ranma_akane's Xanga

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 06:01:22 GMT

http://www.godandscience.org/

Life

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 07:47:29 GMT

Ranma Saki - former Atheist
Aneka Hanaka - former Buddist

Both are Christians now. Born again Christians...

Meaning of Life? The Ultimate Question from the Beginning
Meaning of Life? – This has been the ultimate question since the beginning of mankind. It seems inherent in our nature to ask questions such as “Where did we come from? How did I get here? What’s my purpose on earth? Where do I go when I die? What’s the meaning of all this?”

Meaning of Life? The Answer Without God
Meaning of Life? -- Through the teaching of evolutionary science, materialism and moral relativism in our popular media and public school system, we’ve removed God from the potential answers to these ultimate questions of life. Without God, we lose any transcendent purpose for the universe in which we live. Without God, we lose any transcendent purpose to give meaning to our individual lives. We are nothing more than bugs struggling with survival until we die. All the achievements, the sacrifices, the good and beautiful efforts of people, the ugly and dark acts of people, are ultimately futile things of life. Without God, we also lose any possibility for life after death. When you remove the hope of heaven, you remove the ultimate value and purpose of life. What difference would it really make whether we lived like a Billy Graham or an Osama Bin Laden? Everyone's fate would be the same anyway. This is the hopeless outlook of those who base their belief system on materialism, naturalism and the presupposition that life on earth is all there is.

Meaning of Life? The Answer With God
Meaning of Life? -- The answer to this question cannot come from human intelligence or reason, but only from the Creator himself who transcends our material world. As we see in today’s naturalistic society, once we remove God from the equation, we start to lose all sense of purpose for mankind. But, if God exists, we really do have a transcendent purpose, and really do have meaning for our lives. Not only do we find day-to-day significance in our lives, but an ultimate significance through our hope in eternal life. If God exists, we remove the moral relativism that pervades today’s society, and we replace it with a standard of absolute right and wrong residing in the character of God Himself. This gives our day-to-day choices significance too. God gave us the ability to choose whether we live by His moral laws or by whatever values we assign to ourselves through our own reason. As we find, we are not mere robots placed on this earth by God. Rather, we have absolute free will to follow what He says or not. We can either recognize God as the Creator of the universe, or we can deny that He exists. We can choose to live a meaningless life or a life with absolute and eternal purpose.

Meaning of Life? When was the Last Time You Really Asked this Question?
Meaning of Life? – Who has time to ask this question anymore? Once we’ve finished high school biology or college philosophy, that question gets replaced by the day-to-day rat race of work, family and the mortgage. However, if the last time we really asked that question, we answered it by imagining that we are the highest form of life in the evolutionary process, we have robbed ourselves of any real chance for meaning, purpose and eternal hope. Our existence and future are devalued from being children of God to being just one of many species of animals on this earth. If you look at the last 150 years of history, it’s sad that mankind has felt the need to live according to alleged intelligence and reason rather than according to the laws and love of God.

because I long for you...

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 17:38:25 GMT

‚ ‚È‚½‚Ì‚½‚ß‚ÌI’·‚
Ž„‚Í“¦‚·c

Why can't I speak when I have so much to tell?
Why can't I write when I have so much in my mind?
why can't I sing when there's music in my heart?
why can't I dance when there's a rhythm in the air?
too many words... left unspoken
too many things... left undone
why can't I be.. and why can't I?
for all I know this pain deep inside
took the gladness from my heart...
Is this the pain of missing you? is this the reason behind it all?
hear the agony of my heart.. longing for you, and your touch
when will the waiting be over?
...when will this ache stop?

My heart is in pain... because I am missing you...

- Ranma

God is true or not? (it doesn't take a genius to get this)

Thu, 18 May 2006 06:04:39 GMT

It might surprise you to know that the Bible never argues God's existence. It simply states: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..." No philosophy about it. No apology for it. No explanation of it. Just a statement of fact. The existence of God is assumed. But how can we know that what the Bible states is true?

