(12/07/2012) Holiday Displays?

     Religious holiday displays on public property is the topic, today; and there is more on reading the Scriptures as “soul” food. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Maria” (Level 2 with 255 points, a member since March 27, 2010) posted the following:

Facts about why you think religious holiday displays should be allowed on public property.?
Thank you very very very very much….. 🙂 🙂 🙂

THE BATTLE AXE: “Soul” Food? (12/06/2012)—The prayer that petitions, “give us this day our daily bread,” speaks to more than food and drink for the flesh. The thoughtful believer acknowledges various needs for nourishment of their emotions, their mental life, and the life of their own spirit. Additionally, believers make requests on behalf of their companion from GOD, the imparted, indwelling Spirit. Rightly understood, for life to be balanced, healthy and productive one needs laughter every day or they become disheartened, gloomy, and grief-stricken. One needs tears of disappointment, loss and sorrow every day as well or they become haughty, incautious, overconfident, and swollen with pride. The holy writings supply believers with examples from the lives of others like themselves, and statements of divine law and wisdom that further establish the heart and mind in mankind as being in the image of GOD, and grounded in truth from the inner depths of divine being.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (1st Corinthians 12: 25-27, King James Version)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: On Religious Items (08/29/2012); On Cults (08/30/2012); Girdle 43: Of The Common Salvation (12/30/2011); Girdle 41: A Living Sacrifice (12/28/2011); Annual Feasts (12/29/2010); Jesus Our “Advocate” (08/16/2012); A Healing Word (01/13/2011); “Secret Santa” (11/25/2010); Holy Comfort? (11/26/2010)

     The right spirit for giving and receiving public displays during a holiday season (e.g., Mother’s Day, Thanksgivings Day, Veterans Day, etc.) remains one of learning, respect and sharing. In forward-looking areas, it is neither inappropriate, nor a disregard of diverse beliefs and practices within the full community to have peculiar displays on public property. Such materials signal the harmony, intelligence, quality of life, and security within a municipality while encouraging others to become residents, and bring their own unique contributions for development and growth.

     The attitude that all public displays serve as propaganda intended to “brainwash”, indoctrinate, and oppress has come out of war-torn regions and nations where conflict, and insurrection have been a constant aspect of their existence, and cultural history. Condemnation, fear, paranoia, and schizophrenic exaggerations discourage every effort to encourage exploration of other lifestyles, or share explanations of what and why peculiar ideas or symbols have meaning. For example, those who celebrate the birth of Jesus could share the truth that a Christmas wreath is hung upon ones door to acknowledge that a loved one is missing from the family circle. Despite the death of that loved one, joy continues to be in the home, for the family within is comforted by the “good news” of salvation.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, acknowledgment and confirmation of differences, rather than forced conformity, is vital to a community having color, integrity, hope, opportunity and richness. A principle shared among believers in Jesus is that ownership is not an obstacle to joy: Where a gift is given to one member in the body, it is available and will benefit all the members of the body. Thus, as those who are making a mature investment to a commonwealth, everyone celebrates the harvest where the hard work of a single neighbor has permitted his family to have a new car, and this is experienced as a blessing for everyone in the community. Similarly, all the homeowners may not be able to afford light displays in their windows, on their front lawn, or upon the housetop. Nonetheless, all who see the two or three displays that are provided can feel encouraged, and lifted from darkness.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

(12/06/2012) “Soul” Food?

      The value of reading Scripture to nourish ones soul is a focus, today, along with more on the various names given Lucifer. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Faiz” (Level 1 with 99 points, a member since December 5, 2012) posted the following:

How the reading is the food of soul?

THE BATTLE AXE: The Adversary? (12/05/2012)—In the same way sin was first identified through Lucifer, complaints by created beings and living creatures of being bullied, denied “free-will,” and victimized by law and judgment also originated through the angelic being and his followers. The Scriptures document a principle that, upon profound change in ones sacred function, spirit content, or worship relationship they are to be known by a new name. Examples are Elohim, El Shaddai, and Jehovah; Abram and Abraham; Jacob and Israel; Lucifer and Satan; and the promise for those who overcome of a new name within a white stone (Revelation 2: 17, KJV). In Scripture, Abaddon is a different being from Lucifer; and is identified as king of the angels who were imprisoned in the “bottomless pit” after their transgression (Revelation 2: 9 and 11: 7, KJV). It is this abyss that men mistakenly describe as the place of torment (hell) beneath the surface of the earth. It is Sheol, the grave, that is more correctly understood as the bottomless pit for mankind; and the actual place of burning where unclean spirits are destroyed is called the lake of fire. Lucifer and the others lost their first estate; yet, their arguments, challenges, grievances and protests against GOD may be heard and recognized daily among men. While Lucifer has no authority to impart spirit matter to the living (or to the dead), he nevertheless has allure and influence that are mistakenly taken to be divine power. The revelation of GOD through covering cherubim has been superseded by the revelation of GOD incarnate, and the seating of Jesus in human flesh as risen Lord.

THE GOLDEN ARROW: All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8: 1-3, KJV)

THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Golden Ticket? (11/30/2012); And This Was Good News (12/01/2012); A Text for Lives Today (11/25/2012); Pornography from the Bible (11/26/2012); Bibles in Hotel Rooms? (03/30/2012); Some To Rule? (03/31/2012); Support For The Bible (03/11/2012); Binder 6: The Plan Of This Work (10/03/2011); Binder 4: Getting To Know The Scriptures (10/01/2011); Binder 3: A Commitment To The Scriptures (09/30/2011)

      It is the faith (i.e., confidence, conviction, trust) of many mature believers that the holy writings are directed to ones inner spirit, and operate through spiritual dimensions as well as the mental, physical and social realities of life. As such, the Scriptures convey spirit matter that resides within divine person. Included are such features as forgiveness, holiness, humility, joy, longsuffering, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.

      Because some insist the Scriptures are merely products of human creativity and imagination that should only be regarded as history, literature, mythology or poetry, there continues to be a longstanding tradition of confusion, disbelief, opposition and skepticism. However, those who carefully read, assume the attitudes expressed, and practice the instruction from the Scriptures always achieve godliness and spiritual maturity.

      While we use language that speaks of “the soul” being “nourished” as if eating and drinking (operations of flesh) are intended, a sacred process whereby spirit matter is concentrated, directed, and displayed is really the true focus. Man became a “living soul” when GOD breathed into a figure made from dust of the ground (Genesis 2: 7, KJV). The breath of life from GOD that makes humankind possible is also called speech, utterance, and the Word.

      There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, growth and learning by experience are unique features of humankind. Angels, the sacred beasts of heaven, and many other created beings and living creatures are complete and “finished” in their knowledge. That is, at their creation, they were endowed with all the information and understanding to function correctly in the course of their service and worship. They were not granted knowledge of events and issues pertaining to sin, repentance, and salvation; yet, sin first appeared among them, before being detected in the earth. Those of the heavenly host are not understood as having souls. Nonetheless, their make-up and substance is also being transformed by the ministry of Jesus to mankind. More than simply reading and academic study, the process of GOD is shown to be one of hearing, praise, seeing, service, testimony and witness.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.

THE BLACK PHOENIX Washington, DC