within their lifetime. Two thousand
years ago! He didn’t. All through history men have stated they “have the
formula” for when Jesus will return. Most of those men have now passed on.
Also know this, the book of Revelation speaks about things that happened,
things that were currently happening, and things that will happen. It's not all about the future.<br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj" style="font-size: large;"><i><span>Write the things which you <u>have</u></span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><u><span> <span class="woj">seen (past)</span></span></u></i><span class="woj"><i><span>,</span></i></span><i><span> <span class="woj">and the things <u>which are (present)</u>,</span>
<span class="woj">and the things <u>which will take place (future)</u> after this…
</span></span></i><span>Past, present, future. Revelation
spans the entire expanse of time and is not just a prophecy for the future. Not
a popular opinion but true nonetheless.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">One person
intimated to me the current coronavirus pandemic is evidence of the end times.
A similar pandemic happened about one hundred years ago, and it was felt
then the end times were upon us in full swing. A Google search will yield
hundreds of formulas and theories that have been presented, modified, and died
on the vine with Jesus not returning. No one can definitively say when Jesus
will return. </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is no
doubt the earth is decaying, not evolving into something greater. Isaiah spoke
of this, <i>…Lift up your eyes to the heavens, <span class="text">and look on the
earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, <u>the earth will
grow old like a garment</u>, and those who dwell in it will die in like manner…</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span>Scientists speak of evolution when they should really be speaking of
morphing and change. But that change is decay, not advancement. It is difficult
to argue with the physical evidence of so many creatures that once inhabited
the earth and have long ago disappeared. Animals and fish were once much larger,
but the earth is in a state of decay. These are all inarguable facts. </span></span></p><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></p><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span>There are
multiple ways of interpreting the evidence, but they all lead to the fact the earth
is decaying and is not moving forward to a better future. The evidence of this
decay, part of which is being grossly accelerated by mankind, should not be
confused with evidence of the return of Jesus. When pandemics, wars, famine, etc.,
strike the earth these things have happened in many watches, many time periods before. If it is occurring in this time period, this watch, it is not definite proof his return is imminent.
This same type of “evidence” has been occurring throughout the history of
earth and used many times to prove an erroneous theory of Jesus return. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="text" style="font-size: large;"><span>The scriptures say Jesus will come as a thief in the night. No one
makes an appointment with a thief as to what month or year they will rob your
home. If someone claims to know the year or month or day or hour, that spirit should be tried to see if it is
truth. It probably isn't.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span class="woj" style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span></i></span></p>
<p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">TO MAIN SITE</span></a></p>
<p class="lang-en" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
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<![endif]-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-8893647909024950302022-04-25T10:20:00.034-07:002023-03-20T22:29:10.445-07:00The Other Side of the Boat<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAx4ytceuHialOiqPNJ2mk2Mo-9LNsN3bY8uCqV-J4D2wkcFNMntuCkhK7ZkfqmOd4fll1W3mJFEyl2mfpP37mdgCV37RRF7q4K67zcn4cb5gc-7xMGg_YUQAlj5BUmap1iSoQGbYNV348weypr3Gf5NMWeSXv5xnABxRq-VdbZce1TCUv9ayjMwM/s1568/dream_TradingCard(11).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAx4ytceuHialOiqPNJ2mk2Mo-9LNsN3bY8uCqV-J4D2wkcFNMntuCkhK7ZkfqmOd4fll1W3mJFEyl2mfpP37mdgCV37RRF7q4K67zcn4cb5gc-7xMGg_YUQAlj5BUmap1iSoQGbYNV348weypr3Gf5NMWeSXv5xnABxRq-VdbZce1TCUv9ayjMwM/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(11).jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> <span>By now I am quite certain there are some
in the ABC who feel I have just gone off the deep end. At least that
is what people have been told anyhow. Time will tell, I guess. I am sure my
views on the Holy Bible do not sit well with many, even though there is a solid
underlying message in what I am actually saying, not what people assume or perceive I am saying. People tend to pendulum swing so finding the middle of that actual message may be difficult for some. </span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The Holy Bible
contains books and letters which some define as “the scriptures”. These various
individual texts were written over many eras but the Holy Bible is not, however, as complete as the
name would imply. Bitter pill to accept that? Sure. But “The Holy Bible”, is an
anthology of just a very few of the written texts that actually exist from all of these other eras. This is not to diminish the writings as invalid, it is just to say they are very incomplete. Even the writings in the Holy Bible prove this with it's own cross references to writings to which we no longer have access. The writings "The Holy Bible" contain were chosen by the Catholic church as accepted texts to support
a specific doctrine of the time. That does not invalidate these texts, but it does limit the collection mankind is able to view and it certainly limits our knowledge.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>In the early church there was no Bible, no anthology of compiled
texts. There was only the Didache, or simply “the teaching” along with a few various scrolls
and letters that were passed around between cities. “The teaching” could
be related to another in a short amount of time and was predominantly
related orally. We see this with the story of the Philippian jailer. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>And they spoke the word of the Lord to
him and to all who were in his house.</i></span><i> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-27503">And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their
wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.</span></span> <span class="text"><span id="en-ESV-27504">Then he brought them up into his house and set
food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had
believed in God.</span></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">They didn’t then give him an address of the
closest ABC meeting, sell him a notebook of Greek texts, suggest he buy a Panin's, perhaps a Vine's, a Stegenga's, a Strong's Concordance, an interlinear and then enroll him into their new church. They gave him the message, then they likely never saw him again. </span><span>There were
no “Bible studies”, there were no “Bible study books”, no concordance, no
commentaries…<span>, j</span>ust, "the teaching”. If one was a Jew, during these times, they often continued going to the temple to read the scriptures. <br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>There is a document called “The Didache” which is alleged to have
been discovered in 1873, with additional sections alleged to have been
“discovered” in 1900. This document sounds remarkably like the modern Catechism
of the Catholic Church and is suspect. The Didache, in the early first and second century church
times, was not this document. It was simply a basic teaching passed along orally. <span> </span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>In the early days of the Christian church there were Jews or Gentiles. There were not all of these Christian factions or denominations we see today. Certainly,
in the Jewish faith, which is much older than the Christian faith, enough time had passed for factions to form, but the early Christian
church was, for the most part, still unified behind a single message; the Didache. Then it began
to fracture. The beginnings of these
fractures can be seen in some of the letters to some of the cities. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Fast
forward now to our modern era, with more books and commentaries than one can possibly list. The points of contention between people has now become super fine and the war over words is in full swing.<br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>One of the most prolific letter writers, after Jesus’ days, was
Paul. Although it is accepted some of the letters attributed to him were
actually written by his various secretaries; </span><span>Tertius (Romans), Sosthenes (1 Corinthians), Timothy
(2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Philemon),
Silvanus (Thessalonians), Luke (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Hebrews), etc.
<span> </span>Today we would call them “ghost writers”. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The anthology we call the Holy Bible contains 66 books; 39 Old Testament, 27
New Testament, of which many New Testament books were written by Paul, or one of his
secretaries. These few writings we have in the Bible were selected by the
Catholic Church as the texts the “laity” would be allowed to see. The rest of
the texts were locked away permanently around the 1400’s and are now housed in the
Vatican library vault. In this vault are thousands of other writings by Paul, Apollos,
Timothy, Luke, etc, all held inaccessible to most of mankind. The
library is open only to University Professors, PHD students and professional
researchers. Even then, it is only by infrequent appointment since the whole
world clamors to view these documents and one is given a specific time slot to view the library, but only if they meet the qualifications. Words are power and this power is now centralized and locked away from most. This makes a huge number of writings
of the early church inaccessible. What is in these texts we don’t know? Is it important information?<span>
</span>I can give you a definitive answer. It doesn’t matter. Righteousness is
composed of faith and love which is held together by hope, not by an ever-increasing
knowledge base. What is now designated as the thirteenth chapter of the
first letter to the Corinthians makes this clear. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><sup> </sup>And if I have
prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have
all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.</i></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">Faith plus love equals righteousness.
Remove one and you have zero. </span><span>To
take the little bit of information we now have access to, then build a “solid
doctrine”, without error, is impossible. To repeat myself, there are only two
doctrines that matter, faith and love. Hope, not knowledge is the thing that
binds these two together. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">In
the letter James wrote to the Jewish tribes he talked about how “having faith”,
yet ignoring the actual hunger or suffering of others, is essentially dead
faith. Useless. If a man comes seeking real world help, the ABC hands them
a notebook and a pen, claiming Jesus is the bread of life and the only way to
achieve satiety is to learn Greek words in the right order. They have nothing
more to offer than this. I can recount one men’s meeting where someone asked us to
pray about a woman whose husband had just died, leaving behind three children
with no money to care for them. We prayed for them but then I asked two
questions. Did he work? The answer was affirmative. Were they married? <span> </span>Again, yes. I worked for the Social Security Administration and pointed out they would provide the family a decent income until the
children were at least age eighteen. For asking these questions “in the meeting”, I was later
belittled for not seeking a more “spiritual answer”. To those who belittled me,
I say this. If you are on a ship, and it’s beginning to sink, you better start
praying really hard and ignore all those lifeboats dropping from the side and wait
instead for a hand to reach down from the heavens and snatch you away. If
that doesn’t happen, bon voyage on your short trip into the eternal.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">There
was a second similar episode when I was driving an old vehicle that had an electrical
fire under the dash. <span> </span>I jumped from the
vehicle, threw open the hood, removed the battery cable then, lacking an
extinguisher, let the fire burn itself out. That vehicle never ran again. For
this I was chastised for not “praying first” before I jumped from the vehicle and disconnected
the battery. Seriously? We are human beings, we live on a physical planet, in a
physical realm. Not every answer is a spiritual answer. We are not heard for
our much speaking or our frequent lengthy prayers. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Not
long before I was ambushed, one person chastised me for not saying grace when I
stopped at a convenience store and bought a candy bar. Perhaps I should have
stood in the middle of 7-11, smote my breast and loudly proclaimed my
thankfulness that I had sixty-five cents to buy a snack.<span> I have eaten in a restaurant where an entire table will join hands then pray loudly for their meal as a show. Matthew addressed this subject. <br /></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><i>And when
you pray, you shall not be like the</i></span><span class="text"><i> </i></span><span class="woj"><i>hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and
on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say
to you, they have their reward.</i></span><span class="text"><i> <sup> </sup></i></span><span class="woj"><i>But you, when you pray,</i></span><span class="text"><i> </i></span><span class="woj"><i>go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your
Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will
reward you openly.</i></span><span class="text"><i>”</i></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">A number of years ago I had the rare opportunity to take a
fascinating tour at a glass bottle factory not far from where I live. The glass
returned at the curb, or in drop boxes, ends up at this facility in huge dump
bins and is all mixed together. It then passes into the plant via conveyor and is
somehow sorted by a computer as it enters. Green, amber, clear all go to separate
lines and the computer then mixes the clear and green together in just the right
quantities to create the clear bottles used for salad dressing etc. After the
glass leaves the sorter and remixer, it enters a giant kiln that is about forty feet high. It takes an enormous amount of natural gas to melt these
glass fragments into a syrupy liquid used to form new bottles and, as it heats, the
glass begins to glow so intense if one were to open a portal and peer in,
they would soon be blinded. But the melted glass still must be monitored so
there are several small flaps on the side of the kiln. Behind each flap is a
piece of pitch-black glass. When you peer at the molten glass through this
pitch-black barrier, what you are actually seeing is a figurative image of the
molten glass bubbling inside, not the actual glass itself. This is the view we
have of God and all things pertaining to. No matter how many hours we spend
studying in Greek or English we will never see any better than looking through
that darkened window. It never gets any better than this during our time on
earth. The letter to the Corinthians speaks about this.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>For now we see
through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then
shall I know even as also I am known. <sup> </sup>And now abideth faith,
hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.</i></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Righteousness
is obtained only through faith and love; hope is what holds the two together. <span> </span>Proverbs addresses this when it says “</span><span class="text"><i>Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” </i>Once you remove hope you
have utterly destroyed faith and love. </span><span>The letter to the Galatians addressed
this well. </span><span class="text"><sup> </sup></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><sup> </sup><i>Christ is become of no
effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
grace.<sup> </sup>For we through the Spirit wait for the <b>hope</b> of <b>righteousness</b>
by <b>faith</b>. </i><sup> </sup><i>For in Jesus Christ neither
circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but <b>faith</b> which
worketh by <b>love</b>.</i></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">We
all have a dim view of what lies ahead and what came before. We cannot improve our view...ever. Adamancy about anything is a spiritual crime. <span> </span>If we profess to know much, we are liars since we
know very little. We have just those few letters and books found in the Holy
Bible as a mere glimpse but even if one had access to all seventy thousand
plus other books and letters held captive in a vault in Italy, we
cannot ever pretend to have a complete answer. When one talks about “nailing
down the answer”, having all “see eye to eye”, these things are
impossibilities. We all have a dim view of the universal truths about God. As
much as having a library of books, making charts, graphs and lists feels good,
it is never perfect and will never lead us to perfection. When the letter to
the Hebrews talks about “going on unto perfection”, it does not indicate there
is an actual end point to that road on earth. <span> </span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">If
you look at the ministry of Jesus, he sat people down so they could rest, fed
them real food, healed their real maladies, told them a figurative story, then
he moved on. We often read the Bible as if it were a law book and instruction
manual. It’s not. Many of the writings speak of the things they did in the
early church historically, but not all of them were edifying. (i.e., beginning to live
communally…) <br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The Israelites were cursed with the law because they were not
satisfied with just ten commandments. Much too nebulous for their taste. Open
to arguments. Didn’t nail everything down. Once we start needing to “nail
everything down” we make Christ of no effect because we have abandoned
righteousness. The hope of faith and love is supplanted by the seeking of a new
set of laws and rules. Love is the only commandment. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">When
some of the early followers of Jesus (they were not yet called “Christians)
were starving, and failing at fishing for a meal, Jesus appeared to them and
told them to throw their net on the other side of the boat instead. They then pulled
in so many fish they almost sunk the boat. This story may be true, or it may actually
be a parable, who knows, but the basic message is this. The ABC has reached
very few people on this earth, in the last fifty plus years, with their message of
Greek word studies. This method of study was taken directly from the teachings
of James A Watt at Broadway Tabernacle in Seattle Washington, an Assembly of
God affiliated church. When one comes seeking bread, they offer up instead intense
Greek word studies then encourage the joining together into a cancerous mass behind
a virtual wall they built to protect themselves from the rest of humanity. <span> </span>Perhaps they are fishing from the wrong side
of the boat. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="woj"><i>Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is
won, you make him twice as much a son of</i></span><i> <span class="woj">hell as
yourselves.<span> </span><span> </span></span></i><span class="woj"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">Matthew</span></i></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><h1><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal;">proselyte</span></span></i></h1><i><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></i><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="word-syllables"><span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;">pros·e·lyte</span></span><span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"> <span class="syl-break">|</span><span class="prs"> </span><span class="first-slash">\</span><span class="pr"> ˈprä-sə-ˌlīt</span><span class="prs"> </span></span></span></i></p><i><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></i><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="dttext"><span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;">a new convert
to a faith or cause</span></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="dttext"><span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span class="dttext"><span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank">TO MAIN SITE</a> </span></span></b></span><span class="dt"><span face=""Calibri Light", sans-serif" style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-66775140816497573722022-04-20T08:56:00.027-07:002023-12-05T09:48:07.977-08:00Tithing and Melchizedek<p> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRt-t8yZNjPGxzyKiEn2V4V7-kkcloLlMw9TJZNRCWZxPkGcP-L7gjFQ8TuaKp5lxwbGG5zLd8s1nljOF4qQLTamj2QvEq4R3YCoWqol3HoCbdBZtRQCe6c9Hwn-U1IOUDe69LMzwebiyuxft0X97WufyNd6KC-Hv0UPb0jLDp3gHuar8OHAcGepf/s1568/dream_TradingCard(13).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRt-t8yZNjPGxzyKiEn2V4V7-kkcloLlMw9TJZNRCWZxPkGcP-L7gjFQ8TuaKp5lxwbGG5zLd8s1nljOF4qQLTamj2QvEq4R3YCoWqol3HoCbdBZtRQCe6c9Hwn-U1IOUDe69LMzwebiyuxft0X97WufyNd6KC-Hv0UPb0jLDp3gHuar8OHAcGepf/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(13).jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /> One of the principal ABC teachings, just past the
foundations, is tithe, or a tax or assessment of one tenth of a person’s income.
After one begins their foundation word studies, they are then introduced to what is
termed the “Island Hop” teaching. (See illustration). </span> <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CZJvsd3Vq25kiNE4mESVVZCG07yNKd4CmD5SU6n2Ne_8JHJpNjbdJBtsVWnJSWzKKC17VENVVv8ocT-gIg8zKoligXudv_mtP22XF8f0ylWloKPSf9Xe0mH0exdFpObEJusxc0TKlUPnt3W-JGQrnP8wXif84pbJ3tGsYRgGc0eit2JQSbiCSIyd/s1920/Island%20Hop-Web%20Version.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CZJvsd3Vq25kiNE4mESVVZCG07yNKd4CmD5SU6n2Ne_8JHJpNjbdJBtsVWnJSWzKKC17VENVVv8ocT-gIg8zKoligXudv_mtP22XF8f0ylWloKPSf9Xe0mH0exdFpObEJusxc0TKlUPnt3W-JGQrnP8wXif84pbJ3tGsYRgGc0eit2JQSbiCSIyd/w400-h241/Island%20Hop-Web%20Version.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first two steps past
the foundations in the "Island Hop" teaching are “Melchizedek” then “tithing” and the accepted teaching is one must pay ten
percent of their entire income to the ABC, in lieu of paying it to Melchizedek,
as Abraham is said to have done. Genesis 14 and He. 7 are the primary references for this
teaching. This ten percent includes businesses which are expected to pay ten
percent of the gross income of the business, not the net. That’s not quite in line with the Old Covenant principle of <i>“those
that pass under the rod”</i> which I will later examine a little further. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tithing is an area where I ran headlong into trouble on
several occasions. I accepted tithing, offering and alms at face value and participated
to the full extent when I was in the ABC, even though I had serious questions and concerns, which eventually proved to be valid. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were a few egregious incidents that happened over the years that gave me pause. One of these involved a woman who retired and sold a huge piece of
property which could legitimately be measured in miles rather than acres. This woman sold this property for a considerable sum, some years
back, and was living fine from the proceeds of the sale until her health
turned. She then ran into some some serious financial
difficulties very late in life. This is not an unusual scenario. Medical bills
can wipe out a person’s savings rather rapidly. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">For many years, this woman had provided food and shelter for many. She was a kind and generous soul and was loved by all. When my dad was still living,
she donated a great deal of money to him to help build his
ABC church movement. Whenever he felt he had a special need, he asked, and she came through. To many people this woman had been very kind over quite a few years and regularly received honor from others. I remember one all-church meeting where she was brought to the middle of the room and given special appreciation for all she had done. <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I learned of this woman’s financial difficulties but soon discovered they
were much too large for just one person to handle. I went to Bruce Leonard, who
considered himself the ruling elder in Vancouver, and suggested the church help her out
since she had given to so many, for so many years. I have no doubt the amount
she paid in tithe, and offerings, over the years was many, many tens of
thousands, if not in the hundreds of thousands. I have no way to verify the
actual amount, but it was a considerable sum and she was quite faithful with her tithe and offering. My suggestion the church help her was immediately thrown back in my face by those in charge of the tithe. The reason given was this woman loved to play
the organ and, when she played, "sang the old Mystery Babylon hymns", not
the “body songs”. Therefore, it was reasoned, she was still "caught up in Mystery Babylon" and did not deserve any help. It is true she loved to play hymns on the organ and sang old hymns but so what! </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I assure you this woman dedicated her life
to the ABC, and would never suspect she would become so mistreated near the end of
her life. But she was. T</span>he situation in the ABC has always been this volatile. No
one is ever immune from torment if you purposely, or accidentally, cross the leadership.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>This</span> was a turning point for
me. I continued to tithe and pay offerings to the ABC but became very
suspicious in how the monies were actually being handled, and who exactly was
profiting from them. Per Bruce Leonard
the tithe was completely under the control of one man, the "apostle" Gilbert Larson and his word was the
final word. <span> </span>I approached Bruce Leonard
several more times on this matter. He alleged to have consulted with Gilbert
Larson, the "apostle", and in the last encounter became enraged I would even consider
helping this woman. To say I was shocked at these responses would be an
understatement at the very least. It was very cold. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I would later be accused, behind my back, of “robbing God” even though I had always paid both tithe and offering in the full amount. When I saw a need, I gave alms. I
heard through the grapevine Bruce Leonard and Gilbert Larson felt I had not tithed
properly after I received an insurance settlement from my accident. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraFCt1ONQSeJLO4XkWchQNl5LU9-oK69ZedKvyAjl4u24xupzdPrXpYYzc5qrkIvYTnk4qrnVJavkVqA-oOjfU4dDUESVhgl4LMZC9NoEFwOuklgl3YTpSj8RrAuzRkhq3u69gmkHxrsgeNlj0n_9dBIxvhBNj4B3TYpNpBaD7d6eU_L3kKU5Fw8l/s1920/Accident%20Web%20Version.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraFCt1ONQSeJLO4XkWchQNl5LU9-oK69ZedKvyAjl4u24xupzdPrXpYYzc5qrkIvYTnk4qrnVJavkVqA-oOjfU4dDUESVhgl4LMZC9NoEFwOuklgl3YTpSj8RrAuzRkhq3u69gmkHxrsgeNlj0n_9dBIxvhBNj4B3TYpNpBaD7d6eU_L3kKU5Fw8l/w400-h225/Accident%20Web%20Version.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I
heard from a couple others I had allegedly “lied to the Holy Spirit”, like Ananias and Sapphira, and
would suffer the same fate as them. I was never struck by lightning and didn't drop dead as had been assumed would happen by Bruce Leonard and Gilbert Larson.<span> </span>That
entire settlement received was earmarked to pay for current and future medical expenses,
since both of our injuries were severe. Both of us required years of
additional medical care to return to normal and, if you have ever been injured, you find you receive bills many months later that must be paid. I inquired whether this was
truly income, since it was basically passing through my hands to medical
professionals, and was told this was income and I must pay tithe on it. I</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">f I did not pay, I was told I was
“robbing God”. </span>A record
is kept of everyone’s tithe and it is regularly compared against assumed income to see
if one is “tithing correctly”. I know this for a fact. When the
computer used to record the tithe went on the blink, I was asked to help fix
it. More on that income thing later. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I heard it was assumed by Bruce Leonard and Gilbert
Larson I had received a larger amount of money than I had paid tithe on. This was not true. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am alleged to have lied about the amount, thus the accusation about "lying to the Holy Spirit".</span> I didn’t. Bruce Leonard and Gilbert Larson both felt I had not paid enough tithe based on their
own false assumptions. Both felt I had “cheated the tithe” and therefore "robbed God". This is a
total falsehood. I had actually paid more than the ten percent in tithe plus offering as well. The nineteen-year-old
who hit us head on was minimally insured, hit one other car before he hit us, caused major trauma to three people, laying
one person up for more than a year in bed with a full-time aide and I spent five
years recovering from my injuries. My wife’s medical expenses would require a lifetime of minor palliative care to manage chronic issues from a head injury that had already required years of occupational and physical therapy by the time we received that settlement. We had many past due medical bills.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The day after
the accident my employer health plan showed up at my bedside, in the hospital,
insisting I sign a form they would never be billed for medical care
related to the accident. <span> </span>There was very little
auto insurance money to go around since there were three severely injured people as a result of the kid crossing the center line. We all received very little. Bruce Leonard and Gilbert Larson felt I had “robbed God” based on their
own erroneous assumption of the amount of that settlement, not based on fact, and I heard they based this on the fact I put a down payment on a house. I had not long previous sold a home and could have bought that house, even if I had never received
that small settlement. The two facts were completely unrelated. No one ever questioned Bruce or Gil's ability to purchase a home or how they were able to afford it. Hypocrisy. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The generally accepted teaching is one must tithe to
Melchizedek, just as Abraham did. This is Old Testament. What is
interesting to note is Abraham was paying this tithe to Melchizedek from the
plunders of a war he was returning from, and not from his usual income. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Genesis 14 <i>describes </i>what happened, but there is no place in any of this
text where it is <i>prescribed </i>one must pay a tithe from plunder. Enter
Hebrews seventh chapter. This section of the letter to the Hebrews happens to
mention, <i>“<span class="text">Just think how great he was: Even the
patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder…” </span></i><span class="text">in speaking of Melchizedek
but, again, this is not a <i>prescription</i> for New Testament tithing, just a
<i>description</i> of what happened way back when. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">I am not opposed to the concept of tithing,
per se, but what does not make sense is there are a few men who hold this
tithe in secret, profit directly from it, then use “rules” to forbid others from
receiving assistance, unless they authorize it. They see themselves as <i><u>the</u></i> representatives on
earth of Melchizedek and therefore <i>they</i> must be tithed to...or else. If one pays
their tithe elsewhere, is that wrong? It's still tithe. These men are not Melchizedek embodied
on earth, they are mere mortals using spiritual intimidation and fear to extract money. There is controversy on who Melchizedek is exactly,
but the most accepted viewpoint is that Melchizedek is the Holy Spirit or Christ. I can’t
prove or disprove any particular viewpoint as there is inadequate information.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">I have seen others accused of “robbing God”,
using the same false assumptions. I have gone to bat for several people who were severely “disciplined” based on false assumptions. <span> </span>One couple, as example, were brought before
the elders and accused of robbing God because they had bought new bicycles and
allegedly had withheld tithe to pay for them. I examined this personally,
discovered they tithed from their gross income and bought these bicycles
from a tax return check. Despite my supplying this proof
they were still severely disciplined and eventually left the church devastated. This
is but one example of many similar scenarios. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">Whenever I asked for an
accounting of the tithe, I am told I must trust God it is used correctly.<span> </span>I trust God, but I don’t trust men will
always deal with honesty and integrity. No matter how righteous they seem. Self-righteous men still appear righteous. There are those who use the church tithe to
profit in filthy lucre for their own sake. If not, they would have no
difficulty with a full accounting of its use, with continued oversight. <br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text">But let’s assume for now that tithing is a
requirement. What is income or increase exactly? As one example, the Old
Testament states in reference to animals; “</span><i>And concerning the tithe
of the herd, or of the flock, even of <b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">whatsoever passeth under the
rod</span></b>, <u>the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.” </u></i><span> </span>Using sheep as an example; many new lambs died
by disease or predator, and these did not "pass under the rod" so were not part of
the increase. The larger adult animals were too large to "pass under the rod". Only
the healthy newborns were considered increase. Using a more modern example, say a new business has a nine percent net profit margin. Paying ten percent of the gross would soon
cause them to go out of business. It would be the equivalent of killing off the sheep who produce the lambs. In my case, receiving money intended to be paid for medical
care is not really increase, but I knew the consequences of not paying and paid it anyhow...and then some. I was still accused, behind my back, of “robbing God” then viciously ambushed later. I heard others after me were also accused of the same and ambushed as well. I am far from alone in that regard. It can happen to anyone. Even if it is based on a false assumption.<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">But here’s the thing. This is Old Covenant text, not New
Covenant promise. There is no rule that says if you pay tithe and
offering it <i>must</i> go to the ABC. If one paid tithe to a different nonprofit to feed and clothe the poor, something Jesus did, is that still not
tithe? <span> </span>Of course, it is. The ABC is just a
registered nonprofit corporation the same as all other registered nonprofit corporations, not Melchizedek personified. The ABC have a few men who regard themselves as the physical representation of Melchizedek on earth, but they are
not. They hold people captive, then demand a tax of ten percent and provide no accounting. This is wrong.<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tithing was not one of the ten commandments. There is
actually little said about tithing. I do not disparage tithing but, if a person
tithes, it should be up to them to tithe where they see fit. We are no longer restrained by Mosaic law. A registered
nonprofit, like the ABC, should have an accounting. There should be no duress
to tithe to the ABC, or else.<span> </span>I have no
doubt it was this alleged tithe issue I previously mentioned that led to my eventually
being accused of blasphemy under a very shady premise. The roots of indignities and indecencies always trace right back to the money. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">If one were to be really technical, the people spoken about in the letter to the Hebrews were Jews. They were likely paying their tithe to the local synagogue or temple, <i>not</i> to the "apostles". It would be centuries before Western Union and electronic transfer would be invented and transferring money, cattle or sheep around the globe by mailing a check was just not a possibility. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span> </span><span><i><span class="a-color-base a-text-italic" role="article"><span><span class="tm6"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank">TO MAIN SITE</a></span></span></span></i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="text"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-65525825260599096022022-04-12T12:10:00.043-07:002023-07-05T22:14:31.830-07:00Statistical Improbabilities<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFCCfXIPoEv-BGdYg7B3-cA9rpRfdd37FXYXSuFy1v1i2dCQ4QYOQpAMi3DUBxIn-raSq_tr3L641OaGcD4q_rIK5H2bGJNZ5qf2OWlwYqtcxsSOrACHQ-TvEagO0pIdHtqKhoYrDvkwd45Cu1eIe5oqDRg1FSU3_xR_n96LGhMLOatH9ddso-kh9/s1920/Shepp%20Wolf.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1920" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFCCfXIPoEv-BGdYg7B3-cA9rpRfdd37FXYXSuFy1v1i2dCQ4QYOQpAMi3DUBxIn-raSq_tr3L641OaGcD4q_rIK5H2bGJNZ5qf2OWlwYqtcxsSOrACHQ-TvEagO0pIdHtqKhoYrDvkwd45Cu1eIe5oqDRg1FSU3_xR_n96LGhMLOatH9ddso-kh9/w400-h226/Shepp%20Wolf.png" title="“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." width="400" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.</span><span class="p"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Toxic Leaders</b></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When a fire swoops through your life, as it did for me, you
are left to wonder how it is possible to be so gullible for so many years. How
is it possible to “just go along” with some pretty crazy and, on
a few occasions, even illegal notions? Certainly, it was not all crazy, but
there were some really stand out episodes I
completely ignored. Over the years I have pondered this a bit, and occasionally I run across books, articles and videos that help answer some of these questions. I recently discovered a book called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Allure-Toxic-Leaders-Destructive-Politicians/dp/0195312007/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=77927948339900&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=the+allure+of+toxic+leaders&qid=1650032677&sr=8-1" target="_blank">“The Allure of Toxic Leaders”</a> which I have just begun to read. This book addresses why mankind seeks out leaders, toxic or not, then describes
this phenomenon very effectively. Below is part of the opening statement regarding
toxic leaders and the enchantment that draws people to them. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the letter to the Galatians, Paul uses the word "bewitched". Or, who has placed you under such a spell that you abandoned what is right? In this book, he describes the same thing as Paul, but uses the word "enchanted" instead. <br /></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">“<i>… More often, however, we followers deny how truly
enchanted we are. We may grouse about toxic leaders, but frequently we tolerate
them—and for surprisingly long periods of time. </i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Tolerate, in fact, may be far too weak a word to describe
the complex relationship between toxic leaders and their followers. These
intriguing leaders first charm but then manipulate, mistreat, undermine, and
ultimately leave their followers far worse than they found them. Yet many of
the followers hang on. </i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>… Followers of toxic leaders often do much more than
simply tolerate them. They commonly adulate, abet, and actually prefer toxic
leaders to their nontoxic counterparts….”</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The book continues on to describe some of the ways toxic
leaders behave. Some, of course, are worse than most; Jim Jones in Guyana for
example; but those who profess to be a “leader” usually fit into at least one of
the bullet points he references. The book points out not all leaders are toxic,
but the truth is many who seek leadership positions do so to support their ego,
not out of a desire to be of service to others. The result is often a very toxic environment. The book section is extended so I have abbreviated the
list here slightly. Ellipses mark the gaps.</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i>Leaving their followers worse than they found
them… </i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i>Violating the basic standards of human rights
of their own supporters, as well as those of other individuals and groups they
do not count among their followers.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i>Consciously feeding their followers illusions
that enhance the leader’s power and impair the follower’s capacity to act
independently…</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i>Playing to the basest fears and needs of the
followers.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i>Stifling constructive criticism and teaching
supporters (<u>sometimes by threats and authoritarianism</u>) to comply with,
rather than to question, the leaders’ judgements, and actions.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i>Misleading followers through deliberate
untruths and misdiagnoses of issues and problems.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>…</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i>Maliciously setting constituents against one
another.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i>Treating their own followers well but
persuading them to hate and destroy others.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I single out the Assembly of the Body of Christ (ABC) on
this site simply because that is the only point of reference I have from my life
experience. There are toxic churches, and church movements, everywhere that
behave very similar to the ABC. If the shoe fits elsewhere, the phenomenon is exactly the same. Within groups there are also factions of the approved and disapproved and this has always been evident in the ABC. For the disapproved, life can become very toxic and that toxicity can be chronic or acute. There are indications in the letters to various
churches written by Paul, and others, that leaders back then had also become overbearing in the
early church days. Paul even confesses that he too can be overbearing at times. These overbearing leaders and "lieutenants" brought about the same wars over words, laws, and practices we have today.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The book diagrams and lists the marks
of a toxic leader; however the primary focus of the book is to explain why so
many degrade their own lives to the point of blindly following men who are, in many respects, toxic.