There's a philosophical axiom that runs: "Where ever there is a thing that exhibits orderly design, there must have been a preceding thought, and where there is a thought, there must be a thinker." Let's apply that axiom. The universe is the thing. If you study the intricacies of it, it certainly demonstrates thought. Thought demands a Thinker, a Creator. That Creator is identified as God in Gen. 1:1--"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Does our universe exhibit an orderly design? Yes! The stars move with such exact precision, that the atomic clock has an error factor of less than 3 seconds per 1000 years. Now that's orderly design! Those stars reflect thought, and if there is a thought there must be a Thinker. The planets in their courses speak of a plan, and if there is a plan, there is a Planner. Because of that, roughly 90% of the world's astronomers believe in a Creator.

Most astronomers would agree with King David who looked up at the canopy of stars that sparkle like diamonds against the velvet of the night, and wrote: "The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of His hands..." (Psalm 19:1-6). David was saying that the sun, moon, and stars are celestial evangelists that shout from the heavens: There is a God! This great earth with all of its interrelated and complex ecosystems, and the oceans ebbing and flowing, and the seasons meticulously changing, speak of a great design. And if there is a great design, there must be a Great Designer--God.

Switch from the telescope to the microscope and look the intricacy of design. Nervous systems. Cell structures. Protein molecules--life can't exist without protein and the chances of a protein molecule, which is made up of 2000 atoms coming together by chance is 1 out of 10 to the 321st power. Consider atoms that are made of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and even smaller particles called qwarks. All this intricate design screams that there must be a Great Designer--God!

The very existence of life itself with all these interdependent elements in delicate balance defies the mathematical probability of pure chance. Since there is a plan, there must be a Planner. Since there is a thought, there must be a Thinker. If there is a design, there must be a Designer. Who? God, the Creator of heaven and earth! Still have questions? Continue on the journey...

More Evidence for God's Existence

A. C. Morrison, former President of the NY Academy of Sciences, wrote a book entitled Man Does Not Stand Alone, and in it he gives this illustration:

If I were to take 10 pennies and mark them with a number from 1 to 10, place them in a hat, and ask you to shake them up. If I were to reach in and pull out penny # 1, I would have a one in 10 chance of doing so. Now suppose I did, and I put the penny back in the hat. For me to reach in and pull out the penny marked # 2, I would have 1 chance in 100. Putting the penny back, for me to draw out penny # 3, my chances would jump to 1 in 1,000. If I were able to do the same in successive order, right up through # 9, do you know what my chance would be of pulling out # 10 from the hat? It would be 1 in 10 Billion!

Morrison writes: "If I did it, you would say: `The game is fixed.' My answer: `You're right. And so is creation.'" It is fixed! God created the heavens and the earth!

Let me set before you 10 coins, 10 very interesting things about the earth that make life possible and that argue for the existence of an Intelligent and Sovereign Creator, i.e., God.

1. Tilt of Earth's Axis:

The first thing is the angle of the earth in relationship to the sun. If you remember your science and basic astronomy, you remember that the earth is not straight up and down, the axis is tilted at about 23%, no other planet is tilted like this in the known universe. Why? Its like a chicken on a rotisserie, the tilt makes for equal distribution of the heat from the sun. Why this tilt? Oh yes, it's an accident. This is the first coin out of ten.

2. Rotation of Earth:

Here's the second coin. The earth is rotating on that titled axis at about 1000 miles an hour. And this rate of speed is critical for life to exist. Let's say it turned at 10 times less or 100 miles an hour, our days and nights would be 10 times as long. What do you think would happen to you on an August day that lasted 10 times as long?

The heat would build up so great that it would scorch everything above the surface of the ground, and whatever survived the incredible heat of the day would be frozen in the 10 times as long nights--temperatures would plummet to -240 below 0. Our world is rotating at just the right speed to alternate between heating and cooling. The earth is titled just right and turning just right.

Why? It's an accident, right?

3 & 4. Oscillation of the Earth's Axis:

Here are the third and fourth coins. Our earth wobbles off of that 23% tilt by about 3%. It wobbles up 3%, then back to 23%, and then down 3%, and then up again to the 23% average tilt. And it does it with amazing regularity, while spinning at 1000 miles an hour. Our seasons and climate depend on this oscillation of 6 degrees. Anything more than 3% up from the average and the sun would strike the earth with such force and heat that it would evaporate the oceans, and we'd have 2 massive ice caps at the poles and a boiling cauldron of lava in the middle. Life as we know it would perish from off the earth.

