Tell Me Who Did?

Recently, I’ve been getting a lot of emails from “unbelievers” in response to my arguments on the existence of God. I would say that almost all of them refused to see the logic and rationality in my arguments. It’s not that they can’t see it but they just refuse to see it. Instead, they try to prove me wrong by asking a different question. A mature person must counter argue with an answer or at least with a question that will challenge the point I am making. But this is not the case as it has been typical of the “unbeliever” to always counter argue by posing questions and theories not with logic or facts.

For an example, I received an email from a reader who (again!) refused to see my point but rather posed another question. He asked me if I could prove to him that man has a soul. Well, I can do two things right now. First, I could try to answer his question which I guess would most probably be replied with yet another question. The other thing I can do is to challenge all those out there with a list of questions. My challenge is rather a simple one.

If you would ask me to prove that man has a soul… I would like to ask you to prove that man has NO soul, not based on theory but rather by proven facts. That means you should have a logical and rational explanation for your arguments and counter arguments.

If you argue that God did not create the universe than tell me who did? Or how it was formed logically and rationally? Don’t tell me what you think could have happened but give me facts my friend.

By Kater B

How much of Jesus did people see today?

A few days ago I was having an interesting conversation with a close friend. We were reminiscing about our younger days that mostly revolved around the church. The talk started on a very happy note but towards the end we were almost in tears. We were sad to see the youth meetings in churches today being reduced to almost nothing.

The first question that I asked myself was, where have we gone wrong? The youth meetings in some churches now are nothing but a babysitting time. They are so activity oriented that the name of Jesus is hardly heard anymore. Some churches are organizing events such as concerts that promote drug-free, clean and fun filled life, all in the name of youth ministry.

Well, what’s wrong with that? Let me make this clear before you jump to conclusions about what I have to say. I totally and firmly believe in churches getting involved in social work. In fact, my entire family is involved in Christian-based social work. I am not against good music and creative shows in churches. Having said that, I also believe that we cannot take Jesus out of our mission.

Creating social awareness is not our call as a church but rather to preach the Gospel of Jesus. Social work is just a part of the great commission. Churches today invest thousands of dollars in organizing a concert and take pride in the attendance but forget the real goal which is to preach the name of Jesus and to see lives saved. Concerts should just be a means whereby music is used as a tool to preach Jesus.

At the end of the day, our success should be measured by “How much of Jesus did people see today” rather than how many youth were jumping and dancing on the floor. The world doesn’t need another concert or another dance performance or another stage show; what it needs is JESUS. We are not called to entertain the world but to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ that has the power to save unto salvation for all those who believe in it.

By Kater. B

Do You Know Him?

Few years ago there was a period in my life where I struggled with the reality of God. I stopped praying and reading the Bible. I was in search for the truth. I was confused and disorientated. It was the “black age” of my life. To cut the story short, the Lord invaded my life once again and now I am totally convinced that there is nothing more real than God.

One of the things I have to struggle with after that period was my conscience. I felt as if I have betrayed the Lord over that period of time. I kept asking myself why I ever doubted God. I have experienced His love and grace, He has been so good to me, yet I doubted Him.

I was reminded of Judas and Peter, two of Jesus’ disciples, who both betrayed and denied Christ at some point of their lives. What is interesting was the outcome. Peter became the first pastor of the church but Judas killed himself. As I began to research these both characters, I realized that one knew about Jesus and His works and the other knew Jesus and His works.

We read the Bible and we hear sermons after sermons and that by doing this it helps us to know about God. We hear about His saving power and about how Jesus healed the sick and the countless number of miracles listed in the Gospels. But is knowing about God good enough?

Judas knew about Jesus but Peter knew Jesus. Judas saw the miracles but Peter experienced the miracles. Peter was the first among the disciples to have a clear revelation of who Jesus was. He was the only disciple who walked on water. Judas killed himself when he betrayed Jesus but Peter ran to Jesus for forgiveness because he knew the Jesus who lifted him when he was sinking will lift him up again.

Today I am free of my guilt. I know my Jesus has forgiven me and has restored me. I know that He has great things in-store for me and my family. At the end of the day, what really counts is not how much I know about Him but how well I know Him. No one can take away the experiences that I had with Jesus. I know and I know that I know that He is more real than ever.

When the Bible says Jesus is a healer; let’s experience His healing. When the Bible says that He is mighty to save; let’s experience His salvation. When the Bible says Jesus loves us; let’s walk in that love. It is not enough to know about Him but let us know Him.

By Kater B

Makes you think doesn’t it?

