I post new Sermons on Fridays. The Video goes to the main page. It is a feed from my YouTube Channel (Purple Box). All the recent posts can be seen there. The blog has the links and tidbits. I Recorded the Chapters from "Awakenings in an Age of Angels" that I wrote.
     I have given away Copies of the Book when I could but it was a Drop in a Bucket. Some of the Themes will sound Familiar because I have used some ideas from the book to write some of my Sermons. Other stories will be fresh material. The Reconciler Gospel of Thomas is also in the book. I broke it down in to about 5 Verses Each Video. I am reading the material on the videos.
     If you have YouTube Search "AwakeningsofAngels". If you would just like to come here to my site; I set up a Feed like the one for the Sermons. This one is Red Box.
     The Sacrament Service, Angel's 23rd Psalms, Basic Teachings and selected Readings are in a Third Feed Box. It is the Green one. I look forward to talking with you.
Hugs,
Angel 

     Here are the basic Teachings of the Church of Thomas. A more complete understanding may be reach by reading the Sermons in Archives and items on the Church of Thomas website. The link is above the blog.

1) We believe that there is one God. God is everywhere, and in everything. God has no name or gender. (People are the ones who have to cubbyhole everything) God is not divided in to "Aspects" or a pantheon. God made a promise to bring an example of the ideal for people, through the children of Abraham.

2) That example has been here teaching through his example and the way he lived his life. That person was Jesus. We do believe that he was conceived with out sex. We believe that Jesus was a man, who lived with hunger, pain, joy, love, and betrayal. We believe he died after torture, and then on the cross. In doing this he represented the last "Blood Sacrifice" that God would honor. He was the "Perfect Scape Goat", and in dying the way he did he wiped the slate clean for humanity. We believe that those who live by his example and ask for forgiveness will be forgiven.

3) We believe that Jesus had a brother documented as Judas. Because Judas was his twin he was called either Didymos or Thomas by John the Apostle. Both of these names mean twin in Greek and Roman. We believe that Thomas was relaying what he heard from Jesus in the oral tradition of Gospel of Thomas that was then written down.

4) We accept the People of the Book as kin in the eyes of God. These are the Jewish people who founded our tradition. And the Moslem people because they use the tradition started by the Jewish people, and because they accept Jesus as a Prophet. (I will not get into comparative religion here at this time.) Christianity is still the best way.

5) We believe that Revelation through Dreams and Visions from God continue today. We understand this as a way to update our understanding of God as we gain the ability to understand the information. We do not believe any written word including anything we write, to be infallible and unchanging. We do study the Bible, and other Revelations from God, testing them with the rules set out by Jesus to discern truth. We believe they are written by men and women, who were inspired, but being human are fallible.

6) We do not think that souls are constantly created by God. As a result we accept that not all but many people are born multiple times. This is not the same kind of idea as Hindu belief that to come back is a punishment. We look at this as voluntary, and a learning process. Some times it is to a special job for God. These jobs are rarely pleasant but help people to be inspired to try harder.

7) We think that some of those who are here inspiring us are human, but with the souls of young Angels. These are some of the "little ones" that Jesus talked about. If one of them was harmed or led astray, the persecutor would suffer grievously.

8) We believe that some of the people who have come to help God many times are becoming a new generation of Angels.

9) We feel that all members are called in their own way to be Ministers of God. As Ministers they should aim for the highest standards of conduct with everyone in the world. They are called to lead by examples of Jesus' Teachings. We do not think Clergy should be paid. We have nothing against Ordained Ministers. Some are excellent examples of Jesus' Love. It is possible to over analyze the pearls of wisdom until all beauty has been destroyed. Heart can not be replaced by a lecture about the history of the Gospels. 

10) We meet in homes, tents, campgrounds, but not in fixed places. This is partly because we want resources to be given to the community, not spent maintaining a staff, building, or office for Clergy. Some Churches accumulate vast amounts of money only to spend most of it on upkeep of an infrastructure. It can be a great temptation for misappropriation of funds. Also we feel that there is less incentive for the unscrupulous to gather with us. It greatly raises the quality of our members.

11) We take turns leading our worship, and we vote on mutual projects. Some times there is someone who enjoys leading that can be asked to lead worship on a regular basis. We love to sing, share stories, and give support to the extended family of the congregation. The congregations are generally small. I think 30 is average, 50 is huge and very rare.