Now a drop of more than 3% off the average would result in the ice caps melting, flooding the earth, and if any land masses still existed, the increase in liquid would literally run the carbon-dioxide and oxygen out of the atmosphere, killing all the plant life, animal life, and human life. So you have four things working together just right in our world--Tilted just right, spinning just right, wobbling up just right, wobbling down just right. And the chance of pulling four coins out of my pocket in perfect sequence by accident is 1 out of 10,000.

5. Depth of the Oceans:

Now here's the 5th coin. The depth of the earth's oceans is just right. Former president of the American Academy of Sciences said that if the earth's oceans had been just a little deeper when the earth began, the extra water would have robbed the atmosphere of the oxygen and carbon dioxide. The atmosphere we breath is made up of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% trace elements--Just the exact combination for human life to prosper. But without it, life would have never begun. Therefore the earth's oceans are just the right depths in relation to the atmosphere.

Why? An accident, right?

6. Thickness of Earth's Crust:

A sixth coin is the earth's crust. Not only are the earth's oceans the right depth, the earth's crust is the right thickness. If the earth's crust was only 10 feet thinker, that would have oxidized all the earth's oxygen when the world began. 10 feet more solid matter on the earth's crust in relation to 4000 miles in radius. 10 feet makes the difference in life and death. An accident.

So here are six things working together. The earth is tilted just right, spinning just right, wobbling up just right, wobbling down just right, oceans just right, the earth's crust just right. Six things just right. And the chances of me pulling 6 things out of my pocket just right by accident, is one chance in one million.

7. Speed of Orbit:

While all these six things are just right, here's a seventh coin. We are moving around the sun in an elliptical orbit at just the right speed--Not a circular orbit but an elliptical orbit. We are spinning through space around this elliptical orbit at the rate of 18 miles per second. And this is the right speed. If the earth slowed just a couple of miles per second we would be pulled into the sun and burned to a crisp. Or if we increased our speed, we would freeze to death. So our speed around the sun is just right.

8. Distance from Sun:

Here's the eighth coin. Our earth is just the right number of miles from the sun--about 93 million miles. At this distance we get just the right amount of heat to survive. The surface of the sun is about 12,000 degrees. But 100 degrees seems like hot weather to us, and we are so fragile that we would perish if the temperature varied 50 degrees plus or minus the average. That's only 1/2 a percent of the 12,000 degrees radiating from the sun--a very narrow margin indeed. If we were just a few degrees closer, we would burn like a torch. If we were just a few degrees further away, we would freeze like popcicles.

Why? Oh yes, its all an accident. Eight things closely working together by chance.

9. Distance from the Moon:

Here's the ninth coin. While the earth is spinning, oscillating, and racing round the sun, the moon is moving around the earth at just the right distance. Because at the present distance, the pull of the orbit causes the tides to ebb and flow at just the right rate. If our moon were to orbit closer, the increased gravitational pull would cause the lower regions of the earth would be flooded, and the tide would erode the landmasses until finally the mountains would crumble into the sea. So the distance of the moon is just right. And the chance of my pulling 9 coins out of my pocket in sequence is 1 out of 1 billion.

10. Photosynthesis:

Here's a tenth coin. Let's go from the telescopic to the microscopic. In biology class we learned that plants contain chlorophyll, and it performs a function so basic that we are absolutely dependent on it for our existence. The energy of the sun, combined with moisture, combined with nutrients from the atmosphere and soil, produce food for the plants and oxygen for the air. This process called photosynthesis is essential for plant life and by connection animal and human life on the earth. Because without the oxygen produced by plants, we'd have nothing to breathe in a short time. Our lives depend on photosynthesis.

So here are 10 things working together like 10 coins in sequence and the chances of pulling 10 coins out of my pocket in perfect sequence is 1 in 10 Billion. Could all these things happen by accident? Could life have begun by chance when so many things had to be just right in order for it to begin? No way. Just like you couldn't pull 10 coins out of your pocket in sequence. Too many variables coming together in just the right combination on one planet. And then when you get to life itself, you find that life can't exist without protein and the chances of a protein molecule, which is made up of 2000 atoms coming together by chance is 1 out of 10 to the 321st power.

