Thought for the day

"The words of Jesus should be comforting to us knowing that God has made provisions for our spiritual nourishment.  You cannot continue to be ignorant of God’s will and God’s wisdom unless you want to."

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant."   1 Corinthians 14:38

Thought for the day

"We can understand what the will of God is for us, but not by guessing."

Excerpts from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth."  1 John 2:21

Thought for the day

"The Bible includes every one of us as an active and consequential participant in the plan of God."

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell copyright 2011

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

Thought for the day

"A cult group intensifies its hold through intimidation.  By the time the unknowing truth-seeker begins to question the authority of a cult group, the new ‘intern’ is deeply involved and entangled in this cunning web of confusion.  The cult group is ruthless to reach its goal, (to raze the holy scriptures and build a religion unto themselves)."

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." 

2 Peter 2:1

Thought for the day

"It is no small thing to study the Bible with those who do not trust Jesus as Lord and Savior; those who do not place their total faith in Him alone.  Our souls are at risk if we entertain foolish teaching and ungodly precepts."

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain."  Titus 3:9

Thought for the day

"God’s Word holds all the answers to our past, present and future experiences; a survey of the nucleus of our heart as well as a glimpse of the uttermost distant heavens.

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart

upon your bed, and be still. Selah"  Psalm 4:4

Thought for the day

"As we delve into the Word of God, we begin to understand from God’s point of view why we are, who we are, and where we fit.  What once was a complex labyrinth of unexplained circumstances now becomes an open view of life without a veil and in limitless simplicity."

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;"  Hebrews 10:19-20

Thought for the day

"Once we recognize Jesus as our Lord, our past knowledge becomes as a desert place and we become thirsty for the living water that Jesus provides.  As we reach out and drink, we begin to grow, and as we grow, we begin to flourish until we become a garden of holiness, in which there is much fruit."

Excerpt from Strong foundation by Keith C. Powell copyright 2011

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."  John 15:5

Thought for the day

"Once we come to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and once we obtain forgiveness of our sins and have been washed by the blood of Jesus, we no longer have any need to search for God, for we have seen Him."

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."  Luke 11:9-10

Thought for the day

"As we become more familiar with each attribute of God, God unveils more of Himself to us, saturating our substance with His presence."   

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011   

"The secrete things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."  Deuteronomy 29:29     

Thought for the day

You are able to assimilate God’s truth equal to the quality of your motives and intentions.

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."  Matthew 5:8

Thought for the day

There are no battles that cannot be won when we put our trust in our blessed Savior. 

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works."  Psalm 73:28

 

Thought for the day

The teaching of the Word of God is from the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit alone interprets flawlessly.

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011 

"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. "  1 John 2:27

Thought for the day

"To rightly divide the Word of truth is not to become interpreters of what God says, but to become familiar with where in God’s word God says what He says, and then believe it."

Excerpt from Strong Foundation by Keith C. Powell Copyright 2011

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 

Bible Life Q and A - I heard a preacher talking about the rapture, but I can't find it in the Bible. Why?

The word rapture isn't in the Bible, but the words 'caught up together' are.  "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."  1 Thessalonians 4:15-17

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."  1 Corinthians 15:51-51

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."  Phillipians 3:20-21

A simple timeline to remember goes like this:

• Creation
• The fall of man
• Christ comes to save man from their sins
• The crusifixion where Christ dies for our sins
• His resurrection from the dead proving His divinity and revealing that this is full payment for our sins
• His ascension where Jesus goes back into heaven and sends the Holy Spirit, which is with us today
• The next big event is the second coming of Christ (the rapture) where the saints will be caught up together once and for all eternity. 
• That begins the great tribulation that last seven years.
• During this time Christ will reign on earth over all those who had not been born again up to this time.  He will reign for one thousand years and satan will be bound during this time. 
• The release of satan for a short time
• The great white throne judgement against all unbelievers
• The casting into the lake of fire satan, all demons and all those who do not turn to God for salvation
• The beginning of a new era, the kingdom era.

Of course there are many interpretations about the timeline of man that many great minds disagree on.  One church believes that the great tribulation starts at the time of the rapture, another doesn't believe in the great tribulation at all and then another believes that it has already occurred (A.D. 70) and another that it is occurring now. 

There are many denominations that do not acknowledge the rapture or the cathching up of the saints.  Many of these same denominations don't delieve in the virgin birth, the parting or the red sea, the great flood, Jonah, that Jesus actually died, that he rose again from the dead, that he is coming back, that there is a heaven or that there is a hell.  Some don't believe in sin, dying or that sickness ever existed.  Some fault the person dying of an illness with a lack of faith.  The list is long as to all the foolishness that man has conjured up in the name of religion.

