First Give Me The Heat, then I'll Add The Wood

Evidence before faith... sounds much like something I learned from Earl Nightingale when he would say about the man at the fire place, "First you give me heat and then I'll add the wood." Part of the process is faith. Faith is like putting the kindling, the fuel, and bringing the fire to the fire place.

We wouldn't begin to start building a fire if we did not have faith that it would warm us up once lit. All too often, critics of the church are asking us for the heat when if they intend to build their own fire, they must follow the steps that we did; so if we're warming up by what you think is a non existent fire, then I suppose you just don't know.

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche Suggested Reading: Alma Chapters 22, 32

More Accurate Than The Newspaper!

Courtesy of: seekingtruth.co.uk Today's news is Bible prophecy fulfilled:

Unfulfilled prophecy tells us tomorrow's news!

Do the following newspaper headlines look familiar?

CRIME & TERRORISM - UP Crime has increased dramatically in the last 50 years. For example, aggravated assault in the US increased from 60 per 100,000 to over 440 per 100,000 between 1957 and 1992 [FBI statistics], and violent crime has increased over 350% on 1960 levels. Terrorist attacks in the US show over 900% increase on 1970 levels, and 9-11 was the worst-ever act of terrorism. In Britain the 2009 total crime level was some 5,000% above the 1900 level (this cannot be due to population increase alone, which only increased about 60%). Read more at terroism.

Bible prophecy: "in the last days lawlessness will increase" (Mat 24.12)

A POLLUTED WORLD Highway pollution: Public Domain Image Air pollution fatalities now exceed traffic fatalities by 3 to 1 [Earth Policy Institute]. The view from space is becoming marred by smoke and dust [NASA astronauts]. Mercury pollution e.g. from coal-fired power stations, is rising and is a huge threat to health [UN report]. In developing countries, 70 percent of industrial wastes are dumped untreated into waters where they pollute the usable water supply. In 1984 the Bhopal disaster in India was the world's worst chemical disaster. Toxic gas leaked from the chemical plant, and even now the polluted site bleeds poisons daily into the ground water of local residents. As of 2011, more than five million people still live in areas that are considered to be 'contaminated' with radioactive materials from the Chernobyl accident in 1986.

Bible prophecy: "the earth is also polluted by its inhabitants" (Isa 24.5)

FLOODS U.S. Floods, June 2008; U.S. Geological Survey: photo Barry Johnson NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) claim "the January-November 2010 surface temperature anomalies are the warmest (along with 2005) in their 131 year analysis period". The UK Met Office reports that "the UK has experienced nine of the 10 warmest years on record since 1990". And IPCC Model predictions of future temperature rise (based upon estimates of CO2 emissions) typically give a rise of 2-5 degree C relative to 1990 levels by 2100. Whilst the cause of warming over the last century is disputed (and is it now cooling?), the fact of climate change is not disputed. The climate is changing, sea levels have risen and future severe weather events can be expected. The crucial question is "can man control the climate, or is God in control?"

Bible prophecy: "the sea and the waves will roar (Lk 21.25) and the earth will be scorched with fierce heat" (Rev 16.9)

DROUGHT; Water tables are falling on every continent: e.g. they are falling 1.5m/year in China and 1-3m/year in India. Taken together, India, China and Pakistan pump about 400 cubic km of underground water for irrigation in a year - twice as much as is recharged by the rains. Aquifers are emptying. In Africa, persistent drought since the late 1960’s has caused Lake Chad to shrink by 95% in the last 38 years. Deserts are expanding: in Tunisia up to 60 million people could migrate from sub-Saharan Africa to North Africa and Europe by 2020; in Iran, thousands of villages are abandoned because of spreading deserts or a lack of water; in Brazil, some 250,000 square miles of land are affected by desertification, and in China desert expansion has accelerated in each successive decade since 1950. Two out of every three people will be short of water by 2025 [National Geographic, Worldwatch Institute, and Tearfund].