Saying that the earth is an accident and life is a product of chance is like finding a Rolex watch on the street and saying that the gold casing blew in from a South African gold mine, and the glass cover rolled down from Pittsburgh, and the diamonds fell out of the pocket of a jewel thief from Zaire, and the main spring bounced all the way from Switzerland, and they all came together here on the street spontaneously and together they keep the perfect date, and the perfect time. And that's an accident?! I don't have faith enough to believe that! Neither do I have faith enough to believe that the earth and all that is in it, a billion times more complex than a Rolex watch, is the result of an accident, blind chance.

No, there is a Creator. But how can we know Him? Has He revealed Himself in other was than the created universe. The answer is: Yes! The Creator has revealed Himself in His word, the Bible. Still not convinced? Then continue a little farther on the journey...

Accept Him and walk with Him and you'll see.

- Akane

I hate moutains

Tue, 16 May 2006 16:56:55 GMT

but they are a beauty don't you think?

Akita moutain

30 minutes to take a bath? dame desu... -_-

Akane did not turn around...

The Road

Me and my precious motorcycle

Onsen should be fun right? not when my Otousan makes his rules. I guess he wants to train me something. But come on What was wrong with me taking shower for two hours?

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Sat, 06 May 2006 23:42:11 GMT

“What Is Truth?” – A Question for the Ages

by Wayne Jackson
Christian Courier: Archives
Wednesday, October 27, 2004

A careful investigation of the biblical text provides a powerful antidote to the postmodern confusion which alleges that truth is subjective, elusive, and ephemeral.

It was an engaging encounter. Pontius Pilate was the procurator for the Roman government. Jesus Christ was the Son of God. The two stood eye-to-eye. “Are you the king of the Jews?,” inquired the governor. Essentially, the Lord replied, “I am a king, but not in the way you think.” Then the Savior affirmed: “To this end have I been born, and to this end am I come into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth hears my voice.” Then Pilate quipped: “What is truth?” (John 18:38).

There is some difference of opinion among biblical expositors as to the tone of the governor’s question. Was he sincere in wanting to know the nature of truth? The theme had been probed across the centuries by the greatest intellects of our species. Or, was the ruler merely cynical and sarcastic? One cannot know for sure; one thing is certain: his question will ever challenge the soul of any perceptive person.

There was a time in American culture when “truth” was not the slippery concept that it now appears to be with many. In his valuable book, Adrift – Postmodernism In The Church, Phil Sanders cites a source which suggests that “70 percent of Americans now believe that there is no such thing as absolute truth” (p. 26). Such is the tragic legacy of that philosophical montage of confusion known as “postmodernism.”

Postmodernism

Exactly what is this “postmodernism” that everyone seems to be talking about these days? One of the most succinct descriptions I have encountered comes, surprisingly, from a writer who is quite theologically liberal. Dr. William Dever, a prominent archaeologist and former director of the Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem, recently wrote:

“Postmodernism is essentially a mid-to late-20th-century theory of knowledge which states that there is no real knowledge – at least not in the objective, external world that can be perceived by the human senses. As Friedrich Nietzsche, the well-known nihilist philosopher of the late 19th century and one of the founders of postmodernism, put it, ‘There are no facts, only interpretations.’. . . The basic thrust of the postniodernist revolution was threefold: (1) All claims to truth, to meaning, to value, are merely ‘social constructs’; they are, therefore, impressionistic, relative rather than absolute, largely fictive and ‘subject to erasure.’ (2) There is no uniform or universal reality; what matters is only the local, the fragmentary, the exotic, even the absurd. Social reality is to be ‘decentered,’ exposed in all its ideological illusions, subjected to constantly reinventing itself. (3) Since moral relativism and multiculturalism must prevail, the issues all become those of politics: race, class, gender and power. What weighs in finally is not ‘truth,’ for there is none, but rhetoric, the more extreme the better” (p. 30).

