Singing Christmas 2018

December is almost upon us and scores of people around the world are thinking of Christmas and all it means; whether commercially, or for "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".  I prefer the latter.  Was going through some last era (which means, my era but ancient eons ago to my children) and came upon the following that we used to sing with gusto.  I'll share it here.  Credits to the lyrics by Ralph Carmichael.  

He's Everything to Me has been a favorite.  Hope you enjoy it.   It's a nice song for this time of year and brings forward the  meaning and purpose of Jesus's birth.  I give you...

 Here it is  sung in Tune.


                                            ~ERC  November 2018~

Lord's Day Devotion - Light of the World

Light reveals, brightens, warms, cheers, penetrates darkness, gives energy, helps things grow, gives life, brings us oxygen for breathing and no doubt many more benefits radiate from it.  There are greater lights and lesser lights like the sun, moon and stars created by God.  

Light can be bright and it can be brighter.  I was charmed by what  Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 30:26 (ESV),

"Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the LORD binds up the brokenness of his people and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow." 

Look what the LORD's light can do.  Yes, the context of this verse was for when the children of Israel were able to be released from their captivity in Babylon and go back to their own land of Israel; yet it does seem prophetic to me.  

Connect the Isaiah verses with what John the Baptist's father, Zechariah, prophesied when he was filled with the Holy Spirit, as we read in Luke 1:68-70 (ESV).  He starts off blessing the Lord God of Israel, and mentions that his son John will be "the prophet of the Most High God...to prepare his ways..." and that the One he is preparing for will be "the sunrise" and will,

"...give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (vs 79).

Whomever was he referring to?

I believe most of us know the answer well;  none other than our Lord Jesus Christ.  He Himself declares,

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Isn't He wonderful! 

Jesus showed up His light so that we may be free.  He has shown his Light into our hearts and minds to reveal to us what was there and the need of Him.  He bought and brought us His salvation.  We followers of Jesus Christ can be so thankful for this.

From the Light of His salvation we can grow in our Jesus life like plants in the sunshine. 

And guess what else!?   We look forward to being with Him in Heaven where His temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, the Light of the world.  Did you know that,

"...the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb"?  (Revelation 21:22-23)

Because of Jesus Who is the Light of the World, we will experience this glorious Light for all eternity.  What a wonderful feeling and future to look forward too!

When we followers of Jesus Christ remember Him in His death and resurrection, taking of the bread and wine emblems on Lord's Day, showing what His death has accomplished for us, let us be glad and grateful for the Light of His salvation shining in our lives.

No doubt you all at one point or another in your lives have seen and/or visited a lighthouse.  I grew up by the sea and have seen them and even been in them.  Lighthouses function as beacons to those at sea warning of danger,  helping the sea captains to navigate their way safely.  

Similarly may we in turn shine out His light of life and love to others bringing them hope, cheer, healing from brokenness, and give comfort such as we have enjoyed.  Help others plot their life course straight to Jesus, the Light of the world.

                                                ~ERC  November 2018~

Here's a song sung by Tim Hughes called Light of the World

Burning Quest - Part 49

The colossal million dollar question was, "Is it OK to join the army?"  For that matter, can one join the police force or other such law enforcement agency?  These questions stemming from the previous blog entry, Burning Quest - Part 48 about War and Peace, are especially for the benefit of followers of Jesus Christ  inquirers.

By comparison, the Buddhists pose a similar question.  Dr. K Sri Dhammananda in his book What Buddhists Believe gives his answering perspective,

"Does Buddha teach the doctrine of complete self-surrender?  Should I suffer the evil-doer to do what he pleases and yield submissively to him who threatens to take by violence what is my own?  Does the Buddha maintain that all strife including warfare waged for a righteous cause should be forbidden?" (Pages 369-370).

Sri Dhammananda asserts Buddha taught, 

"'He who deserves punishment must be punished.  And he who is worthy of favor must be favored.  Do not do injury to any living being but be just, filled with love and kindness'" (Page 370).

He continues,

"These injunctions are not contradictory because the person who is punished for his crimes will suffer his injury not through the ill will of the judge but through the evil act itself.  His own acts have brought upon him the injury that the executors of the law inflict.  When a magistrate punishes, he must not harbor hatred in his heart.  When a murderer is put to death, he should realize that his punishment is the result of his own act" (Page 370).

