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What's wrong with Ash Wednesday?

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Ashes, sacrificing for Lent, what could be wrong with that?

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[Darris McNeely] If you happen to see anyone today with an ashen cross on their forehead, don't think that it's just a smudge of dirt. It's Ash Wednesday. And for people who keep this day, that's part of the custom, the ritual of putting a cross on their head in commemoration of Christ, His life, His birth, and the beginning of Lent and the 40 days of fasting.
[Steve Myers] Is that something we need to be a part of? Is that something you should be doing, putting an outward symbol on your forehead? Or for the next 40 days giving up some things like a pack of gum? Or I read on a Catholic website, give up a half an hour of TV because somehow that connects with the sacrifice of Christ? Is that what we should really be doing or is there a whole lot more to it?
[Darris McNeely] These practice that take place during this 40 day period are very interesting. They tend toward a works based approach toward religion, and it's the very opposite of what the Bible says regarding our relationship with God and what we should learn from the very important events of Christ life, and His death, and His resurrection. And it gets down to a more spiritual application than something external and physical.
[Steve Myers] Right. Rather than just being sorry about something or being penitent, you have to repent, you have to change, and that's an inward thing not an outward thing. And there's a connection here in Matthew:6:16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.. Christ was talking about fasting, but the same applies to putting ashes on your head or giving up a pack of gum for 40 days. Here's what He says, He says, "When you fast, don't make it obvious." That's the New Living translation. He says, "As the hypocrites do for they try to look miserable or disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting." That's not the approach. Christ points to the inside. He says, "When you fast, comb your hair, wash your face, then no one will notice what you're doing," what you're fasting about. He says, "Except your Father who knows what you do in private, and your Father who sees everything will reward you" (Matthew:6:16-18 [16] Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
[17] But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
[18] That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.). So what's God most concerned about? The inside, what's happening inside. Not some outward show. But He wants a relationship with you.  He wants true repentance, not just something to feel sorry about. So it's more important about what's going on inside.
[Darris McNeely] It's the inward man, that change that takes place that really defines our relationship with God. That's what God is most interested in, not in placing ashes on our forehead in some type of symbol.
[Steve Myers] So let's make it our goal to draw closer to God, not on the outside, but on the inside where it really counts.
[Darris McNeely] That's BT Daily . Join us next time. 

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Change and Live

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What hinders you from living joyfully? Is a habit or a worry crippling you emotionally? God stands ready to help. Discover how.

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[Darris] I will call him "tattoo guy" because he had tattoos all over his body, down his legs, up both arms and up his neck. He had a couple of studs hung from his mouth, and the image was pretty fearsome.
I would see this gentleman working out most every day that I went to my local gymnasium. This guy was pretty serious about weightlifting. He worked hard. He worked fast and he took very few breaks. He ferociously pumped the iron and he had all the sound effects working.
One day in the locker room I struck up a conversation with him. He told me that the rush that he got from weightlifting was very similar to the rush that he got from doing drugs. I was quite shocked by what he said and so I asked further. He told me that he had done drugs. He had done meth, heroin, cocaine--they were all a part of his habit for years. And he had been in and out of drug programs, rehab and prison. But now he was clean, and he lifted weights to get the same feeling that he used to get from drugs.
I was curious. "What," I asked, "caused you to kick your drug habit?" His answer surprised me, and it may surprise you. It gave me a vital key to understanding change.
Join us on Beyond Today as we look at what can make us "Change and Live."
[Announcer] Join our host, Darris McNeely and his guests, as they help you understand your future on Beyond Today !
[Darris] What if you were diagnosed with a disease that could be reversed by changing your lifestyle? Something like heart disease.
Could you change? You say, yes? Maybe you should think again.
The odds are 9 to1 you wouldn't change.
That's right. In an article called, "Change or Die," Alan Deutschman shares this surprising statistic. 9 to 1 that you would not make a lasting change to reverse the sentence hanging over your head.
Yet, there are many things about our life that every one of us would like to change. But how do we make the changes that are important to us? How can we begin to change habits and attitudes that have been with us for so many years?
When was the last time you actually changed something about your behavior?
Maybe it was to lose weight. Maybe it was to stop smoking. Maybe you really decided you needed to control you anger, or stop whatever other compulsive behavior that you know you have to get under control.
We all know how hard it is. We know we need to make changes and yet, every year millions make what are called "new year" resolutions of all kinds--most are never realized.
We have good intentions. We start off well and most of us truly desire to change habits and behavior that we know is not good and can actually harm our health. And yet, it is extremely difficult.
Let me give you an illustration. Let's look at health care--a big issue in America, and most parts of the world. It consumes a lot of money. And yet a small percentage of the population consumes the majority of what is spent on health care in the United States. Usually for diseases that are by and large behavioral--this is, we cause them by things we do.
And 80 percent of the health care budget, of companies, is consumed by essentially five behaviors: smoking, drinking too much alcohol, overeating, stress, and not enough exercise.
Those five behaviors consume most of the problems that people have to pay for. Let's look at one. Heart surgery takes a lot of time and claims the lives of a lot of people, today. People go through heart-bypass surgeries. They have stents put in because of any number of different reasons.
Studies show that two years later, 90 percent of those who have had that have really not changed their lifestyle. They may start off with good intentions, and change for a while, but time and circumstances cause them to revert.
It's interesting. Knowing there is a disease that can kill and stats show that most people do not change.
So again, I ask, why is it so difficult? And why do we fight change even when we know that it is in our best interest?
I was taught this a number of years ago. I learned it in one of my classes. I didn't believe it. Years and years of experience have taught me just how difficult it is. You study behavioral science and they show you that change most often happens, most by people, when you speak to people's feelings. That's when change that is effective and usually long lasting take place.
When a person's heart is reached at an emotional level, a person is more likely to make a lasting change.
The Bible--God's Word--confirms this fact. God speaks to us through His Word and He speaks to us at a very deep emotional level. And when we react to it, it produces a lasting change.
But as we look at our life and all of these different habits that we have, what can make us change? What really pushes us in those directions?
There is a lot of myths about what may cause change. A crisis can hit and people will change for a period of time. They get a diagnosis and fear sets in. Fear can be a motivating factor--understandably so. Facts sometimes for some people, logical information, causes them to change. Sometimes people will change very gradually. Kicking a smoking habit is often attacked by people by making a gradual change, by cutting back on nicotine, over a period of time. Sometimes it works. I have seen it work with people.
There is another myth and that is, people just can't change. And that is a big myth because we can change!
Now, any one of these, fear or a crisis, can produce change, a measure of change and in some cases, even a lasting change.
I look at my own father who was a two-pack-a-day smoker for all of his adult life. One day my dad woke up with a cough that wouldn't go away. He thought he had cancer, and whatever or whoever he talked to, whatever diagnosis that came his way, he decided one day to stop smoking. And he quit cold turkey. He was fearful of what might have happened, and he did quit, and it was a lasting change.
But you know what? The statistics show nine others don't always do that. And I have known a number of people who because of whatever going on in their life, really didn't do it.
Behaviorists know that effective lasting change is often made by appealing to the emotion and reaching people at a deeper level than just facts, a momentary crisis, or even shock and fear.
I learned this a long time ago in my years in counseling with people in various situations. I would often run across people who were lonely and depressed. And they were in some self-destructive patterns by either additions, their eating habits, stress, or not getting enough exercise, and doing certain things that they could easily change. And, I would encourage them and in some cases, basically tell them what they needed to do in changing their lifestyle, and it wasn't always motivational enough to create a change. And there was frustration, and it created challenges and difficulties.
It took me a long time to learn the lesson that a person who is lonely, a person who is depressed, or some other chronic emotional problem, and that cigarette, that bottle of Jack Daniels, that drug even, is a replacement for what is empty and what is missing inside their life. It is their crutch to get them through a day! And if they quit, and just went cold turkey off of it and it didn't take care of that emotional need inside of them, they were still lonely and depressed, and they said what good is this? And they'd rather live a shorter life, at least happy because of the crutch of the addiction, rather than a longer life and not being able to deal with some of the other emotional problems which were at the real heart of what they were struggling with. It took me a long time to learn that lesson.
At the opening of today's program, I told you a story about a fellow that I called "the tattoo guy." So, what happened to Tattoo Guy? I'm going to come back to that story, in just a moment. There is a very important lesson there for all of us.
This program is designed to help you make changes, to begin a process of changing and living, to help you to a better quality of life. We are offering a free study guide today, Transforming Your Life . This booklet contains a lot of valuable information and it is going to help you find your way to some improved habits that are lasting and effective. It'll take a bit of study. It will take some work with the Bible, but it will help you. And I am going to tell you more about it in just a minute.
You can read this booklet, Transforming Your Life online at BeyondToday.tv . Or, you can request your free copy and it will be sent to your home by calling: 1-888-886-8632. You can call right now if you wish, jot the number down and call at the end of this program.
All right, let's get ourselves back on track to find out what Tattoo Guy taught me.
Here is what behavioral scientists have learned about making changes in people.
That joy is more powerful than fear. Joy is an emotion that runs deep into our reactions. Joy is a quality that is cultivated by deliberate choice. And joy is a quality of life that is spiritual. The Bible reveals that it is also a fruit of God's Holy Spirit .
Joy is a quiet confidence, an unmovable confidence that God's holding your hand and guiding you through life--during the good times as well as the bad times.
Joy is a deep feeling of contentment that flows from a choice that we make to live a better life because of someone or something beyond ourselves.
You see, when a person is convinced that they will feel better or have a better quality of life, they are more likely to change behavior. Let me take you back to the story of Tattoo Guy, the guy that I met in the gym. I told you about his story at the beginning of the program.
Tattoo Guy lifted weights. He would get a rush of adrenaline from lifting weights, pumping that iron most days of the week. And he said that he got the same rush that he would get when he used to do drugs. Now Tattoo Guy was a pretty scary looking guy with his studs in his face and the tattoos all over his body. One day we struck up a conversation and he began to tell me a story.
And as I listened to him, I could tell that there was a softness beyond his rough-looking, fearsome exterior.
Here was a man who had been in and out of drug rehab programs, and in and out of jail for his drug habit. Nothing in those measures--the drug rehab or the jail--caused him and convinced him that he needed to change the destructive habits of drugs. Yet something else did.
I was curious: "What caused you," I asked, "to kick your drug habit?"
Without hesitation, he said, "My daughter. My daughter said she did not want to visit me in jail anymore." He said, "My daughter convinced me I needed to change."
I was stunned. But I was also pleased. And he was too. It was very obvious.
Tattoo Guy cleaned up his life because of the joy he felt being with his daughter, helping her grow up and being a better influence for her.
We all know that drug and alcohol addiction are vicious habits. They destroy countless lives, cost society billions of dollars every single year. We all know that whoever kicks those habits and makes permanent change does so because something happens at their deepest, gut-level of emotion.
Any program, any cure for those addictions to be truly effective must eventually reach an addict at their deepest emotional level.
There's a song I like to listen to. It's called, One Day at a Time . It is written by a recovered addict. There is a stanza from it that sums it all up.