It speaks also to the reason a “whistleblower” ends up as a pariah, hated, and
put out, even by those who agree they were right in their assessments. There were many that expressed to me dissatisfaction with the overbearing toxicity in the ABC, but when I was falsely accused of blasphemy these same persons slipped into the shadows, afraid they too would be targeted. This
scenario happens frequently in the secular, political and religious world.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In 1974, a social scientist named Stanley Milgram conducted
an experiment to see how far “followers” would allow a “leader” to push them.
Wearing a gray lab coat, Milgram put “followers” in a windowless room
with a “test subject” hooked to electrical wires on the other side of the wall.
The “follower” was given a list of questions to ask the “test subject” and, with
each wrong answer, they were to give the “test subject” a simulated shock. The “follower”
was completely in control of when the shock was given and how far increased that shock
would be. As the test went on the
“follower” was told by the “leader” to incrementally increase the voltage with
each wrong answer. By the end of the experiment the “test subject” appeared to
be in excruciating pain, and possibly even dead. If the “follower” hesitated
to push the button, and put the “test subject” in intense pain, the “leader”
would simply say to them blandly “the test must go on”. The “follower” would then,
having now lost all empathy or compassion for the "test subject", push the button and continue to inflict larger
and larger amounts of pain. <span> </span>The “test subject” was, of course, just acting and not actually being shocked, but the “follower” did not know this. They assumed
they were placing this person in extreme pain and life peril, but still considered it their
duty, as a “follower” of the “leader” to blindly obey. After all, he
was wearing a lab coat, the mark of a true scientist. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">But he was a wolf in sheep's clothing as it were. The "follower" assumed, since the “leader”
said it was OK, nothing bad would actually happen, even though they could see how much
pain they were actually inflicting and many expressed concern the "test subject" had dies but still followed orders and thus absolved themselves of personal responsibility They were "just following orders". The same excuse used by the Nazi's at the Nuremberg trials when asked about their torture and killing of Jews in Auschwitz and other camps. It was not a valid excuse.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the Milgram experiment, it took very little
time for the “follower” to become numb to the pain they were inflicting. Not a single one ever opened the door to even see if the "test subject" was alive or not. For those in the ABC, and other toxic churches, it is similar to when Paul talked about those having a conscience seared with a hot iron. Apparently there were those back then in Paul's era that had also fallen into a pattern of untruth and hypocrisy. <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have, in my years in the ABC, seen this similar scenario play out.
Not with electrical shock of course, but instead with psychic and spiritual pain
administered through concerted attacks by “leaders” and then through their
“followers”. Once a person is perceived as being a “leader”, whether by choice
or by force, those that “follow” this human being will do anything they
prescribe, potentially losing all sense of compassion and decency. Even if it seems extremely
painful to a person they once liked or loved, and even if that treatment
totally destroys the individual, or their life, they just continue on and justify their behavior by attaching the name and instruction of an elder, a prophet, an evangelist, an apostle, etc. to their actions. But these are all men who have no right to condemn another person to pain. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">How does this fulfill love? How
does this fit into the parameters of “the fruit of the Spirit”? Love, joy,
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness… In these circumstances, this is not
a simulation, but is indeed very real, inflicting real pain on a person's life. I have seen this pain inflicted on many. I too have been one of those who followed along as a “follower”, held the coats, all while holding my nose
at the smell of it all. For that, I am ashamed. There is a long chain of damaged
individuals left behind in the tail of the ABC. What does this say about those
who have thrust themselves into “leadership” positions in the ABC such as Gilbert
Larson, Andy Atwell, Bruce Leonard, Steve Patton? <span> </span>Are we not to follow God and not follow man?
</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we become an adult, we still maintain the desire to have an
authority figure in our life. A boss, a religious leader, a politician... We
leave our parents then fill that void with religious, political, and
career-based leaders that may, or may not, have our best interest at heart. We
don’t actually need leaders. What we really need are mentors who will speak to us
from their own experience, with empathy, compassion, and meekness on a
level plane, knowing their own imperfections are just as great as the one they mentor. Paul said it well in his letter
to the Galatians, </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i>Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any
trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one <u>in a spirit of
gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.</u> </i></span><i>Bear
one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. <u>For if anyone
thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself</u>. But
let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself
alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">For many, God is not tangible enough so they seek to fill that
void with a tangible human leader. One who is just as frayed or defective as
they are, but usually has a larger ego so they appear to be strong. In fact, the opposite is
likely true. These “leaders”, puffed up with pride, use fear, not respect, to
maintain their “followers” in their orbit. The book lists six factors that cause
us to seek out a leader:</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span>1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></i><i>“A need for a reassuring authority
figures…”</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span>2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></i><i>Our need for security and certainty,
which prompts us to surrender freedom…”</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span>3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></i><i>Our need to feel chosen or special.</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span>4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></i><i>Our need for membership…</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span>5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><i>Our fear of ostracism, isolation, and social
death” </i>(I would add to that list “spiritual death”)</span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span>6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-language-override: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></i><i>Our fear of personal powerlessness to
challenge a bad leader</i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I attended college in San Diego I was pressured by my father,
and several others, to dis-enroll in a Psychology course. To get a transfer certificate
I needed this class, but I was essentially tormented into dropping it. This was another one of those occasions where I was commanded by my "father in the Lord" to do something that was against my best interests. The
reason given, is it would “lead me away from God”. This was not true.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also, at this time,
discovered the show “Nova”, a PBS documentary series, available in the college
library on Betamax machines. I was fascinated by the series and began inhaling
these videos in my free time between classes. This caused my dad some concern when I mentioned them so he followed me to the college one day to review what I was watching. He seemed
displeased some of the shows spoke of theories that may not line up with his
biblical teachings. As if I would believe everything. As if I was completely incapable
of determining fact from theory. <span><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had
the power to end these intrusions in my life but I was locked
in to being a “follower”. <span> </span>That was my
mistake. I regret my inability to stand up to my father to this day. I often
wonder if he actually did not want me taking that Psychology course because it
might set me free from the stranglehold he had on my life through intimidation.
Speculation, of course, but I was very gullible and compliant. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Statistical Improbability</b></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of the key components of following after toxic leaders
is they offer a feeling of exclusivity. It feels great psychically to be “special”, to feel all others are "not the chosen", and you are "one of the chosen" simply by affiliation with "the group".
In this post I address that <u>exclusivity</u> “followers” in the ABC and similar groups feel. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ABC believes they have the exclusive franchise on the knowledge of
salvation of men’s souls. They believe this because of one book published by a man named John
Stegenga in the 1960’s. <span> </span>There were
originally only two-thousand of this book printed, and a few can still be found on eBay for
a princely sum, due to its rarity. This book, it is theorized, allows one to
rightly interpret the scripture through use of extensive Greek word study. This book allegedly allows one to find the most precise and exact path to salvation. These studies are then matched
together in just the right sequence to “prove” a seven-step path to salvation. It is a long
and convoluted process to reach this exact understanding and has led to many
rules being implemented and wars over words. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The ABC also uses a Bible translation based on supposed numeric
principles. This Bible was constructed by a man named Ivan Panin and it is interesting to note Panin’s formulas
were also applied to the Koran, the Book of Mormon, and a book of secular poetry and all of these were also “proven”, mathematically, to be “inspired by God”,
just as his numeric theory proved the Bible was "inspired by God". The subsets of numbers Panin used in his
formulas were not drawn from ancient texts, Aramaic or Greek, but were instead
constructed by Ivan Panin himself, of his own design, and his results are questionable. <br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Taking the lead however, of following numeric principles when
seeking God, I examined the probability the ABC has <u>THE only knowledge of the keys to
salvation</u>, to the exclusion of all other persons, churches, or movements on
the planet. The accepted teaching is that all other churches, and church
movements, are “Mystery Babylon” and are therefore not acceptable to God. I am not
defending any other church or movement as being valid, nor do I seek to prove
any church invalid. That is far beyond my ability or scope. If someone were to
ask me directly, I can only point to following God and not choosing any man as your
leader. We ourselves are the temple of God. Paul said it best to the Corinthians:
</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that
the Spirit of God dwells in you? </i></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Listen, but examine; trust, but verify. If someone tells you
“God spoke to them" then gives you some advice, try that spirit and ask
why God didn’t just speak to you directly. Often individuals will put out their
own opinions, then try to make that opinion bulletproof by attaching God's name to it. Humans
have agendas. Humans can be toxic and injurious. Attaching the name of God to
our own opinions is the utmost example of using God’s name in vain. It is a way to puff up our own vanity and ego, not build up others. <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are some basic statistics. In all of recorded time, not
accounting for the potential for human life prior to that first man (Adam),
there have been about one-hundred and nine-billion people that have lived and
died on earth. Give or take a few billion, I suppose, since there is no general
census to verify that exact number.<span>
Since population growth is exponential, a</span>bout half of that number lived after the time of Christ, roughly fifty
billion with some change. In earlier times, </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">before our modern era of antibiotics and medical miracles, </span>only about half of the population
ever escaped childhood. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are currently about eight billion people alive on the
planet.<span> </span>The ABC, in all of its history,
has touched the lives of perhaps two to three thousand people, at most. Likely much
fewer than that sum, but I am being quite generous. Currently the membership of
the ABC is assumed to be about two to three hundred people, but I’ll be
generous again, since I have no actual proof of an exact number, and will assume it is is now about five hundred. These five hundred individuals, among a population of
eight billion other earthlings, is roughly .000000625% of the population. Even
bumping up those numbers fourfold, or ten-fold, the reach of the ABC message is
not even close to reaching the current living population of the earth. Yet, they feel they have the exclusive franchise on salvation. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
mandate, if we believe the scriptures, is to go out into all of the world and
“preach the gospel” to every person. Yet, in fifty plus years, using the ABC
model of intense Greek word study to prove oneself worthy, they have touched
the lives of a maximum of .0000025% of the earth’s population. Sharing
the gospel, ABC style, requires a variety of books and tedious hours of studying
Greek words, tenses, and moods. That method is not transportable enough
to reach the entire globe as mandated. It can take the average person one year, or several years,
to finish a complete foundational word study. There are then further steps to follow to "reach perfection".<span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know from the meetings in Mexico, translating from English to Greek,
then into Spanish was quite challenging. It led to a lot of courteous head
nodding from attendees who really had no clue what was being taught. Do we
truly believe God is that small? Can this method of intense Greek study really be justified in a
universal scope? Is John Stegenga’s copyright 1963 book the only way to find
God’s path to the eternal? In all of human history, Stegenga’s book, through
the ABC, has touched the lives of approximately .0000000183 of the human population.
Nearly all of that population lived prior to the publishing of this book so that’s not even coming close to meeting Jesus’
mandate of “<b><i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Go ye into
all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” </span></i></b><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Stegenga book runs for
several hundred pages. Assuming this is about one-hundred and fifty double
sided sheets, the ABC would need to photocopy one point two trillion pages to
give these out to the entire world. The book weighs about three pounds when
printed so it would be necessary to ship twenty-four billion pounds of paper
all across the globe. The current population would need eight billion notebooks to
house all of these trillions of pages and it would require the conscripting of
an army of workers to print, package, ship and deliver all these books, then keep delivering them to all new persons becoming an adult. It would take immense feats of
leadership to get all eight billion sets out to individuals, teach them how to
use them, then assure they stay in line with the ABC doctrines, and all see
eye to eye. It’s an impossibility. <br /></span></b></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Well,
naturally I understand it is not possible to reach all eight billion people on
earth, and most won’t even choose to listen anyhow, but even if one were to
tackle just one percent of that number (eighty million), or even 1/10<sup>th</sup>
of one percent (eight million), or even 1/100th of that number, it is a staggering task for just a few hundred people. It is indeed sheer folly. Using the evidence at hand I
can surmise loading people up with hundreds of pages of Greek studies at
the weight of three pounds each is not feasible in the larger scope of things.
In fact, it’s absurd in the light that technology to produce these economical
bound books is actually very modern. Photocopiers were developed in my lifetime. High speed
printing was developed in 1814 but still not very fast. Typesetting machines were developed in 1822 but they required a number of workers to use and load. Paper mills began churning out less expensive paper in 1803. Paper was once a highly prized, and expensive, commodity using plants, not trees. When I was in
high school it took minutes to duplicate just one page of text. We used these
weird greasy pink sheets and fed the paper through the machine twice for each page.
The print would then fade quickly if hit by rays from the sun. But it was progress. </span></b></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The conclusion
is this, and I stole this from Solomon. Of making many books there is no end
and much studying is a weariness to the flesh. To quote another man I once knew.
We should not become so heavenly minded we become no earthly good. Those who
threaten the egos of leaders, puffed up in their self-righteousness, are put away,
the memory of them killed. <span> </span>Jesus spoke
of this work of the fleshly mind in Mark twelve when addressing the Sadducees, Pharisees and others taken in
their ego. The end? </span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Only the Lord knows those
that are his. </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i><span class="a-color-base a-text-italic" role="article">"Their actions were motivated by hate. Hate is not from God. People who use religion to hate can’t love God. It is impossible." </span></i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i><span class="a-color-base a-text-italic" role="article"> From: The Broken Circle, Memoirs of Leaving Afghanistan"</span></i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i><span class="a-color-base a-text-italic" role="article"> </span></i></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i><span class="a-color-base a-text-italic" role="article"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span class="tm6"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank">TO MAIN SITE</a></span></span></b> <br /></span></i></span></b></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-77583358439777500692022-01-31T12:41:00.022-08:002023-09-15T22:25:41.062-07:00Skandalon<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><!--[if !mso]>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvlfi_aQerfOOCh2QCzjRr03noJx8Id1CXzBEBnGIM0bs-Gx_aLId7pIkb4QjGlpqU5q6FwcNMDznKCN_16cGK97xLK4z9MEL5YrY8ZqohpSYj4ScPi8GcPWuw-DLewOpjVPxRrW7jSuSTcqNxcDI7cxWRBHxipznSDcUAdlU54wg6jOGEzxZBufd/s1568/dream_TradingCard(31).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvlfi_aQerfOOCh2QCzjRr03noJx8Id1CXzBEBnGIM0bs-Gx_aLId7pIkb4QjGlpqU5q6FwcNMDznKCN_16cGK97xLK4z9MEL5YrY8ZqohpSYj4ScPi8GcPWuw-DLewOpjVPxRrW7jSuSTcqNxcDI7cxWRBHxipznSDcUAdlU54wg6jOGEzxZBufd/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(31).jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">I had not anticipated adding to my blog for quite some time,
but an article entitled;</span><span style="font-size: large;"> "What the Furtick? Angry Evangelical Lynch Mob Turns on One of Its Own", written by a man named Dan Foster, crossed my path. I found interesting so I had to
post about it. </span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’ve stated this before; quite frequently actually; there
are things that are bad, but they are only truly bad when they happen to you. <span> </span>This was a statement made to me by an
individual who escaped persecution in another country, but then found relating their
story did not truly reflect what they had suffered. It’s such a true statement. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the ABC I witnessed a number of spiritual atrocities over the years. The earliest being when a man named Gary Larson was accused
of, I’m not sure what exactly. Rebellion perhaps? This man, and my father,
disagreed on a very minor point that seemed important to both of them. In the
end, my father won the argument by having this man publicly shamed, ex-communicated then put out. Over the years I watched as
many people were falsely accused of things such as theft from the tithe, blasphemy, rebellion and other alleged sin. They as well were put out of the church as no longer worthy, or were humiliated to the point they left. Self-righteousness on the part of the leaders. In my case I was accused
of blasphemy over one sentence I spoke in answer to a question. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">The entire sum of
my adult Christian experience has been in the ABC, so I found this article I reference rather enlightening. It demonstrated to me that my personal experiences are not outliers. The same atrocities happen throughout Christianity it would seem, not just in the ABC. I
will put the link to this article at the end of this post, but it was posted on Medium, so
it may be behind a subscription paywall. Not sure. Lacking permission to reprint the entire article, I will quote
briefly from the article as fair use, then summarize instead. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The article relates the story of a man who headed up a church called
Elevation. It’s a U.S. megachurch with over 25,000 members. This man, Steven Furtick, put up the Facebook
post shown below:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span face=""OTS-derived-font",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: OTS-derived-font;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrzedu1unMHqwqddQFfmDMj18q24CezAoJ3IHNWcKGliiLiyYUcsxNpot9P8GRqfI5a7VK0yx-orLdJRRMjsdMmdYDuwnk3_nqMxHQ2Tkjj6w8y5KgrN4gPMp0XGLL6fWD_V8RqJYeHcYFoa8zcdZ46K88l433x4fmRR70MKrfobtn549knnQl4dfP=s600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjrzedu1unMHqwqddQFfmDMj18q24CezAoJ3IHNWcKGliiLiyYUcsxNpot9P8GRqfI5a7VK0yx-orLdJRRMjsdMmdYDuwnk3_nqMxHQ2Tkjj6w8y5KgrN4gPMp0XGLL6fWD_V8RqJYeHcYFoa8zcdZ46K88l433x4fmRR70MKrfobtn549knnQl4dfP=w400-h133" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not here to condemn, or defend, the above
statement but, when I read this, it seems rather innocuous to me. Others
did not see it as so innocuous and this man was quickly labeled as “wicked, evil, lying, a licentious blasphemer, an audaciously
blasphemous man and one who needs to seek to be born again". There were literally hundreds
of persons who said mean and nasty things in hundreds of posts about this man's statement. Now mind you, twenty-five
thousand people were following this man, and saw no problem with him, until he posted this single statement. I don’t know this man; I know nothing
of his church, his doctrine or teachings but what this tells me is this manner
of treatment is indigenous to Christianity as a whole, not just the ABC. The
ABC, another segment of Christianity, has not, in any way, separated themselves
from this work of the flesh. Where is the love? Where is the longsuffering? Gentleness? Meekness? All absent.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">In
the article he states, “If you want to upset a Christian, use the wrong words.”
So true. Later in the article he writes, “Christians talk a
big game about being the “family of God” but when the rubber hits the road,
they would undoubtedly be prepared to toss someone out of their “family” if
that someone happened to merely use the wrong words”.<span> </span>Or perhaps, even the right words, if it happened
to bring offense to someone. I can relate.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we are to talk about words, especially
in Greek, since this what the ABC best relates to most, the word offense in Greek </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">is "skandalon" </span>and it means “to be ensnared”.<span> </span>This same word, since we’re addressing Greek words
here, is used when the gospels speak about what the Jews did to entrap Jesus in
the legal system, and allowed him to be executed "legally". It is the nature of man to cover their own inadequacy by ensnaring others in their words, actions, beliefs, etc. <br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">But, aside from defining a word, which just leads to even more argument,
here is the basic point I am making. If you, as reader, believe every word you
speak, or have spoken, is not only perfect, but is, and has been, accepted perfectly
by every hearer, I suggest you beg God right now to take you because, I can
assure you, that perfection will not last. When you slip up and speak the wrong
words, or if your words are taken out of context then converted to scandal, as happened to me,
there are those in the ABC, and in other segments of Christianity, who
lie in wait to ensnare you in those words. They will cast you out or flog you with those words. In my case this was an "eternal judgment for all of eternity" This is nothing more than self-righteousness. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">I witnessed this happen repeatedly
in my time in the ABC but it only became truly bad when it happened to me. I assure you, no one is exempt from this type of treatment. Those fellowshipping in this type of environment should be cautious of what they say, for their own spiritual and emotional safety. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is the article link:<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://medium.com/backyard-theology/what-the-furtick-angry-evangelical-lynch-mob-turns-on-one-of-its-own-e450f488f2fa">https://medium.com/backyard-theology/what-the-furtick-angry-evangelical-lynch-mob-turns-on-one-of-its-own-e450f488f2fa</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>“Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.”– André Gide </i><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> <span class="tm6"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank">TO MAIN SITE</a></span></b></span></span> <br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"> </p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-10285872675701881092021-10-18T16:37:00.204-07:002024-01-03T22:30:17.435-08:002021 Update<p>
</p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></p><p class="Normal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"></span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK4F_FjVDT1GESkl3Z_2UV2x4eeSdpC4uBuY_KpwQgwYWl7NjfxzfmRLeuJJjLREHYh_29UJECpRDw2ELkElxlQ6_nF29d9ialp327iADH48AUsHNv8PUBZA6UiuAcSlqJTrKkUUxby3vgRHN7a403-XhuRpCnH_9AfZq0qUw2t6Va-rWJ3qwYfUd/s1568/dream_TradingCard(242).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK4F_FjVDT1GESkl3Z_2UV2x4eeSdpC4uBuY_KpwQgwYWl7NjfxzfmRLeuJJjLREHYh_29UJECpRDw2ELkElxlQ6_nF29d9ialp327iADH48AUsHNv8PUBZA6UiuAcSlqJTrKkUUxby3vgRHN7a403-XhuRpCnH_9AfZq0qUw2t6Va-rWJ3qwYfUd/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(242).jpg" width="392" /></a></div></span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"> </span></span></b><p></p><p class="Normal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">THIRTEEN YEARS</span></span></b></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">It’s been just over thirteen years since I put up this website. I have not monitored it for quite a while and, before I step away again for an extended period, I feel it
important to give feedback on correspondence I received over the years. I will also give a little more background on life and times. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some have called for me to take this site down. They feel it is “disrespectful to God’s anointed”--those anointed being Gilbert Larson, the "apostle", etc. The "God's anointed" doctrine is loosely based on Psalms 105:15 which says; “<i>Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!</i>” This is Old Testament. Under the new covenant, we are all God's "anointed", not just those claiming a title. In first John, we read; <i>"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things." </i>When persons are exempted, because they have claimed a title for themselves, and are assumed to have special privilege, followers then open themselves to being under Nicolaitan rule. <br /></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The site will remain online indefinitely. I feel it is important to have
information regarding abuses of the </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Assembly of the Body of Christ (ABC)</span></span> available for those who have been enticed into, are currently being enticed into, or will be enticed into the </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">ABC</span></span> by it's facade of false love. The ABC seems safe at first, but it is not a safe place after the initial "love bomb" explodes. </span></span></p><p class="hu hv ki hw b hx or hy hz ia os ib ic id ot ie if ig ou ih ii ij ov ik il in dn gs" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="40f1"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Love bomb:</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">“the action or practice of lavishing someone with attention or affection, especially in order to influence or manipulate them.”</span></i></p><p class="hu hv ki hw b hx or hy hz ia os ib ic id ot ie if ig ou ih ii ij ov ik il in dn gs" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="40f1"><i><span style="font-size: large;">----- <br /></span></i></p><p class="hu hv ki hw b hx or hy hz ia os ib ic id ot ie if ig ou ih ii ij ov ik il in dn gs" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="40f1"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Cults know that if they can control your
relationships then they can control you. Whether we like it or not we
are all profoundly affected by those around us. When you first go to a
cult they will practice “love bombing”, where they arrange instant
friends for you. It will seem wonderful, how could such a loving group
be wrong! But you soon learn that if you ever disagree with them, or
ever leave the cult then you will lose all your new “friends”. This
unspoken threat influences your actions in the cult. Things that
normally would have made you complain will pass by silently because you
don’t want to be ostracized. Like in an unhealthy relationship love is
turned on and off to control.
</span></i></p><p></p><p style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.cultwatch.com/howcultswork.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> https://www.cultwatch.com/howcultswork.html </span></a><br /></span></i></p><p class="hu hv ki hw b hx or hy hz ia os ib ic id ot ie if ig ou ih ii ij ov ik il in dn gs" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="40f1"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>-----</i></span><br /></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">If you stumbled on this site, and have not encountered the ABC directly, this information </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">may still be helpful and can help maneuver similar doctrines elsewhere.</span></span> The ABC is just one of many aberrant churches following similar abusive doctrines. Over the years I have been in contact with many all over the world who have been similarly treated and "eternally judged". The closest other factions to the ABC would be the <a href="https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/experiences/short-shunning-experiences.php" target="_blank">Jehovah Witness church </a>and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CdsH62j1hY" target="_blank">Scientology</a>. Both of these perform <a href="http://www.sedaa.org/2016/11/the-practice-of-shunning-and-its-consequences/" target="_blank">shunning practices</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#Jehovah's_Witnesses" target="_blank">ex-communication</a> and encourage separation from non-adhering family and friends. The ABC, and other churches, misinterpret Matthew 10:37 which reads; </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><i>"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he
that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me</i>". The general interpretation being, if family or current friends do not adhere to the doctrine of the ABC specifically and fellowship with them directly, they should be kept at arms length lest they "draw you away". <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">This site is also a warning to those who remain in the ABC. The same “</span><u><span class="tm6">eternal</span></u><span class="tm6"> judgment” passed on me can also be passed on you, or anyone else, at any time, at the whim of a few men who have elected themselves to positions of power. Should it happen
to you, you will likely not see it coming and it will feel devastating when it happens, even if you are prepared. This form of spiritual abuse relies on lies and deceptions to guide you to the ambush where you will be treated with indignity and hate by proud men. In my case I was asked to come to a man named Bruce Leonard's house to talk to another man about his potential "blasphemy". I went that day to defend this man but soon found this was a lie to draw me to the ambush. I was instead the target that day based on a total contrived fallacy. Be comforted
in this; these people have no authority over your soul. They are "hirelings" and not the shepherd. They are not the voice of the shepherd, and you need not follow them into the thicket, or over a cliff. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">For those who question, or fall out of favor with the leadership, an ambush is now an <u>eternal</u> end. The ABC used to discipline for a specified time but now passes "eternal judgments", feeling this is "part of the foundation" talked about in Hebrews. In the past, these tactics ended with a person being made to sit in the back of
the room at meetings or not allowed to speak. At times they would be forbidden to eat with others at any time, in a meeting or at home. Historically, letters were mailed to all but, after it was determined this left a paper trail that could be considered slander, and could be used against the ABC legally, the paper trail of letters stopped. Now only phone calls are made since phone calls can be easily denied. People can be pressured not to speak but letters are proof. I was unaware of this new "eternal" doctrine, until this last ambush</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">!</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"> What type of arrogance feels they can pass an “</span><u><span class="tm6">eternal</span></u><span class="tm6"> judgment”, forever and ever, on another man? I was a bit flabbergasted that day. But beyond that, how does one man feel they can judge another man in this manner? Is that not wrestling against flesh and blood? My fight is with the doctrine of arrogance that pervades the ABC leadership. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Some have stated to me you cannot “go against the authority of God’s anointed”. Speaking up, they say, about spiritual abuse, is forbidden. This was stated to me many times after this final
ambush; but it is simply not true. God is not a respecter of persons. We are all on the same plane. These are mortal men, subject to being carried away with pride and ego. If they exceed their authority, they need not be listened to. These persons,
perpetrating these ambushes, have been steeped in Pharasaical doctrine, the very thing Jesus came to condemn. These practices are not in keeping with this admonishment by Peter; </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock
of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; </span><b><span class="tm10">Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.</span></b></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Many are blind to fact the ABC is really about power, control and the financial enriching of a few who have called themselves apostles, prophets, etc. I was blind to this for many
years and just went along with whatever the leaders decided for my life. When they ruled over others with ego, I accepted this because this is what I knew since childhood. It was the norm. If a man becomes an apostle simply because he gathers a few people in a congealed mass then there are many corporate executives that also qualify. I understand the perspective of those who believe the ABC is the only place God honors. The ABC wrongfully calls itself "<u>The</u> Body". As a result, many blind themselves to the truth of these abusive practices. Much more on what is the true "body of Christ" later in this post.<br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When the ABC began, it seemed a great and noble mission to me. I was not into staid church services, pews and Sunday School. I hated it. Partially because as I was growing up it seemed we were always "in church". The home Bible study format seemed fresh, exciting, new to me. There was
a lot of joy in those mostly college age persons that showed up in our living room once a week. It seemed the kind of place spoken about in Matthew;<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="text Matt-11-30" id="en-KJV-23490">Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.<sup class="versenum"> </sup>Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.<sup class="versenum"> </sup>For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.</span></i></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">What the ABC has now evolved into, since those first days, is far from noble. It is quite distant from those words in Matthew. On the surface it appears to be a place of refuge, a place to learn new things, and indeed there is some fellowship there but over the decades it has proven to be anything but a safe place spiritually. There are those in leadership who spiritually, and emotionally, kill and maim those of whom they disapprove based on their own likes and dislikes. They kill the souls of other all while thinking they are doing God’s service. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, </span><u><span class="tm6">he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words</span></u><span class="tm6">, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt
minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">If you are still in the ABC, you are vulnerable to this same treatment at any time. No one is exempt. Lies and deception are the norm. It may not seem like it when there are happy times but if you happen to fall out of favor with
the leadership, you will be painted as one spiritually taken in a “rebellion” or as one who "blasphemed". Simply being perceived as "too questioning" can be perceived as "rebellion" and be cause for an ambush. Disagreeing will have you labeled as a "blasphemer". Any resistance to this injustice will be displayed to others as “proof” you are spiritually deficient and defiant of "God's authority". I know for certain they have painted me to be a "rebel" and a "liar" because of this website. I have provided substantial proof and the information is out there for anyone to discover. This website is here to protect others and I recount my own story as a cautionary tale. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">Dominance. Control. These things the unjust seek most of all. And so it is the duty of the just to defy dominance and to challenge control.” Robert Fanney.
</span></i><span class="tm6"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Since this was an “</span><u><span class="tm6">eternal</span></u><span class="tm6"> judgment” on my soul, let me define that in the most simple terms. </span><u><span class="tm6">Eternal</span></u><span class="tm6"> is forever and ever and ever and ever... It is an infinite time period. Judgment, in this instance, is considered to be a divine sentence </span><i><u><span class="tm6">deemed</span></u></i><span class="tm6"><i> </i>sent</span><span class="tm6"> by God. Is there any man alive who can truly pass an “eternal judgment” on another and condemn that person's soul? I hearken back to the words of Matthew; </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look
at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite!
First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.</span></i></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">We should not be at war with each other. Our war is instead with the principalities and powers that allow this type pride and destruction to even exist. No one has the authority to eternally judge another
man, even if they have assumed for themselves the title of “apostle” or “elder” or “evangelist” or consider themselves to be a “holder of secrets”.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">James said it well: </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not
a doer of the law but a judge. </span><u><span class="tm6">There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy</span></u><span class="tm6">. Who are you to judge another?</span></i></span></p><p class="Normal tm9" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm6"><b>WOOD, HAY AND STUBBLE </b><br /></span></i></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Some have stated revealing the history of the ABC, or my own story, is wrong. Yet, these same people turn a blind eye when this church, which has a long history of hidden abuses, inflicts a vicious and malicious judgment, </span><u><span class="tm6">eternally and for all time,</span></u><span class="tm6"> on persons then destroys friendships at will. This is arrogant self righteousness to assume one has this power over another man's soul. Our wrestle is with principalities and powers. Is it unrighteous to indict these lies and expose this erroneous doctrines of abuse?
</span><span class="tm6">I mention the names of leaders only because it is they who people look to. It is they who teach, enforce and mislead others into thinking they have been given a special power, by God, to spiritually maim and kill. Their deeds, born of puffed up pride, must be
exposed as false, and they must be stopped from perpetrating these actions born of self righteous pride. They have no Godly authority to belittle or condemn others in this way and my goal is to unmask the false authority they have assumed. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">My fight is not with these persons directly, but instead with the underlying ABC doctrines that afford these men such power over other's souls. These mortal men have simply stepped into a power that has been afforded them by these doctrines. They are really an Oz behind a curtain who have been given levers of power by their followers. We must follow God, not any man.</span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The doctrines regarding “discipline” were instated
into the ABC by my father, Ramon A Haas, when he became entangled in the five-fold ministry doctrine which Derek Prince and al others who began this doctrine eventually rejected. These doctrines require close scrutiny and evaluation. I can assure you, my father was far from perfect, as we all are. Perhaps he was wrong. Only by reviewing history, and giving examples of the
outcomes of false accusations, followed by abusive disciplines, can we prevent future tragedy. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I refer again to the words of Timothy. He was not shy about calling out the works of two men who tried, and succeeded, to destroy other’s faith by the wrangling of words turned
to their own devices. That’s not far off what the ABC also does through word wrangling. They too destroy with words. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">Remind them of these things, </span><u><span class="tm6">charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.</span></u><span class="tm6"> Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the
solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “</span><u><span class="tm6">The Lord knows those who are His</span></u><span class="tm6">,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the
latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure
heart. </span><u><span class="tm6">But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife</span></u><span class="tm6">. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the
truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The ABC contorts scripture by using what they perceive to be a better interpretation through intense Greek word study.
