The "Nathanael" Factor

"Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" John 1:47

This was how the "Teacher" saw Nathanael when he was coming toward Him. How would Jesus see you when the day comes (and it will come) when you approach Jesus? What would the good Lord say to describe you?

"Behold, a Christian indeed, in whom ..."

Fill in blanks above.

Moses Holds the Secret

Moses, the great ruler of Israel, died at the age of 120 years. In the Book of Deuteronomy (31:14), the Lord declared Moses' death.

[Then the Lord said to Modes, "Behold the day of your death is near; call Joshua, and stand at the doors of the tabernacle of testimony, and I shall give him My commandments." So Moses and Joshua went to the tabernacle of testimony and stood at the doors of the tabernacle of testimony.]

Moses was blessed. By laying his hands on people he will give them the Spirit of God (Deuteronomy 34:9).


[Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of understanding, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the sons of Israel heeded him and did as the Lord commanded Moses.]

When Moses passed away he was in good shape despite his old age Deuteronomy 34:5-7.

[So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab by the word of the Lord. Then He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.]

Moses appeared later on with Jesus and Elijah at the Transfiguration mount Luke 9:30-31.

[And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.]

As He did take Elijah alive to heaven, the Lord took Moses to heaven after He buried him in "a valley in the land of Moab."

The Lord has a plan for everyone of us. The Lord has a role for us even after our death, and for some this role is magnificent, like the one Moses had.  

My Belief

What is my belief? I was born into the Catholic faith. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and my Savior. I am a sinner that, if it were for me alone, I would never reach heaven. But by the grace of God and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead I am now able to enter into my Father's House. There have been evil forces in this world that have tried to distort this image. As you probably have noticed, I have documented their books in my blogs. These people have been trying to provide an alternate explanation to the real truth. Paul, Peter, and the other disciples have seen the Truth and gave their own lives for the Truth. Despite what this movement is all about, we the Catholics declare that these people are missionaries of the devil. The devil uses them to get back to Christ because the Lord have won. In the army I've learned that in order to combat your enemy you have first to know your enemy very well. These people have, since the Lord was born, attempted to destroy Christ, but they lost. They lost big time because He has said that His Church is built on a rock and all the power of hell would not be able to overcome it. The Catholic faith have destroyed these evil people despite their organization. They have built monuments, "churches", and symbols. Yes, these symbols belong to the devil, their master. As for us Christians we have only one Master. He is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Do not get deceived by their sweet and "logical" stories. Do not let that snake, the devil, to deceive you as he did to Adam and Eve. I have read the end of the "Book". Christ wins. Amen. 

Pilate's Summary

The chief priest and the whole Jewish Council which was composed of the scribes and the elders handed Jesus to Pilate, the Roman Governor, so that the Governor would order Jesus to death. Having questioned Jesus, Pilate arrived to the following conclusion "For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over." Matthew 27:18. One of the greatest negative emotions is envy.  To be human at all you must confront your own negative emotions on a daily basis. Failure to confront them leads to sin. Jesus said "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41. Watch for your negative emotions and pray so that you conquer them. Because even though you try your best, on your own strength you cannot do it. But, with prayer you may overcome them.


Pilate was right. The scribes and the elders were jealous of Jesus. He was loved by the people and He made them look absolute.  So they hated him. The Good Book states that Pilate washed his hands to declare that he was innocent of Jesus' blood (Matthew 27:24).

Eclectic physicians taught the importance of overcoming negative emotions. They taught that these emotions are the root of all diseases. Negative emotions lead to enervation which in turn produces toxemia. Manifestations of toxemia are what modern medicine recognizes as disease. And, they too were right. Negative emotions destroy the person from inside out. Don't let them rule you. Pray.

Thank You

When Jesus healed 10 lepers, only one came back and thanked him. Jesus asked the man "where were the others." God likes our thanks because he loves us. Children who love their dad thank him. Thank you Father for all your gifts you have showered us with during 2014. We love you Father. Amen.

Oldest Painting of Jesus Christ: Happy Sunday

From: http://www.rejesus.co.uk/site/module/faces_of_jesus/P11/

Where is God?