"It was something I was too blind to see, I got help from something greater than me. And I have to learn to live my life one day at a time!"

My friend, Tattoo Guy, was willing to change because of his little girl. To him his daughter was "something greater" than himself. When he saw her and what his behavior was doing to her, he then took the steps to clean up his life.
Let me ask you. Is there a habit that is killing you but you just can't change? What is it that might be crippling you maybe emotionally, or keeping you from living the life that you want to live, and becoming the person that God wants you want to be?
Is it drugs? Is it alcohol? Smoking? Overeating? Or a sexual addiction?
Maybe it is emotional pain? Fear? Anger? Maybe it is an abusive past that affects you so deeply today, you can't shake. You can't move away from it?
What is it that keeps you crippled, challenged and fighting for a sane, balanced and happy, joyful life--right now, today? What is it? What habit is keeping you from changing? What is keeping you from really experiencing life at the highest level? A happy, contented, safe, emotional life?
You see, Tattoo Guy was willing to change for his little girl. And I say, God bless him!
Here is the question: Who is your "little girl"? Who in your life is big enough and important enough to make you change and to help you start living life at a much higher level?
That's who you need to find! Find that person, or find that cause that will make you change and to make you begin to live for something beyond today.
Tattoo Guy was moved to change because of the love that he had for his precious little girl. You might not have a little girl, but you do have a God. Can you be moved to change because of God's love for you?
What God offers to each one of us is not too far. It is not something that is unknowable. It can be known. You see, God has not taken His message, His instructions, His words to us and hidden them off some place in a secret vault way up in heaven or wherever, and only a few people can find it. You can find it! You can access it!
God's message is close to you. It can be on your lips and it can be in your heart. And God's message can change your life for the better. All you have got to do is to choose--today, to begin to make the choice and to make it so. And begin that process that can help you pull yourself out of the rut of life that you are caught and in which you are trapped.
There is a wonderful passage in the book of Deuteronomy 30. It says, from God--it is really a message to all of us:

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land" (Deuteronomy:30:19-20 [19] I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
[20] That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. NLT).

