ginger beer recipe from my grandparents

ginger beer recipe from my grandparents G.W. and Eliamma Benjamin

A different understanding of the antichrist and God's Temple

2 Thessalonians 2
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters,2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Much of Biblical end-times interpretation assumes that the Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt. Politically, this is impossible because Islam's third holiest shrine, the Dome of the Rock is built on top of it.

For 2000 years, much of Christendom has focused on the rebuilding of King Solomon's physical temple in Jerusalem. This event would trigger the rapid beginning of the end.

However I believe this is a giant mistake by Bible scholars. It is similar to how much of Judaism rejected Jesus because he wasn't a macho warrior (in the expected mold of King David or the rebel Judas Maccabeus) who would set his people free from the shackles of the Roman Empire. 

Instead, I believe that passages like this instead refer to our bodies or to be more specific, our minds.

(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body," 

Recently there has been a flurry of advances in mind control. Without using surgical implants, just wearing a cap with electrodes, these are possible:

1) Your mood can be gauged (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22263019)

2) Your thoughts can be coordinated to control devices. A wheelchair, toy helicopter, video games (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22263019)

I believe that the last piece in the puzzle is to release hormones to induce pleasure or pain. This will happen again, through non surgical means such as an interface to the skin or a metallic tattoo made up of circuitry.

In other words, when the antichrist "sets himself up in God's temple", it will be on the throne of our minds and control of our bodies.

Perhaps like Pavlov's dog, people will be trained; reading of the antichrist's writings or listening to his speeches will trigger intense pleasure from the hormones released into the system. Similarly, pain will be induced when one reads the Bible or says things against the antichrist.

Imagine if he is set up in one person's temple (or mind/body) and extend this to millions or billions of followers. Their thoughts, actions and feelings will be slave to their master. Devices and gadgets - even weapons will be interfaced with their thoughts; how powerful!

This will be another type of temple - the collective temple of his followers. A hint is given in this verse

(1 Peter 2:5)

you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[Or into a temple of the Spirit] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

the antithesis of this holy temple of the Holy Spirit would be the temple of the antichrist's followers formed by their minds and bodies. When this happens, I believe that God will come to save His people.

Thought for today - 0

"I will take with me into Today, only those thoughts that will make a productive and positive day. The rest, I shall leave behind in my Yesterdays."
Anil Philip

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8

thoughts on honoring our parents - with the truth

When children are growing up, christian parents often quote famously from the Bible, "honor your  father and mother" and "children, obey your parents" to get them to obey and submit.

Often these are the only scriptures they will quote. However this becomes a blanket license for parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts to be unaccountable for their wrongful actions and attitudes, because small children especially are helpless and dependent on them.

 These scriptures are true but are not the whole picture. These can be misused to allow parent figures to get away with physical abuse and emotional abuse and neglect of their children.

 While children are to obey and honor their parents, their parents do not realize that they also have scriptures saying how they should behave - it is the entire Bible. Passages like "be kind to each other", "be patient with everyone" (1 Thessalonians 5) apply in parents' dealings - not just with their adult peers, but with their children as well. Since God is our father, we are all spiritually, brothers and sisters. Hence all the passages that apply in our dealings with each other also apply in our dealings with our children.

 Parents and adult relatives in the family usually disallow any uncomfortable discussion of the truth where they have behaved wrongfully, by saying that it is dishonoring and disrespectful of them. Again, we honor parent figures by speaking the truth in love. Recently, a tree in my garden had rot in its bark. termites had burrowed deep. I had to dig out the rotted wood and spray harsh chemicals on it. It was not easy but probably saved the tree. Similarly when there is rot, disease and dysfunction in a family, covering up does not heal. Correctly using the sword of the Spirit - the Word of God to clean out the wounds and dress them with bandages of love and care is necessary for healing and restoration.

Not a 'wonderful cross' at all.