Don’t talk about me when you don’t know me. The most frustrating thing to hear is when people make remarks about you when they hardly know you. When someone makes a remark about someone that they don’t know, they are merely making assumptions. They assume that this person is as such. The conclusion is mostly based on the things they have heard or read somewhere. Remarks or comments as such hold no credibility. The same applies for those who deny God. When someone argues that God does not exist, it is merely an assumption of a God they never knew. These are the same people who are provoked when people make assumptions about them.

My friend asked me why are you so into arguing the existence of God. Well won’t you be upset if someone tells you if your father doesn’t exist? I will be very upset if someone tells me that my father is not real. It will be a statement that undermines my being. My friend replied I won’t deny your father’s existence because you are here.

Well that’s exactly my argument. How can you deny God’s existence when we are here? You rather believe in the assumptions that your ‘father’ was a monkey than you were created by the hands of God? Which is easier to believe - that the universe came into form by a case of accident or that it has been crafted by a greater intellectual being? As far as I know, science should explain things to be more rational and not to complicate rationality itself. Throughout history, people have manipulated us in the name of so called science only to spread their own religious belief that there is no god. To believe that there is no god is just another religion not science. Science must be based on proven facts.

If you are out there and believe that there is no god, you are just as religious as us who believe that there is One. The difference is that should we be wrong, then we have nothing to lose but if you are wrong, then you have everything to lose. Makes you think doesn’t it?

By Kater B

Love Makes Life Beautiful

For a moment let’s put our imagination to work. Imagine a world without hills, mountains and the valleys that outline the painting of earth. Imagine a world without flowers, plants and trees that colors this canvas with its gorgeousness. Image a world without streams and falls, rivers, lakes and seas that brings life to this work of art. Imagine a world without the sun, the moon and the stars that frames these creations. Imagine a world without the birds of the skies, the fishes and the creatures of the waters and the wildlife that wander the lands, giving details to this drawing. The world will be a very sad place to be in without all this brilliant elements of nature.

The same could be said about love. Imagine a life without love. Life will be a tragedy. As much as humans need air to stay alive, we need love to live that life. Love gives us purpose and it motivates us to be a better person each day. When we fall, love carries us back to our feet and love helps us to find our way back when we are lost. Love turns our smiles into laughter and love gives meaning to our tears. With love we are able to feel and because of love we could stand the pain. Love creates and love builds to greatness. Love destroys and defeats evil. Love sacrifices and love gives without expectation.

Mother embracing her newborn close to her breast and a son holding his mother near to his heart, there is love. Father holding the hands of his girl as she takes her first step, and a daughter leading her father by his hands as he takes his few last steps, there is love. When two very different individuals commit to treasure each other for the rest of their life, there is love.

The Creator of the universe taking a form of His creation, humbling Himself to the point of death on the cross, forsaken and rejected and conquering death itself is the ultimate expression love.
Now for a moment, switch-off the television and the iPod, walk to that window and take a look at the world outside. It won’t take long for you to realize that love makes life beautiful.

By Kater B.

Your heartbeat

A glisten of dew on a blade of grass
bursts of gold and orange upon the sky
the unblemished crisp of air
the pregnant silence of the dawn,
Lord, I hear Your heartbeat.

as the measure of time called day shuffles to its feet
and life finds it voice; chirp, buzz, chatter;
scream, cackle, whimper, shriek, roar, murmur...
Yet, the stillness of Your presence,
Lord, I hear Your heartbeat

a woman holding a fragment of herself;
the newborn taking his first breath;
as she draws him to her breasts,
two hearts beating as one,
knitted together by love... complete and perfect,
Lord, I hear Your heartbeat

Here I am, down on my knees,
humbled...
I opened the windows of my soul
You shone love into every recess, corner, curve, edge
the walls I so carefully built,
crumbled...

With Your gentleness You make me great
I could not begin to comprehend Your majesty,
in my humanity, I am but dust.

Words fail to frame my thoughts, Lord
I could only be still,
and know that You're God.
Here, in the stillness of Your beauty
and peace that surpasseth understanding,
in Your love's perfect purity,
Lord, my heart...beats after Yours.

By Cynthia Phillioux

Have you waited lately?

Inspired by: Acts 1:4-
on one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about

Led by instinct it enters a stage of solitude and there it waits…

It yields to the power of its creator Who had incorporated greatness in its origin. Silencing the voices of the world, it realizes its higher call, not to crawl through this world but to fly the skies and to reach the heavens. Its destiny is to amaze the habitants of this earth with its splendid beauty and to display the touch of the One who painted the universe through His words. As the caterpillar remains all alone, trusting totally in its maker, an unexplainable phenomenon begins from within. Its appearance and its form begin to change, a transformation beyond recognition.

