God wants us to become more like Him, and He will help. "Be ye fishers of men--you catch 'em, He'll clean 'em". Anyone who has cleaned fish knows catching them is the easy, fun part.
Too many people want God to be Santa Claus, putting coal and switches in (other people's) stockings.
I'm Christian, a member of the LCMS. I believe and, believe me, it's hard!, that we are to pray for our leaders, our people in power, our enemies, etc. even & especially when we don't like or agree w/ them that they come to Christ. We're to pray ceaselessly! You never know when they'll come to Christ! And, it could take years, if ever. Hope! As you said, we are all sinners & fall short of the Grace of God.
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” -C.S. Lewis
I have shared this with my family and friends who don’t understand why I have a problem with trump. Eric you write and speak as clear as the Apostle Paul. It is clear to me your words are meant for instructing believers and strengthening the church. Thank you.
This is great in light of Easter Sunday, but failed in explaining what it has to do with Trump as you kicked it off. Yeah, we know he was a billionaire playboy 25-30 years ago doing his p-grabbing and cheating on his wife. Just add him to the list of bad-behaving Christian men around the world… including Catholic priests sexually abusing children.
And let’s not ignore the corruptive human-harming tendency for pious Christians matching ideological fanatics to attempt to make others comply with their beliefs. Christianity is different in that it is of the individual relationship with God. Where it has flourished it was taught by missionaries. Where it has failed is where it was forced on the population with bigotry and hostility against those not sharing the belief. Stop the “Christian” activism and clear hostility to force raped women, or any women, to carry the unwanted fetus to birth… for example.
I agree that the trends of societal decay track with the decline in Christian beliefs and practice, but the bigotry and human-harm delivered by practicing Christian’s shares much blame. Yeah, they can get off by repenting their sins and leaving it to God. But don’t expect that to satisfy the harmed.
“ My issue is not with Trump. I’m a sinner too. My problem is with the people of faith who surround him and couldn’t care less if he goes to hell so long as they get what they want from him first.
God Almighty Himself specifically commands us to be relational, not transactional, and too many of these good Christians around Trump are not doing that.”
So Trump is not a good Christian because he is transactional and a sinner that has not repented. And so he should be rejected by good Christians. That is his message.
I think Erick does not recognize the big picture of true evil and is too myopically transactional in his religious moral bias. He is fighting small potatoes moral conflicts in a way that advocates losing the war of humanity. Read C.S. Lewis’s work around Christianity and the bigger picture of evil waging war. Christian’s that support Trump see it that way. Trump is Churchill.
"Trump is just another persecuted guy who did bad stuff having nothing to do with character at all earlier in his life, so we should just forget about it and support him as the God-fearing man he is! He's God's Avatar in The War Against Evil! It's totally just like C.S. Lewis and Trump is almost like Aslan! We're electing a president, not a pastor so his personal behavior never mattered to begin with! Give us Saul! We want a king! Christians supporting Trump totally see that sin has nothing to do with Trump, and we should be grateful for his tremendous sacrifice in protecting us! He's just like Churchill!"
Expanded that out for you Frankie. Why is it that Trump NEVER should be questioned as long as he owns the lefties? Even if you admit Trump has imperfections (of any kind) you will say something like "Hey, nobody's perfect! How long should he be punished for your Puritanism?"
Ask Mark Sanford's ex-wife about one of Sanford's complaints: how long should he be punished for dumping her for his Latina "soulmate?" Maybe Sanford should join up as Trump's VP pick!
You are off your meds. Get a hold of your thinking apparatus and calm down. You are so full of warm methane and TDS, that it is affecting your reading comprehension.
Trump is only a political choice. He is not a kind nor a God nor an icon. He is just a man with a plan. I absolutely do not agree with everything Trump says and plans, but I am 100% convinced that the current establishment Regime has an agenda to remake the country into a collectivist globalist corporatist nightmare. We see it happening all around us... and people like you are stuck on the cult of Trump's personality. Wake up!
Did IQs just drop sharply while I was away? Let me quote your own words back to you:
"I think Erick does not recognize the big picture of true evil and is too myopically transactional in his religious moral bias. He is fighting small potatoes moral conflicts in a way that advocates losing the war of humanity. Read C.S. Lewis’s work around Christianity and the bigger picture of evil waging war. Christian’s that support Trump see it that way. Trump is Churchill."