12) We believe in giving in secret to needy people. We do not stand people up to say, Wow what a wonderful thing you just did, as some Churches do today. We think that if you did it out of compassion, for God, you have already gotten a big hug. That does not mean we can not share what we do to inspire others. Testifying to Miracles, what God is doing with your life is ok, as long as it is not a bid for attention.

13) When we pray we always add, "If it is Gods will". Who are we to know what the plan is, or what is best. We can always ask for discernment and strength to handle life's problems. Prayers are short and to the point. God knows what we need. A long winded prayer is either out of fear that God won't hear you, or for show. Short blessings at worship are great, however Jesus encouraged prayer at home in private. It certainly removes the incentive to pray loud and long at church to show how devoted to God you are.

14) Judging truth is sometimes a hard thing to do. No Minister in the Church.. of  Thomas would say, "Just believe me".  If there is any uneasiness, or doubt, always ask God if we have been told the truth.

Background Video clips by topic....

My calling to be a Minister

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86nwLc5cJxc

Church of Thomas and Angel Eliza

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_FhD_ZZlgU

Interpreting the Bible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDJt655L5tc

Reconciler Gospel of Thomas verse 114

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkGHl1T2DLM

     The entire text of the Reconciler Gospel of Thomas is on the Tripod site, if you would like to read the whole thing.  Discussion of this verse is below the verse.

The Public Church of Thomas Website link:

http://angeleliza41.tripod.com/

(114)   Peter said to Jesus, "Let Mary and all the other women leave us. They are the root and branch of sin. They are the source of all temptation. Women are not worthy of Eternal Life."

      Jesus responded, "I say to you males, do not look down on a female because until you are made over to be as a female you will be barred from full Inheritance in the sight of The One."

     Jesus said, "Until you are like the Lowest of the Angels, being in balance of body and soul. Reconciling of the male and the female, you will remain on the edge of the Full Glory and Joy of the Brilliance of The One. The One is all that was, is, and will be."

      Being on the edge you will still be Loved, and Beloved. The One knows that it is a hard lesson to learn. Others will rejoice in the affirmation of what they have learned. Or like Angels have always known."

      Jesus said, "I myself will lead Mary of Magdela in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit, resembling you males. Every woman who will make herself male will become a full Inheritor, as well, in Heaven and full Light of The One."

Copyright 2003 updated by Angel Eliza

     Verse 114, RGoT references what God finds to be the ideal. It talks about making men more feminine, and a specific woman more male. This is Jesus' chastisement of Peter, who believed women do not deserve to know the lessons that Jesus was teaching. I know of only one class of people in the world. A group of people that are more balanced in understanding both sides of the battle of the sexes. That group is LGBT people.

     Ironically the respect and veneration of the "Third Sex", "Two Souls", has been the standard until the last 1800 years or so. Most Cultures have had this class of people. They were considered Spiritual, Closer to God, Counselors, Healers, and Intercessors with God.

     The Church of Thomas did not lose its respect for LGBT people. I was accepted from the very beginning. Mom was sad that I would not get married. Despite that shift in expectations she has welcomed my ex. as family members. My Dad offered to help me start a Gay Bar when I left home. Both my Dad and Grandpa taught me about tools. My love of wood came from them. Grandpa figured it out before I knew what to call it. He gave me my first wallet and pocket knife at around 6 or 7. My Grandma was the one who said that I "would change things" in the Church of Thomas. Took me a while but I think this is what she meant.

     I see us as go between for men and women; that to this day don't understand each other. I see us as healers of bodies as well as spirits. If we live up to our God given missions as Role Models I think the world will be a more peaceful place. If we take the time to be the Ministers we are meant to be, more people will see that God is not a distant figure but active in our lives.

     The Enemy is ahead of us on this subject by the way. They know that they have to stop verse 114 RGoT from get to the general public.