Lots of wisdom there.  

We learn from Romans 13:1-5 that authorities are God's servants to "carry out God's wrath on the wrongdoer" (vs 4).  Yes, there are those in authority who are not good leaders yet as discussed in the past, God still uses them to accomplish His purposes.  They will have to answer to God and be responsible for their actions and their consequences.

So if God uses those in authority to keep things "godly and orderly," to defend "innocent people from evil aggressors" and "promote justice," I ask you, wouldn't that be a worthy cause to join?  

Army personnel, police officers, lawyers of integrity, even politicians who think of people and not their own agendas (Possible?  With God all things are possible), could work together for the common good.

I'd like to add...is God calling you to such positions?  Well and good.  To the rest of us, pray for them that justice would well and truly be advanced through those on the front lines of administering justice through legitimate government channels.  All Godspeed to those at that helm.  

There are some good articles on this topic by other authors.  Click on the following links to check for more in depth study.

Compelling Truth/Christian Military

Got Questions/ Military Christian

Live As Free People/Join the Military/Police Force

Why Didn't Jesus Denounce Military Service?

It is difficult to ascertain what exactly is implied by the Buddhist definition of "righteous cause" for which they could go to war.  It is known from history that the Sinhalese Buddhists of Sri Lanka engaged in war for years whether to "protect" their territorial boundaries or to defend and preserve Buddhism itself is not entirely clear.  There is a rather lengthy article written by one P. D. Premasiri  entitled The Place For A Righteous War in Buddhism you may be interested in; click on link.

Another article by Barbara O'Brian that was recently updated follows a similar view.  You can read for yourself about Buddhists At War.  Buddhists condemn war but they are also seen engaging in and fueling it as in the case of Japan during WW2.  You can read about that in the indicated article.

Getting away from the actual physical joining of the military or other law enforcement agencies, there is the idea of conquest; that is, the conquest of self.  Can we be our own "soldier" or "police officer" to route out that which is unwholesome and wrong in God's eyes?  This implicates the spiritual realm aspect.


Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda raises this issue by quoting a portion of Gautama Buddha's teaching from Page 371 of his book,

"Great is the successful general...but he who conquers self is the greater victor"...The person who has conquered himself is more fit to live, to be successful and to gain victories than is the person who is slave of self...struggle courageously and wisely.  Then you can be a soldier of truth."

Remembering that a Buddhist works to earn his/her own salvation by living a life eradicating desire and of thinking good and putting it into action, this struggle with conquering self is a noble and exacting task.

However, for a follower of Jesus Christ, we have salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  God then imputes His righteousness to said believer and sends the Holy Spirit to indwell him or her.  That happens at the instant of salvation and the believer starts on the road of progressive sanctification "taking every thought captive to, and making it obedient to, Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).  When the thoughts are obedient to Christ, the actions will follow suit.  

In this way there is "self-conquest" as the individual's will has activated the mind towards obedience to Christ.  Make note, however, that it is not true self-conquest because we could not gain or sustain without the help of the Holy Spirit.

This we learn from Romans 8:6-9 (ESV),

"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit..."

This is inside, outside "help".  The Holy Spirit of God is an "outside source" Who indwells the believer therefore becoming an "inside source" of aid.  We definitely need Him for such warfare.

Julie Gossack  brought my attention to this in her work about the Ministry of the Holy Spirit published through Crossway Publishers.  She writes,

"The Holy Spirit is at odds with the flesh...The Spirit and the flesh are both at war in us.  This adversarial relationship creates a ceaseless battle in our hearts and minds.  The flesh and Spirit will never be at peace with each other.  However, the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit subdues the flesh.  Thus, we must avail ourselves of His power as a spiritual weapon against sin."

Another day I read...

"We are filled with the Holy Spirit when we let the Word of God dwell richly in our hearts" (Colossians 3:16).

As we read God's Word and obey it we allow the Holy Spirit to reign in us more and more to become obedient in thought (mind) and heart to Jesus Christ.  In this we will have degrees of "self-conquest" as we submit our will and ways ever more to our loving Heavenly Father.  He works in us every good work conforming us to the image of His dear Son Jesus (Romans 8:29).  This is Christian living.