But God transcends all the philosphies of the world and all their silly notions and all the ridiculous anti-biblical claims and provides a pure and perfect account of His doings in the Bible for all those who want to know the truth for themselves.

Here's a few referrences that might help put this issue together for you.
All of 1 Corinthians chapter 15
Matthew 24:42, 25:13, Luke 12:36-48, Acts 1:11, Phillipians 3:20-21, Titus 2:11-13, Revelation 4:1, Matthew 24:27-30, Luke 1:31-33, Acts 15:14-17, Revelation 20:1-10.

Bible Life Q and A - I believe in Jesus, but my faith is really weak. Is there anything I can do to increase my faith?

"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith."  Luke 17:5

Faith is that invisible connection between God and man.  It can be built up and strengthened and it can become less and less until it is unrecognizable.  Your relationship with God works much like that of human relationships.  You do certain things for someone and others do something for you and you begin to show that others acna trust you and you learn to trust others.  The difference is that God cannot lie to you and will never let you down, where family, friends, co-workers and even best friends are capable of breaking your trust and often will.

There are several faith building exercises that I do that I think are helpful in increasing my faith.  None of these suggestions should be taken lightly as they are not only my own, but the many of faithful men and woman of God have made mention of these same recommendations in their writings.  The source for all these suggestions are also divinely placed in the Bible.

Comittment to something other than yourself - "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."  Psalm 37:5
Once you have been saved by faith in Christ, it is wise to make commitments that coincide with your faith. 
That might require a simple rearranging of your time so you can be with God more.
It might require some effort, in that, you will learn truths that you are not currently practicing that will require genuine discipline to make them a part of your new life in Christ.  Remember God is inviting you into all these precepts, but never causing you or forcing you to adhere to the precepts.  Like I said it will take personal effort, comittment to rise above yourself.  "the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  Matthew 26:41b


Prayer, two way communication with God - "Pray without ceasing."  1 Thesallonians 5:17
I have found that most people pray to God: most of the time in a hurry, most of the time for something they want, most of the time less than 30 seconds and even more seldom do they wait to hear what God has to say to them.  The secret to praying isn't learning how to pray to God, it is in learning how to hear from God.  Unless you make a way to get alone with God without your pager or cell phone on, without the TV blasting, without a superficial intent, you will not hear from god, ever.  God is not a genie in a bottle and you rub the bottle, the genie pops out and you quickly make a wish and then you tell the genie to get back in the bottle until you want something again.  God created you and designed you for quality time and quantity time to be spent with Him filling up your spirit for the tasks ahead. Until you are willing to start doing things God's way, it makes little difference how much you push the wind.

Worshipping God with the best of your mind and heart - "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."  John 4:23-24
Superficial worship makes superficial faith.  Get real with God.  Expose your true thinking to God.  Aks God to search you out, like David did, and then buck up when God dresses you down.  It's never to hurt you, but to make yo a better man or woman of faith; someone who can be trusted and someone that has higher thinking than just wanting personal satisfaction and fulfillment.  The Father seeketh such to worship Him.  

Reading the scriptures - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  2 Timothy 2:15
This is the one most important truth of all.  You have a Bible, probably many of them.  Study the Word.  Pick it up and read it.  Your wife or your husband's faith will not go to your account.  Your pastor will not stand before God with you.  No one can take your place in finding and doing the will of God.  But it can be found in reading the scriptures for yourself.  Don't get me wrong.  I truly believe that you should continue to go to church and listen carefully to the man or woman of God that is expounding on the Word of God.  But you will find out if you haven't already that not everyone that teaches the Bible lives it and not every word taught from the pulpit is pure, but God's holy Word has not changed and it can be counted on forever.  Actually you make a far better pastor or parishioner if you read your Bible reguarly, without outside interpretation.  Learn to trust the Holy Spirit.

Fellowship with other believers - "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."  1 John 1:7
There is such a falling away for the church today.  People just aren't as interested in the things of God as years past.  The Bible is clear, if you are not part of a fellowship you should be.  It is good for the soul to share your thoughts and hear from others, to share testimonies and to hear how God is working in the lives of others.  I know that your church has faults, but so do they all and so do you.  Get over it.  What the church has to offer far outweighs it's foibles.

Following the precepts of God after you learn them - "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."  James 1:22
The bottom line.  It really isn't any easier to live your lifestyle outside the will of God than it is to live inside the will of God.  You will hear arguments like, "I'm only human."  I love this one.  Because you are human you are the only creation ever created that has the ability to willingly live in the will of God.  It is a poor excuse.  You were designed to seek, find and live out the will of God for your life.  It's not nearly as complicated, as those who do not believe they can live in the will of God, make it seem.  Unfortunately seeker friendly churches don't even mention the need for obedience to God and thus the genuine seeker might be steered away from a relationship with God that promotes a sound spiritual life/lifestyle. 