They feel they have the authority to “</span><u><span class="tm6">eternally</span></u><span class="tm6"> judge” and condemn anyone they choose simply because they have studied "eternal judgment" and have formed an eternal opinion. That is, in reality, a total lack of the ability to "repent", change one's mind and this view is certainly not backed up by the weightier matters of Justice, Mercy and Faith. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-23-23" id="en-NKJV-23942"><span class="woj">“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!</span> <span class="woj">For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and</span> <span class="woj">have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.</span> </span> <span class="text Matt-23-24" id="en-NKJV-23943"><sup class="versenum">24 </sup><span class="woj">Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!</span></span></span></i></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Those three weightier things have been supplanted by an intense study of texts, moods, tenses, and supposed mate scriptures. It all looks good on paper, but these practices have narrowed the focus </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"> on "judgment" </span></span> so fine the ability to see "mercy" must always accompany "judgment" is lost. The focus has become so narrowed they are no longer able to see there is a large potential for passing an eternal "false judgment". This narrowed focus has puffed up these men in their ill fated attempt to achieve an unachievable perfect truth. It has spawned an excess of pride in many. We must rely on the <u>living</u> Word
of God, as a whole not just the word written on paper with ink. The word of God is written on the heart by the Spirit in ink that does not fade. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><i><span class="text 2Cor-3-2" id="en-NKJV-28844">You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; </span><span class="text 2Cor-3-3" id="en-NKJV-28845">clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us,<u> written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart</u>. </span><span class="text 2Cor-3-4">And we have such trust through Christ toward God. </span>Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, <u>not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.</u></i></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>HISTORY </b><br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Here is a very abbreviated history primer of the written word. In about the 1500’s Martin Luther, and the Protestants, translated the Bible into German from an existing Greek compilation dating to around
the third century A.D. Before this, the Vulgate, written in Latin, was read exclusively by literate men--usually Catholic priests--who then fed selected bits to those who would listen. Education
was for the privileged class and not a right of all. Literacy barred many, if not most, from reading the various papers, scrolls and letters that contained the documents one could describe as scripture. These little tidbits from the priests were all they got as they had no ability to read, much less study, the scriptures in their homes. In rural areas literacy was about five percent. This percentage rose to about thirty percent for those living in cities. That meant about seventy percent of the population was illiterate. Hand them a Bible, a Panin's, a Vine's , A Stegenga, a Nestle's, a Strongs. All just firewood. Since nearly all persons were illiterate prior to our modern age, they relied on others to select then read the text to them. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">After the Protestant reformation, the printed Bible, as we know it today, was put into the hands of the common man but it contained many fewer books. Gutenberg’s movable type press was not long after perfected and this now allowed for mass distribution of the Bible. As time progressed, and technology and literacy increased, the cost of a printed book became much lower and now the average man or woman
could afford to own a printed Bible and read it anytime they wished, providing they were literate. This, on the surface, appears to be a blessing but, as people began to freely own and read the Bible, they also began to freely form adamant interpretative opinions of the text which led to greater wars over words than previously existed when man relied mostly on oral tradition. Schisms began to form. People began to clump together into cliques of similar minded people. These cliques then formed into denominations, these denominations formed into factions, names were attributed to the cliques. Each then began to choose favored
bits of scripture they could formulate into a doctrinal platform to stand on.One of the works of the flesh is "party arguments". These factious debates formed from much study are party arguments.<br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The Calvinists brought the study of the Bible to America, from Europe, in about the 1800’s. Soon after, a flurry of books to aid in interpreting the Bible were developed. This led to even more new sects, or factions, within these new denominations, further dividing people. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Fast forward to the 1900’s. The world is at war, twice, and in the midst of all this turmoil some began to create books with the goal
of “cleaning up” or “microscopically interpreting” the Bible. Their goal was to bring the Bible back to it’s original “pure” state by seeking the mind of the original language writers; primarily Greek and Hebrew. A lofty goal because the texts that were considered to be scripture has changed many times over the centuries. Enter people like John Stegenga, <a href="http://www.bibletopics.com/BIBLESTUDY/83.htm" target="_blank">Ivan Panin</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Edwy_Vine" target="_blank">W.E. Vine</a>, and many others, that created books to define, enumerate, delineate and parse the words of the current Bible. With these modern books, mankind could now look past the surface and make microscopic assessments
of each individual word, phrase, mood, tense, voice, etc. It was now possible to seek God through an intense study of words, instead of by scripture written on the heart by the Spirit. People soon forgot the written texts were only a tiny fraction of a representation of the infinite
God. Infinity is not definable in the span of a human existence and it is folly to think books will guide mankind to a complete truth. It's just not possible. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">There would be no ABC, and it’s doctrines, if John Stegenga had not created his book; “The Greek-English Analytical Concordance of the Greek-English New Testament” in 1963. The entire doctrine of the ABC relies on the overuse of this book as a guide. In fact, it has been said to me, by members of the ABC, more than once, the path to salvation could not be found without the use of this book. Really? How is that even possible? Should we feel sorry for those
who predated the formation of this book? 1963! Should we assume they were not able to find the steps to salvation before 1963 and are therefore lost? Not possibly true.<br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The books unavailable to most earlier generations would include the mass produced printed Bible; which did not exist in an easily obtainable, economical, printed format until about eight hundred years ago. Eight hundred years! There has always
been an oral tradition, and this is how knowledge was passed from one generation to the next. There was no necessity of printing presses and photocopiers throughout most of history. No charts, graphs, notebooks, paper, ball point pens and the like. This all seems too imperfect for our modern mind in this post-industrial age. We feel we must "nail everything down" with our books and anything else just feels incomplete to those
who microscopically examine the Bible and attempt to "discern the mind of God" through intense study. God speaks in a still small voice.<br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Mankind has operated for most of history without these modern luxuries. Certainly books and scrolls existed, but they were mostly held in synagogues and libraries, etc. A few wealthy might have a few scribe copied scrolls laying around, but that would be a tiny minority. Most early Jewish "Christians" still went to the synagogue to hear a bit of scripture, perhaps some comment on that scripture, then go home. Those who had time, could visit the temple, read the scrolls themselves, and perhaps do a bit of study on the side. The forty hour workweek is a modern contrivance. In days of old, there was much less personal time than we have now. Life itself, eating bathing, making clothing, etc. took many more hours of one's day. If one had a time machine and traveled back just one-thousand years, and talked to someone about having a “Bible Study”, they would have no clue what you were talking about. The scriptures are ancient, the printed mass produced Bible is quite modern and it has changed greatly over time. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The ABC works under the mistaken notion that, if enough people, study enough words out of the Greek text, using John Stegenga’s Analytical Concordance, everyone will see eye to eye, and a perfect
knowledge will be achieved. This is primarily based on an experiment done at Philadelphia Bible College, in Seattle, using the Greek word “Dorea”. The experiment was deemed successful after a single trial with just one word. <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">It is felt the only way to achieve a proper
foundation is to complete a tedious “word study” many pages long that takes numerous hours to complete. It’s a fanciful notion, and perhaps seems a noble pursuit on the face, but it's not one that works in reality. While I will agree this exposes a person to a great number of select scriptures, performing a study does not equal application to one's life. It is simply tedious and cerebral and does not carry a person forward into the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace,... I can study all I want but, unless I apply those principals to myself, I have done nothing but read. <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">We all have different DNA, we all come from
different backgrounds, we all have different minds, different outlooks, we are all individual creatures. All of God’s universe is diverse. Even identical twins are not fully identical. The notion that a "word study" will somehow make us all see exactly alike is completely false. In the ABC, those who appear to deviate from the accepted knowledge, even slightly, become suspect. If one is perceived as deviating too far, or asks too many questions, they become spiritually “criminal”
and are dealt with harshly. An ambush may even await these persons. Love, the ultimate command, ceases. There are many in the ABC with varying viewpoints, on many doctrines, but they muzzle themselves so they can appear to fit in as one of
the “accepted”. But God created us as diverse creatures and to see with a single eye is just not possible. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">James tells us </span><i><span class="tm8">...the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and
without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>TRUE WISDOM </b><br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The true wisdom of God brings peace and safety and must be approached with absolute humility. God is in the heavens forever, we are on earth but a short time.
Truth and judgment comes not from any man, or book, but from God alone through the Spirit. Truth, in mankind's perception, is entirely nebulous. The most powerful words in the universe should be <i>“I don’t know”</i>. As much as we think we know, we are all truly ignorant of most things, in a universal sense.</span><span class="tm6"> Books are nice, I love books, I have many books, but, you won’t find God confined in any book or study.</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><i>Seek the <span class="small-caps divine-name" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, all you meek of the earth,<span class="text Zeph-2-3"> who have upheld His justice.</span><span class="text Zeph-2-3"> Seek righteousness, seek humility.</span><span class="text Zeph-2-3"> </span><span class="text Zeph-2-3"></span></i> <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The men who condemn me represent their own authority, not a God-given authority. I did not, and will not, bow to these men’s assumed authority to </span><u><span class="tm6">eternally</span></u><span class="tm6"> judge my soul. These are men who should understand true “eternal judgment” of God is fraught with mercy and not condemnation. This has completely escaped them since their view and mind has become so narrowed. Following a narrow path does not mean one must have a narrow mind.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. </span><b><span class="tm10">Mercy triumphs over judgment.</span></b></i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">These are men who have studied “Eternal Judgment”, for decades, in both Greek and English, yet despite these years of study they still know nothing of the mercy that must always accompany true eternal judgment. They have lost sight of the beauty of truth and see only complexity.
If they wish to pass their own version of judgment, God still has the upper hand. God's mercy <u>always</u> triumphs over their false judgment. Even if I were guilty of the spiritual crime of blasphemy, as they allege, God's mercy would still triumph over <i>their</i> judgment. Always and forever. This is the propitiation they freely speak about, but do not understand. This is why Andy Atwell, considered to be the "Evangelist", can one week "prophesy" God saved my life in the accident because I had a message to give all, then just weeks later "testify" I am a "blasphemer" worthy of eternal judgment and eternal condemnation. Here is what James had to say about that;<br /></span></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. <b>Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?</b> Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? <b>Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.</b></span></i></p><i><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><h3></h3><p><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Jas-3-13"><span class="reftext"></span><b>Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the <u>meekness of wisdom</u>.</b> </span><span class="reftext"></span>But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. <span class="reftext"></span>This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. <span class="reftext"></span>For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. <b>But
the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and
without hypocrisy. <span class="reftext"></span>Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.</b></span></i></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Like those two men Matthew spoke about, these men also wrangle words to fit into a narrowed microscopic view. They are forgetting they represent the God of an expansive, infinite universe and not themselves. They have chosen to follow after ego rather than humility; not understanding they too can be prone to misinterpretation and error. They believe, wrongly, they have a perfect understanding of God’s judgment because they have become skilled at the study of Greek words out of a book produced in 1963. How else could
they justify accusing a man, without allowing that man to even speak, explain or defend? Their justification of this view is from Timothy's advice;</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="reftext"></span></i></span><span class="highl"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">Do not</a> <a title="3858: paradechou (V-PMM/P-2S) -- To receive, accept, acknowledge. From para and dechomai; to accept near, i.e. Admit or delight in.">entertain</a> an accusation <a title="2596: Kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">against</a> <a title="4245: presbyterou (Adj-GMS) -- Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian presbyter.">an elder,</a> <a title="1622: ektos (Adv) -- From ek; the exterior; figuratively aside from, besides.">except</a> <a title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at.">on the testimony of</a> <a title="1417: dyo (Adj-GMP) -- Two. A primary numeral; two.">two</a> <a title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a title="5140: triōn (Adj-GMP) -- Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; three.">three</a> <a title="3144: martyrōn (N-GMP) -- A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a martyr.">witnesses.</a></i></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="highl"><span style="font-size: large;">This is most likely derived from a precept of the old law in Deuteronomy;</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span class="highl"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death,
but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.<span class="p"></span></i></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">It was stated at the ambush two elders were of the opinion my one sentence was blasphemy, therefore irrefutable, so, thus, I could not speak in my own defense. However, one of the elders put forward as a witness of my blasphemy was not present at that meeting but instead heard the complaint secondhand from a woman who took offense at my statement. <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span class="reftext"></span><i>A faithful witness does not lie, <span class="text Prov-14-5">But a false witness will utter lies. PS. 14</span></i> <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Even worldly judges are not this callous. The understanding of truth is vast and unattainable in our lifetime and we must have the humility to
understand we will never fully grasp truth. </span><span class="tm6">Ever.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">But the validity of my "blasphemy" is not really the issue here, is it? That complaint was just the opportunity used by Bruce Leonard and Gilbert Larson to put me away and I was actually ambushed for several reasons. I was told, by a reputable source, one of the main reasons is that Bruce Leonard and Gilbert Larson felt my befriending of a man who questioned
too much was a threat to the church. This man questioned the status quo, that’s for sure, but he was indeed my friend. I welcomed his questions. Who’s to say his questions were not important ones? Even if they weren't important, his questions posed no danger to God or man, they were simply questions. I assure you, I was not the only one who enjoyed this man's questioning of the status quo. I just didn't visibly hide my enjoyment of his questioning as others did. Some feared retribution, or potential ambush on themselves, if they too befriended this man so they hid their friendship. The first stone of our foundation, just past the cornerstone, is Repentance; change. This man's questions should have been welcomed as a potential catalyst for necessary change, a ridding of those things that were perhaps wood, hay, stubble. A refining. He was still considered a "babe" so his words were considered "childish babble", even though his questions were considered a threat to the status quo and leadership. As a result, he was in every way minimized. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The adamant, intense, microscopic study of words, tenses, moods, and the like, have blinded many to the beauty of God’s simple truths. The truth of God is simple, easily understood and easily passed from generation to generation, without intensity. If I want to pass a driving test, I read the manual handed to me by the DMV. I don't need to go to a law library to read the codes and ordinances to pass the test. That would be silly. It is this legalistic, and microscopic,
"drilling down" to ever finer points that has eliminated the simplicity of God and Christ. It has puffed up individuals in knowledge and brought about such ugly behaviors at their hands. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the <span class="fn"></span>simplicity that is in Christ.
</i></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Those who seek complex knowledge over truth are like those who are </span><span class="tm6">ever learning, but never able to come to a knowledge of truth. </span><span class="tm6">I didn’t say that, and that’s not just a partial quote from Timothy’s second letter, Solomon also said this centuries before, at the end of his book of Ecclesiastes. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>A SIMPLE EXERCISE </b><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I ask now that you to do a simple little exercise. I promise there is only one exercise in my post, and it goes really quick. Draw a large T on a page. </span><span class="tm6">Label one side: “KNOW”, then label the other side: “BELIEVE”. Write examples of things you absolutely, and irrefutably, “know” on one side of the T. Write examples of
things you “believe” on the other. Here’s the basic rule though. You only “know” something if you can definitively prove it, with absolute concrete evidence, not found in a book. Books are
fallible. You cannot “know” something if you just read it in a book then believe it to be true. Even if you think you know for certain what you read is true, it is still just a belief and needs to go in the “BELIEVE”
column. </span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">So how much do you “know” for sure? If you were honest, most of your list is in the “believe” column and your “know” column will be quite meager.
There is nothing wrong with “beliefs” but most of what we think we know are really just beliefs. Beliefs are what shape our lives, they make us the person we are, for good or for bad, and we must rely on our beliefs because we have so little we actually "know".</span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">This is why repentance is the first part of any foundation. We must also be willing to abandon any belief when we discover it is no longer true. When we wrongly place too much trust in “beliefs”, and consider these as things we "know", we run the risk of becoming non-repentant,
hard-hearted, and adamant about things we can’t necessarily prove. Words, no matter how fine of a point we put on them, are most times nebulous and prone to error. Grab a dictionary, select a few words at random, then see how many have greatly alternate meanings. If one puts their trust in John Stegenga’s book alone, no matter how perfect it seems, they have misplaced their trust into a fallible man's ink on paper and removed it from the enlightenment of the Spirit.<br /></span></span></p><div class="row">
<div class="col-md-12">
<div class="scripture verse-padding" lang="en">
<div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-23">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse-number"><b></b></span><i><span class="verse-23">This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise
boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich
boast of their riches,
</span>
</i></span></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></i><div class="verse font-helvetica" id="v-24"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="verse-number"><b></b></span><span class="verse-24">but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who
exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I
delight,” declares the LORD.
</span></span></i>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">No matter how fine the sentence, paragraph or prose, words can be easily misconstrued, even when taken in context. Words are, at their core, simply a code we use to express our thoughts. However each of us, in our diverse minds, decipher this code differently from
any other person walking this earth. This makes the conveyance of thoughts and ideas a mine field. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I can “believe” anything I want but I cannot “know” it, and be adamant about it, unless there is irrefutable evidence of it’s truth not transmitted by language. This difference between "truth" and "belief" is partly what
is referred to in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians; </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will
be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss;
but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Our “truths” and our “beliefs” will all someday "burn". Only truth will remain. We all have false beliefs. Every single one of us. Some have more truth decorating their house than beliefs, but that's OK. It is why we must
be humble, open to change and be willing to throw out those things furnishing our soul that would burn. I used to know a man that said quite often “A devotion to the truth begins by doubting what has been assumed in the past.” So true. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each
one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.</span></i></span></p><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm8"><b>WE ARE BUT DUST </b></span><i><span class="tm8"><br /></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">We are but dust, in the universal sense, and must not think too highly of ourselves. If someone has a tape of the teaching I gave just two weeks before the day I was ambushed, you will hear
me saying these exact same things that night, all those many years ago. This has been my message for many years, but it does not sit well with persons devoted to ego and microscopes. In fact, that specific teaching was on how the tongue, our words, will betray us. This is why God looks on our heart instead. To judge a man by our own interpretation of words is far beyond any man's authority. <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The endless pursuit of linear knowledge is
a trap. Mankind loves straight lines, but not a single one of us was created in an identical cookie cutter mold. Truth never comes from just one perspective. Truth is found </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">only</span></span> in diverse and varying perspectives.
</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"></span><i><span class="tm8">We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.</span></i><span class="tm6"> </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">No amount of study in English, Greek, Hebrew or any other language will bring us any closer to the “know” column. We can "know" God only because the evidence of God is written in everything we see or touch in the universe. Every particle of our universe is filled with God. That can even be proven scientifically. Once we move past "God is" we are in our "belief" column and enter uncertainty. Even if we believe we can definitively prove something through much study, we can never actually know it. We must continue to seek, even though we will never fully find. </span></span></p><div style="color: #131313; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><h1 style="color: black; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span>"Understanding and believing are not the same thing."</span></h1>
</div>
<div style="color: #131313; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span>Gertrude Stein</span></p>
</div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">We dishonor the true “Body of Christ”, when
we believe it is a congealed mass of replicated identical cells. The true body is a set of diverse structures, scattered about the entire globe, and </span><i><u><span class="tm8">only the Lord knows those that are his</span></u></i><span class="tm6">. No man knows who belongs to God, so no man can judge or condemn another man. I will spend my entire life having never seen my liver, yet I couldn't live without it. Such is the body of Christ.<br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The ABC is appealing, to some, because the human psyche desires to feel special and unique. The ABC offers this illusion of being "special and unique" as the dangled carrot to draw in the unwary with false love. It promises to share in secrets, but only if one first comes under their banner of false unity. This massing together, in an assumed lock step, dishonors the diversity God created for his body and forms it instead into a cancerous destructive mass. For those who love Greek, it is the word ganglion (</span></span><span style="font-size: large;">anything gathered into a ball) and is partly where we derive the word "gang" in English.<br /></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The ABC is just one more gang, one more faction, built upon a doctrinal construct, born from a previous faction, based on a doctrinal construct, which was itself was based on a previous faction, and on and on down through history. There is nothing new under the sun. The Corinthians were chastised by Paul for this very reason. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span><span class="text 1Cor-11-17">Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.</span> For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be<span class="fn"></span> recognized among you..</span></span></span></i></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span>This matter of having to be "one of the approved" to be accepted plagues the ABC. To be "one of the approved" one must assume a singular view of established doctrine set down by the leadership. To question is perceived as a spiritual "death sentence" so most question privately or in whispered tones, not sure who they can trust.<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,”</span></i></span></p><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm8"><b>A MORE PERFECT KNOWLEDGE </b></span><i><span class="tm8"><br /></span></i></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">This pursuit of a more perfect knowledge, by trying to bring all persons into one linear thinking through force, and by the rejection and condemnation of those persons who don’t form themselves into the mandated perfect
line, has supplanted and destroyed the truth of Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Meekness... These things have instead been replaced with wars and captivity. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">In biology, cells that form a liver can never replace the cells of the heart, or vice versa. They are foreign to each other, even toxic to each other if knitted together. Yet, without each other, as separated
entities, the body would become sick. Using books to bring everyone into the exact same linear thinking, the ganging together under one singular banner, sounds good, but is not spiritually healthy in the long term. God makes trees,
which spread their branches in a non-uniform, non-duplicated pattern. Seeds are sown by wind and fowl but no one instructs the pattern. Man makes buildings from duplicated straight lines on a written page, in an established place, that then require regular maintenance to maintain any hope of longevity. Which type of structure is the ABC? </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The ABC wants ownership of men’s souls. If one permits themselves to be baptized “into the ABC”, they are then taken captive. If one tries to go elsewhere, they
are viewed as having “left the body” and are now “out of God’s will”. That is captivity. Viewing a person who has left "the body" as “out of God’s favor” is wrong. To believe
the ABC, limited to a very small part of North America, is the entire body is misguided. More than one person has said to me they have gone elsewhere throughout the world and could not find single other person who was "in the body". I can think of only one person who ever came to the ABC that has been accepted as "part of the body" without being baptized "into the ABC". We must agree the path to life is narrow, but our focus should never be. Only the Lord knows those who are his. If we look at the outward appearance then we do not judge the heart. We must look at the fruit but also remember fruit has it's season. Even a dormant tree in it's winter is considered fruitful. Only God can judge the heart. To view a person who does not see exactly eye to eye as deficient, is egotistical. To feel the leaders, or anyone else, have the power of spiritual life and death in their hands, is arrogant. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8"> </span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of
the whole matter: </span><u><span class="tm6">Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it
be evil.</span></u></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I would also add that </span><i><span class="tm8">For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And </span><u><span class="tm6">His commandments are not burdensome.</span></u></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I will repeat this concept until the day I die. Those few words carry more weight than all the study books in the world. God is a God of mercy. His true foundation
is sealed with justice, mercy and faithfulness. This is true righteousness.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The ways of God are gentle, simple, not complex. God may be complex, and there are certainly a lot of scientists attempting to figure out God’s complex infinite
universe; but there is no test for us on the complexity of God. We don’t need to understand Him perfectly, and are incapable of such knowledge.</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>ROD AND STAFF </b><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I have heard it said a leader has a rod and a staff and must use both to shepherd the sheep. The rod was meant as a defense weapon against predators, not for use on the sheep. The
staff was used to pull the chin of a sheep upward which would then bring comfort to the sheep and allow it to be gently and peacefully guided back to the flock. If we are as one herding sheep, we are but a hireling, and are not the shepherd. There is only one true shepherd. I have yet to see an example of a
shepherd, or a hireling, use a rod to beat sheep into submission. Herding sheep is a quiet, kind and gentle process and one can expect their will be a lot of bleating in the process. When you beat sheep they run away, become lost, get tangled in thickets, fall off cliffs, get eaten
by wolves, die. It is then the hireling who takes responsibility for this loss, not the sheep. If you are in a position to guide sheep, as a hireling, be cautious, be very gentle, you are responsible for any shed blood.</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><i><span class="highlight">Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye
which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.</span> Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. <u>For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. </u></i><br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>ANSWERS </b><br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When something as heinous as this ambush occurs in one’s life, it drives you to seek answers. I can only seek answers by looking back at my own life. I must shine a light on my personal experiences then use these things as examples. My goal is to aid those who are also bruised or beaten and question the validity of ABC doctrines. Certainly not all ABC doctrines are bad. Not all of their practices are bad. There is good fellowship to be had, at times, in the ABC but that slope can also become very treacherous and slippery if one does not conform. There are underlying doctrines that undermine the safety of the entire structure and spoil the whole.</span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Some feel I was just trying to
"start my own church”. That is quite far from the truth. First, I did not leave; I was ambushed, "eternally judged", condemned by men as a "blasphemer". I was just minding my own business when I, like Joseph, was thrown into a pit and left for dead. Phone calls were then made telling people I had been shunned and ex-communicated and had been "eternally judged", forever and ever. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Second, I have no desire to start a church as there is no external church to start. The temple of God, the Kingdom of God, is within us. It is not an external structure, real or virtual, building or living room. After some assistance laying down a foundation, which can actually be done quite quickly, we are to then build our own temple and furnish it as we see fit. Preferably only with valuable items that will not burn, but no one has ever reached that level of perfection. There's a bit of wood, hay and stubble in each of us. Wherever a few can gather, in a home, building, park, forest..., that is fellowship. But we worship God in the temple that is within us. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Worship and fellowship are not equivalent. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm6"><span><span class="tm6"><span class="text Luke-17-20" id="en-KJV-25672"></span></span></span></span><u><span class="text Luke-17-24" id="en-KJV-25676"></span></u></i></span></p><p class="Normal"></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"></span></span></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I anticipated I would be called a liar, despite providing more than ample evidence of what I have written. Assailing, and discrediting, a person’s character has been the ABC chosen route of putting up a
false defense from the beginning. To be fully discredited is exactly what I would expect. What I hadn’t anticipated was the expletive laden hostilities I would eventually receive. This was a huge surprise and only solidifies the view that the ABC has an undercurrent of hate.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">After I put up this site, some ex-ABC’ers commented about the abuses they too had suffered, even back into their childhood. Most did so anonymously, and this speaks volumes regarding the widespread
fear that remains, even long after a person leaves. If there were perfect love in the ABC, this fear would not exist. These fear-based doctrines are, of themselves, tell-tale signs of an aberrant church or abusive cult. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"></span><i><span class="tm8">There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.</span></i><span class="tm6"><br />___</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God:
</span><u><span class="tm6">Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. </span></u><span class="tm6">And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world,
and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love
of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation
for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has
given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed
the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8">Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. </span><b><span class="tm10">There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love</span></b><span class="tm6">. We love Him because He first loved us.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="tm8"></span><span class="tm6">If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God
whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.</span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I have underlined a section of text above because it was this concept; that Jesus came to earth in the flesh, as human; that is precisely the concept the leaders of the ABC considered
to be “blasphemy”. John states emphatically, </span><i><u><span class="tm8">and every spirit that does </span><span style="color: red;"><span class="tm10">not</span></span><span class="tm6"><b> </b>confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is <span style="color: #cc0000;">not</span> of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which
you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world</span></u></i><u><span class="tm6">.</span></u></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">So, I must ask. Was my statement “blasphemy”, or is the ABC part of the antichrist as is stated here? They decried my statement Jesus came in the flesh, alleging it instead to be blasphemy. They disagreed Jesus was subject
to obeying his parents, just as any other child would be. They disagreed he had caused them great difficulty and needed to obey them as any other child would. Are they then denying Christ came in the flesh? If this is the case; stating Jesus did</span><b><span class="tm10"> </span><u><i><span class="tm7">not</span></i></u></b><span class="tm6"> come in the flesh; does this not mean, per this scripture, they are “not of God” and are instead “part of the spirit of the Antichrist”? Is this then not actually “blasphemy” on their part? Is this not, using the same measure they used with me, something for which they should actually be "eternally judged? </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><i><span class="woj">For with what</span> <span class="fn"></span><span class="woj">judgment you judge, you will be judged;</span> <u><span class="woj">and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.</span></u></i> <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">This is why we should not be so quick to judge each other's words. I believe they have become confused by peering through their proverbial microscope as they look for splinters in other person’s eyes. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><i>“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; <b>for man looketh on the outward </b></i></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">From what I have heard, from more than a few, I allegedly just had a doctrinal disagreement with Bruce Leonard and Gilbert Larson, got my nose bent out of shape, then left in a huff. I have been told I should "just get over it." and return to "accept my discipline". </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Really? Is that really the mind of Christ? The Christ who came to set us free and provide us comfort. The Christ who became our propitiation? <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I have been told when people ask about me they are told I am just a bitter person who had a problem with my dad and couldn't get over it. I do have issues with the aberrant and abusive doctrines my dad left behind. I do have a problem with the aberrant church he created. I do have a problem with his legacy of spiritually abusive doctrines that diminish peace and love within the walls of the church he built. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">What
my dad created affected my life greatly, as I will illuminate later.