From the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association there comes an article by Ken Boa about this type of obedience titled, How to be Conformed to Christ's Image.  Please click on the link to learn more. 

In conclusion...to join the army or not to join the army (or other law enforcement)...there is much biblical backing to do so should the need arise.  Let the Holy Spirit of God help lead and guide you to such a decision.  As far as self-conquest is concerned, I'd say that is a definite 'army' to join and 'war' to fight.

                                                    ~ERC  November 2018~

Burning Quest - Part 48

Can we justify war?

War has been marring the peace of the world for millenniums.  One only need Google to view a list of currently ongoing conflicts to learn of such devastation.  This list was updated as recently as 14 November 2018.  How many of those are justified?

It's difficult to say.

The following thought has been previously established but it bears repeating...

"So far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men" (Romans 12:8).

Case in point...just today I was parked very properly in a proper parking space.  I went about doing my errands and returned to discover another driver had parked very improperly and not in a proper parking space leaving his or her two very young children locked up in the car.  I would not be able to get out of my space without bashing into that car (yes, I felt like it) unless I did some improper calisthenics with my vehicle enabling me to go on my way.  Can you imagine the unholy thoughts that frothed up?  How inconsiderate could that driver get?!!  And that not to mention leaving the two children unattended!!  On top of that, when I beeped my horn to call attention to the in absentia driver who was nowhere in sight, the older of the young children shook his little fist at me.   

I certainly did NOT feel like I wanted to be at peace with that driver parent and so I went self righteously grumbling down the road after my escape maneuvers.  As I remember and write about the incident I still feel the unforgiveness in my heart.  The mind was, however, convicted;  you are a child of God, "live at peace"!

Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda comments in his book What Buddhists Believe on pages 366-367...

"People should not pander to their aggressive instincts.  They should uphold the ethical teachings of the religious teachers and display justice with morality to enable peace to prevail."

 He continues...

"To guarantee true peace, we must use every method available to us to educate youths to practice love, goodwill and tolerance towards others."

He has good points.  And I certainly had good opportunity to put that into practice.

Tolerance, yes; to within Christ's standards.  And, there will be no guarantee of true peace until Jesus Christ reigns over the earth.  However this doesn't mean we don't try for peaceful solutions towards avoiding war or bashing purposefully into a thoughtless, self-centered someone's car.

Matthew 24:6 (NIV) says,

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen but the end is still to come."

Again, this does not give license to go on shooting sprees nor create wars on a whim.

Nevertheless there are times, 

"...to love, and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace"

So said King Solomon in the Song of Solomon 3:8.

The Buddhists do not believe there should be war either but Sri Dhammananda says there are instances that under certain circumstances a person may be... 

"...duty bound to join the struggle for peace and freedom" and "they cannot be blamed for becoming soldiers or being involved in defense" (Page 367).

Sri Dhammananda goes a step further in saying that,

"Buddhists should not be the aggressors even in protecting their religion or anything else"(Page 367).

Emphasis on the "should".  Human nature being what it is, there are news accounts that they do become aggressors.  Examples have been pointed out previously such as in the case in Sri Lanka.  The question there was that due to religion or cultural and territorial preservation or a bit of everything?  Similarly in Bhutan seems to be more about zealously preserving their religion for one and all of their citizens rather than allowing them to choose the religion of their own individual choice. This is not tolerance.

Sri Dhammananda uses the word "tolerance" on several occasions throughout his writings.  He believes that when the concept of tolerance, as mapped out by Buddhist teaching, is exercised, war will be averted.  That is the ideal in Buddhism, Christianity, and no doubt in other religions.  Yet, as in the above mentioned countries those teachings are not always adhered to.  Results are war (Sri Lanka) and aggression against Christians and other non-Buddhists (Bhutan).  Are these justified?  Where was/is the tolerance?

I'm not stating these things to make war.  I only wish to show that even religion cannot be a totally guaranteed deterrent. 

It is not religion that changes hearts to good behavior.  It is being born again through Jesus Christ and living in step with the Holy Spirit of God.  It is Jesus Christ who brings about a change of heart and mind..."the true disarmament" (to use Sri Dhammananda's phrase, Page 368).  It is relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, NOT religion.

Romans 7:22-21 (ESV) reveals this struggle,

"...but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.  Wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin."