Striving for excellence - "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."  Luke 13:24
I wish Christians would quit making fun of the straight and narrow.  Of course the world will make fun at us.  Of course the world will mock you for thinking that God has a way and you could actually find it.  Of course the world thinks that the straight and narrow makes us lemmings, fools, bigots, intollerant and even worse, but the world does not know, nor do they serve God.  The narrow path is a joke to them, but God knows that the only way to find your true self and to be truly fulfilled is if you turn around from the "all paths lead to God" pholosophy and start to walk in the other direction.  Strive for excellence in your job, your speech, your behavior, you everything.  You are able.  You are blessed.  You will receive the help you need to make it, directly from God. 
 Digging deeper into the gem mind of God - "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."   1 Corinthians 2:9-10
How deep do you want to go with God is the only question that can keep you from all that God has available.  The deeper you dig the better quality the gems.  I find that most people aren't real found of the concept of a deeper life.  No disrespect to those who aren't interested, but for those who are, there are depths of relationship that come with time and prayer, worship and prase, experience and perserverence, dedication and comittment, loyalty and faithfulness.  When I am discouraged because it looks like everything is just spinnig out of control and that God is just not that concerned with my situation, I go to God and thank Him for what I have.  God reveals to me new truths aobut my situation and I get to see it through my spiritual eyes and the troubles seem to fade compared to the greatness of God's bounty.  God helps me see it from His view, and Oh His view is better.  Dig deep.  You will not like everything God tells you but you will benefit from it. 
I hope that answers your question.

Bible Life Q and A - I go to a UU church. Some of my friends say that it is a cult. Is it a cult?

Wow!  I was thinking that answering these questions during this year was going to be easy.  There are a few things to consider.  First of all I don't consider that everyone that attends a Unitarian service is necessarily in understanding or agreement with the polity and teachings of the Unitarian Church.  Having said that, I also don't agree that anyone should go to any church, week after week, year after year, and not know the cardinal beliefs and some of the hidden beliefs of that church.  It's really not fair to those who are counting on agreement from you nor is it fair to you who could be enjoying a flourishing relationship with God, good company and good theology.

The first Unitarian writer was Martin Cellarium 1499-1564.  He was a friend of Martin Luther, but went on to espouse beliefs that were not in the same vain as Luther.  Martin Cellarium did not believe in the trinity of God and formed somewhat of an alliance, at least in thought, with Ludwig Haetzer (1529) and Michael Servetus (1531).  Later years John Mayhew, Joseph Priestly and Hosea Vallou were preachers in America teaching the Unitarian beliefs.  Unitarianism has evolved over the years, not unlike many denominations. 

What concerns us today is primarily what modern Unitarians believe.

Unitarians do not believe that the Bible stands alone as the one holy book.  They believe that many books were divinely inspired equal to the Bible which include: The writings of Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Lao, and the Vedas and Upanishads, among others.

Unitarians do not believe that Jesus is Lord or Messiah or God.

Unitarians do not believe in the virgin birth.  They do not believe that Jesus is God incarnate.  They do not believe that Jesus is the second person of the trinity, but they do believe that the Jesus that we trust in and serve is a Christian fantasy.

Unitarians find it offensive, un-biblical and even immoral that Jesus came as the only begotten Son to die for sinful man. 

Unitarians do not believe in the heaven of the Bible or the hell of the Bible as real places.

Unitarians do not believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God.

Unitarians do not believe in Jesus's atoning death, bodily resurrection, or triumphant second advent.

Unitarians do not accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
   That's a really disturbing sign for me.

Unitarians have been excluded from the National Council of the Churches of Christ.

Unitarians stand against all of the major Christian doctrines of the Bible.  To quote enough scripture verses to account for all the views of the Unitarian Church that are different from mainline Christianity is more suitable for a book than a blog.

"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."  John 3:15-18

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."  Romans 10:4

"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All scripture (not all writings or all books) is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"  2 Timothy 3:14-16

I would find a church where Jesus is Lord and salvation is through faith in the wonderful grace of God.

Bible Life Q and A - I have friends that say unless you call on God's real name (Yahweh) you can't get into heaven. Is that true??

I'll tell you the battle for sound thinking is on.  The name Yahweh is from the tetragrammaton YHWH which is Hebrew.  Because the scribes considered the name of God too sacred to pronounce, they would substitute the word Adonai ( my Lord) when reading the scripture.  There is nothing wrong with knowing and saying Yahweh or Adonai or God or Father or Soverign God or Almighty God or El Shaddai or El Elohim and there are many other names for God.  Knowing God is in knowing him spiritually moreso than in prounouncing a name correctly.  There are even those who consider the Holy Bible not so holy because the Holy Bible uses names other than YHWH for the name for God.  Utter foolishness. 

