November 29, 2009

 2 Timothy 4: 3-4

  Tenets, Doctrines & Dogmas 

2 Timothy

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching.  They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear.  They will reject the truth and follow strange myths.

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Thoughts...

Good morning!  Todays message is so true.  You have only to look around the world to see that it is.  There are hundreds of religions, many in the name of God.  Most not agreeing on anything.

I met a woman the other day who literally acosted me verbally with an arrogant strength of words letting me know she was a minister in the Greek Orthodox Church, and she went to seminary, and she holds a degree...blah blah blah.  I was astounded at the arrogance.  And then came the questions...do you have  a degree, where did you go to seminary, were you ordained...blah blah blah.  She was intent on assuming and portraying she was self important by nature of her education, experience, background, etc.  That all others, by her expression, were perhaps not even worthy to walk the earth, let alone represent the one true God.  I was taken aback to say the least.  

The God I know would not act like she did, yet, she seemed to speak as if she was all important because of her calling to God...maybe not for God.  If she had been acting in God's name, I am quite sure she would not have been so gruff, arrogant, and overbearing.  She was intent on letting me know that the Catholic Church from Rome had a thick book of dogmas, spreading her fingers to a width of maybe 3 inches, whereas the Greek Orthodox dogmas were, per a show of fingers again, maybe 1 inch thick.

Good gravy.  Well, the week didn't end there.  I picked up a book at the library by a well known author only to find she had started a church with...was it 21...tenets that were as far reaching as I've ever seen and called Christian.  And there are some REALLY far reaching stretches out there from what I've seen and heard in a lifetime.  Christian and non-Christian.  Scary, some of them.  

So where does a person go to learn what to believe in, who should they listen to to derive the truth of what God wants us to know?  What is a tenet, doctrine, dogma?  

Let's take the definitions first.  

Tenet:  something accepted as important truth:  an established fundamental belief.

Dogma:  belief(s) that a religion holds to be true.

Doctrine:  a body of ideas, particularly in religion, taught to people as truthful or correct.

Having looked at these definitions, it looks like we have easy answers to me.  First and foremost, we go to the Word of God.  Traditionally we accept the Bible as such.  The Old Testament and the New Testament.  The Old Testament is the history of mankind before Jesus Christ.  The New Testament is the history of the life of Jesus Christ.  Both impact how we are to live our lives, if we believe in and profess Christianity.

I realize there are many translations of such.  There is no right or wrong translation.  I personally prefer the New Living Translation because it speaks in everyday English...that I can understand.  I personally get lost in the 'thees and thous' of King James.  And the New King James and the Revised Standard and sometimes even the NIV is too lofty for me.  I do not need 'big words'.  I do not need 'legaleeze' and highly intelligent sounding text.  I need just plain old 'tell it like it is', make is 'clear, plain and simple' info, so I can 'get it' text.  But I am not you, so whatever speaks to your heart and mind...go for it...as long as it is the Word of God.

Now, I'm going to tell you that the Bible is not the only Word of God.  Over time, different texts have come to light that tell us more about what Jesus said and did as he walked the earth.  They are written, as was what is in the Bible, from people's experiences, either while with Jesus, or after Jesus died.  You will even find writings of the Jews before Christ with experiences of God.  Some of both may not seem as if they have anything to do with the experiences of the others as written in the Bible.  Does that mean they did not come from God?  Who are we to decide if people have had an actual 'experience'?  Many will say that we should not listen to anyone that did not walk with Jesus.  Folks, most of the New Testament is written by Paul...who did not walk with Jesus.  Think about this.   And for the record, if you listen, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit will talk with you.  Get a piece of paper and start writing a letter to Jesus and see if he answers you.  Listen with your heart and mind.  Ask him a question, and then write down what comes to your mind.  Think he doesn't hear you?  You will be amazed at how attentive to your needs he really is, if you do this.  Would this be an inspired word of God?  Yes.  Should you tell the world and have the world live by what you've learned?  WHOA!  NOT unless he tells you this, you listen attentively, you prayerfully discern his thoughts and actions as to such, and you receive confirmation to do such.  Accept it as a personal word from God, unless he absolutely and emphatically instructs you to do otherwise.   Be careful.   Satan can deceive us into believing anything.   Make real sure you are hearing from God, Jesus and Holy Spirit and are called and ordained to preach before you start preaching.  But all are called to be minsters of Christ to go forth and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

How do we know if it is of God?  By asking Holy Spirit.  He will let us know in our hearts and minds if what we are reading is an actual experience with the Trinity, or if it is something that is far fetched and human devised.  Perhaps from the rantings of an ill mind.  Or, perhaps meant only for the author, not for the world.  And some info, tho' it may be for the author, can still help us, by understanding their circumstance as to why it was written, this understood by what we read, and Holy Spirit speaking to our hearts and minds.  Discernment.  One of the greatest gifts of the Holy Spirit.

When we put a new slant on something that is not in line with what scripture absolutely says, we are acting on our own and not of God.  God does not speak against himself, nor does scripture go against scripture.  When reading things not of the Bible, make sure that what you are reading lines up with scripture as you know it, if you are going to follow it.  This will not negate the authors experience, but you will know the word presented is for them versus for the world.  Now, let me quantify that.  The world does not know everything there is to know about God based on the Old and New Testament.  Remember, the Bible was organized by man from different writings found.  But it was organized in such a way as to not confuse mankind by drawing together writings that said the same things, albeit in different ways. 

Let us get more confused, eh?  Does this mean that anything else 'out there' is not of God for the world and only usable for the origninal author.  Breathe.  No.  There is, in the writings that have been found to date, and I am sure will be in writings found in the future, very useful information on how to live or not live our lives.  However, PRAY, ask for discernment from the Holy Spirit, as to whether this info is for you or for the world, or was just for the author.  I cannot impress this point enough.  I seem to want to say it again and again and again.  That which is okay is that which is Christian by nature of the truths established in the Old and New Testaments traditionally.