I do not think anybody knows. There are a lot of theories and believes, but in fact no one really knows. Where is God in the time of distress? We often attributes good things to God and bad things to the work of the devil. In order to believe in God as the source of all goods, the devil is the source of all bad things. In fact, we ask God to "deliver us from evil." How come God does not interfere to stop bad things from happenings. It seems that the devil is always busy doing his things (just look around you to know what I am talking about.) However, the good lord is kind of silent most of the time. The Church teaches us that we are the hands of God. Well, I guess the devil has managed to recruit exceedingly more people to his camp. There is definitely no job availability left in the devil's camp. How come God does not interfere in massacres such as the one occurred in Germany during the WWII. How come God still allows children to die from hunger in 2012. Jesus taught us that God is love. He is a father that cares for his children. But, how about all these miseries all around us. There is one book in the Bible that may shed the light on this mystery. It is the Book of Job. Although this book is a fictional story, it has a tremendous depth to it. In it, the devil and God are chatting with each other?!  (Really, they were having a meeting of sort with each other.) The devil challenges God that no one would cling to God's side if the devil is allowed to torture them. The devil suggested that not even Job, a God-fearing man, would remain faithful to God if the devil is allowed to cause enough miseries in his life. God took the devil's challenge. Of course the devil had a wonderful time with Job, causing him one disaster after another. Despite Job's miseries he remained faithful to the Lord through it all. However, not without complaints. Many of us nowadays are modern life Jobs. You lost your job, your wife is nagging you about it daily accusing you that it was your fault. Your children are demanding you to buy stuff for them. You still need to feed your family, to provide shelter and clothing, Internet, and cable TV. You still have to drive your 2004 car and fill it with $4/gallon gas. And, despite your best efforts you still cannot land even a lousy single interview. You are depleting all your savings, and your house is going under. You declare that you are bankrupt and you and your family end up on the street lining up at soup kitchens. Your wife leaves you taking away from you all your children that you adore. You get diagnosed with stage II cancer and you don't have money to treat yourself. The doctors tell you you are a terminal case without a treatment. But yet you still love God the source of all good in your life. At least whatever good is left to thank him for it, and you only would thank him if someone throw at you a piece of leathery turkey on Thanksgiving Day perhaps with some mash potatoes and gravy on top (sounds good.)

Where are Your Stones?

An interesting story in the Bible (See John 8:1-11; CEV) is told about Jesus encounter with the Pharisees.  This story is seldom mentioned nowadays in our society.  As a whole we tend we forget that first we are a Christian Nation.  The Bible tells us about a woman who was caught in adultery.  The Pharisees wanted to stone her to death according to the Old Testament's traditions.  "Teacher, this woman was caught sleeping with a man who isn't her husband.  The Law of Moses teaches that a woman like this should be stoned to death! What do you say?"  You probably think by now that Jesus, the Son of God, would tells them to go ahead and obey the Laws.  After all, He was a Rabbi who knew exactly what these Laws meant.  "...Jesus simply bent over and started writing on the ground with his finger."  This was an act for someone who didn't think what they were saying was that important.  He simply was trying to ignore them.  Don't we all do similar acts when we are not interested in the subject at hand.  I have papers with scribbles on them that can probably fill a thick three-ring folder just to prove my point.  "If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her!"  "The people left one by one by one, beginning with the oldest."  I was listening to a radio talk show this morning on my way to work.  People were calling in throwing their "stones" (oops, I meant their jokes) about the story of the day from Capital Hill.  I wonder if anyone of them dare to expose their "skeletons in the closet" to everybody else, and let us see how "funny" they are.  Enough is enough.  Think first about your misdeeds and failures before you start throwing your stones at other people failures.  And, perhaps you can keep your stones to use them for something more useful, may be building a home for the homeless or stopping water from flooding people's houses.  Where are your stones?  I dare you to throw one now.

Is Doomsday Biblical?

The simple answer to this is "NO".  The Bible assures us that there is no end to the physical form that God created.  The Second Coming of Christ, however, is Biblical.  However, when Christ comes back will be a joyful event, a Halliluja event, a wedding, and a great feast.  Doomsday does not exit.  The good Lord promised us beautiful earth and beautiful heaven.  Remember, the Earth is where the good Lord walked, talked, preached, ate, drunk, and had a family (Mary and Joseph).  God would not destroy something he had built.  Next time you hear someone preaching about "the end is near", have a java and relax with a nice book in the park.  And, don't forget to "have a good day."

I Saw A White Horse

This was a dream I had on May 20th of this year.  Amongst all the talks that the end of the world was upon us on May 21, I saw a beautiful white horse in my dream.  The horse was majestic, strong, and all-white almost made of white clouds.  He was running fast across the sky.  His white beautiful hair was long at his neck.  The Bible tells us that Jesus will come back on a white horse during his second coming to Earth.  I think I was given a vision of that beautiful majestic horse.  I do not know why?  The vision was brief and lasted perhaps 10-15 seconds.  When Jesus comes back it will not be a "doomsday".  It will be a joyful day, a day when the Lord Jesus comes back riding his beautiful white horse.