God is clearly revealed in scripture and many names are attributed to God beccause of God's perfect attributes.
There is Elohim - God
El-Bethel - The God of the house of God
El-Shaddai - Almighty God
Jehovah-ropheka - Jehovah healeth thee
Jehovah-meqaddeshkem - Jehovah who santifies you
Jehovah-tsaboath - Jehovah of hosts
Jehovah-elyon - Jehovah most high
Jehovah-roi - Jehovah my shepherd
Jehovah-Jireh - Jehovah will provide
Jehovah-nissi - Jehovah is my banner
Jehovah-shalom - Jehovah is peace
Jehovah-shammah - Jehovah is there
Jehovah-tsidkenu - Jehovah is our righteousness
I am

God is wonderful and great and understood by the things God does that are different that the things man does.  Those who claim that you have to say the word Yahweh to get into heaven are incorrect. 
"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  Acts 4:11-12

When you knock, seek and find Jesus, you have found salvation. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  John 3:16-18

If saying the name of Yahweh is important, saying the name of Jesus is more important.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:10-11

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."  Acts 8:12

"Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 
unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:  1 Coruinthians 1:1-2

"And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."  Acts 16:18

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."  John 1:1-3

"And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:"  Ephesians 3:9

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.  Revelation 1:8

Don't let anyone on their own religious quest pull you away from the thruth of scripture.  The scriptures have not changed, nor will they.  You can count on what you read from the Bible to be true.  You can't count on those who have alternate plans, those puffed up by their intellectual acumen and their warped interpretation of the scriptures.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."  2 Timothy 3:2-7

If you want to get to know God to the fullest and have a rich and rewarding relationship with God, a deep and abiding love for God and man, get to know Jesus.  Those who would argue with you and try with all their might to convince you that Jesus is only a figurhead or that Jesus is just a little Lord, they are mixed up and confused.

Bible Life Q and A - Is the story of Jonah an allegory or is it a real story ?

The story of Jonah is real.  Even if you were to look at the story of Jonah as an allegory you could extrapolate a good deal of spiritual wisdom, but the story is true.  There are many believers that hold to the philosphy that many of the stories in the Bible are allegories, but I know better.  They claim that these stories are allegories:
Adam and Eve
Noah's ark
The parting of the Red Sea
The tower of Babel
The donkey talking to Balaam
The etching of the ten commandments on stone
The story of Jonah
Josephs dreams
David in the Lion's den
Nebuchadnezzar's madness
The virgin birth
Jesus talking to the thief about paradise
Paul getting bit by the serpent
Some put the whole book of Revelation in that category

How ridiculous.  It takes no saving faith at all to believe that these stories are allegories.  Anyone can believe that these and other stories from the Bible are just silly stories to help make us feel like doing better; that they are myth like the stories of Greek mythology.  I've heard priests and pastors waffle like a school child caught stealing when confronted about the stories in the Bible.  They don't know if the stories are true or not so they don't stand behind them.  They have not searched the scriptures with their faith, only with their intellect.  Many of these same type believers and their followers believe what they want to believe and leave the rest as if it didn't have any efficacy.  They read what is convenient and easy and pass over what requires genuine faith to apprehend. 

Of course it takes faith to believe the Bible and to believe the stories in the Bible, but it is the same faith that saves your soul.  If you don't have faith to believe the simple miracles that God can perform without any effort, how is it that you trust that same God to save you from yourself?  Surely it is more difficult to change the mind of a hardened man or woman than to have a man live inside a large fish for three days.  Think about it.  Jesus uses the example of Jonah in His answer to the scribes and Pharisees.  

"Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.  Jonah 1:17
"Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:"  Matthew 12:38-39

Let's see, Jesus refers to an allegory to win His allegorical argument.  That would mean Jesus was presenting an allegory to prove an allegory.  How utterly ridiculous. 

Adam and Eve were two distinct people called out by name, not the race of Adam and the race of Eve. 

Yes Noah built the ark and it took him more than one hundred years.  Yes he did lead the animals in two by two.

Moses parted the water with his staff, it didn't part because there was hardly any water in the sea and a strong wind blew in and parted the water so they could cross over.

Yes Jesus was born of a virgin birth.

God is miraculous.  God did many wonderful miracles in days past.  God is still doing many wonderful and mighty miracles today.  I believe that you run the risk of creating your own religion if you pick and choose what you want to believe in the Bible.  There is too much of that going around.  Get off the fence.  Believe God's Word and enjoy knowing in your heart that our God is a miracle working God and the miracles of the past were just a primer for what is ahead.

Bible Life Q and A - I was told by my priest that if I leave the church I will lose my salvation until I come back. Is that true?

