| Author | Message | ||
| Richardhardison |
You need to know that the Masonic heirarchy has closed lodges where the name of Christ is used on a regular basis. The heirarchy is chosen for their lack of belief and the appearance of Christianity is a chimera which was applied for the benefit of the British and Americans. In France it is openly anti-christian and the earlier leaders in this country (Albert Pike being typical) were Luciferian. Pike's "Morals and Dogma" is still a primary work of American Freemasonry. I've seen many christian men who have entered the lodge and seen most of them destroyed in their spiritual lives. Jim Shaw who was elevated to the 33rd degree before he came to Christ (in fact he was on the verge of converting when elevated) got out and has urged every Christian to leave the lodge. After reading his book and talking with him I've rebuffed every invitation to join (some lodges ahve been reduced to recruitment as they are in decline even though they aren't supposed to recruit). King David said he would place no evil thing before his eyes because he knew the effects doing such things would have upon him. The Masonic system is deistic to its core, and as you rise you see that the "Great Architect of the Universe" is not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but the enemy of our souls. If you disagree with this, that's your choice. But regardless wether you went through York or Scottish Rites you came to the Royal Arch Degree (14th in Scottish, 7th in York) where you are required to drink wine from a real human skull. I wish you luck in convincing any christian that such an act is christian. If you balk you will go no higher and your participation will be strictly limited. | ||
| Matthew |
How evident it is that "Babylon has made the nations drunk"beleive it or not I too know Masons who are "Christians".Do you think Satan is in any hurry to show himself?Or would it suit him better to hide behind the "Sheeps Clothing"?People Satan is thousands of years old do you think this is new to him.I pray that you understand that I don't teach LAW but grace.Grace from our Messiah YESHUA.There is no wrong in celebrating the resurection of our Messiah.But if you think THE MOST HIGH is pleased with the Church when it incorperates the practices of Baalism[bel,nimrod,isis,osiris,mithras,cush,bacchus,diana,moloch,the queen of heaven,i could go on and on with the different names of the satanic trinity]all of which originate in Babylon,but it seems to mean nothing to you who dont already understand.Just to make a point the head of the mysteries of Free Masonry as well as almost every secret society is Nimrod,Adonis,Osiris or whatever you wish to call this bastard of a man.And further to show how he has made the nations drunk through his mysteries,in the book of Jeremiah it speaks of how displeased The Most High is with Israel for lamenting for Tammuz[nimrod]which was one of the many ways they honored there god another is [the "christmas tree"]Tammuz had a symbol which many of you probably have today that is the tau,or T,otherwise known as the cross.In Egyptian mystery it often has a circle on the top of it to signify the seed of the sun,which is Nimrod or Tammuz.Why then do so many Christians were this symbol and have it in there homes.You might say to remember that Christ died on the Cross.But the second commandment orders us to have so carved image of any kind.The apostles never wore this symbol,besides if you need a croos to remember what Yeshua did for all mankind i recommend not ever leaving your house without a name tag.This in itself proves how drunk some of us[the majority]are from the cup of Babylon.The cross as symbolism is pagan it is the symbol of the Babylonian False Messiah.I understand none of you did any of this with the knowledge of the truth,and YHVH truly does know your hearts.Please listen to His Word.I CLAIM TO KNOW NOTHING BUT CHRIST JESUS AND HIM CRUCIFIED | ||
| Sherry2 |
Then proclaim Him, Matthew...Proclaim Him. All I've heard you proclaim is about paganism, and how you think everything is paganism...and then you slip in a comment about Jesus. No offense...but Paul worked in very pagan circumstances....His whole message centered in Christ and around Him. If you really do love Him, truly proclaim Him just as Paul did. Thank you. | ||
| Dennisrainwater |
Matthew, One quick question: What do you think happens to a person when he dies? Does he go to his reward? Or does he "sleep" in the ground? Just wondering, Dennis<>< | ||
| Dennisrainwater |