Bible prophecy: "the earth will wither and fade" (Isa 24.4)

ISRAEL'S RAPID GROWTH Old City of Jerusalem Free Israel Photos The population growth of Israel corresponds to an amazing 1200% increase since 1900! In recent years Israel has had high economic growth (typically 3 or 4%) powered by exports. According to the CIA, Israel now has intensively developed agricultural and industrial sectors, with cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) being the leading exports. She is technologically advanced in computer science, electronics, genetics, medicine, optics and solar energy, and her agricultural sector produces about 70 percent of her food requirements. Typical Israeli fruits are apples, pears, peaches, apricots, bananas, mangos, dates olives, grapes and avocados.

Bible prophecy: "Behold, I will take the sons of Israel from among the nations where they have gone ... and bring them into their own land ... And I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field" (Ezek 37.21, 36.30) MORE TRAVELLING - MORE SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES

Weather satellite For 6,000 years man was limited to travelling at 40 km/hr (on horseback); now he can travel at 40,000 km/hr by rocket. A hundred years ago, commercial air travel was unheard of; now there are typically 100,000 commercial flights each day! On a global level Travel & Tourism indicators continue to show strong annual growth. But also note the rapid increase in scientific knowledge. For millennia man has worshipped the sun; now he understands it is a nuclear reaction turning hydrogen into helium. Only a few hundred years ago man communicated by drums and smoke signals; now he brings back images from the planets and monitors our weather from weather satellites. Only a hundred years ago a person died if their heart failed; now they can have a transplant.

Bible prophecy: "in the last days many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase" (Dan 12.4)

COMPUTERS CONTROL OUR LIVES For 6,000 years man communicated at 50 bits/s (by speech); now he communicates at Giga bit/s by optical fibre. Computer control or algorithmic trading has now overtaken the world's finance industry; computer code is now responsible for most of the activity on Wall Street. Universal product codes (UPC's), electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) in shops, the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Transactions (SWIFT), biometric and RFID - radio frequency identification, all herald the cashless society. Financial transactions of every person will be totally computer controlled.

Bible prophecy: (at the end of this age) "no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark" (Rev 13.17)

FISCAL CRISIS Westernized nations in particular are struggling with increasing national debt, forcing more and more state interference in the economy and higher taxes. The national debt as a percentage of GDP of many western nations is around 80%, and increasing. That of Greece is around 130% and that of Japan is around 200%. The dangers of large national debt are well known: a growing level of debt increases the probability of a sudden fiscal crisis during which investors lose confidence in a government's ability to manage its budget, and the government thereby loses its ability to borrow at affordable rates. This is well-illustrated by the eurozone crisis. In 2012, the global national debts summed to around $50,000,000,000,000 - and were rising rapidly! Is the world heading for a global economic meltdown?

Bible prophecy: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great ... for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!" (Rev 18.2,17))

EARTH THREATENED BY ASTEROIDS (Norris Wong: Creative Commons License) The asteroid belt is the origin of virtually all the asteroids in our solar system. The vast majority of these range in size from small rocks to the size of cars. However, there are estimated to be up to 2 million "large" asteroids - those with diameter greater than a kilometer. A Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) has an orbit such that it has the potential to make close approaches to the Earth and a size large enough to cause significant damage in the event of impact. These asteroids are larger than 150m in diameter and could get within 7 million km of earth [NASA]. The known number of PHAs is growing! In October 2008, NASA listed 982 PHAs, and by January 2012 there were some 1,280 known PHAs. It only needs one to hit! On February 15th 2013, an asteroid some 45m in diameter passed the Earth at a distance of just 27,700km. This is nearer than a geostationary satellite! Scientists believe that if it had entered Earth's atmosphere it would have exploded causing widespread devastation like the Tunguska event in 1908. Bible prophecy indicates that an asteroid type object will land in the sea: "And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea" (Rev 8.8)

Certainly, at the end of this age, just prior to Christ's return, it seems that there will be cosmic disturbances:

Bible prophecy: "there will be dismay among nations, with men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Lk 21.25,26) Summarizing

The Bible is more up to date than tomorrow's newspaper, and predicts:

Increased drought

Increased pollution

Increased lawlessness

Increased travel and scientific knowledge

Severe weather events

The rapid growth, prosperity and significance of Israel

The control of the financial transactions of every individual

A sudden global financial meltdown

What appears to be a large asteroid impact, landing in the sea?

