reflection - if your house was on fire and you only had the opportunity to take either a beautiful...

Reflection - If your house was on fire Reflection - If your house was on fire and you only had the opportunity to take and you only had the opportunity to take either a beautiful flower arrangement either a beautiful flower arrangement that you had just been given, or a that you had just been given, or a priceless family heirloom that had been priceless family heirloom that had been handed down through your family from handed down through your family from one generation to the next. Which would one generation to the next. Which would you take? Explain your reasons. you take? Explain your reasons. Remember you can take only one of the Remember you can take only one of the items. Assume that your safety isn't items. Assume that your safety isn't compromised at all if you take only one compromised at all if you take only one item but that it is if you try to take both. item but that it is if you try to take both.

How Does God How Does God Protect Us?Protect Us?

How Does God Protect How Does God Protect Us?Us?

God is not as concerned with protecting us God is not as concerned with protecting us physically, because regardless of what physically, because regardless of what happens in our life, we are all going to die. happens in our life, we are all going to die.

Just like the flowers, no matter how pretty Just like the flowers, no matter how pretty they are and how nice they smell, they will they are and how nice they smell, they will die and be thrown out. die and be thrown out.

On the other hand, God is most definitely On the other hand, God is most definitely concerned with something that lasts forever, concerned with something that lasts forever, something that is priceless, just like the something that is priceless, just like the family heirloom, and that is our immortal family heirloom, and that is our immortal soul. soul.


God protects our immortal soul by offering us God protects our immortal soul by offering us a spiritual security blanket that we can a spiritual security blanket that we can choose to put on. choose to put on.

We can also choose not to put it on. The We can also choose not to put it on. The decision is up to us.decision is up to us.

Just as we decide whether we are going to Just as we decide whether we are going to buckle up when we drive, wear a life jacket buckle up when we drive, wear a life jacket when we are boating, or wear a helmet when when we are boating, or wear a helmet when we ride a bike, we also have to choose we ride a bike, we also have to choose whether we are going to put on the spiritual whether we are going to put on the spiritual security blanket.security blanket.


How do we put the spiritual security How do we put the spiritual security blanket on? blanket on?

Scripture is very clear about this, we Scripture is very clear about this, we must believe in God, we must believe must believe in God, we must believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate that Jesus Christ is God incarnate and that he came to be the sacrificial and that he came to be the sacrificial lamb offered for the sins of the lamb offered for the sins of the world. world.


There is a difference between saying There is a difference between saying that we believe that Jesus lived, and that we believe that Jesus lived, and that we believe in Jesus. that we believe in Jesus.

I believe that the Buddha existed but I believe that the Buddha existed but that doesn't make me a Buddhist. that doesn't make me a Buddhist.

I believe that Muhammad existed, but I believe that Muhammad existed, but that doesn't make me Muslim.that doesn't make me Muslim.

Salvation comes through believing Salvation comes through believing ININ Jesus.Jesus.

The difference is this…The difference is this…


When we believe in someone, we put our faith When we believe in someone, we put our faith and trust in him. If he asks us to act charitably and trust in him. If he asks us to act charitably to those who we think don't deserve it, we do it to those who we think don't deserve it, we do it because he we believe in him, we put our faith because he we believe in him, we put our faith and trust in him. If he asks us to forgive and trust in him. If he asks us to forgive someone who has hurt us, we do it because he someone who has hurt us, we do it because he asks us to. If he tells us that we have to repent, asks us to. If he tells us that we have to repent, that we have to turn from sin, and not just the that we have to turn from sin, and not just the sins that we wouldn't do anyway, but the sins sins that we wouldn't do anyway, but the sins that we couldn't imagine living without, we do that we couldn't imagine living without, we do it because we believe, we trust, we love, Himit because we believe, we trust, we love, Him


We have to acknowledge that we are sinners We have to acknowledge that we are sinners and that we need the forgiveness of Jesus and that we need the forgiveness of Jesus Christ who is God. Christ who is God.