Today is Good Friday, when we remember Jesus' death on the cross.
Famous musician Matt Redman's worship song goes, "Oh, the wonderful cross...". It is difficult for me to sing the words because I believe the cross was not from God, but from Satan.
God is not a sadist. Satan is the sadist. God sacrificed His son, but the means of death was from Satan. How do I know?
see an earlier post "Was the cross from God, or Satan?" http://juwo.blogspot.com/2010/11/was-cross-from-god-or-satan.html.
There is nothing wonderful about the cross. The only thing wonderful about the crucifixion is the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

Letting go of the dog to be euthanized.

Our dog Kacey, has kidney failure and we are faced with putting her down (euthanasia). Not an easy time. She has been with us 13 years of her 14.5 year life. Her legs are weak and she has to almost be carried to go do her potty. She has to be force fed through a tube. We used IV bags to give her subcutaneous fliuds. Yes, she is only a dog - yet, she has been a companion to us.

 

I used to get irritated at people spending so much money on their dog's treatment, because many people including children cannot hope for even a fraction of such care. Each morning we say, we'll take her to be euthanized; each morning she shows a little spark of strength that puts us off from doing it. By evening, she is weak as ever and suffering. The leaves were falling from the trees. Last weekend, I watched the flurries of dead leaves fall from the trees. Kacey was staggering around in the yard on bent legs. I thought to myself, "The leaves are falling; the dog is falling". Today, the leaves are all gone, and I am raking them into bags.

Mitt Romney on the redistribution of wealth

Mitt Romney said a while back that the redistribution of wealth is alien to America.
The voluntary redistribution of wealth is intrinsic to America. Forced redistribution is foreign. Voluntary redistribution is also known as Philanthropy; forced redistribution is Taxation.
Incidentally, this is also the reason that capitalism succeeds in only in America. People are not interested in building dynasties - wealth by inheritance - hence they have given so much away. This is true not just for the Gates, Waltons and Buffets, but also for the robber barons like Carnegie. I have a theory that 3rd world poverty is due to selfishness. If you want to learn more, do an internet search for "Can microhelping defeat 3rd world poverty?"

pornography?

"The latest cover of Time magazine has caused outrage. Under the headline "Are you mom enough?", a young woman is pictured having her left breast suckled by a boy who appears way beyond usual breastfeeding age.The woman, it turns out, is Jamie Lynne Grumet, a 26-year old mother from Los Angeles, and the boy is her son Aram, aged almost four."

This is pornography under the guise of social commentary. Slim attractive woman. Boy is shown standing, to accentuate his height - not the pose for normal breastfeeding - and wearing 'tough guy' camouflage!

My Dream Church

After attending evangelical churches in the USA for 16 years, I am disillusioned and cynical. Here, I describe My Dream Church from my study of the Bible.My Dream Church

False Arguments On Tithing

Pastors often mention Jesus affirmation of tithing to the Pharisees. However this overlooks a crucial fact - Jesus was under the law just like the Pharisees.

He observed the Sabbath, Passover and even at his baby dedication, sacrifices were offered.

In Acts 15, at the council at Jerusalem, it clearly says the law does not apply to us any more. This is also in Colossians 2:15 where the law was nailed to the cross. In Galatians, Paul is angry with the 'foolish' Galatians because they want to practise the law.

I have heard pastors and leaders preach things like: 'one must give at least 10%', 'give knowing that it is all God's', 'how much should God get for giving His life for me?'

Certainly it can be a personal principle but in churches today, it is closer to a command.Yet they overlook a simple fact - why wouldnt the Holy Spirit simply say through Paul in 2 Corinthians 9:6 and the other Bible authors in the other books, 'give at least the tenth of your income to your house church'? Yet, He didn't. So aren't today's leaders adding to God's Word things that are not there?

Death

A few weeks ago, Jenny a coworker, passed away from a long struggle with cancer. It made me realize that we should be grateful for our lives. Even if non-Christians do well and consider their advances as the fruits of their labor and their talents (and it is true that our labor and talent will affect how well we advance in our careers), we should look to gratitude to God as the giver.

Steve Jobs died last week. It is amazing to think that despite all his billions and having the best medical care in the world, no one could extend his life by a single minute.  Steve Jobs was a Zen Buddhist and unfortunately, lived a very selfish life - according to what we read about him by those who knew him. The words of Jesus come to mind. Jesus said, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?"