Of course not.  Denominations, and in this case the Catholic Church all have their own polity, church resolution, statements of belief and in some cases theological doctrine.  Salvation is based on faith in Christ and has really nothing to do with your church or any church.  You are saved by faith alone, not by any other means including; church attendance, confirmation, taking the eucharist, taking communion, being baptised in water, being baptized in the Spirit, adherence to church rules, following church doctrine, tithing, or any other method of qualifying salvation.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

The responsibility of any church is to bring people to Christ and then to steer them to follow Christ.  Of course the pastors or priests provide a suitable facility to gather together, administer the sacraments, teach the Word, perform marriages, baptize people, christen babies, anoint the sick, pray for the people, visit the homeless, visit prisoners, start ministries to help people, visit the homebound, provide counseling, build programs to help all kinds of people and in some cases raise a family and be a good husband of wife.  But the church is not in charge of salvation selection.  The church can't save you and neither can the church take your salvation away.  "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.  Acts 2:46-47

Part of the problem with silly beliefs like a priest telling someone that they will lose their salvation if that person leaves the church, is based on fear that the church will lose its hold on you and thus lose its financing.  Neither are good reasons to sell someone a bill of goods that is not scripturally sound.  God will provide for the church through His people.  People of faith are always giving and self-sacrificing for the benefit of the church and for the betterment of mankind.  They need not be proded to do what is already on their heart to do.  The fear is from the preists and pastors that trust the system more than they trust God and God's children.  "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Matthew 23:13

You will not lose your salvation for leaving the church.  However, on behalf of those in ministry who are ministering to you and teaching the Word of God and working to benefit you and your family, I would be reluctant to just leave.  Talk to your priest and leave on good terms if you must leave. 

Bible Life Q & A - I want to read some new books that will inspire me. Can you recommend a few?

I fully understand the idea of wanting to be inspired.  All of us go through seasons in our life where we need to be influenced by someone with a different or wider view of God and God's economy.  Reading good material is the hallmark of our response to God's invitation to be more like Jesus.  Here is a list of the best books I have read.  They are all inspiring and full of godly wisdom, as well as doctrinally sound. 

One thing I want to mention that I think is important when recommending books or anything for that matter.  No book is perfect in its theology.  No writer has captured all of God and penned the words that will inspire every reader.  I also think it is unfair and truly prejudiced to judge someone because they may have read a book by an author that you have heard doesn't fit your churches theological bent.  I have found that many great men and women of faith disagree on major doctrines and yet they still love and serve God with ferver and they serve mankind with love and compassion.

My favorite book of all time is: The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer
This book reveals a deep and abiding love for the things of God, and without reservation I can say that every page is full of wisdom.  The deeper you dig the bigger the gems.

My second favorite book is Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge
Wow!  Bob Sorge has chipped away at his mountainside and burrowed a hole that goes deep, deep, deep.  He has exposed nuggets of truth that inspire and enlighten.  This is an excerpt from the book.  "To wait on God successfully, we must come to derive more fulfillment by being with Him than by working for Him."

The Deeper Christian Life by Andrew Murray
Andrew Murray was a Dutch reformist that spent most of his life in Africa.  During his life he drew closer and closer to God and reveals this depth of relationship in all of his books (about 250.)  There's nothing old fashioned about this man's work even though most of his material is more than one hundred years old.  Timeless truths prevail.

Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis
This book was written in the fiftenth century.  It is comprised of one page chapters where Thomas brings out attributes of God and worships God through his writings.  This is the second most sold book in the world next to the Bible.  This book is for the most serious of believers, those who really want to know just how deep a man or woman can go with God.

The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee
This is a very difficult read.  The truths revealed are innumerous, but his writing style isn't for everybody.  But if you want to grow and you don't mind being challenged on the edge, Watchman Nee will take you on a journey that leads to revelation.

The Power of Prayer by R. A. Torrey
"It is the most effective work that anyone can do: that is, we can often bring more to pass by praying than we ccan by any other form of effort we might put forth." Torrey shares what works.  Men like Torrey didn't just pray, prayer was more a part of who they were than their own name.  This is a must read if you are or want to be a prayer warrior.

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Imprisoned by the Gestapo in Germany in 1943 for his faith, Bonhoeffer continued to inspire anyone who came into his presence.  He was sentenced to death and killed just a few days before the prisoners were liberated by the allies.  This man knew God.  His insight into the shallow worldly lifestyle that is so prevalent today is second to none.  A must read for anyone thinking about giving their life to the ministry.

Knowing God by J.I. Packer
"It is not for us to imagine that we can prove the truth of Christianity by our own arguments; nobody can prove the truth of Christianity save the Holy Spirit, by His own almighty work of renewing the blinded heart." 

The Cross of Christ by John R. Stott
There is no substitute for a brilliant work.  Stott goes to the heart of the matter and gives insight to the work of the cross.  He not only discusses its efficacy, but he unravels the history behind God's idea of the cross and its long term affect on future generations.  Stott is a well educated writer and his academic approach to the subject is methodical and concise.