Matthew -- In the absence of an answer from you, I will try to work with both likely answers... If you believe, as Adventists do, that people cease to exist when they die, then we are faced with a serious question: Did Jesus use a "pagan" or heretical example to make a point with His story of Lazarus and the Rich man?? Jesus clearly made a point of Lazarus and the Rich man both having an immediate and long-term conscious existence in their respective places after death -- if you don't believe in an immortal soul, then the only explanation you are left with is that Jesus was using a popular myth, a wrongly-held belief, to drive home a point. Does this mean that perhaps the origin of a practice or symbol is not as important as we might have imagined? Or perhaps you believe, as I do, that we do proceed immediately to our reward when we die. If so, you might consider the above suggestion egregious. I don't mean to offend. In that case, let's consider the following example: Paul obviously used a pagan symbol in an effort to reach the Athenians when he declared that the object of their monument to "An Unknown God" was actually YHVH. He obviously didn't consider borrowing a pagan symbol to commemorate a sacred, Godly, Christian reality to be inappropriate. Why then, do you so passionately maintain that it is wrong for us to "borrow" a cross (especially when there is some fairly strong historical evidence that the kind of instrument Jesus was crucified upon actually was likely to be the same as, or very similar to, what we "wear" in remembrance today!), or to select a day for worship and praise, or most of the other things you rail against here? I challenge you to go out and take a survey -- ask 100 Christians (randomly -- not out of a group who has the same bias you do) what these various symbols mean to them... Ask them about Easter... About Christmas... About the Cross... About Sunday... How do they view them? How do they feel about them? Is there any confusion over whether these symbols refer to some pagan, satanic events or practices? If not, then what's your point?? If Paul thought it was okay to borrow something "pagan" to make a Christian point, then I think it is pretty much a non-issue if Christians use a term or a name or a day, etc. which might have had some obscure pagan parallel, but which carries absolutely none of that meaning or significance today. As far as Easter is concerned, while the name may have some parallel or even its roots in the pagan festival and god(dess) Ishtar, the reality is that "Easter" to a Christian symbolises nothing more or less than the resurrection of Jesus Christ (by the way, that is the valid English version of Yeshua -- unless you want me using the Hebrew version of your name, perhaps you would like to join the rest of us in a common language and title that has relevance and meaning to all of us). There is not even the minutest suggestion of the pagan ideology in our observance of this very special and meaningful holiday. The complete and entire meaning and significance of that holiday to a Christian is the wonderful, tremendous fact that Jesus ROSE FROM THE TOMB THAT SUNDAY MORNING -- THUS LIBERATING US FROM THE BONDS OF SIN, AND THE STING OF DEATH! Furthermore, the day appointed for the observance of Easter is quite valid, as it correlates with the actual, known day when Christ was restored from that tomb. It is easy to pinpoint -- Jesus was crucified on the Passover weekend. That is not difficult to track down. Our Easter paces with that significant Jewish holiday. So, to assign Easter completely to pagan origins is tremendously uninformed. You suggested that "The Most High" is displeased with our observance of these festivals and holidays -- I ask you: Exactly why would He be displeased with us setting aside special days to remember that: Jesus was "born to [us] a son...", that He lived to die in our place, and that He rose from the dead on that Sunday -- along with the supreme significance of His awesome sacrifice for us -- and the incredible grace and joy that is ours because He cared enough to come rescue us?? I especially have a difficult time imagining that reaction from our God, when He Himself set aside feast after festival after holiday in the Old Testament Jewish calendar TO POINT FORWARD TO THESE VERY EVENTS!!!!!! I'd like to hear your thoughts on these points. But again, please answer the points themselves -- I'm not interested in another sermonette highlighting obscure, ancient issues which frankly have little or no relevance to the matters at hand. "For I am convinced that NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ...", Dennis<>< | ||
| Sherry2 |
What I've sincerely believe after all these years is that any symbol can be turned around for God's glory. I've seen certain people throw out anything with a rainbow on it because it was a symbol for "homosexuality" supposedly. I've seen people scared of pentagrams. I've seen people not use coffee and saying it's associated with witchcraft. I don't know..maybe it's human nature that we like to point fingers, blame and accuse. We'd rather go on a "witch-hunt" of others than a true "witch-hunt" of our own souls through the work of God's hand rather than our own. Who made the rainbow? God. Who owns the earth and all that is? God. Who owns eggs, and bunnies, and ducks? God. Who owns the trees, even evergreens? God. Anything can be used for His glory or against Him. That's what I believe. | ||
| Colleentinker |
Great point, Sherry! | ||
| Dennisrainwater |
Well said! | ||
| Sherry2 (Sherry2) |