     I found this on "Americans for Truth".com referring to the verse 114 Gospel of Thomas. The deconstruction of the biblical God and biblical sexuality as a philosophical and ideological program is already deeply embedded in our collective unconscious. Some powerful leaders see the future as the brave new global world of sexual and spiritual pluralism, where liberty of self-expression in these areas is the essence of human progress. One could even imagine a society of pagan religious syncretism where bi-sexuality and homosexual androgyny would be the spiritual and social ideal, the sexuality of choice for those in power, while heterosexuality would be tolerated, considered inferior and strictly controlled — for it has happened before. — Dr. Peter R. Jones

Sermons

Easter 4-07

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNGKmuzoTq4

How the Mighty have Fallen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1UpikLPn-I

Rabbi Means Teacher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx2rBZiS18I

God Energy Versus Human Energy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8zAyc_nRTI

Comparative Religion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn5-TB6-6TQ

Going it Alone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2NWvmOhRwk

Golden Rule

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmNGOsz0QdM

Our Will or God's Will

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ26mkTHcno

Conscience

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcCT9ulMGDQ

Mark of Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYvFLaQiPwI

Integrity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKMEnBJFEX4

Jumping off of Cliffs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_dZEpc6yLA

Next Generation Angels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-dyUmEeNuY

Chrysalis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZOXrseCSIM

Samurai Sword

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBsfsvaZcsY

You will know them by their fruit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4N9tJn9rr8

Nature of Hell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxLrvSbYdwM

Nature of Heaven

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjN0flKyoUc

Where are Heaven and Hell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4ET41Fxmic

Tainted Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftKtlW5sAY0

Music God's Voice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcDq3pnfYm8

Evil in the World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVztknNkaiY

Wrath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLHaDMaCJTE

Respect for Parents

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ6OrPSvxiY

Compassion for Non-Humans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwOyIZg7q0o

Drifting in the World

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJSry_bO654

Hating Satan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic_XE8hozEA

Dilettante

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hM6wEjsAtA8

Starving Soul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcarRApPWHA

Thirsty Heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XryOB9fHxiw

Giving Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y68xhF9BHpA

Free Will

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF-IpBzCEZE

Iraq Teddy Bears

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gfvW5qT6z0

Spiritual Kinship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03RMA4Es-R4

Potlatch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz4FKTD1Y0o

Original Christmas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s21SD4ATUpA

Winners

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53JCtq4NeV4

Three Wise Men

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdahVxFyoU4

Charity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTMMi3OZ368

Abrahams Claim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyRlw4EgFKQ

Boy Helped by 4 Swords

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y647vf2fVs

Thin Places Halloween

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8awhtoM8KNM

Angels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwJi4gwlbAw

Love Sermon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR5G1BAvjOo

Signs of Liar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biLI40Fy7kY

Priests above the Law

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7DaVWYs7rY

Amazing Grace Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNCwcjxIvQ0

Power of Words

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aK59XRp1Vs

Jesus' Birthday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOSwGeNr5-s

Passover

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta7UkirhN6k

Easter 3-23-08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkk9etKMrlU

Rape3-30-08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsZxFw0-ys

Mary and Martha Sermon 10-26-08

      In our lives we have many demands on our time. There are chores and Work. There never seems to be enough time to get it all done. I have gotten better at prioritizing as I have gotten older.

     I have always loved the story in the Bible about Mary and Martha being visited by Jesus. Now you have to get some background. First Hospitality is a big thing. Women of the family often were the care takers of the Guests while the Men sat and kept them company. There were no modern luxuries like dish washers, Gas Stoves, Washing machines, or Blender/ Food processors. There were no frozen tidbits in the freezer just waiting for the unexpected Guest. When a Guest showed up the Women would hustle to keep up with the added needs they should take care of. Food needed to be cooked, Drink provided, a bowl to wash the guest's feet, Pillows for lounging and bedding if they were staying.

     So here we have Jesus, a favorite guest and best friend of their family show up with his hungry group. Even if there was enough food for one extra mouth it would never have been enough for around 20-30 people. Animals would need to be killed, processed and cooked. More wine might need to be sent for. Dates and fruit would be needed as snacks and bread would need to be made. More chopped wood would be needed to stoke the ovens and roasting pits.

     Ok, so now you see the stress and accommodations needed to provide for Guests. The one who would take charge of all this work would be the Lady of the House. Sometimes it was the eldest Son's Wife. Sometimes it would be the eldest Daughter if there were no wives yet brought into the family to live.

     The eldest of these 2 women was Martha. Martha was Stalwart, no nonsense, and up for any challenge. She rightly took her duty to a Guest very seriously. For her it was work first and play and relax afterwards. She was a good woman and a great hostess.