Now this doesn't necessarily mean that from Now this doesn't necessarily mean that from that moment on we will live sinless lives. that moment on we will live sinless lives.

However it does mean that we will However it does mean that we will acknowledge sin for what it is, we won't lie to acknowledge sin for what it is, we won't lie to ourselves, our friends and to God in an ourselves, our friends and to God in an attempt to try and rationalize our behaviour. attempt to try and rationalize our behaviour.

It means that we will battle each and everyday It means that we will battle each and everyday asking Jesus for the strength to avoid asking Jesus for the strength to avoid temptation and to resist the trap of sin. temptation and to resist the trap of sin.


Jesus gave us the Catholic Church 2000 Jesus gave us the Catholic Church 2000 years ago to help define what sin is and years ago to help define what sin is and what it isn't. what it isn't.

In Matthew 16, He gave Peter keys to In Matthew 16, He gave Peter keys to the kingdom of heaven, making the kingdom of heaven, making reference to Eliakim who had been given reference to Eliakim who had been given the keys to the kingdom, the house of the keys to the kingdom, the house of David. (Isaiah 22:22) This means that David. (Isaiah 22:22) This means that Jesus is putting Peter in charge, he is Jesus is putting Peter in charge, he is now the one with the authority. now the one with the authority.


He goes on to tell Peter that now, He goes on to tell Peter that now, "whatever you bind on earth will be "whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19)heaven." (Matthew 16:19)

St. Peter of course, is the first pope. St. Peter of course, is the first pope.


Some will acknowledge that Peter held a Some will acknowledge that Peter held a special rank amongst the other apostles, but special rank amongst the other apostles, but that it was not something that was intended to that it was not something that was intended to be handed on to another person. be handed on to another person.

It would make no sense for Jesus to give this It would make no sense for Jesus to give this authority to Peter if he intended it to die with authority to Peter if he intended it to die with him when he died. Jesus asked Peter to guide, him when he died. Jesus asked Peter to guide, and to be the shepherd to His followers. (John and to be the shepherd to His followers. (John 21:15-17) 21:15-17)

If Jesus thought that people who were If Jesus thought that people who were eyewitnesses to Him and to His teachings eyewitnesses to Him and to His teachings needed a shepherd, how much more so would needed a shepherd, how much more so would a shepherd be needed two, three, four, ten a shepherd be needed two, three, four, ten generations later?generations later?


Jesus gave the power to forgive and to retain Jesus gave the power to forgive and to retain sins to the apostles. (Matthew 18:18,19 & John sins to the apostles. (Matthew 18:18,19 & John 20:23)20:23)

This authority has been handed down from one This authority has been handed down from one generation of apostles to the next.generation of apostles to the next.

This This apostolic successionapostolic succession as it is called, has as it is called, has continued unbroken for the last 2000 years, continued unbroken for the last 2000 years, right through to Pope John Paul II and the right through to Pope John Paul II and the bishops all around the world.bishops all around the world.

When we ask the question, "Who gave them the When we ask the question, "Who gave them the right to decide what is sin and what isn't?" right to decide what is sin and what isn't?"

The answer is… The answer is…


Jesus gave the power to forgive and to retain Jesus gave the power to forgive and to retain sins to the apostles. (Matthew 18:18,19 & John sins to the apostles. (Matthew 18:18,19 & John 20:23)20:23)

This authority has been handed down from one This authority has been handed down from one generation of apostles to the next.generation of apostles to the next.

This This apostolic successionapostolic succession as it is called, has as it is called, has continued unbroken for the last 2000 years, right continued unbroken for the last 2000 years, right through to Pope John Paul II and the bishops all through to Pope John Paul II and the bishops all around the world.around the world.

When we ask the question, "Who gave them the When we ask the question, "Who gave them the right to decide what is sin and what isn't?" right to decide what is sin and what isn't?"

