Saturday Song: Dion, Abraham, Martin, and John

Everybody keeps proclaiming the words "peace on Earth" but our world still is in turmoil. We have jihadi warriors attacking innocent civilians and military personnel on a daily basis. Ghettos are filled with violence. Countries such as North Korea threaten to wage war on other lands. And governments still promise us a wonderful life while overtaxing us.

Times were frightening forty-nine years ago when this song was a new hit on the radio. It certainly seems that the good people die young while dictators live on into old age.

Hear Dion's tribute to Abraham, Martin, and John here.

But in the midst of all this turmoil, we have wonderful promises in the Bible. Revelation 7:17 (KJV) declairs, "For the Lamb (meaning Jesus) which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Likewise, Revelation 21:4 (KJV) proclaims, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

I so look forward to that world and I hope you'll be there too.

What do you think of this song and what I wrote. Please drop me a line below. But if you'd rather not comment, have a blessed new year.

Why Witness to Witnesses?

In the audio series called Jehovah's Witnesses: The Door to a Different Kingdom, produced by Hope for the Heart, an ex-Witness spoke about the need to evangelize those couples who knock on your door on a Saturday morning. As with worldly people, these folks also need to hear the gospel that freed us.

As James 2:8 (KJV) admonishes us, "If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,' ye do well:"

But some believers are reluctant to even talk with Jehovah's Witnesses because those folks are trained to twist the scriptures and befuddle us who worship Christ. Even so, the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV) that we must, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

And as he also admonished in 2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV),, we must,  "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

And remember too that what we believe is from God himself, not some human authority such as their Watchtower Society. Jesus prayed in John 17:17 KJV), "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

Remember likewise what Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV). "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Let's then be like Paul who wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:16 (KJV), "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"

I'll be writing about this glorious gospel and how it frees people from eternal damnation in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? I remember what the Lord said in Ezekiel 3:18 (KJV), "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand."

Pie-In-The-Sky My Eye!

One objection I often hear from non Christians is that we who believe in Christ teach a pie-in-the-sky religion. It does nothing good for us now and it only makes its adherents miserable. We know differently but they don't. Therefore, I want to point out a few scriptures to refute their assertions.

As adopted children in Christ's spiritual family, we are provided with what we need in this world. Look at what the Bible in Basic English says about this matter in Mark 10:28 to 30. "Peter said to him, 'See, we have given up everything, and come after you.' Jesus said, 'Truly I say to you, There is no man who has given up house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or land, because of me and the good news, Who will not get a hundred times as much now in this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and land--though with great troubles; and, in the world to come, eternal life.'"

But what about Christians who have families and haven't left home? The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:19 (KJV) "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Since this is so, why are some believers dirt poor? This isn't because of a lack of faith, as most charismatic preachers claim, but God always gives us what we need, not what we think we need. As Jesus said to the crowd in his Sermon on the mount in Matthew 7:11 (KJV) "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"

I once believed that the heavenly Father was stingy because he wouldn't give me 20/20 vision. I wanted it so I could give him glory and so I could find a job easier. Now I know that he gave me much more spiritually and even physically than I could have imagined back then.  May he do the same for you.

I'll be writing more on this topic in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Far too many people assume that the good things they've done and the nice people they've been will turn God's head. When Judgement Day does come, they'll be in for a terrible shock. May you NOT be one of them.

Saturday Song: Christina, "Things Fall Apart"

Here's a song you most likely won't hear blaring from shopping mall public address systems or on every radio station you tune in. It's about a woman who feels jaded about all the manic, holiday celebrations. She remembers how Christmas used to be a magical time but it's become one huge bore.

Here the song here.

I think it's a shame that the wondrus birth of Christ is blotted out by all the secular celebrations. People get too drunk and talk too loudly, all the while thinking they're having a good time.

Even with Christians, the Christmas Eve service is only for an hour. Then everybody drinks apple cider and talks about everything else but the Messiah.