As far as having trouble with my dad on a personal level? No. It is he
who disowned me. I never disowned him. </span></span> For those who say to me, it all seems fine right now, I cannot disagree. The annihilation periods are sporadic, random and usually geographic. In between is a false sense of peace and safety. My warning to all is this. Ambushes happen suddenly and without warning. Beware. <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>DISOWNED</b><br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">My dad was not suited for the task of creating a new church built on peace and safety. That is plainly evident based on the way he treated his own family. Just prior to the Wilcrest days, my dad was expelled from his job, expelled from the Broadway Tabernacle church and expelled from Philadelphia Bible College because of the way he abandoned his family. The fruit of his planting is not sweet, but is instead bitter, harsh and an unsafe place spiritually. My vocalizations about the trail of destruction left behind by his new church are just one of the reasons my dad disowned me completely. There are many other things much more egregious. We had many conversations about these things. I felt some compassion for my dad at the start. He had been through the war, piloting landing craft full of soldiers onto the Pacific beaches and came back psychically damaged. He had the same recurring PTSD nightmare for quite a number of years beyond the war. In the middle of his service, during the war, he had been sent to a New Zealand hospital to recover from "battle shock", which we now call PTSD and when he returned from the war he sought comfort in religion. I was not yet born when he first went to seminary but by the time I was five his intense drive to be a religious leader had driven us straight into ramshackle abject poverty living on government commodities and the charity of others. Work was sporadic for my dad then and in the pre-Johnson Great Society era there were few safety nets. I knew nothing else but poverty and those were actually some of the best years of my life. I still look back at those Noti years fondly. Things dramatically </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">changed </span></span>after we moved to Seattle and religion now completely enveloped my dad's life.</span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I sought a love from my dad he was not capable of showing. He did not truly want me in his life to a large degree but</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">, in a bit of a conundrum, he wanted complete control of my life, well into my adulthood. </span></span> There is plain evidence of this in court records and my life history, which I will illuminate a little more later. I remained faithful
to his vision, as long as I could, but in the end it was to my detriment. He disowned me with no valid cause. I don’t completely understand why he disowned me, but I have my suspicions. He always chose building his church over nurturing his family. That carries with it a lifetime of hurt. He went from creating a dysfunctional family to creating a dysfunctional church which then, after his death, is now leaving behind a dysfunctional legacy. <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">My staying away; despite the fact that I was eternally and forever judged as deficient; is not just about one ambush meeting at Bruce Leonard’s house after which I then chose to “rebel”. After the ambush, people from the ABC began showing up at my front door, or calling me on the phone, at all hours, to either interrogate or condemn me. I was called by one person who stood at my door "a stain on the Body of Christ". Some mailed letters. Some felt the “judgment” was harsh, but also felt, “for the sake of unity”, I should “just do what the leaders say, even if it’s wrong”. That’s a pretty
standard line in the ABC; the underlying premise being that one must submit to any treatment from the “anointed”, even if it is severely abusive and false. The goal being to maintain the facade of peace, “for the
sake of the babes”. A few contacted me to tell me I needed to “repent” from whatever it was I had done, even though it was quite clear these people didn’t even know what I had been accused of. They only assumed it must have been bad since the
“leaders” had told them it was. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">That's having blind faith in man, not God and truth.That is not what it means to be a sheep. The sheep know the voice of the true shepherd, and only the true shepherd truly cares about the sheep. Hirelings have no personal stake and can’t always be trusted. One should
not follow a hireling if they intend to lead you over a cliff, or leave you to the wolves. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span class="woj">“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.</span> <span class="woj">But a</span> <span class="fn"></span><span class="woj">hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and</span> <span class="woj">leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.</span> <span class="woj">The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.</span></span></span></i></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I was accused, and “</span><u><span class="tm6">eternally</span></u><span class="tm6"> judged”, then condemned, for something I had not even said by those who feel they are hirelings. That
made it a bit difficult to “change my mind”. There were some who contacted me that didn’t seem to understand I had been “</span><u><span class="tm6">eternally</span></u><span class="tm6"> judged” and condemned, forever and ever, at the ambush. I was told, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">at the ambush,</span></span> by Bruce Leonard, that per instructions from Gilbert Larson I could not speak or defend myself, or give any explanation or clarification of my words or thoughts, because two elders had witnessed my alleged “blasphemy” and I was therefore eternally cursed with a curse. It was irreversible for <u>all of eternity</u> . You know, </span><u><span class="tm6">the eternity</span></u><span class="tm6"> that is like forever and ever and ever and ev... Forever! I can only say it again. What arrogance.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Those who contacted me with sympathy, and felt I had been unfairly accused, found themselves threatened by Bruce Leonard, Gilbert Larson, David North, Andy Atwell, et al. and were told,
in very certain terms, if they associated with me in any way they would be considered “out of the body” and would suffer the same fate of endless harassment I was now being subjected to. In ABC speak, what they
were offered was, in effect, a perceived spiritual death sentence. They knew they too would also lose all of their “friends” overnight. Most became fearful to speak to me and, twice, I ran into some of these people
in a store. They got looks of terror on their face and quite literally turned and ran away so they wouldn’t be “cursed” by speaking to me. It’s ridiculous, superstitious nonsense and evidence of the blind faith people put in the word of these men instead of the Word of God. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">To quote the founder of the ABC; </span><i><span class="tm8">condemnation without investigation is the height of ignorance. </span></i><span class="tm8">The unspoken part of that is; <i>but don't investigate too much or you too will suffer the same fate. </i>It is why people in the Vancouver area were being called "Brucetians", It was Bruce Leonard they served. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I was invited to dinner at one couple’s house and went thinking it was to be a pleasant dinner with old friends. These were people with whom I had been very close friends prior to the
ambush. I found out too late I was not invited over for grilled chicken. I was instead the one to be grilled. This couple wanted to know what I had done to have been put on the "shunned" list. I recounted the statement in question but they insisted
that couldn’t possibly be the reason. As I kept repeating the same explanation, I kept hearing back the same “no, that can’t be why, there has to be more to it than that”. But, nope, that was it. My true statement
that Christ came in the flesh, was obliged to obey his parents as a young child and was subject to the flesh, until his resurrection, was my alleged “blasphemy”. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Some began contacting my wife, secretly, to persuade her I was some sort of spiritually bad dude and she needed to return to the ABC without me. The harassment had first started out blatant, and had now
become secret. But it was always incessant, intense and it took an immense physical and emotional toll. I have been on the other side of this. I know how this harassment finally wears out a person. It is how some animals subdue their prey. The leaders, acting like wild beasts, use this to their advantage to maim and kill. They point to the person and allege this
difficulty is because the person is “in sin” and “unrepentant", and not because the person has been spiritually abused and systematically beaten down through torments. I repeat what I said before, this can happen to anyone.<br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><i>Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.</i></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Someone even called my doctors office, leading them to believe I was having "delusions", and believed "the kingdom of God was after
me”. I had threatened a lawsuit against the ABC to end the harassment and assume this was done so </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I would not be believed if </span></span>I tried to make a complaint about the harassment. I learned about this phone call when I went to see my doctor about a chronic ear issue. Having </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">never once mentioned the ABC to my doctor, or having not even seen the doctor since day of the ambush, I suddenly found myself accused by my doctor of having delusions and believed the ABC, and it's leaders, were a real entity when they were actually just figments of my imagination.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Whoever made this phone call to </span></span>my doctor's office led them to believe I was homeless, when I wasn't. Tried to tell them I had job problems, which I didn't. Tried to make them believe I was deluded and believed the ABC was a real entity when it was really just a figment of my imagination. It's real and registered as a corporation in Washington State. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><a href="https://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1813" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoRvcCUZg9hopM563kiXIgclqeeBze_PTWGc53Ypx5tSzyviTmzDvLmfoQJmiW_Q85Oi5wXyJY0wsmTtIdv8DgbDyTb1oAtTW-z01fipIHXCm6JzvVezqNA7IPIJ43pEcqA85dHOyyvJVvrJZDL705yp3w7_RXVLSed763H_sYyHqUgYxnoTcnBCK/w640-h298/Screenshot%202022-03-29%20at%2017-08-10%20Corporations%20and%20Charities%20System.png" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">They led my doctor to believe Bruce Leonard, Gilbert Larson, Andy Atwell et al, were just fictitious people and all a part of my "delusion". I was mystified when I was held in an exam room, with a nurse standing at the door to make sure I didn't leave. My doctor returned with prescriptions for anti-psychotic medications and made a referral to a psychiatrist who could help me “mange my delusions” about the
“Kingdom of God” being after me. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I eventually pulled my medical records from Kaiser, to see what was written about this visit and this is when I discovered evidence of this malicious phone call made by someone in the ABC. Whoever made this call told a series of lies about me I could firmly document in writing as not true. I consulted an attorney, gathered substantial proof of the ABC’s existence, substantial proof the leaders; Bruce Leonard, Gilbert Larson, Andy Atwell, et al were actual living persons and not delusions. I gathered proof I was not homeless, was not having job problems, etc. and turned all of this proof over to two government agencies and a medical review board at Kaiser. I sent copies of all of this documentation to Gilbert Larson so he would know how malicious this attack was on my person. I let him know it might become necessary to get depositions from leaders of the ABC to prove they were real people. It took years to work through the governmental and Kaiser bureaucracy. It caused me great difficulty in the interim. Imagine if every time you walked into your doctor's office you were labeled as being "psychotic" and "delusional" because someone from your dad's church called and lied about you. Suddenly everything you say is taken in the light of someone with "psychotic delusions" who thinks they are being "chased by the Kingdom of God". This was a malicious ploy by someone in the ABC. I have no doubt they think by messing with my life in such a way they are doing God service. It's one-hundred percent shameful.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The stress on my life, after the ambush, reached the point I did have to leave my job, abandon any pension, sell the house I had just bought at a great loss, then move to where people could no longer find me. It was the only way to
end the harassment. The financial toll was huge; the sudden loss of so many “friends” just as great. I take full responsibility for not being strong enough to battle back against the injustice of this ambush,
and subsequent harassment, however, it <i>was</i> equivalent to being physically beat to a pulp, then having someone say, as I lay beaten and bloody on the pavement, “see, we were right all along, there must have been
something wrong with him. All he can do is lay there and bleed.” These are sick abusive practice by the ABC, it has gone on for too many decades, and I hope this website can make this practice end. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">So, to those who wrote me and felt this was just a small disagreement over doctrine; this was not just a small disagreement over a doctrinal point. This was an ongoing and malicious attack against my entire life and person. It is not something I initiated.
I was sitting at home minding my own business when Mark Pedersen and Andy Atwell contacted me but refused to enter my home; presumably due to a fear they would “participate in my sin” if they entered my house and asked me to meet them at the
IHOP instead. It is a common superstition, among members of the ABC, that if you associate with a person “taken in a sin”, as they assumed I was, you will become oppressed and need anointing to “rid yourself of
that oppression”. That's nonsense. These same people will then teach about having the "armor of God" as protection against oppression. This notion of not entering a home is drawn from this bit of text in Second John.<br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal"><br /><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span class="text 2John-1-7">For many deceivers have gone out into the world <u>who do <b>not</b> confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.</u> <u>This is a deceiver and an antichrist.</u> </span>Look to yourselves, that <span class="fn"></span>we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. </span></span></i></p><p>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="reftext"></span>Whoever transgresses
and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who
abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. <u>If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.</u></span></i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">I must point out the ones we are <i>not</i> to receive or greet are those who <i>deny </i>Christ came in the flesh. My alleged blasphemy was to state that Christ <i>did</i> come in the flesh and this was a true statement. "Nuf said". </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>MY OWN EXPERIENCES AND RED FLAGS</b><br /></u></span></p><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">While I have personally witnessed a great deal of abuse of others, I am only able to truly judge the validity of the ABC by my own experiences. I ignored many, many red flags in my life starting when I was about age twelve. I list below just a few of my experiences, but this is, for certain, just a very tiny sample of the "red flag" list. I ignored these red flags; first out of youthful ignorance, then later through polarized glasses that masked the glaring errors, to maintain a false sense of peace and safety in my life. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">My
dad started this abusive church. I was there in the beginning when he tried, and failed, to start this church on San Juan Island. I feel a personal responsibility to share what I know about the evolving of this church. I feel it is important to share the outcome of letting others rule over my life to the extent I did. I posted this website because these things have happened to many others, not just to me, and these things will continue to happen to even more unless these practices are exposed and stopped. People need to understand these abusive doctrines
exist in the ABC and it is imperative to guard against them if one chooses to remain tied to the ABC. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I had been taught, from a very young age, I must submit to whatever abuse is laid at my feet by the ABC, because they “speak for God” as my "mother". I was taught I must go along, and stay quiet, “for
the sake of unity” or to “protect the babes”. I was wrong to do so. My silence was yellow, not golden. I have worked on my courage and do my best now not to live within a yellow silence. That is not always easy. Jesus called out the
“word wrangling” scribes and abusive Pharisees by calling them vipers. I too call out the ABC as being a school of Pharasaical thinking and word wrangling. There are those in the ABC who lay in wait as vipers. <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></p><p class="hu hv fv hw b hx lr hy hz ia ls ib ic id lt ie if ig lu ih ii ij lv ik il in dn gs" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="b104"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>If
something smells like a snake and slithers like a snake — it’s
definitely a snake, no matter how much sheepskin clothing it pretends to
wear. <span style="font-size: medium;">Lena Ann</span><br /></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">From the day my dad slammed me into that wall on San Juan Island as a child, then pushed my mom and I to the street homeless so he could start a new church in Seattle without us, I should
have known all was not right. I actually did, but I was very young and had already stuffed a lot of the emotions from having lived in the war zone that was our home. This was just one more thing to stuff. It takes two to tango. My mom shares more than equal blame
for the war that existed in our home, but it was, indeed, often a war zone. Except for church day. On that day we were a very happy family. Red flag.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">My mom and I lived homeless, for several months, before my grandmother and great uncle rescued us. During this time my dad never wrote, visited, called or would accept a collect call from me.
He defied the court order to support me, and refused to pay a single dime to assure I was housed and fed. I should have known then all was not right. My health suffered greatly and I was going to regular weekly doctor visits trying to determine the cause. The doctor, sensing something was amiss in my home life, had begun asking the typical "child abuse" questions. It was not long after that, I ran away from my mom's house, ended up at my dad's house and avoided the inevitable foster care. Red flag.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When I ended up at my dad’s house, a little over one year after his abandoning me on the island, his first words were to express how displeased he was that I would now live in his house. Red flag. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When I learned my dad had, on my birthday, one year earlier, married the woman with whom he had been having an adulterous affair, but did not have the decency to write me, call me or visit
me, as his son, to even share this news...I should have known all was not right. Red flag. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When my dad told me I was to refer to stepmother only as my natural mother, because the members of his new Bible study in our living room would not understand his
divorce...I should have known all was not right. Red flag.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When my grades suffered, because my dad had turned my life completely upside down as a child, and his response was to take me to the principals office and tell the principal, in my presence, I was “retarded”
(yes, using that actual word) and needed to be put in the classes for “dumb kids” (again, those were the words he used), I should have known all was not right. Red flag.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When I was locked in my room, after school, during my junior year in high school, was made to eat all meals alone, and had to use that time to complete Greek word studies then write reports on Greek words and have them graded in sit down sessions with my
stepmother, because she had deemed me “rebellious”, and my dad just went along with this plan...I should have known all was not right. Red flag.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When, just days after I graduated high school, my dad decided to hit the road in his converted bus, to build his church bigger, and never once told me I would not be going along, but instead just dumped me at my oldest siblings house, before my eighteenth birthday...I should have known all was not right. Red flag.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When my dad called me months later telling me God wanted me in Santa Cruz, to help him start his church there and ordered me to leave my job in Klamath Falls and move, I moved. I did not know it
would be impossible to find a job in Santa Cruz. I did not know that, soon after I moved, his effort to start meetings in Santa Cruz would be completely abandoned, overnight, due to a quite serious impropriety on his part. I won’t be specific on that impropriety, but it was enough that he
was asked to leave the area. Both meetings abruptly ended, he packed up the bus within days and moved out of the state to the Apex airport in Bremerton. He paid for the other couple's move he had invited down but I was told to stay behind in Santa Cruz with no job, no money and an eviction notice on my trailer
door. This should have been a huge clue that all was not right, but I was still a kid and I “soldiered on” thinking I had to obey my “father in the lord”, as he called himself. I was to “keep
the unity”, even if that caused me great hardship. Red flags.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When I finally found a job at a restaurant, but it was shut down weeks later by order of the health department, and I could not find work again, I called my dad, begging for help. I
was told no help would be provided and I would need to "just grow up and find my own way". I should have know then all was not right. Red flag.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When I called my dad again, about a week before I was to be evicted, I was begrudgingly told if I could “find my own way to Bremerton” he would then “help me”. Until then, no help would be on the way. I begged money from people in the trailer park and, when I got together enough money for gas and food, just two days before I was to be evicted from my trailer space, I left to Bremerton. Upon arriving, my trailer was given away after I was lied to I would be paid for it’s “sale”. My dad instead kept the money, leaving me completely broke again and the trailer was turned into a goat
shed the next day. I was told to sleep in an old rat infested bus that sat on the airport property instead. It was cruel, but the kind woman, Elizabeth Walker, who owned the private airport, heard about the plan, intervened, and gave me a bed in her home. It was very clear my dad was not pleased I had found a way to “move back home” and I truly believe he expected I would not be able to find my way out of Santa Cruz. I should have known all was not well. Red flags.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The next morning, after arriving at the <a href="https://www.kitsapdailynews.com/news/little-apex-airpark-in-silverdale-is-a-door-to-the-wild-blue-yonder/" target="_blank">Apex Airport</a>, I was told by my dad and stepmother, “God wants you to marry because we don’t think you are growing up fast enough”. I
was told I would only be offered further assistance if I married who "God chose for me". If I did not marry her I would be considered “out of the will of God” and would need to hit the streets, all on my own again. I admit to being </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">very </span></span>gullible at the time, but arranged
marriages were a common occurrence in the ABC so this was not completely out of the usual. I was unemployed, had no stable residence, there was a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973%E2%80%931975_recession" target="_blank">major recession</a>, jobs were scarce-especially for someone with barely a high school diploma-and I was pretty
much stuck because I had no money, no job, no food, no trailer and I had no place to go. With two tearful pleading sessions I begged not to have to marry but my dad was insistent it was the “will of God” and I must
“obey my father in the lord”. All of this should have been huge red flags but I “soldiered on” to “maintain the unity” and “obey my father in the Lord”. Really, at this point
in life I was very young, just trying to survive and I was grabbing whatever safety net I could. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm8">As a side note here, I have been accused by some of marrying because it is alleged I "got her pregnant and we </span><i><span class="tm10">had</span></i><span class="tm6"><i><b> </b></i>to marry". This is not even possibly true. I lived in Santa Cruz, CA, she lived in Lynnwood WA. </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When science advances to the point pregnancy is possible through the mail then accuse away, but until then... Truth is, s</span></span>he did not want to marry me as much as I did not want to marry her. We didn't know each other and she was quite vocal I was not a person she would ever choose to marry. She was barely seventeen and she too had been given the same line about “the will of God” we marry. We were "married" within two weeks of my arriving at the airport and the delay happened </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">only </span></span>because her father was out of town. He showed up and tried to stop the "marriage" but to no avail. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When my new “wife” left, soon after our “marriage”, to live at her dad’s apartment in Bellevue, I was told I must leave the Apex Airport, find her in Bellevue
where she was now staying, and live with her since we were now "married". There was a distinct pattern emerging that my dad was doing anything to stop the scandal he caused so he could continue building his church; even to the point of forcing me to remain in this unwanted marriage. A man named Tom, from the ABC, helped me go look for her. We found the
address where she was staying. Her dad had returned to his extended bike trip, for several months, so had offered to let her live in his apartment while he was gone. I arrived at the front door, unexpected, which made her furious. She allowed me to sleep on the couch that night, then the next morning she left to live with a couple in Edmonds WA who had previously left the ABC and started their own “Jesus
People-like” church near Paine Field. Red flag.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Through much “counseling” and spiritual duress we were brought back together again. Our nearly immediate separation, after our "marriage", was creating considerable scandal in the church. My dad worked hard to persuade
us we could not split up, telling us again it was “God’s will we be together”. We held it together for nine years, and there were a few slightly good years, but there were very few periods during that nine
years of “marriage” she remained faithful to the “marriage”. I eventually brought my mountain of evidence of this infidelity to my dad since s</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">he did nothing to hide it</span></span>. My thinking was I needed his, and his church's permission to divorce. I pleaded
with him to allow me to divorce but was told repeatedly “you need to learn to love her for the person she’ll become, not the person she is today”. I had been made an elder in his church, at age twenty-one,
so divorce, which he claimed was not scriptural, despite his own secret divorce, would have created even more scandal. I was told it could not be sought and I was expected to “maintain the image” and obey my “father in
the Lord”. Naive? Yes, very much so. I missed another red flag and “soldiered on”. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">After my divorce I received a flurry of condemnation letters from people telling me I was now "out of God's will" and in a "sin of the soul". Some of these same people would then later divorce as well. Hypocrisy and red Flags. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">For years I had been taught the Catholic Church was Mystery Babylon, the “Mother of Harlots”, who rides on seven hills; and all of the mainstream churches were her “daughters”. The ABC, I was taught,
was different since we had no buildings. We therefore did not ride "tax free" on the back of the government and we were therefore not part of Mystery Babylon; we were not one of those daughters. After my dad incorporated the ABC, for tax purposes, then started the “Mexican Ministry”, he decided we would now dress like Catholic priests whenever we entered Mexico
to teach. The Mexican people began to kiss our rings, as though we were Catholic priests, and I was not comfortable with this at all. This ran counter to all of the previous teaching I had been taught. I refused, at first, to go along with the plan but my dad got very upset with me, claimed once again he was my “father
in the lord”, even though I was now very much an adult. He commanded me to buy the uniform. When I still refused, I came home a few days later to find the uniform hanging on my front door knob with a note. I wore it a few times, under duress,
but was then labeled as “rebellious”. Red flag. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I took one of my kids to my dad’s house for a few hours of babysitting. I was in a bind and had nowhere else to take her. I would not normally have left a child with my stepmother. When I arrived back I found her tied hand and foot with a paper bag over her head, crying, nose to a wall. She was five and had been standing, nose to the wall like that for hours. I removed the restraints from her hands and feet, took the bag off
her head then headed for the front door with her. My stepmother met me at the door, refusing to allow us to exit, stating her “discipline” to remove her “rebellion” was not yet complete and she could
not leave until she said it was done. She insisted once a child crossed her threshold they were her child, not mine, so I could not take her home until she gave permission. She insisted I too was a child and must obey
her like a child when in her house. I said, "Oh, no, she's not"; then left anyhow, with my child in tow. I was once again charged with the “sin” of being “rebellious”. It was only weeks later I was disowned. Red flag.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When my dad asked me to help smuggle goods for the Tijuana shop owners across the border; so they could avoid paying duty and sell their goods cheaper to the Los Angeles market thus undercut all of the other sellers; I would not participate. It was totally illegal and I had the real fear my car would be impounded by the border police, or worse. I was once again labeled “rebellious”. Red flag.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I was invited to a meeting only to discover a couple was to be ambushed that night. When the ambush occurred, I knew the things being leveled against them were not true and spoke in their
defense. My dad and step-mother called me a liar then, after the ambush was over, took me out to their van and told me they knew what I had said was true but “God didn’t want that revealed yet”. I had broken
one of the invisible commands, to remain quiet and just go along, so I became marked again as rebellious. Red flag.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I could list many, many, many more pages of similar instances just like this where I was labeled as “rebellious” in San Diego. There are too many red flags to possibly list from this San Diego era and there is no reason to give a complete list. If one reads these few examples, with an open mind, they can see things were not right. For those who tell me to “just go along, even if it’s not fair”,
and “do what they say to maintain the unity” or to "protect the babes", I did that for many years already. It was abusive. If a few men come to me, saying they have the power to </span><u><span class="tm6">eternally judge</span></u><span class="tm6"> and condemn my soul, forever and ever and ever, I will indeed rebel against this false “authority” forever and ever and ever. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The San Diego era ended when my dad called an ambush meeting to confront my multiple “rebellions”, and that of a few others as well. When I asked to speak to him privately that night,
about a quite serious personal matter, he refused and instead ran out the door in anger, drove his van across the lawn in a rage, leaving deep furrows in the grass, then sent a teen girl to my door the next day to tell me I was disowned
and he never wanted to see me again. He wanted anything back that “belonged to the body”. I never saw him again after that day, by his choice. He would visit others near my home but, just as when he had slammed me
against that wall on San Juan Island, at age twelve, then abandoned my mom and I to the streets, he had no desire to ever contact me again and didn’t. Huge red flag.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">When my dad died suddenly in a Mexican restaurant, no one from the ABC called me, since my dad had disowned me and I had been ex-communicated. I learned of his death through my older sibling and flew to San Diego for the funeral. I discovered
his disowning reached beyond the grave by way of David North and Gilbert Larson who tried to bar me from attending his funeral. They were operating on instructions my dad left, prior to his death. It was his final slamming me against the wall and act of abandonment. Another red flag. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">After my father’s death, my stepmother tried to take over the church. Gilbert Larson wrestled the power and control away from her and Gilbert remains in power to this day. My stepmother then began
her own “ministry” and started sending me letters seeking support for her cause. When I did not respond, or send money, she repeatedly sent a man named Robert to my door to intimidate me into submission. On a few occasions
he showed up to my door drunk and, on one occasion, even tried to strike me. All at the behest of my step-mother, who wanted the reins of the church back and wanted me to help her get them. At this point I was refusing to have anything
more to do with her, or the ABC and had finally realized all those red flags I previously ignored, over so many years, were a warning. I had no intention of ever returning. Red flags.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>BROWNIE POINTS</b> <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I skip forward now to the point when Gilbert Larson showed up at my house, lied about how the ABC was sorry for the way I had been treated, and asked if I would return to the ABC in
peace. He stated they "needed me", although it was not defined <i>how</i> they "needed me" or why. This too was a bit of subterfuge. If a person leaves, or even if they are at some point thrust out, there is an imperative to "get them back into the body". It is perceived this will look good for a person if they can entice a previous member back in and they will have ABC "brownie points" for the recovery. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I had, prior to this visit by Gilbert Larson</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"> discovered he</span></span> had not only assumed the reins of the church but also assumed my father’s name and likeness, </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">postmortem, </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">and was republishing my dad's book as if my dad were still alive. He had printed on the back of this republished book my father's name and picture but Gilbert gave his own mailing address.</span></span></span></span> I could only assume he was then answering back in my father’s name, in an attempt to give my dad some sort of immortal status. I found this reprehensible and fraudulent. To be honest, I did not fully trust Gilbert Larson when
he showed up at my house, but he spoke meekly and sincerely and seemed convincing that things would this time be different. I hesitantly returned to the ABC then learned later what was being presented to others is that I had “repented of
my rebellions” and had “come back into fellowship”. This was not true. My previous speaking out against the injustices, lies and deceits, for so many years, was not rebellion, just the truth. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I returned to the ABC, acting in good faith on the things told to me by Gilbert Larson when he visited my home. I was believing things had actually changed. I believed then, with my dad and stepmother
no longer in charge, the abuses had ended. I soon discovered the red flags were all still there. Some began to warn me I was still not trusted but, once again, I “soldiered on” thinking things would someday change. In psychology that's called "cognitive dissonance"; when we go against our own peace and safety and explain away and rationalize the abuse. I
realize now these abusive practices are just baked into the ABC cake and are inseparable from the whole. There have always been periods of turmoil and annihilation, followed by periods of false calm and peace, which are then followed
by another cycle of upset and destruction. It has been cycling that way for five decades. Red flags.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I jump forward now to the Vancouver era. A big red flag went up in Vancouver the weekend Gilbert Larson came to town and I was asked to teach. This should have seemed unusual to me, but I didn’t pick up on the clue that I was being tested that night. I taught the lesson at the Saturday meeting and, afterward, Gilbert Larson dragged me into a hallway, expressed disagreement with a few points I made in my teaching, then gave me what I assumed
was a compliment. He stated “you teach just like your dad”. I smiled and said “thank you” but his face dropped and he stated matter of fact; “That wasn’t a compliment, Scott. Stop it! “Teach
like yourself! You have no right to teach like your dad!” That should have been a huge red flag. It should have clued me in to what was to come but, I had formed new friendships in Vancouver and did not want those friendships
destroyed so I stayed silent and returned to “keeping the peace”. I carry fifty percent of my dad’s DNA. For many years, as a teen, I was with him as he went from area to area, night after
night, teaching the same teaching, over and over, until I could practically quote his teaching in my sleep. My dad would regularly ask me to research facts for him for his teachings and he would include this information I dredged up in his teaching notes. Perhaps those things could be why I was “teaching like my dad”. Maybe. Probably. But why is that even a problem? It’s just plain weird that would even be an issue. Red flag.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>I WAS WARNED </b><br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">After moving to Vancouver, I was warned a number of times I now lived in “Bruce’s area” and needed to do things “Bruce’s way”. I was told
if I did not do things “Bruce’s way” he would eventually make sure I paid a price for my “insubordination”. It was a huge red flag, but I ignored it and soldiered on, to “keep the peace”.
I did not understand Bruce saw me as his "employee". I did not understand the vicious depths to which he would sink if he felt his “authority” was threatened. That final action against me, at the ambush, when I was “eternally judged” to be a “blasphemer”,
and the subsequent harassment by his followers, can only be described as his depraved method of punishing my "insubordination".<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The tests by Bruce Leonard started small at first. Such as the day I first visited his house and he asked me to play a game of chess. I expressed I had not played in at least ten years, but he insisted we play the game anyhow.
I lost. After the game was done, Bruce looked at me with a disgusted look and stated, “I always thought you were a smart person”, then stood up and walked away as if I were no longer worthy
of his time. I had not realized that chess game was actually a test of my intelligence. Chess is just not my thing but no matter how smart the player, every single game has a loser. It is not a measure of inferior intelligence to lose a chess game. But, this was not the first time I would be tested to see if I measured up
to Bruce Leonard’s expectations for “his area”. Red flag. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Another test came when I received a phone call from Bruce Leonard, telling me he was out of town and couldn’t get back for the meeting. He asked if I would teach at his house and I agreed. I
showed up at his house that night, and there he was, sitting in a chair, in his house, not out of town like he had said. He was looking at me with a big Cheshire cat grin and had lied to me about being out of town. His goal was to see what
clothes I would wear to teach. The slacks and polo shirt I wore were unacceptable and he insisted I come with him up to his bedroom where he made me change into some of his, too large for me, “business meeting clothes”, as he referred
to them. I was schooled, while I changed clothes, that “God is a business” and if I was to teach in “his area” I must dress as “a businessman”.
My own clothes were not "business-like" according to Bruce. After I put on his clothes h</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">e then allowed me to teach at his house. </span></span>Red flag. </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">About a year after moving to Vancouver, my wife and I were in a major car accident that nearly took our lives. I had a double compound tib-fib fracture, burns on my leg and arm, multiple
other minor injuries and was on heavy pain medications for an extended period. I was completely immobile after leaving the hospital so Bruce and Debbie Leonard insisted I give them a key to our house, so they could “help”
if we ever needed it. Bruce began using this key to enter my home at will and without knocking. The first time he used the key, a day or two after leaving the hospital, he moved my computer to the side table next to the chair I was unable to leave without a two-person assist. He then put the keyboard in my lap, told me God put me in the accident because I had not been studying enough, postulated I now had plenty of time to study, so I better get busy. This, after recently telling
me when Gilbert Larson was sideswiped by a semi-truck on his way to Seattle, it was Satan hindering him from doing God’s work. For Gilbert Larson, an accident was Satan hindering him, for me, it was God punishing
me. Hmmm... Red Flag!<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Just days later, Bruce Leonard dropped off “assignments” for me to work on for a book he was putting together. I didn’t work on his book since I was still on heavy pain medications
and slept most of the day. Using the house key, he would repeatedly enter my home to harass me, telling me I wasn’t working fast enough on his book. After a considerable number of weeks listening to this harassment
I finally had enough and called him a “bully”. His response was to leave my house, then sent someone to drag me over to his house for a verbal walloping. I was unable to walk or drive and he held me captive at his house while he shouted
at me and made strange demands I did not understand. I asked repeatedly to be taken home, but he would not allow me to leave unless I first said what he wanted to hear. I have no idea to this day what he wanted me to say. I told
him repeatedly, “Bruce, just tell me what you want me to say and I’ll say it so I can go home”. He would not tell me and instead interpreted this as being “stubborn” and "idolatrous". Bruce, at one point, became so heated the person who drove
me to his house intervened on my behalf</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">, told him to stop,</span></span> then eventually drove me home. This was only after a considerable length of time had passed. I “kept the peace” that day, and did nothing when I seriously should have called the police. Red
flag.</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><i>Breaking sessions are when one, two or more cult members and leaders
attack the character of another person, sometimes for hours on end. Some
cults will not stop these sessions until their victim is crying
uncontrollably. <a href="https://www.cultwatch.com/howcultswork.html"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://www.cultwatch.com/howcultswork.html</span></a></i> <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Bruce Leonard insisted I return to teaching, not long after the accident, when I was still on pain medications. I told him I was not ready to teach because my mind was scrambled from the pain </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">medications</span></span>.
He became enraged, told me I was creating my own confusion then stated to me “no man who puts his hand to the plow and turns back is fit for the Kingdom of God.” He then asked me, “are you fit for the kingdom
of God, Scott?” Red flag. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Bruce Leonard treated me at all times as an "employee" of "his area" rather than an equal. Let me interject that I was not then or ever a paid employee of the ABC. Bruce petitioned me repeatedly to help him become paid by the ABC. He wanted the status of being an "apostle" because he started the Vancouver area. He also wanted reimbursement for his mileage to meetings as well. I would not be an advocate for this plan and this made him mad. He began to interfere regularly in my personal life. One example is when I took my child to the doctor in the middle of the night. When Bruce found out I had done this he felt this showed a lack of faith on my part, stating I should have just laid my hands on her again and prayed more. Taking her to the doctor, he stated, showed I "didn't trust God enough". About three weeks later, his daughter also became sick with a high fever and he too rushed her to the emergency room at the hospital. He also forgot that Gilbert Larson sought medical treatment for thyroid cancer and Legionnaires disease and my dad had quite invasive open heart surgery by doctors. These men were held to an alternate standard and it was hypocrisy. Red Flag.<br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Bruce was also quite adamant my career position with the federal government was "ungodly" because God wants us to "work with our hands" and my desk job was not "working with my hands". He boasted he worked in a warehouse and therefore he was "godly" and "worked with his hands". He made these types of comments to me repeatedly, insinuating I was not "in God's will". Red flags. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I could go on for many many more pages about similar instances in Vancouver, but my point is this; those who tell me I should just return to the ABC, accept whatever is thrown my way, without defending myself, and just "do what they say" do not
understand the level of depravity I have seen dished out to others, and experienced myself, over many years. I use my personal examples because that is what I experienced personally and can speak about directly but similar things have happened to many more than just myself. Those who tell me to "just live with it" do not understand the amount of “just put up and shut up to keep the unity and protect the babes” I have experienced in my life.