     Then we come to Mary. She was younger and probably less driven. She had a support role in the household, not a leadership role. She was easily distracted by things she enjoyed. She was ruled by her heart not by her head by all accounts. She was written of as a dreamy idealist, hungry for any word Jesus might utter. She did not want to miss a single word.

     So Jesus arrives, Lots of greetings are exchanged and Martha goes into Hyper Drive. So much to do, so little time. I'm sure Mary started out at the kitchen listening through the door to Jesus. She wanted him to feel welcome as much as Martha did. Jesus lounges on the couch. Maybe Lazarus washes his feet because he is a guest. And Jesus starts talking.

     I can see it in my mind's eye what happened next. Mary probably is asked to bring in the rinsed dates for them to nibble on. She brings the bowl in, sets it down and sits at Jesus' feet, just for a moment, you know. Then she is in that sweet spot where nothing else matters. All time loses meaning. Like a dry sponge she soaks in every word.

     Then we see Martha come out of the kitchen. She is sweating, and rosy cheeked from the open roasting pit. She sees Mary lounging, not helping with everything that Has To Be Done. She lays into Mary with admonitions to come help. I'm sure Mary starts to get up, but Jesus stops her.

     He tells Martha that what Mary is doing is far more important than feeding him. He says that he wished all his students were as attentive of his words. I even think he would have invited Martha to join them. Knowing the type of person Martha was she could not help herself and went back to cooking. Probably thinking that Mary was not helping because she wanted her to do everything. I hope she realized later what Jesus was trying to explain.

     There will always be chores and distractions but to be able to prioritize is the important part. To find the things that feed your Soul are often more important than the trivia of life. To reconnect with God can replace many little worries you have with Love. Here is a story I got a while back that is a great Illustration of my point.

      When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee. 
     A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with walnuts. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. 
     The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the walnuts. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. 
      The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." 
     The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 
     "Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.  The walnuts are the important things---God, your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. 
     The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 
     "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the walnuts. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
     "Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness." Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. 
     Take care of the walnuts first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." 
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The Professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked." 
      It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend." 

God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions.

Angel Eliza

"Clothes Make the Man" 10-19-08

     In the Church of Thomas we see the Ministers in a different light than most mainstream Denominations. Jesus told us it was more important what we taught than what we looked like. It was the Compassion in our hearts that mattered. It was our willingness to fight our baser urges to be better role models for our Congregations. It is our Openness to being guided by God and the Holy Spirit that sets us apart as helping us to be good Ministers.

     As many of you have noticed by now I do not wear a robe in my Sermon Videos. I do not even wear a collar to distinguish me from the average person. I am an average person in many respects. In many things I still have Tons to learn. And in a few things I excel. Unlike the TV Evangelists I don't even dress up in a suit or fancy clothes. If all I had was rags I would proudly wear them instead of what is in my closet.

     If Jesus showed up to be a guest speaker at one of our services we would welcome him with open arms despite his dust encrusted sandals, barely hanging on his feet, from the long miles he has walked. His soiled clothing that is in disrepair would not stop us from finding him Beautiful and Inspiring. Because the Beauty will come not from what he wears but from how he reaches into our hearts and heals us all. It would be his ability to inspire us to do the impossible that would blind us to whatever he was wearing.

     One of the reasons for our clothing differences is a practical one. It is expensive to dress up in a set of robes. I have known some Ministers to have at least 4 sets of robes for different Holy Days or Seasons. These are not cheap. They are often made to order. Custom Clothing is Expensive. The expense can sometimes be borne by the paying Congregation. Since no Church of Thomas gets a Salary it would need to come out of our Salaries.

     Yes Salaries. We all have outside Jobs. I have never heard of a Church of Thomas Minister that was independently wealthy.  God seems to call those that have experienced a lack of money. God seems to call those that are more attached to the giving rather than the accumulating of wealth.

     Like Paul in the Bible, during his many years of setting up Churches he never took a paying position as a Minister. He supported himself constructing tents. It was a skill that was very portable. Every town needed tents.

     Like Paul most Church of Thomas Ministers are categorized as Generalists. You could call them Jacks of All Trades. We can move and get a job almost anywhere God tells us we are needed. We often have experience in many different fields. I am a good example of that characteristic. It has made me very Portable and Mobile.