Hello folks. It's been a while since this thread has been posted on. Since Easter is coming I thought I'd like to start it going again. I would love to hear what each of you is going to be doing this year, what new traditions you may be establishing since your exit from SDAism and any other things to praise our God for this time of year. I had to laugh when my husband got his Alumni invitation from Bass Memorial Academy, and it's on Easter weekend this year. The comment posted on the invite is something like this (I don't have it right here to quote...sorry)..If you're afraid of missing Easter this year, come and see me for your Easter egg. Oh, doesn't that sound like how in many SDA churches it is. Not focused on Jesus and the Cross because this event is on Sunday. But we'll have the Easter eggs...or in some places we wouldn't because it's a grave sin. Phew. It's been such a blessing to celebrate Easter soooo differently now. In my heart especially. This year we will have a ham...but not...actually turkey ham. But it's still fun to do a traditional meal so to speak for the first time since I was 9 years old. Sort-of cool. I'm looking for ways to uplift Christ in an attractive way. We have relatives that may be coming who are not followers of Christ, and it's always hard on the holidays because of this. But praying for boldness and wisdom. Also me and the kids have been doing the Resurrection Eggs since last year. There's a new "Patty Cake" video called "Eggs stravaganza" that goes through the Resurrection Eggs as well. My kids love the video. We are going to make some special play dough hearts, crosses, angels, that hardens and then they can paint and hang them up. I got gifts for the kids and hubby. I got him the book "The Power of a Praying Husband", and a cool NY 9/11 t-shirt that glorifies God....anyhow..that's what I'm doing. What's going on for you?  Blessings and love, Sherry | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Sherry, I'm so glad you resurrected this thread. (Oh, myóthat was a pun! I didn't even think of it until after I typed it!) A year ago Richard said, "I know why people have ham for Easter. It's the New Covenant!" Somehow that had the ring of truth. Consequently, we will be having our second annual Easter ham. (Richard doesn't eat it, but he will carve and serve it!) We're also continuing another developing tradition. We show The Visual Bible's MATTHEW video on Easter afternoon for friends who come over. As I was driving home this afternoon I thought about the fact that Easter is almost here, and I actually felt excited. I have grown to love this "holy day"; in fact, I love the whole Passion Week and the thoughts and ponderings it now generates. Our school also gives us a two-week Easter Break--just as it does for Christmas. It's really amazing to me that for so many years Easter didn't seem like a holiday at all. It seemed like something "fake" or not real. It was a Sunday-keepers celebration. And isn't it amazing that as Adventists it was OK to indulge (in some families, at least) in the "pagan" symbols of eggs and chicks and bunnies and baskets, but not in celebrating Sunday morning's resurrection that changed all of history? And as for Easter dinner--that was a false religion thing. It was merely an excuse for a glorified Sunday dinner honoring the wrong day. Now I understand why families gather on Easter in a fashion similar to Thanksgiving and Christmas! Praising God for New Life! Colleen | ||
| Sabra (Sabra) |
It will be different this year for sure! We always decorated easter eggs Sat. night and after the kids went to bed I would make the easter baskets, they would wake up, eat candy and hide eggs all day. It will be our first Easter Sunday taking the Lord's supper and celebrating with a special easter program at church. I'm gonna cook a ham too I want to kind of phase out the whole egg/bunny thing I think, or at least really down-play it to the kids. I'll have to get creative and think of some great traditional things to replace that. Looking forward to it! Glory! | ||
| Lydell (Lydell) |
Yeah Sherry, glad you got this one going again. Our church will be having a special Easter program too. This will be done by the kids and teens. I almost burst out laughing when one of the adult leaders asked me if I could help them out by making some costumes for the dancers. Man, am I doomed or what?! Not only taking part in Easter but making costumes for kids to dance in church! HA, think I'll do the ham thing too to really top it all off. We had our March servant evangelism last weekend. It went well. This time we gave away easter wrapped hershey's kisses ("to demonstrate God's love for you") and flower seeds ("to remind you of the beauty of God's love for you") and gave away snacks in the hospital waiting rooms. The folks at the hospital had opportunity to pray with several folks. Sabra, I'm a big believer in replacing the stuff you don't want your kids to focus on with more interesting stuff to replace it. So Sabra, how about doing something with butterflies then? That's an appropriate symbol for Resurrection. You can get butterfly coccoons from seeds catalogs, probably a bit late for this year maybe. How about setting up a