And so the question comes down to each of us, can we change? Can we change for God? Can you make a life change for the better to become like God in character and thought, and do it today?
This is really the essence of what our life is all about. When it is all summed up from what we read in the Word of God, and what the message of the gospel really is, it is that God is our Father and that He is building a family. That's it! That is the essence of the message of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. It is at the heart of what Christ Himself brought, what He taught.
The Kingdom of God is about a divine, spiritual family that God is building. And He wants you and I to change when offered the opportunity and today to begin to live as a member of His family--now! And develop a relationship with Him today, in this life, to make this life better. There is no need for us to keep continually knocking our head against the wall.
Your life can be better as a result of that choice, to go with God. It's this understanding that can be a catalyst for change and help you live.
I had a chance encounter in conversation with a former drug addict who looked into his daughter's eyes and heard her plea for him to change. And he did. He made a change away from a destructive habit at the physical level. Deep down he saw that he had to do that. There are bigger changes that he will make I am sure at some point in his life when he has a chance to know God and make a change in that way.
For you and I today, can we look into the Word of God, hear His voice and change because He wants us to change and to live?
God holds out to us the hope of a present life that can be full of joy, and meaning and significance in this chaotic world. Today, we can share a taste of a life to come--a life that is good, a life that works to create joy in place of fear. A lot of people live life fearful of many things and as a result, it doesn't work. God wants to give us a life that works; a life that can help us to get out of bed every morning with a desire to make a difference with our life. That type of life is a foretaste of a better world to come when Jesus Christ returns to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. And we can begin to get a foretaste of that life from that world today, right now! We don't have to wait.
So stop condemning yourself to a life of futility and problems. Look at what life has dealt you, and yes, it may have dealt you a bad hand. But also look at what you may have dealt yourself--what you have done to yourself. And realize ultimately, whether life has dealt you a bad hand or you have made some bad choices, right now it is a time to draw a line and to make the choice. Draw a line over the past, make a choice, pull yourself out of that nosedive and start flying a straight and true course. Grab hold of God's offer right there, very close, very near to help you live today!
And Christ is ready to intercede for you and to help you.
In Romans:8:34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us., one of the most beautiful passages in all of the New Testament, the apostle Paul wrote these words. He said, "Christ Jesus who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." And as a result of that, he asks the question, "Who shall seperate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" (Romans:8:34-35 [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? NIV).
And right there at that verse, you can add in your own line or two of your own life of what you have created. Or what has been dealt to you that, in a sense, separates us from the life we truly want. Well Paul goes on in verse 37. He says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans:8:37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. NIV) because He is making intercession for us today.
And you can have access to that power, and to that life, and to God our Father. You are at a turning point. This message that we are giving you on this program today, and all of our programs and all that we offer on Beyond Today , can help you transition to a new mindset and a new lifestyle that can impact your life beyond today. It can impact your life for all eternity. And there lies the answers to help you answer the big issues of life that are in front of you at this time. And the choices you make can make a difference. And it's all worth it!
Before we go to our panel discussion today, let me make you an offer to help your understanding of today's subject.
It's our free study guide of our booklet, Transforming Your Life . This booklet will give you specific and spiritual goals to begin making effective changes in your everyday life.
It's a study aid that will help you change your thought process , and shows how our High Priest--Jesus Christ, could be working in your life today . If you're ready for a change in your life, you should get this booklet, this study aid, now.
You can get it online at BeyondToday.tv. BeyondToday.tv .
And if you would like us to mail you a copy, we are glad to do so. You can request it right now by calling: 1-888-886-8632. 1-888-886-8632. And if you live outside of North America, you can also write us a letter at the address on your screen. Request the booklet. We will be glad to send it to you.
When you order Transforming Your Life , you're also going to receive a copy of our Good News magazine --a bi-monthly publication put out by the United Church of God. You can have a deeper understanding of your Bible when you read The Good News .
The Good News will help you clearly see, with a biblical perspective, where world events are heading right now.
The Good News is paid for by the generous support of our donors, so we can offer it to you completely free of charge.
Call: 1-888-886-8632 or go online at BeyondToday.tv for the Bible study aid Transforming Your Life and our free magazine, The Good News .
We've been talking about making change in your life. And I gave the example of a friend at my health club, I called "tattoo guy" and what made him leave a life of drugs and addiction. Now I'm joined by fellow Beyond Today hosts, Gary Petty and Steve Myers, to continue this discussion.
Gentlemen, what are some examples of people that you have seen make dramatic changes, lasting changes in their life?
[Gary] You know Darris, I can talk a lot about examples from just counseling people but one that comes to mind is from my own family. When I was six years old, my dad was a chain smoker. And my mother actually prayed that God would help him overcome his smoking. And one day he had a headache so bad that he couldn't even think. It was terrible. And he asked God that if God would take the pain away, if this is really because of his smoking, he would never smoke again. And the pain went away. So he never smoked again.
His motivation at the beginning was fear, fear that God would bring the pain back, but over time it changed. He made a permanent change because he had a relationship with God, and that was so important to him, that joy, that it kept him from going back.
[Steve] I met a young man in prison. He had made some terrible choices in his life, was serving out a ten-year sentence. And as we talked, and as he realized he needed to change, he wasn't like that other eight out of nine that didn't change. Especially many of those in prison don't change their lives once they get out.
But he said a couple things that were really interesting to me. He said I don't want to live this way. And he used the freedom that he finally obtained as a motivation. That freedom meant something to him. That he could finally have the freedom to make the right choices and it was something that inspired him in his life, and he learned to draw close to God and count on Him. And it inspired me too, to see that it was possible to change and make big changes in your life.
[Darris] I once had a couple that I was counseling. The husband was running around committing adultery on his wife and she got to the point where she told him that, that's enough. And pack your bags and leave. And he got so distraught that he called me, and wanted to come and talk. And he showed up at my house late one night, and we sat down and talked for a couple of hours. And he was so shocked, again it as crisis. It forced him to make a choice. He changed. He said he wouldn't do it any longer. And you never known in those situations because adultery is a pretty addictive situation that people get into. But, his change stuck because I think he rekindled a joy with a relationship with his wife, and a love developed that then made that change permanent.
I think that people have to come to a point where they make a choice and decide too, that they want, need and must do better. Be better, make a change and that leads then to that deeper emotional level at some point where the change becomes permanent. But, I think there are a lot of good programs, there are a lot of self-help plans that are out there for people making change, and we don't discount any of that.
But lasting, deep change is going to come when you and I are emotionally involved and we feel the joy that that change brings in a relationship with that other person, something beyond ourselves and God Himself.
So please remember the free offers that we made to you today. You're going to want to order a copy of the Bible study aid, Transforming Your Life . It covers in great detail key principles beyond what we have talked about here today to help you improve your life. And, you are going to also receive a free subscription to The Good News magazine. The number is toll free: 1-888-886-8632. You can read both, The Good News and Transforming Your Life online at BeyondToday.tv .
If you like our program, you can also watch Beyond Today and BT Daily anytime on YouTube or on our Roku channel .
Every time I think of Tattoo Guy, I smile and take heart. It reminds me that people can change--no matter how horrible the habit or the lifestyle. My chance encounter with a man who kicked his drug habit is a great lesson for each of us to remember. Tattoo Guy changed and he began to live for the sake of his daughter.
How about you?
Can you change and live because your Heavenly Father wants you to live well today and forever in His family? The choice is yours, and God stands ready to help you when you decide.
Thanks for joining us and don't forget our free offers, and be sure and tell your family and friends about our program. Tune in again next week for another edition of Beyond Today and join us in praying, "Thy Kingdom come." For Beyond Today I'm Darris McNeely. Thanks for watching.
[Announcer] For the free literature offered on today's program, go online to BeyondToday.tv . Please join us again next week on Beyond Today !

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Facebook Expands to 50 Gender Options, Where Will This Lead?

by Larry Walker 

Source: Jacob Ammentorp Lund/iStock/Thinkstock

Facebook officials have announced that it is expanding its gender description options to 50 different choices after consulting with a group of leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organizations.
This represents a major new development in the ongoing controversy regarding the cultural ramifications of what in the past was considered deviant sexuality. But it is only a beginnng. It will likely cause a ripple effect into many other areas of life—job applications, loan papers, sports, legislation, court cases to name a few.
Will applications need to replace the simple M/F choice to "see attached schedule?" What about public restrooms? Obviously, it won't be possible to expand to 50 different restrooms. So we are likely to see the traditional male or female restrooms with unisex restrooms, a trend that has already begun and may be legally mandated.
What about dressing rooms at swimming pools, schools and professional sports? How will parents feel about having their daughters in dressing rooms and showers where they know others are present who are sexually attracted to females despite their female anatomy? Or will at some point will the fact that sexuality is being redefined by sexual preference mean that children and adults will share the same dressing room and shower with the anatomy of the opposite sex? Are we really ready for that?
The question of how professional athletes will deal with these dilemmas is already on the radar with the public announcement from draft prospect Michael Sam that he is gay, which has been the main topic of sports talk shows. Everyone is careful to be political correct in their comments lest they be branded as homophobic and lose their job or be suspended from their team. It remains to be seen how this will go when the season begins.
This is only the tip of the iceberg of an ongoing trend that is leading us into uncharted waters. Sexual diversity is nothing new. It has been around for a long time. The "don't ask, don't tell" approach resulted in a "what they don't know won't hurt them" situation regarding the reactions of others with whom transgender individuals came in contact. But the growing trend of such individuals "coming out of the closet" seeking full acceptance and approval has posed a relatively new challenge in our culture.
The Bible clearly reveals that God created humankind male and female (Genesis 1:27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
See All...). Since that time heredity and/or environment has created a virtual "Heinz variety" of sexual identities. Where it will lead, God only knows. Many, especially in older generations are asking, "What is this world coming to?"

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Germany and Russia Shifting Balance of Power

article by Melvin Rhodes

More than a century after his death, Otto von Bismarck's dream for Germany seems closer to being realized.