Most people don't realize that Christ's coming to our world was forecast from the beginning. When God pronounced judgement on Satan in Genesis 3:15 (KJV) he said, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

In order for that to happen, Jesus had to be born. Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) reads, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." That name means "God with us."

So, I hope you liked the song and what I wrote. Please leave me a comment below. But if you'd rather not do that, have a blessed and restful Christmas.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Knowing Christ

The sad fact about many who call themselves Christians is that they don't know Jesus. In fact, they're like the rest of the world who only know about Christ. To them, he was a good teacher or moral leader who was born in Bethlehem and died on a Roman cross. They don't know him personally like those of us who have yielded to his will.

Jehovah's Witnesses are in the first category. They don't have a personal relationship with the lover of their souls. This is why this statement by the Apostle Paul seems puzzling to those who aren't born again. Philippians 3:10 (KJV) reads, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;"

Knowing somebody is different than just knowing about them. For example, I love the music of Lenny Kravitz and I know some facts about him. But I can't claim to know him, much as I'd dearly love to be his personal friend.

Jesus explained how he knew his heavenly Father whereas those Pharisees he argued with only knew about him. John 7:29 (KJV) quotes him as saying, "But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me."

We can also discern those people who really know the Lord through the way they obey him out of their love for him. As Jesus said in John 8:55 (KJV), "Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying."

As sincere as they are, Jehovah's Witnesses are much like the Pharisees. Jesus condemned those sort of legalists when he said in Matthew 23:27 (KJV) "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

I'll be writing more about this personal relationship in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven. People need to understand that it isn't what you know that matters for eternity but WHO you know.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Works

One mark of a cult is the use of fear to keep members in line. In the case of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, they use the fear of members losing their salvation and being annihilated during Armageddon.

But we can easily find in the Bible that we need not worry about God abandoning us if we don't work hard enough to please him or some human institution. Hebrews 13:5 (KJV) reminds us to, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.'"

But some folks will mention Hebrews 6:4 to 6 which says, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."?

The writer of Hebrews referred in that passage to those who weren't serious about their faith in Christ. These are those who were mentioned in 1 John 2:19 (KJV) which says, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."

We need not worry about losing our salvation if we truly repented and yielded our lives to Jesus. Ephesians 1:13 (KJV)reminds us that Christ, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,"

I could list many more verses which show that we can't be snatched out of Christ's hand but I'll save them for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Along with those who have a false assurance of eternal life, some live under the burden of fear that they won't be in paradise. I want people to be sure of their place in heaven.

Saturday Song: George Harrison, Isn't It A Pity

Here's another song which resonated with rock music fans like me. It really is a pity how people mistreat others. What many call love is really lust. And relying on feelings is unwise since they are effemeral.

Hear George Harrison's song here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn_ZRatLl1o

We Christians have an advantage over the bewildered and weary people of this world. Our Bible has wonderful promises and we also feel the comfort mentioned in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV) which says, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

And as Jesus promised his disciples, as well as us, in Matthew 28:20 (KJV), "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

So, does this song stir memories? What do you think of what I wrote here? Please let me know below. But if you'd rather not write anything, have a blessed Christmas and New Year.

Jehovah's Witnesses and False Resurrection

Having dealt with the Jehovah's Witness doctrine of Christ's resurrection, their second president claimed that a limited one would happen but it never did.

Joseph Rutherford claimed that the Old Testament people, mentioned in Hebrews 11:1-40, would be resurrected before Armageddon. According to two articles from the Christian Research Institute, Beth-Sarim and Beth-Shan and the Return of the Princes, These ancient saints would need lodging in southern California.

The Watchtower Society purchased land and two houses were built upon it. Beth-Sarim, meaning house of the princes, and Beth-Shan, house of security, were constructed during the late 1920s and early 1930s.

The articles also stated that Joseph Rutherford lost the use of one lung due to severe pneumonia. His doctor urged him to move to a dryer and warmer climate. This was the Watchtower Society's justification for him to move to Beth-Sarim and live there as his winter residence.

