The Sword of the Lord

The Sword of the Lord is a phenomenal book written by Andrew Himes. Its subtitle reads "The Roots of Fundamentalism in an American Family." The book is a mixture of personal experience and history that hooks the reader to it. Himes paints the picture of the origin of fundamentalism and how it affected not only him, his family but the landscape of the United States. For someone who was/is a victim of fundamentalism and is dealing with its consequences this book has been a breath of fresh air and an opportunity to think and rethink about my beliefs in a deeper way. I highly recommend this book. Find it on amazon at The Sword of the Lord

Just Wondering

After the steroids hearings the following thought came to me. Aren't in part responsible as society for situations like this? We idolize these athletes, we expect the unthinkable from him and we help them be paid millions of dollars. They think they need to compete, they see their careers slipping , they cheat. Just wondering, aren't we as society supposed to assume some responsibility?

Christ the Enemy 1

Who likes change? Even the most adventurous person will resist change at one point. When Jesus entered into this world there was a developed theological belief in Israel. A belief system that based on what we read in the Gospels was oppressive and contrary to the will of God. Then comes Jesus… The religious leaders are confronted with their selfish, ego elevating theology. Christ becomes the enemy.

If Jesus were to come these days he would be an enemy too. I wonder, how those who have control of the media, and who are loud would react to him? I wonder how those who have reduced morality to two issues (homosexual marriage and abortion) would react? I wonder how those who believe “building the church” is creating an empire that looks like a business would react? I also wonder, how would I react? Have you thought how would you react?

In the beginning of the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his followers, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” (Matthew 7: 21-23) Many of these religious people who claim knowing for sure God and His will, will be surprised. They think they are serving God but are destroying the weak. They think that by shouting, calling for gatherings and manifestations, marching or walking long distances are serving God. They should sit tight, they should examine their motives, they should reflect on the gospel. Are they doing God’s work? Who knows?

Christ the enemy

His Uncomfortable Words

His Uncomfortable Company

His Uncomfortable Works

Love your enemy

Salvation is not Exclusive

Prostitutes

The Rejected

Work on Sabbath

Here is an outline on why Jesus became the enemy and I believe would still be for some.

Christ turns into the enemy because of

I. His Uncomfortable Words

A. Love your enemy
B. Leave your loved ones
C. Salvation is not exclusive

II. His Uncomfortable Works

A. Touched the Lepers
B. Allowed women (of questionable reputation) touch him
C. Healed who and when he was not allowed

III. His Uncomfortable Companion

A. The tax collectors-- Awful people who overtax and represented the enemy
B. The prostitutes
C. Women
D. Sinners

More soon!!!

My King. S. M. Lockridge

My King by S. M. Lockridge


My King was born King.
The Bible says He's a Seven Way King.
He's the King of the Jews - that's a racial King.
He's the King of Israel - that's a National King.
He's the King of righteousness.
He's the King of the ages.
He's the King of Heaven.
He's the King of glory.
He's the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords.
Now that's my King.

Well I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don't try to mislead me. Do you know my King?

David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament show His handiwork.

My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love.
No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies.
No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

Well, well, He's enduringly strong.
He's entirely sincere.
He's eternally steadfast.
He's immortally graceful.
He's imperially powerful.
He's impartially merciful.
That's my King.

He's God's Son.
He's the sinner's saviour.
He's the centrepiece of civilization.
He stands alone in Himself.
He's honest.
He's unique.
He's unparalleled.
He's unprecedented.
He's supreme.
He's pre-eminent.

Well, He's the grandest idea in literature.
He's the highest personality in philosophy.
He's the supreme problem in high criticism.
He's the fundamental doctrine of proved theology.
He's the carnal necessity of spiritual religion.
That's my King.

He's the miracle of the age.
He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.

Well, He's the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously.
He supplies strength for the weak.
He's available for the tempted and the tried.
He sympathizes and He saves.
He's strong God and He guides.
He heals the sick.
He cleanses the lepers.
He forgives sinners.
He discharged debtors.
He delivers the captives.
He defends the feeble.
He blesses the young.
He serves the unfortunate.
He regards the aged.
He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.

Do you know Him?

Well, my King is a King of knowledge.
He's the wellspring of wisdom.
He's the doorway of deliverance.
He's the pathway of peace.
He's the roadway of righteousness.
He's the highway of holiness.
He's the gateway of glory.
He's the master of the mighty.
He's the captain of the conquerors.
He's the head of the heroes.
He's the leader of the legislatures.
He's the overseer of the overcomers.
He's the governor of governors.
He's the prince of princes.
He's the King of kings and He's the Lord of lords.

That's my King. Yeah. Yeah.
That's my King. My King, yeah.

His office is manifold.
His promise is sure.
His light is matchless.
His goodness is limitless.
His mercy is everlasting.
His love never changes.
His Word is enough.
His grace is sufficient.
His reign is righteous.
His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Well. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable. He's indescribable.

Yes. He's incomprehensible.
He's invincible.
He's irresistible.
I'm coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him.
You can't get Him out of your mind.
You can't get Him off of your hands.
You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him.

Well, Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him.
Pilot couldn't find any fault in Him.
The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree.
Herod couldn't kill Him.
Death couldn't handle Him and the grave couldn't hold Him.
That's my King. Yeah.

He always has been and He always will be.
I'm talking about He had no predecessor and He'll have no successor.
There's nobody before Him and there'll be nobody after Him.
You can't impeach Him and He's not going to resign.
That's my King! That's my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory.
Well, all the power belongs to my King.
We're around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but it's God's power.
Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory.
We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His.
Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the evers, then,

Amen.

courtesy of http://three17.blogspot.com/

Why NuBios?

NuBios is a reference to new life. For years I was enslaved by a Christianity that was unfairly judgemental, narrow minded and unwilling to share with people outside my circles. I was a neo-pharisee. A neo-pharisee is any one who maintains a religious identity characterized by dualism between what is sacred and mundane, who is obsessed with doctrinal purity, who forgets to be respectful, just and fair and merciful with those who think opposite to them. I am now on a journey trying to get out of such a way of thinking. It is not easy but it is possible. There is new life, a life of grace and freedom... Thank God for such a life.

Christ the Enemy

Coming up soon: Christ as the enemy to the neo-pharisee. The polemic between Jesus and the twisted view of Christianity is not over.