Otto von Bismarck, Germany's Iron Chancellor who presided over the unification of Germany and guided the new nation to great power status, was noted for his sometimes conflicting secret alliances that tried to secure Germany's future. Having secretly entered into a pact with the Austrian Empire in 1879, extended to include Italy seven years later, Bismarck then entered into a secret agreement with Russia, even though Russia and Austria were rivals in the Balkans.
Bismarck's great fear was of a Germany compelled to fight on two flanks, east and west. This is exactly what happened in both world wars with the result that Germany lost.
These two defeats contributed to a century of political upheaval in Germany.
In the 20th century there were six distinct Germanys, each in its own way different from the others. The Second Reich of Kaiser Wilhelm II (1888-1918), defeated in war, gave place to the Weimar Republic (1918-33). This was followed by Hitler's Third Reich (1933-45). Again defeated in war, the country came under Allied control for a brief period before the Federal Republic of (West) Germany was established in 1949, soon followed by the creation of the communist (East) German Democratic Republic. In 1990 these two were united, thereby establishing the sixth distinct German nation of the 20th century.
All six Germanys and previous ones were subject to what columnist Josef Joffe calls "the curse of geography." Geographical location has a profound effect upon national attitudes. The predominantly Anglo-Saxon countries are all protected by lengthy coastlines so that they do not have to greatly concern themselves with hostile neighbors. The result is a certain complacency, even naïveté, in their citizens, who often fail to understand the complexities of the outside world. Germany is in an entirely different situation, almost completely surrounded by other nations, all of which it has been in conflict with at one time or another.
The curse of geography
The curse of geography has been a major contributing factor to Germany's history.
Having learned many lessons from history, the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Konrad Adenauer (1949-63), tried a different approach to diplomacy. Gradually a vision emerged of a new united Europe. Its nucleus was to be France and Germany, two nations that had been at war with each other three times in 75 years. These two nations were to be so closely bound to each other economically that they could never go to war again. The nations of Western Europe were able to rebuild while under the protection of the American nuclear umbrella during the Cold War. Closer economic ties between the various nations of the region would make it seemingly impossible for conflict to rear its ugly head again.
Having secured its western flank, in 1969 Germany started reaching out to the East. Chancellor Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik (Eastern Policy) was aimed at building closer ties to the communist countries of the East, with particular emphasis on East Germany and its master in Moscow. It was to be a further 20 years before the collapse of the communist East and the reunification of Germany. United Germany has recently moved its capital from Bonn back to Berlin, the former Imperial capital, now more appropriate for the nation that has become the dominant power in Europe.
There was a price for unification. Not only was there the economic cost of absorbing millions of poorer East Germans into the new Germany, there was also a cost that had to be paid for French support for reunification. Chancellor Helmut Kohl promised French President Francois Mitterand German support for a new European currency that would bind the two nations even closer together, thereby lessening French fears of reunification.
"…Like Bismarck, Kohl understood the precarious position of Germany-about to become the dominant power in Europe again…. Like Adenauer and Brandt, Kohl knew that Germany was too weak to stand alone but too strong to be left alone….
"Germany's Cold War chains were about to drop off, and so Kohl sought to reassure France and the rest of Europe by replacing the Cold War bonds with those forged by integration. The deutsche mark (Germany's own currency) was the very symbol of German primacy. What better way to soften its edge than to multinationalize the country's currency? By way of the euro, Germany proposed to tie itself down. To the French, invaded thrice by Germany in the space of a lifetime, the euro offered perfect compensation…. Kohl's gracious offer of the deutsche mark as the foundation for a European currency was a godsend for France" ( A Century's Journey edited by Robert Pastor, p. 129, chapter "Germany" by Josef Joffe, editorial page editor and columnist of the Suddeutshe Zeitung , 1999).
"Never sever the tie to St. Petersburg"
Because of Bismarck's pivotal role in the defeat of France in the war of 1870-71, Germany under the kaisers never really had a hope of an alliance with France. But Bismarck, a former ambassador to Russia, always believed that Germany should "never sever the tie to St. Petersburg," the former capital of Russia. A close relationship, even an alliance, with Russia would secure Germany's eastern flank.
After Bismarck, Wilhelm II desperately tried to reach out to Russia, but failed when Russia and France became allies in 1893. This was to prove fatal in World War I when Germany had to fight on both flanks. Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, the Germans and Russians signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which effectively gave the Germans victory in the East. As a result of this treaty, Germany was free to mount a major offensive in the West.
Hitler's strategy was to defeat France first, then turn on Russia. What enabled him to do this was the secret Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of August 1939, between the Soviets and Germany. After defeating France, Hitler invaded Russia. After D-Day Germany ended up fighting on two flanks and lost.
Germany is again turning its attention to its eastern flank. The two countries are forging an economic deal that could shift the balance of power in Europe. The two ministers responsible for the economies of both countries met in December to debate details of a plan to exchange Russian debt for German equity in Russian companies. This would be a roundabout way for German banks to get back some of the money they have lent to Russia, which Moscow has not been able to repay.
Stratfor, an Internet news service, carried an article December 20, 2000, that stated, "Such a development would significantly weaken U.S. influence in Europe while dramatically strengthening Germany and Russia and helping them to advance to the front stage of world geopolitics." If successful, the deal "may help Russia's revival and Germany could emerge as the leader of a united Europe with Russia on its side."
The article, titled "Shifting Europe's Power Balance," added that "Germany would be glad to see Russia's vast resources come to Germany and Europe rather than to the east…. Berlin would also prefer these resources do not move overseas to the United States, Germany's current geopolitical rival" (emphasis added). Interestingly, Hitler thought that eventually "the struggle for global hegemony would come down to two contenders: Germany and the United States. The struggle was not just for Europe but, ultimately, for the whole world" ( A Century's Journey , pp. 109-110).
In the 1880s Bismarck remarked to a friend: "I will tell you the secret of politics: friendship with Ru ssia" (The Kaiser, by Virginia Cowles, p. 85). In a series of articles in the Hamburger Nacht richten in 1895 he emphasized "that Germany was only secure when she had a firm understanding with Russia" (ibid., p. 118).
During the first decade of the 20th century Kaiser Wilhelm II tried to build bridges between Germany, France and Russia. Prior to the Russian czar's visits to Paris and Berlin, he warned his uncle, the English King Edward VII, that these ties were intended to threaten British dominance. "'England could not fail to observe,' he said darkly, 'the strong movement among the countries of the continent towards an economic union to counter British influence, and she would do well to ponder over it'" (ibid., p. 196).
Realizing the threat that these developments posed to the English-speaking world, British Foreign Secretary Joseph Chamberlain wrote on September 10, 1900, "An alliance between Germany and Russia, entailing, as it would, the co-operation of France, is the one thing we have to dread…" (ibid., p. 187).
Shifting balance of power
It is a fact that a closer relationship between Berlin and Moscow would diminish Germany's dependence on the Western alliance. At the same time, closer European union, about to take a major leap forward in January 2002 when the euro replaces national currencies, will lessen Europe's need for America. Germany is and will remain the dominant force in the European Union. "Europe [is] a formalized deutsche mark zone in everything but name" ( A Century's Journey , p. 130).
Through the EU and closer ties to Russia, Germany ironically will have accomplished peacefully what the Second and Third Reichs failed to achieve-a united Europe built around Germany, providing limitless opportunities for German companies to expand, plentiful raw materials from undeveloped Russia and Siberia and trade access to former British and French colonies through the Lomé Convention that ties African, Caribbean and Pacific nations to the EU. Germany also will have secured both flanks, with strong economic ties east and west.
After Bismarck, Wilhelm II was obsessed with building up Germany to rival Great Britain, then the dominant global power. A century later British preeminence has been replaced by American hegemony. The new century will likely see a further change. The Bible tells us that God "removes kings and raises up kings" (Daniel 2:21And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
See All...). God also warns the modern descendants of ancient Israel, the American and British peoples, that He "will break the pride of [their] power" (Leviticus 26:19And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:
See All...), a punishment for national sin. A time is coming when the United States will be replaced as the world's leading power, just as Britain lost her leadership role.
However, history would suggest that relations between Germany and Russia can suddenly turn sour. Bismarck's overtures to Russia were reversed when he was no longer chancellor and Wilhelm II took a closer interest in foreign policy. The kaiser tried to build closer ties with Russia but failed. Over 20 years later, Hitler's alliance with Stalin ended when the Soviet Union was attacked in June 1941. After World War II, Moscow's offer of a reunited but neutral Germany in the 1950s was rejected due to lack of trust. The Federal Republic felt more secure tied to the United States through the NATO alliance.
Bible prophecy also suggests that Russia and Germany will not be in alliance as end-time events unfold. Following an invasion of the "Glorious Land" (Holy Land) by the resurrected beast power (Daniel 11:40-43 [40] And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
[41] He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
[42] He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
[43] But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.