But the Bible says nothing about any sort of pre-Armageddon resurrection. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV), "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:"

Some folks might object that Matthew 27:52 (KJV) is a pre-Armageddon resurrection. The Verse says, "And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose," In the context of the chapter, this was at Christ's crucifixion, not two-thousand years later.

And as we see in Hebrews chapter eleven, the Old Testament saints are considered as being saved by their faith in the Messiah. Romans 4:9 (KJV) says, "Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."

The Bible is clear about there only being one resurrection for humanity. As Jesus said in John 5:29 (KJV), "And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."

Some Christians assume that this means two resurrections but Matthew 25:32 (KJV) disproves that. "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:" Both the righteous and wicked have to be resurrected in order for them to be sorted out.

So much more needs to be written on this topic but I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Just like entering the correct password in a web site's text box, we can only be saved by repenting of our sins and placing our wholehearted trust in Jesus. God provides us no other method of being saved.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Society

As with other cults, the Jehovah's Witnesses are taught not to trust non cult members and to have little to do with outsiders. This is ordered by the Watchtower Society to prevent what they consider contamination by independent thinking.

But we see in Scripture that we are to be in this world but not of it. Jesus prayed in John 17:14 and 15 (BBE), "I have given your word to them; and they are hated by the world, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. My prayer is not that you will take them out of the world, but that you will keep them from the Evil One."

But some might quote the Apostle Paul's admonition in 2 Timothy 2:4 (KJV) which says, "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." All Paul was saying was that we mustn't be caught up in worldly pursuits at the expense of our relationship with Christ.

Furthermore, we are called to be good citizens. As 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (KJV) states, "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;" This doesn't mean we shouldn't be involved with society but we mustn't be rabble rousers.

Furthermore, we're exhorted in 1 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) to pray, "For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

And as for military service, it's no sin to defend our land. As Psalms 82:3 (KJV) exhorts, "Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy." These are the ones who suffer most from war and tyrannical governments.

Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden to enjoy pastimes such as music, playing cards, and the like. The Watchtower Society says that those things are sinful. But Paul wrote in Colossians 2:20-23 that,  "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

Neither is it sinful to observe or not observe holidays. As Paul wrote in Romans 14:5 (KJV), "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."

There is so much more I could write here but I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People tend to think that doing or avoiding activities is what saves them. Only a personal surrender to Christ and repentance of sin will gain folks access to eternal life. There's no other way of salvation provided to us.

Saturday Song: Simon and Garfunkel, "I Am a Rock

I certainly relate to this song. Because I wasn't close with most of my family members, I don't bother with celebrations as others do. In fact, I resent all the bother associated with holidays, especially Christmas.

As a result of this, some people wonder if I'm a Jehovah's Witness. I most certainly am not. Even so, it's the sense of obligation which upsets me. People often go to ridiculous lengths. They get so involved with shopping for that "perfect" gift that they come home angry. People spend a lot on Christmas cards. Then they have to buy stocking stuffers in addition to the presents. Baking and cooking for relatives keeps folks too busy to relax.

Whatever happened to relaxation and enjoying the company of friends? The Christmas rat race takes away so much joy. Then the bills come in at the end of January, ruining more happiness. There are times when I wish I could be left alone, like the man in the song.

Hear "I Am a Rock" here.

People also eat too much at this time of year. They also invite their own friends rather than the poor and disabled folks among them. As Jesus noted in Luke 6:32-34 (KJV), "For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. "And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again."

I personally would rather stay home and relax but others feel isolated while everybody else is celebrating. My living room is filled with many wonderful movies which I haven't even seen yet. I also love petting my beloved bunny, Deborah and she enjoys being petted.

So, what's your opinion of the song and what I wrote? Please leave me a comment. I also hope you will have a joyful and restful Christmas.

Jehovah's Witnesses and Christ's Resurrection

I suppose it's the wrong time of year to be posting about the resurrection but understanding this is crucial for our salvation. After all, Christ's birth wouldn't benefit anybody if he hadn't also lived a sinless life, been the spotless sacrificial lamb on the cross, and rose bodily as he promised.

The Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign of his authority so he spoke of the temple as being a metaphor for his body. In John 2:19 (KJV), it's written, "Jesus answered and said unto them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.'"

But the religious leaders misunderstood Jesus' analogy and threw his claim back in his face. As Matthew 27:40 (KJV) records them mocking, "And saying, 'Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.'"

And what about the false accusation concocted by the Pharisees that the disciples stole the body of Christ? As Matthew 28:13 (KJV) plainly quotes those religious leaders advising the soldiers, "Saying, 'Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.'" How can anybody steal a spirit or gasses, as some Witnesses claim Christ's body became?

If Jesus rose as a spirit being and only manifested a physical body for the sake of his disciples, why does the Bible say we'll have physical bodies at the resurrection? The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:54 (KJV), "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." Immortality is for physical bodies since our spirits are already immortal.

And what of what Romans 8:11 (KJV) plainly states? "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."

I could provide many more examples of Christ's physical resurrection but I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? As 1 Corinthians 15:19 (KJV)reminds us, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

Jehovah's Witnesses and the Holy Spirit

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, which runs the lives of Jehovah's Witness members, also teaches incorrectly about the Holy Spirit. They claim that he's really an impersonal force emanating from Jehovah. Neither do they believe that the Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead.

We can easily see from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is an individual by the use of personal pronouns. John 16:13 (KJV) records Jesus saying, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come

Additionally, an impersonal force can't be grieved. Look at what the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:30 (KJV). "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."

And can an impersonal force talk? Check out what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV). "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;"

We have solid proof that the Holy Spirit is part of the Godhead in Acts 5:4 (KJV). A man named Ananias and his wife said they sold their property and were giving ALL the money to the church. But they agreed beforehand to keep part of the amount for themselves. That's why Peter said to them, "Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."

The Watchtower Society and all who follow their errors are in for dire chastisement, according to Hebrews 10:29 (KJV). "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?"

Even so, we mustn't reject those individuals since they've been deceived. Instead, we must show them how wonderful salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ's atonement alone is. Cults keep their victims running on the treadmill of works and the fear that they won't do enough to be saved. They don't understand that Christ has done it all for us through his death and resurrection.

I'll be writing more about this treadmill of works in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Instead of trying to become righteous on our own, which won't please God, Christ gives his righteousness to cover us with.

Saturday Song: Billy J Kramer, Trains And Boats And Planes

This song reminds me of being in Jericho Hill School for the Deaf and Blind. When I heard it on my little transistor radio, I identified with it immediately. How I longed to be home with my family whenever I saw a plane fly over the dorm.

Listen to the song here.

In a way, we who follow Jesus Christ are stranded in this world. Our true home is with him but we have work and lessons to learn here.

The Apostle Paul summed up the yearning we all have in Philippians 1:23 (KJV)  "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:"

But just as Paul still had plenty of church-planting and preaching work to do, so we have our tasks from the Lord. As Paul admonished his spiritual son in 2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV), "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

I hope you'll leave me a comment about the song and what I wrote here. But if you'd rather not do so, have a pleasant weekend.

Were Bible Verses Tampered With to Erase Christ's Name?

The Watchtower Society Translation Committee, as I've mentioned before, printed their own version of the Bible. Instead of rendering the meaning of each word from the original languages, they deliberately changed any word which didn't fit their peculiar theological bent.

One blatant example is the mistranslation of the Greek word Kurios, meaning Lord. According to several articles from the Christian Research Institute, they gratuitously replaced "Lord" with "Jehovah" frequently in their New World Translation.

Verses were also tampered with to obscure the deity of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:13 is a good example. The King James Version reads, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." If the word "Lord" is replaced with Jehovah, Christ is no longer the saviour.

The Watchtower Society leaders claim that the scriptures were tampered with down through the ages and only they, and they alone, have the correct version. They are actually the ones who are guilty of tampering with Holy Scripture.

