What does God look like?

 

My thoughts: book notes:

                Symbols – material things used to outwardly express who I am in Christ – completely unnecessary.  No crucifix or painting-it is far more valuable to share your time with someone in need than it is to give your life for someone else. God can breathe life back into your body, but never, can God rewind time. God cannot “undo”; only change or create that which is already done.

(Now this is not to take away from John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. – that’s Jesus talking to the disciple about how He’s laying down His life for them and us. This is more about the world and its superstitious pagan ways of tons of religious relic jewelry posters paintings crosses Jesus’ mother Mary saint this saint that etc. all junk. From tattoos to gaudy necklaces and rings and all that useless crap the entertainers wear. Just stupid and means nothing to God. It means the world to the person wearing it though and whatever twisted mixed up message they have to tell the world. In other words, if you’re living one way and flashing all this trash in another, it’s confusing and does not benefit God, it just feeds the enemy’s ploy to create divide from the Truth. We now know that symbols literally is all over the place in predictive programming MK ultra and literally everything we see in this manipulative world. Notice Jesus never wore any jewelry or crosses or anything! Because He Is the Truth! And if we’re representing Him; scripture is it! Actions behind scripture is it! Standing on Scripture is it!

Come Unto Me - Take 6

My thoughts; book notes continue –

                No crucifix or painting should ever capture the truth of the Word. There is no record in human history of the ‘face of God’ and no symbolism necessary to remember His Son because He exists through the life and actions of every living thing. (Preach! People say well what does He look like? This IS what GOD looks like! He looks like love He looks like kindness He looks like faith! He looks like all things good in the world! He looks like grace! He looks like passion! He looks a sinner’s place redeemed at the Holy table at the banquet of God the Son! He looks like a dwelling for the Holy Spirit, He looks like cleanliness, He looks like righteousness and He looks like the opposite of everything you and me pretend to be. HE LOOKS LIKE REALITY! We look like fools. Desperate in our sins wallowing and wading in the waters of disease poverty and hopelessness. This is NOT what God looks like. He looks like help! He looks like a lending hand out of trouble, He looks like a way out, He looks like fire when we’re cold and He looks like rain when our crops are dry. I wish I could describe him to you, but He’s indescribable, yeah!)

So if you’re looking for love, look no further than the swelling of the Spirit in your heart. 

 

Science and Faith: still a thing?

 

 

 

                                                                        DeMaster Thomas, 12/7/2002 

Since the dawn of man and technology the question has been asked, is science and religion the same or different?  Experts in both fields offer many opinions and theories but have never truly reached an agreement on an explanation of the relationship between the two.  Taking a fresh approach to the debate over science vs. religion requires removing oneself from either bias. 

Let us take a moment to consider this.  If indeed religion is simply a study of beliefs, it in fact, really has nothing to do with one’s faith in a particular deity.  In all actuality, religion has very little to do with God or the bible or any other doctrine for that matter.  Religion is simply something one does in a repeated, habitual manner.  Now faith finds a home in religion and so the two become one as time goes by. 

Faith in biblical description is the belief that the end result exists or will exist without proof.  There is no physical evidence, only a hypothesis or idea that the end result will eventually come to pass.  Doctrines of all have considered a basis of faith because the deity in which they truly seek and the works thereof are the end result yet to come.  Now science in simpler form is the study of what is and the possibility of what could be. 

It is formed around the idea of what already exists and again a hypothesis is drawn, a conclusion is devised and studies are based on the convincing of evidential results.  So, for a brief moment, the true sense of the both have become one.  Both science and faith rely on the same ingredients in order to exist.  Science and faith both share common purpose and goal.  The repetitious study of one or more entities driven by the need for end results.  Therefore, science is merely the explanation of faith.  They are one in the same.  The science of faith is a religion all its own.  So, does science leave room for faith?  Of course, one cannot exist without the other.

The Faith of a Child

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

A Message from God to You

ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
This original version of the Father's Love Letter narration was first created in 2001. Special thanks to narrator Roy Lamont and Robert Critchley for producing the music. We now have two other extended versions (10 minutes) of this video available as well. (Click on the title for more information)

Supernatural: Spiritual Warfare

Supernatural: Spiritual Warfare

Since we were able to dream and imagination a world outside of ourselves, we have entertained the Supernatural.

...Just to name a few. But what are we really dealing with here? Is this knowledge or entertainment or a little of both? How much of what we see in movies is real and how much of it is ripped right out of the oldest story known to man? Well the truth is - both. Horror movies, mystery novels and even rock music all glorify the battle at hand: spiritual warfare. Indeed there is a battle for lost souls. Some are aware of this and do what they need to do to protect themselves. Others seek wisdom to learn of these spiritual pitfalls and make a diligent effort to avoid them. And then there are those who worship this way of life and make it a religion. Then there is the small percentage of the world that just doesn't care one way or the other and thinks all the preceding groups are just nuts. Well, no matter what you believe, the facts are the facts. We live in a "fallen" world away from universal peace and good will and our media allows us to expose every corner of our spirit - light and dark. 