You said this is about good vs. evil and connected Trump to (I assume) C.S. Lewis's narrative. Then you said Trump is Churchill. After accusing Erick of fighting meaningless conflicts that will contribute to losing "the war of humanity." Melodramatic much? So... who is stuck on Trump's personality?
I love how you drop right into ad hominem attacks, really supports your non-TDS, calm, reasoned argument...
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:16–17 (KJV)
We should not believe what people say in the moment but what they have produced in the past. That is how they will act in the future. Certainly, someone can "see the light" and change, but before we base our actions on their words, those words must bear fruit as evidence that change is real. This is how I think we should evaluate our politicians, regardless of side. If they don't bear the fruit we're looking for, they should be discarded in favor of someone who will.
It was back in my days when I was in my 30's that five of us got together weekly and studied the different Religions. Your review is excellent as NO other Religion really has all we need to go through life as we have it today. I have lived in the best of times as this Nation had the best people come into it and homestead years ago as my Great Grandfather did and the place is owned by a family member yet today. We had people that knew Jesus and lived for him coming into this Nation and spreading His word to their Children, Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren. They worked to SAVE People, not kill people. Yes, I have had my up's and my down's, but through it all, God has Blessed me and made me whole.
Please People that are reading Ericks messages this week, pass on GODS GOOD WORD TO OTHERS.
Thank you Erick and Blessings to you and your Family.
Your Holy Week messages have given me a renewed sense of hope in humanity. I’m reminded that I need to talk to Jesus more & not be discouraged & consumed by the world the enemy presents on a daily basis. Your words have strengthened my faith Erick and I await His resurrection and victory on Easter…
God wants us to become more like Him, and He will help. "Be ye fishers of men--you catch 'em, He'll clean 'em". Anyone who has cleaned fish knows catching them is the easy, fun part.
Too many people want God to be Santa Claus, putting coal and switches in (other people's) stockings.
Great word picture!
Amen! to everything you have said!
I'm Christian, a member of the LCMS. I believe and, believe me, it's hard!, that we are to pray for our leaders, our people in power, our enemies, etc. even & especially when we don't like or agree w/ them that they come to Christ. We're to pray ceaselessly! You never know when they'll come to Christ! And, it could take years, if ever. Hope! As you said, we are all sinners & fall short of the Grace of God.
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” -C.S. Lewis
Someone wiser than me said:
Religion is man's attempt to reach God.
Relationship is God's attempt to reach man.
These “advisers” are not shepherds, but wolves.
I too was surprised by yesterday's comments. I am not going to challenge them this week in these writings.
AMEN. Well stated. Christian denominations need to say goodbye to Arminianism and to works-based salvation.
I have shared this with my family and friends who don’t understand why I have a problem with trump. Eric you write and speak as clear as the Apostle Paul. It is clear to me your words are meant for instructing believers and strengthening the church. Thank you.
You are so right on.
This is great in light of Easter Sunday, but failed in explaining what it has to do with Trump as you kicked it off. Yeah, we know he was a billionaire playboy 25-30 years ago doing his p-grabbing and cheating on his wife. Just add him to the list of bad-behaving Christian men around the world… including Catholic priests sexually abusing children.
And let’s not ignore the corruptive human-harming tendency for pious Christians matching ideological fanatics to attempt to make others comply with their beliefs. Christianity is different in that it is of the individual relationship with God. Where it has flourished it was taught by missionaries. Where it has failed is where it was forced on the population with bigotry and hostility against those not sharing the belief. Stop the “Christian” activism and clear hostility to force raped women, or any women, to carry the unwanted fetus to birth… for example.
I agree that the trends of societal decay track with the decline in Christian beliefs and practice, but the bigotry and human-harm delivered by practicing Christian’s shares much blame. Yeah, they can get off by repenting their sins and leaving it to God. But don’t expect that to satisfy the harmed.
Actually had you watched the video you would know.
I did.
“ My issue is not with Trump. I’m a sinner too. My problem is with the people of faith who surround him and couldn’t care less if he goes to hell so long as they get what they want from him first.