The Bible also reports, "the gospel shall be proclaimed throughout the whole world and then the end of this age will come" (Matt 24.14) - Time is short, since over 99% of the world’s 7 billion people can hear broadcasts of the basic Christian message if they have a radio or the Internet.

Here it is again: "God loves us so much that He gave us His Son (Jesus), so whoever trusts in Him won't suffer destruction, but will have everlasting life" (Jn 3.16) For other great articles, visit

The Truth About Galatians 1:6-9 Re-examined - A Christians Perspective

Pre-message conclusion. The doctrine of circumcision was a hot topic and the cause of heated debates between Paul and Peter. Most Christians like to use this passage of Galatians 1:6-9 to disqualify the claims made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding any and all Angels from being trust worthy or for preaching a different gospel, then to hence, "from such turn away." But with close examination of Galatians, we discover the true reasons why Paul said what he did. Enjoy the article. (This was written by a Christian and is unaware, potentially, that his works have been quoted. I draw conclusions to my own assessment of this scripture passage based on his research. But use this and perhaps do you own research as well! Enjoy!

"Perverting the Gospel" by Larry Ray Hafley

For years, denominational preachers and brethren such as LeRoy Garrett and the Carl Ketcherside have argued that we may have differing views of "doctrinal matters," but that we must agree on the essential elements of "the gospel." In other words, one group may play a piano in worship and another may not; one might practice sprinkling while another church insists on immersion. Such "doctrinal issues" are irrelevant. However, they say, we must agree upon the "essentials" of the gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ). Let us examine this subject in light of Acts 15 and Galatians 1 and 2. Paul spoke of those who would "pervert the gospel of Christ" (Gal. 1:6-9). When they do so, he said, they are preaching "another gospel." Further, when the gospel is perverted, when "another gospel" is substituted, the result is that souls are "removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ" (Cf. Gal. 1:6; 1 Cor. 1:9; and Gal. 3:1; 5:7).

According to the distinction under review, by "perverting" the gospel and preaching "another," Paul must have had reference to a perversion of the facts of the gospel, i.e., the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. If it be true that the gospel consists of those primary facts alone, while everything else is "doctrine," then the apostle must have been referring to a corruption of those basic gospel features. But was he? No, and here is why:

(1) The specific corruption of the gospel is outlined in Acts 15 when "certain men...said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved" (v. 1; Cf. Gal. 2; 5:1- 4). When they did this, the apostles said, "certain (men)...have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment" (Acts 15:24). In the Galatian letter, Paul agreed that the effect of their "doctrine" was indeed subversive of their souls. "Ye are," he charged, "fallen from grace" (Cf. Gal. 1:6; 5:4).

Thus, one could teach "doctrinal" error (circumcision, law keeping) and still be guilty of perverting the "gospel." But how is that possible if the gospel only consists of three basic facts while all else is doctrine? Those who make that distinction between gospel and doctrine need to tell us!

(2) When the apostles refuted the binding of circumcision, they did so "that the truth of the gospel might continue with you" (Gal. 2:5). Observe, that to deny the doctrinal error of circumcision was to establish "the truth of the gospel." How, though, could that be possible, if the gospel is simply Christ crucified, buried and risen? If the doctrinal error of circumcision had been tolerated, the gospel would not have continued. That being so, those who distinguish between "gospel" and "doctrine" are guilty of making a false dichotomy.

(3) Peter's separation from the Gentiles caused him to walk "not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:14). However, if association with the Gentiles involves "doctrinal" matters only, and not issues of the "gospel," how could his behavior be said to be contrary "to the truth of the gospel"? Peter certainly did not deny the "core" gospel facts, yet he walked not "according to the truth of the gospel."

