Inspired Word of God 2015-103

Posted in Religious by bettsden

Inspired Word of God 2015-103

So what is inspired? Does it mean that it is as simple as being influenced by a divine or supernatural being, when talking about religion? I have mentioned in my writings, many times, that I believe that the Bible was inspired by God.

Do I really think this? Again, what does inspired actually mean? I firmly and truly believe that there is a God. He is active, alive, and present with us always. I do NOT care if some do not believe this, but my thoughts to them, could still be interesting, maybe.

But that being said, do I truly believe that the Bible is inspired by God. I researched for a Sunday School lesson, called, “History of the Bible” and have a one inch thick booklet I passed out at the time. I was going through it the other day and found a page about this subject.

In it there were four different thoughts about the Bible, in reference to God having a hand in writing it. I looked it over and found a page that was attributed to the Thomas Nelson Publishing co. from 1990-. It was titled “Authority of the Bible – Inspiration or God’s Breath”.

“The most common appeal to the Bible’s authority has been by the concept of inspiration. For the most part, the Bible does not directly speak about inspiration. One verse, however, is often quoted. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The word inspired in this passage is the Greek theopneustos, which literally is God Winded or God-breathed. It follows a verse referring to the “sacred writings” (verse 15), that is, the Hebrew Bible and possibly some of Paul’s letters as well. There is more than one way to speak about inspiration. We can identify four basic ways to think of the inspiration of the Bible.

1 One view holds that every word of the Bible is totally inspired by God and contains truth free from error. The assumption here is that God effectively persuaded all biblical writers to put down just the correct words, all the time. (I would imagine that this refers to or means the Bible is inerrant or without error)

2 Another way to speak of inspiration is to say that it applies to the ideas and concepts, but not to the actual words of the Bible.

3 Still other Christians have argued that God inspired not words or ideas but individual people. These folks then wrote what they did using the language and thought forms of their culture.

4 Yet another view of inspiration is that God inspired the community that produced, preserved, and passed on the writings we call Scripture.”

So, inspiration can be defined as all the words, all the ideas, all the writers, or all the believers who kept the writings as Scripture. Each of these positions has its advocates, its strengths, and its critics. Not all Christians agree on how to describe the God-breathed nature of the Bible. But, most Christians do agree that Scripture is inspired by God. God is the ultimate source or origin of Scripture

After researching the History of the Bible and reading many sources of data, I firmly believe the Bible is indeed “the inspiration by God”. To what degree of the four concepts shown above, I will keep to myself, but feel anyone can believe as they believe – which is only right and correct, and I respect those feelings and beliefs of others. I also feel that this issue should NOT be debatable as the essence of Belief in Faith is not something to be debated.

OK, that was then! Do I still believe it now? I have to still say yes, but with some reservations and thoughts. I think He was there when the King James Version (KJV) was compiled. The KJV was overdue for mankind to have the Bible that was understandable, at its disposal. The many versions that were in play at the time were archaic and hard to read. The Bibles at the time were many and some are listed here: The Vulgate, which St. Jerome wrote, The Wycliffe’s Bible, Matthew-Tyndale’s, Luther’s German Bible, the Bishops Bible, Coverdale’s, the Great Bible, Geneva Bible ,Douay-Rheims and even Noah Webster’s Bible about 1880. I would imagine that there have been many more versions or translations over time, up to a recent one called the Message, written by Eugene Peterson, which is more of a paraphrase than a translation.

Needless to say, was God involved in the inspiration of these variations? Perhaps, and perhaps not. I think He might have been present when they were being written or compiled at the time the work was done and His inspiration was evident to those doing the writing at the time.

I think most of us have our own opinions about this word “inspired” in relation to the Bible and again, that is fine. I know there is a God, one God that is the creator of the Universe and He is with us always and part of this companionship is being involved with writings of Scripture in some way. Believe what you want to believe, but I stick to my thoughts as being true, right and final about this subject, but cannot say that I was inspired by God to say so.

Den Betts

14Jul2015

Lament of a Doubter &UB Person 2015-102

Posted in Religious by bettsden

Lament of a Doubter & UB Person 2015-102

Perhaps lament is too strong of a word to use, but I do so anyhow. What do I mean? I have written about a doubter of God in the past, as one who does have doubts of the authenticity of His existence and therefore cannot say they are a complete and absolute believer.

We all doubt, including me. There are times that I feel doubt about God where I hear of an instance where I feel God could have helped the situation. That is normal, I believe, and not a true doubting thought, just a thought at the time.

That being said, I state that I AM a believer of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, amen…. I have no qualms of saying this, as that is what I believe; period… Some do not have this feeling and could be called doubters, or just un-believers.