The answer is …The answer is …JesusJesus..


Now when it comes to sin, there are some Now when it comes to sin, there are some churches that aren't as 'strict' as the Catholic churches that aren't as 'strict' as the Catholic church, but when our salvation is at stake church, but when our salvation is at stake should we search for what is going to make us should we search for what is going to make us comfortable here or comfortable in heaven? comfortable here or comfortable in heaven?

St. Paul predicted that this would happen in 2 St. Paul predicted that this would happen in 2 Timothy 4:3,4 where he says, "For the time is Timothy 4:3,4 where he says, "For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to listening to the truth and wander away to myths." myths."


If you were in grade 12 and you were planning If you were in grade 12 and you were planning on going to university the next year, and you on going to university the next year, and you had to choose between an English 30 teacher had to choose between an English 30 teacher who just said, "Don't worry about doing your who just said, "Don't worry about doing your homework, or writing using proper grammar. homework, or writing using proper grammar. Don't worry about being able to read complex Don't worry about being able to read complex texts. As long as you pass the test and get your texts. As long as you pass the test and get your credits that is all that matters.", or an English credits that is all that matters.", or an English 30 teacher who expected that you would do at 30 teacher who expected that you would do at least an hour of homework every night; one least an hour of homework every night; one that wouldn't even consider marking an essay that wouldn't even consider marking an essay unless they knew you had edited and revised it unless they knew you had edited and revised it at least three times. This teacher would push at least three times. This teacher would push you to do the very best that you can.you to do the very best that you can.


Now keeping in mind that you want to get Now keeping in mind that you want to get into university and that your mark in English into university and that your mark in English will need to be at the very least a 75%, which will need to be at the very least a 75%, which teacher are you going to choose? teacher are you going to choose?

Now on the other hand, if you are going to Now on the other hand, if you are going to pick a church that will help you learn about pick a church that will help you learn about Jesus and how to get to heaven, are you Jesus and how to get to heaven, are you going to choose the one that says don't worry going to choose the one that says don't worry about repentance or sin or feelings of guilt? about repentance or sin or feelings of guilt? Or are you going to pick the one that has the Or are you going to pick the one that has the authority given by Jesus to define sin and the authority given by Jesus to define sin and the one that encourages repentance from all sin?one that encourages repentance from all sin?


This is all tied in to God protecting us.This is all tied in to God protecting us. He offers the spiritual security blanket He offers the spiritual security blanket

to all people, but it is up to us to put it to all people, but it is up to us to put it on.on.

The spiritual security blanket is belief The spiritual security blanket is belief in God, belief is tied to repentance from in God, belief is tied to repentance from sin, and we have the Church to help sin, and we have the Church to help guide us on our journey. guide us on our journey.

Is it reasonable to Is it reasonable to believe in Godbelieve in God

Sometimes people will Sometimes people will ask the question, ask the question, “What if I believe in “What if I believe in God and he doesn’t God and he doesn’t exist?”exist?”

Pascal's Wager might Pascal's Wager might help shed some light help shed some light on this question. on this question.

Pascal tried to answer Pascal tried to answer the question, Is it the question, Is it more reasonable to more reasonable to believe than it is not believe than it is not to believe?to believe?





God God does does not not existexist






God God does does existexist







BelieBelieveve



Pascal's Wager might Pascal's Wager might help shed some light help shed some light on this question.on this question.




BelieBelieveve

Do Do not not beliebelieveve







BelieBelieveve ØØDo Do not not beliebelieveve







BelieBelieveve ØØDo Do not not beliebelieveve

ØØ







BelieBelieveve ØØ +∞+∞ Do Do not not beliebelieveve

ØØ







BelieBelieveve ØØ +∞+∞ Do Do not not beliebelieveve

ØØ -∞-∞

Proof for the Existence of Proof for the Existence of GodGod

When we consider belief in God, When we consider belief in God, often we require proof that God often we require proof that God exists. exists.