 

You are never pretty enough, skinny enough, strong enough, smart enough, tall enough, short enough you will never be "perfect" why? Because there is an unseen force that is embedded into the modern mind that without buying their product or paying for their service, you will not achieve perfection.

And then there is the obvious...

Guns...

...Cars

 Money...

and Sex...

 Without it even being said, we all know that there are more worldly desires out there in competition for our soul. Now, I left out addictions such as alcohol, tobacco, narcotics, and the abuses or extremes we press upon ourselves. Mainly because well it's self explanatory. Those things we impose upon ourselves only we can blame ourselves for. Those things that are pressed upon us by the world and its ways are things of an unseen force.

Spiritual Warfare:

The Big Principle: How you "THINK" will determine - How you "LIVE".

The Battlefield of Spiritual Warfare is "OUR MIND".

2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 5:8-9

It is the thought process that drives, directs, shapes, molds, and creates your reality. It starts with you. Keep a "sober" mind and a "sober" path will be created before you.

The unseen force of evil is a living breathing being with the intent to kill, steal, and destroy. And the enemy of man seeks you out like a lion on the prowl in the wild. The enemy is an opportunist.

So let's just say I subscribe to this point of view...how would I know if I am being "Spiritually Attacked"?

1. Failures lead to DESPAIR. When your will is weak, your guard is down and it is easier to be tempted to do something hurtful and harmful to yourself and others. (Zechariah 3:1-4)

2. Uncertainty leads to DOUBT. When you start to question yourself and second guess your best judgment, you know right, but do wrong, whatever your definition of right and wrong is, you go against the grain and break your own rules and/or the rules and principles you naturally uphold. Becoming indecisive gives "evil" and "opportunity" to sink in. (Genesis 3:1-5)

3. Ambitions become DISTRACTIONS. Guard your mind, body, and spirit. They are the core of you. When they are weak, you can become ill and illness can lead to death. Gain, sew and reap wisdom. (Genesis 3:6)

4. Anger becomes DIVISION. We have all at one point or another said or done something in anger that we regret. This is exactly what the "enemy" looks for to break you down and destroy your relationships and devour your life - breadcrumb by breadcrumb. Anger is hasty, but evil is ever-so-patient. And will wait for you to fall and then kick you when you are down. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

5. Desires become DECEPTION. It is perfectly natural to desire material things: food, clothing, shelter and other necessities of life. Too much of anything will destroy you from the inside out. (Matthew 4:1-11)

6. Anxiety becomes DREAD. Take time to pace yourself in life and in spiritual matters. Getting ahead of yourself will only force you to fall over your own feet and hit  the ground. Getting ahead of your teacher will only force you to miss something of grave importance that you needed to learn. You may regret jumping ahead when you realize that you missed the whole point, the whole message, the bigger picture. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Sometimes, it's just US! We carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Sometimes, it's just our own baggage pulling us down and holding us back. That's when you have to do what some people will not: 

GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY

James 1:14

Yes, believe it or not, we tempt ourselves and cause ourselves to fail. It's not bad enough we have the world trying to take us down and the unseen forces of evil trying to eat us out, but now we have to protect our eyes, ears, and hands from seeing, listening, and idling in unhealthy destructive actions and behaviors. (Phew! Sounds like a lot of work!

Well, the activity of Warfare is RESISTING and DRAWING NEAR.

Here are your basic tools:

Draw Nigh

Seek and Sew the Truth

Ask and Receive

James 4:7-8 ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ; Psalm 8:2

In conclusion, I leave you with this: 

Protect yourself and the ones you love by bringing them up in love, life, and wholesome fulfillment. When you think you know it all, ask yourself what is it I do not know and more knowledge will come to you.

- DeMaster Thomas-

Author of Dreamweaver: Diary of a Fallen

Ephesians 6:10-17

Poetry Corner

Prayers transcend space and time. 

In our prayers, we open the mind and explore the soul.

We go where the spirit takes us. 

Phone Call To God

by: DeMaster Thomas

Hello God, I called tonight to talk a while.

I need a friend once again who’ll listen to my trials.

You see, I can’t seem to make it through one day on my own.

I need your love to guide me so I’ll never feel alone.

I want to ask you please to keep my family safe and sound. 

Come in and fill their lives for whatever fate they’re bound.

Give me faith dear God to face each hour throughout the day.

And not to worry over things I can’t change anyway.

I thank you God for always taking my calls.

I thank you for giving me advice and catching me when I fall.

Your number, God, is the only one that answers every time.
I never get a busy signal and never had to pay a dime.

So thanks God again for easing my sorrow.
Good night, I love you, too. And I'll talk to you tomorrow :-)