Days and nights go by and the moment finally arrives when a new sensation fills its being. The newly created neuron structure, the specialized cells where each unit is accountable for receiving and transmitting information from the brain to throughout the body, begins fulfilling its responsibilities. An assuring voice calls for a breakthrough from within. With all its newfound might, it breaks the cocoon that enveloped it all these days. Blood rushes forth all through its being, screaming the message of freedom, without hesitation it leaps into the skies as a butterfly for all to behold.

God has planted greatness into each one of us too. To fulfill our destiny we need to silence the negative influence of this world and wait in solitude. We are to build a cocoon that will isolate us from the system of this world that has been polluted by the nature of sin. The awesome and magnificent day will come when you will be displayed for all to see; the wonder and the majestic work of our Lord.

By Kater B.

What's on the Price Tag?

Whenever we hear the word free today it makes us think, can anything be free? There is always a catch or a hidden agenda. To be honest, I think there is nothing free in the world anymore; everything has a price tag on it. For something to be free it has to be out of this world. This system of the world has somehow crept its way into our churches today.

The idea of “nothing can be free” has polluted the way we see and preach God. Most of the time we hear preachers saying that salvation is a free gift from God, but they add a price tag to everything else after that. The messages we hear today demands us to tithe or to serve in the church or to attend church services in order to be blessed by God.

But, that’s not what the Bible has to say. The Bible declares everything for free simply on the basis that Jesus had paid for everything in FULL when He died for us on the cross. When Jesus died on the cross He did not just make salvation available but with it financial blessings, health, peace of mind, love, care and everything one would need for a victorious life. Instead of bringing the voucher that Jesus had given us, we go to God with our works which is never enough to pay for anything from Him.

Let’s come out of this lie that has robbed us from God’s blessings. The truth is we tithe because we are blessed and we serve in the church because we are blessed, not to be blessed. God has given everything for free; it’s the church that has put a price tag on it.

By Kater B.

A Prayer from a Heart of Gratitude

Lord I want to thank You
For the way I feel now
A heart of gratitude that you gave me

You saved and You made me
Into whom I am now
You made a difference in my life

My mind could not imagine
The wonders of your grace
The price you’d paid for someone like me

A heart of gratitude…
Love fills my senses
It’s Your blood that’s flowing through my veins

Lord I thank You for being who You are
Lord I love You for loving me somehow
Lord I serve You for giving me this life

Even though this life I give
Could not repay the price You paid
But this is all I have, I give it all to You.

By Kater B.

How did the universe begin?

How did the universe begin? This is the very first question that the Bible answers. It says “In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1: 1). But somehow some people find it hard to believe it because if they do, then they have to agree that God exists. So after a lot of thinking they proposed a theory called the “Big Bang”.

The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe began from nothing. So in the beginning there was nothing and nothing becomes something. I am no PHD holder but I think I can say that this is mathematically wrong. When you introduce any value to nothing it always turn out to be nothing (1 x 0 = 0). I learned that back in my kindergarten year. They said that about 3 to 4 billion years ago the universe launched itself from “singularity” and when they were asked what “singularity” means, they said that they are “zones which defy our current understanding of physics”. In other word, it simply means “WE DON’T KNOW!” (http://www.big-bang-theory.com/) All the billions of dollars invested into the years and years of research just to say “we don’t know”? Come on, get a free Bible from behind the church pew.

The Bing Bang Theory is far from being a scientific fact. It is just a theory and idea - it is a belief. No one can claim that the Big Bang theory is scientific. To be honest it is more likely to be a fairytale. A fairytale always begins with these few words, “A very long, long time ago…” and the first few words of The Big Bang Theory are “Billions and billions of years ago…”, sounds familiar?

The word universe comes from two different words, “uni” which means one, and” verse” which mean sentence. My Bible tells me that God spoke and the universe come into existence. There is no other explanation and there will be no other rationalization to the beginning of the universe. God designed everything in this universe and finely tuned the laws that make life possible.



by Kater B

Do You Stay in Touch?

The touch is the most underappreciated one of our five senses. The definition of touch is “to cause or permit a part of the body, especially the hand or fingers, to come in contact with so as to feel”. When we touch someone it is a gesture of a relationship. In first time meetings, we shake hands as a sign of a new friendship or a new affiliation. In times of trouble, all that we long for is that one touch. In fear, a touch calms the heart. In sorrow, a touch comforts and heals the pain. A touch communicates more than a thousand words. Touch carves memories and touch overcomes doubt.