This is, I feel, a common thought process and this subject could be discussed at length, but I am thinking more of the Lament of a Doubter. Again, what do I mean? I do not know if I am correct, but could be, and it would be up to the individual doubters to renounce my thoughts.

Here goes! Does a doubter feel that they are correct in thinking that God does NOT exist? I would think they do so, and that is a normal thought. I speak in general terms of what a doubter may think, so forgive me, for now.

The un-believer (UB for short) thinks he is correct in his thoughts. Many UB people state that there is no proof of God’s existence and feel they are correct. Many use science as a way of trying to proving their beliefs, even though some scientific deductions cannot do so.

Now, does the UB feel that he is right and does this thought go from now until he dies. When he dies is he just dead and nothing else? Good thoughts on their part, or deductions made, because there is NO proof in their eyes.

My thoughts are this: what if the UB is wrong and God knows they are UB people?

So, this comes to the thought that the UB somewhat has to put up with all the Believers out there and the things they do because of their belief.

The UB is harassed with Christmas songs from almost October through December each year. They have 40 days of Lent to hear about Jesus Christ and the Crucifixion during Lent. They are required to pass all kinds of churches, synagogues and mosques on the way to work. They have people wearing crosses everywhere they go. The TV has programs like AD that tell the story of Jesus.

You get the picture! The UB people are surrounded by all kinds of Godly things and happenings daily and there is nothing they can do about it. It would drive me crazy, knowing that I did not believe in something and have to put up with all the trappings of those that do believe.

Do they actually lament on having to live with all the religious hoopla that goes on in the name of God? I don’t know, but I would if I was a un-believer of God.

There really is NO way for a doubter or UB to express themselves in their non-beliefs. There is Facebook, but that is a limited crowd and I doubt if many would sign up as a friend if they were active believers. There has to be some way that they can get across to the believers that God is not alive, not active and His Presence is not with us today.

When I read about a UB that makes statements to the news or other media about the absence of God I keep hearing them go over and over about the negative thoughts, like they have something to prove to the world. Can they just shut up and not believe in their disbelief? What do they have to prove? That they are right, in their minds? They cannot do that, because I can ask them for absolute proof, which is not possible to get from them. They might want God to do something special, but God does not work that way. It would really tick me off, if I went through life as a doubter or UB person and found out that I lived a life that way, but was wrong. Blasé Pascal, a Christian philosopher – 1623-1662, had a saying that is called Pascal’s Wager, which, in essence, had a unique idea to believe in God and I will encourage you to look it up and consider it.

God allows us to believe or not believe; simple as that. It is up to us, as individuals, to believe in the Triune God and if someone does not; so be it. Time will tell.

Den Betts

12Jul2015

The Unknowns in Life 2015-101

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by bettsden

How many times have I cursed having to do something for the first time and suffered the effects of fright about doing it. I remember public speaking in high school and having diarrhea, the night before, almost throwing up, and other physical effects of having to stand up and speak in English class. I found out in the Marines that, if you know your subject matter, it is not so hard. I had to give lectures to over 200 men and only had one problem, I gave a joke at the beginning once, and had to tell them, after having told the punch line, that it was over. Never did tell jokes again. Learn from doing!!!!!

The Unknowns in Life 2015-101

How scary, and frightening it can be

This feeling of terror for the unknown.

We feel so brave when we do things twice

But, turn to jelly, when the first is to occur.

Our minds create untold disasters, when we are to begin

The lurking shadows magnify as we continue forth.

What is it with the way we think and act and do,

That makes the unknown so terrible to a few?

The irony is, that it’s all in our mind,

Which can create the most bizarre scenes.

Never, usually, does reality unfold as thought,

But, try to tell that to the person thinking.

How does the mind, do what it does to us,

Constructing the images, and thoughts that it does

What does it take to break the thought strings

That form cobwebs of unexplained origins

Is the unknown just a mysterious part of thinking,

Or something else, that defies description

Den Betts

8Jul2015

The Fires of Spring 2015-100

Posted in STORIES by bettsden

I read the book by James Michener, “The Fires of Spring” when I was quite young. It and the below paragraph stayed with me and is still pasted on my wall to remind me of my “finding myself”. I share this with you now, to consider the words written by a renowned writer long ago.

The Fires of Spring 2015-100

For this is the journey that men make; to find themselves. If they fail in this, it doesn’t matter much what else they find. Money, position, fame, many loves, revenge – – – are all of little consequence, and when the tickets are collected at the end of the ride, they are tossed into the bin marked failure.

BUT, if a man happens to find himself — if he knows what he can be depended upon to do, the limits of his courage, the many positions from which he will no longer retreat, the degree to which he can surrender his inner life to some woman, the secret reservoirs of his determination, the extent of his dedication, the depth of his feelings for beauty, his honest and unpostured goals — then he has found a mansion which he can inhabit with dignity all the days of his life…………………………………………………………..