     The other reason we do not wear robes is that it takes resources away from what we are asked to do for God. Every penny I earn needs to be allocated. I have to find out first where God wants it to be used. Then when that is done, I meet my own needs. I try very hard to consider the Principle of First Fruit. I try never to give God what is left but the first right to my resources. I always seem to be provided for in my basic needs. I do not always manage to fight my desire to do what I Want, but I do try.

     We do not wear collars because we are never Ordained as Ministers. We are called by God, if we accept the calling and all it's hardships we become Ministers. Every member of our Church has the potential to become a Minister. Ministry is not always about writing Sermons and leading Congregations. Sometimes it is like Tracy who is answering the call to create a Grief Support Ministry. She was inspired by her own loss of her mate through Death. She discovered that there is no real support system for non traditional relationships when death takes one of them. If you would like to talk with her I'll connect ya'll. If you feel the call to be a Minister in the Church of Thomas talk with me, I'll fill you in.

     The fancy clothing worn by many modern Ministers is also a showy way to tell their Congregations that they are a Power to be reckoned with. They take the old adage, "the Clothes Make the Man", to heart. They are in Ministry to Make Friends and Influence People as that book on success would say. The clothes give the cache of being "Blessed by God". Unfortunately, these fancy clothes are not paid for by a job of tent making. The money for these clothes comes from the salaries they give themselves out of the Donation basket.   

     We do not believe the Holy Spirit comes to only those that are well dressed. We do not believe the Holy Spirit cares if the person they enter is wearing Robes or a Collar. We believe the exterior has no bearing on who will be blessed by being moved by the Holy Spirit.

     Here are some verses that are from the Reconciler Gospel of Thomas that will help illustrate my points. These are the verses we use as our Guides to how to use our resources versus how those that follow the Pharisees model do things. For those who do not know the tribe that took the position of Priests in the time of Moses was the tribe of Levi. From that time to the present all important Priestly jobs have been filled by descendants of that tribe.

     RGoT Verse 78   Jesus said, "Why do you seek the river reed out in the desert? Why do you seek truth from a man of the Tribe of Levi, clothed in fine garments like your Kings and your Great Men? Upon them are the finery and clothes bought with the blood of Widows and the sweat of Slaves. They are blind to the truth that stands before them."

     RGoT Verse 81   Jesus said, "Let the person who has grown rich in Spirit be your Leaders. Let the person who holds great power renounce it. It is because it is better to be Rich in Spirit. It is because Power Corrupts."

     There are many verses in the New Testament also that chide the Priesthood of the Jews to understand that being showy does not lead to faith. The robes are symbols of a decadent past that should have been left by the wayside instead of adopted by the newly forming Christian Church. It is one reason that Peter's Church found us annoying and dangerous to the Temple System they were duplicating. Jesus was very sad to see this happen, especially since it was being done in his name.

God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions.

Angel Eliza   

Marriage Vows Sermon 9-14-08

     All Relationships have their ups and downs. There are arguments and disagreements. There are times when illness and emotional distress impact on the people in our lives. There are times where money and resources are not used the same way by people close to us. There are even times when no amount of money seems enough. One Partner might hold all the money cards along with the purse strings.

     In our childhoods we can not help but be dependent on our caregivers and Parents for comfort and basic needs. In friendships we often have an ebb and flow of comfort in a more level fashion. In our choices of Life Mates/ Partners and Spouses we expect our needs to be met by the Partner as equals.

     There is someone I know at work who constantly talks about her Husband in a way I frankly find Offensive. They have 3 children. They have been married for 20 years. The kids are now grown and away at College and working on their lives.

     When she speaks about her children she tells of all the things she has done for them. They are good kids by all accounts and doing well in getting set up as adults. She does expect something back for all she has done for them of her own free will. She once said that she was glad that her daughter had a couple of jobs so she could pay her back the money she gave her to go to school. The daughter is still in College. I ask myself why she gave the money to her daughter if it was not a gift.

     When her sons want to visit her apartment which is close to the beach and night life with a date she lets them. However there is a strange reluctance on her part. She tells us if he wants a Love Nest he should either go to a hotel or pay her the amount for staying at her place. If it bothers her why doesn't she just say "No, I do not want a stranger in my home." She just complains about it to us.

     When the kids want to visit they must "pay" her by taking her out to eat. When she wants them to visit she bribes them by cooking their favorite dishes.