Shades of Meaning

The term “truth” (aletheia) is a noun; its corresponding adjectives are alethes, alethinos, “true.” Alethos (truly) is an adverb, and aletheuo, which means to “deal truly” (cf. Ephesians 4:15 – ASVfn) is a verbal form. The original root suggested that which is “not concealed,” i.e., what is apparent, disclosed, what really is (Bromiley, p. 38). These terms take on different shades of meaning depending upon the context in which they occur. A consideration of several concepts related to “truth” may he helpful.

“True” sometimes carries the meaning of loyal. A true friend, a true patriot, etc., is one who is faithful to a commitment. In our idiom we have the expression “true blue.” Jesus said that those who “abide in [his] word” are “truly [alethos – adv.]. . . disciples” (John 8:31), i.e., they are faithful to the Lord. Judas, for example, was not true (loyal) in his devotion to the Savior.
The word “true” may be used of that which is genuine (as opposed to the phoney, the counterfeit). Christ affirmed that his Father, God, is “true” (John 7:28), and Paul commended the brethren at Thessalonica in that they, in their conversion, had turned away from idols to serve the “true” God (1 Thessalonians 1:9; cf. Revelation 6:10).
“Truth” is that which conforms to reality, whether in the physical world or in the metaphysical realm. It is, for example, a truth that water freezes at 32 degrees F. It is a truth that two plus two is equal to four. All rational people acknowledge these realities. On the other hand, one should also concede that the physical world is not the sole realm characterized by genuine truth. Professor Gordon Clark, head of the philosophy department at Butler University, has noted that “moral and spiritual truth is as much truth as mathematical, scientific, and historical truth. It is all equally intellectual” (p. 533). The ancient pagans were condemned because they “exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). W.E. Vine considered the expression “truth of God” to suggest either the “truth concerning God” or the “God whose existence is verity” (p. 827). The most fundamental truth of all is the fact that God is (Hebrews 11:6). Those who thrust from their minds the reality of the Creator’s existence (cf. Romans 1:28) are living in a world of fantasy. When Paul wrote to the brethren in Thessalonica, he commended them because they received his message, not as a mere human document “but, as it is in truth [reality], the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Another aspect of that which is “true” is consistency. Truth is harmonious. The psalmist could therefore say: “The sum of your word is truth. . . ” (Psalm 119:160 – NASB). This thrilling text implies, among other things, that all portions of the sacred Scriptures are equally reliable (history, theology, etc.), and that the inspired documents are in concord, i.e., there are no bona fide discrepancies, as alleged by infidelity. God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). (For further study, see Jackson, 1993, pp. 89-90.)
“Truth” is that which conforms to a standard. The building engineer uses various tools to make sure that his construction work is “true”; one hardly wants leaning walls. Similarly there are criteria for determining truth in other areas of life. Paul chastised the Jews because they ignored the law of God (the Mosaic code) as the embodiment of knowledge and truth (Romans 2:20). That law was the standard for measuring their ethical and religious activity. Man is not free to improvise and direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23); the era when every man “did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25) was not pleasing to Jehovah.
Jesus taught, for instance, that God must be worshipped according to “truth” (John 4:24). What is the significance of “truth” in this admonition? The Greek term within this context has to do with “the content of Christianity as the absolute truth” (Arndt, p. 35). Another scholar, citing this passage, notes that: “True worship is that which accords with reality, which men grasp on the basis of revelation” (Thiselton, p. 891). (For further consideration of this matter, see Jackson, 1988, pp. 1ff).
And then sometimes the term “truth” carries the idea of honesty. A woman who had a medical problem (a periodic hemorrhage) came in behind the Lord one day in a crowd. She believed the Great Physician could help her, and so she “touched his garment.” Jesus, likely to summon courage in the dear lady, asked: “Who touched me?” She came forward and “told him all the truth” (Mark 5:33).
An inspired apostle wrote that if a person professes to be in fellowship with God and yet he persistently walks the path of spiritual darkness (thus acting the hypocrite), he is lying, and not practicing the true (or honest) life (1 John 1:6; cf. Ephesians 4:25).

It is thus essential to understand that “true,” “truth,” etc. will vary in their emphases, depending upon the context.

Biblical Facts Regarding Truth

All truth, ultimately, is grounded in the nature of God, and the holy will that proceeds from him – whether that will is expressed in the immutable laws of nature, or in the documents of scripture. Jehovah is a “God of truth” (Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 65:16). That which issues directly from him, therefore, is truth (Psalm 119:142,151). It is impossible for the Creator to be otherwise than true (cf. 1 Samuel 15:29; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). Everything that is false is a digression from the divine ideal.