Writing about touch reminds me of Thomas (one of Jesus’ disciples). When the news of the resurrection of Jesus got to the disciples, Thomas refused to believe it. He said, unless he could touch Jesus and feel his wounds, he would not believe. That’s right, this is the same Thomas who walked and talked with Jesus. This is the same Thomas who saw Jesus walk on water, the same Thomas who ate the bread which Jesus multiplied for the multitudes. This is the Thomas who witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus when Jesus called him back to life from the tomb and the same Thomas who was amazed by the authority of Jesus when the waves and the winds obeyed Him. He saw the blind see, he heard the mute speak and he was there when the demons fled.

But in times like this rational and logic do speak louder than the TRUTH. His worries and problems clouded the past reality reducing them to dream-like experiences. His mind was confused by the many voices from all around and struggled to connect the present with yesterday. And then the unbelievable happened. Jesus appeared. Instead of condemning, Jesus called Thomas to reach out and touch Him.

When it seems like God has ceased to exist, all one needs to do is to reach out and touch Him. That touch will not betray your logic but will allow you to apprehend that there is another dimension of truth. It will help you to realize that this earth we live in is merely a shadow of a greater world of reality. You will discover not just that God is alive but that He is Life. It is not that hard to believe in God, after all, He is just asking us to stay in touch.

by Kater B

How do you judge others?

This is a very interesting commercial. I had tears streaming down when I watched it. Sometimes the people we less expect can bring about the greatest gifts in life. God can use anyone of us to be a blessing, just need to offer Him what we have, our talents, time or treasure. Not going to say much, enjoy the video.

Love’s Reaction

Do you remember the very first time when you fell in love? I still do…

I was in school then and she was sitting at the desk behind me. She was sitting there almost every day for past five months but I barely noticed her then the day came. It was a normal schooling day and like usual, we finished assembly and we walked back to our classes. I sat down at my desk and, as usual, was trying to think of excuses to tell the teachers why I could not finish my homework. As I was focusing hard on my creativity, I heard my name being called by the sweetest voice that I have ever heard. I turned behind to give her my full attention and there she was, in her usual light blue uniform and her hair tied the way she always did. She placed her hands on mine and said “Good morning!” Suddenly, in a fraction of a second, I felt electricity of a thousand watt rush thru my veins. An unexplainable emotional explosion took place in my heart. My brain stalled as it failed to compute this unexpected strange phenomenon that was rapidly escalating throughout my whole being. My eyes and neck lost its ability to turn away from her sight as my ears continued to recreate the melody of her voice. Her eyes were like a gateway to a whole new revelation of who I ever could be. For the next few days all I could ever think of or dream of was her. Her name began to surface in all my conversations as my life started to evolve around her. It was love’s reaction.

I can only compare this experience to one other time but the authenticity was multiplied by a million time. As real as this is to me, so was my experience with my Creator. I heard that same voice which called the world into existence, called my name. I felt the touch of the same hands that was nailed to the cross for me two thousand years ago. It was a blast of an incomprehensible power through my soul as I stood amazed in awe of Him not able to move a single muscle. I saw the revelation of who I can be in Him, my destiny and the purpose of my existence. Since then my mouth was filled with His praises as He becomes the center of my life in worship. It is love’s reaction.

It’s amazing how love proves the existence of God. I am real and so is my experience of love and that makes God the source of love and this experience real. To deny God is to deny love. To deny love is to deny my existence. One denies God only because of his lack of experience with God. But as for us who have experienced His love there is no denial that God is real and that God is Love. He is there near you always and all you need to do is to listen to Him calling your name and experience love’s reaction.

By Kater B

What About Grace?

Inspired by Luke 15:11-32

I have heard the story of the prodigal son so many times in my life. Growing up as an “active” church going Christian and serving in the fulltime ministry for more than 13 years, has always made me wonder, why the elder brother is labeled the bad guy in this parable. Come on and think about it... he is the good guy here. He was faithful in doing his father’s will; he had always stayed with his father and had never left his father to enjoy what the world had to offer. If this is the case why was there no celebrations for the elder son ever? (v29)

Sometimes it makes us wonder why people who have just heard the gospel experience more notable miracles than those who have been believers for ages, why there are more healings among the “newly converts” rather than church goers, why those who have left the Father are brought back with extraordinary testimonies. Does the Father love the prodigals more than His people who are totally devoted to Him? Do I need to be a “prodigal” to win the Father’s attention and favor?