     She tells every Female she knows to get the guy to pay for sex. She lectures at length that the way to make a relationship work is to keep the guy at bay but tease the hell out of them. She then teaches these females that when the guys are willing to pay for the attention give as little as possible since it is a valuable "commodity". She calls anyone who gives affection, attention and comfort freely to their mate or spouse a fool. Her core belief system is an emotional and sexual Quid Pro Quo. She even treats her husband this way.

     I do not know if her Marriage started with Love or Impulse. In the long run it has turned into Glorified Prostitution. Her favorite Phrase is "Show me the Money". She detests her Husband so much that she has moved into an apartment close to our work to be away from him. The Husband still thinks this move is a temporary separation. He still believes it is just getting their next smaller place set up since the kids are grown. She will never let him move in. She has even told us this.

     When any man enters her personal space she flirts outrageously; then pushes them away joking "what are you going to give me, man." When they ignore her she pushes into them to force their attention back to her. She has men buying her Breakfast and sodas constantly. I have no idea if it has gotten to the point of money exchanges yet. I do not know if sexual favors are exchanged for this money. To all extent and purposes she is already a Prostitute.

     I do know that unless her Husband brings gifts and money when he visits her in "her" apartment, he does not get to go to bed with her. She has had this sexual Quid Pro Quo with her Husband a very long time, maybe the entire relationship. She chortles that when she does a Good Job in bed he leaves a wad of cash on her dresser in the morning.

     I am very sad about this relationship. It has no ear marks of a relationship where God has a place in it. I wonder if she used the Traditional Vows when she married her Husband. I like those vows with some personal statement attached. There is a reason that those vows are the ones most commonly used. They sum up the relationship in most of the relationship's possible ups and downs.

     The idea behind the Marriage Vows is simple. The vows acknowledge the possibility of sickness changing the dynamics of a relationship. It also points to the up side that good health should not be taken for granted but embraced as an opportunity to build a stronger relationship.

     These vows remind couples that money may not always be available. In addition I think it also points to the idea that one partner may not make as much money, thereby impacting the resources available to the couple. These vows remind us that money can also be a great divider. How many times have you heard of couples splitting up because one of them hit a huge Mega Million dollar Jackpot? In these times the supposedly greener grass can look very tempting. People who you might find fascinating some how now find you wonderful company now that you have a little money to throw around.  The relationship you are in may not stand much of a chance with these interlopers driving a wedge in the relationship.

     These Vows also point to Fidelity. The Phrase "forsaking all others" seems to have lost a great deal in translation over the years. It means you do not entice or encourage people who might be taking what is rightfully your Mate's. This part of the vow is much more far reaching than sex. It means sharing the good and the bad times. It means communicating your needs and desires to your mate. If the first person you reach for when things get tough is outside of your couple you are taking from your mate. It might even mean that they have no idea that there is a problem until suddenly you just up and leave. This gives them no opportunity to work things out, to help you, to understand where you are coming from.

     The last part of the Vows is a pale shadow of its former understanding. It states that the Couple will plan to be together until they Die. In this age of Serial Monogamy the idea of growing old and dying together only seems to be truly sought when we have exhausted the supply of fresh healthy, rich, tolerant potential mates. If you take the time to learn about your potential mate before hopping into bed right away, you can be more selective in your choice of who you Marry. Then the idea of growing old and probably sick together and supporting each other when money problems come up is a Joyous thing not the burden some people have made it.  

God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions.

Angel Eliza

Drained Faith 9-7-08

     In this day and age we have so many advances we should feel greatly Blessed. It is interesting that as Technology provides ways to heal the sick, feed the hungry and give us unheard of luxuries; we have lost much of our Wonder in God's works.

     In times of dire need people often turn to the comfort and certainty of something bigger than us. When survival itself is marginal it seems easier for people to reach beyond themselves for the comfort of God. We like to feel that we are under someone's protection.  When life gets comfortable, safe and we become too risk averse we repeat History in a big way. Here is a verse from the Old Testament that will illustrate.

     Malachi 1:6 "A son honors his father and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am the master, where is the respect?

     In Malachi's time God asks where the Love and Devotion have gone. It is a time of great prosperity for the Jewish Tribes. They are not at war. They are not hungry.  The Misery of Exodus is long faded along with the solutions God provided to ease or eliminate those ordeals. The generations that fought for a place in the land of Canaan are long dead.

