"End of the world" talk

Just been watching a local TV preacher with all kinds of tales about the coming end of time, "the end of the world," he said. I say "all kinds of tales" because even he was getting confused on how to say it. He did affirm that the end of the world would come in 2012! Yet, he was bidding people to come to his land and build houses, plant gardens, and raise animals for meat - all, obviously to be done in two years. That left me with the question, if it is the end of the world, why build houses and plant gardens?

His view was that "so called" Christians who worshipped on the First Day, Sunday, were people God would tramp out because they were not keeping the Sabbath of the Old Law. Imagine that. Folks in New Testament, New Covenant times, worshipped on the First Day we are told.

This TV preacher was using Matt. 24, but that scripture obviously is speaking to something besides the end of time. Jesus refered to it as a time that part of the generation he was speaking to would be around when what was to happen happened (Matt. 24:34). Those folks are long since gone and we are still here.

It amazes me that people teach such stuff as they do. From my point of view, they are not well schooled in the scripture. Course that is my judgement but I believe it is in accord with the scripture as given. Yes, there will be an end time when we will all stand before judgement, but I believe it is as Jesus said in Matt. 24:36: "No man knows about that day or hour (could have been Jerusalem or end time), not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Certainly, this TV preachers announcement that the end of the world in 2012 would have to be off, based on what Jesus said.

What we all need to do is to read our Bibles in context. Know what the Word says before we attempt to tell others. I think that works. That is what ChuckOonreligion thinks. The main thing is to be ready whenever it comes, and that does not include going to this TV preacher's land and building houses and raising animals and planting a garden.

Avoiding a reprobate mind

What is a reprobate? The dictionary definition is morally depraved; unprincipled; bad. Sounds bad, doesn't it. In the KJV (King James Version) of the New Testament Paul says in Rom. 1:28 of a people who practiced bad things, according to context, God gave them over to a reprobate mind - paraphrased. Paul lists a number of acts that caused this. We should want to avoid a reprobate mind.

Are we reprobates? I hope not. I try to keep from being. I would hope that you do too. Reprobate even sounds bad, doesn't. Well, "reprobate" comes from the KJV. Other versions use different words, but the meaning is the same. The NIV (New International Version) says it this way (full quote): "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." Depraved sounds like reprobate to me.

You can read what it was that caused God to give over in Romans chapter 1. What is mentioned there, and it is wide reaching, caused God to give them over. That says to me that God gave up on them. We do not want God to give up on us. I don't. I should therefore avoid the reprobate, depraved mind, but should seek to do the things that God would be pleased with.

Repentance, called for in the Bible, must be met with deeds - otherwise it is not repentance. Without the deeds, God knows. Deeds are important. That is what we do. Paul explained to King Agrippa in Acts 26:20 of his work, "I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." Indeed, God looks on our deeds - how we live. If our deeds are not right, not much is right, and at some point, God gives up on us as he did those Paul talked about in Romans 1.

So, for me, and I hope for you, we avoid the reprobate mind; that we seek always to do, act, in such a way that God keeps us in his fold. Let's not make God angry with us and how we act - not a good situation.

Let's throw in here that none of us - me included - are perfect. There are going to be times when we do not measure up. But I think God looks on the trend. Is it an upward trend or a spiraling down trend. That is up to us, I think.

My interest in a religious blog

I have another blog where I speak to various issues not usually religious. However, I have been engaged as a church minister most recently at a small church in Laredo - Northside Church of Christ. As a minister, I now feel this kind of communication is a good way to get my religious thoughts out - at least as a way for me to talk to me. That is a part of writing, I think.

There are so many issues that need further talk, more biblical connection. I don't suppose the world has changed a lot but today everything is so much more visible than ever before because of the cyberspace connection. What used to travel by snail mail letter now goes instantaneous email and social networks. Used to be that friends saw each other occasionally but now it is almost an every day thing through pictures and words viewable a such as Face Book. So, as a minister, I feel inclined to get more into the communications networks and, thus, connect with folks who are fighting the issues of the time.

The term "religion" covers a very broad scope. As understood, it reaches to all major (and minor) beliefs of peoples of the world. But more to me, it covers the Christian religion and that as I understand it in my understanding of the Bible - more so, the New Testament. Of course, I know too that within that definition there are numerous beliefs. Mine comes down to my understanding that the words of the Bible are God inspired and are there for a reason - that I may understand and apply what is said. So, what I say with regard to religion will be from my understanding of applications pertaining to Christians using my understanding of the words written and preserved for Christians - and really for all people who will receive it.

This pretty much backgrounds my aim. This is the premise with which I will share on this blog. I welcome comment, too, even if it is opposed to what I say and/or how I say it. Onward then we go on this new venture of ChuckOonreligion. Certainly, I welcome followers, too.

Beginning a religion blog

This is a first of this nature - blogging on religion. I have done a lot of writing in this realm but now for a blog.