Contrary to the wispy, subjective concept of “truth” which has found such a ready abode in the thinking of many today, the Scriptures teach some hard facts relative to “truth.” The following points are very important.

There is an objective body of spiritual truth, without which no person can learn how to please God. Jesus declared: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32), and that truth has been manifested in the word of God (John 17:17). J.H. Thayer, in his discussion of “truth,” objectively considered, defines aletheia as “the truth, as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man. . . ” (p. 26). Truth is not to be sought in the deep caverns of one’s personal soul; rather, it is revealed propositionally in a series of inspired documents (cf. “word of truth,” 2 Timothy 2:15) – which are buttressed by ample evidence demonstrating their divine origin.
The truth must be accessed (known) to be of practical value. For all its beauty and majesty, the truth, locked away within the pages of a closed book, is of no worth to the human spirit. The Lord affirmed that the truth can provide freedom only to those who “know” it (John 8:32). To “know” (ginosko) is not only to “take in knowledge,” but also to recognize, perceive, and understand (Abbott-Smith, p. 92). Cremer suggests that the thing “known” has “an influence on” the one who obtains the knowledge (p. 154). In the purest sense, coming to a “knowledge of the truth” is the equivalent of becoming a Christian (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 3:7).
There is no trait in man more precious than the disposition to love truth. By “love” we do not mean a superficial affection of intellectual interest, but a passionate devotion to understanding and living the truth. The Greek orator Demosthenes once said that the “love of truth” is one of the residues of the “image of God” in man. Another has said: “It is the love of the truth, or its absence, that is the test of a man’s character” (Hiebert, p. 342). In a frightening passage Paul notes that those who do not entertain a “love of the truth” are abandoned to the permissive will of God, that they might believe a lie and stand condemned (2 Thessalonians 2:10). And “love” [agape] is “a calculated disposition of regard and pious inclination.” (Turner, p. 263). It involves a serious commitment to truth.
The following passages reflect, in principle, the type of attitude that one must have toward God’s truth if he would please the Maker of mankind.
1. Job affirmed that he treasured the words of God more than his necessary food (23:12).
2. No less than eight times in Psalm 119, David expresses his love for God’s word; he loved Heaven’s law more than even fine gold (v. 127).
3. One of the traits which must characterize any person who aspires to the kingdom of heaven is that he must “hunger and thirst” after God’s righteousness (Matthew 5:6).
4. Mary, who sat at her Master’s feet, hanging on his every word, chose the “good part” – unlike her sister who scurried about doing mundane things that eventually would fade (Luke 10:41-42).
5. The Sower’s seed can produce only in the heart that is “honest and good” (Luke 8:15); this is what Trench called the “simple, truthful, earnest nature” (p. 81). It describes the one who rejoices in each measure of light he receives.
6. Christ spoke of those who “will” [thelo – a present tense form, “to seize with the mind,” Thayer, p. 285] to do the Father’s bidding (John 7:17).
7. In Acts 13:46-48 there is a marked contrast between those Jews who “thrust from” themselves the gospel, and certain Gentiles who were “determined” within themselves that they would receive eternal life (see Jackson, 2000, p. 168).
8. Note the wonderful disposition (“readiness of mind”) of those Bereans who were anxious to compare Paul’s preaching with their cherished Scriptures (Acts 17:11).
9. Observe the opposite demeanor in others (Romans 1:28; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
There is simply no substitute for a love of the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!
Once one has been exposed to the truth, intellectual integrity demands that evidence be believed. Luke, for example, argues that Jesus, following his resurrection from the dead, presented himself alive by many “proofs” (tekmerion – decisive proof, “demonstrative proof” – Lake, p. 4). We must recall again what was mentioned above. Paul warned that when men receive not the love of the truth, God allows them to believe error; he will judge those who “believe not the truth.” It was not that the truth was so obscure that they could not believe; rather, their minds were clouded by their lust for unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
But some are bound to protest: “I have tried to believe and I simply cannot.” You must probe the depths of your heart to determine what the obstacle is; something is there. Unbelief is not for want of adequate evidence. Thousands of first-century saints were martyred joyfully for their belief in the supernatural nature of Christianity; that sort of faith is not constructed of flimsy superficiality!
Elsewhere we have discussed what it really means to believe the truth. The book of Acts is a glowing commentary on that matter (see Jackson, 2000, pp. 463-466).
Finally, we must remind ourselves of a tragic narrative recorded in the Old Testament. It has to do with a prophet from Judah who courageously cried out against the innovative altar at Bethel, but who subsequentlv forfeited his life, disregarding instructions from Jehovah because he believed a lie. The gravity of this incident is underscored by the fact that it consumes an entire chapter in the book of First Kings (13). Believing only the truth, in religious matters, is obviously of supreme importance. Moreover, knowing the whole truth is crucial. From the life of Abraham one learns that a half-truth can be a whole lie (Genesis 20:1-12).
Understanding the facts, loving the truth, and believing the reality thereof, will naturally result in obedience to the responsibilities of the same, and those who “obey not the truth” have nothing awaiting them but the indignation of God (Romans 2:8-9). By way of contrast, Christians have “purified [their] souls in [their] obedience to the truth” (1 Peter 1:22). It was this very concept that Jesus had in mind in that conversation with Pilate, to which we alluded at the commencement of this article. The Lord stated: “Every one who is of the truth hears my voice” (John 18:37). The expression “of the truth” is analogous to “of God” in chapter 8, verse 47, and hearing his voice is the equivalent of obeying him.
But how does one “obey” truth? The fact that the Scriptures speak of obeying the truth clearly implies that within the body of “truth” there are obligations expressed in commands. “If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6). “He who says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).
Note how the Lord’s teaching, and that of Paul, are in perfect harmony. Jesus asserted that “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). In his letter to the Romans, the inspired apostle declared: “But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form [pattern] of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18). The expressions “know the truth” and “obedient” are closely connected.
Finally, there are various other miscellaneous actions that also pertain to the term “truth” – both positive and negative. For example, the child of God is to become “established” in the truth (2 Peter 1:12), and not allow himself to be hindered in obeying it (Galatians 5:7). He must learn to handle it aright (2 Timothy 2:15), and apply it lovingly (Ephesians 4:15). He must walk [peripateo – used of the whole sphere of human activity] in it (2 John 4; 3 John 3), and work with fellow saints for the advancement of this precious commodity (3 John 8).
On the other hand, the Christian must not hinder the truth (Romans 1:18), withstand it (2 Timothy 3:8), or turn away from it (Titus 1:14). These actions only invite disaster.