See All...), "news from the east and the north shall trouble him" (verse 44), a likely reference to Russia in alliance with other military forces from the east. Revelation 9:16And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
See All... prophesies of an "army of…two hundred million," suggesting an alliance of major powers to the east. Further, prophecies regarding Russia in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 do not show any alliance with the beast power.
Whatever the outcome of the financial deal between Moscow and Berlin, one fact is clear: Germany has become a major economic power, set to be America's "geopolitical rival" in the years ahead. WNP

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Mardi Gras - Modern Idolatry?

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The strange revelries of modern culture have their roots in ancient rites and religion.

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[Steve Myers] It's Fat Tuesday. It's the day before Ash Wednesday and it's party time all around the world whether you're in Rio de Janeiro, Paris, New Orleans here in the United States is the party town. And it's the celebrations that are just before Ash Wednesday when people are going to repent and hopefully get right with God is the idea behind it.
[Darris McNeely] Mardi Gras bets up against the period of Lent , which leads up to Easter when some…when according to many religious beliefs something has to be given up as a form of abstinence. And so, the partying, the excess, the revelry right up until Ash Wednesday and that 40 day period becomes…has become more or less just a reason and an excuse to celebrate.  You used to live in New Orleans.
[Steve Myers] Yeah, we used to live in New Orleans and it's interesting Fat Tuesday comes from the idea that you eat as much as you can, you overindulge, you drink as much as you can and then you repent at midnight tonight is when Ash Wednesday begins. They clear the streets. And it's an amazing time. Normally we got out of town because we saw our fill of things just if you watch the newscast and the debauchery down in the French Quarter. People doing unimaginable things just to get little beads to hang around their necks. I mean, it was surprising to see the things that people would do.
[Darris McNeely] When you look at celebrations like this that really have their roots in Medieval history and even in the ancient world, you recognize that in our own modern expressions of culture we have some blatant examples of what really comes down to idolatry and revelry—something that the Apostle Paul warned against in 1 Corinthians 10:7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
See All..., to the Corinthian church itself a church in a party town. The first century Corinth was quite a…had quite the reputation. But he did say to the people there in verse 7, "Do not become idolaters as were some of them." And he's referring to the example of the children of Israel from Exodus 32. "As it written, 'The people sat down to eat and drank and rose up to play." The NIV translation puts it, they rose up to indulge in revelries, and it's a perfect description of any type of excessive celebration that involves alcohol, drinks, sex, immorality that takes people, you know, against the law of God. And in this case, it has religious connotations at least in it's earliest manifestations as far as what led people to do this.
[Steve Myers] In fact, New Orleans is known for its masks. Well, the masks come from New Orleans where they would cover themselves on Mardi Gras, cover their faces so no one would know who was sinning. And that way they wouldn't be able to hold that against them personally, but they'd repent before God supposedly the next day. But to associate this with religion is, you know, really inexcusable because you cannot. In fact, Paul told the Romans chapter 6 and verse 1. He says, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?" (Romans 6:1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
See All...). And Paul says certainly not! We cannot. We cannot sin and then think that somehow we can be right with God when we purposely do that. It's unacceptable.
[Darris McNeely] When He gives explicit teaching in this regard, it really is a lesson for every one of us wanting to live by every word of God to look at the examples that are around us in our culture of excess, of immorality, of partying and what the Bible describes as revelries and ask some very hard questions about what we do, what goes on, and how far one should go in taking part in those matters—if they should at all.
[Steve Myers] That's BT Daily . We'll see you next time.

Bible FAQ: What is Mardi Gras? Should Christians celebrate Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday)? 
Bible FAQ: What are Ash Wednesday and Lent? Does the Bible tell us to celebrate these days?

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Vertical News: Too Many Friendships Can Make Us Introverted

article by Amanda Stiver

New research analyzes the ebb and flow of friendships and happiness.

Source: sxc.hu/bluegum

A study by Colby College in Maine has found that many friendships may make us happy, but over time they also can make us more introverted and withdrawn. Over 16,000 participants were tracked during a four year period and their personality traits recorded.
Those that started out highly social and happy, over time, became more withdrawn despite still being in the happiness category. Experts feel this suggests that when those that are extroverted reach a certain number of friendships, they stop trying to create new ones. These findings surprised the researchers; they expected increased happiness to automatically align with continued extroversion (Victoria Woollaston and Robin Yapp, “Got Loads of Friends? Then You’re Probably Unhappy: People Who Appear  Popular May Actually Be Withdrawn and Sad, Claims Study,” The Daily Mail at DailyMail.co.uk, February 18, 2014).

Friendship, by Proverbs

The book of Proverbs in the Bible is a vital resource for condensed wisdom and there are many proverbs that speak on the concept of friendship.
“A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” (Proverbs 18:24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
See All..., NKJV, this and following references). Clearly, being sociable is the cure for a lack of friends, but truly close, mutually uplifting friendships are few and far between. It’s these friendships that we turn to during difficult times when we feel less extroverted.
“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray,” (Proverbs 12:26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
See All...). Having many social “connections” on Facebook or other social media has its purpose, but it’s important that our closest, most influential friendships are with people who fear and obey God.
Relying on quality rather than quantity is the healthiest dynamic for developing true friendships.

From http://el-paso.ucg.org/  or call 1-888-886-8632.

What does the Bible say about same-sex marriages?

How does the Bible define marriage?

Answer: Jesus left no doubt about His mind on the subject of marriage in His statements in Matthew 19:4-6 [4] And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
[5] And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
[6] Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

See All...: "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,' and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."
Homosexuality is an explosively controversial subject in our present society, but not a new issue for the Church of God. It confronted the early New Testament Church. Note the following from 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 [9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
[10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

See All...: "Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled); neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality...will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God" (Amplified Bible).
Based upon the biblical instruction, the United Church of God believes homosexual behavior to be both unnatural and sin (Romans 1:26-27 [26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
[27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

See All...). The Scriptures are plain on the subject.
What of people who practiced homosexuality in the past? Here is what follows the above quote: "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
See All...). Members of the Church of God in Corinth were guilty of some or all of the sins listed—including homosexuality—but later converted and turned from their sins. Following the scriptural example, the United Church of God graciously welcomes into our fellowship all people who repent of their sins—any sins. But we neither practice nor recognize same-sex "unions" or marriages.
For more information, please read our booklet Marriage and Family: The Missing Dimension .

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Energy Costs, the Mideast and Illegals Are Americans' Biggest Concerns

article by Melvin Rhodes

A recent poll on NBC's Meet the Press showed Americans are primarily concerned about the price of gas, Iran, illegal immigrants and Iraq. All four concerns are interconnected.