Another coworker was telling me that he lost his parents, and a friend, within the space of an year. I asked him a leading question, "What happens to us after we die?". And he answered with a straight face, "It depends on what you believe". I was dumbstruck. If I were to jump off a building, my beliefs would have no effect on what would happen to me.
But there is truth to what he said - we all take the after-life on faith. Even Christians are unsure whether we go straight to heaven, or stay in the ground until Christ returns. I have no clue.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)

and contrast with...

 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8)

Regardless, we put our trust in him.
As in the song below, "...your name is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are saved"

Steve Job's death

Steve Jobs was a Zen Buddhist and unfortunately, lived a very selfish life - according to what we read about him by those who knew him. The words of Jesus come to mind. Jesus said, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?".

Father and baby

When I interact with my baby, it is real to me how our relationship to God our father is;

• we love to show him things that we do in our daily lives. Opening the fridge, pouring water, turning on the lights, brushing the dog, eating and drinking...
• When God shows us hitherto unseen things in the Bible, through the Holy Spirit, it is the same dynamic happening.
• once I placed him on his tummy on the couch and he  was shrieking in fear, anger, thrashing his arms and overwhelmed with fending for himself. It seemed silly to me because I was right there. I stroked his head and spoke to him encouragingly - but did not lift him out of his predicament. He should have clung to the comforting truth the I was there and he need not fear.
• When we go through hardships and hard times, it is natural to feel alone and deserted by God. We shriek in pain and anger and thrash about and also soothe with pleasurable sins. If we stop and exercise faith and reach out to God, then we have real comfort.
• we love how the baby delights to see us and longs for our presence and wants us to be with him all the time. This is how the believer should be with his or her heavenly father, delighting to be in God's precence and luxuriating in it. Of course, it is harder for us because we cannot see God but must sense him in our spirit and 'see' Him by faith.

Tired of Yahoo's brainwashing? Switch to i-Google

Anyone else tired of Yahoo's brainwashing?
My yahoo email has remained constant in the past 13 years even though we have moved physical address many times. However, their articles on the main page, which are the gateway to checking email, are plain propaganda. They are liberal, pro-gay, Democrat and conversely, are anti-Christian and anti-Republican.
Switch to i-Google. Keep your homepage to a more balanced news source like the BBC. You can install a plugin on the page to access your yahoo email.

The problem with the Willow Creek model for churches

The Willow creek model is essentially a business model. Attract people in, then get them to tithe and volunteer and attend classes. No one is allowed to speak in the services, but the staff.
Result: Lots of money from the old testament practice of tithing + free labor of volunteers + tight control of the microphone + keep members at the spiritual teenager level by keeping them busy in endless classes.
This is true of all the pastor directed churches I have seen in America.
As a result, we are not really different from the Roman Catholic Church, which we evangelicals despise as spiritually defective.

Of kings and a King - what an uncommon king!

The Royal Wedding of William and Kate, reminded me of kings and royalty down the ages. Kings and leaders have tended to glory in how many people bow down to them. People lying prostrate before them. Absolute power and control over lives. With a few commands, sending people who offend you, to be jailed, tortured or even executed. The pharaohs of Egypt when they died, had slaves and wives killed and buried alongside. To this day in West Africa, chieftains have their slaves killed and buried alongside them. Being waited on hand and foot. An entire life devoted to your service.

Kings have special robes, crowns and thrones, all designed to distinguish themselves from the rest. Their wealth is worn on their bodies. Their homes are called palaces. Their chairs are thrones. Their carts are chariots and palanquins. Their names are titles. They have warriors to guard them - "bodyguards".

Not satisfied with one wife, they showed their prowess by accumulating girls for their harem. Often, these girls were forced into this sexual servitude - not a "One night with the King", romantic movie falsehood. Emperor Akbar of 16th century India, had 5000 women in his harem! I am certain he did not sleep with most of them :).

Their ultimate expression of self-dom is to claim divinity - to claim that they have intrinsic superiority - that they are God.

Orinary people still take great effort in trying to meet a person of power.