Add to that what the apostle John says in John 6:63 (ESV),

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."

Thank God for explaining this in His Word.

The idea of war being justified, or not, is well explained by Commander Timothy J. Demy, a former chaplain in the US Navy.  You can peruse his thoughts in his articles Onward Christian Soldiers?  Christian Perspectives on Wars.  (I cannot find the original article on this subject I found when writing the original rough draft of this blog entry but this link is a fair facsimile to it.  A second article is from a U.S. Naval Institute Blog which you can also take a peek at.)

Christianity Today also has an excellent article by one Phillip Jensen, dean of Saint Andrews Cathedral in Sydney, Australia.

Both authors talk about a "spectrum of war"; one that swings from a pacifists perspective all the way to full battle cry, such as that of the Crusaders of long ago, "God wills it!"  (This is not necessarily the authors' view.)  

There is a "just war" view which Demy explains is "most moderate" which has "general acceptance by Christians through the ages".

He says, 

"...just war seeks to limit devastation and outbreak of war".  

He cites 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) that reads,

"...praying for authorities that we can...live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and honesty."

However, a Biblical pattern for war is, 

 "...a war of defense that defends innocent people from evil aggressors".

We go on to see that according to Romans 13:1-4, authorities are...

 "...the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrong doer".

"The role of the government is to promote justice and defend innocent people from evil aggressors and act as an avenger to promote good and to punish evil" --Demy

John MacArthur of Grace to You points out that God's justice is established on an individual level through human government.   So as individuals we adhere to Exodus 20:13 "Thou shalt not murder" and as the Lord says in Romans 12:19, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay...."  Yet God has, 

"...established war as a means of judgment on a national level using kings and countries to gain His own purposes".

MacArthur states Joshua 10:40 and the conquest of Canaan; Jeremiah 5:14, 15 where God brought the Babylonians against the House of Israel; Jeremiah 51:1, 11 where the Medes and Persians were used to overcome the Babylonians; and step back to Exodus 15, the Israelites even sing about the victory God got for them on their behalf from the Egyptian army.

MacArthur reviews many other verses about how,

 "God is involved in war...understands the devastation that war brings...."  

Such Scriptures to read are Psalm 37:9; Isaiah 13:15, 16; Hosea 13:9; and Nahum 3:10.

The reality of war, however, is not a pretty picture.

Another denotation MacArthur makes is that God is sovereign and doesn't have to give us an account of His actions (Amos 3:6-7).  Let it be known that God is never responsible for evil; He hates sin and He is absolutely righteous.

"God is patient and gracious but His sovereignty selects the calamities and battles He allows even though they are generated by wicked and evil men, they fit within His purpose..."

We are reminded again by King Solomon,

"...a time for war, a time for peace..."  Ecclesiastes 3:8

So, is a particular war justified?  What are the reasons?

Does it come under the "just war" perspectives of "defending innocents from evil aggressors"?

An individual would need to do their homework to discover and discern the answer for themselves on any given 'war'.

That answer would bring the individual to "help" out the cause:  to join or not to join the army, navy, air force; in short, the military, and whether or not to go...to war.

That drops us into the lap of another question which we will pursue in the next entry, Part 49...

Is it OK to join the army?

                                                  ~ERC  November 2019~

Lord's Day Devotion - Pleasing God

Parents love it when their children do what is right;  it pleases them.  No less for God our Almighty Heavenly Father...when His children walk in and according to the dynamic power of His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ, they please Him.  

If you look up Romans 8:8-11 (ESV) you will see that.  Focus on verses 8 & 9 for the moment,

"Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.  Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him."

Those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ because we have accepted His salvation which came through His death and resurrection atonement, buying pardon for our sins, are given the Holy Spirit of God to indwell us for the purpose of leading, guiding us into all truth and walking in His ways, and comforting us.  We were not left to do what's right in God's eyes without His help to flounder unsuccessfully for ourselves.

No we were given His Holy Spirit so that we have His resurrection power and strength to do what is right and in so doing, to please Him; to make our loving, Heavenly Father happy.  Of course we do not do this to make Him love us more or to twist His arm to do for us whatever we desire, but out of our love and gratitude for Him we live according to His will and way for us.  We love, serve and worship Him in thankful commitment to Him.