I would be remis if I did not recommend my book, The Power of God Thinking by Keith C. Powell.
This book is a faith work for believers that must go deeper to be fulfilled.  It is chocked full of timeless truths that can easily be applied in one's life so that you can enjoy your life with a deep understanding of how God operates today.  God's truths are timeless, but God is contemporary and operates in real time with real people to solve real problems.  You will be blessed.

Other books of great interest
The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitehall Smith 
God a Biography by Steven R. Mosley
His Upmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
Spiritual Leadership by Blackaby
Seven Guides to Effective Prayer by Colin Whittaker
True Submission by Charles Grandison Finney
Extravagent Worship by Darlene Zschech
Purpose in Prayer by E. M. Bounds
All of Grace by Charles Hadden Spurgeon
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
In His Steps by Charles Sheldon
Prevailing Prayer by Dwight L. Moody
Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray
Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton
Foxes Book of Martyrs by John Foxe
True Vine by Andrew Murray
Root of the Righteous by A. W. Tozer
With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray

Many of these great books can be found at Bridge-Logos online bookstore.
http://www.bridgelogos.com/index.htm

Bible Life Q and A - I am divorced and I want to remarry. Can my husband and I enjoy all the privilages afforded a first time marriage?

Yes.  God hates divorce, but God loves you and your new husband.  Let's say your first husband divorced you because you were unfaithful and you want to remarry. 

First of all all things need to be reconciled to God.  You can't just hide behind your new found love.  You need to reconcile your sin with God.  That requires that you go to God and express your understanding that you have sinned against God and man and ask forgiveness.  "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."  1 John 1:8-10

Second, you really need to say something to your ex spouse about the situation to try to bring closure to the events leading up to your divorce.  You face him and tell him you were wrong, graciously accept the criticism and move on.  You hve done all you can do.  All of us have made decisions that hurt others and you do not need to carry this baggage into a new relationship.

Third, you need to forgive yourself for being so foolish and living in indiscretion.  As Jesse Duplantis says, "admit it, quit it and forget it."  Learn from your mistakes, but don't carry them on your shoulders for extended periods of time.  They will crush you.  Also living in the past gives satan a greater access to your life, becaue he is the accuser of the brethren and he will use every opportunity to hurt you and others even more.

Let's say you divorced your husband and you had no good reason other than you don't love him anymore.  Maybe you divorced a good man and maybe you divorced a creep.  Either way, without grounds, you are a little light on the blame him side of things.  Let it go.  You are not perfect.  You made a choice that you will have to live with, good or bad.  God hates divorce, but God loves you.  If you are thinking that you just can't be reconciled to God under these circumstances, you have believed a lie of religion.  You can be reconciled to God.  "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."  Romans 5:8

Divorce is a terrible thing, sometimes traumatic and sometimes pathetic.  But God is in the business of reconciling sinners and saints to His will.  Of course if you do not try to live under the auspices of God's will you will not receive the blessings in your new marriage anymore than in the last marriage.  God's blessings are proportionate to how much of your self, time, energy and in this case your new relationship you give to God.  If you give it all to God, you will receive all the blessings available for you from God.  If you try to do it on your own again, you will probably find yourself in the same situation again.

The bottom line is, God wants you and your new spouse to live a pure and holy life/lifestyle and it will require a good deal of time with God and a true committment on your part to bring this to pass.  But if this man is worth marrying, he is worht it for you to commit yourself wholly to God to assure your success.

Learn to forgive yourself and to love yourself.   It has been engineered into your soul that when you are forgiven by God for a sin or sins, you are free from them, clean as the driven snow.  Your previous sins are behind you and yes you can live a life blessed by God as if you were married for the first time. 

Bible Life Q & A - I worry about losing my salvation because I just can't seem to live up to biblical standards.

The entire concept about worrying about losing your salvation has been taught to you and you have been conditioned to feel this way.  A sound understanding of salvation would eliminate your doubt.  Think about it, salvation is the most precious gift given from God to man.  Would God leave it to chance that once you became a child of God, you would have to worry about God taking it away, and then worried about whether you can ever be good enough to get it back and then lose it again and then earn it back?  Forget it.

Salvation is a gift from God that is given to any and all that place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Simple understanding that you have sinned against God and the only way to pay for that sin is for Christ to provide the payment.  First of all what payment could you make that would meet holy criteria?  You would have to live sinless and then offer yourself to God as a sacrifice for sin.  That's what Jesus did for you.  And that is the only payment, propitiation required.  You will never be good enough to walk through this life and earn salvation nor will you ever be good enough to walk through the door that separates this earthly life from heaven and just trounce in as if you made it without Christ.