Conclusion: The "doctrinal" error of circumcision resulted in a perversion of the "gospel" and negated the saving power of the "cross" (Gal. 1:6-9; 3:1; 5:1-4, 7, 11; 6:12-14). Therefore, it is not true that we may be in error in doctrine and remain true in the gospel. Refer to: http://www.bassfishing.org/thebiblespeaks/Articles/Authority/Obey/perverting.htm

If one would consider a faulty interpretation of Gal 1:6-9, then it erroneously could also apply to the Angel Gabriel, why by definition came to Joseph and Mary (not leaders in the Jewish Faith) and spoke of a Messiah who should come, but would later prove to bring to the world a "different gospel!"

Jeremiah 4:19 - The Tummy Ache Scripture

Jeremiah 4:19 ¶My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. Here is my interpretation, knowing nothing more about this passage of scripture save that it is written in English. - ¶My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; - Ancient prophets of Israel may have been eating food that didn't agree with their stomachs. It gave them heartburn. - my heart maketh a noise in me; - maybe sounds that come from the heart could resemble movement within the bowels. - I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war - watch out... I won't be able to hold my #2 in... so I need to have a toilet and fast and I will sing, "O my soul, the sound of a trumpet, the alarm of war" for my regular singing while in the John musical number. I am about to destroy this outhouse! The End! AMEN!

No Other Gods Before Me Or After Me - An In Depth Look into Isaiah 43:10

I wanted to address a scripture, which is probably the most used by Anti-Mormons and certainly the most mis-quoted. I am a very big stickler about reading scriptures in context and it bothers me when they're not. Scriptures are not written words to mold to one's understanding. They must truly study Ancient Israel in all of its aspects while also having a running understanding of the Bible in order to understand these verses in context. The verse I want to address today is Isaiah 43:10

"Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me."

If we were to ONLY read this verse without verses 9 leading up to it and 11 after wards, then I can see how easy it would be to go willy nilly in the internet and drop this verse all day long to suit ones purposes. If you were to read it WORD for WORD with these collection of words, as it appears in the English Language, one may possibly be hearing... "No God Formed" and they might loosely interpret this as saying, "No God Created" or "No God Born" but this isn't even what the question is all about. Continuing in verse 11, we learn...

"I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour."

Let's remember at what point in time this was written also. It is late in the years after Israel has already been organized and have been living in the promised land for quite some time. They had already dealt with the introduction of other false God's such as Baal. They have already been influenced by the God's of other nations.

So what is Isaiah really writing? It's the Lord saying the same thing here as he did on Mt. Sanai when he told Moses this:

Thou shalt have NO other GODS before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
(Emphasis Added) *Exodus 20:3-5*

What evidence do we have that there were other Gods that were worshiped before the one true God, the God of Israel? One only needs to go back to the book of Joshua.

Joshua 24:15-16

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods;

So we learn that we must not follow after the Gods that were worshiped by Men during ANY other time in the history of this world, that exist now, or can possibly be invented before the great day of judgment shall surely come to pass. The words mis-quoted in Isaiah do not disqualify Men from reaching their true potential. The Lord himself said, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Revelations 3:30. These are not IDLE words spoken by the Lord to his servant John while on the Isle of Patmos. Those early church members once had a perfect knowledge of their true potential. To him that overcomes the world will be granted the opportunity to rule and reign in the house of Israel as the Kings and Priests which they are.

In conclusion, chapter 43 of Isaiah are the Lord's words to ancient Israel, that they should rely upon ONE savior and only that ONE TRUE MESSIAH and to not follow after the God's who were worshiped in those days, worshiped in the past, or could POSSIBLY be invented in the future. This reference holds no connection to Man's potential to becoming like his Father in Heaven; which I have found more evidence in the Bible than can possibly be written on this blog that supports Man's true potential versus a badly, mis-quoted verse of scripture such as Isaiah 43:10 being quoted out of context. Chapter 43 is all about the Lord's word to Israel. The Lord says: "I am thy God; I will gather thy seed; beside me there is no Savior; ye are my witnesses."

