The Great Church Deception

"I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it.”
~ William P. Young, The Shack~

I've heard from way too many people that there is something which Jesus left unfinished on the cross.  Apparently, despite His becoming sin in our place, there are still some sins which Christ somehow missed {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  This despite the fact that we are told throughout scripture that Christ Jesus would be the pardon for our sins.  Over and over again I hear those who I know to be christians agonize over the fact that there might be some sin which they need to seek Gods forgiveness for.  Sometimes it's amusing, other times I really feel for them for continuing to hold on to their sin issues with a death grip.  See, I can see it from the other side as well because I used to be among those who agonized over unforgiven sins.  Each day, in my quiet time with the Lord, I would again and again ask His forgiveness for any iniquities I may have done.  Anything that, as my pastor told me, would stand in the way of God showering me with blessings.  So I prayed.  The trouble is, despite seeking my Fathers forgiveness, my blessings seemed to decrease, or so I thought.  Were there more sins that remained unforgiven?  You can imagine the torment in such a situation.  For me, the straw that broke the camels back came during one easter morning service.  As I sat and listened to the pastor heap praises upon Jesus for bearing the weight of our sins that our sin debt would be wiped clean the light suddenly came on.  There, after staking claim that Jesus had in fact forgiven us our sins, the pastor encouraged his congregation to bow our heads in prayer to ask God to forgive us our trespasses.  What?  This was the point where I began to question not Christ Jesus, but the message of the institutional church about Him. 

6knowing this, that jour old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11Likewise you also, 3reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 6 - 11 NKJV

Even back then, I could not honestly say that Jesus had deceived me.  After all, we are told that Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever {Hebrews 13:8}.  If we're told that Christ took away that debt of our sins, then we can rest assured that He did as He said He would.  So, what would make a God believing christian suddenly go against scripture and believe something that wasn't true?  Well, like I said, it wasn't Christ who is the issue but the message we are taught concerning Him.  Jesus is the same, He became sin on our behalf that our slates would be clean.  The disconnect is in the churches message about a long dead sin issue.  I can't trust that our church fathers knew enough about Jesus to twist the message of His sacrafice.  Or did they?  Was the churches message about the works of Jesus total spin?  Maybe, but unless your heart is in the right place and you recognize Gods revelation you might still be stuck on that hamster wheel of unforgiven sin.  The more and harder that you pray for forgiveness, the more you are convicted that there might still be more out there you might have missed.  I call it the great church deception.  Believe me, the early third century church founders knew all too well what they were doing with their message of Jesus, they had to.  They were privy to the same scriptures that we are.  Indeed, this is where the deception began.  So, we know the false message of unforgiven sin, but do you know the truth of our sin issue?  The truth, as explained by the apostle Paul, is that we are now DEAD to our sins.  That's right, contrary to the institutional church  message on the matter, that sin life we were once slaves to no longer exists!  It is only through the finished work of Christ Jesus that we no longer live a life defined by sin.  When we approach our heavenly Father seeking forgiveness for some sins we feel we may have done, Gods natural response to our prayer will always be, "what sin?"  For our heavenly Father knows and understands that which we ourselves may find hard to believe.  That through Jesus we are now dead to sin. 

~Scott~

Not My Jesus

4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1 John 4: 4 - 6 NKJV

Every now and then I'll see a news story of some church official who, after many years in the church, finally decided that enough was enough.  Usually, my first question will be what took them so long?  I jumped off of the institutional church bandwagon years ago and I still consider it one of the best decisions I ever made.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating for others to leave the church.  That is a heart matter decided by everyone on their own.  For me it was quite simple, the Jesus which the church was presenting to me wasn't the Jesus I wanted to know.  I wasn't down with a Jesus who gave His life that my sins would be forgiven me yet continued to hear my prayers seeking forgiveness for anything I'd done.  That didn't sound like forgiveness to me in any way.  Of course, it took me awhile to realize that this was never meant to be the true nature of Christ, but merely our interpretation of Him.  We've gotten lost in admiring a Jesus who is fictional in some ways.  Yet, when I discovered another side of Christ I was refered to as a heretic by some in the church.  I guess seeking the true Christ is something that's not allowed by our church fathers.  Again, I apologize to any who may feel like I am pushing a new Jesus because I'm not.  More than anything, this is about redefining the Jesus we already have come to know.  That is ultimately what led me to seek out who He really is.  See, I wanted a personal relationship with Him, but I couldn't even do that because it seems that I was forbidden from even being in Gods presence.  It seems what was keeping me from knowing Jesus on a more intimate level were my own sins I continued to carry with me.  Despite the fact that it was Jesus who died to put to death the sins I still held on to with a death grip.  I don't believe that this was how Jesus wanted me to live, always atoning for things He bled and died to put away forever.  This wasn't the Jesus I wanted to know.  The Jesus I wanted to know was the Jesus I had read so much about.  The Jesus of forgiveness, grace and healing.  I had no time for the message of condemnation which the church at times fed to me.  That wasn't me Jesus.