There is only one way into the kingdom and that is through Christ.  You cannot earn salvation, it can only be imparted unto you by the Holy Spirit.  You do not have to be perfected, mature or even a really good person to be saved from your sin/s, but you do have to accept the provision made for your sin, i. e., the effectual work that Christ did on the cross.

You cannot lose your salvation once you have been saved, but you can believe in vain that you are saved.  This is not because God made a mistake in the way that He planned it all, nor is it because God wanted to make it hard to find Him.  It is because of the fall of man. 

All of the difficulties surrounding the issue of finding God are caused by religion.  World religions have evolved over the years to include all kinds of myths and fantasies about God and to remove and/or reduce Christ to just a good man.  Most world religions acknowledge that Jesus did exist, but the efficacy of His life has been diluted or utterly eradicated.  Man has, through religion, moved away from God, not the other way around.  Man has altered and corrupted the gospel and perverted it to make allowances for their own brand of god.  Don't think they were on their own for the last few millennia thinking of ways to get rid of God, satan has played a huge role in influences the simple truths about God into a perverted and unholy plethora of religious thought. 

The simplicity of God's message to mankind has never changed and God's acceptance of any man, woman or child that turns from their own made up religion is still in order.  God's grace is open to all people from any religious background.  Think about it, no one was a Christian before they were born again.

As far a losing your salvation, you cannot lose your salvation.  Once you are born again by faith in Jesus Christ you are sealed by the Holy Spirit.  You have been redeemed, regenerated, a new creation, justified, washed, adopted into the kingdom of God and nothing, not even you can change that.  Oh' I can hear the clamour of those who disagree.  Take it up with God.

When you are born again, you are a new creation, incapable of returning to the old creation, but you are still capable of sinning against God.  The propensity to sin is lessened as you yield more of yourself to God and your desire to sin is lessened more and more as you develop a lifestyle of holy living, but your ability to sin will stay with you until you die.  I know there are those who argue this point as well, but how pompous and arrogant can a person be to think that they have become divine.  That happened during the Roman rule and throughout generations there have been those who thought they were divine; there are even those who claim they are god today, but this kind of foolishness is just another example of the depravity of man, not his glorious ascension into divinity.

Believe God.  Read the Word and don't have it interpreted for you and your eyes will be open to just how great God really is.  God wants you to become His child and friend, not burdened by religious rhetoric.  Read the Word and believe the Word and you can be set free from the ties and the strings, the rules and the very small box that religion puts God in. When God gives you eternal life through Christ, it's eternal, not subject to change in status, not subject to behavior, not subject to Church attendance, not subject to tithing, not subject to taking communion or the eucharist, not subject to anything.  That's how God does it.

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"  Romans 3:19-25

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Romans 10:9-10

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  1 Peter 1:3-5

"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:15-16

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  Romans 8:1-4

Believe what you read in the Word and all will be well in your soul.  "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Eph 4:30

Bible Life Q and A - What kind of angels are there?

The Bible is chocked full of information about our heavenly friends.  There are several types of angels.

Archangels - Obviously the most powerful angles.  They are very close to God and do very importatnt tasks.
Michael - 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7
Gabriel - Daniel 9:21, Luke 1:19, 1:26

Seraphim - A six winged holy creature whose presence is visible.  They are close to God and perform special tasks. Isaiah 6:2, 6:6, Revelation 4:8

Angels - Messengers of God whose main purpose is to minister to the unsaved to bring them into the kingdom of God and to work with us after we are born again - Hebrews 1:14.  There are 194 verses specifically about angels and their work.

Mighty angels - Powerful angels whose main purpose is to prophesy and participate in large scale events - Revelation 10:1, 18:21

Satan - Was originally Lucifer, "son of the morning" Isaiah 14:12.  From Hebrew, "the morning star."  Satan was a holy angel and rebelled against God and satan and 1/3 of all angels were cast out of heaven.  Some familiar names for satan are: Beelzebub, that great dragon, the Devil, accuser of the brethren, adversary, the evil one, the father of lies, the old serpent, the prince of this world, the tempter. 1 Samuel 29:4, 1ings 5:4, Psalms 38:20, 109:6, Job1:6, Matthew  4:1, Luke 4:2, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelation 12:9, John 8:44, 14:30-31, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, Matthew 25:41, Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10.

