What is this page about?
It is about my LIFE. I'm the owner, and I am a Christian.
So what? There's a lot of so-called "Christians"? What makes you so sure?
Yes, I know there are a lot of hypocrites out there. Like most of them I was raised in the church and just like a lot of people, I turned away from God. I was disappointed with people who claimed to be Christians and then the actions I saw them doing didn't fit what I thought a Christian should do, plus a fairly rebellious streak in me didn't help. Later on in life (much later) I realized something was missing from my life. I tried a variety of churches in a half attempt to find what I was missing. I studied Jehovah's Witness and read about other alternative religions as well. None of them seemed real to me. I moved to Florida from Cleveland, OH and was introduced to a nondenominational, multicultural church. My first thought was, "This is what heaven is going to look like." I began to experience miracles I had never seen in my life or that I thought were fake.
For example: My wife was healed of asthma, which had been a battle her whole life. A friend of mine was healed of cancer after she was diagnosed from the doctor. It literally dried up! I could tell you so much more, but I would have to write a book about my life as a Christian. Before God started showing His self real to me, I attended off and on until my wife and I decided to make the choice to go to church and stop playing with God. We've been going ever since that day. Now we go twice, some three or four times a week for midweek service, bible study, Sunday morning services and more!
Why?
I found the Word of God. Taught by a pastor who knows it and doesn't add to it or take away from it was the spiritual fulfillment I needed. If you look to the actions of man to judge God, you will find disappointment. God gave mankind freewill and our actions aren't a reflection of who He is, be it the actions of a preacher, priest, pastor, business man, or so-called Christian.
Are you nuts putting this on a business site?
I have nothing to hide. This is who I am. If I lose business because someone doesn't want to deal with me because I am a Christian I understand. Jesus was rejected, so why would I think I'm better than Him? I'm just another man that God has revealed His true self to.
Are you going to send religious material to me, send my name/address to a religious organization or in any way attempt to convert me or speak to me about your faith?
View the Privacy policy in regards to any and all information obtained from this site. I won't attempt to do anything to you beyond what you seek out and request from my company. The most you'll see is scriptural quotes or nuggets of wisdom throughout this web site, but nothing will be forced on you. The fastest way to turn people away from God is to shove a bible down their throats - Jesus didn't do this so I won't do it either.
Wow, you're different from what I expect from religions.
That's because Christianity is not a religion. It's a lifestyle. Jesus' life was one of compassion and helping people. I've possibly been where you are or worse, so I'm very sensative in that aspect. Jesus loved everyone He came in contact with - even those He may have admonished. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest of the commandments, He laid out two new laws, 'Love the Lord your God more than anything else' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself'.
That is how a person who is a Christian should operate, with the love for all people as Jesus commanded. One critical point about this love is it isn't a blanket acceptance of everything anyone else is doing. A prime example is a person who wants to touch an electric stove burner which is glowing red hot, if I love this person, I'll try to convince them that it isn't good to touch the glowing red burner. The person may not like what I say nor like that I really disprove of their action - but I am doing it because I love them and don't want them to get hurt. Now if they touch the burner and get hurt, in love, I must be compassionate and understanding towards them and not condescending (as in, I can't say 'I told you so').
So what is it in the loving of others that sets us apart?
It is the love for your enemies and doing good for those that persecute you that makes a difference. It is easy to love those that love you. it is totally different to love those that give you a hard time or cause you pain. Jesus Christ while on the cross asked God to forgive those who scourged and nailed Him to the cross. That is love beyond doubt.
So, do you have to be perfect when you're a Christian?
Hardly. Anyone who says they are without sin or is perfect is wrong. Everyone fails to be perfect simply because we are human. I am far from perfect, my pastor isn't perfect either. As I grow in my Christianity, I find things I do that God detests and I stop doing them.
What is faith?
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 - King James Version). This is, perhaps, one of the hardest hurdles for me to overcome as I like to be able to see whatever it is I believe in (it is the designer in me). Faith in Christ is the spiritual substance created by the heart of man's spirit agreeing with the Word of God, which *is* Christ, enabling that man to transform his life for the better by the power of God's word.
So, did you have to give up everything you liked?
No. The Holy Spirit is still working on me to rid myself of some behaviors that aren't pleasing to him, however, the things I really enjoy doing, which includes playing games, watching TV, seeing sporting events, etc, all I still do. As I grow as a Christian, some of the things I did regularly I don't do anymore. Like porno for instance. I had that vice, but over time I saw porno for what it was and how it stole what is rightfully my wife's and now it is eradicated from my life.