14“I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15“As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
John 10: 14 - 16 NKJV

So, I pose a question to those who would question my decision.  What is your answer to all the former church members who are now leaving the church?  Are they heretics as well?  Are they somehow misguided?  I would say neither.  I believe that there is a movement out there where people are seeking to know the Jesus who is not being preached by the church.  They want to know the same Christ who led me into a closer relationship with Him.  It is a myth that we cannot have a closer relationship with Christ.  It is a myth that we continue to be sinners, thereby we cannot be in the presence of Christ Jesus.  The truth is that we are now dead to sin.  The truth is that we are no longer slaves to those sins that once defined us {Romans 6:6 - 11}.  Since the sin issue has now been decided, what now prevents us from coming into a more personal relationship with Christ Jesus?  I'll tell you what...NOTHING.  Believe me, this took me awhile to realize myself, so I get it.  Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in the presence of Jesus?  To walk with Him wherever you go?  Well, He's inviting you into such a relationship right now.  The apostle Paul tells us that it is the Spirit of Christ Jesus who now dwells within us {Galations 2:20}.  There is no guilt or shame some pulpit pounder can bestow upon you that will ever change the truth of Christ Jesus in us.  The church will tell me that I need to be "more like Jesus" in my daily life.  The pastors will tell me that it is my sin which keeps me seperate from a relationship with Christ.  You can believe that bunk if you want to.  That's not the Jesus I've come to know.

~Scott~

All In All

2He was in the beginning with God.3fAll things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5And ithe light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
John 1: 2 - 5 NKJV

I just got out of a long distance relationship.  We've all had those at one point or another, right?  Well, with me I was trying to have a long distance relationship with someone important to me.  Someone who had promised to be with me always.  Someone who had forgiven me for all I had ever done.  The trouble is, I wanted a more personal relationship with Him.  I don't think I'm wrong in feeling this way.  The problem with this relationship was that I've been told that He could never be close to me because of all the troubles I've caused.  This long distance relationship I ditched was one with Jesus.  How could someone refuse a relationship with Jesus?  Easy, when you consider what my alternative was.  The choice I had was one where Jesus was nothing but a figurehead seated in heaven looking down on whatever rights or wrongs I would do.  How personal of a relationship is that?  The relationship I traded that in for is one where Jesus and I are one {John 17:21}.  In this relationship, Jesus is right here with me {Galations 2:20}.  This isn't some kind of wicked heresy, but simply a different way of seeing our relationship with Jesus.  Are we to believe that God would not desire a relationship with His creation?  If you believe that then you're the heretic and not me.  I think of the relationship which Gods original creationshared with Him in the garden.  Who wouldn't want such a relationship with God?  Well, it's ours for the taking...if we accept it.  For me, it was coming to the realization that, despite all I had been taught about Jesus, that He was eager to share Himself with me.  Yes, the desire of Christ Jesus is to be one with Gods children.  He wants to be a intimate part of all we do.  How is it that Jesus can be one with us if He is in heaven and we're here on earth.  Well, that's where we  all too often get tripped up.

20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who 10will believe in Me through their word; 21g“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17: 20 - 23 NKJV

Modern christian theology is big on seperation thinking.  The idea that we are all sinners and that God is seperated from us in heaven.  I guess that there is some merrit to that, but if not for Jesus we might not enjoy a more personal relationship with Him.  If not for Jesus.  If not for Jesus who became sin on our behalf sparing us the punishment and guilt of our sins {2 Corinthians 5:21}.  As a result, we are now dead to those sins that once defined us {Romans 6:6-11}.  With the sin issue defeated, there is now nothing standing in the way of a more personal relationship with Christ.  Yet we continue to hold on to our old habits.  All too often we choose the guilt and shame of a long distance relationship with Christ over the freedom of being one with Him.  This in no way means that Jesus does not desire for us to be with Him, only that we fail to realize what we already have in Him.  The desire of Christ is not to turn us away due to what we've done.  The desire of Jesus is to bring us to Himself because of what He's done.  Does that sound like you are meant to be seperated from Christ?  Well, for too long I thought this was my future.  I did not realize what I already had.  I believe that the desire of Jesus is that ALL would come to the knowledge of a personal relationship with Him {John 3:16 - 17}.  I never liked long distance relationships anyway.

~Scott~

Avoir Du Mal A Vous connaitre

8Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10“Do you not believe that

I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you nI do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
John 14: 8 - 10 NKJV

I made the suggestion recently to our sunday group that it might be beneficial if we focused a bit at times on the struggles which we faced evry now and then.  Even though we usually spend quite a bit of time rehashing verses, I believe the real meat and potatoes of any christian fellowship is translating what we know of Christ into our everyday lives.  Sounds simple, right?  Well, if that's case, why is there such a hunger for fellowship in our christian ranks?  We all have that need to be among the brethren.  I don't think that this is simply a need to be among like minded individuals.  No, I believe that much of our own desire for fellwship is to be in our Lords presence.  We've been told from a early age that wherever two or more are gathered, that He is there {Matthew 18:20}.  So it is that we come together.  One issue that I have with this kind of thinking is that Christ, or God or whoever, is in no way in our presence unless we are gathered with others around us.  This, of course, is ridiculous thinking but it's the way we have been conditioned by what we have been taught.  Am I to believe that my heavenly Father, who truly desires a deep relationship with me, will only come around if I have others with me?  First off, this would certainly make me feel as if I alone was not important to God.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  I believe that the original intent of the scripture in John14 was simply to encourage those around us to gather in His presence.  However, with that thinking I just caught myself in the institutional trap once again.  That is the trap of seperation between God and His creation.  It is my belief that God is all in all, that He is all around us {1 Corinthians 15:28}.  Why wouldn't this be the case?  After all, He did create all that we see, right?  Why, then, wouldn't His identity be in all which He created?  The belief that there is a seperation between God and His children is one of the biggest obstacles to our having a deeper relationship with Christ.  I know, I've been there.  The simple fact is that we've been taught that God cannot be in the presence of sin.  Since we are all sinners, there must be a seperation between ourselves and God, right?  Well, only if you're still tied to the institutional bandwagon. 