Gasoline has been gradually increasing in price for some months now, reaching almost $3 a gallon by the end of April, an increase of over 50 cents in two months. That's still less than 80 U.S. cents a liter. In the United Kingdom, the same gas was selling for just over one British pound per liter, roughly the equivalent of $2—or two and a half times the American price.
But Americans are more dependent on gas than other nations are. This is because the United States is so spread out. The local grocery store in England is often within walking distance, while in America it is more likely to be miles away. The same goes for the workplace, school, medical facilities and places of entertainment—everything is miles away, an impossible distance to walk or even to cycle. Public transport is very limited and nonexistent in some areas.
Not only are the American people dependent on gas, they are dependent on cheap gas! Any increase in the cost of gas will inevitably have a greater effect on the U.S. economy than a similar increase would have elsewhere. In fact, since World War II a recession has followed every significant increase in the U.S. price of gas.
So it's understandable that the price of gas is the number one concern of most Americans.
What I found particularly interesting in this survey is that all four major concerns are interconnected, but none of the panel on Meet the Press mentioned this. It's as if the price of gas is somehow not connected to events in the real world.
As if to emphasize this, a letter to our local newspaper a few days later said that Washington should simply order suppliers to sell gas at $1 a gallon and then enforce the price! Clearly, not everybody is aware of the law of supply and demand.
Among the causes of the gas price increase are uncertainty over Iran and the continuing war in Iraq, numbers two and four of the primary concerns of the U.S. electorate. What happens in the Mideast largely determines the price of oil. If there are any jitters in and around the Persian Gulf, the price will inevitably go up.
Just as serious weather problems in California can push up the price of strawberries and other fruits, so problems in the Persian Gulf push up the world price of oil. The American president has no control over this. Washington can't suspend the law of supply and demand!
Mideast oil supply at risk
Before the current war in Iraq, Iraq produced 3.5 million barrels of oil a day. Now, it produces only 2 million, creating a 1.5 million barrel per day shortfall. This alone pushed up the world price of oil.
The fear of another conflict in the region, this time with Iran, is enough to send oil futures skyrocketing as buyers look to secure oil for their clients. Also in the Persian Gulf, terrorist attacks by Islamic radicals in Saudi Arabia are on the increase, causing further instability over oil futures.
There's also uncertainty in Nigeria, where local rebels disrupt oil production by frequently kidnapping oil workers. Venezuela, the fourth biggest producer in the world, keeps making anti-American noises, which only add to the uncertainty of supplies from that country. There are also refining problems in the United States, which further erodes supply.
Americans account for less than 5 percent of the world's population, but consume 25 percent of the world's oil. These disparities are unlikely to change in the near future, particularly when you consider that every year the United States adds a few more million people to its population.
Illegal immigration has become an issue recently. Estimates of the number of illegals run as high as 12 million. Whether illegal or not, immigrants are also energy consumers. Moreover, they send home tens of millions of dollars, adding to America's growing trade deficit, a major factor in the current fall in value of the U.S. dollar. This is yet another factor that could add to the price of gas.
It's understandable that people who are suffering economically should want to move to the United States, but it seems that American politicians are unwilling to consider the negative consequences of this massive movement of people.
The spreading urban sprawl is another factor, as people live further and further from their places of work, consuming increasing amounts of fuel in their daily commute.
Problems show a lack of vision
The Bible says "a prudent man foresees evil and hides himself" (Proverbs 22:3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
See All...). "Hides himself" means that he takes steps to avoid it. Proverbs 27:12A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
See All... repeats the principle, adding another thought: "A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished."
The book of Proverbs contrasts the "simple" with the "wise" throughout. A simple person is one who is immature and perhaps irresponsible. Failing to anticipate the future, the shortsighted will reap the unpleasant consequences.
America should learn a lesson from the example of its ancestor, the Old Testament patriarch Joseph. With God's help, he was able to interpret the Egyptian pharaoh's two dreams, which revealed that seven years of plenty would be followed by seven years of scarcity. You can read all about this in the book of Genesis, chapter 41.
Taking full advantage of the seven years of warning, Joseph led the nation to prepare itself for massive food shortages that lay ahead. The principle to note here is the need to plan ahead, to prepare for times of scarcity, whether it be fuel or food, or both.
Remember that even food production today is heavily dependent on cheap oil. The United States has had 30 years of warning of possible fuel shortages but is still unprepared. In an emergency, the strategic oil reserve would only provide fuel for a few months. Politicians are calling for the use of the oil reserve to bring the price down now, which defeats the purpose of a strategic reserve, for emergencies only.
The first warning of problems ahead for U.S. fuel supplies came in the aftermath of the October War of 1973, during which Arab OPEC members, angry at U.S. support for Israel, nearly quadrupled the price of oil and reduced the supply. There were long lines of cars at pumps around the world.
Over 30 years later, Americans are even more dependent on cheap gas, and additionally, the population has risen dramatically, adding to the pressures. Growth is still the nation's top economic priority, but perhaps it's time to do a rethink, to ask if the country has reached the limits to growth, at least in some areas.
It's not only fuel that is likely to be a major issue in the future. Food supplies may be also. Last year was the first year in which the United States imported more food than it exported, at least in dollar terms.
CNN's Lou Dobbs has frequently highlighted the fact that by 2020, the United States will be heavily dependent on food imports. This could happen sooner if there is a problem with the oil supply, since oil is needed in the production of fertilizers. Mr. Dobbs has been emphasizing the need to do something about immigration, because it only exacerbates the problem.
The price of fuel is a major priority for Americans. An increase in the gas price will inevitably give a spurt to inflation as the price of gas affects the price of just about everything else. Inflation will also be boosted by the falling value of the dollar, down 7 percent in April, a move likely intended to reduce America's international debt burden and make U.S. manufacturers more competitive. An added threat is the Iranian move to start pricing oil in euros. Other oil producers are likely to follow. This would also push up the price of fuel in the United States.
This world needs leaders with clear vision about how to resolve the mounting problems that face it, not the typical politicians who busy themselves with getting votes and by pointing fingers of accusation at their opponents.
Both major U.S. political parties are quick to accuse the other of being guilty of "a culture of corruption." They may be right. God foretells of our leaders, "…your princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; everyone loves bribes, and follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, nor does the cause of the widow come before them" (Isaiah 1:23Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
See All...).
The United States is still within a time frame for action, but the clock is ticking. WNP

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The Strange Tale of Simon the Magician

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This obscure individual may have had a profound impact on what you think is true, biblical Christianity.

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[Gary] Simon the Magician. Have you ever heard of him? Well this obscure historical person may have had a profound impact on what you think is biblical Christianity. Simon came from the Middle East, but his religious cult would spread over a wide area creating a conspiracy that perverted the teachings of Jesus. His megalomania drove him to claim that he was god. His followers met in secret conclaves practicing strange rituals for centuries after his death.
Sometimes it is difficult to separate historical fact from fable. Well in this case, the truth is stranger than fiction. Today, we're going to explore how an ancient cult influenced modern Christianity - maybe even your Christianity.
Join us in exploring, "The Strange Tale of Simon the Magician."

[Announcer] Join our host, Gary Petty and his guests, as they help you understand your future on Beyond Today !
[Gary] Years ago, I had a long conversation with a prominent member of a mainstream Christian church. He claimed that Jesus freed him from having to obey any biblical law. He explained that as long as he loved in the spirit, physical actions - well, they didn't even matter.
So I countered his argument by saying that God's law says, "Don't commit murder." (Exodus 20:13Thou shalt not kill.
See All...) And asked him, "Do you think a Christian can break this law, commit murder, and this is acceptable to God?"
His reply really surprised me. He said, "Well you know, many husbands and wives love each other, but in a fit of rage murder their spouse." He believed that God didn't judge a Christian who committed murder in such cases, because God knew that in the killer's heart he really loved the murdered spouse.
Now before you say that this man's beliefs are ridiculous and non-Christian, are you sure you don't have some beliefs that are different than what Jesus taught?
I really want to challenge you with the next question: Has your church actually been influenced by an ancient pagan cult?
Today, we're going to answer this question by looking at the life and times of a man who is mentioned in the biblical book of Acts - a man who left his mark on a counterfeit Christianity - maybe even your Christianity.
Jesus' disciples were busy spreading the gospel. A Christian leader named Philip traveled to Samaria, an area that's not far from Jerusalem, and many people began to respond to his message. The Samaritans were outcasts from Jewish society. They mingled biblical teachings with paganism to create a unique, sort of paganized Judaism.
Well there, Philip came in contact with a religious leader known as Simon the Magician. Simon had a large following among the Samaritans because he performed "miracles" though demonic power.
Many of Simon's followers believed Philip's message about Jesus as the prophesied Messiah. They even began to be baptized (Acts 8:12-13 [12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
[13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