Conclusion

A careful investigation of the biblical text, therefore, provides a powerful antidote to the postmodern confusion which alleges that truth is subjective, elusive, and ephemeral. To the contrary, truth is objective, glorious, demanding, exalting, and, ultimately it is the standard by which we all will be judged as we stand before the Creator of the universe. Embrace it with all your heart!

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this place is totally empty! good thing I bought my laptop hah!

catholic seminar

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 17:20:23 GMT

We had a family gathering last night, and when everyone is present they were shock at my changes. I don’t know what changes but they said that I did change. They were more shock when I said ‘maybe because I became a christian’.

A cousin of mine, “catholic” one… invited me to go the seminar of catholics. Since he believe that catholics are christians. I do not want to attend (because you know how I stand at that religion). But God urge me to go with him. So I did.

But what made me shock is that, well… the urge of hitting everyone in the seminar (since I despise catholism) was gone already. I found out that God took this urge out of my life. Yes I still hate the religion but I was not the Ranma who will hit a catholic as he speaks (LOL).

So the point of God, why He told me to go to the seminar because of two reasons:

1. To see my changes. I have a better self-control than before
2. To know more about the religion, so I can learn the contradictions and can share it with other people.

I know a lot about the religion behind the scenes (demonic world) but I have never know their doctrines that deep and this seminar… heh.. let’s say… I learn a lot of things to share to others why catholism is not Christianity.

Let me share you some pointers.