27For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15: 27 - 28 NKJV

There are a few things one should know whenever you feel as if you could never be in Gods presence.  First off is the guilt and shame of sin which the church uses to its full advantage.  We feel dirty, filthy and messed up by all that we have done in our lives.  We know that God provides us with a way to redemption, but we cannot bring ourselves to come before Him because of all we've done.  This is a vicious cycle that is played out every day in christianity.  I agree that God cannot be in the presence of sin, but what sin is there that prevents Him from embracing us when we hurt the most?  Did not Christ Jesus become sin in our place that our sins would be cleansed? {2 Corinthians 5:21}  Of course, we know in our own hearts that this is the truth of Jesus.  Yet we struggle with the same sin issues each day.  The apostle Paul had a different opinion on the sin issue we all struggle with.  It was Paul who proclaimed that, through Christ Jesus, we are now dead to sin {Romans 6:6-11}.  That's right, all of that guilt and shame you've felt has kept you from a deeper relationship with Jesus has been for not.  God has already dealt with that sin issue which kept us in bondage.  What's done is done, all that remains is for you to come to know Him.  Of course, this was His desire all along {John 17:21}.  It was never God who prevented us from seeking Him out.  That was our own doing.  Those old feelings of "I'm not worthy, I'm not good enough" and "How will God see me?" have always gotten in the way of our relationship with Him.  I would argue that these same feelings have gotten in the way of our own self confidence as well.  When we feel that we cannot come into Gods presence unless we bring someone with us, let us consider that He is already among us {Galations 2:20}.  That's right, that same Jesus we've spent years seeking has been right here waiting for us the whole time.  The only thing keeping us from our own relationship with Jesus is the realization that we can indeed have what He desires for us. 

20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who 10will believe in Me through their word; 21g“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23“I in them, and You in Me; kthat they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17: 20 - 23 NKJV

~Scott~

Language Barrier

9He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.10He who loves his brother abides in the light, and othere is no cause for stumbling in him. 11But he who hates his brother is in darkness and qwalks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2: 9 - 11 NKJV

The other day I watched the interaction between a policeman and a man who was covered in, shall we say, yesterdays dinner.  Well, this man proceeded to take a step towards the officer to explain the case for his defense and that was all it took.  Instantly, the officer put up his hand while shouting "DON'T F@CKIN COME NEAR ME!"  Yeah, I was taken aback too.  That is, until I realized the gravity of the situation.  The man the officer was dealing with was a walking bio hazzard, and I'm sure that he had no intention of getting too close to him.  Then I realized something else entirely, responding to this homeless man in this way may have been the only way to get his point across.  Indeed, there are some people out there who respond only to abusive language.  Be it a history of abuse themselves or not, some simply only respond to harsh words.  I began to think of this in terms of our own christian perspective as well.  What words are we as christians more likely to respond to?  Holy?  Foregiveness?  Fire and brimstone?  Make no mistake about it, the words we hear can definately shape our how it is that we view things.  Take our view of Father God, for example.  I was brought up in a belief that Jesus died for my sins, but I was still expected to pray for the Lords forgiveness each day.  What's with that?  Did not Jesus cry out on the cross "It is finished?" {John 19: 28-30}  When He did all of our iniquities died with Him...done!  Yet we continue to speak to the fact that forgiveness still needs to be had by we christians.  What would your percepption be of someone who claimed that they did something but didn't?  Yeah, many would no longer trust in him for much. 

11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For lnow we see in a mirror, dimly, but then mface to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
1 Corinthians 13: 11 - 12 NKJV

One of the reasons why I struggled with seeing Christ in me was exactly because of words I had heard, or never heard.  I cannot recall any sunday sermon which spoke to me of the indwelling Spirit of Jesus.  This is sad, really.  In my heart I know the freedom which I have received in my realization of Christ in me.  I am now confident in His presence in me.  I know that He has wiped away my sins, never to rise again.  For I am now dead to sin {Romans 8:6-11}.  Why would I need to seek forgiveness for something that has already been accomplished?  Why would I need to "be more like Jesus" when I already am?  Sadly, the institutional church is not into proclaiming these words.  No, we would rather speak words such as sin and punishment to those seeking a forgiving God.  Tell me how that works for you.  Every once in awhile I will come across a article bemoaning the fact that our churches are bleeding numbers in a large scale.  Ask me and I will tell you why I think this is happening, but I think most people can figure it out.  Sitting in a church each week only to have some pulpit pounder tell me how sinful I am isn't my idea of a forgiving God.  I can totally understand how some see God not as forgivng but as punishing of those who transgress His rules.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We are told that God...is Love {1 John 4:8}.  Why would God save us just in order to keep us chained to a cycle of forgiveness and condemnation?  Would you follow such a God?  I would not blame you if you didn't.  I have a few words for those who are interested.  Love...forgiveness...freedom.  If you would rather embrace a God who loves than a God who fits a church agenda, invite Him into your heart.  I've never known Him to turn down such a invitation. 