God Almighty Himself specifically commands us to be relational, not transactional, and too many of these good Christians around Trump are not doing that.”
So Trump is not a good Christian because he is transactional and a sinner that has not repented. And so he should be rejected by good Christians. That is his message.
I think Erick does not recognize the big picture of true evil and is too myopically transactional in his religious moral bias. He is fighting small potatoes moral conflicts in a way that advocates losing the war of humanity. Read C.S. Lewis’s work around Christianity and the bigger picture of evil waging war. Christian’s that support Trump see it that way. Trump is Churchill.
"Trump is just another persecuted guy who did bad stuff having nothing to do with character at all earlier in his life, so we should just forget about it and support him as the God-fearing man he is! He's God's Avatar in The War Against Evil! It's totally just like C.S. Lewis and Trump is almost like Aslan! We're electing a president, not a pastor so his personal behavior never mattered to begin with! Give us Saul! We want a king! Christians supporting Trump totally see that sin has nothing to do with Trump, and we should be grateful for his tremendous sacrifice in protecting us! He's just like Churchill!"
Expanded that out for you Frankie. Why is it that Trump NEVER should be questioned as long as he owns the lefties? Even if you admit Trump has imperfections (of any kind) you will say something like "Hey, nobody's perfect! How long should he be punished for your Puritanism?"
Ask Mark Sanford's ex-wife about one of Sanford's complaints: how long should he be punished for dumping her for his Latina "soulmate?" Maybe Sanford should join up as Trump's VP pick!
You are off your meds. Get a hold of your thinking apparatus and calm down. You are so full of warm methane and TDS, that it is affecting your reading comprehension.
Trump is only a political choice. He is not a kind nor a God nor an icon. He is just a man with a plan. I absolutely do not agree with everything Trump says and plans, but I am 100% convinced that the current establishment Regime has an agenda to remake the country into a collectivist globalist corporatist nightmare. We see it happening all around us... and people like you are stuck on the cult of Trump's personality. Wake up!
Did IQs just drop sharply while I was away? Let me quote your own words back to you:
"I think Erick does not recognize the big picture of true evil and is too myopically transactional in his religious moral bias. He is fighting small potatoes moral conflicts in a way that advocates losing the war of humanity. Read C.S. Lewis’s work around Christianity and the bigger picture of evil waging war. Christian’s that support Trump see it that way. Trump is Churchill."
You said this is about good vs. evil and connected Trump to (I assume) C.S. Lewis's narrative. Then you said Trump is Churchill. After accusing Erick of fighting meaningless conflicts that will contribute to losing "the war of humanity." Melodramatic much? So... who is stuck on Trump's personality?
I love how you drop right into ad hominem attacks, really supports your non-TDS, calm, reasoned argument...
I got that and the video expanded it in detail.
Amen!
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:16–17 (KJV)
We should not believe what people say in the moment but what they have produced in the past. That is how they will act in the future. Certainly, someone can "see the light" and change, but before we base our actions on their words, those words must bear fruit as evidence that change is real. This is how I think we should evaluate our politicians, regardless of side. If they don't bear the fruit we're looking for, they should be discarded in favor of someone who will.
It was back in my days when I was in my 30's that five of us got together weekly and studied the different Religions. Your review is excellent as NO other Religion really has all we need to go through life as we have it today. I have lived in the best of times as this Nation had the best people come into it and homestead years ago as my Great Grandfather did and the place is owned by a family member yet today. We had people that knew Jesus and lived for him coming into this Nation and spreading His word to their Children, Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren. They worked to SAVE People, not kill people. Yes, I have had my up's and my down's, but through it all, God has Blessed me and made me whole.
Please People that are reading Ericks messages this week, pass on GODS GOOD WORD TO OTHERS.
Thank you Erick and Blessings to you and your Family.
Thank you kind Sir. We all need what you have written. Peace be with you all.
Your Holy Week messages have given me a renewed sense of hope in humanity. I’m reminded that I need to talk to Jesus more & not be discouraged & consumed by the world the enemy presents on a daily basis. Your words have strengthened my faith Erick and I await His resurrection and victory on Easter…
So it is written.