Deception and Discernment

Excellent
Michael Furchert

Former Resident of East Germany

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  - Matthew 28:19, 20

Fantasy, Fortune, & Fresco

Son4 alerted me there was news coverage of the opening conclave parade, and curiosity caused me to tune it in.  He was particularly eager for me to see the jester costumes the guards were wearing.  Colorful.  Festive.  Amusing.  

Soon, I had to mute the television, because the devilish, repetitive chant was clearly something I didn't want in any room of my home, much less entering my ears.  I was to later learn they were chanting a rote prayer to numerous dead people, asking their help.  No wonder I couldn't bear to hear it.  Have mercy. 

I continued to watch for a few minutes, though, intrigued by this pompous ceremony and the attendant garb.  I studied the lace skirts -- to me an enigma in men's clothing -- and wondered over God's provision squandered on elevating mere men and garnishing their opulent palaces, when people are living in earthen or woven huts, many ill, starving, dying.  "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."  The Lord Jesus Christ, Christian: what a fearsome thing it is to take His name in vain.  All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but taking His name for a religion in opposition to the God of the Bible, teaching the traditions of men, promoting pagan practices, living lavishly, and denying the sufficiency of the shed blood of Jesus Christ in payment for sin, seems frightfully forward and froward.

Stunned I was, when the camera went tight on the ceiling.  I had to look away.  Admittedly, I stole two more glances, because I couldn't believe I was actually seeing "that."  I was.  Numerous corpulent, naked men.  If there were women included, I didn't notice them with my furtive glances.  Totally naked men.  On the ceiling.  In a building called a chapel.  Pornographic paintings in a chapel?  Whose chapel?  Most assuredly, not God's, for it was God, Himself, who clothed the first man when sin entered the world through Adam.  It must have been awfully important, as it was later cemented by written instructions to keep the body covered. 

Naked men.  A roomful of men in lace skirts, and naked men painted all over the ceiling of the large, garish space.  Yes, I'm still a bit overcome by the depravity and by the sore knowledge that even some true Christians seem to believe nakedness in any art form other than photography is fine.  ...I've paused long here, trying to make sense of that.  Fail.

These are perilous times.

And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.   And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Matthew 23:9-15

Knowing God

lifewithoutlimbs.org

Note: These films are included on my blog solely on the merit of their contents.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (John 1:10)  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)