The real issue here is the condition of the heart, the mind set, the attitude. The prodigal comes before the Father knowing that he has done badly, that he has failed the Father in every way and that he has destroyed everything and nothing that he has done nor nothing he does will regain the Father’s favor (vs. 18 - 21). This is the attitude that qualifies one to gain God’s blessings. One needs to understand and realize that it is the “unmerited favor of God” that releases God’s unlimited blessings.

Most believers, like the elder brother, unconsciously reason that their faithfulness and commitment win them the favor of God. And this is precisely the kind of attitude that disqualifies one from God’s blessings. We think because we serve Him or because we have fasted and prayed or because we obey His entire commandments we deserve God’s blessing. Sad to say but this is how the church has been programmed to think. Growing up in church, I have heard numerous preachers say that we need to do this and that to gain God’s blessings. The truth is, there is absolutely NOTHING we can do to earn the favor of God.

We serve Him because we love Him, not to gain His blessings. We pray because we have a relationship with the Father, not to secure His favor. We worship to exalt Him, giving Him what is due and not to manipulate Him into blessing us. Everything that we do must be founded and motivated by love. Love is an act of selflessness. It does not require anything in return.

The elder brother, like the Pharisees, disqualified himself from the blessings of the father because he thought that all his doings could earn him his father’s favor. Though everything was his, (vs. 31) he never enjoyed it.

Let us walk in this truth, that everything which belongs to the Father is ours and we have it because of whatJESUS has done for us on the cross not because of what we have done or can do or will ever be able to do. It is the grace of God, THE UNMERITTED FAVOR OF GOD. Grace is not just the point of salvation but it is everything after that, we are SAVED by grace and we LIVE by grace.

By Kater B

Did God Create Evil?

This is an interesting dialog I came across today. I am not sure of the source but we all know who this genius is.

One day, a professor of a university decided to defy his pupils.

He asked: “Did God created everything that exists?”
A student answered bravely: “Yes, He did”
“….everything?” asked the teacher
“Yes! Everything” Was the answer of the student
“In this case, God also created evil, correct? Because evil exists.” Said the teacher

The student had no answer and remained in silence…..

The teacher was delighted at the opportunity to prove one more time that God was only a myth.

Suddenly, another student raised his hands and asked: “May I ask you a question, professor?”
“Of course you may”, replied the professor
“Does cold exist? – Student
“Of course” answered the professor, “Did you never feel cold?”

“Actually, sir, cold does not exist. According to studies in physics, cold is the total and complete absence of heat. An object can only be studied if it has and transmits energy and it is the heat of an object that transmits its energy. Without heat, the objects are inert, incapable to react. But cold does not exist. We created the term cold to explain the lack of heat.”

“And darkness?” continued the student.
“It exists” replied the professor

“Again, you’re wrong sir; darkness is the total absence of light. You can study light and brightness, but not darkness. The prism of Nichols shows the variety of different colors in which the light can be decomposed according to the longitude of the waves. Darkness is the term we created to explain the total absence of light”

And finally, the student asked “And evil, sir does evil exists. God did not create evil. Evil is the absence of God.

Now it was the professor’s turn to remain silent….

Well if you are wondering who the student was, he is none other than Albert Einstein, what a great thinker was he. My Hero

By Kater.B

IS THERE A GOD?

Just a few days ago I came across a website with the title “There is No God” and with the caption saying “destroying gods through education and entertainment”. What is wrong with this statement? Well, how can you destroy something that does not exist? Ok, I get it you are talking about destroying the “idea” that says “There is God”. All right, if it is merely an idea, what’s the big deal? Why dedicate so much of time and resources to destroy something that does not exist?

The very reason that there are these kinds of websites proves and shows that there is a God who is more real than just an idea. The very fact that there is atheism proves that there is a living God. It will be a joke for people with such high level of thinking ability will dedicate their entire lives to disprove a God who simply exist in people’s imagination.

For example we all know that there is no Santa Claus, but we don’t get upset when we see that fat old man with red suite one Christmas eve, do we? I haven’t come across a group of intellectuals publishing facts arguing stating “There is No Santa Claus”. Why not? Cause it will be stupid to argue over something that does not exist.

So all of you out there who argue that there is No God, Think again? What or who are you really trying to destroy? Is it God, or the Idea that there is God?

Maybe what you should really think about is "why I am so angry with God?"

by
Kater.B