~Scott~

A Better Story To Tell

16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1: 16 NKJV

Recently it was revealed that the liberal leaning New York Times would be pushing a new agenda through their pulication.  Called the 1619 project, the Times seek to revise American history as we have known it for generations.  No longer is the founding of our nation set in 1776...but in 1619.  The date chosen to launch this new narrative is not coincidental by any means, for it was in the year 1619 that slavery arrived here in the new world.  Or so says the New York Times.  Never mind that european nations have been documented as introducing slavery into the western hemisphere as early as the year 1526 which was the year of a slave rebelion in what is now the Carolinas.  Never mind the fact that the tribes of the north american indians also practiced slavery in their own culrures as well.  I'm sure the libs at he times simply overlooked these facts.  So, at the very bottom of this is a attempt at rewriting history from another perspective.  A history that I grew up learning and kowing.  Some people don't feel that this narrative fits their agenda.  However, we in christianity have already undergone the rewriting.  In the fourth century it was decided by a select few in christian circles that there was too much disagreement about the content and beliefs of the faith.  A bishop of the time by the name of Alexander disagreed with some Christian  teachings and what became known as the nicean council was thereby created to "clarify key tenets" of the christian faith.  In other words, we had too many bishops and priests out there with their own idea of what christianity was, and that just wasn't good so Alexander thought.  So, the great rewriting of christian documents began.  For those who are not in the know, that means the rewriting of the bible as we know it.  Have you ever noticed how many versions there are of the scriptures?  Walk into any christian book store and you're sure to see dozens of interpretations from the classic King James to a Hawaiian pidgeon language bible.  Then you have the dozens of bibles on different topics such as parents, mothers and fathers.  If you're like me, you would want a bible which is as close to the origianal texts as it can be.  So far, I haven't gotten to many good answers to that question.

1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3and every spirit that does not confess 1that Jesus 2Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
1 John 4: 1 - 3 NKJV

I have talked to many good christian men.  From pastors to elders I have inquired as to which bible translation is most reflective of the original.  Not surprisingly, I've gotten many different answers.  Why is that?  Why is it that I cannot find a bible that closely resembles the original scriptures?  Well, perhaps those who penned the Nicean creed are to blame.  Then again, maybe the blame begins with ourselves.  Has the greatest story ever told been turned into the greatest story ever interpreted?  I'd like to know.  If you ask me, there is just as many different versions of our christian faith today as there mus have been in the fourth century.  So, what's changed?  Only the writings I'm afraid.  In our studies and discussions we constantly run across sections of scripture which have become solidly accepted by christians for generations.  However, when was the last time you listend to a pulpit pounder do a sermon on Christ Jesus in you?{Galations 2:20}.  When have you ever heard a pastor speak on how you are now dead to sin?{Romans 6: 6-11}.  How about a pastor speaking that we are one with Christ?{John 17:20 - 26}.  Chances are, you've never heard a sermon on either of these topics.  Does that mean they're not important to our faith?  They're in the scriptures.  Do we simply ignore all that doesn't fit our narrative of what we believe?  Well, the members of the Nicean council did just that.  As I said, I would love to get my hands on a version of scripture that closely resembles the original and then compare it to a "common" translation of today.  Then again, I'd love to get a copy of that history book which the editors of the New York Times have been reading.

20“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who 10will believe in Me through their word; 21g“that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22“And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23“I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17: 20 - 23 NKJV

~Scott~

Words Of The Heretics

1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but atest the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3and every spirit that does not confess 1that Jesus 2Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
1 John 4: 1 - 3 NKJV

I've been seen as a heratic in some circles.  Yet, I've also been seen as a unbeliever in others.  So, which one am I?  I'm neither a heretic nor a unbeliever.  Well, that depends on who it is that you ask.  For there are those I've met who might tell a different story.  I think it's safe to say that not every christian is going to see things the same way.  This is evidenced in the many different churches and bible translations we see the world over.  I get it.  But, if I don't agree with what you see as the gospel does that make me a heretic?  I'd say no.  I do a lot of listening to radio preachers.  Let me tell you, I've heard plenty of differing views of the scriptures from these pulpit pounders whom others see as the biblical authority simply because they have the words "pastor" or "doctor" in front of their name.  Well, I'm not buying it.  You can if you want to, but I believe that the apostle John himself asked us to "test the spirits" for a reason.  Why do we test the spirits?  Imagine if more than a few followers of Jim Jones had tested the spirits.  How many lives might have been saved?  As John claims, there is a smell test for knowing if someone is at least speaking of God.  That is, every spirit that confesses that "Jesus Christ has come in the flesh" is of God.  John knew, as many of todays christians do, that many false prophets have come into the world.  However, I still say that a false prophet is simply not someone who disagrees with your view of the gospel.  Did you know that there there are some Jews today who hold fast to the belief that the promised Messiah has yet to come?  Would you call them false prophets?  There are those christians who hold fast that believers must adhere to the ten commandments, despite scriptures telling us we are no longer bound by the old covenant.  Yet, I don't hear anyone refering to these people as false prophets.  Funny how that works.