As we come before Him, together as His family, on Lord's Day, to remember what Jesus Christ has done for us, let us thank Him for His Holy Spirit Who helps us to please God.  Thank Him too for His righteousness, and the life He has given through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit.   Let us partake of the bread and cup of wine in gratitude and thanksgiving.  

Best of all, in God's eyes, I believe, is when we please Him by being obedient to Him because we have followed the Holy Spirit's leading.  

Please God.

Sing Come to the Table of Mercy

                                                        ~ERC  November 2018~ 

Burning Quest - Part 47

Coincidentally, it is the eve of 11 November as I type.  This date is one in which Canadians and Americans remember the soldiers who served in WW1 and WW2 and other wars, and suffered and sacrificed for the freedom of others.  They call it Remembrance Day or Veteran's Day, respectively. This entry for Burning Quest is going to address war and peace.

As long as there is human nature there is going to be war and some degrees of peace but never true peace of our own accord.  True and perfect peace can only be found in Jesus Christ.

First, we'll mostly consider peace but I'll interject here that 'war' is not always the war between kingdoms or countries but 'war' or feuds within families or between clans, co-workers, marriage partners or even 'war' within our selves. There is also spiritual warfare.

"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12 ESV).

David the shepherd boy used to play his harp for King Saul.  When an evil spirit would come upon King Saul, the peaceful music would soothe him (1 Samuel 16:20-23).  It did for a while, at least.

There's a lady who comes and plays her harp for my Mom for about an hour, once a week.  It is indeed truly soothing, and peace of mind and body-provoking; peace-provoking.  Mom often falls asleep.

These are temporary peace makers.

Let's discuss lasting peace.  Peace that does not produce war.  Peace that circumvents and avoids war.

People want peace.  The Holy Bible tells us people crave, "Peace, peace".  That goes on to say, "but there is no peace"  (Jeremiah 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:3).  So is "lasting peace" possible?

Lasting peace comes at a price.  Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace was born into this world to bring us human beings this peace (Isaiah 53:5; Ephesians 2:14; Isaiah 9:6)  Jesus is God's Peacemaker for sinful humanity.  A lasting peace that can keep our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).  This can keep us despite troubles in life that come along to give us stress and distress.

Peace with God is a valuable asset, which comes through Jesus Christ.  With Him we are also given the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit then empowers us to make peace with all men (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14).

Jesus taught on the sermon on the mountain that,

"Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophet's (Matthew 7:12 ESV).

In another verse Peter tells us (1 Peter 3:9 ESV),

"Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called that you may be a blessing."

Jesus also said,

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9 ESV).

When we have peace with God and the Prince of Peace as our Friend we will/should,

 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all"  (Romans 12:18 ESV).

We have more of Jesus's revolutionary wisdom in Matthew 5:38-48...

"...do not resist an evil person.  If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also...But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be children of your Father in Heaven..."

"Turn the other cheek; love them; pray for them."

Peace not war.  By God's divine grace working through us, His children, may we indeed reach out as peacemakers.

Involve our redeemed hearts and minds as, 

"...new creatures in Christ...The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda who wrote What Buddhists Believe puts it this way,

"Humans have forgotten they have a heart...that if they treat others kindly, others will treat them kindly in return" (Page 362).

On page 363 he continues...

"Since it is in the minds of men that wars begin, it is in the minds of men the ramparts of peace should be erected."

So true.  Nevertheless without that new heart and mind full of God's grace and mercy those "ramparts" are all the more difficult to build.  With God on our side as we've seen already, there will be some success.  The shortfall, however, is not with God.

Hurdles to overcoming the challenges will take 'war'.  Battering rams needed against pride.

Sri Dhammananda expostulates the need of,

"...sacrificing our dangerous pride" (Page 364).

Pride gets in the way of doing good.  God's Word warns,

"Pride goes before destruction, the haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18 NIV).

Pride of who we are, our accomplishments, beliefs, possessions, etc.  Do we want pride to start a war?  Do we want pride to get in the way of bringing peace?  It happens, sadly, even in a marriage; between siblings, neighbors, friends, church members, and on larger scales, between countries.  Destruction falls in the wake of festering and erupting pride.