Demons - Fallen angels, evil spirits.  They are invisible, incorporeal.  They have superintelligence and have lived since their creation.  Therefore they have lived during each generation of man, learning man's weaknesses so they can influence man to break God's laws.  They can take possession of people and they do have powers which are difficult to ascertain.  Their are two kinds of demons; those who are free to roam at the beckon call of their leader, satan and those who ar already imprisoned in the abyss, awaiting their release for a short time.  Matthew 8:16, 12:22, Luke 8:31, 10:17, 20, 8:26-36, Ephesians 6:10-12, 2:2, Revelation 9:1-11

Fallen angels by name - Abaddon or Apollyon- the demon guardian of the bottomless pit, the hellsih leader of the some of the underworld demons - Revelation 9:1-11

Teraphim - Small idol of an unknown creature, usually used for ungodly purposes.  Judges 17:5, 18:14, 17, 18, 20, Hosea 3:4

Angels and demons are part of our everyday life.  Angels are not to be prayed or worshipped.  Prayer is to be directed to God and God will dispatch angels on your behalf for specific purposes.  Demons are never to be prayed to or even given recognition.  They thrive on the ignorant and self-serving.  Both angels and demons can hear, think, participate, act, perform and communicate.  Never ask or answer a demon anything.  Sometimes it is hard to discern if it is an angel of God or a demon.  If you specifically ask for a demon you will get one.  If an angelic being is asking you something, hold it up to scripture and see if it is from God before you even think about communicating.  You can tell the difference if you know the scriptures.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  Hebrews 13:2

Bible Life Q and A - Is the Holy Spirit God or the power of God?

I'm glad you asked.  The Holy Spirit is God, all God and no less God than the one true God.  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit makes up the godhead, but in no way are they independent of each other, nor are they three gods.  There is one God in the person of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is God in us.  The Holy Spirit comes to abide in our spirit when we are born again.  It is not true that you get a little bit of the Holy Spirit when you are born again and then more of the Holy Spirit when you are baptized in the Spirit or filled with the Spirit.  It is not true that if you speak in tongues that you have been endued with more of the Holy Spirit than someone who does not speak in tongues.  There is no correlation between the biblical record of speaking in tongues and receiving more of the Holy Spirit.

When you are born again all of the Holy Spirit comes to reside in you, not part of the Holy Spirit as if the Holy Spirit was separated by levels of holiness.  The levels of holiness that you hear about is in equal response to how much of ourselves we give to the Holy Spirit for use, not in how much of the Holy Spirit we receive for use.  When you have the Holy Spirit you have all of God in you.  But God the Holy Spirit also lives outside of you because God is at all places at the same time.  God the Holy Spirit can multi-task seamlessly. 

The Holy Spirit is not and cannot be used to bring about certain physical manifestation to show or reveal that someone has become more spiritual than someone else.  If anything, when someone gives more of themselves to God for use there is an inward growth of spiritual understanding that is manifested in behavior and choices, not in self aggrandizing external expressions of spiritual acumen.

All of the Holy Spirit is available all the time.  As we yield the Holy Spirit works in us, through us and by us.  If we yield more we are used more, but the Holy Spirit does the deciding as to how we are used and to what capacity.  "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:  But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."  You do not get to decide your gift, nor can any preacher or evangelist determine that everyone is equally represented by manifesting the same gift.  That is not scriptural.

The Holy Spirit is accessed in your inner man by faith, belief and trust.  Even though all of the Holy Spirit is available all the time for all the people, it is we who choose to yield less of ourselves than we are able.  Thus, we live a lessor life of sorts, because we hold back self from God and we attempt to operate apart from God's leading.  But don't let anyone try to sell you that you cannot live a holy life because you are human and humans can't live holy.  No.  It's because we don't want to live holy, not because we can't live holy that we live a lessor life than God's very best.  It's not because God has some invisible or intangible limit to holiness and you are driven by default to live without the power to overcome the world.  No way.  It's because you don't want to.

The Holy Spirit has power but the Holy Spirit is not the power of God

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."  Romans 5:5

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"  John 7:37-39

"If ye love me, keep my commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  John 14:15-18

"That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost."  Romans 15:16

"For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God."  1 Corinthians 2:11

Bible Life Q & A - Why does God allow your loved ones to die?

When God put the earth and all that is in it together, He designed a perfect world for man, woman and children to live together in perfect harmony and to live forever.  Mankind rebelled against God and chose to live under other parameters with a perverted protocol.  It wasn't long until the perfection of God's creation was turned into the imperfection of man's devices.  Thus, the fall of man.

Before the fall of man, satan would have to find a way to intervene in the lives of man because his ways were incongruent with mans ways.  He would have to lie to get mankind to believe and act apart from God's perfect creation or have no influence at all.  Man succomed.  Now, because mankind was living outside of the protective covering of God's perfect place for man (the garden) satan could have influence on willing recipients.  satan's ploys and man's willingness to live outside of the God breathed parameters, puts everyone in the way of possible peril. 

Even while living in obedience to God's ways, with answered prayer and God's supernatural intervention, there are going to be travesties while living in this age.  There are provisions for those who go before us and you must know that God did not bring any harm or disease, tragedy or pain, accident or death to your child.  "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  James 1:17

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  Philippians 1:21
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.  Psalm 116:15
But Jesus said, And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  Revelation 21:4
Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 19:14