According to the seminar…

The two greatest commandments of God were divided into four. (to simplify them)
1. To Love God above all
2. To love yourself
3. To love your neighbor
4. To love your enemies

For them, Sin against faith is when a catholic person sin against faith by apostasy heresy, indifferentism, infidelity and taking part in non-catholic worship.

There is a question in the seminar (Yeah I wrote it) said:

Why does a catholic sin against faith by taking part in non-catholic worship?

A catholic sin against faith by taking part in non-catholic worship, because he thus professes belief in a religion he knows is false

^ I almost stood here and defend my faith but I remained calm.

Then the seminar follows

It is wrong to be present at protestant or jewish services even when we do not participate in them < This is already a sin to them. Because such services are intended to honor God in a manner He does not wish to be honored < This is very contradicting.

Another one

A person who died in the grace of God is already in heaven is already a saint < haven’t we all have GRACE?!

Catholic honors Relics – We Honor relics because they are the BODIES of the saints or objects is connected with the saints or with our Lord < CONNECTED?! Isn’t it God forbid us to use grieven images?!

There are still a lot of these.. And yes I wrote them, do you still want me to continue? Do you have to say something?

Friday, March 03, 2006

Fri, 03 Mar 2006 16:20:05 GMT

5 online persons I choose to describe

I choose 5 online persons (except Akane)

let's.. choose from fcf

1. Phil-kun - a funny man but do not be deceive with his tactics, he is one brilliant man that I used to envy. But now has become a blessed man. Everytime I see a sword, he always comes into my mind. Not because the sword can kill people but because just like the bible, when philip gives out advice it really strikes into the heart and cuts it, diving it, leaving the good part and throwing the bad part

2. Chette - Everytime I see a flower, I always remember chette. Just like a flower... she's very beautfiful and delicate. But there are flowers who do not bloom when its not yet their time. Chette is just like that flower, sometimes she is quiet but when she blooms.. she's really beautiful

3. Hakkiri - a heart? when I see hearts (drawings) I could remember her. Just like the heart, it beats fast sometimes slow. Emily is like that, sometimes you may think she is just an ordinary girl but when her heart beats fast.. you'll be surprised. Her xanga is one of example. You may see posts about her life then suddenly you'll see a very shocking topic that could tear down those who are in the dark.

4. Hijiri - this guy reminds me of a bible. I don't know why. If there is such thing as an encyclopedia guy, then this is a bible guy. I admire his knowledge in the bible.

5. Tamara - Blue Sky, I guess because of her page. :LOL: but most importantly she is a child of god who loves the sky.

tags: Phil, Chette, Hakkiri, Hijiri and Tamara

- Ranma

A convo between James and I.

Fri, 24 Feb 2006 16:47:03 GMT

A convo between James and I.

I used Ranma's laptop so the name in msn is Ranma :)
while the batman begin nicks is James

Ranma is out of danger :) Thank you for all your prayers!

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
you have MOD powers in FCF right?

Ranma says:
hai

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:

*not to sound self-centerd atm*

Ranma says:
when did you not sound self-centered?

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
I cannot make replies in Spiritual section; think yo can fix that?

Ranma says:
just kidding :P

Ranma says:
I can but you have to answer a question

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
whats the question?

Ranma says:
Are you a soldier of God?

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
no

Ranma says:
then you can't have an access

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
but I had access before and I thought they dumped that rule

Ranma says:
the Mods decided last year I think

Ranma says:
only who really calls themselves "Soldiers of God"

Ranma says:
can access the spiritual thread

Ranma says:
can read but can't write

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
baka~~~~~

Ranma says:
before you cannot read and write

Ranma says:
but now it is an open book but it is secured

Ranma says:
you're funny

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
I just gotta make a reply to Chette "Satan attacks" thread

Ranma says:
maybe I can reply for you?

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
its been nagging me all day~~

Ranma says:
if its a good post I will

After a few minutes:

Ranma says:
can I have a permission to post this? its a funny conversation

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
I guess; I dont see how its funny?

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
where you going to post it?

Ranma says:
it is funny for me

Ranma says:
my xanga

Batman Begins ~ OMG @@!! says:
lol ok

Ranma says:
it made me smile

Ranma says:
and in fcf

Thank you FCF

Mon, 20 Feb 2006 15:06:07 GMT

Thank you FCF

Ranma is still unconcious