Dr. Sri Dhammananda recommends several ways to preempt 'war' and to stimulate peace.  He says,

"Tolerance, for one; learning to practice ways leading to the extinction of hatred, greed and delusion, the roots of all evil forces" (Page 364).

We've talked about tolerance before; to a certain degree it is necessary and helpful, yes.  However when something goes against God's principles and standards as laid out in His Word, His Word must be our yardstick; anything else will fall short.  Then we must, 

"...speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:13 NIV).

Eradicating the roots of evil is never going to work as long as one strives under ones own steam.  In Christ alone, we can have that victory as mentioned several times in other entries of Burning Quest.  Once "in Christ" the Holy Spirit can work in us, sanctifying us in a daily process as we humbly submit our will to God's, saying as often as it takes, "Not my will but His".

Until this happens there won't be a great amount of sustained success in the peacemaking department.

Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda believes that...

"If mankind can eradicate these evil forces, tolerance and peace will come to this restless world" (Page 364).

Augustine of Hippo is known to have taught about the four states of man.  You can click on the link to Reformation Theology  to see in more detail, but in brief here are the four:

1.  Innocence:  able to sin; able not to sin eg. Adam and Eve's original state in the Garden of Eden

2.  After The Fall:  not able to not sin eg. Adam and Eve after they disobeyed God's one rule, causing the whole lot of the rest of us to be in this state too.

3.  Regenerate:  able to not sin eg. Someone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior & is a "new creation in Christ".  The Holy Spirit helps the individual to do what's right in God's eyes.

4.  Glorified:  unable to sin  eg.  Once the child of God reaches Heaven and is "with Christ" he or she will no longer be able to sin.

Mankind may make some inroads into bringing about some tolerance and peace but they certainly will never ever be able to eradicate the evil forces no matter how 'good' they may be until he realizes this, and "admits to their own weakness" (Page 365 of What Buddhists Believe).  

The apostle Paul wrote,

"But I see my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.  Wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin" (Romans 7:23-25).

It is only through the power and blood of Jesus Christ redeeming and atoning a sinner's life that God can work mightily and with an individual man, woman or child; whether one is a Buddhist, Mormon or of any other religious persuasion.

God's free gift of grace and love brings us the strength and restraint to bring peace to ourselves and all mankind.

But...

What about war?  Can it be justified?  Dr. K. Sri Dhammanada wants to know.  

So do I...

...To be continued in Part 48...

                                                   ~ERC  November 2018~

Life on Other Planets?

Fascinating to think about; could there really be life on other planets?  There may be no direct answer to this intriguing question but here's what I dug up the other day from another author.  It is old and perhaps difficult to read but with squinting perseverance you may be able to decipher what is said.

What do you think now?

~ERC November 2018~

Lord's Day Devotion - Remember Me

Tomorrow, in Canada, the general populace will be wearing poppies in their lapels or at their coat breast.  They do this to remember those courageous soldiers who died in WW1 or WW2 specifically, for freedom of all.  They call it "Remembrance Day".  The USA remembers too, calling their day "Armistice" or Veteran's Day".  This is celebrated annually on 11 November.

If you've ever read anything about these or other wars, or even experienced them as a soldier, yourself, you know the awfulness of the encounters (I only know from reading).  What sacrifice, what horrors of war!  Those soldiers who survive, what nightmares and turmoil of remembering they must overcome!  We cannot forget them either!  Tribute to the living and the dead.  We give them thanks. 

There was cruelty where there should not have been.  Think of the death marches of soldiers even in Southeast Asia!  Case in point would be the Sandakan Death Marches in Borneo.  Thousands of Australian and British POW's died.  Even days after the war was supposedly over, those remaining soldiers were shot.  Only six soldiers survived; they were those who had escaped and were hidden and cared for by the locals.  These men have been remembered as well.

Commemorations of war memorials, of reenactments, books and movies (maybe romanticized), on the subject all help to give us some idea of what the military personnel have had to endure; what they fought and died for.  What the surviving soldiers suffer in the form of amputations, children born with physical and even mental challenges due to the effects of chemical warfare, or of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  

Let us remember; do not forget those struggles begotten from the ugliness, death and destruction of war.    Some of these wars were necessary to bring liberty to many and to stop madmen or tyrants continuing to create unspeakable evil.

Mankind has done this to and for mankind.