     These Descendents have a Home. They have all the physical needs of their time met. They have come to believe the thanks and accolades belong to their own efforts and works. Much like our self satisfied fog of today, they have gotten lazy in acknowledging where their Blessing flows from. Their sins are not big sins but their devotion burner has turned down many notches to a lukewarm of Apathy. They go through the motions without any Heart behind it. The meaning behind their sacrifices and devotion are colorless and dull.

     Did that description sound familiar? It should. The Developed World is living in unprecedented Prosperity. We leave Water running when not needed. We throw away tons of food each year for the average household. For the time being we have a pretty good handle on the diseases that used to kill whole Populations. I have heard a phrase that sums it up. "I Got Mine."

     We argue over the benefit of vaccines that might cause side effects; while forgetting the horrible loss of life from what are called Childhood Diseases. They had made childhood a very tenuous time to fight, to survive. Until recently, except for immigrants from Countries where they do not vaccinate, it became rare to even see these diseases. There are Practicing Drs who have never seen any of them. The recent flair ups of these diseases have been the backlash of the easy life we now consider our due. Faith suffers when things are too cushy. Devotion turns to Apathy when "I Got Mine."

     I have envisioned Satan as a worm sometimes. He is a tapeworm to be exact. It all starts with a small segment being ingested. It finds a nice stretch of intestine and digs in. It stays there growing longer by adding segments. It feeds unnoticed by the person it is attached to. It eats food that you eat. Silently the Tapeworm is stealing your nourishment. There are rarely any symptoms until it is quite large. Sometimes the first someone notices is segments in their shit. I even heard of a fellow that thought it was a string hanging out, and pulled. That got his attention sending him quickly to the Dr. Lucky for him there is a poison that kills the Tapeworm.

     Losing your faith can happen in a similar fashion. All it needs is a seed of Doubt to start it growing. Every adversity feeds this growing parasite. Each event by themselves are often little and inconsequential. The foothold that Satan gets must be discovered quickly to keep it from growing like the tapeworm. It takes turning the little stuff as well as the big stuff over to God. As long as people have Worshiped God, God has offered this support many times, we just think we can do it all ourselves. As a result we do not ask for help. We don't ask for help for the small things. We are often heavily infested by the time we think to ask for help with the big stuff.

     Here is a verse that may help you visualize the problem in a more external way.  

     RGoT 97 Jesus said, "The World is like the woman who carried a sack of grain that sprang a leak. It was a leak she did not see. When she got home all the grain had run out and the sack was empty. Guard against The Thief and The Liar. You never know when they will come to poke a hole in your faith, leaving you empty without understanding how it happened.

     I would never advocate going back to a time of rampant plagues. I enjoy having safe food and clean water. I feel Blessed that my Brother's kids will not have to go through the many illnesses I fought through just to survive as a child. They get immunized to prevent a repeat of my childhood. A big dose of Wonder at the works of God can immunize us against Satan's infections.

     Malachi reminds us not take things we are blessed to have for granted. The Apathy that is so much a part of our lives reflects our comfort. A people who feel self sufficient will not ask for help. We do not feel our vote matters. We think we have no say in our governments. This is in spite of the Constitution calling for us to be a conscious people. The Constitution calls for our government to be in our control, "By the People and For the People." If our Government is not working we throw the bums out and hire some new folks. We should hold our Representatives to account, because what they do is in our name. Apathy is a sure way to get a dictator.

     When things are going well, you must stay vigilant. That is when Satan will be the most active. If you rebuke Satan even in the petty things you will be protecting yourself from the small hole in your grain sack. By staying vigilant you check your sustenance of the Grain sack to repair the hole should one sneak up on you. The Gifts that God gives you are not for dribbling away for Satan to feed upon.

     Hard times seem to naturally draw people to appreciate God more. It is like the analogy of the child parent relationship though. If the only time you hug your parent is in adversity you have let the possible everyday joys fritter away. Hug God every day, not just when you want something. You are developing a relationship, not an Automatic Teller Machine, withdrawing only when you want something.

     I suggest an attitude of Wonder. The Wonder of a small child goes a very long way in building that relationship with God. Look for God's Love manifested everywhere. Cultivate an attitude of gratefulness even if a small part of you does not think God had anything to do with your comfort. This is your immunization against the occasional tapeworm segment. When Evil enters your life take the time to recognize them as being sent to poke a hole in your faith.

God Bless the Whole World, No Exceptions.

Angel Eliza