As I've progressed in my walk, I've found resources for Christian music and I've learned how to discern which non-christian music I listen to. If it promotes anything that God wouldn't be pleased with me doing, then I probably need to listen to something else. Some of my favorite favorite Christian groups include Cross Movement & Mercy Me. Others I like include Toby Mac, KJ 52 , POD and Fred Hammond. If I want to slow it down with a little jazz I listen to Marcus Click. You don't have to give up anything that doesn't conflict with the word of God. Those things that do, you will give up as a Christian simply to be closer to God. As you get closer to God they won't seem like sacrifices or a loss, but rather a gain as you grow in your relationship with Him.
Great, what is your point?
One of the teachings of Jesus was to spread the word and that is what this is for.
Ok, so how can you believe in something you can't see or touch?
Good question and one that I fought with for a long time. It is a feeling inside, a feeling of peace. It isn't a voices/conversation thing for me, more of a sense of the existence of God. It isn't Earth shattering, for me anyway, just the peace of knowing Him. It took some time for me and isn't instant.
How can I find out more?
Go to the library or a bookstore and get a bible or try this online caled Bible Gateway. If not that one, try to find one that has studying information in it. A lot of the bible is referenced to other sections and the full understanding of a passage may take reading a dozen others. Read the New Testament section starting with the books of the gospel Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The church I go to, New Covenant Ministries of Jacksonville, has a website with some additional information with relevant passages. Then when you have a grasp of the bible, find a church that teaches from the whole bible and seek guidance. I am always open for email, or phone and I will do my best to answer questions or help in your faith walk.
Does it cost anything?
No. Jesus is free. Eventually, with spiritual maturity, you'll want to give to further the works of God. That is why finding the right church is so important. The proper investment of offerings and gifts to a church following the teachings of Jesus and the whole bible will only bring more blessings!
Do Christians live worry free lives because they give or are part of the faith?
We all know that isn't true. We also know bad things happen to good people through no fault of their own. However, the fellowship around a good church makes many of the harsh realities of life easier to bear. Once you see God moving in your life, it boosts your faith. The more faith that you have in God to handle your problems; the less worry you'll have.
What does being 'saved' mean? We don't have a 'Control-S' or a 'Command-S'.
Ah, an easy one :) - being saved is confessing you're a sinner and asking Jesus to forgive you your sins and accepting Him as your personal savior. That's it. Check out Romans 10:8-11 or Act 16:30-31 for scripture on this.
Of course, after salvation, if one really meant they wanted to walk as a Christian, it is important to understand what that means and how to do so. Churches who teach a biblically based theology are best suited to guide people on the correct path of obedient faith. A lot of discussion about works, salvation through faith alone, baptism, election and such are great for theologists - what is critical is understanding what Jesus laid out as commands for you to do and these commands need to be adhered to because you *want* to not because you *have* to.
Sin? I am not a bad person, God would let me into heaven, right?
Wrong. If you have a Christian background you're familiar with the 10 commandments, if not - or if you need a refresher - here they are again:
Now, when you stand in front of God on your day of judgment, just take a quick review of these and see which you've broken. For instance, have you told a lie - ever? What does that make you - a liar. Have you ever stolen anything (be it worthless, be it time from your employer, office supplies, etc)? What does that make you - a thief. Did you obey your parents for all time? Doubtful. We haven't even gotten into the commandments related specifically to God Himself - but on those, do you say your god would never send anyone to hell or hell doesn't exist? Then you have created a false god and worshipped it.
God forgives, so I'll just ask for forgiveness when it's my time...
You've taken His name in vain if you think you can stand in front of God and say "You're a loving God and a good God, I am sorry for my sins, can I avoid punishment" and it will work - ask yourself this - what would happen in a court of law if you tried that "Judge, I am sorry for what I did, but I'm a good person - even though I am a thief and a liar and a murderer and an adulterer - can you let me free?"
Do you think that will work? No and it won't work in front of God who is the ultimate justice. How can you avoid judgment and punishment? Salvation is only through Jesus and Jesus paid for your sins and has taken the punishment already. He so loved you he died for your sins. Without Jesus, you have to pay for your sins yourself and you can't. I say these things not to cause pain and hurt but to share with you what Jesus has done for me and for you. You will avoid pain and hurt on your day of judgment and you can see why salvation is needed.
What is baptism and do I have to do that?