There is another who has given His life in the battle for truth and the greatest liberty of all.  He did this out of love for mankind.  This man is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ!   God sent Him out of His great love for mankind.  

Jesus's cruel trial, death and resurrection at the hands of those who were jealous of Him and hated Him with a passion.  They would be rid of them.  BUT God...God's love overruled and what man (and Satan) meant for harm, God turned into the most phenomenal rescue of all time.  He brought and bought liberty and justice for all.  

Freedom from sin and it's consequences:  suffering, death and eventual eternal tortures of Hell.

On Lord's Day, brothers and sisters-in-Christ, let us never forget what Jesus has accomplished for us as we pass the bread and wine one to another in remembrance of His death and resurrection.  

"This do in remembrance of Me," said Jesus (Luke 22:19) 

Normally we like to remember people who have died, for what they were in life.  We remember the war soldiers for what they accomplished for their sacrifices whether currently living or not. We remember Jesus Christ for what He accomplished in His death.  He is now risen and alive.  He is our living Savior.  He continues to offer salvation to one and all.  Praise Him.  

Here is a song written by Rick Founds that really embodies this:

Lord, I lift Your Name on High


Let us never forget.

                                                 ~ERC  November 2018~

Burning Quest - Part 46

If you study the advance of Buddhism since its inception in India, you will note that the missionary endeavors of the Buddhists have been rather successful.  Very early on from Before the Common Era (BCE) onwards, Buddhism had come with the merchant traders, by land and by sea to India's neighboring countries, to China, and to many parts of South East Asia, and beyond.  

In 2008, The Buddha Dharma Education Association and Buddha Net did a survey and published the statistics that found that 6 % of the world's population, to that date, were Buddhists.  They estimated that there were about 360 million adherents.  By comparison, they attributed the so-called "Christian" adherents to be figured at 33 %; Christianity topping at somewhere around 2 billion persons.

The author of What Buddhists Believe, Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda, attributes such success to their aim which claims,

"...to show how people could gain more peace and happiness through the practice of Dharma" (Page 359).

Picking up on the idea of peace, it's true that many people worldwide do search for peace and happiness.  It is good to find the best kind of peace and happiness too.  We followers of Jesus Christ believe Jesus to be the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Ephesians 2:14-18 tell us that Jesus Himself is our peace.  We can dwell in perfect peace...

Peace from our sins (unwholesome thoughts and actions) and their consequences.

Peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Peace during and in spite of the storms of life.

Peace brings the happiness and contentment and visa versa.   There are many Bible verses about happiness and its Source.  I like Isaiah 12:3 (ESV),

"...with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." 

Salvation in and through Jesus Christ, the Living water (John 4:1-14).

What about this one found in Psalm 144:5 (ESV)...

"Blessed (happy) are the people to whom such blessing falls!  Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD."

There are blessings of peace and happiness when a person relies on Jesus Christ.  They will be able to live in perfect peace.

Let's get back more specifically to the topic of Buddhist Missionary expansion. At one point Sri Dhammananda writes,

"Buddhism was never introduced to any country through the influence of colonial or any other political power" (Page 359).

That sounds good and recommends itself especially in light of Buddhism's cause for peace and their  non-aggression stance.  However, if one Googles such ideas of Colonialism and Buddhism teaming up, you'll discover they did.  This is not to take a pot shot at the author of What Buddhists Believe, only to take blinders off anyones' eyes who do not want to investigate the claim.  (Please click on link given above to see more.)

You'll discover Japan had a big hand in such doings in Korea, and Tibet.  The Sinhalese of Sri Lanka also pressed their brand of Buddhism, perhaps not exactly in the wake of the true meaning of colonialism, but they did force the hand of many citizens in their area to adopt Buddhism.  In Bhutan, Buddhists are restricted from converting to other beliefs.  There are many rules against those who have other beliefs and may even lose their citizenship, among others things, because of it.

Back between the 5th and 6th centuries, there was the expansion of the Mon Kingdom.  Buddhist art was influenced by Indian Gupta art and sequentially followed that expansionas well as with the aforementioned merchant trade to Southeast Asia.  One cannot say whether this was forceful or a peaceful "take over" but surely Colonialism and Buddhism (especially Theravada) did partner each other; inevitable happenstance.