I have personally walked that path for many years and it always ends badly. If someone can honor, and condone, this type of abusive treatment from the leadership, I don’t think I’m the one with the problem. Those who feel I should just keep this abusive treatment secret only help perpetuate the problem and this will allow many others to be abused in this same manner.</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>THINGS ARE BETTER </b><br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Those who say "things are better now" are not seeing a true view of what lies beneath. I have heard that phrase repeated by many for many decades as a cover for the previous abuses. During the times of peace there is always the perception "things have gotten better". It's just a facade. The abuse cycles between good times and bad. Someday another bad cycle will present itself. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>JUSTICE, MERCY AND FAITHFULNESS </b><br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The weightier matters of the law are justice,
mercy and faithfulness. The ABC, and the leaders noted here, seem grossly deficient in all three. To defend these actions is wrong. To state perhaps they were all just younger then, and needed to learn a better way, is not a reasonable excuse for following their ego into a destructive path. <br /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Secondly, the judgment placed on me by the ABC was </span><b><i><u><span class="tm7">ETERNAL</span></u></i></b><span class="tm6">. That’s a long long long time. Any return would be met <u>forever</u> with the same mistrust I already experienced and would eventually end with the exact same scenario of being accused of some sort of "rebellion" or "blasphemy". Why would I put myself through that again? At this last event I did not follow lockstep with what I was told to do by the man who considered himself my "boss" so he got even. I did not help him become an apostle, did not advocate to get him paid and when the opportunity arrived; when a person became offended by my answer to a question asked; Bruce Leonard seized that moment to have me eternally put away. I assure you, I won’t ever trust these people again. They have proven themselves to be false accusers and liars. I won’t believe their lies. They will point to this as proof of my "stubbornness and rebellion", and use this as their defense, but their actions are not defensible.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Thirdly, for those who feel it is wrong for me to expose these gross injustices over so many years, but have no problem with the ABC leaders passing life altering “eternal judgments” followed by months of harassment, on me, or anyone
else, in such a violent and demeaning manner, you are just wrong. Sorry. You’re just wrong. God is just and kind. These are unjust men, taken with their egos, inflicting severe emotional and spiritual distress on unsuspecting individuals. When they have completely beaten a person down they then point to the pain this person suffers as "proof they are in sin". It is <a href="http://www.spiritualabuse.org/introduction.html" target="_blank">spiritual abuse</a> by bullying and disgusting behavior. I, and a lot of others, have turned a lot of cheeks and they’re
quite raw. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>ANGER</b><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Lastly, there are those who feel I am just angry. Anger is a God-given emotion and, of course, I have some anger about these injustices. Anyone would. It cost me huge financially. It cost me many "friendships".
In the gospels, Jesus became angry with those who meted out injustice, or felt they were the intermediary between God and man. Angry to the point of flipping over their money tables where they sold access to sacrifices at an inflated price and pursued filthy lucre. They too, like these leaders, were robbers and thieves. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"> I offer no apology for being angry about
how I was treated over so many years. I offer no apology for telling just a tiny fraction of my story as example of the abuses dished out by the ABC. I assure you I have much much more story I could tell but I see no reason to write a "tell all". The very little I have told should be enough to show there is a serious problem with the doctrines of the ABC. I assure you, I have witnessed much greater abuses than written here.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I didn’t sign up to be an “elder” in my dad’s church. I was drafted into the position by my dad, a self-appointed “apostle”, when I was just twenty-one. When I was handed that piece of paper, “ordaining” me, I handed it right back to him and told him I did not want to be an elder in his church. He insisted so I took it and stuffed it away. When people asked, I always stated I did not see myself as an "elder". I was awarded it as a result of being "Rays Son."<br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">So, let’s just call my small amount of anger the same thing my dad called it whenever he got mad at me; “Righteous indignation”. I can honestly say the hurt I feel far outweighs any bit of anger I have.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal tm9"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span class="tm7">Righteous indignation</span></i></b><i><span class="tm6"> is typically a reactive </span><span class="tm6">emotion</span><span class="tm6"> of </span><span class="tm6">anger</span><span class="tm6"> over perceived mistreatment, insult, or </span><span class="tm6">malice</span><span class="tm6"> of another. It is akin to what is called the </span><span class="tm6">sense of injustice</span><span class="tm6">. In some </span><span class="tm6">Christian</span><span class="tm6"> doctrines, righteous anger is considered the only form of anger which is not sinful, e.g., when </span><span class="tm6">Jesus</span><span class="tm6"> drove the </span><span class="tm6">money lenders out of the temple</span><span class="tm6"> (</span><span class="tm6">Matthew 21</span><span class="tm6">). <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Righteous_indignation" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></span></i></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Since the day my dad made me an “elder” in his church I have been held to an impossible standard. The myth people saw as my father is based on a series of falsehoods and lies
he used to start this new church. A visit to my main site will show the study methods used were not original and were assumed from Derek Prince, James Watt and the Broadway Tabernacle in Seattle. I have the facts and evidence to prove that statement. </span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">No man can measure up to a charismatic myth based on a series of secrets and falsehoods. My dad could be very charismatic. He was professionally trained in seminary to be charismatic. He spoke to me often about the training he received in charismatic manipulation techniques taught in seminary. He performed the role well. But that is not the man
I knew at home. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>MAN OF GOD</b><br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">There are many, like Gilbert Larson, who worshiped my father as a “man of God”, but a “man of God” cares for and nurtures his family first before trying to nurture others. My father was not that man. Bruce Leonard told me repeatedly you can tell a man of God by looking at his children; intimating my children were not perfect enough to qualify me as a man of God. First, I never claimed that title, so I wasn't too worried about it. Second, somehow my father got an exemption on that rule. My father always felt his children were second to religion and building his church and the results clearly show this is true. I was the last one left that would have anything to do with him, or his church, and I have now been "eternally judged" and condemned as a "blasphemer". Perhaps those throwing these stones, and using this as their yardstick, should look into my father's track record on child rearing and see how he measured up. <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I knew the man driven
to excesses who was willing to discard his entire family to pursue building his church. I spent years trying to measure up to the myth of Ramon A Haas, but only found myself disowned three times while he was alive. First, on San Juan island, second, when I was persuaded to quit my job, move to Santa Cruz then left behind with no job and no money. Then lastly when my father left in a rage and sent a teen girl to my house with the message I had been permanently disowned. Actually, I was abandoned four times when you consider he left instructions I was not to attend his funeral.<br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">I returned to my father's church after his death, based on lies told to me by Gilbert Larson, the Apostle, only to find myself scarlet letter labeled as rebellious and </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">finally eternally </span></span>condemned as a "blasphemer". This by men taken with their egos. To those who remain in the ABC, and read this; Are these really the actions of “men of God”? Seriously. Look at the facts and decide this with an open heart and mind. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The final blow came </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">the day of the ambush when I was “</span><u><span class="tm6">eternally</span></u><span class="tm6"> judged” and people were then set upon me to rip and tear my life apart. I vowed I would never return, and will not. After some time I realized I needed to make sure, to the best of my ability, the ABC could not
do this same thing to more people; thus this website. So, I ask those who feel my anger is unfounded; wouldn’t you perhaps be a little angry if you were falsely accused then tormented? Even to the point a slanderous phone call was made to your doctor's office and you nearly lost everything to stop the harassment? If you had to sell your house, leave your career job, abandon your pension, and move where people could not find you in order to hide from the people accusing and harassing you, "in the name of God". Wouldn't that make you perhaps a little angry? I think
you would be angry too. But, I know how it works. These leaders point and say "See, look at the bad things that happened to him. He must be guilty." But it is their actions that orchestrated this scenario. This is not, in any way, seeking to edify and build up, but is instead seeking to kill and destroy. I am certain they have "turned me over to Satan" like they have done to so many others. This is their usual practice in order to make a person look really bad. But is this really their role?<br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. <span class="reftext"></span>For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this:<span class="oblique">“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”</span> <span class="reftext"></span>But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!</span></span></i></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">There is much more I could say about my days growing up and living in the ABC, but this site is not intended as a “tell all”. I have no real desire
to publicly dive into that mud pile completely. Some of it is much more painful. If someone can’t understand my point of view, from what few things I have written, they never will. I was in the ABC long enough to know most just go along with what the leaders instruct and say. Most have no ability to think critically and just follow along blindly, even if it is wrong. I know this is true because I did that very thing, for many years.<br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">We must learn from history, and it’s outcomes, so we don't repeat it. We shouldn’t
keep the ABC history of abuses hidden to cover up for these egotistical overlords. That just leads to even more destruction down the road. I present my history on this site as example of what is not right in the ABC. I have no other story to tell but my own. The leaders describe this as "sour grapes" to diminish my story. They interpret this as a "spiritual problem" so my words are negated. I tell my story because things have never been right in the ABC, from the very beginning! Things will never be right because the structure is built on power, control and secrecy. I hope this site acts as a deterrent to anyone joining themselves to the ABC and I hope it prevents others from experiencing
this type of spiritual abuse at their hands. That is my goal and not a seeking of sympathy.</span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><b>SPIRITUAL GASLIGHTING</b><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="sb-0"><span class="dt"><span class="dtText">These abuses of the ABC are masked by spiritual gaslighting. In politics that is called deflect, pivot and blame. This is what the leadership does to cover for their abuses. Spiritual gaslighting is the manipulation of a person with the goal of causing them to question the validity of their own thoughts, reality or memories. The goal of gaslighting is to erode the person's confidence, cause them to feel confused, then deplete their spiritual, emotional or mental stability. The ultimate goal is to create a dependency of that person on the perpetrator, rather than on the truth of the facts. </span></span></span><span class="tm6">The ABC leaders are "spiritual gaslighters” driven by ego. They do not like to be called out for their tactics so try to cast blame on those who speak up. To not speak up is to cover up and this just puts others in the future in harms way. </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">Here is a short list of how a spiritual gaslighter operates: </span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">1. They will blatantly lie to your face to “protect the body”.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">2. They will try to make you doubt your own reality by declaring your feelings are a result of a "soul sin" or some other spiritual deficiency.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">3. They will dismiss your feelings as being ungodly.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">4. They will never truly apologize and will point the blame to being your “sin” instead.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">5. They will make you feel like you just didn’t study enough, pray enough, tithe enough...</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">6. They will discredit you to others </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">and destroy friendships </span></span>in order to shut you up. <br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">7. They will make you feel like you are just overreacting when they are spiritually abusive.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">8. They will tear you away from friends, families, supports to isolate you.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">9. They will try to make you feel spiritually inferior by alleging only they, the leaders, are the "anointed" and cannot be spoken against.</span></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">10. They will try to make you distrust yourself when you finally open your eyes to the years of spiritual abuse.</span></span></p><p class="Normal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6">The end points are this. Trust God and don't put your trust in any man. They will fail you. Even Jesus, when pressed, pointed to God and stated everything he spoke was not his own, but were the words of <i>my</i> only father; God. If you are reading this, and still remain in the ABC, please keep this in mind. All it took was one accusation, by one person, to lead to the final ambush by the leadership where I was not allowed to defend myself. I was forever condemned as "rebellious", and a "blasphemer". After the ambush, a series of phone calls were made to all those I know in the ABC and, overnight, I was labeled forever and ever. If it happens to you, you will lose every "friend" you have in the ABC. Then will begin the harassment by the confused, but usually well meaning, "friends" as they try to figure out how you "fell so quickly". Your life will turn upside down. It may not seem possible to you today, but I assure you, this is baked into the ABC cake and can happen to anyone at any time. Be warned. <br /></span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="tm6"> </span></span></p><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span><span class="tm6"> </span> <span class="tm6"><a href="https://abc-history.blogspot.com/2008/02/welcome.html" target="_blank">TO MAIN SITE</a></span></span></b></span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p class="Normal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-47717240086351966542020-09-11T11:50:00.045-07:002023-11-17T13:45:57.507-08:00The Hat<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IxqyBhgJ_nS8bWTS_Jmx2p217qsCQp1fTtqmXETbQ86OobnqPJCXD0_mIl80ZXPHUO6NqIh9l5MXNyOBJ9nhGdPmsDn-JdF5JZoV8TMd9Z2LT2m7LgAvpwloAj2GGHG5F_lhgGoOS6QnotY6dP6cnyenIXJLsVy1T9HNtYY7JJU-qVWxDd2LaHdm/s1568/dream_TradingCard(251).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_IxqyBhgJ_nS8bWTS_Jmx2p217qsCQp1fTtqmXETbQ86OobnqPJCXD0_mIl80ZXPHUO6NqIh9l5MXNyOBJ9nhGdPmsDn-JdF5JZoV8TMd9Z2LT2m7LgAvpwloAj2GGHG5F_lhgGoOS6QnotY6dP6cnyenIXJLsVy1T9HNtYY7JJU-qVWxDd2LaHdm/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(251).jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hats somteimes have religious significance. As example, in some churches or
denominations, such as the Catholic church and the ABC, women are required
to cover their heads while praying. Men should not. This head covering topic was regularly argued in the ABC, but was never honestly resolved under the surface. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">While flipping through the channels one day, I came across a show about
bidding on abandoned storage lockers. In one episode, a bidder found an
elaborately ornamented hat box containing a Shtreimel. A Shtreimel is a hat worn by
some married male Hasidic Jews and is usually made from fox tails. It takes
about four-hundred animals to make just one hat so they can be quite expensive. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The origin of the Shtreimel is uncertain but some believe they originated
from a time when Jews were required to wear a fox tail on the Sabbath
to identify them as Jewish. The Jews turned this curse into a
blessing by wearing the fox tails as hats and formed them into a style
mimicking the hats worn by royals. Smart! <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="#"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Shtreimel.jpg/800px-Shtreimel.jpg" width="342" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">By Dieter Philippi - Eigene Aufnahme, Eigentum, CC BY-SA 3.0, </div><div style="text-align: center;">https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10981048</div><p></p><p>
<br /></p><div class="h-auto ql-container ql-snow" id="quill"><div class="ql-editor" contenteditable="true" data-gramm="false"><p><span style="font-size: large;">Moving on to the second part of this tale. The buyer of this locker was unaware of what he had, and the value of this </span><span style="font-size: large;">Shtreimel. He </span><span style="font-size: large;">discovered specific markings on the hat box which suggested it had a Jewish origin so he sought out a Hasidic Rabbi for an appraisal. This meeting took place in a Jewish synagogue. When the buyer learned his fifty dollar purchase was worth at least four thousand dollars he could not contain his excitement and uttered out a loud curse word. This caused the Rabbi to panic momentarily, but then realizing the cabinet holding the Torah scrolls was closed, and the Torah had not heard this profanity, he relaxed again.</span></p></div></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">In all the paper, in all the world, there is not a single breath of life. While there are writings about the “Living Word of God”, is this actually talking about a book or scroll? It is not. The true word of God is written on tablets of the heart and we can become living epistles. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have a bunch of books. I love books. I actually once had so many books I was accused of starting a library by a pair of movers I hired. But none of these books ever created a single thing. Instead they just sat on a shelf waiting for my attention. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've loved books since I was very young; about age six when I first learned to read; but they have never once returned my affection and not a single one has in it the breath of life. <br /><br />I found this rabbis horror a bit puzzling and I contemplated this interaction for quite some time. I had to ask if this man worshiped God or this set of scrolls. God is everywhere, yet this Rabbi seemed to give no thought to whether God was offended by the cursing; only if the scrolls were protected and not offended. Perhaps that seems odd but, in some ways, it does illustrate the very nature of man. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">For several years I sold advertising and developed promotions for small businesses. It is, at times, a tough sell since advertising and promotions are an intangible product. I sold essentially empty space that then needed to be filled. The results were usually directly immeasurable so the value of that space I was selling had to be accepted strictly on faith that it had done some good. That is often difficult to quantify. Had I been selling gold widgets, at a bargain price, I would have had a much easier time selling than blank space. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">God is an intangible. God is immeasurable. You can’t see God; you can’t touch God, you can't directly feel God. God is much like invisible air. You know air exists because you can breathe it in, it can create lift to fly, you can feel it in the currents of wind, but only the effects of air can be seen and not the air itself. God is the same. Invisible and intangible but we can witness the effects and creations of God to prove God exists.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In my pondering I juxtaposed the ABC’s love of books and studies over a love for the weightier matters of the law; justice, mercy and faith. I asked myself if it was the same and concluded it was mostly the same. Certainly, the ABC does not have a cabinet to display their books and studies like the scrolls of the Torah were enshrined, but the love is actually quite equal to this rabbis love for his scrolls. I don’t intend to diminish the value of the writings in the Torah, but it is, after all, just paper and ink. The words are not what is important. It is the value behind those words. When we look at the values Jesus brought to this world, the making of books and study materials was not ever included in that list. <br /><br />What is the result of this? When the love of books, rules and laws overpower the love of people, and individual frailties, the result is hardness of heart, pride and the pointing of the finger. The ABC considers itself not a part of Christianity when, in fact, they are actually just a tiny part of the broader “Christian church” they claim to despise. They have been overtaken with the pride of tangible paper and ink which then lords over the love, joy and peace which gives evidence of the intangible God. If books and studies were the primary goal of Jesus, he would have left us books and studies. He didn’t leave a single book or study. He didn’t even leave instructions in this regard. If one looks at Jesus' life, he took issue with the Pharisees, the Sadducee and those other lawgivers who inflicted pain on others through an overbearing upholding of the law of Moses through books and studies. He accepted people where they were, helped them heal through compassion and mercy, and did not demand any sort of rote education. <br /><br />There is an argument method which involves carrying a person’s words to the most extreme, even if that persons words spoken were actually quite moderate. There are those who have carried my words to the most extreme, in an effort to diminish my message. One can only sigh. I value the writings which have been left by previous generations. I regularly refer to Psalms, Proverbs and the writings of Solomon for wisdom. In the end, my hope, my salvation, my trust, is in God alone and not in these writings. Even Jesus was just a messenger sent since those who came before him did not listen to the prophets when they spoke the hard truths. Instead they killed them. Sometimes the easiest way to rid yourself of an uncomfortable truth is to just kill the messenger. It’s worked throughout all of history and I can certainly relate. <br /><br />God is intangible and is everywhere. Man is a tangible being and finite. Man seeks safety and security in tangible things, like books and studies. God instead provides us safety and security by providing us space to grow. Our lives feel intangible so we seek out the tangible as comfort. Solomon discovered this and said, “of making many books there is no end”. He too found this habit of endless study tiresome when he sought even greater wisdom through much study, but to no avail. Vanity vanity, he said. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">God is very complex. We will never acquire enough knowledge to understand God. There is no greater freedom than to say, “I don’t know”. He who says he knows something is really the liar the scriptures speaks about. Paul warned the Corinthians not to have this attitude. We fruitlessly strive to understand time honored mysteries. We become full of pride when we think we know something, but really know nothing. Faith is an intangible, not definable, yet faith is the only true path. The more we try to “find a more perfect way”, through books in our fruitless effort to understand God, the more we are just trying to make God tangible for our own benefit. We are only digging a bigger hole to fall into. The writer of Psalms 7 referenced this very thing:</span></p><div><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity;<br /> Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood.<br /> He made a pit and dug it out,<br /> And has fallen into the ditch which he made.<br /> His trouble shall return upon his own head,<br /> And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.</i>
<br /><br />I began to understand this concept several years before I was ambushed. I tried to absolutely define Zion and found this completely impossible. My message of freedom, over bondage to books, did not sit well with leaders in the ABC and I was eventually diminished through their “kill the messenger” devices. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My message is a simple one. All that is required by God is simple. We need to learn from the wisdom of Solomon when he found that to serve God is to keep his commandments (which are not grievous). To love the simplicity of Christ is all there is. That is it. The rest is just “I don’t know”. When we struggle to "nail it all down" it just becomes more weariness to our tangible flesh.</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-28264958234746962202020-06-30T09:58:00.038-07:002024-02-09T11:56:12.773-08:00My view of the Holy Bible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNh7GIzk_8AaT7WRhVhCyp7YyKsqaDRn5sNR2vlDDuA8hUL5CekU4Q1xgy1qBUs8Av3DcBw9YM4hgzA0DTDRGY221sBF3tj0sxB6hf-d42z57Oz7XEE0LjxiV2ZkUYKghynWQ-qinVRj1wtTW2w_JB-nRpsPBXDuzxRd_QvvmWUkqR4cGKlpyODD6/s1568/dream_TradingCard(32).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNh7GIzk_8AaT7WRhVhCyp7YyKsqaDRn5sNR2vlDDuA8hUL5CekU4Q1xgy1qBUs8Av3DcBw9YM4hgzA0DTDRGY221sBF3tj0sxB6hf-d42z57Oz7XEE0LjxiV2ZkUYKghynWQ-qinVRj1wtTW2w_JB-nRpsPBXDuzxRd_QvvmWUkqR4cGKlpyODD6/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(32).jpg" width="392" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">From my special
post to Brian one might assume I do not believe in the words of the Bible so I am posting this explanation
of my views on the Holy Bible, an anthology of ancient texts. <o:p></o:p></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">In the past there existed individual texts which were deemed to be wise, historic or sacred. These were commonly referred to collectively as </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">“the scripture”, even though they were actually separate writings and not conveniently formatted into one single published book. </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"> In rare instances, an individual, or group of individuals, would have a collection of these highly prized texts, usually held in scroll form or on parchment. These would have been meticulously copied
by scribes, a quite lengthy and very expensive process. Generally only wealthy households or places of worship held these reproductions. The common man had very limited access to them simply because of the expense.</span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">To
give some perspective on what it took to create just one Bible by a
scribe, here is a blurb from Atlas Obscura quoting the National Library
of Sweden on what was involved in hand copying just one "Bible":</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #800180;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">The National Library of Sweden puts this massive undertaking into perspective:</span></i></span>
<p><i style="color: #800180;"><span style="font-size: large;">“If the scribe worked for six hours a day and wrote six days a week
this means that the manuscript could have taken about five years to
complete. If the scribe was a monk he may only have been able to work
for about three hours a day, and this means that the manuscript could
have taken ten years to write. As the scribe may also have ruled the
lines to guide the writing before he began to write (it probably took
several hours to rule one leaf), this extends the period it took to
complete the manuscript. The scribe also decorated the manuscript, so
this all means that the manuscript probably took at least 20 years to
finish, and could even have taken 30.” </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/codex-gigas-the-devil-s-bible?mc_cid=afd9fd1e2e&mc_eid=a74cb27ecf" target="_blank">https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/codex-gigas-the-devil-s-bible?mc_cid=afd9fd1e2e&mc_eid=a74cb27ecf</a></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="(https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/codex-gigas-the-devil-s-bible?mc_cid=afd9fd1e2e&mc_eid=a74cb27ecf)"><span><br /></span></a></span></i></p><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">For those wanting to read these scriptural texts, assuming they were literate in the first place, they would usually go to the location where the books or scrolls were held. Paper was an expensive commodity so most often these books and scrolls were held in a place of worship. It was in this manner the “scriptures” were disseminated
broadly and very few written copies existed because the printing press had not
yet been invented. Paper was quite limited, expensive and highly
valued, and just making paper was a very time-consuming process.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">To produce a skin for a scroll took much less time so scrolls were more common than bound books. This is how it was for most of history since paper was not machine made and
available at your closest Office Depot. I have made paper and, while it is not difficult, it is messy and requires lots of pressing and drying for the paper to be
functional. Our modern world, with its multitude of printing presses, copy machines
and giant paper mills has given us a skewed view of books. The ease at which we do things now, especially
with the internet and computers, was not the norm historically. We must view the scriptures in the historical context in which they were written and not lose sight of what is most
important; kindness and love. This graph below illustrates how books began to permeate our world more than at any time in previous history. The graph shows the rise into the 1800's but then the number of published books, including printed copies of the Bible, rose exponentially in the 1900's, especially after the two World Wars. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5OTmjTGMFn1LxpK7buvZOvO_5b-23qcmpqf8Z4Y3c2baQZAm3eKxkpHoSxCTlnoDekI0kgPyeYeZdL1wZBHhVtth1enuH_v4m6zsXxqRQJnAaciJXPXU_2yyXVwgGJWq8PEIEo9lyTIUWVUJPJTG2A5bF_zTbh-BIfR-HCjyL3iYtwcn8oaefWUu8d8/s1024/European_Output_of_Printed_Books_ca._1450%E2%80%931800.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1024" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5OTmjTGMFn1LxpK7buvZOvO_5b-23qcmpqf8Z4Y3c2baQZAm3eKxkpHoSxCTlnoDekI0kgPyeYeZdL1wZBHhVtth1enuH_v4m6zsXxqRQJnAaciJXPXU_2yyXVwgGJWq8PEIEo9lyTIUWVUJPJTG2A5bF_zTbh-BIfR-HCjyL3iYtwcn8oaefWUu8d8/w400-h340/European_Output_of_Printed_Books_ca._1450%E2%80%931800.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:European_Output_of_Printed_Books_ca._1450%E2%80%931800.png">Tentotwo
Data from: Buringh, Eltjo; van Zanden, Jan Luiten: "Charting the “Rise
of the West”: Manuscripts and Printed Books in Europe, A Long-Term
Perspective from the Sixth through Eighteenth Centuries", The Journal of
Economic History, Vol. 69, No. 2 (2009), pp. 409–445 (417, table 2)</a>, <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0">CC BY-SA 3.0</a>, via Wikimedia Commons</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">Previously, one had to be literate, or have a family member or friend
that was literate, </span><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">to
even read the scriptures</span>. The illiterate would sometimes
pay a literate individual as a “reader” and even today, in many countries, it is common for persons to make their living as “readers” for less literate
individuals. The concept of a Bible study, with everyone sitting in a circle, or a square, reading from a
printed Bible, surrounded by study books and commentaries, is quite new and was unheard of before our modern times. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">The Bible became a
mass-produced bound book of selected texts just hundreds of years ago. Not that
long ago in relation to the age of mankind. This anthology of assembled texts we call the
“Holy Bible” was created by the early Catholic church and became mass produced less than eight-hundred years ago. It was named “The Holy Bible”, with “Holy” meaning
these were <i><b><u>the</u></b> </i>texts set apart as approved and accepted to be given to the laity. These were expressed as being the entire wealth of knowledge to explain God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and all things pertaining to. But
who decided these were the accepted texts, to the exclusion of other texts? It was a
group of men, some with large egos who were willing to kill for their views. There were also others of lesser ego who descended into political games, or party
arguments, to defend their personal view of what to include and what to exclude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This compiling of texts, from around the world, was not a time
of contemplation or reverence. It was not a time of consulting God, or the Spirit, on what should, or
should not be, included. Some of these
texts were even acquired by means of pillage and plunder. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">These acquired texts were assembled as the
"accepted texts" by a committee that, at times, even led to a beheading or a stake burning. The "guilty" being labeled as “blasphemers”
or “heretics” as justification. <br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;">What followed is the creation of the book we now call the "Holy Bible". A proliferation of other books to divide and explain this Bible soon followed. Young’s, Strong’s, Vine’s, Stegenga, to name
but a few. All of these books were written in very modern times. There is even a book that attempts to
harmonize all four gospels together but the four gospels have four different
authors, with four different perspectives, written in four
different time frames, all post Christ’s death and resurrection and, with
their varied perspective come perspective differences. These
differences should be embraced, rather than explained away in yet another book. In
1684 some of the original books selected for "The Holy Bible" were removed; <span class="e24kjd">Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Wisdom of Jesus ben Sira,
Baruch, Letter of Jeremiah, Daniel Additions… In fact, the Bible itself, refers to books that no longer exist in our current Bible. (See reference below c</span><i>ourtesy
of Wikipedia.) </i>Where are these books?<span class="e24kjd"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Jasher_(biblical_references)" title="Book of Jasher (biblical references)"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
of Jasher</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> is mentioned in </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Joshua+10:13%E2%80%9310:13&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Joshua 10:13</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Samuel+1:18%E2%80%931:18&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Samuel 1:18</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and also referenced in </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Timothy+3:8%E2%80%933:8&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Timothy 3:8</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-oble_lase-1"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[1]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> From the context in the Book of
Samuel, it is implied that it was a collection of poetry. </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sefer_haYashar_(disambiguation)" title="Sefer haYashar (disambiguation)"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Several
books</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> have claimed to be
this lost text, some of which are discounted as </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudepigrapha" title="Pseudepigrapha"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">pseudepigrapha</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Certain members of </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints" title="The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
secured the copyright to a particular English translation of </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sefer_haYashar_(midrash)" title="Sefer haYashar (midrash)"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">one
of these</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and republished it
in 1887 in Salt Lake City.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-2"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[2]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Wars_of_the_Lord" title="Book of the Wars of the Lord"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
of the Wars of the Lord</span></i></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-3"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[3]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> is mentioned in </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Numbers+21:14%E2%80%9321:14&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Numbers 21:14</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. It is speculatively associated with
one of the </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_Scrolls" title="Dead Sea Scrolls"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dead
Sea Scrolls</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,
the </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_the_Sons_of_Light_Against_the_Sons_of_Darkness" title="War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">War of the Sons of Light Against the
Sons of Darkness</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<sup>[</sup></span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">citation
needed</span></sup></i></a><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">]</span></sup></i><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The Book of the Wars of the Lord is
also cited in the eighteenth century </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Jasher_(Pseudo-Jasher)" title="Book of Jasher (Pseudo-Jasher)"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
of Jasher (Pseudo-Jasher)</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
(trans. Moses Samuel c. 1840, ed. J. H. Parry 1887) Chapter 90:48 as being a
collaborative record written by Moses, Joshua and the children of Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronicles_of_the_Kings_of_Israel" title="Chronicles of the Kings of Israel"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chronicles
of the Kings of Israel</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
and </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronicles_of_the_Kings_of_Judah" title="Chronicles of the Kings of Judah"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chronicles
of the Kings of Judah</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
are mentioned in the </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_of_Kings" title="Books of Kings"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Books of Kings</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (</span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Kings+14:19%E2%80%9314:19&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Kings 14:19,29</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">). They are said to tell of events
during the reigns of Kings </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeroboam" title="Jeroboam"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jeroboam</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> of </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Israel_(Samaria)" title="Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Israel</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rehoboam" title="Rehoboam"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rehoboam</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> of </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Judah" title="Kingdom of Judah"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Judah</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, respectively. The Chronicles of the
Kings of Israel is again mentioned in </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Kings+16:20%E2%80%9316:20&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Kings 16:20</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> regarding King </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zimri_(king)" title="Zimri (king)"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Zimri</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, and many other times throughout 1 and
2 Kings. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Shemaiah_the_Prophet" title="Book of Shemaiah the Prophet"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
of Shemaiah the Prophet</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
and </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visions_of_Iddo_the_Seer" title="Visions of Iddo the Seer"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Visions
of Iddo the Seer</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
(also called </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_of_the_Prophet_Iddo" title="Story of the Prophet Iddo"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Story
of the Prophet Iddo</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
or The Annals of the Prophet Iddo) is mentioned in the </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_of_Chronicles" title="Books of Chronicles"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2nd
Book of Chronicles</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
(</span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+9:29%E2%80%939:29&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 9:29</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+12:15%E2%80%9312:15&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 12:15</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+13:22%E2%80%9313:22&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 13:22</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">). This book has been completely lost
to history, save for its title. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Manner of the Kingdom.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-4"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[4]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Samuel+10:25%E2%80%9310:25&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Samuel 10:25</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_Solomon" title="Acts of Solomon"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Acts of Solomon</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-5"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[5]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Kings+11:41%E2%80%9311:41&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Kings 11:41</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annals_of_King_David" title="Annals of King David"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Annals
of King David</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-6"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[6]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Chronicles+27:24%E2%80%9327:24&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Chronicles 27:24</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Samuel_the_Seer" title="Book of Samuel the Seer"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
of Samuel the Seer</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
Also called Samuel the Seer or The Acts of Samuel the Seer, which could be the
same as </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_of_Samuel" title="Books of Samuel"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 & 2 Samuel</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-apologeticspress.org-7"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[7]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Chronicles+29:29%E2%80%9329:29&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Chronicles 29:29</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Nathan_the_Prophet" title="Book of Nathan the Prophet"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
of Nathan the Prophet</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
Also called Nathan the Prophet or The Acts of Nathan the Prophet or </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Nathan_the_Prophet" title="History of Nathan the Prophet"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">History
of Nathan the Prophet</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-apologeticspress.org-7"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[7]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Chronicles+29:29%E2%80%9329:29&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Chronicles 29:29</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, and also </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+9:29%E2%80%939:29&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 9:29</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Gad_the_Seer" title="Book of Gad the Seer"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
of Gad the Seer</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-8"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[8]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=1+Chronicles+29:29%E2%80%9329:29&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Chronicles 29:29</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecy_of_Ahijah" title="Prophecy of Ahijah"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Prophecy
of Ahijah</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-9"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[9]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> might be a reference to 1 Kings
14:2–18. <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+9:29%E2%80%939:29&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 9:29</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_the_Kings_of_Judah_and_Israel" title="Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
of the Kings of Judah and Israel</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-10"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[10]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced in </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+16:11%E2%80%9316:11&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 16:11</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+27:7%E2%80%9327:7&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 27:7</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+32:32%E2%80%9332:32&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 32:32</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Might be the same as </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Books_of_Kings" title="Books of Kings"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 & 2 Kings</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Jehu" title="Book of Jehu"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book of Jehu</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-11"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[11]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> could be a reference to 1 Kings
16:1–7. <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+20:34%E2%80%9320:34&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 20:34</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_of_the_Book_of_Kings" title="Story of the Book of Kings"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Story
of the Book of Kings</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-12"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[12]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+24:27%E2%80%9324:27&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 24:27</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Acts_of_Uzziah&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Acts of Uzziah (page does not exist)"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Acts
of Uzziah</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. Also called The
Book by the prophet Isaiah. Perhaps the same as the </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Isaiah" title="Book of Isaiah"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book of Isaiah</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-apologeticspress.org-7"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[7]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+26:22%E2%80%9326:22&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 26:22</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vision_of_Isaiah" title="Vision of Isaiah"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Vision of Isaiah</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-13"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[13]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+32:32%E2%80%9332:32&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 32:32</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_the_Kings_of_Israel" title="Acts of the Kings of Israel"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Acts
of the Kings of Israel</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
Also called The Acts and Prayers of Manasseh.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-14"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[14]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> May be identical to The Book of the
Kings of Israel, above. <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+33:18%E2%80%9333:18&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 33:18</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayings_of_the_Seers" title="Sayings of the Seers"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sayings
of the Seers</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-15"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[15]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+33:19%E2%80%9333:19&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 33:19</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laments_for_Josiah" title="Laments for Josiah"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Laments
for Josiah</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
Also called Lamentations. This event is recorded in the existing </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Lamentations" title="Book of Lamentations"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Book
of Lamentations</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
<br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=2+Chronicles+35:25%E2%80%9335:25&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Chronicles 35:25</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Chronicles of King </span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahasuerus" title="Ahasuerus"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ahasuerus</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-canonical_books_referenced_in_the_Bible#cite_note-16"><i><sup><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[16]</span></sup></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
Referenced at </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Esther+2:23%E2%80%932:23&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Esther 2:23</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Esther+6:1%E2%80%936:1&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Esther 6:1</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Esther+10:2%E2%80%9310:2&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Esther 10:2</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, and </span></i><a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Nehemiah+12:23%E2%80%9312:23&version=nrsv"><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nehemiah 12:23</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you choose to forgo Old Testament history, the prophets and wisdom books, and just write the entire
history of Jesus short life instead…good luck. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John referenced this at the end of his
writings. <i>“</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">And there
are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be
written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the
books that should be written. Amen.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;">So,
one need asks; What are we missing? What important thing did Jesus say that we
will never know? Is it important to know? Can we find yet another book that
clarifies these things? Someone probably wrote them down. Isn’t it important we
find these writings? If I die without this knowledge, do I still achieve salvation?