See All...). And then, Simon himself professed to be a Christian and he too was baptized.
Upon hearing of this interest in Jesus as the Christ, the apostles Peter and John traveled to Samaria to instruct the new converts and to lay hands upon them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17-19 [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
[18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
[19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

See All...). Now, when Simon saw that God's Spirit was given to people, he offered the apostles money if they would give him this power.
This is where we get the English word simony , which means the selling and buying of religious offices.
Now let's take a minute, and really look at this biblical story, and then explore how this practically unknown person may have influenced your religious views.
Simon was a very religious man who was attracted to the belief that Jesus was the Messiah. Now remember, he was publicly baptized as a Christian. Now when he saw that authentic Christianity also involved receiving the Spirit of God, he wanted that power.
Simon recognized a core issue in his life that we all share. He understood that he was somehow incomplete. Now before, he had been practicing pagan rites that tapped into demonic powers, but he couldn't begin to experience the real power of the Almighty God. The biblical account doesn't say that Simon wanted to give up his pagan religion or even change his way of life. What he wanted was power (Acts 8:19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
See All...). He didn't want to submit to God, he wanted to become his own god. And remember, that is exactly what he did in his life.
The apostles rejected Simon as a man of - they called him a man of bitterness (Acts 8:23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
See All...). The "Magician" disappeared from the biblical account. Now this doesn't mean that Simon vanished. He would continue to lead his religious cult, adding elements of the teachings of Jesus to his pagan-Jewish mixture. Simon and his cult would be part of a movement to create a paganized Christianity that in many ways had little to do with the real Jesus.
For hundreds of years after Simon's death, his cult appears in historical records. You know, he even occasionally pops up in modern culture. Some of you may even remember, Jack Palance played a somewhat theatrical Simon in the 1954 movie, The Silver Chalice .
> Did you hear the crowd when I came in? "Hail Simon!" they shouted. They sensed the moment of my greatness and are ready to accept me.
>> Fly Simon!
> I am god!
>> Fly in the name of Caesar into His everlasting glory.
[Gary] At the heart of Simon's heresy was the belief that he could receive power from God without changing his ways to please God. The Simonian cult was part of a religious movement known as gnosticism. Now, one of the main tenets of this movement is that biblical laws and morality are all made invalid by a new enlightened freedom. For gnostics, true religion is found in the power of secret knowledge. With this secret knowledge you discover the truth - -now listen, but it is a truth that comes from within.
If this sounds a little bit familiar it is because it is a main tenet of the New Age movement. But just like the Christians in the first century, many Christians today hear the same message that it is possible to receive the power of God without submitting to God. In the New Testament, when they confronted this wrong teaching, it was called lawlessness.
Now "law" is one of those words that cause many Christians to sort of cringe. I mean, maybe you've heard that obedience to law is anti-grace. It's anti-love. The truth is, you will never really experience the love of God until you know how God defines love.
The foundation of the teachings of Jesus is love. But have you ever asked yourself: What did Jesus mean by love? Was He speaking of a sort of indefinable emotion? And that's how a lot of people see love when we talk about the Bible or about Jesus - sort of this indefinable emotion, this feeling.
Well you know, a man came to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" (Matthew 22:25-36 [25] Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother:
[26] Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
[27] And last of all the woman died also.
[28] Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her.
[29] Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
[30] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
[31] But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
[32] I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
[33] And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
[34] But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
[35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
[36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

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Now, Jesus had the perfect opportunity to claim, now listen, love erases all of God's laws. Instead, He responded, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38 [37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
[38] This is the first and great commandment.

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Now, did Jesus simply make up this foundational principle of life?
Well, no. It is a quote from the Old Testament book of the law, known as Deuteronomy. You see, to love God is total, unreserved trust, surrender and obedience. And Jesus said this is the first of all the laws.
Now in answer to the man who asked about the law, Jesus went on to say, "And the second" - or second law - "is like it: [and] 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:39-40 [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

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Now once again, Jesus quotes from the Old Testament. Notice, He doesn't say that to love your neighbor is an indefinable feeling. He says that loving neighbor is behaving towards others as you would want them to treat you. And this, these two commandments, this is the core of authentic Christianity - and they are laws.
Now, it is absolutely true that no one can receive salvation through any law - I mean even God's law. The purpose of law is to define good and bad behavior. We are all saved - and this is important to understand - we are all saved by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, the lawless teachings of Simon, which crept into early Christianity, continues to this day to cheapen the grace of God.
Do you want to experience the real grace of God? Well if you do, one important step is to get your free study guide: The Church Jesus Built . If you want to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ then you must know what He taught. His people, His Church , must reject the teachings of the great conspiracy started by false teachers like Simon the Magician.
If you are serious about being a disciple of Jesus Christ then you must read, The Church Jesus Built . You can read it online at BeyondToday.tv or get a free copy sent to your mailbox by calling: 1-888-886-8632. Remember that. You can write it down: 1-888-886-8632. Or, you can write to us with your request to the address that's on the screen right now. So, please contact us (Beyond Today, PO Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254).
Magician, Simon the Magician, lawlessness... this may seem rather meaningless to you. Now as a Christian, you are under grace and love which are anti-law. Is that what you think? Think about that. The law of God was done away when Jesus came, right? Is this what you hear from your pulpit?
If it is, I want you to listen very carefully to what I am about to read from the New Testament. The apostle Paul prophesied about a man who will deceive the entire world before the second coming of Jesus Christ. He described this man this way: "…for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 [3] Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
[4] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

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Paul then writes - now listen, "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work..." (2 Thessalonians 2:7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
See All...).
The lawless approach to God, as taught by Simon, will be prevalent at the return of Jesus Christ. Now notice, Paul wrote that it was already present in his day.
Are you guilty of substituting cheap grace for the real love towards God and neighbor taught by Jesus Christ?
Do you know that this false idea may be actually in your church, even though it claims to be Christian? I mean, does your church teach that the law of God was nailed to the cross? Or that love in your heart means that you don't have to obey God? Or, do you believe a gospel based on the belief that all truth must come from within - just trust your heart?
Well, are Simon's teachings in your church?
Most likely, in one way or another, yes! Go ask your pastor about these things. Check out your beliefs against the Bible!
These ideas, prevalent in the New Age movement and far too many Christian pulpits, are not based in the teachings of Jesus, but a false interpretation of the Bible that can be traced back to an obscure pagan cult from the time of the earliest Christians.
Why would God inspire this story of Simon to appear in the Bible? It's a very short story. What are we to learn from a pagan who tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit? The story of Simon the Magician is in Scripture to help us - you and I - it's to help us avoid those exact same pitfalls.
Simon wanted to be like God. He wanted to satisfy that spiritual hunger that we all experience. He wanted to be respected as a spiritual leader. But he wanted all this without a willingness to love God or submit to God.
Simon disappeared from the biblical narrative after Acts 8, but he continued to lead a religious movement that mixed elements of paganism, Judaism and Christianity. His cult would exist for hundreds of years and have an effect on the formation of mainstream Christianity.
So we've seen that at the heart of the Simonian cult, and the larger movement known as gnosticism, was a belief that biblical laws and morality are to be rejected by the enlightened mind, discovering truth through secret knowledge. Now this concept, it's what the New Testament writers call lawlessness.
So it's very important that we take right now some time, to look at what Jesus said about lawlessness. And we're going to look in the Sermon on the Mount:
Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."
"Many will say to Me in that day," - Now what He means here is when He returns. When Jesus Christ returns to gather His elect, to gather His people, He says many will come to Him and say, "'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'" - the name of Jesus Christ - "And then [Jesus declares] to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:21-23 [21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