All who belong to covenant Israel are now the witnesses for the Lord and we witness unto the world with the power of the Holy Ghost that there are prophets once again in Israel and for the whole earth. We testify to the world that Isaiah said it best. There is only one name under heaven through which men can receive a forgiveness from their sins and that name is Jesus Christ.

2 Nephi 31: 20-21

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God...

If you are already a member of this new and everlasting covenant, then continue to press forward as covenant Israel in these latter-days. Let not the gods of this world occupy your time and attention. Let not the graven images of our world today replace the one true Lord, which is Jesus Christ, in our importance. Let the words of Isaiah, spoken in true context, teach men on earth that there is only ONE God, as far as he is concerned, that we must worship and laud as the only means through which we may be saved in that glorious kingdom which is shortly to come to be. But make no mistake about this...the Bible talks repeatedly about the deification of man and of man's potential to be sanctified and made holy!

Some have confused this passage of scripture to mean that we are all 'judges' and not literal children of God. (See Psalms 82:1,6-8) If you read carefully in this Psalm, it was well understood by the ancient Hebrews that we were literally the 'children of God' being thus also called gods. This did not mean that we were 'immortal' or that we would never die in the sense of how God is, yet. One day our bodies would be renewed and one day we would ALL be immortal. We would all become perfected in Christ and through the atonement, if we gave it cause to work within us. (See Galatians 3:24, Philip. 3:15 (14–15) - See also 2 Tim. 2:10–12, Romans 8:15-18, but best explained by Paul's writings to Timothy.)

John 10:29-39 explains more about why the Lord used the passage in Psalms to explain how he and the father were both divine and enjoyed the same level of Godhood. This does not necessarily explain to the world regarding our 'true potentials' but that this could never be accomplished on our own regardless. The need for a 'savior' and 'sanctification/purification via the baptism of Fire and the refiners fire would still need to enact itself upon those disciples of Jesus..."

John 10: 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. 34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. 39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,"

It wasn't written in error about 'ye are gods' because each one of us are prince's ... which are prince's to become kings and then like the father, who is the King of Kings. This was also well explained in Revelation 1:5-6 - the early saints had no doubt that mankind's potential was to 'join the father' and become like him. Many Early Christian saints held this belief, to be sure.

Potential to become 'like God' is Un-Christian?

Some Christians insist that the doctrine of theosis is unBiblical and unChristian. However, a review of Christian history illustrates that this doctrine was and is a common belief of many Christians.

Irenaeus (ca. AD 115-202) Saint Irenaeus, who may justly be called the first Biblical theologian among the ancient Christians, was a disciple of the great Polycarp, who was a direct disciple of John the Revelator. Irenaeus is not a heretic or unorthodox in traditional Christian circles, yet he shares a belief in theosis:

While man gradually advances and mounts towards perfection; that is, he approaches the eternal. The eternal is perfect; and this is God. Man has first to come into being, then to progress, and by progressing come to manhood, and having reached manhood to increase, and thus increasing to persevere, and persevering to be glorified, and thus see his Lord. Like the LDS, Irenaeus did not believe that this belief in any way displaced God, Christ, or the Holy Ghost: there is none other called God by the Scriptures except the Father of all, and the Son, and those who possess the adoption....Since, therefore, this is sure and stedfast, that no other God or Lord was announced by the Spirit, except Him who, as God, rules over all, together with His Word, and those who receive the Spirit of adoption.

Bibliography Notes: Henry Bettenson, "The Early Christian Fathers: A Selection from the Writings of the Fathers from St. Clement of Rome to St. Athanasius" (London: Oxford University Press, 1956)pages 16–17, page 94. ISBN 0192830090. Visit this link for more research on the matter and the thoughts and beliefs of many other "Christian Fathers" who lived from 100-400 A.D. who held the same beliefs. http://en.fairmormon.org/Mormonism_and_the_nature_of_God/Deification_of_man#endnote_fn1