3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and ibe turned aside to fables.
1 Timothy 4: 3 - 4 NKJV

So, why should we be aware of so many false prophets and teachers today?  Well, simply put, because we've asked for them.  As Paul tells us, our "itching ears" have stacked up one teacher after another who tell us what it is we want to hear.  Todays christianity is full of congregations that have popped up simply because they did not agree with the teachings of another congregation or pastor.  I was personally involved in a congregation which split because of a assistant pastors desire to lead his own congregation.  I never heard anyone call him a heretic.  So, depending on who you ask, I may or may not be a heretic.  Why?  Because I believe that Christ Jesus dwells in me {Galations 2:20}.  Because I believe that I am now dead to the sin nature that once controlled me {Romans 6: 6-11}.  Because I refuse to buy into a pulpit pounder who continues to preach that I have sins which need forgiving!  Did Jesus somehow miss a few sins as He hung on the cross?  Remember, there were those in the days of Jesus who claimed Jesus was of satan {Matthew 12:24}.  Do you believe that Jesus is a heretic?  Well, if you refer to me as a heretic then you are condemning Christ as well.  For I am created in His very image and have His indwelling Spirit within me.  I am all that Jesus is.  So, am I still a heretic?  Now, you might huff and puff as you try to find some cherry picked scripture to disprove my words, good luck with that.  Just because I hold to a different view of scripture than you do DOES NOT make me a heretic.  Nevertheless, I heard the word heretic tossed out by a man who once met with us each sunday morning.  Apparently we didn't fit his image of what a christian should be.  I will say that this is not for us to judge.  For once we place ourselves in thejudgement seat reserved for God, then we are doing His work for Him.  Nothing good can come from that.

7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4: 7 - 8 NKJV

~Scott~

For Rent

10When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: 11“Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
Matthew 15: 10 - 11

I've spent a hell of a lot of time worrying about what other people thought of me.  Of course, nothing good ever came from all of this turmoil.  In fact, the only things I gained from this was anxiety and sickness.  Two things that I can do without anyway.  This past week, I was once again reminded of the power I sometimes give to those words of those around me.  My mother had a saying for people like that.  Whenever someone would do their best to spread whatever rumors they could she would say, "Why would I let someone rent space in my head?"  Well said.  What is it about the words of others where we feel that we need to give them any kind of credence?  I wish I knew.  Perhaps it's that desire within ourselves to be relevant and important.  To know more than the other guy.  Of course, like a sinister fly trap, many of us continue to get caught up in the rumor mill.  I have a certain coworker who excells at knowing everything about everyone.  The trouble is, once he knows something those around him know it as well.  Over time I've come to avoid telling him anything of importance.  Life is simpler that way.  So how are we to think of people such as this in our own christian perspective?  Well, first off, taking revenge on them is out of the question.  The Lord Jesus claims that it is not unblessed food or lack of adhering to rituals is not what defiles us.  No, we are defiled by the words which we say {Matthew 15:11}.  Of course, Jesus was speaking of the Jewish Pharisees, a group of people who were well versed in being critical of others.  However, like all which Jesus spoke, we can be assured that His words pertain to ourselves as well.  So, have you ever been defiled?  I know I have.  There have certainly been words which I have spoken about others which were, shall we say, unkind.  I'm not proud of that fact, but I guess this is where the death of sin within me comes about {Romans 6: 6-11}.  So, are we the ones who are to condemn those who speak wrong of others?  No.we're not in the judgement business.  I'm not that guy. 

33“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34b“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35“A good man out of the good treasure 7of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12: 33 - 37 NKJV

Once again the words of Jesus speak to what we ourselves say.  Brood of vipers?  Obviously, Jesus took the words which those around Him spoke pretty damn seriously.  However, what is the context of these words of Jesus?  Well, just before this we see the Pharisees questioning Him as to what authority He had to cast out demons.  In fact they went so far as to claim that Jesus cast out demons by the power of beelzebub, the ruler of demons.  I believe that it is these Jewish Pharisees which Jesus is refering to as a brood of vipers.  Now, that doesn't mean that we who speak ill of others are off the hook, only that Jesus does not think we are a brood of vipers.  I need rmind myself every now and then of how it is that I am supposed to look upon those who speak badly of others.  That is, that we are no longer to regard anyone acording to the flesh {2 Corinthians 5:16}.  In simple terms, don't look at someone who talks badly of others and instill in your heart that they are a bad person.  They are just like us, although they might not realize it at the time.  We don't own the rights to be called saved.  That same person we admonish for their behavior is that same person created in Gods own image as we are.  THAT is the christian perspective of handling gossips which I spoke of earlier.  Not out of condemnation or revenge, but of understanding.  That understanding that we ourselves are no different from those around us.  The knowing that it is but by the love of our heavenly Father that we are who we are.  That person who indulges in gossip may not realize who they truly are in Gods eyes.  The realization that it is Christ Jesus who dwells in us {Galations 2:20}.  Knowing this, how good do you feel in condemning others?  Good, my job is done. 