Baptism is a symbolic rebirth where you're submerged in water then risen from the water. You will decide on your own baptism after you've been saved. This is something you yourself have to decide to do. It can't be decided for you or by someone else's option. It is also symbolic of submission to Jesus' will, it is the first act of obedience you should do shortly after you're saved.
What about evolution and the big bang - don't those disprove God and the bible?
Well I wasn't around back then, so I have a couple of questions about these theories. We'll start with the big bang...
From what I can recall in science class, the state of objects, without external force, is rest. In other words, things don't change unless an outside force affects them. Second, from what I can recall again - everything expands and cools according to the space available until all energy and matter exist without motion (zero). So, given those two bits of info we have to determine if the universe had a start.
Did everything always exist forever?
If so, if everything existed for an infinite amount of time, everything would have gotten to zero kelvin a long time ago. Therefore, my first question is, Did the universe have a start? If so, what caused it to start. Even if we don't know what exact scientific method caused it to start or put things in motion - what existed to put the force that started the universe in motion prior to the start of the universe? If the universe didn't have a start, why aren't we at zero?
Not that this disproves the big bang or points to the existence of God, however, I haven't yet found a plausible explanation as to why the universe would 'start' without a cause or force acting upon it and, exactly where did the big bang matter come from.
As for evolution, the claim all species came from prior species. This assumes that life came from non-life. This also assumes intelligence came from non-intelligence. The records we use to examine evolution has to do with skeleton remains fossilized. The fossilized record has yet to provide a transitory species. Furthermore the entire basis of evolution is on positive genetic mutations, from what I've read the vast majority of mutations are negative. Imagine the number and complexity of the mutations that are required to go from a creature without an eye to one with an eye.
Further complicating the mutation-to-new-species myth is the ebola virus, in forced mutations in labs, the ebola virus has been subject to testing through generational mutations (trying to prove evolution) and while the end result is mutated and changed beyond any doubt, its basic structure is still an ebola virus. This is after thousands of generations and as many mutations. Imagine how difficult it would be for whales to form if it takes more than thousands of generations to form a new species. Even in the plant world, generational cycles can be centuries (the oldest trees are claimed to be 5000 years old while the old growth trees on the west coast of North America are, at least, a couple centuries old). It has been claimed that even if a positive mutation occurred every minute, their still isn't enough time since the dawn of life on Earth to go from a single cell organism to a human.
To start the mess, they claim some primordial goo, electrically charged, could make the basic building blocks by random. Issues with this include utter inability to make any example work in which the environment isn't seriously modified to represent a world that never existed on Earth. (for instance, the atmosphere when the goo was supposed to be made in to building blocks was toxic to all carbon based life) Next issue is the complexity of life, even the single cell life form's DNA is amazingly complex. For life to simply form out of randomness makes the lottery seem like a sure thing (10 to the power of 60 or 10 with 60 zeros behind it, most lotteries are 1 in 49 million - only 6 zeros)
Furthermore the sequence of information stored in the DNA can fill volumes of text, if any of it is out of place, out of sequence or incorrect, the organism isn't alive. Some recent claims of life coming from outer space simply move the issue of how life can come from non-living material and intelligence and come from inanimate objects isn't explained, it is just moved to another planet. The claim that clay or ice prove patterns can exist in nature is true, however, the complexity is the problem, the pattern in ice or clay is simple (say, on an information comparison, it would say the sky is blue - it would fill a book up with that information repeated a million times. DNA in informational terms is comparable to a 26 volume encyclopedia, index, and maps.) Again, this doesn't point to the existence of God or disproves evolution, it just leaves some problems that I can't see explained away without evidence. I think it does point to an intelligent creator behind life.
Ok, then why do bad things happen, people die, starve, etc if there is a good God?
Ah, I've heard this question often. God provided mankind with freewill and pretty much every single bad incident that happens can be traced back to a point where a person made a choice. Sometimes the choice is made by someone else (like, for instance, a drunk driver killing an innocent bystander), sometimes the choice is made by the person in trouble (using narcotics, smoking, bad diet) and sometimes it is just being in the wrong place at the wrong time (in the path of bad weather for instance). The existence of freewill insures bad things will happen as we all have to choose the paths we take - if we were all forced to choose the safest path or the path the follows God, we wouldn't have freewill. Additionally, we are no longer perfect because of sin. This means our bodies suffer the corruption of the sin in terms of disease, sickness and injury.
Plus if everything I said was just a lie then what was this all about...
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