Satan's Commandment

Satan's Commandment is: You Shall Do as Thy Will.

Commentary on Satan's Commandment: According to Satan, God's Ten Commandments are absolute. They were delivered thousands of years ago by an Egyptian murderer with the name of Moses. The Egyptian authorities expelled him out of Egypt with a bunch of his followers. He and his followers died in the Sinai desert, and their ancestors reached a land now called Israel and Palestine. How could anyone trust a commandment "You Shall Not Kill" delivered by a murderer?

The Devil has a satanic way of convincing the wrong message. If you believe Satan's Commandment and ignore God's Ten Commandments, then you have fallen victim of Satan's deception. Obey the Lord and love Him. He is the Truth. Jesus Christ is the only Truth. Satan is a deceiver. Satan is a liar.

The Holly Catholic Church teaches of the "discernment of the Spirit". That is, always ask yourself about what type of thoughts and emotions you are experiencing. Always take them to the Lord with a prayerful heart. The Holly Spirit shall reveal the truth to you. He is the Source of the Truth. Place your trust in the Holly Spirit. The Spirit of the Truth.

Did God Create "Evil"?

If you believe in a deity, you also believe that God is the Creator of all things. But did God really create "evil" too? The simple answer to that is "NO." Evil is a by-product of other creations. God is all goodness. Because He is all goodness He gave freedom to its creatures. The Bible talks about the angels who became devils because of their hate towards God. Their hate came from the freedom that God bestowed upon them. The same freedom was given to man. Man too, misused his freedom, but with the Grace of God and through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross we all regained our relationship with God. We were saved through the Blood of Jesus on the Cross. God did not create "evil," however He gave us the freedom not to obey him which is by definition sinning against God. Sin is evil through freedom.

Faith in God

The ancients said if God existed then He would have appeared to us. Jesus came to us and said "If you see Me you also see my Father who is in heaven". Now, we have seen God. The ancients believed that if you saw God you would die. We have seen God and lived. Christians are witnesses to Jesus Christ, God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. God is our father. Because God is with us, we shall conquer Hell. I read the end if the Book. We won. Amen

A "Martha Martha" Day

Today was a "Martha Martha" day for me. The Good Lord was invited to dinner at Martha and her sister Mary's house. While Martha was busy preparing the food, Mary sat there listening to Jesus. Martha complained to Jesus about her sister not helping her with the dinner. Jesus replied saying "Martha Martha" you have been troubled for many things, but the need is for one only. Mary was the winner that night. I always think about this dinner when I get too busy in my life. I tend to forget about God, family, and myself for the sake of getting things done. The sages say "slow down and smell the roses", and for me I need to remember that, especially when I get into one of those "Martha Martha" days. Happy Holidays.

Thank You

Thank you is a magical phrase. In the U.S. people thank each other for anything you do for them. They thank you for visiting them, for helping them, for being there for them, or for their nice deeds. I read in the Good Book when Jesus healed the ten people with leprosy, all run away after they were healed except for one. This one came back and thanked Jesus for what he had done to them. Jesus asked the man where the other nine were. How come they did not come back and gave their thanks to Jesus. Even the Good Lord wanted us to thank him for what He does for us and to us. The Bible also says thank the Lord for everything. I would like to take this opportunity to THANK you, my readers, for being here and reading my posts. I would like to also THANK you for all your kind comments that you leave me often on my blog. Thank you for all your kindness. Or as my dad used to say "Merci Beaucoup".

More on "Who is a Christian?"

Jesus Christ came as a Jewish Rabbi. He said that he came not to destroy the Jewish faith, but rather to make it whole. So, Salvation came to the Jews not to change them to Christians, but rather to bring clarity to their faith and belief. Those who found Jesus in the Old Testament are saved, despite their Jewish faith. Perhaps the most difficult question (or one of the most difficult ones) is that: Can an atheist be a Christian? Is it the "belief" that makes a Christian or the good deed/Christian acts? The message of Jesus was inclusive and not exclusive. The message of Jesus was liberating; it is no longer a slave or a master, a man or a woman, a Jew or a Gentile, we are all one in Christ. Jesus does not belong to anyone. We all belong to him. And, He wants us all. Amen.

Who is a Christian?