4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than dhe who is in the world. 5They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
1 John 4: 4 - 6 NKJV

~Scott~

Window Dressing

 24“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; Life Lessons 28for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
Acts 17: 24 - 28 KJV

How many times has a name led you to a better understanding of Jesus?  Sure, most of us know and understand His history and His works.  What do we really know of the man Jesus?  Does the very name of our church or organization reflect the Jesus we are proclaiming?  Well, to me, this is all window dressing, a gimmick to draw others into our conversation.  I recall attending a few of the Promise Keepers conferences in my time.  While most people may already be familiar with them, the very name Promise Keepers has one thinking of hope.  That's how I always felt anyway.  Like I said, this was simply some window dressing to draw me in.  In the end, Promise Keepers showed me little in the way of a relationship with Christ.  Don't get me wrong, the promise keeper movement achieved some good things.  Leading others into a relationship with Jesus just wasn't one of them.  I've often wondered if there is some christian public relations firm somewhere out there that assists new churches and organizations with catchy names that will draw people in.  Obviously, a church needs a congregeation to survive so it is neccessary to make it as attractive to others as possible.  However, this is where we miss the boat in our quest to draw others into our ministries and churches.  Where is our focus?  If our focus is not on Christ and our relationship with Him then I suggest we shut the doors and reconsider our motivation.  Indeed, I have seen more than a few flashy churches where the main focus was bringing people into a elaborate facility.  I grew up watching the sermons of Robert Schuller.  Each week, live from His crystal cathedral, Schuller would speak to millions on television.  Sadly, there was a time when I would think the church my family attended was inadequate because it wasn't like the crystal cathedral.  Once again, window dressing.  As Sarah Palin once remarked, lipstick on a pig doesn't change the pig.  Indeed, our ornate church buildings do not encourage relationship.  In fact, I would suggest that they do us more harm than good.  We spend too much time worrying about the outside of the building, and the interior begins to suffer. 

44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread fromhouse to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 44 - 47 NKJV

I had commented to a freind of mine some time ago about the beauty of the model of the early church set before us in Acts 2.  His response was predictable to anyone who knows him, our society will not allow us to enter into such a church.  I tend to agree with him.  Where did we go wrong?  Where is it that we decided that it was far more important to showcase the church building than our own personal relationships with Jesus?  Window dressing.  Admit it, how good would you feel each sunday walking into the most expensive and ornate church around?  How long would that feeling last?  Believe me, I've been there.  Once the effect of the beautiful lobby and the chorus wears off, all we're lieft with is the same old pulpit pounder sermon.  Sadly, the message rarely changes with the building.  Why is it that Christ Jesus sought to humble Himself? {Philippians 2:8}  Don't kid yourself, Jesus could have raised up a million ornate temples by simpliy speaking the words.  Yet, He was never big on that, why?  I'm thinking that was not His motivation.  For Jesus came not for appearance, but for substance.  THIS is where the institutional church misses the mark.  It is not the appearance of the building that will change lives, it's what you speak into them.  The truth of Jesus is no good if it is not proclaimed.  Are we foolish enough to believe that God is bound by a building?  When we speak in terms of "Gods house," we do our heavenly Father a disservice.  For He is all in all and bound to everything that we see around us.  Indeed, even the materials we use to build that fancy new church. 

~Scott~

With Blood On Our Hands

35‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40“The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that youdid it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25: 35 - 40 KJV

I couldn't escape all of the talking heads this week in the aftermath of the terrible shootings in California, Texas and Ohio.  Predictably, our self righteous media and most politicians, looking to score points with voters, renewed the call for stricter gun control laws.  As if that ever worked.  It never fails that after one of these events that so many people ignore what is at the heart of this issue and place the blame at the feet of a inanimate object.  When was the last time you ever saw a gun shoot itself?  I'm still waiting for that to happen.  A firearm will never hold a grudge, be filled with hate or judge someone.  That's not how this world works.  How the world DOES work is far too obvious.  There are far too many of our neighbors out there who are hurting enough inside of themselves to do harm to others.  I'm no expert in psychology, but I do know that there have been times where I have hurt enough to do harm to another person.  I'm human, it's what I do.  Not only am I created in the image of my heavenly Father, I all too often allow my flesh to overcome what I know to be right in my own eyes.  This, in a nutshell, is what is at the heart of this issue.  With each and every killing our nation endures, we become numb to the root cause of the issue.  In a way, we've become indifferent to how much we ourselves actually contribute to these events.  I heard a Washington state county sheriff describe this issue best.  At the end of the day, it is we as a society that have changed, and not for the better.  We contribute to a society which glorifies violence and the mistreatment of others but then become indignant when our neighbors act out these very same behaviors we celebrate?  Tell me how that's working out for you.  Don't get me wrong, it's not the violent video games and movies that are the root cause of this issue.  These are but the symptoms of the disease we're facing.  No, the blame for this scourge lies at our own doorsteps.  We are the ones with blood on our hands.

“It (trying to keep the law) grants you the power to judge others and feel superior to them. You believe you are living to a higher standard than those you judge. Enforcing rules, especially in its more subtle expressions like responsibility and expectation, is a vain attempt to create certainty out of uncertainty. And contrary to what you might think, I have a great fondness for uncertainty. Rules cannot bring freedom; they only have the power to accuse.”
― Wm. Paul Young, The Shack

I know a man who faced a heart wrenching decision.  He knew a freind who was abusive to his wife and family, and yet he kept quiet out of loyalty to his friend.  When the morning came where his friends family had endured the abuse for the last time, his friend threatened harm to his wife.  Now, we've all seen those public information posters around town that scream "If you see something, say something."  I'm here to tell you, that doesn't always work in the real world.  For whatever reason, we may decide that speaking out against another person might in some way be a bad thing.  I've been there.  What I learned from my experience is that it is never wrong to bring darkness into the light.  It should never be considered wrong to show another person that there is another way.  What I find interesting is that in the wake of these events, our christian leaders have been shamefully silent.  It is in these times when our faith is tested that it is often needed the most.  Faith on God, faith in healing, faith in a better way.  I would love for a well known pulpit pounder to have the guts to come out and proclaim that out of the nations pain there is also abundant love and forgiveenss in Christ.  Yeah, I'm sure they might proclaim this in their obligatory sunday sermons, but can you imagine the impact it would have if this word were spread far and wide.  At the heart at each of these tragedies is the pain of one who feels there is no other way.  No, there is another way.  There is one who, despite our best efforts to dirty ourselves, will always love us for who we are.  His love is unconditional and His grace abounds.  It is Christ Jesus who gave His life to wash the blood from our hands.  There is freedom in our acceptance of that gift.