God is serious about his Word, as we can tell from many verses chastising people for saying what he never said and claiming they are speaking in his name. For example, he said in Jeremiah 27:15 (KJV),  "For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you."

We know that bearing false witness is one of the sins which the Ten Commandments deals with. Therefor, Jehovah's Witnesses are false witnesses of God. They will receive damnation on Judgement Day for daring to mislead the Lord's people.

This is why I'm writing my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Placing one's trust in works and organizational affiliation is a sure way to end up in hell. May the work of my hands guide people on to the straight and narrow path to eternal life.

Was Christ Put to Death on a Torture Steak?

There was a time when the Jehovah's Witnesses believed that Jesus was crucified on a cross. But as the organization became increasingly apostate, they claimed that the cross was a pagan and idolatrous symbol.

When a group of Watchtower Society amateur translators published the New World Translation Bible in 1950, they changed the word "cross" to "torture steak." Matthew 10:38, for example, reads in the NWT version, "And whoever does not accept his torture stake and follow after me is not worthy of me."

This blatant mistranslation was done to fit the Watchtower's doctrine, not because the Greek word meant torture steak. The NWT Bible is filled with many other alterations to the original meaning of the scriptures.

History also records that the Romans used crosses, not torture steaks, to crucify malefactors. With the weight of so much historical documentation showing that Christ was crucified, this claim by the Watchtower Society would be laughable if it wasn't such a serious offence to tamper with God's Word.

Even the scriptures testify that our Lord was crucified. Mark 15:24 (KJV)says,  "And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take."

Notice that no explanation was given on how Christ was crucified? Everybody back then knew all too well about the Roman method of capital punishment so no explanation was needed.

Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that the cross was a pagan symbol instituted by Satan when he took over the early church. These people put far more trust in their organization than the clear teaching of God-breathed Scripture.

I could write so much more but I'll save that for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Like the Jehovah's Witnesses, many people assume that their works will gain them entry into heaven. Since they reject the gift of salvation, they insult him and condemn themselves to eternal torment. I wish people would realize how vile rejecting such a magnanimous offer is.

Saturday Song: Ronnie Hawkins, Home from the Forest

What a beautiful-but-sad song this is. Gordon Lightfoot wrote and recorded it but Ronnie Hawkins had a hit with the song in November of 1971.

The story portrays a man who lost his way in life, as well as in the forest. Many people end up like him. They spend all their lives working and end up old and forgotten.

Hear this poignant song here.


Most of the people in this world are lost. They follow human religions and end up spiritually bankrupt. All their sacrifices are useless. They find out too late that their religion was a sham.

This also is true of materialism. As Jesus pointed out in Matthew 16:26 (KJV), "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

But there is a place where our treasure won't be frittered away or stolen. Jesus pointed out to a rich young ruler the location of this safe place.  Mark 10:21 (KJV), says, "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, 'One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.'"

So, did you like the song and what I wrote here? If you did, please leave me a comment. But if you'd prefer not to do that, have a blissful weekend anyway.

Jehovah's Witnesses Refused Vaccinations and Organ Transplants

Though the leaders of the Jehovah's Witnesses cult now accept vaccinations and extol their virtues, this wasn't always the case. According to a Christian Research Institute article, written by Dr. Jerry Bergman, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society once claimed that vaccinations were ineffective and that they contravened God's law.

The Watchtower also flip-flopped on Organ transplants. In 1961, they were acceptable but in 1967 the sect's leadership  said it was cannibalism. In 1980,, the leaders erased this regulation.

The Bible has nothing to say about organ transplants and inoculations since they weren't invented until recently. Even so, we can imagine that the preservation of human life is something God cares about.

For instance, Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt but he became part of God's process of preserving even pagan lives. He explained to his brothers in Genesis 45:5 (KJV), "Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with  yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you  to preserve life."

But some might argue that extending life is equivalent to thwarting God's will. They might quote Deuteronomy 32:39 (KJV) which says, "See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand."