Perhaps Jesus gave additional instructions on baptism before he was taken up. Will
God still honor my baptism if I did not have this knowledge? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, what then? How do
we find the whole truth if it is not written or accessible? We have now the Holy
Bible printed in mass quantities, which can be purchased for very little. We have endless commentaries and study
books to explain it and we believe these will show us the right way. Most often the overuse of these books only puffs up egos and causes divisions. These books,
it is assumed, help us create structure and define a “map” to God and salvation, but this is wrong. Did God ask us to
create a structure for Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No. When
King David asked to create a structure for God, God’s response was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As I have moved with the Israelites, I have never said
to the tribes, whom I commanded to take care of my people Israel, “Why haven’t
you built me a house of cedar?”’ </span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Did God ever
ask for a structure, real or virtual?” No. Paul wrote to the Corinthian’s that we ourselves
are God’s building. But I hear the repercussions now. “We, the ABC, teach
others to build a foundation”. Great! Clearly not a bad idea. Necessary for any sound building. But what then? A virtual house for the worship of God. Each is to build their
own house, preferably with gold, silver and precious stones. But in every house there will inevitably be a bit of wood, hay and stubble as well.<br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What happens in the ABC is foundation is layered upon foundation, again and again, rather than supplying those
things it takes to build a solid house; Justice, Mercy and Faithfulness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The original
plan was one would receive help planting their foundation and would then be set free into the world to help others lay a foundation. The plan was never to congeal into a formalized structure,
real or virtual, incorporated or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is up to each of us to build a house on our foundation. One that is not tied to a format built on books from dead trees. In this way, everyone’s house is diverse, just as nature is diverse. Some homes are
works of art, with precious stones, while others are made of sod and hay. Both are
suitable as a dwelling because, if one has a foundation in Christ, the house is but a temporary dwelling anyhow. In the final fire, if the house is totally
destroyed, so be it. The foundation remains. Therefore we should not be quick to judge one another over our
words or actions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul understood
this when he wrote to the Corinthians. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "cambria" , serif;">For we are God’s fellow workers; you are
God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of
God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation,
and <u>another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it</u>.
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus
Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, <u>each one’s work</u> will
become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire;
and the fire will test <u>each one’s work</u>, of what sort it is. </span></i><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/3-14.htm"></a><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "cambria" , serif;">If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures,
he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer
loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "cambria" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">In Ezra, when the foundation of the temple was laid, this is when the priests shouted for joy. This is when the temple was considered intact again and not when the structure was built on top.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: times; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: times; font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: times; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i>When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: <br /> “For He is good,<br /> For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” <br /> Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">Each one’s work. Those are important words. Each one’s work. We cannot be quick to judge another person’s work. It is not our responsibility to build anyone’s house or tear it down. Each one's work. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /> <br /> <span>It has been illustrated the foundation consists of multiple building blocks but nature does not build in blocks. Nature is a symphony and nature composes and a true foundation is a singular rock composed of many elements. There are no foundation building "blocks" since a foundation made of blocks is not solid and will drift and crack with each movement of the surrounding earth. Rock is the only true firm foundation. </span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #001320;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #001320;"><br /></span></span></span>
</p><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Books are blocks and truth will never be found solely in a book. Books are great in their convenience
but must not be worshiped. Books are noise. Books are flawed.
God speaks with a still small voice and the excess noise from books has the
effect of drowning out God’s still small voice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On that final night I taught at Mark’s home, after which I was accused of blasphemy, I was continuously
interrupted by others with Greek words, tenses, contexts, mate
scriptures and the like. There was a furious rattle of book pages by a few as
they pored through books, seeking out the precise Greek
words, tenses and the like. All to prove, or disprove, my words in real time. It got so intense, at one point, I stopped teaching, then leaning forward slightly over
the podium nearly begged people to listen to the message of the words,
rather than be so wrapped up in senseless word and tense searches. Internally I was </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">seriously </span>about to cry that night because people had become so hardened to the beauty of the words, love and respect
for one another was lost and was replaced with a focus on the technicality of the words themselves, not the
message of what they say. My plea fell on deafened ears and it is
clear from the outcome some took great offense that night. I do understand that trap. I
too was once a great Pharisee emboldened by my phylactery of knowledge and was expert
at pursuing these word wars with others. I gloried in my books but it is a
fruit killing poison. <o:p></o:p></span><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I liken it to a time
I went on a “wildflower hike” with a hiking group. I found the leader had no
intention of having the group wander silently on a trail through fields of wildflowers while
enjoying their beauty. Instead, as soon as we parked, he got out a large wooden
case from his trunk filled with magnifying glasses. He handed one to each
person on the “hike” then set us to wander in a small field, right next to the noisy
highway, looking at tiny stamens and pistils while he expounded endlessly from his
knowledge of the reproductive cycle of wildflowers. For two hours! Yet, if one
had just gotten up off their knees that day, and put down that magnifying glass, they could have
wandered inland just a bit to listen to the silence of the field and take in
the glory of God’s creation all around. They would have been much more edified observing the beauty of the wildflowers instead of the technicality. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Knowledge
puffs up, only the Spirit gives life. I need not be burdened with the understanding
of stamens and pistils to understand the wildflowers God created. God’s
presence is in every single wildflower, and all of creation and that is
all I need to know. I need not know tenses and moods and perfect alignments of
contexts in a book to understand the beauty of God. In fact, if I do pursue the technicality over the beauty I run the risk of becoming
puffed up in my noisy knowledge, no longer able to hear the
the voice of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note how many times
David and Solomon reference God’s created things in Psalms and Proverbs. Books
are man’s creation, wildflowers are not. You cannot reproduce the peace of the Spirit
of God with a printing press.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span>I can hear the words
now in my head as I write this. We are to “rightly divide the word of Truth”
(2Ti. 2:15) or that “all scripture is God breathed…” (2 Ti. 3:16), etc., etc.
etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All are true, but the mass produced anthology of
ancient texts we now call “The Holy Bible” did not exist in Jesus day, or Timothy’s
day, or Paul’s day, or Mathew’s day, or Marks day…or for well over one-thousand
years following. This piece of scripture is not talking about an anthology of
texts, modern and ancient, chunked out in global printing presses then sliced and diced
into book, chapter and verse with concordance attached. Words are now easily shredded and reformed into a structure of our own design. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span>The <u>scripture</u> in Timothy’s day, would have been the Torah, Septuagint and various other
collections of prized letters and texts that were not universally available at
your local bookstore. They were instead committed to memory, as imperfect as that may seem. These were non-formatted
texts with no chapter, paragraph, verse numbering and no context notation
whatsoever. No printed concordance or commentary existed to interpret these
texts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prior to the industrial age most
learning was of an oral tradition but with the advent of the printing press
we now have a mass production of books that are too easily sliced, diced and reformed ad infinitum to match one’s, or a group’s,
own personal view. This is not how it was meant to be. One could argue the word “divide” here is not technically a mathematical term, but to argue that point would just be descending straight
back into the war over words I reject and abhor. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span>What has happened over
the centuries is these once separate books, texts, poems, histories, laws
and prophetic visions, meant to be viewed independently from each other, with
their varying perspective and earthly flaws, have now been congealed into many divisive
doctrines. Man now argues over words and phrases through the use of these mass produced study books. God is
much much simpler than that and this congealing to form doctrines is tantamount to
a cancerous growth on the body of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>
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<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
</div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span>In about the fourth century, under Constantine, the Vatican texts of
the New and Old Testament were compiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Prior to the new Testament era, under king Hezekiah, the Old Testament
texts were assembled into one central location. Copies of these were painstakingly scribed and were sent to the Vatican as well. These texts were all housed
under one roof in the Vatican library for centuries, protected by armed guard, and it would be many more centuries before they were disseminated
globally as "The Bible". People were born, lived and
died without ever having access to this knowledge we now easily obtain.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
</div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span>The anthology
we call “The Holy Bible” went through many changes in it's history and, because of this, it is flawed and incomplete. No
matter which version you choose, none are perfect, all are flawed. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span>In the 70’s there were bumper
stickers all over that said, “I Found It!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The meaning behind this statement was that this person found God. I get
what they mean, but this is simply not possible. We can find the beginning of
the path to God easy enough but, as humans, we can never quite fully understand
or find God. It is why we are programmed to continually seek. The most we can do is have
true faith and glory in our ignorance. We must accept we do not know much, can
prove very little, have no valid tools to construct any sort of structure and, through
faith, must accept that God can rescue us. That is it. The whole duty of man. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span><span>If one feels I do
not value the words of the Bible, I freely quote
from it. These words can be edifying if accepted for what they are. Incomplete words
that explain a complete God. Words can be bring peace, or they can be turned as weapons in a war over words.
This is the spiritual war we see today in the world. The complete truth is only
found by seeking God through the Spirit. It is a difficult concept and the Holy
Bible is a useful tool, but it is just that, a tool. Some will quote back to me
</span><b><sup><span face=""segoe ui" , sans-serif" style="background: white; color: black;"> </span></sup></b><i><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span><i><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></i></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><i><span><span>For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. </span></span></i></span><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>Fine enough, but, when this letter was written to the Hebrew people, how many people had a “Holy Bible” sitting in their home? Nearly zero. So, the statement “the Word of God” is not referring to an anthology or manuscript manufactured from dead trees. It is a living word that can never be maintained on paper, written on the heart by the Spirit.<span><span style="background: white; color: black;"> <br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span>
<span><span class="text"><i>All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, </i></span><i><span id="en-NKJV-29871">that the man of God may be
complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span><i><br /></i>
<span class="text">Those were words written to Timothy by Paul. Timothy likely
never read the letter written to the Hebrew people. Some
feel Paul wrote the letter to the Hebrews but even that is unproven. There is adequate
theory it was actually written by a woman, possibly Priscilla, Junio or Phoebe. It may have been
written by Apollos, but we’ll never know for sure. What is for certain is Acts, Hebrews,
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and all of the other “accepted writings” we regard as
the “Word of God” were only universally shared and compiled for mass distribution about seven or eight hundred
years ago. It is wonderful to have easy access to all of these letters, but to build a doctrine on this evidence alone is flawed. God is much bigger than that. Tough pill to swallow, but it’s true. We must
seek out the weightier matters; Justice, Mercy and Faithfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much study and false piety will not create these things and is wearying as Solomon discovered in his journey seeking knowledge. </span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span><span class="text"></span></span></span></span></p><p><i><span style="font-size: large;">“And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Book of Ecclesiastes<br /></span></i></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span><span class="text"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span><span class="text"><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span><span class="text"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</span></span></p><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: times;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-26092757022643464172020-05-08T11:58:00.009-07:002023-11-16T22:32:34.475-08:00Response to Brian's Remarks dated 4/13/20<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GZfjrDNVg5yAnvcrd0n7VnuDYt1nENU0KwzU8OsskN7XCbbaVZtrmeEUXgRDgNq4m8m8X2VhXiGxj__OWiEPCDD5eOeTG1feqJeUq8np6nxMpI8KkLkzoPlu3nL0NjcSvQ88RXDciIj-87N9xTcnmEZAFrEBT2FKV0NsjDJ-29c3TL_T9hFuPJaw/s1568/dream_TradingCard(100).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GZfjrDNVg5yAnvcrd0n7VnuDYt1nENU0KwzU8OsskN7XCbbaVZtrmeEUXgRDgNq4m8m8X2VhXiGxj__OWiEPCDD5eOeTG1feqJeUq8np6nxMpI8KkLkzoPlu3nL0NjcSvQ88RXDciIj-87N9xTcnmEZAFrEBT2FKV0NsjDJ-29c3TL_T9hFuPJaw/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(100).jpg" width="392" /></a></div><br /> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Brian <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I wanted to respond to a few of your comments and be a
little more defined on my reasons why I would never return to the ABC. I also wanted to
shed light on why I went public with my research on the ABC beginnings. I
put this up as a post, instead of a comment, because, to be thorough, this response must be
lengthy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The primary reason I researched the ABC beginnings is
that, having been a child when this all started, and being the son of the
founder, I needed to delve into my dad’s earliest motivations for starting his
own church or denomination.<span> </span>The
difference being a church is usually affiliated with a larger organization
while a denomination is an entity that breaks off from the pack, so to speak, and becomes fully
independent. The ABC is, by definition, a denomination since it broke off entirely from Broadway Tabernacle and became a new entity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I needed to trace the source of the Broadway Tabernacle
doctrines my dad carried forward into the ABC. There is nothing new
under the sun. Nothing ever just starts from a vacuum. The ABC doctrines came
from influences in my dad’s life so it was important to
understand those influences. I found the need to dig down, find the roots so I could better understand what fed them. I needed to understand what caused this new denomination to come into existence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I tried hard to become close to my dad when he was alive,
but he did not reciprocate. As a result, I never had the opportunity
to explore this with him one on one. As an adult, whenever he came to town, I would invite
him to stay in my home but, each time, he would decline and stay with others. I
repeatedly invited him to dinner but again he was always “too busy to come”.
That was painful. The only time I recall we had a good talk, one on one, was shortly
after his open-heart surgery.<span> </span>He had slowed
down considerably and, for a short period anyhow, it felt like we had connected. On one occasion, we
had driven up into the mountains east of San Diego to check on his trailer which sat vacant. For a few hours we sat in a little café in Alpine CA </span><span style="font-size: large;">and
just talked.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>
</span>It was a warm conversation and one I still cherish. That all changed once he regained his strength again and, once again, out of the blue, I was
marginalized. Not much later I was completely disowned. <span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I needed to understand why
building a new denomination was more important to him than his first family; or
even his second for that matter. Mostly I wanted to understand why I put
up with his multiple rejections and abuses for so long. That was a flaw in me,
not him, and I needed to understand that part of me and become stronger. I wanted to understand
why, when I was young, he was willing to abandon us to the street with no money
or food in order to pursue his dream of starting a new church. That seems so
counter to truth and morality. <span> </span>I wanted to understand
what would motivate him, out of the blue, to disown me in my thirties. I wanted
to understand why he would instruct David North to forbid me to attend his
funeral after he died. That was an ultimate cruelty and slap in the face I do
not feel I deserved. I was the only child from his first family that remained
true to him, even though perhaps I should not have. <span> </span>I needed to understand why what he built would
carry on the terrible tradition of abandonment and “putting away” he manifested. Even long after his death. I needed to understand how he could be so adamant
with others that divorce was not scriptural, yet deliberately keep secret he himself
had divorced and had remarried during the early days of "the group" that later became the ABC. I wanted to understand why a man proclaiming himself
to be a seeker of truth could, at the same time, hold so many secrets and deceive
others. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">My dad was a driven man, prone at times to extreme angry
outbursts in our house. I wanted to understand the source of that anger. It was clear he was unhappy with his current situation. Our house became a war zone starting when I was about age nine. It was at this age we were no longer just trying to survive extreme poverty. That war
lasted until the day he abandoned us abruptly on San Juan Island. That singular day
would be equal to a nuclear bomb destroying our family completely. <span> </span>I do not blame my dad entirely for that. It
takes two to create a war and the volleys were equal from both sides of the marriage. There were many horrendous arguments that lasted until very late into the night and divorce was probably the right action; just not in the way he dumped us to the
street and left us homeless with no money or food. My mom and I had to walk away from everything we owned except a few of our clothes. Ordered to pay for my support my dad never offered any support or assisted in getting us out of homelessness. My grandmother and great uncle can be credited for that. <span> </span>I guess, from my perspective, his personal actions seemed very much at
odds with the message of "love" he preached to others. There was a great deal of hypocrisy and I wanted to
understand why. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I will grant my “eternal judgment”, at Bruce Leonard’s
house, was the catalyst it took to start this research project but I had
contemplated doing this research for many years but just never took
the time. The research took me places I did not imagine it would ever take
me. My dad spoke often of the “latter rain” movement, Brother Branham, Kathryn
Kuhlman, A.A. Allen, Smith Wigglesworth and many other famous Pentecostal preachers
and evangelists he either knew or studied under but I did not realize how tightly the ABC doctrine
was connected to these people, the Sharon Orphanage and other movements. Roots. There were many surprises.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This is why I completed my research, for my own
curiosity, but it was not the reason I went public with the information. I will
discuss that motivation a little later in these comments. I know some
expressed I am putting out sour grapes, or feel I need to lash out at my
long-deceased father for being "strict" but that is simply not true. My analysis focuses on what he built,
and why, rather than a survey of my emotions and difficulties with him
personally. Of course I have emotions built in to this. Anyone would. Aside from the abandonment, more than once, I had a good childhood, with few actual
troubles other than the incessant war between my parents. I was mostly successful in life, never becoming alcoholic, drug addicted and the like. Of course, one cannot fully divorce their
emotion from such a project so I would be lying to say that what my dad did to
our family, and to me personally through his abandonment, does not involve pain. However, my research was born of wanting to understand why, rather than being an
indictment or expose’ of any wrongdoing. If any wrong is presented it is just
because this is how life played out. I present the facts as they related to
the forming of the ABC, and my interaction with him during this period. If others want to project on me other assumptions of my motives they are free to assume whatever they will. If they really survey my message it is more focused on a warning against trusting man, and avoiding the potential for emotional and spiritual harm, that can occur in the ABC. My dad started the ABC and so he is a key player in the narrative. Trust God because mankind can fail you. <br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">As stated previously all people do what they think is right for the moment,
not always fully realizing what the future effect will be. My dad was the
same. He had a dream, a vision of starting a church. Unfortunately that narrowed his
focus to the exclusion of family. I have read about driven men who came
back from WWII and my dad fits the profile exactly. Others built companies and factories.
My dad built a church, a denomination and there was nothing that would stand in
his way; not even family or his own health. Unknown to most, he suffered periods of deep depression and sleeplessness. It affected his health greatly and, as a result, he died young. There is a great deal I have left out of the public
record. There are parts that have no reason to be told.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Starting a church of his own, or becoming a minister, was something
my dad talked about since I was able to first comprehend the world.
Age four, five? Not sure exactly what age. It is why he attended two seminaries
and was active in so many ministries, crusades and campaigns while I was growing
up. At about age twelve, he talked to me about buying an old ferry which he planned to
use as a floating church plying the Puget Sound. I
went with him to look at the ferry but he discovered it was in quite bad shape. It was currently sitting on dry ground, listing sideways on a secluded beach on San Juan Island and had no engines. To patch
it up and relaunch it would have been enormously expensive. It was small, would likely hold about thirty or forty cars maximum and had a small passenger deck
above. The paint was peeling, and it had enormous amounts of rust. The dream he
related to me in the car, on the way to go see it, was to put a mobile home on the car
deck where we would live full time and the passenger deck would be constructed
as a floating church. We would dock at small towns in the islands several days per week for church. That dream evaporated as soon as he saw it in person. This
was post Broadway Tabernacle and prior to the forming of the ABC. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The denomination he started; the ABC; began with an
abandonment of family. This doctrine of abandonment has carried through to others in the
current day. Family is always secondary; even now. When he started “the group” at
the Wilcrest Apartments, with college age kids mostly, it seemed alive and
joyful but, over the span of a few years, that rapidly faded. It then
drifted into the abusive false love state that exists today. <span> </span>The ABC bombs a person with love at the beginning but that focus gradually shifts to one of domination, control and lack of
compassion. <span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I put out the information I found as accurately as possible. It is up to the reader to verify the facts and judge. <span>I have provided some links and much of the information can be verified on the web. </span>I freely admit the
perspective is my own. Others may have different experiences, or perspectives,
on the events stated but differing perspectives are the norm. Not everyone in the ABC becomes subject to harsh
treatment. Only those who are perceived as a “problem”, justified or not. <span> </span>I was in the unusual position of being Raisin
(Ray’s son) so I was privy to many things which happened in the forming but I was also held to a high level of scrutiny. If I was perceived as less than perfect it was assumed this would reflect back on my dad negatively. I was "disciplined" quite harshly and frequently. There
are basic facts that are irrefutable, and, with the internet, it is quite
simple to check my facts. While it may sound, at times, like I am “dumping on my
dad” he is simply the primary focus because he was the founder of the denomination. By default, he then becomes the main subject. My dad founded “the group”
which became the ABC. It is necessary to identify the man and his
motivations to fully understand that which he left behind. The only way to accomplish this is to find and examine those distant
historical roots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BXNkI2_j7qZBnXSeMYsLHuNZbfg1gGidBdngRAceOj9fhEOhTTuhj35x7LlJ1SY1tw_GupEq-yjLO5UrUs039yC27UXJ1TrTJGwZCo03rrHLrd7bKtNROYpWQ3SC75QFy4JCCz6kotFWEJD75qajgFIHjcYl-j1v0fZsuPcGPm8HIDy87IeO2gqX5YU/s1568/dream_TradingCard(187).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BXNkI2_j7qZBnXSeMYsLHuNZbfg1gGidBdngRAceOj9fhEOhTTuhj35x7LlJ1SY1tw_GupEq-yjLO5UrUs039yC27UXJ1TrTJGwZCo03rrHLrd7bKtNROYpWQ3SC75QFy4JCCz6kotFWEJD75qajgFIHjcYl-j1v0fZsuPcGPm8HIDy87IeO2gqX5YU/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(187).jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">My dad taught John 3:16 sinner’s prayer salvation until
near the end of our time at Broadway Tabernacle. When he adjusted his focus to
the “Foundation Truths” there was no intervening baptism by Watt, Prince or
anyone else associated with the foundation studies. Life just went on the same but the
teachings changed. At Broadway Tabernacle there were still altar calls until the last days we were there. My dad assisted with many crusades during this period that included mass altar calls at the end of a stirring sermon. Despite what people believe he was not baptized based on Hebrews
6 “Foundation Truths”. The ABC would consider his baptism to have been a “baptism
of repentance” or “John’s baptism” not a baptism to receive the Holy Spirit and would not today be accepted. The “lineage
of the baptizer” doctrine, currently espoused by the ABC, has this major flaw
in its construct. Based on current thinking, everyone in the ABC would have a
questionable baptism. My dad is the one who initially baptized everyone, including
Gilbert Larson. On down the line since the inception of “the group” in the
70’s everyone was baptized by my dad or baptized by someone tracing their baptismal lineage to my dad. There is no “perfect lineage” in the ABC because my dad’s baptism would be quite suspect by
current ABC standards. If my dad walked into what he started today there
would be a demand for him to be baptized anew with an ABC style baptism to
assure it was done correctly, witnesses and all. Truth is, no one knows who
baptized my dad. Not even me. I can tell you for absolute certain it was not anyone that
taught the foundation principles. It was an outward sign of an inward cleansing
baptism performed back in the late 40’s or early 50’s by a Pentecostal or
Assembly of God preacher. The name of that person changed over the years. This is taken from my dad’s direct answer to the question I posed to him when I was a teen. Note: I do address on my site that
my dad also told me that, at one point, he baptized Yvonne who then baptized
him according to Acts 2:38. This was at the Wilcrest Apartments but only AFTER
“the group” had begun. But this still does not pass muster with Andy Atwell’s
teaching of baptism rules which stipulate it must be a male completing the
baptizing, and there must be sufficient witnesses present to assure a nose tip, a pinky or a barrel chest is
not left above the surface of the water preventing a complete water “burial”. Faith gets thrown out the window as non-important with these rules. With so many rules attached, conundrums like this are created. Despite these discrepancies, everyone is still relying on my dad having had a pure lineage of baptism to “pass along the Holy
Spirit” properly to all that followed...but it just was not so. <span> </span>Hmm.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When we look at the Noah scenario, we find he was not
actually saved by the water but by the faith he put in that water. <span> </span>The water was important, but it was a much
lesser part of the recipe than faith and grace. So, if faith is intact, God gives enough grace that if perhaps a nose tip
doesn’t quite make it under accidentally, and no one notices, God does not reject this person for all eternity. <span> </span>If
one views it is necessary to assure a nose tip, or a pinky or a barrel chest is
completely under with "zero tolerance", and perhaps the witness blinked at the
wrong moment, and missed it, is the baptism then deficient and of no value?
That is confusion! When those three thousand were baptized in the same day on Pentecost how much checking by witnesses do you think occurred? Even if one person spent the entire twenty-four hours of the day baptizing that is a baptism every
thirty seconds when you do the math. It has been theorized the baptized then became the baptizers. But then who were the witnesses if they
were all busy doing the baptizing?<span> </span><span> </span>The last person I baptized, in the Shierman’s
small soaking tub, had to go under the water multiple times because Andy,
the witness, thought his nose tip or barrel chest did not enter the water
completely. God is not that small in my view. That is ultra-legalism, is not of
faith and destroys grace. Never saw that man come back again. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0Y-ietH_BgJFEEPGPsErp_NIYwROSzZzFHKBPnWXdnGpwhfRyChOEwy9gGjRvMgTfLwLNHp2_gsrTb3R5Kj_eW3tsdwLyH119v5yBDi_MIu6k2jRy73r0Yfzno3Ds1xERaw87s37kBY0L2s5btWFt4qG7tXPHLRjdZ4LKZzitBVD79508Cb3oIm-aC8/s1568/dream_TradingCard(250).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0Y-ietH_BgJFEEPGPsErp_NIYwROSzZzFHKBPnWXdnGpwhfRyChOEwy9gGjRvMgTfLwLNHp2_gsrTb3R5Kj_eW3tsdwLyH119v5yBDi_MIu6k2jRy73r0Yfzno3Ds1xERaw87s37kBY0L2s5btWFt4qG7tXPHLRjdZ4LKZzitBVD79508Cb3oIm-aC8/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(250).jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The primary reason I built this website, rather than just
keep all these findings to myself, was because of a dirty trick pulled on me by
someone in the ABC. A malicious act occurred which found it necessary for me to
validate the history and existence of the ABC in a very public manner to prove the ABC actually existed. This
malicious act caused me literal decades of trouble which I will explain later in partial
detail. I have identified two people who had the motive, the knowledge and
opportunity to pull this off but I have no exact proof of which one of these
two actually completed the malicious act. I can definitively narrow it down to two individuals because they were the only two with access to the information
necessary to wreak this havoc. I have given these assumed names to Gilbert Larson,
along with sufficient evidence proving this occurred, since it was technically an illegal act. <span> </span>I also provided Gilbert Larson with
substantial proof leaving zero doubt it was someone in the ABC attempting to maliciously damage my life. They did accomplish what
they set out to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">To perpetrate this malicious action, the individual would have
needed my Kaiser number. There were only two individuals with access to my
Kaiser number as both greatly assisted me after my temporary disablement from my nineteen-ninety-five head on collision. I appreciated the help at the time, and trusted these
people then, but did not know it would later be used to make me look like I had
mental issues. This was perpetrated as a cover up for the PR issues arising from my “eternal
judgment” at the hands of Bruce Leonard. The evidence is circumstantial but when reason is applied it is fairly evident who committed this deed. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">One of these individuals had my
Kaiser number and direct computer access to my entire medical record at
the hospital. This person had, at my request, changed data in my
record to indicate an allergy when I was in the hospital. I know this person
could easily access my record. The other individual had a copy of my Kaiser card or access to the number. <span> </span>One of
these two individuals called the Kaiser advice nurse, impersonated my wife, and
told them a batch of lies about my mental state. This then led Kaiser to believe I was having psychotic delusions
about “the Kingdom of God being after me”. Each of their lies has been
cataloged and fully disproved using conclusive secondary evidence. This
evidence has been given to Kaiser and several governmental agencies in my attempt
to have this bogus call purged from my record. I spent decades having this call purged. </span></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It can be solidly demonstrated this caller knew nothing
about my current life and circumstance at the time of the call. This person stated
I was at home when I was actually at work that day. They had no knowledge we
had just sold our home, had already moved out, my phone was disconnected and all my belongings were in storage. I was living in temporary housing at
the Doubletree Motel while seeking new housing because my home had sold for cash in just
a few days to an executive relocation company. I had to be out in two weeks. I had no choice but to move everything into storage while we hunted for a new
place and stay at a hotel for about a week. This person calling had no knowledge of these facts. They told Kaiser I had
longstanding untreated mental health issues and was having many problems at
work. I have never had “mental health issues”, was working in a government job requiring a security clearance and, in fact,
at nearly the same time as the call, had received a substantial promotion. I had
also recently received several awards for excellent service and had nothing but positive employment reviews. There were many other things proving it was someone who had not seen me in a while that made that made the call. I have absolute documented proof of all these
discrepancies and have sent this proof to Gilbert Larson. I felt he
should know the games he and Bruce played with my life all those years ago still
have far reaching effects decades later. Shame on them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">So, do I think the leadership of the ABC is dedicated to
Righteousness, Peace and Joy? No, I do not, and my history with the ABC has
proven them to be quite abusive. Not just in this circumstance, and certainly
not to everyone, but there have been many similar untoward events with those perceived
to be a threat to the status quo or who question too much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I discovered this call when I visited Kaiser for a physical
illness but was not in any way physically examined. <span> </span>Instead, out of the blue and without any
sort of mental health examination, I was given a diagnosis of having “delusions”
entered in my chart. This diagnosis was based strictly on a bogus phone call
made by this person in the ABC. <span> </span>I was
unaware of this call when I entered the doctor’s office. <span> </span>It was this Kaiser doctor’s opinion I was
suffering from “psychotic delusions” and the ABC, Bruce, Gil, Andy et.al. were not real and were all just figments of my "delusional imagination". At this
appointment I had not ever personally mentioned anything about my difficulties
with the ABC to this doctor. I was surprised to find she seemed to already
know there was trouble when I walked in the door. I could not understand how
she would know because she never mentioned anything about a phone call at this appointment. When she asked about the ABC and I answered she would interrupt and kept repeating
“they’re not real, they’re not real….you are delusional, these people are not
real”. <span> </span>This encounter still remains in my
medical records.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The first question the doctor asked as she entered the exam room
is if I had any stresses in my life.<span> </span>I
mentioned I had a stressful job with the government and had just left a church
my dad started after they determined I had “blasphemed”. I told her some of the
church people were regularly coming to my house to either indict me for alleged
“spiritual crimes” or to woo me back in, not realizing I had been judged
forever and ever as a “blasphemer”. I also mentioned some were calling my wife
at work, or sending her letters at her mom’s house, telling her she needed to
leave me since I was a “blasphemer”. I mentioned this was causing stress at
home, but I was surviving fine, even though times were difficult. This doctor
began to emphatically tell me these people, and the ABC, were all just delusions
and tried to persuade me the ABC was not real. The more I tried to convince her
the<span> </span>ABC was real the more she kept
repeating to me the ABC was just an invention in my mind stemming from my
psychosis and “delusions”. She felt I needed immediate psychological help to make me
realize the ABC was just a delusion, a fabrication of my imagination. The more
I tried to persuade this doctor the ABC was real and not a delusion, the more
she would not believe me and the worse it got. I was completely puzzled when she walked away, posted someone at the door, then left to call and set me up with a psychiatric
appointment and write prescriptions for anti-psychotic medications. My only
option was to shut up, just pretend to follow along with her mode of thinking
then get out of that office and never go back to Kaiser again. I did not fill the prescriptions
or go to the follow-up psych appointment she scheduled. I just chalked it up to
a weird experience and went back to work that day very puzzled as to what had just
happened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I later had occasion to apply for a position as an
investigator with the State Department. The position would be investigating the
backgrounds of those placed in foreign postings, so it required a very high
security clearance.<span> </span>When completing the
application, it asked the question “Has any physician ever told you that you
had a mental illness?” Well, the answer to that was “yes” based on this strange
encounter so, before I applied, I went to Kaiser Medical Records and obtain a copy of my
file. I needed to determine why this doctor had, out of the blue, labeled me as
“delusional” without any evidence. I also needed to find out if there was any
paper evidence of that strange encounter since it was quite a bizarre
interaction. The position required a thorough background investigation
including signing off for access to all of my medical records so this was
important to<span> </span>discover. This is when I
discovered this malicious phone call made by someone in the ABC to the advice
nurse at Kaiser. I attempted to get this removed from my record but was completely
unable. I was told if the doctor diagnosed you as delusional the diagnosis
would always remain in the record even if evidence was submitted contrary to the
diagnosis. On one occasion, since I was being fairly insistent Kaiser allow me
to sit down with an administrator and submit proof the ABC was real and not a
“delusion” I was told by the person at Kaiser Services; “well, doesn’t it prove you have a mental illness since
you keep calling us?” After that, I backed off my requests and decided I just needed
to go public with the history of the ABC instead. This would validate the evidence and make the ABC publicly
valid. This would also cement my involvement as a matter of public record. It seemed
my best defense against the allegation I was “delusional” and was just conjuring
up what was essentially my whole life as a “delusion”. The allegation still
sits in my medical records and, as for the job posting, I was not able to apply
because a “yes” answer to that question was exclusionary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no doubt the intent of this person making this phone
call was to cause me trouble and maybe to cover their tracks for such a vicious spiritual incrimination. Why else would they call? <span> </span>A medical record is apparently a legal
document so getting this purged has been a decades long fight with Kaiser. I am
finding it is probably impossible to get this removed so, for now, I have given
up until I can find a way to escalate my insistence with Kaiser. I have found
Kaiser to be a stone wall and an uphill fight. It is quite distressing to have
that hang out there in my record and , in
my opinion this was nothing short of an evil act by a person who had a very direct
connection to my “eternal judgment.” A person who, I assume, purports to pursue
righteousness peace and joy but clearly missed the mark on that one; or at
least they did those many years ago. I have no way to judge their character
present day, as I have not seen them in many years, but this was just one
malicious act in a series of other events lasting years that terminated with
the “eternal judgment” and this phone call. Events spurred, I believe, by my
refusal to help Bruce Leonard become recognized as an apostle and get paid from
the tithe. That is pure speculation on my part, of course, but based on many previous
experiences with Bruce there is no doubt in my mind his goal was to destroy me.