In contrast, Jesus came to serve common folk. His miracles were of compassion. To heal and feed people - to meet their needs. He went out looking for people who were divinely appointed to meet him. He trudged roads and paths, his feet got dirty, sweated and was tired. He ate the same foods as the local folk. Stayed in their humble homes. To demonstrate this principle, He even washed his disciples feet! He was sinless and pure. Instead of taking, He gave. Instead of demanding sacrifices, He sacrificed His life for the sins of the world. Instead of appropriating power for himself, he gives us his power to spread the gospel and His kingdom on earth.

Android Developers newsgroup post on Christmas

I was amazed to find this post yesterday on the Android Developer newsgroup, obviously from a sincere Hindu, completely ignorant about Jesus and Christmas. I hope he reads this explanatory link http://goodnewsforyou.tripod.com/
Anil

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: saurabh sinha
Date: Dec 24, 9:50 pm
Subject:
To: Android Developers


Hi

there is bitter truth behind christmas which I felt personally when
jesus was on earth nobody cared him
even he was punished by some bad people on cross sign including some
innocent people

but while dying he said to everyone I am dying for all of you and
today everyone missing him
its just a formality of doing and celebrating christmas

I mean to say when we have anything near we dont care but after
missing that same thing we start caring

well by the way this christmas inspiring to us we should care everyone
and never make any difference
it does not matter who is big or small matter should be good for others

but you know everyone celebrating no body think what are the main
reason behind this celebration

I thought deeply and paid homage to that great man who came on earth
and was good human being that is JESUS

Anil Philip's blog: Jesus touches a leper!

Anil Philip's blog: Jesus touches a leper!

Jesus touches a leper!

When I was growing up in Bangalore, my grandmother had to walk up a hillock, cross the railway tracks to go to the market (see map). One day, she came back shaken. The leper who used to beg near the hillock, had apparently tired of life and one night, went and lay down on the tracks. The train came through and chopped him up into pieces. My grandmother saddened, wondered at how he must have despaired of life. she had tossed him coins, and exchanged a few words (I don't know if she gave him the gospel).

At school, we learned that leprosy was incurable. That one's skin became desensitized to pain and fingers, noses, arms and legs gradually rotted away. I used to be scared at the thought of contracting this dreaded disease, and would hold my breath passing by one of 'them' so as not to breathe in the virus. If I tossed one a coin, it would be from afar. Lepers were usually beggars and pushed themselves on small wooden carts with trundle wheels where they begged at train and bus stations and markets. They were shunned by society and had no family, wandering instead in groups. People avoided them. (picture of leper and also here)

With this background, I was amazed when I read this sentence in the passage:

¹² While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
 ¹³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
 ¹⁴ Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
 ¹⁵ Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. ¹⁶ But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5)

 Jesus touches a leper! For a Rabbi, this was unthinkable. It made Jesus ceremonially unclean according to Old Testament law in the Torah.
But think of why he did this. He could have healed the man with a single word as he did on so many occasions. Jesus did not need to touch the man. Yet he did.

To be touched is a universal human craving. Some years ago, Romanian orphanages found babies died mysteriously even when they were well fed. It was found that they were fed but left alone by themselves. When they were picked up and held and carried, the death rate in these orphanages diminished.

The man craved contact from another healthy human being. Being shunned from society meant that only another leper could touch him. People recoiled and shrank in horror when he approached; he had to loudly announce his presence in advance calling out, "Unclean!". The wound inside his soul was deep. Not just his rotting flesh, but his wounded soul needed healing. Being touched by Jesus even when he was diseased meant he was accepted and cared for.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5)

Furthermore, I believe that Jesus did not simply give him a light tap. I believe that Jesus really placed his hand on the leper's body so that the significance sunk into the psyche of the man.

Yet another arresting instance of the compassion of Jesus.

The birth of Jesus

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:6-7)

When I read these lines, I had to stop. The thought struck me. I had the mental picture of a baby, all wrinkled, eyes half open and wrapped in rough cloths and placed among some straw. Weak, vulnerable  and defenseless (although there were invisible angels guarding him). Jesus ate the same food and shared the discomforts of his poor working class family.