St. Thomas Aquinas considered St. Thomas Aquinas considered several proofs for the existence of several proofs for the existence of God, three or which I will explain God, three or which I will explain here. here.


First Cause - matter cannot create itself; it could not First Cause - matter cannot create itself; it could not exist eternally. Nothing can cause itself to come into exist eternally. Nothing can cause itself to come into existence. All matter needed to be created. Thus the existence. All matter needed to be created. Thus the need for a creator. It is this creator that we call Godneed for a creator. It is this creator that we call God

First Mover – Nothing can cause itself to move. First Mover – Nothing can cause itself to move. Something is either stationary or it is in motion. Something is either stationary or it is in motion. However, nothing can cause itself to move. Thus there However, nothing can cause itself to move. Thus there is a need for something to cause all things created to is a need for something to cause all things created to move. I.e. dominoes are laid out in a certain pattern. move. I.e. dominoes are laid out in a certain pattern. They will remain motionless until the first one is They will remain motionless until the first one is touched by something that is in motion (a hand). The touched by something that is in motion (a hand). The rest of the dominoes will remain motionless until the rest of the dominoes will remain motionless until the preceding domino is moved by the one preceding it. preceding domino is moved by the one preceding it. When we look at the world as a whole, it is the hand of When we look at the world as a whole, it is the hand of God that put everything into motion. God that put everything into motion.


Intelligent Design – Because there is Intelligent Design – Because there is a design, there must be a designer. a design, there must be a designer. An object is composed of many An object is composed of many complicated, perfectly arranged complicated, perfectly arranged parts. The object was designed for a parts. The object was designed for a specific purpose; i.e. a watch is specific purpose; i.e. a watch is designed to tell time; an eye is designed to tell time; an eye is designed to see.designed to see.


I don’t suspect that St. Thomas Aquinas’ I don’t suspect that St. Thomas Aquinas’ ‘Proofs for the Existence of God’ would ‘Proofs for the Existence of God’ would cause an unbeliever to suddenly slap cause an unbeliever to suddenly slap their forehead saying, “Now it all makes their forehead saying, “Now it all makes sense!”sense!”

We do have to ask the question though, We do have to ask the question though, why is it that we ask so strongly for why is it that we ask so strongly for proof that God exists and that Jesus was proof that God exists and that Jesus was really God and that he died for us, when really God and that he died for us, when we don’t demand the same proof for we don’t demand the same proof for virtually anything else in our lives?virtually anything else in our lives?


How do we know what we know? How do we know what we know? First hand knowledgeFirst hand knowledge

Something we have personally witnessed of Something we have personally witnessed of experiencedexperienced

Second hand knowledgeSecond hand knowledge This is information that we claim to know This is information that we claim to know

but have either read it somewhere or have but have either read it somewhere or have been told about it, heard it on the news, in been told about it, heard it on the news, in school etc. school etc.


What is the process for acquiring What is the process for acquiring second hand knowledge?second hand knowledge? We observe the informationWe observe the information We consider the source I.e. is it We consider the source I.e. is it

reliable?reliable? We make a decision to put our faith in We make a decision to put our faith in

the sourcethe source We believeWe believe


There is very little that we know first handThere is very little that we know first hand Most of what we claim to know is second hand Most of what we claim to know is second hand

informationinformation Historical events or personalitiesHistorical events or personalities

Do you really believe a bomb was dropped on Do you really believe a bomb was dropped on Hiroshima or Nagasaki?Hiroshima or Nagasaki?

Do you believe the Lunar Landing took place?Do you believe the Lunar Landing took place? Do you believe that Shakespeare really existed? Do you believe that Shakespeare really existed?

ScienceScience Do you believe that there are planets other than earth Do you believe that there are planets other than earth

in our solar system?in our solar system? If you say that you believe in Evolution, what evidence If you say that you believe in Evolution, what evidence

do you personally have to substantiate your belief?do you personally have to substantiate your belief?