This question may seem simple, but in reality it is not. Are you a Christian because you were baptized? Are you a Christian because you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Many will answer to these two questions with a definite YES. Now, a more difficult question; could someone who is not baptized, but believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior be a Christian? Even a more difficult question: Could a Muslim or a Hindu be labeled a Christian if he follows the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ by spreading love and peace, by loving his neighbors as himself? Jesus said those who do what my Father in Heaven desires are the children of God. Jesus said that those who obey my commandments shall enter the Kingdom of God. Many Christians believe that unless you are a Christian you cannot enter the Kingdom of God. However, that would exclude a good billion or two of people. Jesus died for all men and women. He came to save all human beings. The salvation is not restricted to one denomination, religion, or country. We say may God Bless America; the French people say may God bless France; the Iranians say may God bless Iran etc. We are all saved with the grace of God. Christians should not hold salvation hostage and deny it to others. Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and others can find Jesus speaking to them through their faith, and those who follow their faith shall be saved. Jesus Christ came to save all, and He is saving all people through their faith in God. Amen

Miracles

Miracles are out of ordinary events. Things that make people puzzle. Acts that have no explanation to them. Occurrences that people wonder how could that happen; it is impossible. Or, is it? Everything in life can happen. There are certain things that occur rarely, thus not everyone is familiar with them. If unfamiliar person encounters them, then there are labeled as "miracles". Miracles are just events that are ordinary, however the probability of their occurrence is minuscule, and they still occur on their own. Physicians are all aware of something called in medicine as "spontaneous healing". The spontaneity of healing is just that it occurs on its own, but rarely. Cancer, headaches, infections, heart disease, and others can all disappear on their own, in very rare cases. Magicians, miracle workers, TV preachers, and charlatans pretend that they are exercising certain power over matter, in particular when it comes to healing the body or the mind. Most of these so-called "healings" occur when one does not know the exact nature of the illness; it is simply stated by often biased, spiritually "drunk" individuals. Never under-estimate the power of suggestion over the body and the mind. So called maladies are in fact borderline hallucination of some psychosomatic disturbances the person has. With the power of suggestion from the "healer", the person becomes filled with the "spirit" of the moment and begins shouting and proclaiming a "miracle" has happened. Whereas in fact what just happened is a state of hallucination imposed by the power of prayers and the immediate environment the person is in. I am still waiting for one of those healers to grow a new limb for someone who had lost one. Perhaps a new hand or a foot would do. Alas! I am still waiting. Those who are portraying such miracles in the name of God are false witnesses to the power of the Almighty. He and He alone can heal the broken hearts. I do not think God is in the business of healing the body. He alone has that power of healing anything. He has given this power to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord transferred the same power to his immediate disciples. And, that where the end of that era occurred. It had a purpose in mind. It was meant to attract people to God through Christ. It does not exist anymore. We have everything on this planet to heal ourselves. Artificial limbs are true miracles that clinical scientists have invented to help the amputees. I am hoping for more miracles to happen in the future when man begins to realize that God has already provided us with the biggest miracle of all, our brain. Let us use it and create more new "miracles," and stop being false witnesses to God. Amen.

Happy Easter (2010)

Let us pray (from the Catechism of the Catholic Church):

"I love you, O my God, and my only desire is to love you until the last breath of my life. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Heavenly King, Consoler Spirit, Spirit of Truth, present everywhere and filling all things, treasure of all good and source of all life, come dwell in us, cleanse and save us, you who are All-Good. Amen."

Arguments

For each argument there are two parties. Many of those arguments are due to differing point of views. These point of views are perhaps both correct from the point of view of the beholder. Arguments are often resolved by the involvement of a third party who does not have a stake in the conflict. For some arguments, a resolution is not possible because the parties have reached a point of unreconciled difference. Unless one of the parties is willing to give up on that point, the parties would never reconcile. Arguments are often created to win some ground in a conflict. The source of the argument may not be clear to everybody. Some may argue without knowing all the facts needed to win, so they loose. Others may argue knowing that a point of view is inherently wrong, but they introduce it to "muddy the water' or as a "smoke screen." Very few people live to have conflicts in their life. Those are the exceptions to the rule. The rule is most people try to avoid arguments as much as they can. Unresolved issues do not just go away; they mutate. Try to resolve your arguments with your neighbor as long as you are still talking to each other. Otherwise, the consequences may be severer. Imagine a world without arguments. All people live in perfect peace. All have their own deserved shares in their lives. no poverty, no sin, no bad things, every body loves everyone else. Imagine that would be possible. Do not call me a dreamer; Jesus did imagine a world like that and called each one of us to participate in it. If Jesus could imagine a world like that, I believe it is going to happen one day. Call me a believer.