There were many lesser incidents that occurred such as being shouted at for not
completing “assignments he had given me to to type up when I was just days out of the
hospital with severe injuries. I was once held against my will because I wouldn’t say a particular
statement he wanted me to say even though I had no idea what that statement was. I was told I wasn’t worthy of the kingdom of
God when I asked not to teach while I was on heavy pain medications after our
head on auto accident. I was repeatedly lied to such as when I was asked to teach at
Bruce’s house telling me he was out of town only to find he was checking on how I dressed to teach. I arrived in slacks
and a polo shirt and found Bruce was actually there. I was led up to his closet
where I was made to change into some of his clothes. Apparently my clothes were not business like enough and
was told that God is a business and a business meeting requires dress shirt and
tie. I give these as example and I could list many, many other similar incidents
over a years-long period. It was a time of being badgered and told I am not worthy by Bruce. I list these here as the continual badgering led up to this final
“eternal judgment” of my soul laid at my feet at that surprise meeting. <span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCpybBs6fvR4P2H6UZaIyWluaa68P8GorJf6cc77nAmb4wOtFEGWziTw3uYCz31ANNjctrQY0BS_xAEcOjyoX8EIy-zJZ5dXV7W1uM-ErnO0GnB5iupRN_Wt6GkCUi_m-ASVaii_TMJOa_17xWjwxMhh1HjTYr6TH0_NvpUvewBslnjXlohrG8_2zF4c/s1568/dream_TradingCard(204).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCpybBs6fvR4P2H6UZaIyWluaa68P8GorJf6cc77nAmb4wOtFEGWziTw3uYCz31ANNjctrQY0BS_xAEcOjyoX8EIy-zJZ5dXV7W1uM-ErnO0GnB5iupRN_Wt6GkCUi_m-ASVaii_TMJOa_17xWjwxMhh1HjTYr6TH0_NvpUvewBslnjXlohrG8_2zF4c/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(204).jpg" width="245" /></a></div> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">To examine the motivation behind this badgering one must step
back in time a bit prior to the “eternal judgement”. Bruce Leonard requested, on
multiple occasions, that I help him look for a specific book at various
Christian bookstores in Portland Oregon. On each of these occasions he bent my
ear about helping him become an “apostle” so he could be paid from the tithe
and get reimbursed for mileage.<span> </span>Each
time I rebuffed his advances, refusing to help.<span>
</span>When I did not conform to Bruce’s plan, he became visibly upset and our
relationship, over time, began to change from quite friendly to persistent badgering coupled with intermittent downright hostile actions. His spouse also began to
tell me I “oppressed her” for no apparent reason. I guess because I was not
helping them acquire this income from the ABC? Not sure. In my view, Bruce set
out on a years-long campaign to smear me, culminating in that surprise attack
with most of the elder’s present. I was rather naive to his motives then, so I
just chalked it up to Bruce being Bruce and let it go. It turned out the book
search itself was just a ruse because when I did locate the book (the
Septuagint), and bought it for him, he rejected it. He would not take it from me
stating Gilbert Larson had told him it was an evil book and to have it in one’s
home would invite demonic activity. I was more than confused on why we had
spent so many hours searching for the book, but just carried on with
forgiveness and let it go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The point at which I finally decided to stand up for myself
and say "enough is enough" forever was at that “eternal judgment” surprise attack
at Bruce’s house. I have given a short history of the lead up to that meeting
on my site and, from what I have been told, Bruce, Gil and Andy tell
people I just made it all up and that it did not happen. Another of my supposed
“delusions” I guess? They are lying. That meeting with Andy Atwell and Mark
Pedersen at IHOP happened. The “eternal judgment” at Bruce’s house happened. There
are plenty of witnesses in that room that can verify this if they decide not to
make lies their refuge. <span> </span>Bruce told me on
multiple occasions he and Gilbert Larson believe it is a righteous act to lie
if it is to “protect the body”. On more than one occasion Bruce bragged to me with
a chuckle about lying to people to “protect the body”. Is that really a devotion
to truth? Secrecy and lies are baked into the ABC, so I have little doubt the
lies continue. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As to “railing against an apostle” I have heard this
statement from others as well that my site is “railing against an apostle”. I can
only assume this must be something I stand accused of by the ABC leadership, however, their discomfort is born from my ending some of the myth surrounding
the ABC history and that is inconvenient and uncomfortable. <span> </span>I give no apology for my uncomfortable words
because they are true and needed to be said. Despite the reported attempt to paint me as a liar. Anyone can duplicate the basic facts with the links I have provided. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcEsw9H1-jtTzYmxUjheB380OgtmQdEx4HH63IO8Te2bvVQHAZiyTKGr4Wc6z8zqX2OTT-jMenZsA5IDNgjFv4IN3cCxv4wjM1RFLdoRz3npMlvxuGS_zpE-LJ4asCSEyMVedGQ0EBDze9Cd-qdjTDS0v-NyN6YGek4tvBSs2a2epM8ZA-bgXJ081fEE/s1568/dream_TradingCard(207).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcEsw9H1-jtTzYmxUjheB380OgtmQdEx4HH63IO8Te2bvVQHAZiyTKGr4Wc6z8zqX2OTT-jMenZsA5IDNgjFv4IN3cCxv4wjM1RFLdoRz3npMlvxuGS_zpE-LJ4asCSEyMVedGQ0EBDze9Cd-qdjTDS0v-NyN6YGek4tvBSs2a2epM8ZA-bgXJ081fEE/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(207).jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">My
site is a warning to all who find peace in the ABC that someday, when you least
expect it, you may find your own life utterly devastated. Rebuilding is hard
and it has happened to me more than once. <span> </span>I have watched it happen to many others since
I was a teen. There is some whose livelihood is wrapped up in maintaining an image
of perfection and power. My site ends some of that mythos surrounding the beginnings
and can be perceived as endangering their income. <span> </span>Sometimes speaking truth to those who abuse
power is uncomfortable but I find no evidence a person naming
themselves an apostle has any special privilege over another. I make no apology
for exposing what has been a long history of abuses by the ABC, over many
decades, and for identifying it as the cult it became. I am sure most, if not all, in the
ABC will disagree with me on that point but a person inside a cult rarely sees
the cult for what it is. One of the typical motivations for staying with a cult is that it feels great to feel special and different. This is a false unity as it allows some to wrest control and inflict harm on others; for the sake of "unity". I was there myself once, holding the coats, defending
the ABC in the interest of this false “unity”; even though I saw the issues plain. I i buried them and blinded myself to the reality of the cruelties to others lives by my devotion to an
organization rather than to truth. I stayed silent as I was entrapped by my false
guilt that if I spoke out I would be "railing" or would be perceived as "non-forgiving". Yet, it can be seen very plain that when those in power felt I I was incorrect in a statement there were no inhibitions to wreaking as much havoc as they chose on my life. To the point of destroying every friendship. Where is the "unity" in that?<span> </span>Peace and safety within a cult
can be fleeting and, from what I heard not long ago, abuses continue to rise to
the surface in the ABC. <span> </span>I have seen these periods of extreme abuse come in waves as I referenced earlier on my site.
Things blow up, they settle down, years pass, people say things have changed
but then the process repeats itself all over again. Each time people leave with
lives devastated. It is shameful and the opposite of love. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have heard people say, “things are better now, it is not
like that anymore”, but I have heard that all before too, many times over. I
have spoken those exact words to others when defending the ABC. <span> </span>But just like the tide, the turmoil will someday
rise again, wiping away the current false peace and safety. Turmoil is baked
into the DNA of the ABC denomination and these episodes are always driven by one
or several individuals with inflated egos creating argument over a word or two.
<span> </span>As I have said many times, I was along
for the ride from the very beginning when my dad started “the group” that then later
became the incorporated ABC we see today. I know, from behind the scenes, the
beginning, most of the middle and can even tell you the likely end of the ABC. I
lived it and followed my dad blindly in an ill-fated attempt to please him. So
did my next older sibling, for a while, but he got out in 1978 seeing then “the
group” was becoming very cultish. He tried to warn me, but I did not listen. I
should have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDe33uEbL51RePPLljsTWLXC2X5QXNpAWrcGVeoI9L-4rKghpu4zQ7pJkSs1vY8de6PGn2khyphenhyphenkFHJhtj0jKyFrR4gWKmqk1W4wKCoaprMQMVEHNUQw8NZuWEKuEf_RM-jjJ5X0dgAe03uZRWscSBFxmhVFCNyzwSduosFztPhsEsyFZXyaNpCtvEjr00/s1024/Ku7z41JTRsD9cW0uCwwl--1--ww8kv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDe33uEbL51RePPLljsTWLXC2X5QXNpAWrcGVeoI9L-4rKghpu4zQ7pJkSs1vY8de6PGn2khyphenhyphenkFHJhtj0jKyFrR4gWKmqk1W4wKCoaprMQMVEHNUQw8NZuWEKuEf_RM-jjJ5X0dgAe03uZRWscSBFxmhVFCNyzwSduosFztPhsEsyFZXyaNpCtvEjr00/w400-h400/Ku7z41JTRsD9cW0uCwwl--1--ww8kv.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The beginnings of the ABC were in a way accidental and
heavily reliant on the existing hippie religious culture of the late sixties
and early seventies. At the beginning my father and Yvonne had returned to attending a mainstream church. The "group" formed as an ancillary Bible study while he was still attending this mainstream church. When I arrived in Seattle, after running away, we continued for a few more weeks at this mainstream church but the "group" had begun to rapidly grow as a few of the students began bringing friends. Soon, the mainstream church was left behind. However, to portray the proper image, the "group" was founded on a series of lies. This still drive the
need for secrecy to protect it. Organizations like the ABC rarely last
many generations intact so it will eventually fade away. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">The
definition of “rail” is “to vehemently denunciate through public censure or
condemnation”. As I stated previously I find no evidence a person naming
themselves an "apostle" has any more protection than any other person; especially
if we are to believe we are all kings and priests (Re. 5:10) and therefore all are
dignitaries. Why does one person have extra protection in God’s kingdom to mete out whatever havoc they choose? God is
more just than that. And where is it required that a person must be subject to
any abuse dished out by someone imposing themselves as a “leader” or “apostle”?
<span> </span>I do not think you will find evidence
that is the case and it is morally wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When it was widely reported to others, that I had been
“eternally judged” as a “blasphemer” by Gilbert Larson, Bruce Leonard and Andy
Atwell, and therefore no one was allowed to speak to me unless a “trusted elder”
was present, does this not meet the definition of public censure and/or
condemnation?<span> </span>In my opinion it does. Here
is a verse listed on the ABC website which seems slightly hypocritical to me as
I doubt they live by this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); color: black;">Proverbs 16:27-28 says, "A
worthless man digs up evil while his words are like a scorching fire. A
perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends."</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background: rgb(229, 229, 229); color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I went to Bruce’s house, under false pretenses delivered
to me by <span> </span>Andy Atwell and Mark Pedersen
at the IHOP meeting, I was told upfront I could not speak in my own defense, since
two elders had witnessed my blasphemy (Mark Pederson and Andy Atwell). I was
told there were two witnesses to my "blasphemy" and therefore any judgment was automatically deemed true and indefensible so it was an “eternal judgment” of my soul. It was stated this
concept was part of the foundation, per Gilbert Larson and Gilbert had authorized this "eternal judgement" to occur. Is that really a
Foundation Truth? Is that not censure of the worst kind? Given that this
accusation against me was not defensible, was based on words taken way out of
context and I was having this stain painted on me forever and ever and ever. Whether
it was true or not. That is a long long long time to wear a giant B on your
chest. Forever!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When Bruce pulled out his notepad with pages and pages of accusations
against me is that not “digging up evil”? When all in the room simply stared at
me silently as he began to read his accusations, to which I was not allowed to
defend myself or even speak, is that not “censure”? <span> </span>When people were called and told I was a “blasphemer”,
based on one person’s opinion of the words I spoke, taken out of context, is
that not “slander that separates intimate friends”?<span> </span>I know for certain I lost many people that day
I once considered as intimate friends. But a true friend would not condemn
without investigation because that would be the height of ignorance. Right? <span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">To lose close friends in this manner is an indescribable
feeling of hurt that never leaves you. Was my response at that ambush to begin
speaking loudly, or to argue back and create a scene?<span> </span>Nope, I did nothing of the kind. I calmly got
up, gave each person in the room a hug then left Bruce’s house knowing there
was no hope. The next day I cried for several hours over the loss, but I also
resolved to end the abuses toward myself forever and never return. Enough is
enough. I have only so many cheeks to turn. If it were now perceived that, as
mere men, we could pass <i><u>eternal</u></i> judgments on each other I wanted
no part of that endeavor…ever again. That is so wrong on so many levels and is another
mark of a vicious cult. I knew then things had deteriorated much more than I
had realized. I realized then there was absolutely no hope of return to any sort of
“normalcy” in that environment. If there ever actually <i>was </i>a peaceful
normal. I knew then I would never see those people I had once believed were my friends
again. What was clear is they had all become more followers of Bruce and man than
followers of God and righteousness. That is very cultish. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I learned later, after reading books about toxic churches
and cults, this exact scenario plays out over and over in many groups in
many nations, across the globe and not just in the ABC. It is all too common,
is not of God and it is a cultish doctrine born purely out of pride and love of
self. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">After I left the “eternal judgment”, without listening to
the remaining accusations on Bruce’s pad, he then upped his attacks on my character
by calling people and forbidding them to speak to me. Vicious. He also threatened
anyone who chose to speak with me that if they continued to talk to me, they
would be kicked out of the ABC. It was ever increasing viciousness. They were
told they had to decide if they were “in the body or out of the body”. To a
person in the ABC that is perceived as a loss of salvation itself. <span> </span>When I left Bruce’s “eternal judgment” I
continued meetings at my house for a time but, after these threats,
most did not show up again, so I ended them. This was far from just a minor
disagreement as some have apparently been led to believe. It was a full-on vicious
attack on my character over an extended period and that is a huge marker of a cultish environment. No
one was asked to drink Kool-Aid but, when asked to attack another, most were more
than willing to just go along. It is groupthink playing out and that is cultish
thinking.<span> </span>Not long after this is when
that phone call was made to Kaiser.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">You stated this is probably just a difficulty I had with
Bruce and that these things need to be forgiven. I pass no “eternal judgment”
on Bruce or any other person. This was many years ago and I have no idea where their
mindset is now other than what I hear from time to time. This is essentially a
historical record, not one of current complaint, and my indictment is not of any specific person but
rather an indictment of the teachings and doctrines of the ABC organization
that have created principalities and powers motivating people to commit these
abusive acts. Without those doctrinal influences these abuses would not ever occur.
The ever-narrowing doctrines of zero tolerance for the frailty of humanity,
giving the excuse that the way is narrow so our hearts must also be narrow, is
counter to the actual teachings of Jesus and creates scenarios where this kind
of abuse can occur. I understand these scenarios now and how they occur. It is
groupthink or a complete absence of individual thought. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEger3Px8TWok8Bw-3bUzKrlX4DeGFePPuWyTKYqW0EtqV940zUJaDl8mt_VkDWGQA4Pguwzs7aNdhMJCh-zClYf8gM1zRVVK2fzVeftkgZd26NhpRnJOgAwTFp2_7AiGGoJWYEanpztMX7vnXoUgtM7VICbyOehUHPFRouy8aw8eOg-7HGPKRK-JR2iwQY/s1568/dream_TradingCard(211).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEger3Px8TWok8Bw-3bUzKrlX4DeGFePPuWyTKYqW0EtqV940zUJaDl8mt_VkDWGQA4Pguwzs7aNdhMJCh-zClYf8gM1zRVVK2fzVeftkgZd26NhpRnJOgAwTFp2_7AiGGoJWYEanpztMX7vnXoUgtM7VICbyOehUHPFRouy8aw8eOg-7HGPKRK-JR2iwQY/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(211).jpg" width="245" /></a></div> </span><span style="font-size: large;">In the human body there
are many types of cells and each cell is individual. When cells begin to
“groupthink” and replicate without diversity that is called cancer. The body
consists of many diverse parts and diversity is the norm. Without diversity the body dies. Groupthink is a cancer in the body. <span> </span>Wars have begun because of groupthink and
groupthink is at the heart of cultish behaviors. The Corinthians obviously struggled with
this because the twelfth chapter of the first letter to those at Corinth covers
the avoidance of groupthink in fine detail. The ABC works hard to make sure all thought is cookie cutter unified and that is just like a cancerous growth and not indicative of healthy cells. Healthy cells must be quite diverse from
any other cell. If it were not so, we could end up with a liver for a brain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I know this scenario will inevitably happen again in the ABC
at some point because the basic premise of the ABC is to teach groupthink. People
need to understand this and protect themselves from groupthink if they remain in the ABC. Putting on the critical thinking cap is vitally important. Like
a tidal wave that rises from the sea there is usually little warning when these
things occur, and lives are destroyed. Finding high ground in these scenarios
is often difficult. Study cults and you will find most people in cults are quite
contented and happy, often even ecstatic, until things go completely south and then overnight,
they are not so happy and peaceful any longer. <span> </span>Read these words below by Michael
Rectenwald of New York University;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span><span style="font-size: large;">The
pattern is clear: led by a religious zealot or two, shunning begins with the
zealot's finger-pointing and shaming of the soon-to-be-outcast individual. It
relies on a mob mentality and the induction of the desired behavior toward the
accused of herd-compliance and mimicry. The followers, some true believers,
others merely cowards, soon fall in line. As word spreads through the
community, it quickly reaches a critical mass, and thus an entire group...acts as one, a herd in </span></span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;">motion, and thus treatment of a person as if they were the equivalent
of a moral leper is attained. <sup>1</sup></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><sup><br /></sup></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I know there is negative approval of my site and I am
considered trouble, but I am OK with that. I will continue to be trouble
because I no longer want to see people hurt. If I can provide enough historical
background and example to overturn the tables a bit to prevent that, I will. I
put out this history and it is up to the reader to verify my facts and make
their own decision. I welcome independent review of my facts, but I do not
believe you can count on the leaders to provide that honest background as it
threatens the virtual walls of the ABC they protect. As to Bruce and others, people
change, and I hope they no longer lord it over people or have super inflated egos
puffed up from knowledge devoid of actual truth. I must be honest and say I am
doubtful that will remain as long as the ABC doctrines remain consistent with cultish groupthink. I have not seen Bruce or any of these other people
since that day, with exception of a couple of accidental encounters
in grocery or other stores. That type of encounter usually results in the
person turning tail and running without speaking to me. They likely feel they
would be tainted if they spoke to a “blasphemer”. <span> </span>Another mark of a cult. <span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">While I hold no anger or contempt against those involved it
was still a life changing event for me and I will forever carry the sadness of the
friendships they viciously destroyed. Forgivable? Sure. I understand completely now their wrong motivation. I've been there too. But there are scars that will never
heal and that can sometimes be painful. <span> </span>They
perpetrated these acts, at the time, feeling they were doing God service. It is
an easy trap to fall into when pursuing knowledge rather than truth. The
absence of not allowing for differing perspectives through groupthink causes a lack
of critical thinking which then eliminates love entirely. <span> It happens all over the world, not just in the ABC.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I suffered extreme monetary loss as a result of these
actions. I had to sell the genuinely nice house I had just bought and had made
a lot of improvements to. I eventually had to quit my job and move across the
river to get away from people calling me or coming to my door with the intent of
<span> </span>questioning my integrity or telling me I
must return and submit to Bruce’s authority; “for the sake of unity”. <span> </span>A few would not even enter my door for fear I
would cause them “spiritual harm” if they entered the house of a “blasphemer”. <span> </span>Some were calling my wife at work or sending
her private mail at her mother’s house telling her I was evil, she needed to
leave me and “return to the body” without me. On one occasion I was invited to
a person’s house for a “friendly dinner” only to find myself in a long
unfriendly interrogation session on why I was being called a blasphemer. Many
times I repeated the statement I made at that meeting, in context and my
purpose behind the words, but the repeated reply back was always a rude “there
must have been more to it than that.” In fact, there was not anything more than
that. However, this couple still made sure I understood they considered me to
be lying and covering up “my other blasphemies”. Extremely uncomfortable dinner.
This was also one of the people I suspect may have made that call to Kaiser, and
the one who had direct access to my medical records. <span> </span>It was full-on spiritual and psychological
torture and the fact one cannot just peacefully leave a church is another mark
of a cult. My only recourse was to move away from Vancouver and hide from the
barrage of those who seemed to question my very existence. This is another
earmark of a cult. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqQXjYJ2WHo_KFvGwLNIppeB5jSZv2U9Ajuu4_GNvDlDjb3DfuuIOJrjZtCn62IxD1K1wgA6QprvcJacx-AYS9bzvEp6xPl_Qdkn2AQjEbAjQGyfNA4Eu1FSE7IEU_fkFUinD-CAXYjR6fjDACrHDN9qs6f3yZeMe1RG9DWLfhlTN8UFPg4oOTg8PVDY/s1568/dream_TradingCard(215).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqQXjYJ2WHo_KFvGwLNIppeB5jSZv2U9Ajuu4_GNvDlDjb3DfuuIOJrjZtCn62IxD1K1wgA6QprvcJacx-AYS9bzvEp6xPl_Qdkn2AQjEbAjQGyfNA4Eu1FSE7IEU_fkFUinD-CAXYjR6fjDACrHDN9qs6f3yZeMe1RG9DWLfhlTN8UFPg4oOTg8PVDY/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(215).jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Another earmark of a cult is the teaching that truth can
only be found within its walls. That is wrong in every respect and is
indicative of a cult. The world is a big place. Roughly 7.8 billion people live
on this small globe rotating through space. The grouping of books selected by
the ABC to create its interpretations of the Bible are available to roughly three-thousand
of those 7.8 billion people currently alive. <span> </span>I am being generous in my assumptions. I took into
consideration that James Stegenga printed about two-thousand of his book. Then I
considered the ABC will likely print another thousand or so for distribution
before it fades away. Even if you multiply those numbers greatly it is an
exceedingly small number of people that have access to these books for Greek
Word Study. <span> </span>Roughly .000000384 percent
of the living population to be more exact, using my calculations of copies issued. I did not
count those who became deceased in our lifetime. The word gospel means good
news and it is definitely not good news if God’s salvation and mercy can only be
found through continual Greek word study unavailable to 99.9999997 percent of
the population. These are all modern books and have only served to skew truth
and mercy, bending it into a shape of man’s design. I have witnessed how this has
led to many quarrels over words over the years. God is not a linear set of words
and facts. God just is. <span> </span>We will never
fully understand God no matter how long and hard we study Greek or English. <span> </span>I tried once, through intense word study, to
make God and Zion linear and acceptable to my human mind. So I could better
understand God, I thought. I failed. So did Solomon when he tried. I assume he
suffered the same headache I suffered that month. It was this experience that
allowed me to finally understand the vanity spoken about in the book of Ecclesiastes.
This is an uncomfortable truth to many because the human mind seeks to put
everything in neat little boxes, or lines on a page, so we can feel “in control”.
We are not in control and never will be in control. There is no specific linear
order in the entire universe. There is only perfect randomness without straight
lines. If you look closely at all of creation you will find that everything is
arced or circular. Why would God's truth be any different? Trees exhibit this
perfect randomness as does all of nature and the universe. Of making many
books there is no end and much study is wearying to humans. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no doubt I will be rejected as a fool, but I am not
alone in being a fool, so I am OK with that. I do find it odd that one week
before I was a blasphemer Andy Atwell had “prophesied” that God saved me in the
accident because I had something “important to teach the body”. I did not put a
lot of weight in his words then or now but one week later I was suddenly a
blasphemer and a fool. Go figure. However, a “prophet” that “prophesies”
wrongly is never to be listened to again if you follow the book of Deuteronomy
Chapter 18. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #001320;">Keep reminding God's people of these things. Warn them before
God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who
listen. 2 Ti. 2:14</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #001320;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">My viewpoints on this may seem radical in our current era
but step back just seven hundred years and all these books used; including that
compendium of ancient texts formatted into searchable chapter and verse we call
the Holy Bible did not exist as an easily accessible document or in an easily parsed
format. No printing presses creating an easily obtainable volume so the collected documents currently in our Bible were instead n far flung places across the globe. In the 1400’s these texts
were assembled into one standardized volume by Catholic bishops, monks, priests and scribes. If a
person, prior to this time period, wanted to read all of the books of the current
Bible, they would need to travel thousands of miles. They could then not just make
photocopies for their personal library. <span> </span>Buying a book was possible but, not being mass
produced, they were financially out of reach for the common man. That is
assuming they were even literate enough to read it as most were not literate. They relied on oral tradition and memory instead. Publicly funded schools are a modern
contrivance so if one had no money for education literacy was a luxury. <span> </span>Only in the last seven
hundred years were these writings collected into a singular bound document
available to the common man and printed en masse. There were a few small
collections of copied writings in existence dating back to about 400 CE but these were held in
singular locations. Even then, they would not in any way resemble the assembled collection of
writings we now call “The Bible”<span>. <span> </span>Most
were unbound collections of the books of Moses, the prophets and likely some of the wisdom
and poetic books. They would not have included any of the New Testament books
as these were not even books. They were mostly letters that had been written to different
communities and were passed down in families. These were at times copied by scribes and shared
with others. When the official church was formed there was about one thousand years of disagreements on which
texts should be included in the official Bible so, in the 1400’s, the Catholic
Church held years of meetings. They fought and argued; I believe there were a
few homicides involved as well; then solidified and standardized the texts we
have today in our Bible. Later, a Protestant movement removed some of the “Catholic
texts” (Maccabees, Bel and the Dragon…) so there are now two Bibles: Protestant
and Catholic. Both compendiums were born out of the Catholic Church initially. <span> In the mid 1500's a</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> man named Robert Stephanus created the chapter and verse format we have today. This made the texts in the newly completed Holy Bible easily searchable but that was more curse than blessing as the letters and historical documents contained within were now much more easily sliced and diced into multitudinous opinions, factions and doctrines to be argued over. The books and letters of the Bible we have today are incomplete, are great for edification if used correctly, but they are just that, books and letters. They are not the law of the Spirit and certainly not the complete truth of the Spirit that gives life. That is not found in a book entire and there is not enough paper to record it. This is the trap the ABC has perpetuated, that we have our books to protect us and tell us all we need to know. It is why the making of books can be a curse if not properly moderated. This is not to diminish the value of those writings. Just the ease at which we can infinitely parse them and by doing so remove our focus from the peaceful truth they should convey. We instead replace this peace with wars over words. Our quest and pursuit of endless knowledge is a vain pursuit. Ask “all is vanity” Solomon. The truth of God is simple, easily understood and peaceful. Books can easily muddy those waters, blind us to truth and empty us of peace and love. Knowledge puffs up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZdHOylLzi88XnVoa6TkJJFpHz_E9pF2SUVxOKLqH2reYGAgBCuiDX9ST0pwQxWRaZvC1HPoYk4HBRZohhIxJGsH7FQzSX1ho0nQ9XD8875gqm3065m0jLwRunmD2Ne-ES5ZdTWYJymB95QYuU3TiTDoLJ6Q6qmSOf7hB5huQfGD7FVbtfatDSOjdups/s1568/dream_TradingCard(222).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZdHOylLzi88XnVoa6TkJJFpHz_E9pF2SUVxOKLqH2reYGAgBCuiDX9ST0pwQxWRaZvC1HPoYk4HBRZohhIxJGsH7FQzSX1ho0nQ9XD8875gqm3065m0jLwRunmD2Ne-ES5ZdTWYJymB95QYuU3TiTDoLJ6Q6qmSOf7hB5huQfGD7FVbtfatDSOjdups/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(222).jpg" width="245" /></a></div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span>Step back less than two hundred years and all those books currently
used to identify, and parse scripture and word did not even exist. (Strongs
(1890), Youngs (1879), Panin (1914), Stegenga (1963), Vines (1940)…) So, for at
least</span> thirteen hundred years the easily accessible writings used to interpret,
align and delineate the ABC rules through word study were either non-existent
or not easily accessed. No photocopiers, no printing presses, no word study
books, no seven steps, reading cards… Jesus, the disciples, the apostles and
all those that followed for well more than a thousand years had no easily
accessible Bible or written scripture. They relies on mostly oral tradition. Using the ABC reasoning
of salvation being through proper interpretation and proper aligning of
scripture and context through Greek and Numerical study means every one of those born
during this “dark era” of oral tradition, with no bound study books, had no
hope of salvation. Bruce’s statements to me that without James Stegenga’s Interlinear
concordance, salvation could not be found cannot possibly be true and is a trap.