butterfly feeder in your yard. Or, depending on where you are located (I keep forgetting...Atlanta?), some flowers that will attract butterflies. At the very least you could make some butterflies with the kids to decorate your house. It's fun to do with frames made of pipecleaners with colored tissue paper and decorations glued on. You could make butterfly cookies and decorate them too. BY THE WAY....for those of you who have e-mailed me in the past, could you do so again? We had a hard drive crash (that's why I haven't been on the site for awhile) and of course my address book is gone now. Now we have to endure the son computer guru saying, "I TOLD YOU to back everything up way back in November!" sheesh | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Lydell, what a great idea: butterflies for Easter! I love it! Colleen | ||
| Trippllb (Trippllb) |
This may be a little bit off of the topic, but I may have a problem with Easter dinner. I was born and raised SDA so my parents were SDA. That means, I have NO CLUE how to cook a ham. If any of you have ideas, toss em out there. Better yet, there's a good chance that many if not all of you were vegetarians (meat deprived) like I was growing up. Could we start a recipie thread where folks can post those previously forbidden recipies they have tried since leaving and have fallen in love with? Would appreciate any feedback. | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Trippllb, I've no idea how to cook a ham either! Honeybaked hams, though, are precooked and only need to be reheated. (I think they come with directions on the label--if not, the people at the deli or butcher counter at your grocery store can probably tell you how. I've had some really good help from the butchers at our local grocery store!) I've had good results with Betty Crocker and her recipe book when I've made turkey for Thanksgiving. It's been a bit of a challenge for me to determine exactly where to place the meat thermometer, but I've finally figured out the best place seems to be in the fattest part of the thigh. How funny--we're just figuring out how to do what most Americans can do intuitively. On the other hand, I guess, we can do 101 things with textured vegetable protein, walnuts, and cottage cheese that the average American wouldn't figure out! Enjoy your New Covenant Easter! Colleen | ||
| Sabra (Sabra) |
Trippllb, Girlfriend, you have come to the right place....my rule for all meat, Turkey,roast, ham...cook the heck outof it in low heat 'bout 250' for about 4-6 hours. Be sure to cover it so the juices don't cook out and dry it out. Aluminum foil is good if you don't have a big enough covered pan. First put some honey and brown sugar on it and a little water in the bottom of the pan-1-2" depending on the size of the ham. It's easy and it will turn out juicy and tender. For the turkey, I cook it all night on 250' with a stick of butter inside the turkey and salt and pepperand butter on the outside, again with plenty of water. If the ham has a bone, put it in the green beans and cook them on low for about 2 hours. YUM!!!! Now that's some down-home Tennessee cooking. Thank goodness for non- SDA mother-in-laws!!!!!! | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Wow, Sabra, that sounds wonderful--and easy! Thanks! | ||
| Loneviking (Loneviking) |
Careful folks, I think Sabra may be missing something. You have to have the internal temp. of the meat (in the thickest part) reach at least 160 to 180 for at least 1/2 hour to kill any harmful bacteria. I don't think you can do that at 250 degrees---but in any case, don't guess but use a meat thermometer if you go this route. Most of these meats should be cooked (and the recipe books says this) at 350 degrees. Covering the food helps to hold the heat in and to a certain extent keeps it from drying out. What really causes meat to dry out is the juice inside getting away---so don't be poking it all over with a fork! If you poke all sorts of tiny holes in it with a fork so that you can 'baste' it or salt/pepper it, likely the meat will dry out. For a change, try a goose. They are the cleanest of all animals, and the meat is very tender and tasty. The domestic goose does tend to be quite fat and will need regular attention with a baster to remove the fat that collects in the pan. Take the fat and put it in a Mason jar and put it in the 'frig. Use it for cooking oil. Duck breast is another good choice. My family eats it all and comes back for more as the flavor is so good. As for ham, pick up 'The Joy of Cooking' as there are lots of good directions for basting/cooking and presenting a ham in there----along with most other meats. I couldn't live without this bible of cooking in my kitchen. | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Thanks, Loneviking! This meat prep is a completely new thing! Colleen | ||
| Loneviking (Loneviking) |
O.K. folks, how did the hams turn out? I got mine late, yesterday and it was good! Made a glaze from honey/brown sugar/and orange juice and had green beans and candied yams to go with it. Praise God for no dietary restrictions!! |