Jesus certainly never gave us any prohibition about seeing medical doctors. Mark 2:17 (KJV) reads, "When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them,' They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'"

Jesus also healed ten lepers and told them to go see the priests so they could be declared clean. He wouldn't have done that had he forbidden us to see doctors. In  those days, the priests doubled as health practitioners.

I'll be writing much more in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to know that our Lord is kind and wants to bless us in all ways.

Is Receiving Blood Transfusions Equivalent to Eating Blood?

Since blood transfusions have saved so many lives, why are the Jehovah's Witnesses so opposed to them? This bogus belief comes from scriptures forbidding the eating of blood.

One example cited for their prohibition is Leviticus 17:14 (KJV) which says, "For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, 'Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.'"

The followers of this cult miss the fact that it was the consumption of animal blood which was forbidden and that it didn't directly enter the bloodstream. Blood also carries diseases but the human variety is screened for any contagion.

According to several sources which I checked, some Witnesses actually went to prison because their children died from a lack of blood. The Watchtower literature even promotes breaking the law to avoid transfusions.

And just as human blood can save our temporal lives, the blood Christ shed on the cross atoned for the sins of whosoever believes in him and asks for his forgiveness. All the blood sacrifices of the Old Testament were done to show that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.

I'll be writing more about how aberrant sects prevent their members from being saved in a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven?  As Christ accused the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13 (BBE), "But a curse is on you, Scribes and Pharisees, false ones! because you are shutting the kingdom of heaven against men: for you do not go in yourselves, and those who are going in, you keep back." May the Lord work through my writing to guide people to heaven's entrance.

Saturday Song: Rupert's People, Reflections of Charles Brown

Among a stack of seven-inch records my mom bought back in 1969 from a bargain store was this song I'd never heard before. It was one I instantly fell in love with. And though I don't know if the band sang about the comic strip character, Charlie Brown, I still associated the song with him.

Click here to hear "Reflections of Charles Brown"."

I can easily imagine a grown-up Charlie Brown with his wife and children. The writer of this song thinks it's "very sad" that he had a quiet life. Is that so bad?

Life isn't all excitement and happiness. It has its ups and downs and nobody is immune from those.

This world needs people like Charlie Brown. They work hard, raise children, and they don't disturb others. While flamboyant people stir up excitement, these folks keep steadily working in the background.

And as the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) regarding prayer, "For kings, and for all that are in authority;  that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and  honesty."

Likewise, 1 Peter 3:4 (KJV) exhorts, "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that  which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet  spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."

So, what do you think of this song and what I've written? Please leave me a comment in the box below. And if you don't feel like commenting, have a lovely and quiet weekend anyway. Some of the best times are those quiet moments.

Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Christmas and Birthdays?

The short answer is that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society says that these are pagan and worldly celebrations. But how did the governing body of the Jehovah's Witnesses organization come up with this unbiblical view?

According to a Christian Research Institute article by David W. T. Brattston, almost all early Christian writers never mentioned anything about birthdays. Origen did but he was in the minority. He wrote that since pagan kings celebrated their birthdays, we shouldn't imitate them.

One example of celebrating birthdays is in Genesis 40:20 (KJV). "And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants."

Another example is Matthew 14:6 (KJV). "But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod." During the party, John the Baptist was beheaded.

But we need not lose our heads over the celebrating of birthdays. In fact, it's a show of love toward the celebrant.

As for Christmas, the secular part does have pagan roots. Nevertheless, we don't commit idolatry if we decorate our homes. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 8:4 (KJV) about food offered to idols, "As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one."

Neither should we condemn others for minor things such as celebrating holidays. Paul said in Romans 14:5 (KJV), "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."

My only objection to Santa, as well as the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, is that parents convince their children that those characters are real. It's better to pretend that they're part of a make believe game. That way, children aren't devastated when they learn they've been lied to.

I'll be writing more about this prohibition and other errant doctrines in my next book called You Think You're going to Heaven? Many people have turned from believing in God because they place him in with Santa and other childhood story characters. They totally miss the boat, so to speak, because of foolish parents lying to them.