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Let's take a second to allow those words to really sink in.
Jesus said that when He returns there will be people who claim to be His followers whom He will reject. That's right! Jesus Christ is going to reject some people who do great works in His name. Why? Because they practice lawlessness. The old Simonian lie will be alive and believed by people claiming to be followers of Jesus at the time of His return. Don't get caught up in it yourself!
Remember, even Simon claimed to be a Christian and he was baptized. Now have you ever heard this message that I just said taught as part of the gospel brought by Jesus? It's in the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 7 - look it up. Because it's a frightening statement. Are you in danger of being rejected by Jesus Christ when He returns? You know, Christ doesn't want to reject anyone, but He - remember in His own words - He said He will not accept lawlessness.
We read earlier that Jesus taught that all of the teachings of the Old Testament are based in two great laws from the Old Testament: love God and love neighbor.
Love is the basis of God's law. Now, the law of God defines good behavior and bad behavior. It defines love! The Ten Commandments aren't anti-love or anti-grace. They define the most basic behaviors of love. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not murder.
Now this doesn't mean that Christianity is simply a matter of ritualistically keeping a set of rules. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expanded the meaning of the word love beyond the simple letter of the law. He said that the law says, "do not murder." And then He told His followers to obey the law by learning not to hate. You see, hatred is the root cause of murder.
So let's go back to the man who argued that the law against murder was erased by Jesus, and how a Christian could commit murder, but not be judged by God as long as he somehow had "love" in his heart.
Well, this is nothing more than the old lie of lawlessness taught by Simon. It is impossible to hack a person to death, or gun them down, while you're loving that person in your heart while you're in some fit of rage.
Simon the Magician, and other gnostic leaders, may have influenced your Christianity more than you know. You know, it is time - now, to return to the true teachings of Jesus Christ - His love, His laws, His morality, His doctrines, His prophesies, His teachings about the Father. It's time to discover the real power of God's Spirit - right now, in your life. Go dust off your Bibles and read the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Even in Simon's death, his whole life is just shrouded in myth. One story claimed that in order to prove his divinity, he was buried alive so he could be resurrected after three days and nights. Where did he get that from? Well, according to the account, he's still buried there today.
The Acts of Peter , written toward the end of the second century, claimed that Simon deceived many by flying around like a giant bird until Peter called upon God and Simon fell to the ground and broke his leg. Following an operation he died. His life, his teachings, his death - just a bizarre mixture of insanity and myth.
Now, we're going to discuss how the lawlessness of Simon the Magician is still prevalent in Christianity today with our Beyond Today panel, but first let me tell you about today's free offers that can help you discover authentic Christianity as taught in the pages of your Bible.
The Church Jesus Built is a detailed study guide that explains what the Bible means by Church and God's purpose for the creating a Church . There is an entire chapter explaining the origins of the conspiracy leading to this counterfeit Christianity .
Now if you desire to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ, then you need to order your free copy of: The Church Jesus Built . Go online to download a free copy at BeyondToday.t v or call: 1-888-886-8632.
And when you do, we will also send you a free subscription to The Good News magazine . This bi-monthly magazine will help you live a happier, more productive life - all the while preparing you for eternal life in God's family - in His Kingdom. You'll receive helpful articles on family life, doctrine, prophecy and analysis of today's confusing world news. Call us today for both of these free offers, or write to us at the address on your screen (Beyond Today, PO Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254).
We've been discussing the conspiracy of Simon the Magician and the effects his cult had on early Christianity. Many people are surprised that many of the teachings he had then, still exist today and still affect Christianity today. Well to further expose this conspiracy, we are joined by fellow Beyond Today hosts, Darris McNeely and Steve Myers.
People would be surprised that there's still lessons we need to learn about the life of this obscure person of Simon in Acts 8.
[Steve] It's an amazing story. When you consider right at the very beginning of Christianity, right when the New Testament Church was beginning to take off, here is this conspiracy against it that Simon is at the heart of, and immediately it takes a hard left turn away from the truth. And I think many don't realize that that was right at the very beginning, and so then what became mainstream Christianity really was off track right from the start.
[Darris] It's interesting that God inspired Luke to record this one story just once and nothing else is mentioned about this man in the entire New Testament. When you look at the story, and you see that he wanted to buy the Holy Spirit because he saw that it was by the laying on of hands that people received the gift of the Holy Spirit, you have there a perfect example of people, of an idea, a religion that wants to take a shortcut toward the most important matter - that really all religion has tried to do but only the Bible shows us how. And that is to have the power of God within us.
That is what the Holy Spirit is - God's power within us, Christ living His life within us. And that's what Simon tried to buy. And I think that that is one of the great lessons - not only shows the positive way by which God gives His Spirit but that you can't buy that. There's nothing cheap about that. There's no shortcut to that. You must follow what God lays down in His Scripture. God gives His Spirit, it says, to those who obey Him. And there's no shortcut to obedience.
[Gary] Well it's amazing when you think about, if you read about the Simonian cult and what Simon did the rest of his life. He declared himself to be a God.
[Darris] Yes.
[Gary] He couldn't receive the power from God so he declared himself to be a god. And the result is, is he created the strangest - even by Roman standards - it was a strange cult and strange beliefs, but he had been baptized a Christian. So he claimed to have a Christian, be a Christian and his cult was Christian, and of course it wasn't.
[Steve] Yeah, and some of those subtleties I think that we miss if we don't really notice what was going on. Darris mentioned about the Holy Spirit given through the laying on of hands. I had a circumstance come up a while back where a friend of mine was baptized - which was a very good thing. And I said, that's great! And I asked him, did you have hands laid on you? Because that's the example that's given there. And, was dead silence, because he hadn't.
And I wonder how many Christians today follow what's actually written or have they been skewed in what they believe thinking that there's shortcuts to getting where the Bible teaches the facts, the truth, and yet their practice is something totally different. I think it is important to think about that.
[Gary] Because in that story, when you think about that story, Simon was baptized. But none of the people who were baptized received the Spirit until the apostles came and laid hands on them. So it shows that those two things are connected together, and unfortunately a lot of people today do not even believe in baptism. They are even too, that far from what the Scripture says.
What are some of the lessons we can learn or what are some of the teachings of Simon, you just mentioned one, that we still find that are existed today? We talked about lawlessness a little bit…
[Steve] There are so many plain statements in the Bible that contradict the teachings of Simon. If you look at 1 John 5:3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
See All..., it says very plainly that love is keeping the commandments. This is the love of God, it says, keeping His commandments. So you can't separate the love of God which many would say yes, I love God - but you need to keep His commandments! And in fact, it goes on to say those commandments are not burdensome. And so, commandment-keepers are Christians and Christians have to keep the commandments if they truly love God.
[Gary] Now, I am going to say something here that may seem very, very strange. We want you to order our free study guide, The Church Jesus Built , but while you are waiting for it to come, we want you - before you even read this - pick up your Bible and read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And pray, and ask God to open your mind to His Word, and then we can help you sort through it.
When you order, The Church Jesus Built , we will also send you a free subscription to The Good News magazine. This will help you discover the authentic Christianity taught by Jesus Christ. Call: 1-888-886-8632, or go online to download a free copy at BeyondToday.tv .
Nearly 300 years after Peter confronted Simon, a Catholic bishop named, Eusebius lamented that the Simonian cult still existed. Now he wrote,

"It is an astonishing fact that this is still the practice of those who to the present day belong to his (this) disgusting sect. Following in…. [Simon's] footsteps they slip into the church like a pestilential and scabby disease, and do the utmost damage to all whom they succeed in smearing with the horrible, deadly poison concealed on them" ( The History of the Church by Eusebius.)

Simon's greatest heresies were infecting Christianity hundreds of years after he is mentioned in the book of Acts. This is one of the reasons God inspired Luke to record these events. Remember, Christians will be combating the "mystery of lawlessness" until the return of Jesus Christ. And what this means, if you are serious about Christianity, it is time to remove all vestiges of Simon the Magician from your beliefs and become a living stone in the Church Jesus is building.
Join us next week on Beyond Today as we continue to discover the gospel of the Kingdom. We also invite you to join us in praying, "Thy Kingdom come." For Beyond Today , I'm Gary Petty. Thanks for watching.
[Announcer] For the free literature offered on today's program, go online to BeyondToday.tv . Please join us again next week on Beyond Today !