Reflective Moments Concerning Theological and Philosophical Thoughts

In reflective moments I have decided to put away theology, in terms of theological philosophy around the world, but personal thoughts that make me, myself, an individual. I actually have been told I have the qualifications to be a certified minister, non-denominational, of course – but never had the inclination to do so. It is not within my character, or being, to stand before people gathered in some place to preach how they should run their lives, and other important duties of a true member of the clergy. 

Life and the Soul

How does one know if they have had a good life? How is it measured? What is the meaning of life?

The latter question has been the brunt of comical representation, and some regard it as: Whatever you want it to mean, which has its merits.

First, regardless of what you think about life or death, one thing cannot be denied that everyone has some element of consciousness, whether you believe one is born with it or it just miraculously develops at an early stage of life.

If you do not pay attention to the conscious then you are apt to have an evil life; and if you totally rely upon a specific aspect of that conscious you will be taken advantage of by those who have chosen to ignore consciousness and follow the path of evil and/or, thinking they have reached the spiritual plane dictate to others what is to become of another individual's soul. It really does not have having anything to do with what we call religion because that entity is only the creation of  humans that believe they can govern natural law.

Saint Patrick's Day: March 17th

Saint Patrick's Day, celebrated on March 17^th, in the dioceses of Ireland it is a solemn and holy day of obligation and is officially called Saint Patrick's Feast Day. The original color associated with Saint Patrick was blue, but over time the color association changed to green and green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of the day was early as the 17^th century. The phrase “the wearing of the green”, which means wearing a green shamrock on clothing comes from a song of the same name.

Saint Patrick is a national day in Ireland, but Irish in Europe have been celebrating it since the 9^th century; and later became known as the patron of Ireland. The Feast Day was officially listed in the liturgical calender in the Catholic Church, influenced by Luke Wadding, a Franciscan scholar in the early 17^th century. A solemn ceremony in the Roman Catholic Church, it is a great feast day in the Church of Ireland. 

What is "Kosher" Food?

Have you ever wondered what Kosher meat is or why some pickle jars have the words: Kosher Pickles printed on the label? Just what is Kosher?

Merriam-Webster dictionary -

1 a: sanctioned by Jewish law; especially : ritually fit for use like kosher meat.

b: selling or serving food ritually fit according to Jewish law, as a kosher restaurant.

2 being proper or acceptable, or satisfactory, as is the deal kosher?

It all has to do with Jewish dietary laws from the ancient text: Kashrut. 

The word is a Hebrew derivative of Kaf-Shin-Reish, which means fit, proper, or correct. Rabbis or religious officials do not bless food in order to make it kosher, as the urban legend goes. However, there are blessings that Jews observe and recite before food is eaten, just as Christians and Muslims do in certain tradition. 

Deification of Jesus the Christ

This essay is not intended to denounce the divine purpose or the holiness of intent of Jesus of Nazareth, called the Christ. It is to segregate facts and intentions as gleaned from the quoted words of Jesus that has been interpreted and reinterpreted from the days of the apostles to the founding of the Church as a religious organization intended to replace the established synagogue of the Hebrews called Jews who have been named in the Old Testament as the Children of God, God's chosen people. Jesus was a Jew whose mission was to reform, renew, and do away with the old ways of sacrifice of the lamb in the name of God. He never intended to replace God, which he referred to as the Father nor do away with traditions like Passover that had been established by ancient holy men.

Homosexuality: Theological and Civic Issues

In the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, homosexuality is addressed and not accepted as practices, but instead unnatural sin. Examples of presentation is that homosexuality does not occur in nature, nor is it acceptable to God, despite not being part of the Ten Commandments.

OLD TESTAMENT

The first mention of homosexuality is in the Book of Genesis 18:16-19:29 that details an encounter of the people of Sodom, specifically in Genesis 19:4-13 …

Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; and they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them." But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, "Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof." But they said, "Stand aside." Furthermore, they said, "This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them." So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway. Then the men said to Lot, "Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it." [wording is EMTV and not original King James version, but source link is directed to the KJV]

Daniel Project: A Look Into the Daniel Prophecy of the Rebirth of Israel

The Daniel Project was established in Israel in 2003 with cooperation [Project Daniel] from Jewish and Christian organizations and scholars, commissioned to assess the threat to the nation of Israel from surrounding states in the Middle East, particularly Iran. Initially it was a team of Israeli foreign policy and military experts but went beyond a political foreign policy project from Project Daniel to Daniel Project which primarily concerns the prophecies in the Bible, particularly the Book of Daniel. The prophecy revolves around the return of wandering Jews from many parts of the world, especially from Europe where they were severely persecuted in the 20^th century, to return to their original area of homeland – Jerusalem once again being the capital of the nation of Israel.

The project centers around a film created explaining the importance of scriptures and archaeological breakthroughs like the Dead Sea Scrolls; and how the prophecies are becoming truth – only the wise will understand. The film is available on DVD.

I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the Living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on Earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.

Daniel 6:26-27

The Daniel Project focuses on key cities in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan, Syria, and Armenia.