Are Jehovah's Witnesses Christians?

To many folks, Jehovah's Witnesses are merely a peculiar sect of Christianity. But are these deluded folks really Christians? To understand this, we need to know what makes a person a Christian.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 10:9-10 (KJV), "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

But Jehovah's Witnesses believe that loyalty to "Jehovah's organization" is what saves people. This belief is contradicted in Titus 3:5 (KJV) which reads, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

Furthermore, our works of righteousness come from gratitude, not obligation or any phoney requirement to be saved. James 2:18 (KJV) explains, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works."

Genuine followers of Christ search the scriptures whereas disciples of The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society merely follow what they're told to do. But Acts 17:11 (KJV)shows what we believers in Christ ought to do. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

And while they fear falling out of Jehovah's favour, we have no such worry. As the Apostle Paul wrote regarding his hope of eternal life in 2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV), "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

All this and more will I explain and expand upon in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Only by trusting in Christ's atonement on the cross, not a torture steak, will we be granted access to eternal life with him. So many earnest people will be consigned to hell because they sought to enter heaven by their works. I hope to redirect some from that horrible fate through my writing.

Saturday Song: Bolland & Bolland, The Wall Came Tumblin' Down

The construction and demolition of the Berlin Wall demonstrated communism's true nature. While promising everybody a "workers' paradise," it delivered only oppression to the masses.

When East Germany gave up communism on November 9th, 1989, the joyous throngs smashed down that hateful symbol of the Cold War.

Bolland & Bolland recorded a song to commemorate both the erection and destruction of the wall. Their official video used footage of both events.

See and Hear the song's video here.

Another wall came tumbling down in the first century. But instead of cement, it was made of cultural bias and custom. Peter had been a devout Jew all of his life. When Christ called him to follow, he still had plenty of cultural baggage. Even after the Lord's resurrection, Peter still clung to his Old Testament ideas of separation from gentiles.

But God gave Peter a vision in Acts chapter ten which showed him that the gentiles also were part of what Paul called "the Israel of God."

As Luke recorded in Acts 10:28 (KJV), "And he (Peter) said unto them, 'Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.'"

We see how Christ united Jew and gentile in Ephesians 2:14 (KJV). "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;"

And as Paul also wrote in Galatians 3:28 (KJV), "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

So, what do you think of this song and what I've written here? Please feel free to let me know. But if you don't have time to do that, have a beautiful weekend and remember our military folks.

Jehovah's Witnesses and the Trinity

What sets Jehovah's Witnesses apart from orthodox Christian  churches is their rejection of the Trinity. These deluded people are taught that the Trinity is a three-headed pagan god invented by Satan. The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, which governs all the cult's members, even retranslated the Bible to read the way they wanted it too.

But we can find all three members of the Trinity appearing in verses such as Luke 3:22 (KJV) which reads, "And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, 'Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.'"

As I pointed out previously, Jehovah's Witnesses assume that Jesus was the angel Michael before his incarnation and that he became Michael again when he was resurrected as a spirit being.

But we know that Jesus is God, not a god, from what Scripture says in Colossians 1:15 (KJV) which says, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist."

Witnesses also claim that Jesus is "a god" rather than one member of the Godhead. But if that's so, why does Exodus 20:3 (KJV) plainly command, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."?

Additionally, why do Jehovah's Witnesses insist Christ shouldn't be worshipped when Matthew 2:11 plainly says, "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."?

Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that the Holy Spirit is a force emanating from God. But how can that be when Christ said in John 16:13 (KJV), "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come." Those personal pronouns show that the Holy Spirit is a distinct being, not a force.

Moreover, The Watchtower Society claims that only they possess the truth. But how can this be when Scripture says in 2 Peter 1:20 (KJV) that, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." Neither were those who wrote them down writing their own thoughts.

But as Peter wrote a few verses later, "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

Like Saint John, I have many more things to write. But unlike him,  I'll save those things for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Like receiving a password from a friend, only believers will access eternal life. And it's a system which can't be hacked.