As for THIS church,  the text that opens this page on a continual basis entitled 'Who We Are' is essentially the tenet, dogma, and doctrine of the the Church of the Holy Spirit.  Beyond that, it is the inspired word of God as we know it in the Word of God...the Bible.  I focus predominately on the New Testament, so as to not confuse people with how they WERE supposed to live versus how we ARE supposed to live.  We need the Old Testament to understand how wonderful the New Testament is.  We learn the character of God and Holy Spirit from both.  We learn to know who Jesus is, what he did, and why we should believe in him from the New Testament.  We learn to love them:  God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and why would want to believe in them most emphatically from the New Testament, yet also from the Old.  

I have learned much from the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Gnostic Gospels, and other books I've read.  But for the purpose of this church, to spread the gospel truths of Jesus Christ, to learn who he is, that he is and how wonderful he is, and why to follow him, love him and share him....I utilize only the Bible as the inspired Word of God.  

Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence these thoughts:  "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."  This declaration was written by men strong in their faith and belief in the inspired Word of God.  The heart of this phrase comes from Almighty God.  Were the writers perfect?  No.  Were they inspired to share this with the world?  Yes.  Is this from God for the world?  I believe it was.  Should it be part of the Bible.  No.  Should we still follow its truths?  Yes.  I believe it is instrinsic in the very message of the Bible...from the very God who gave us Jesus, who died for us that we might have life and have it abundantly.  Checking with Holy Spirit, I've discerned it is a right thing to believe in and to support and share.  So you see, not only is the Bible the inspired Word of God.  All the more reason that whatever we read or hear, must be discerned with Holy Spirit.  

Do we need inch thick dogmas or doctrines or tenets of our faith?  No.  What we should believe in and do was nicely summed up in this way:  Jesus said, "The most important commandment is this:  'Hear, O Israel!  The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.  The second is equally important:  'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  No other commandment is greater than these."  Mark 12: 29-31 

If you don't know who this God is that I speak about, read the scriptures given in the chapter above entitiled 'Who are God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.'  I know them and I live because of them.  I hope you will get to know them, too.  You are worthy of their love because you live.  They are worthy of your love because they gave you life.  Together, you can make your life a mountain of dreams come true.  Worship them today anew.                

***

Let Us Pray

God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, please help me better understand who you are.  Help me listen to and read only those words you want me to so that I am not confused, nor be led astray from the basic beliefs you wish to instill in me to better 'walk my walk and talk the talk'.  Help me know the real you in all of you, and, have fellowship with and church with only those who will enhance my walk, my life, the desires of your heart and my heart with you.  Fill me with your discernment, so that when I am in the world, I will not be of the world.  Let me not be led astray by all the garbage that is out there proclaiming an affiliation with and a supreme knowledge of you, but let me hold on to the basic truths and values as taught in your Holy Scripture:  the Bible.  Let me have faith as a child, to learn and grow.  Come to you with heart sincere.  To perfectly love you and magnify your Holy Name.  Protect me God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  Keep me safe from all harm.  Surround me with your love and envelope me in your embrace.  Hide me in the shelter of your wings, as I learn only those truths you want me to know.  And thank you.  For being everything I need you to be and always being there for me, even when I am not always there for you.  And thank you for forgiving me.  Help me learn how to better obey you, so I can journey on to heaven when you call.  Don't make that call too soon, though, please.  Trusting you with heart sincere...thank you.  I love you.   Amen.        

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GOD OF WONDERS   *

Lord of Heaven and earth.  Lord of all creation.  Lord of Heaven and Earth.  Lord of all creation.

Of water, earth and sky.  The heavens are Your tabernacle.  Glory to the Lord on high.

God of wonders beyond our galaxy.  You are holy, holy.  The universe declares Your majesty.

You are holy, holy.  Lord of Heaven and earth.  Lord of Heaven and earth.

Early in the morning, I will celebrate the light.  

When I stumble in the darkeness, I will call Your name by night.

Hallelujah to the Lord of Heaven and earth.  Hallelujah to the Lord of Heaven and earth.

Hallelujah to the Lord of Heaven and earth.

God of wonders beyond our galaxy.  You are holy, holy.  Precious Lord, reveal your heart to me.

Father, holy, holy.  The universe declares Your majesty.  Your are holy, holy, holy, holy.

Hallelujah to the Lord of Heaven and earth.  *

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 Benediction...Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resouces he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our NEW Current Cause

My family and I, and the church, are in crisis and could desperately use your prayers and financial support.  Due to medical concerns, employment crisis, and economic devastation,  I do not have funding to meet everyday expenses right now for the church, or family, and home, nor those necessary to keep this website afloat, for those shut-in or needing spiritual support, nor the ability to help others along the way.  But I am confident that, with your help, balance can be achieved.  As God touches your heart, I hope you will pray earnestly for the church, my family and me, and send any amount of money you can to help.  Please note 'Church and Family' on your check, and, I will see that all funds get divided appropriately.  The church, I and my family, as well as to those to whom we reach out, will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and may God bless you!

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 Checks or money orders can be made out to

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Church of the Holy Spirit

P.O. Box 86076

Tucson, Arizona

85754-6076

Please put 'CoHS' in the subject line.

If you have any questions, we can be reached at:

1-866-402-GIFT

10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Mountain Time

or

TrinityMissionsUSA.com

As we grow, you will have options for allocating your gifts.

In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'

 "Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

  Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

 * Todays song  is from the CD 'Worship Together' and was written by Mac Powell and Cliff & Danielle Young.

 *