James Michener – The Fires of Spring

7Jul2015

Presence Wanted? 2015-99

Posted in Religious by bettsden

Presence Wanted? 2015-99

I have written about “The Presence” before, regarding the presence of the Holy Spirit in relation to religious or Spiritual life, but want to go further on this subject.

First off, let me suggest that we are believers of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for the sake of argument. If some are not, go along with me on this for the moment.

My question is this. If the Triune God as mentioned in paragraph two, comprises “The Presence”, do we want His presence with us all the time? I mean “REALLY”!!!!!

I have alluded to this before; when we are taking a pee for instance. Or, when we are doing anything personal that is, well – personal……

Or, when we are doing something that is not really nice. I will let you fill in the equal to nice……….

You see what I am getting at. If “The Presence” of God is with us always, then we really do not have a say in this as to what we like or do not like.

I had one person say, “He CANNOT” be with us always.” I asked why and he said, “Because there are too many people on Earth for Him to be with all of us always”. I do not agree with his argument. God has His time frame in our lives and is not bound by earthly time zones of our living by the clock. He CAN be with all of us, individually, and still take care of Godly things that He does, at the same time.

One more thing! Let us just say we agree that He is with us always! How many of us would acknowledge His Presence being with us on a continual basis. How would our lives be changed if we know and are aware of His Presence being with us? You would have to answer that one yourself!

There are times, not always, that I feel His Presence with me. It is not a 24-7 type of feeling, but I am conscious of His Presence at times. When this happens I have a profound feeling of many emotions, all good…. In reality, I AM trying to have this feeling of His Presence be with me continually, for I LOVE the emotions that come with the feeling.

In a way, you DO have to be aware at these times. It is not something that just happens and is gone, but instead, is a specific time period of this awareness. The time period may be a moment or an extended period of time; all depends. The “CANNOT” guy would attribute this feeling period of time to something else, I am sure. I may add that he has also become an unbeliever or an agnostic at the best, if even that.

I have also written about Meditation and mentioned that this is a time where a one on one period of time with God is possible. I use this meditation time to contemplate many things, pray about many things, and try to become one with God in the process. It works; usually. I say that because life happens and I do not always concentrate on what I am doing, but mostly it does succeed.

How does Meditation work? How do I feel His Presence? I can only say it is a process. It does not happen all the time, when I want it to, or when. It is a process of trial and error, of trying over and over, of waiting for the inevitable, I say that with the thought that it WILL happen, but it takes TIME. Most of us want things NOW and do not want to wait or work at things. That is normal, but it all depends on what you want and how bad you desire it. I started this “process” a couple of years ago, after “The Happening” occurred and I am still learning, but now getting results. I love it……..

Den Betts

5Jul2015

On the Road 2015-98

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by bettsden

How many of us worry too much about things at times. To go someplace and be concerned about what we will see when we get there. We sometimes put too much emphasis on the outcome, and forget about the actual preparation and enjoyment of the trip. Yes, we can live with hope that we have a great time when we get there, but getting there is sometimes more than half the fun of the trip. I say this, but I can also add, not always……

On the Road 2015-98

A beginning- begun – to travel up and down the road

Around the turns and up the hills, out of gas at times

A trip involving detours and changes of direction

The stop and go, the hit of the brakes and stomping on gas

People ands places passed by – a part of the fast lane

Never really talked to or taken time to see

A tour intermixed with interesting highlights shown

Beauty, passion, many untold and some renowned

The side jaunts to see a special space

Forever in mind once seen, not forgotten

All the times spent, all the trials and tribulations

Of the ride, the actual travel so much remembered

Again, its time to realize, “It’s not the destination, but

Instead, the journey that makes life so great”.

Den Betts

3Jul2015

Mystery Unknown and Known 2015-97

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by bettsden

This is somewhat of a challenge for you, the reader! It made sense to me when I wrote it and somewhat does today. I will NOT try to explain it, but let you, the reader contemplate just what it means.

Mystery Unknown and Known 2015-97

The challenge is not in knowing the common element of being

Whereas, the understanding of the mysteries of life is a greater quest to know

To delve into the unknown questions, given to us, and realize the answers is an ultimate trip of life

Not being afraid to question those unanswered thoughts and subjecting them to a detailed thinking process is a goal worth obtaining.

Not being afraid of the ultimate and final solution is an undertaking of complete confidence

By touching on the unknown abyss of thinking, and arriving at the final solution.

This gives the seeker an untold advantage in life’s guidance of living the whole as one, when the

Complete satisfaction is arrived at with a complete filling of accomplishment.