God is not so unjust that he would leave behind that many people. This is a ridiculous
viewpoint foisted on people as a ploy to bind them to the ABC’s endless pursuit
of word knowledge through Greek word studies and specific accepted books. It
serves only to keep them dependent on the organization and not the Spirit. I say this as a book lover!
This viewpoint of continual word study only serves to eliminate justice, mercy
and true faithfulness to God…the weightier matters. It completely stymies
personal spiritual growth and makes a person reliant on man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This doctrine of word search, over seeking God in peace and
safety directly, <span>is what has puffed up pride in some and quenched</span> the love
between many people. <span> </span>It has led to great
pomposity and caused heinous acts to occur in the ABC over many decades. It is
self-righteousness carried to a fullness. It is Nicolaitan at its core and has
only served to breed another lineage of Pharisees. <span> </span>It is purported by the ABC established doctrines that God and truth
do not exist everywhere in the universe but must be found strictly within its
virtual walls. If one leaves the ABC they are perceived to be “in the
wilderness” and no longer protected by God. Really? This is a false assumption
and is another marker of a cultish church. Just calling it like it is. God is eternal and universal. God is
everywhere in the universe and every particle of the universe contains God. I
can prove that. James Stegenga and all those other authors had a beginning, a
middle and an end. Most, if not all, are now dead. God and his truth are eternal,
and you won’t always find that in a book.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A secondary goal of my website was to point out the ABC is a
construct of a man and not something that just fell from the heavens one day or by some divine ordinance or establishment. It is a denomination
like all other denominations; started by a man who abandoned his family to the
street to pursue building it and separated it off from Broadway Tabernacle doctrines. This has made it a very flawed structure as are all other man-made structures. We are God's building and no other construction project will ever measure up. <span> </span>Is a man who abandoned his family
qualified to start a new church? In my opinion, no. This places it on very shaky ground. These facts are without
question and that culture of abandonment espoused by the founder has been carried
forward as a doctrine of abandonment in the ABC to this day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320;">For if a man know not how to rule
his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? 1 Ti. 3:5<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">If seeking truth requires bondage or pain it is time to seek
God elsewhere. The pursuit of <u>knowledge</u> is not necessarily a pursuit of <u>truth</u>.
Truth seeking should be a peaceable endeavor, not a gritting of your teeth
experience. Knowledge puffs up but truth edifies self and others. Truth is
easily understood without grueling word match and study. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I do not rail against any apostle on my site. <span> </span>I simply shine light on the history of a
corporate aberrant denominational religious organization which holds many
secrets and bears no true fruit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, etc. It is a denomination that seeks to dominate men’s souls through
fleshly works of endless knowledge pursuit with little growth of actual truth. It
is a dormant entity. Those who do not conform to the leaders views are abandoned or
put away. It’s always been that way and likely will remain that way. The ABC is
not much different than those referred to in Timothy as “ever learning but
never coming to the knowledge of truth” or in Hebrews when they are instructed
to move on from the foundations because they have stagnated. And if you do not
believe the ABC holds secrets, ask for an accounting of the tithe sometime and
see what happens. I assure you, there are secrets. <span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLrQ0UoRqZ3Q5yM_tSpUxjFG_69hS2UPmzQwMEhDg851hh7b1LhDfrp4DOT6dB87pSG9rx6KBAOrsTw6HzJugtn2ttA2G49euN01_yy6FpFRJALnfYj9Qe10Q7lw6rYmHoI53oxyV_UZpszTWbIvRlySOFEbhBUwqYjwgFkrUhebdJreQFxcNuC-f81A/s1568/dream_TradingCard(224).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLrQ0UoRqZ3Q5yM_tSpUxjFG_69hS2UPmzQwMEhDg851hh7b1LhDfrp4DOT6dB87pSG9rx6KBAOrsTw6HzJugtn2ttA2G49euN01_yy6FpFRJALnfYj9Qe10Q7lw6rYmHoI53oxyV_UZpszTWbIvRlySOFEbhBUwqYjwgFkrUhebdJreQFxcNuC-f81A/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(224).jpg" width="245" /></a></div></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It has been perceived by some I just got angry over one simple
matter then left in a huff but this is far from the truth. This was not just a one-time
encounter that opened my eyes and fully convinced me the ABC was a non-peaceful
cult. It was a decades long experience starting when I was thirteen and a
period of great turmoil entered our family caused by my dad’s drive to start a
church of his own. This philosophy or doctrine was then carried into the
denomination / cult my dad started. The end for me was when the “eternal
judgment” was laid on me which capped one individual’s campaign against me that
lasted years.<span> </span><span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I had been warned when I moved to Battleground that I should
just do what Bruce told me because Bruce had his specific way of doing things
and it would not go well for me if I crossed him. That turned out to be quite true.
It is easier to follow the directions of a visible man than an invisible God and
I found most in the area just went along with whatever Bruce commanded; right
or wrong. He was in complete control, had his group of followers and it was
clear by the absolute silence of all persons in that room at my “eternal
judgment”. <span> </span>Another marker of a cult.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These were the people he referred to repeatedly as “my area”.
<span> </span>He controlled people through fear, not
love and respect. Another marker of a cult. I would not be controlled by Bruce
and it really bothered him. <span> </span>I would not
go along with his plan to become an apostle and I have no doubt the surprise “eternal
judgment” attack was his final step of “eliminating” me.<span> </span>Spiritual homicide in a way. What was also
clear is that Bruce had Gilbert Larson’s complete blessing for all his actions
as stated to me on that day. He was very upfront at my “eternal judgment” he
was doing this at the behest of Gilbert Larson. I was given no chance to speak
or defend myself and I stand by my words spoken that were alleged to be
“blasphemy”. They were not. Consider it blasphemy if you will but, at issue was
my statement that Jesus was “in the flesh” as a Child. If one is to believe <span style="background-color: white;">1
John 4 which says </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>“And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist…”</i> then those who rejected my words as “blasphemous” must themselves be of the antichrist. You judge. Jesus was born of the flesh and was not of the Spirit until his death and resurrection. This is precisely what the ABC teaches on a regular basis so I can only judge that the true issue was not my words spoken but was indeed a calculated plot to get rid of me through opportunity. It worked well and opened my eyes to what the ABC really is. A cult or what is sometimes referred to as a Totalist Aberrant Christian Organization, if the word cult happens to stick in your craw a bit. Same thing though. And that is just truth, not a railing accusation against any one person. It is a culture, a principality and power </span><span style="font-size: large;">I invoke </span><span style="font-size: large;">and not any specific person. The persons involved in these actions think they do God service but have really been taken by their arrogant pride, puffed up from excess pursuit of knowledge and not truth. It is not their fault. It is a result of their spiritual upbringing. I was once the same judgmental creature as those in that room, for which I am now ashamed. I consider myself a recovering Pharisee. I have put away building my phylactery as a source of false pride.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Despite Bruce’s tendency toward despotism I remained on
friendly terms with him, or so I thought. Privately I was bothered by things I
saw, and spoke up on occasion, but I did what I could to stay to myself and out
of his cross-hairs the best I could. That was not easy. When a few new people entered
the mix and they saw glaring issues and were very vocal. It was assumed I was
the instigator but in fact, I had said nothing to these individuals and they had come to their own conclusions. <span> </span>Some close to me expressed hope these
new people would perhaps help clear up some of the issues that existed, but
those were empty words. I remained friends with these new people even though
they were perceived as a threat. In many ways I was kidding myself that things
would be different someday. After decades of witnessing the ABC abuses that
began after the shepherding movement meetings my dad attended, of which Derek
Prince was one of the instigators, I should have known this was an embedded philosophy of the ABC. This was a philosophy my dad bought into
completely at those shepherding meetings and passed along to those that
followed. There was never a single time in my teenage years my dad talked to me
directly about issues. Instead I was repeatedly “brought before the elders” for
any small thing a teen normally encounters as a result of being a teen. I
was then completely disowned by my dad in San Diego with everyone's groupthink blessing and he sent a teenage girl to my
door to collect the tapes from the “tape ministry” which I was managing. I will
not go into the reasons specifically on why he disowned me, but it stemmed from
his belief that I intended to talk openly about some serious matters I knew of
that involved him. I had no intention of speaking to anyone about the matters,
just to him, but when he called a "hash out" meeting and I asked to speak to him privately, he ran out the door
and disappeared. I never saw him again after that and he had word sent to me
that I was disowned, and he never wanted to see me again. His choice, not mine.
<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Dt34BzoYlIFgOLcScjMtbaoFX9jwzF-ZYapqe0Rzc7n34S-aKRxxO0gcG13X0NyCjxM6_-hHO8LCr_oYPS_M43m3hN6QgC5OQQybLt1dKsITzxjwWGm05Evog0Zmjfo5QGn3vqQ83YCl9jqnL7DaZIIkOqg4EUSIp7RB6zMJ-V5PyWBDVlY59xUFqEs/s1568/dream_TradingCard(233).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Dt34BzoYlIFgOLcScjMtbaoFX9jwzF-ZYapqe0Rzc7n34S-aKRxxO0gcG13X0NyCjxM6_-hHO8LCr_oYPS_M43m3hN6QgC5OQQybLt1dKsITzxjwWGm05Evog0Zmjfo5QGn3vqQ83YCl9jqnL7DaZIIkOqg4EUSIp7RB6zMJ-V5PyWBDVlY59xUFqEs/w245-h400/dream_TradingCard(233).jpg" width="245" /></a></div></span>I was warned, not long before Bruce’s surprise attack on me,
that there were some in power who felt I knew too much about the past abuses. I
was told there were things in the works to make sure I kept silent. I had no
idea how strong this condemnation of my person would be. Eternal! One
individual promised me that when that time came, they would defend me. However,
they were but one of the silent faces staring back at me in that room when I
was not allowed to speak.<span> </span>I just chalk
that up to a lack of courage and completely understand why. I have been there
holding the coats, just like they, while others were trashed and abused and did
not speak up. These things are another mark of a cult.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The primary defense the ABC presents to my writing of the
history; heard through the grapevine; is that I am just a liar. I heard this
just recently, so I know this is still what people are being told.<span> </span>I provided my evidence and do not care if
anyone believes me or acts on my words. <span> </span>They
are true and, as I have stated, spoken from my perspective alone. I have
provided proofs and references whenever possible. It is many hours of research
and I did my best to keep the time-frame accurate and remove emotion, but I
likely failed in a few spots. There is still a great bit of pain in our family
from my dad’s abandonment. Certainly, some of the comments others have written validate
some of my concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If someone is finding peace and fellowship in the ABC, I
wish them well, but I also want them to know it may not last. <span> </span>I would not encourage anyone to be drawn in initially by
their false love as it may end up badly many years later if one dares to question or
speak the wrong thing. And I encourage anyone who feels they are being currently
abused by the ABC to leave without feeling guilt. God is not the author of
abuse and you do not have to just grit your teeth and bear it. They portray
themselves as the only place that holds truth but that is a myth. Truth can be
found anywhere in the universe; so, it is for certain truth can be found
anywhere on earth. Truth is universal and the ABC holds no franchise on truth. <span> </span>If the abuses reach a level that may be
illegal, such as when I was held against my will at Bruce’s house, or when an
elder in Belfair tried to strike me, then I would encourage that individual to
seek police or legal action if you feel it necessary without guilt. I feel a deep responsibility
to this because it was my dad that started this cult-based organization, and I
remained silent all those years, holding the coats, as I saw others spiritually,
emotionally and, on a few occasions, even physically abused. There is a trail
of broken people in the wake of the ABC going back to the beginning. I hope
they found peace. The ABC uses quite common guilt-based control tactics to hold
people captive and these tactics are used in many other cultish organizations around
the globe. It is difficult to see this when one is in the thick of it but, once
you step back, it is quite apparent. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I appreciate your comments and your concerns. Attaching your
name to your comment shows courage. I cannot foresee a scenario I would ever return.
I have been down that road before and was not truly accepted and had to even
negotiate my way back in. I know the ABC believes the only place truth can be
found is inside their virtual walls but that is just not true. God is universal,
not that small and the ABC is not the sole repository of truth. Finding truth
does not need to be paired with gritting your teeth, feeling the pain and just putting
up with it. I did that for decades blindly and will not ever do that again. Additionally,
the friendships destroyed by Bruce et al could not ever be regained. The large
sum of money it cost me to get away from those final abuses was due to my own
weakness and will never be recovered. But it is only money and peace has much
more value. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That underlying current of abusive practices continues under
the surface whether others recognize it or not. I do not need to be there to
know this is true because it is baked into the ABC cake and cannot be removed.
Dig past the frosting and you will not always find sweetness under the surface. There
are some very bitter pills baked in as well. They remain even though they may
not currently be visible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hold only sadness and not anger or bitterness, as one
person stated, for the loss of friendships. But they were not true friendship
as they turned out to be quite fragile. What is telling is that you mention there
would be apologies, but only if I came back. There is really no apology necessary,
I understand the mechanisms that caused these people to commit these offenses and I am sincere in saying they hold no individual guilt. they are victims of some very bad doctrine that leads them to behave badly. But I
am not even sure that is true that apologies would be offered. Eternal is a very long time and it would not be the first time apologies have been offered or
given but then later rescinded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The people perpetrating these things think they are doing
God service and do not know what they do. They are blind to their abusive
nature. <span> </span>If some choose to call me a liar
about these things, then that is on their own conscience. I tell the truth. We
all view the world from different perspectives, and I suppose I have the
disadvantage of knowing more about the beginning than the rest since I lived it
nearly every day, not just attended meetings a couple days per week. I know how
my father could be charismatic to some people in the ABC but then, at times, be
very cruel to me and others. This was part of the legacy he left. <span> </span>I feel part of my role is to make sure this type
of abuse does not ever happen again, although I doubt that is possible. But I
can try. I will not take the site down and I have no intent to rejoin the ABC
at any time. <span> </span>I will make myself
available to anyone in the future who feels they have been grossly abused by
the ABC and needs someone to bear witness to the past abuses I am privy to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I encourage you to read the book
“12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee.” It is a flawed book, as he advocates
allowing your freedom to become an occasion to the flesh a bit, but when you
look beyond that blemish the underlying tenets are excellent. The ABC is a
group of Pharisees and recovery from Pharisaical thinking is necessary to
overcome. I would also encourage you to research these nearly similar shunning
practices by Jehovah Witness and Scientology. Leah Remini has a good
documentary on AETV for both organizations and below is an entry in Wikipedia
regarding JW shunning and disfellowshipping. There are some amazing parallels between
the ABC practices and these organizations.<span>
</span>The ABC is not the only organization committing these deeds. There are
many other small cultish groups practicing this as well. <span> </span>I wish you well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses" title="Jehovah's Witnesses">Jehovah's Witnesses</a> practice a form of
excommunication, using the term "disfellowshipping", in cases where a
member is believed to have unrepentantly committed one or more of several
documented "serious sins".<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-33"><sup>[33]</sup></a>
The practice is based on their interpretation of 1 Corinthians 5:11-13
("quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator
or greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner,
not even eating with such a man....remove the wicked man from your midst")
and 2 John 10 ("never receive him in your home or say a greeting to
him"). They interpret these verses to mean that any baptized believer who
engages in "gross sins" is to be expelled from the congregation and
shunned. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When a member confesses to, or is accused of, a <i>serious sin</i>, a <i>judicial
committee</i> of at least three <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organizational_structure_of_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses#Elders" title="Organizational structure of Jehovah's Witnesses">elders</a> is formed.
This committee investigates the case and determines the magnitude of the sin
committed. If the person is deemed guilty of a disfellowshipping offense, the
committee then decides, on the basis of the person's attitude and "works
befitting repentance" (<a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Acts+26:20%E2%80%9326:20&version=nrsv">Acts
26:20</a>), whether the person is to be considered repentant. The
"works" may include trying to correct the wrong, making apologies to
any offended individuals, and compliance with earlier counsel. If deemed guilty
but repentant, the person is not disfellowshipped but is formally <i>reproved</i>
and has <i>restrictions</i> imposed, which preclude the individual from various
activities such as presenting talks, offering public prayers or making comments
at religious meetings. If the person is deemed guilty and unrepentant, he or
she will be disfellowshipped. Unless an appeal is made within seven days, the
disfellowshipping is made formal by an announcement at the congregation's next <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_practices#Midweek_meeting" title="Jehovah's Witnesses practices">Service Meeting</a>. Appeals are granted
to determine if procedural errors are felt to have occurred that may have
affected the outcome. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Disfellowshipping is a severing of friendly relationships between all
Jehovah's Witnesses and the disfellowshipped person. Interaction with extended
family is typically restricted to a minimum, such as presence at the reading of
wills and providing essential care for the elderly. Within a household, typical
family contact may continue, but without spiritual fellowship such as family
Bible study and religious discussions. Parents of disfellowshipped minors
living in the family home may continue to attempt to convince the child about
the group's teachings. Jehovah's Witnesses believe that this form of discipline
encourages the disfellowshipped individual to conform to biblical standards and
prevents the person from influencing other members of the congregation.<sup><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-ReferenceA-34">[34]</a></sup>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Along with breaches of the Witnesses' moral code, openly disagreeing with
the teachings Jehovah's Witnesses is considered grounds for shunning.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-ReferenceA-34"><sup>[34]</sup></a>
These persons are labeled as "apostates" and are described in Watch
Tower Society literature as "mentally diseased".<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-WT-w06-35"><sup>[35]</sup></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-36"><sup>[36]</sup></a>
Descriptions of "apostates" appearing in the Witnesses literature
have been the subject of investigation in the UK to determine if they violate
religious hatred laws.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-37"><sup>[37]</sup></a>
Sociologist Andrew Holden claims many Witnesses who would otherwise defect
because of disillusionment with the organization and its teachings, remain
affiliated out of fear of being shunned and losing contact with friends and
family members.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-Pratt-38"><sup>[38]</sup></a>
Shunning employs what is known <i>as relational aggression</i> in psychological
literature. When used by church members and member-spouse parents against
excommunicant parents it contains elements of what psychologists call <i>parental
alienation</i>. Extreme shunning may cause trauma to the shunned (and to their
dependents) similar to what is studied in the psychology of torture.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-Pratt-38"><sup>[38]</sup></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><sup><br /></sup></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Disassociation is a form of shunning where a member expresses verbally or in
writing that they do not wish to be associated with Jehovah's Witnesses, rather
than for having committed any specific 'sin'.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-39"><sup>[39]</sup></a>
Elders may also decide that an individual has disassociated, without any formal
statement by the individual, by actions such as accepting a blood transfusion,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-40"><sup>[40]</sup></a>
or for joining another religious<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-41"><sup>[41]</sup></a>
or military organization.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-42"><sup>[42]</sup></a>
Individuals who are deemed by the elders to have disassociated are given no
right of appeal.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-43"><sup>[43]</sup></a><sup><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-44">[44]</a></sup>
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Each year, congregation elders are instructed to consider meeting with
disfellowshipped individuals to determine changed circumstances and encourage
them to pursue reinstatement.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-45"><sup>[45]</sup></a>
Reinstatement is not automatic after a certain time period, nor is there a
minimum duration; disfellowshipped persons may talk to elders at any time but
must apply in writing to be considered for reinstatement into the congregation.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-46"><sup>[46]</sup></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-47"><sup>[47]</sup></a>
Elders consider each case individually, and are instructed to ensure "that
sufficient time has passed for the disfellowshipped person to prove that his
profession of repentance is genuine."<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-48"><sup>[48]</sup></a>
A judicial committee meets with the individual to determine their repentance,
and if this is established, the person is reinstated into the congregation and
may participate with the congregation in their formal ministry (such as
house-to-house preaching),<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excommunication#cite_note-49"><sup>[49]</sup></a>
but is prohibited from commenting at meetings or holding any privileges for a
period set by the judicial committee. If possible, the same judicial committee
members who disfellowshipped the individual are selected for the reinstatement
hearing. If the applicant is in a different area, the person will meet with a
local judicial committee that will communicate with either the original
judicial committee if available or a new one in the original congregation. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><sup><span style="line-height: 107%;">1</span></sup><span style="line-height: 107%;"> </span><span> </span>Rectenwald, Michael, <span> </span>2017/08/16, - Shaming & Shunning: The
People Who Do It, & Its Likely Effects (Part I), CLG News<span> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunning"><span style="font-size: large;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shunning</span></a></i></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8472387702822565628.post-21294833696478465252019-12-10T11:24:00.021-08:002023-09-18T11:26:21.095-07:00Answer to Brian Remarks 1/26/16<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHdIJ5N3tJEhpa6WuRVENGaC_oe1ZU0Y9V8p93BaQBXndVjwWRKfRV10tVCX2n3L6TYB2UO29QUeOuaMRyM1OBNy5cxcQ8PSdycb5aApaA6Ny0jhael2UWoCVxDUO876qZWDrO6BJ2ZxuoiwpaGerdlbaAV9XqEdMxNlj-BKswm7w4FI6G7GJsGXc/s1568/dream_TradingCard(101).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHdIJ5N3tJEhpa6WuRVENGaC_oe1ZU0Y9V8p93BaQBXndVjwWRKfRV10tVCX2n3L6TYB2UO29QUeOuaMRyM1OBNy5cxcQ8PSdycb5aApaA6Ny0jhael2UWoCVxDUO876qZWDrO6BJ2ZxuoiwpaGerdlbaAV9XqEdMxNlj-BKswm7w4FI6G7GJsGXc/w392-h640/dream_TradingCard(101).jpg" width="392" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Brian <br /> <br /> It appears a few years has passed since you wrote your remarks. I had not checked on this site in quite a while and the notifier of new remarks was broken so I did not see your remarks until just recently. I still felt it appropriate to respond though, even though so much time has passed. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Many of your remarks show the issues with the ABC. I understand your viewpoint of just sticking with it, regardless of the clear troubles. I once felt the same way. Despite being pushed out twice, and being disowned by the man who started this new denomination; my father, I stayed as long as I was able. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Paul referred to this mindset as being “bewitched”, when he wrote to the Galatians. The Galatians had returned to following the law as their salvation, rather than living by faith, hope and love. They lost site of true community and what was once simple they made complex and rigid again. <br /> <br /> The ABC has set themselves as a point of mediation between man and God, supplanting again the true message of faith, hope and love. In the letter written to the Thessalonians, Paul, Silvanus and Timothy wrote “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul also wrote “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” These things are missing in the ABC. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Repentance is the first principle of any solid foundation, yet the ABC leadership has lost site completely of the ability to repent. As a result, this has caused a major deviation from the message of faith, hope and love and has plagued the whole with pride, arrogance and untruth causing great decay. A little leaven, etc. But, this spot of leaven was actually there from the beginning and just became ever more evident as years have passed. <br /> <br /> I remember Home, not well, but I remember going regularly for meetings. For you, this was just one meeting, occasionally; although from my recall you were usually out on your property mostly and not in the meeting. For me, we traveled frequently to many meetings weekly and this meeting in Home was just one of many. We traveled frequently to Home, Grants Pass and many other places so my father could teach. <br /> <br /> You mention “everyone in the body is truly spirit filled”. In the letter to Timothy (2:9) it states “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His…” It is not up to me, or anyone else, to judge who belongs to God, and who doesn’t. I make no inference of such in my writings. Quite the opposite actually. The ABC has set itself as the "holder of truth" to the exclusion of others who may also hold truth. None of us holds the whole truth. It is why the true body of Christ is described as many members. None of these members relate well to the other because of their diverse roles and understanding we each have. Can the eye say to the foot....<br /> <br /> Bruce set himself in the position as one who determines another person's capability of salvation the day he “eternally judged” me with his notepad full of “charges”. His accusation I was a “blasphemer” was a false charge intended to make me subservient to him. There is much much more to that story I have not told on my site. It involves things that could have potentially been a felony had I chosen to press charges. My site contains only a very tiny part of the whole story. The intent is not to point the finger at any one person, but to destroy the myth that the entry into God’s kingdom can only be found through subservience to the ABC. I am writing a book disclosing some other facts, but there are some facts that should never be told and I will not. <br /> <br /> If you reread my site, you will find I have made no accusation or recommendation I am one to judge a man’s soul. That's way above my pay grade. I judge no man’s soul but I do, however, judge the outward constructs of man and, most pointedly, the actions of the entity that calls itself the “Assembly of the Body of Christ”; despite their allegation of not having a name. The ABC is a newly formed denomination born out of the Pentecostal and Assembly of God churches and the Latter Rain Revival movement as well. Anyone who desires to trace the origins, as I have, can prove that easily. There is plenty of evidence on the web alone and, if one were to pursue them, some written archives. <br /> <br /> One must examine the fruit born from any tree to see if it is fresh and edible or decayed and inedible? We must judge every entity constructed by man by examining its fruit since that is the only way to tell how well it is rooted in truth. “Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance”. These are things that it is impossible to create a law against since they benefit and not tear down. Using this template, I compared the actions of the ABC to this fruit and find it quite lacking. That is not judging anyone's soul, that is judging the structure built by the men who helped construct this new denomination. I played a small role in the construction, and had to examine my own perspectives. It was a determination to see if the motive was to build up and edify, or tear down and dominate. Jesus had this same issue with the Pharisees of his day. There are men in power at the ABC who are no less viperous than the Pharisees. <br /> <br /> You speak of continuing in the apostle’s doctrine. This is in Acts 2:42. These words were written to a group of Jews who remained devoted to the temple and continued to worship at the temple. This was not an improper thing to do as that is where the scrolls were maintained for all to read and learn. They also sold all their goods, and created a communal living situation, where all were equal, and they had favor with all the people because they exhibited joy and gladness in their community. They did not inflict things that were too hard to bear on one another, or create any institution or hierarchy. They did no actions which were untoward or illegal. They were Jews first, but also accepted the message about the salvation taught by the apostles. There were no printed bibles, there were no study books, there were no commentaries in those days. They went to the temple where there would be a weekly reading out of the scrolls and that was the whole source of their knowledge of God. There were perhaps some who were skilled at reading and would also go to the temple and read at other times during the week but the forty-hour work week did not exist so this was a time privilege few could afford. It was an oral tradition mostly, not one of voluminous, categorized, written proof like we have today. The ABC prides itself on much study that is wearying to the flesh but this has only brought about much arguing over words and with it a great loss of love and true community. Although I don’t recommend all construct a commune, as they did, the central focus of equity, equality and edification should be a goal, even though our lives are much less entwined. Undoubtedly they formed a commune for protection from persecution and not as a mandate from God or the apostles. <br /> <br /> The fruit of the ABC is inedible and falls into the category of the “Works of the Flesh”. Among them, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, sedition, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling. There is a very large etcetera attached to that part of the text. You have even described such a situation in your remark’s narrative. “He tried to perform oral sex on my best friend…when he, the elder, was drunk offa his fat ass.” <br /> <br /> You mention in your comments “So we all get in a beef with someone. All of the people have to go thru their,” LOLK AT ME, I KNOW ALL ANSWERS N , DAMMIT, IM RIGHT” B.S., ya know???”(sic) I am unclear if you were referring to me, or the people in the ABC, as being “look at me”. Doesn’t really matter though because we each usually get much less than ten decades to figure this all out anyhow. There is not a single person who knows all the answers; including me. I must cite a quotation from a wise person I grew up reading. <i>“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” Dr. Seuss.</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">If that is not biblical enough, Paul also wrote to the Corinthians, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the <u>simplicity</u> that is in Christ.” The methods of the ABC, in seeking a most perfect interpretation of every word, does not lend itself to simplicity and leads to continual arguing over words. I have witnessed that for decades and voluntarily took part. There is a satisfaction in thinking one's interpretation is superior to all others, even if it is lacking in the simplicity of the true message. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> I would encourage you to read another source of wisdom. Solomon in Ecclesiastes. To sum up Ecclesiastes, he searches the entire world for wisdom and finds the wisdom from God is simple, easily understood and not really found in multitudes of books. God is highly complex but we need not know theoretical physics or theology to understand God. God is everywhere, and in every thing, God is a God of peace. End of story. If you look in the letter written by James he stated “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” I dare say from your comments you have not really found an abundance of peace in the message and practices of the ABC.<br /> <br /> Finally, you state; “BUT REALLY, BRO, YOU NEED TO TAKE THAT GARBAGE DWN. IT SERVES NOONE AND I DON’T LIKE SEEING GILLS NAME GET DRUG THRU THE MUD”. (SIC) This indicates the ABC’s wrong viewpoint. When I was slandered by Bruce, et. al., and told that my one truthful sentence, when taken out of context, was “blasphemy”, “unforgivable” and I was having an “eternal judgment” passed on me, there was a room full of men who just nodded in agreement. No one said anything about the “garbage” coming my way; then or after, because they just follow without questioning. This is why the people of this area were called “Brucetians” at times. I would not commit to be a “Brucetian” and I know this is the motivation Bruce had to give me the boot. There were a few that came to my defense, but they were told by Bruce, and I assume by Gilbert, they must decide if they were “in the body, or “out of the body”. That was a direct threat since most feel their salvation is contingent upon the ABC. That is an untruth. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I went through my site and looked for a place I drug Gil through the mud. I could not find any place like that, but if you would like to be specific, I will review my words. I mentioned the time spent on his survey crew in the Shasta-Trinity Alps slope staking a logging road, and also mentioned the fact Bruce and Gil made plans to declare me a blasphemer and eternally judge me. That is not my impression, it was directly stated to me by Bruce that he had talked to Gilbert and I was to be "eternally judged" at my inquisition. I will note that, before I ever put my site online, I sent the information to Gil, along with many additional facts, but received no response. The message was clear. I was a person of no value. People were called and told not to associate with me unless a trusted elder was present. Then they were told not to associate with me at all. Twice I passed by individuals from the ABC at the store and, on both occasions, the discomfort was palpable. Yet, this is not recognized as being "drug through the mud" when someone is treated so badly. That is a double standard and God is not duplicitous. When I was disowned and ex-communicated, in San Diego, by my father, a teenage girl was then sent to my door to tell me never to contact him again. Was this not being drug through the mud? When Yvonne wrote letters to the elder you referred to earlier as being inebriated he, on several occasions, showed up at my door to scream at me; and on one occasion tried to strike me; telling me I better stay away from anyone in the ABC, at Yvonne’s direction or else. Was this not being drug through the mud? I could list numerous similar incidents where I have been drug through the mud, going back to age fourteen. Yet, there is no one seeing this as being "drug through the mud". That is not the mind of Christ. <br /> <br /> Cults; or Totalist Aberrant Christian Organizations (TACO's), such as the ABC, take on an “Animal Farm” perspective. (All pigs are equal, but some are more equal than others.) Gilbert Larson is not royalty. If his name appears as one who is instituting policies of hate and discord it is not dragging him through the mud to point out these policies are wrong, and one should not follow him down this same path. He is just as prone to error as anyone else. <br /> <br /> There is very much more to this story than you know Brian. When I put my site online, I told no one connected with the ABC, now or previously, and only did some search engine optimization tactics to get good placement on Google and other search engines. I didn’t even tell anyone in my family. Within two days, I had individuals contacting me with thanks for bringing some clarity to the history of the ABC. I was in it from before the very beginning and know the whole story; some of it that should not be told. I can only assume you feel I dragged Gilbert through the mud because he is now the leader of the denomination. To throw mud at the denomination is perceived as throwing mud at Gilbert Larson personally. I do not mean my words to diminish any specific individual, including Bruce Leonard, David North, Gilbert Larson, etc. but my words on this site are an indictment of the whole built by them and other persons. It was years prior to these men being in power the ABC set off in the wrong direction. The path deviation at the beginning seemed small, but years of deviation have brought the ABC to a point far from the tenets Jesus taught. I can declare when Andy Atwell asked to meet me at the IHOP, it was under false pretenses. He couched the invitation to the meeting as one to discuss another matter and that was deceptive, untrue and a deliberate lie. The true plan was to lie in wait for me secretly, intending to ambush and destroy. Is this really the mind of Christ to live in such untruth? I don't believe so. <br /> <br /> I include here a link for information on TACO’s as this scenario plays out every day, in many places, all around the world. It is not just an ABC problem. It is what it refers to in Paul’s letter to Timothy as deceptive teachings, doctrines of demons, lies and hypocrisy and I want no part of that. <br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /> I wish you well. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="rangySelectionBoundary" id="selectionBoundary_1576005319854_42742931663681505" style="display: none; line-height: 0;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;">
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