~Scott~

Where Hope Goes To Die

Men, all this stuff you hear about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of bullshit. Americans love to fight. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, the big-league ball players and the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. That's why Americans have never lost and will never lose a war. The very thought of losing is hateful to Americans. Battle is the most significant competition in which a man can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base.
~ General George S Patton ~ 5 June, 1944

I've been hearing a lot lately of how this generation which we as Americans are in may be facing some of the most difficult challanges ever.  Really?  First off, I get it.  I get that you Millenials are a bit afraid of the world around you whenever something happens that you cannot control.  We've all been there.  You say that Donald Trump is going to destroy this country?  Yeah, I said the same thing about Jimmy Carter back in the day.  The funny thing is, the end of the world never did come.  I'm no prophet, but I believe that most of the doom and gloom I've been hearing from others will soon pass away.  It always does.  From my christian perspective, I am assured that God never purposed for us to live in a world devoid of trial and torment.  If that were the case what need would we have for Him?  Not only do I believe that God delights in helping His children, but that His own heart is glad whenever one of His creation places their trust in Him.  Whenever we do this, we are trusting in His will for us completely.  That, my friends faith in its simplest form.  This is why I believe that whatever scourge our nation may be facing, that we always have hope. 
Whenever I hear someone talk of the trials faced by this younger generation I just want to shake them and show them a history book.  That is, a history book not written by some liberal college professor with a anti American axe to grind.  In my generation, we never cried for a "safe space" to escape lifes challanges.  No, we had no choice but to face them head on.  I would bet that the recent rash of violent mass shootings is not something which you can blame on my generation.  We didn't handle our differences that way.  I remember a day when if you had a difference with someone you either talked your way out of it or a fight would often ensue.  Yes, I've been involved in my share of these.  These challenges I faced did nothing to keep me down but everything to give me the hope to go on.

4just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before bHim. In love 5He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1: 4 - 6 KJV

Not many people really have come to know fully the sacrafices of those whom we've bestowed the title of "The greatest generation."  It is this generation of Americans that grew up in the shadow of such events as the end of the first world war, the great depression and world war two.  While even one event such as that which they faced might send todays millenials scurrying for their safe spaces, this generation of Americans shouldered them all.  My own parents were among those who survived those days of darkness when it indeed seemed as if hope had died.  Many people don't know the importance of October 24, 1929.  Black Thursday, as it became known, was the begining of a 90% decline in the stock market.  Along with it came a economic depression the likes which nobody had ever seen before.  This was no recession...this was a full blown depression.  Millions were out of work, thousands more depended on soup kitchens for their daily meals.  To many, hope had died.  Well, America as we know it was bruised but did not falter.  America may have endured this great depression, but soon war clouds were forming across the world.  What began in Europe soon escalated into the pacific as two empires threw the world into global conflict.  For our part, world war two came to our shores on December 7th, 1941 with Japans attack on Pearl Harbor.  This "Day of infamy" threw the United States into another world war.  I'm not sure how many of todays millenials could handle this one two punch of back to back world events, but we were in it once again.  Still, hope was not dead.   Four years later, in the waters of Tokyo bay, world war two officially ended as Japan signed the terms of surrender.  Our greatest generation once again had endured. 
I once knew a elderly lady named Mildred who lived in a downstairs apartment in my building.  While I knew of the stories of our nations history, I knew nothing of the personal sacrafices of many who endured it.  Mildred almost never threw away anything of value.  In her aprtment she kept a supply of canned goods as well as money hidden away.  I asked her once why it was that she kept so many things.  She told me something that stuck with me..."I never did like the soup kitchens."  We can talk all we want about the stories of our history, Mildred lived it.

~Scott~

What I Learned From Chicago

Just another game  

35‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40“The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that youdid it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25: 35 - 40 KJV

Growing up in the frozen reaches of Minnesota I learned to to love the game of hockey.  Hockey was everything.  Hockey was life.  In our minds there were two seasons, summer and hockey season.  For anyone who is familiar with the Minnesota climate is aware of the weather changes that often occur.  Indeed, if you were a hockey fan in Minnesota, then you were a fan of the old Minnesota North Stars.  These were the hometown boys who reperesented our state in the NHL.  If you were a fan of the North Stars, then you had a undying hatred for the Chicago Blackhawks.  To say that the Stars and Hawks had a rivalry is a understatement.  When they met it was never a rivalry, but a gutter war.  No one really knows where the bad blood betwen these two came from, it was just there.  That's all we knew.  As one can expect, in games like these, there were more than a few penalties and fights.  The scuttlebut around Minnesota is that the referees typically allowed the Blackhawks some latitude when it came to calling infractions against them.  Of course, this only added to the angst between the two.  It never failed, some Chicago player would cheap shot a Minnesota player without a penalty call.  In return, the Minnesota player would retaliate at some point to exact revenge.  Of course, it was this retaliation which was usually flagged for a penalty.  THIS, is what I learned from Chicago.  As christians we are indeed seen as the standard bearers of the faith.  Yet, what happens should one of us falter in our behavior or judgement?  Yep, you guessed it, just another hypocritical christian!  Hey, I didn't invent the rules, I just play the game.  I can totally understand the reaction of those around us whenever a God fearing christian messes up.  All too often we spend our time confessing the virtues of our new found faith.  That doesn't mean that we are all perfect, but it's how others perceive us. 

16Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.
2 Corinthians 5: 16 KJV

A funny thing happened to me when I became a christian.  I found out how difficult it was to be the standard bearer of the faith.  I'm not that guy.  I mess up, I accuse others, I take my heavenly Father for granted.  See, if you're looking for the poster child of the perfect christian, I'm not your man.  Far from it.  However, if you're looking for one who realizes who it is that dwells in his heart, and that he is indeed dead to his old sin nature, then I'll gladly sign up for that.  See, I believe we spend far too much time modeling ourselves into something we're not instead of letting the real person shine.  Who is that real person?  That person is now Christ Jesus who is in us {Galations 2:20}.  All that Christ was, we are as well.  We have no need to model ourselves after some make believe christian which the church will tell us makes us more like Jesus.  We already are like Jesus!  When we try so hard to be someone we're not, we're just posing for others to see.  I'm not that guy.  I already know who I am.  When we realize that we can simply be who we truly are and not pose for those around us, we are free from the guilt and shame of those times when our flesh comes through.  Remember, our old nature no longer defines us {Romans 6: 6-11}.  We're dead to that.  Likewise, we should no longer judge those behaviors of others according to the flesh.  Unless you play for the Chicago Blackhawks, then you will always be the worst of sinners! 

~Scott~

A House Divided

44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 2: 44 - 47 KJV

I have seen more than a few articles recently of those who have become disapointed with the church they were attending.  One church, teaching the word of God I'm assuming, recently expelled a pastor for the crime of performing a homosexual wedding.  More and more, people have grown weary of the institutional church as we've come to know it.  If there were ever a house divided, this is it.  I'm not really too interested in any "quick fix" to this issue, because I don't believe that there is one.  What I am intersted in is how we as christians have gotten to this point.  How is it that we have gotten to this point where the fire and brimstone of old covenant theology are the rule of the day?  Where did we come up with this idea that it is far better to punish people than to show the love of God unto others?  Now, I really didn't think of this topic all that much until recently.  My own experiences opended my eyes to the hardcore beliefs of some christians.  Now, I will confess that I don't attend church and haven't for some time.  So, on the basis of that I might just be considered by some in the church as one who cannot be saved.  I get it.  I don't fall into some of your belief systems, so your natural reaction is to place as much distance between myself and the church as possible.  Thank you.  Because I'll tell you, if guilt, shame and condemnation are what you have to offer me, I'll pass.  I've already seen that movie.  I can remember a day when the church was seen as a sanctuary for those who were persecuted.  When former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega was on the run from U.S. troops where did he go?  Those who remember your history will know that he eventually ended up in a catholic church in Panama.  Here he holed up until he surrendered.  My point is, Noriega sought out the church because he knew that he would be safe there.  I wonder if he would feel that same way today.  Many hardcore christians have turned the church of today into a club of select members.  Sure, Gods welcoming hands are still evident, if you fall in line with what the congregation believes. 

“I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is its own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it; it's my joy to cure it.”
~ William P. Young, The Shack ~

When I was growing up in the christian church, I NEVER heard the topic of someone being removed from any church I knew.  To me, church was a safe haven, a sanctuary where God the Father held close all those who sought Him.  If someone had backslid in their life, the congregation came around that person in prayer and support, not condemnation.  I recall a small Minnesota church we used to attend where a hindu couple was married.  The church never once tried to sway the couple to convert before performing the ceremony.  I'm left to wonder, would the modern institutional church club treat people this way?  Like I said, I've been out of the loop for some time so I'm not in that circle.  I'm just a wayward christian who fellowships with a few christian friends on sunday mornings instead of going to church.  You might be of like mind to expell a person such as myself from your church, have at it.  If that's your attitude I wouldn't have considered your church in the first place, bro.  I'm of the mind that my heavenly Father is less concerned with where I seek Him and more with when I seek Him.  Oh, and I also believe that I don't need to go too far in my search for Christ Jesus.  I believe that Jesus is in me {Galations 2:20}.  I believe that Christ died for my sins and that I, Scott, am now dead to those sins I once indulged in {Romans 6:6-11}.  That right there leads me astray from most christians of today.  I've been told that I'm a sinner saved by grace, will always have a sin nature and that I need to be good so that I can "be like" Jesus when He returns.  Of course, all of this this is backed up with cherry picked scriptures to fit the church narrative.  Is it any wonder so many once devout christians are leaving the church?  I didn't start the trend, I just recognized in my own heart that what they were feeding me wasn't the voice of my heavenly Father who loves me.  My Fathers voice is not one of condemnation but one of deep love for all of His children, even those whom we may not see as "christian."  When we place ourselves in the position of determining who is worthy of our Lords love, we cease to exhibit His love.

23“For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; Life Lessons 28for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
Acts 17: 23 - 28 NAS

~Scott~