Everyone should hear this message!

There are on occasion messages that, once I hear them, I think immediately - wow, EVERYONE needs to hear this message...

This is one of those messages - I urge everyone to take the time to listen to this message - it is so very, very applicable. Jesus is the only perfect man to ever live. Because most men fail to look to Him as our example, there exists 2 extremes in men: chauvinism and cowardice. Pastor Mark Driscoll preaches to men about being real men who love God and serve their family well in this sermon from Trial.

Guys - take the next 70 minutes and listen... You won't be sorry!

1 Peter 3:7
Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.

Do all roads lead to God?

I stumbled upon this list on one of the blogs I read regularly and thought I would pass it on. Especially since I have had some friends ask me the difference between some beliefs.

So for your edification here are the beliefs, practices and anti-theistic theroies that have a strong influence in our world - specifically as they relate to healing/health/medicine:

Christian Faith

• There is one Triune God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
• Humankind is made in the image and likeness of God.
• God’s Word, the Bible, is the infallible Word.
• Salvation is found in no one but Jesus Christ.
• Humankind is inherently sinful and in need of redemption, which comes only through Jesus Christ and his Atonement.
• Through the divine will of God and the deity of Jesus Christ, who came to earth in human flesh, his death and resurrection is the meritorious atoning work of God.
• Freedom from sin is only possible through salvation in Jesus Christ and no other.
• True healing is from God (the Great Physician) alone through the work of Jesus Christ and the promise of the Holy Spirit.
• Eternal life is the Christian’s reward, where there is banishment of all suffering, sadness, and grief. Life in the everlasting peace and love of God is the Christian’s hope.

Hinduism

• 
  There is no single Hindu idea of God.
• All souls are eternal and accountable for their own actions.
• Karma is the debt of one’s bad actions for which one must atone.
• Hinduism denies the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the Atonement, sin, and salvation by grace through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
• Hinduism replaces resurrection with reincarnation, and replaces both grace and faith with human works.
• Healing depends upon Karma.
• Ultimate healing is evident in reincarnation

New Age Movement

• Man is inherently divine
• All is one and all is God. God is an impersonal conscious and power.
• Jesus was an enlightened teacher.
• Salvation is accomplished by good works and reincarnation.
• There is no absolute truth. All beliefs are valid.
• Spiritism, Theosophy, Christian Science, Unity, Baha’ism, and Rosicrucianism are spearheads of New Age teachings and the healing philosophy also found in practices of alternative medicine.
• Healing is possible through self-empowerment.
• Practices that heal are good and true regardless of their origin.

Buddhism

• Buddhism shows a heavy influence of Brahmanism, gods, and goddesses in Buddha’s history and teachings.
• At the center of this teaching lies the concept of cosmic consciousness, a nonpersonal essence also called a Void.
• Many “buddhas” were followed, but there is one Buddha that enlightened ones follow.
• Discoveries of the Middle Path, the Four Noble Truths, and Eightfold Path is consistent with traditional Chinese belief, which is evident in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine.
• The Pali text is considered the most reliable teachings of Buddha. Other sects of Buddhism often add to this text.
• Man suffers because his desires are fixated on the illusion of self, which confines him to non-permanence within the laws of Karma and reincarnation.
• Self-salvation is achieved by following the Middle Path, the Four Noble Truths, and the Eightfold Path. The ultimate goal is to reach the state of Nirvana, where self becomes extinguished in the Void.
• Buddha heals if Buddha wills.
• Ultimate healing occurs in the state of Nirvana.

Theosophy

• Theosophy teaches a pantheistic, impersonal Supreme Being.
• Theosophy is Gnostic in origin.
• Jesus Christ is not unique: Jesus is a reincarnated being separate from “christ.” All men become christs.
• Mahatmas or Masters communicate esoteric truths through reincarnated emissaries, of whom Madame Blavatsky and Annie Besant are among the few.
• Draws its authoritative teachings from Hindu, Buddhistic, and early Gnostic sources. The Bible is used minimally to proof-text preconceived Theosophical notions.
• Embraces Eastern healing cultural practices and transcendental teachings in mind healing.
• Embraces Metaphysical healing.
• Healing is based upon a pragmatic view that whatever works must be good.

Spiritism

• The fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.
• Continuous existence and a path of endless progression.
• Communion of spirits and ministry of angels.
• Personal responsibility.
• Compensation and retribution in the hereafter for good and evil done on Earth.
• Healing comes by self-empowerment and positive healing affirmations.
• Healing is the ultimate good of God. Sickness is the result of evil and all that suffer with sickness are the result of evil. Good people are not sick.