We believe in so many other things without even We believe in so many other things without even a single question. If the science teacher says it is a single question. If the science teacher says it is true and it is in the textbook, we don’t ask for true and it is in the textbook, we don’t ask for proof. proof.

If the textbook says that all living things evolved If the textbook says that all living things evolved over billions of years from a single cell organism, over billions of years from a single cell organism, we simply accept it as truth, never receiving any we simply accept it as truth, never receiving any evidence or proof other than a artists rendition of evidence or proof other than a artists rendition of what he thinks evolution might look like. what he thinks evolution might look like.

None of us have seen macro-evolution, or any None of us have seen macro-evolution, or any real evidence that the world is billions of years real evidence that the world is billions of years old, but we will still say that these things prove old, but we will still say that these things prove that God doesn’t exist and that the bible isn’t that God doesn’t exist and that the bible isn’t true. true.


Why is it so easy to believe in science and Why is it so easy to believe in science and history (other than biblical history) with history (other than biblical history) with nothing more for proof than a textbook nothing more for proof than a textbook and a teacher’s say so?and a teacher’s say so?

We believe in these things because they We believe in these things because they are of little of no consequence in our life. are of little of no consequence in our life.

Believing in evolution doesn’t compel me Believing in evolution doesn’t compel me to love my enemy.to love my enemy.

Believing in evolution doesn’t make me Believing in evolution doesn’t make me feel guilty for having sex outside of feel guilty for having sex outside of marriage, or getting divorced and marriage, or getting divorced and remarried.remarried.


If we were to find out that world was If we were to find out that world was only 10,000 years old rather than only 10,000 years old rather than billions, our lives would not change. billions, our lives would not change. We would get up in the morning eat We would get up in the morning eat breakfast go to school; nothing would breakfast go to school; nothing would change. change.

If we were to find out that the Lunar If we were to find out that the Lunar Landing was a hoax, and that it was all Landing was a hoax, and that it was all staged. Our lives would not change.staged. Our lives would not change.

However…However…


We know that if God exists, and if what the We know that if God exists, and if what the bible teaches about salvation, heaven and hell bible teaches about salvation, heaven and hell is true, then we might have to make some is true, then we might have to make some serious changes in our lives. serious changes in our lives.

The consequences if this is true are immense. The consequences if this is true are immense. People are so afraid that they might live their People are so afraid that they might live their

lives according to the teachings of Jesus and lives according to the teachings of Jesus and have it not be true at the end. have it not be true at the end.

They say, “What if I live this Christian life and They say, “What if I live this Christian life and it isn’t true? Then I will have missed out on all it isn’t true? Then I will have missed out on all the fun.the fun.

The real question one might have to ask The real question one might have to ask themselves is not, “What if it isn’t true?” but, themselves is not, “What if it isn’t true?” but, “What if it is?”“What if it is?”

Un-Christian ChristiansUn-Christian Christians There are many objections to belief in God, most have There are many objections to belief in God, most have

to do with the way people who call themselves to do with the way people who call themselves Christian behave. Christian behave.

It is essential to remember that our faith is based on It is essential to remember that our faith is based on the life, the death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the life, the death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, not the inappropriate behaviour of some Christians.not the inappropriate behaviour of some Christians.

If someone who calls themselves a Christian lives a If someone who calls themselves a Christian lives a certain way that goes entirely against the faith, then certain way that goes entirely against the faith, then shame on them for possibly causing someone else to shame on them for possibly causing someone else to reject the faith. reject the faith.

Now if someone calls themselves a Christian and they Now if someone calls themselves a Christian and they live the faith the way it was meant to be lived, and live the faith the way it was meant to be lived, and someone is still turned off then that is not the fault of someone is still turned off then that is not the fault of the Christian. the Christian.

reflection - if your house was on fire and you only had the opportunity to take either a beautiful...

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