There were, though, times of advance of Buddhism that were indeed peaceful.  A time of slow but sure growth.  Nowadays more of the western world seek the so called peace and harmony of the more mystical admixture type of Buddhism such as found in Tibetan Buddhism with its more Mahayana Buddhism leanings.

If you scrutinize further, you will conclude that in Colonialism's wake, Buddhism did sprout up in tandem, and there was indeed aggression.

If you wish to learn more of this, click on the links given below:

History of Indian Influence on Southeast Asia

History of Buddhism

Buddhism Can Be Violent

Christianity often followed on the heels of colonialism.  Maybe that looks like hypocrisy.  Aggression by the invading, so-called "Christian" country and set up of governing powers, often with harsh governors, and then the missionaries coming to preach peace and love.  How does that equate?

We read on page 358 of What Buddhists Believe that...

"Aggression never finds approval in the teaching of the Buddha."

Similarly from page 360...

"Holy wars, crusades, inquisitions and religious discrimination do not mar the annals of the history of Buddhist countries..." 

Crusades initiated by those who called themselves "Christian" are a blatant travesty of history and an abomination to God.

Yes, the descendants of the initiators of crusades apologized with speech and walk of reconciliation.  The walk, joined even, by many from the Protestant persuasion showing contrition, went a long ways towards healing.  Even the Pope, said sorry.  Yet, there were those who were still not appeased due to reasons of suspected lack of sincerity on the part of some.

Aggression, sadly, marked the Christian history.  Where was the peace?  Where was the love?  Many have been turned off from becoming a true child of God because of the violence perpetrated by so-called Christians.  

My prayer is that many will be able to overcome all that hatred and discrimination, discerning the true source of the violence and come to Jesus despite the atrocities committed in His Name!  Know that Jesus came to bring life, and for people to have life more abundantly (John 10:10).  May they realize that it is Satan who still comes to "steal, kill and to destroy" (John 10:10).

This is an extensive topic, however, it is easily accessible via the internet should you wish to learn more.  Suffice it to say, that the religious beliefs of conquerors usually follow in the wake of their respective dominance.  This appears to be true whether, Christian, Buddhist or of any other vanquisher's religion.

Ideally, religion should be a positive influence, as Dr. Sri Dhammananda says,

"...so long as they truly help people to lead a religious way of life according to their own faith, enjoy peace, harmony and understanding" (Page 361).

Regrettably many did not, and often still do not.

May the true Christian bring the peace and joy of Christ, as the wafting of a sweet fragrant perfume scents the air, through Jesus Christ wherever they may be.

                                               ~ERC  November 2018~

Lord's Day Devotion - Mind Set

What is your mind set?   

Think about what you think about.

 Mind set can be a powerful thing.  When  you set your mind to accomplish a task, you can usually accomplish what you had set out to do.  If you are only halfhearted you will not achieve much.

Then the more your mind is full of unwholesome thoughts, actions will more than likely spawn into unwholesomeness.  On the other hand, virtuous thoughts would tend to produce good, and even noble,  actions.

Philippians 4:8 (ESV) exhorts,

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Another element, the basis or perspective from which you set your mind set, needs to be explored.  Is your mind set a redeemed one?  If so, it will bring you life and peace.  Look at what Romans 8:5-9 (ESV) tells us...

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

The mind set of the flesh produces "death" and is "hostile toward God".  In addition to that there is no submission to God.  By contrast, look at what redemption through Jesus Christ has done!  The mind set on "things" of the Spirit (the Holy Spirit of God given at the instant of salvation) brings life and peace, and pleases and submits to God.

Even at that, the key word "submit' is of great import.  Those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, have His Holy Spirit yet we still need to submit our minds and hearts to Him to be in tune with Him and keep our minds in step with His and be thinking of righteous God-honoring thoughts.

The focus here is that our redemption through Jesus Christ has given us this wonderful potential to have our minds and hearts controlled by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, and to produce that God-pleasing life as we submit to Him.  When we followers of Jesus Christ partake of the bread and wine on Lord's Day, remembering the impact of Jesus's death and resurrection has accomplished for us, let us thank Him with all gratitude for this cleansing and redeeming of our minds, hearts and souls.

Set your mind set on Christ.

                                                     ~ERC  November 2018~