The melodic sounds resonate, filling the open void with exquisite timbre. A safe feeling acquired from the sound, pulsates with a living and quivering throb of being.

Looking down, the uniqueness observed what was, is and will be.

Seeking action, it morphed into a substance enveloping all.

Those below, tingled with the essence of creation and

Acknowledged understanding because of a single thought of knowing

The mystery was no longer unknown.

BUT, instead, a shared and loved emotion resounds and

Finalization is apparent and welcome

As the true being became as one, with all.

Den Betts

30Jun2015

Whose God is Who???? 2015-96

Posted in Religious by bettsden

Whose God is Who???? 2015-96

If the God of the Hebrew, Christian and Muslim faiths are the same God of Abraham, THEN, is there a different god that is followed by those same faiths? Of course NOT!

All those following these religious faiths can say “God is Great!” or “Allah is Great” in Arabic, if you use that language.

To say or think that the God of Abraham likes only one of the religions mentioned and not the other two is ludicrous. I would think that to use a religion to exclude the others of the same God could be sacrilegious to do so.

To also believe that any that do not believe in the religion that you follow and to insist that those of the two other religions MUST do so, is— well I have many words I could use here to describe those people.

History can tell of how evangelists of Christianity traveled to parts far away to not just spread the word, but to somewhat force the unbelievers of Christ into believing in Him. Christians can deny that this happened, but too many writings have proven this to be a fact.

It is evident in reading the stories of the Old Testament that the Hebrews had a thing of dealing with those that did not believe in their God of Abraham, called Yahweh in the time of Moses and afterwards.

So, it is not surprising that certain Islam followers are trying to do the same thing today. The goal is to have the non-believers of Islam convert to their religion, even at the threat of death.

The difference is what the Hebrews did, what the Christian evangelists did, and what the Muslim followers are doing today is about the timing. What the Christian and Hebrew followers did then is not what they do now as a policy. Then and now does not represent now.

Is there prejudice against the other two religions by one religion today, not saying which religion they are right now. YES, would be the answer, for in reality, the minority of each probably does have resentment towards the other religions not of their own that they follow.

Does this make sense? NO!!! In this modern world there should NOT be this type of discourse today! I would think that the only God in existence must have problems with His children that have thoughts and actions the way they do today. Fellow man cannot be violated and killed in the name of God, regardless of the religion being followed.

God does not get pleasure in hearing “God is Great” or “Allah Akbar” (being about the same phrase) after one of his children does a despicable thing like killing in His name. I believe that those that do so are either primitive in thinking, brain washed, ignorant, or some other description that is appropriate for them. Using God as an excuse is inexcusable.

The main thing is if they kill, decapitate, destroy, maim, or kidnap, DON”T do it in the name of God and state that He is agreeing with your actions. If you do it, do it for your own personal corrupt reasons and not God’s if you feel you must do those acts! Or better yet, don’t do it but try to make a peaceful statement for your religion instead. There is NO reason for killing for killing sake anyhow…… Maybe I should say there is NO reason for killing ––period……

I really think I am writing, but not reaching the people of all faiths that do the things they do. I just watched the news (6-18-15) and listened to the reporter tell of nine people killed by a racist in North Carolina, because he hated blacks. He did it inside a church after staying at a Sunday School lesson for an hour, then killed everyone there except for two people who pretended they were dead.

What a world! Again, God of Abraham has to see these things happen and shake His head wondering about the human race then, now and in the future. So many atrocities that occur that probably remind Him that we are still primitive people on this planet Earth. To think that He is in agreement today or even before, of doing things in His name, must make him ponder of why He even bothered creating man…………………………. Maybe it is because He loves ALL, unconditionally, regardless of the faiths, beliefs, etc………………………… Hmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!

Den Betts

22Jun2015

Search of Self 2015-92

Posted in Contemplation, Poems by bettsden

Wait a moment, and read, then think about what is written. Does this make sense to you? Can you relate to these words being written? When I wrote this, it was a period of time where I was reflecting on my life in many ways. And now, I can see myself contemplating my existence in a different way, based on knowledge today.

It IS really OK, if you do not understand these words of mine, for at the time, they were written about the self of then, and not of now. The neat thing is that I know what they mean and how the words relate to my existence.

Search of Self 2015-92

A quest; a way of identifying the

whole of man in an individual way.

The time when one reaches into the

mind, to the very essence of soul

to arrive at the meaning of life’s

past accomplishments and future

endeavors.

A time of joy, or perhaps of sorrow,

in reflections of history and

the realization of goals made

and also of unfulfilled dreams.

A period of contemplation of an

adjustment to the future, of a

redirection of pathways to be

traveled – based on knowledge today.

Den Betts

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