The Religion of Politics

This week as we get close to voting for President of the United States and many other major votes, I want to deviate from my ongoing subject and step up on my soap box.

I have been thinking about this very subject for many weeks.  As I watch the news and converse with many people I feel the need to speak up.  No matter who you are or where you live please bear with me and read what I have to say.  We all can learn a little from others and I only hope to get you to think for a moment.

Over the years dealing with people as a pastor and evangelist I have learned a lot and have asked myself many things about what I have seen.  Even in Christianity we are so diverse in doctrine and political views, I am amazed by what is condoned and allowed.  So, if I may I want to compare religion and politics.  This may even seem like I am on my soap box and you are probably right.  Politics in many ways are just like our religious systems.

I do believe as believers we are called to a life of holy living and obedience to the teachings of Jesus. 

 (John 14:23-24 NKJV)  Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. {24} "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.

(1 Pet 1:15-16 NKJV)  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, {16} because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

This should apply to everything in our lives even how we judge between one another and look at our leaders, in our land as well as our churches.  With this said I will try to do a parallel of religion and politics.

Today, there seems to be this prevailing ideal of separation of church and state.  So there are those who will ignore their own convictions when it comes to politics.  Then there are those who completely ignore what happens in politics completely, but complain about the results.  There are those who try to make everyone else live by their own convections, condemning all those who do not agree with them to hell. I just hope to encourage you to prayerfully look at your own convictions and ask God what He would have you do.

The parallels of both are:

1. Both have leaders that people follow blindly
2. Everybody stays true to their party or denomination (to many this is a lifetime)
3. Every group has their own way of doing things (doctrines, traditions, platforms)
4. Each group or party thinks they are right
5. They all vie for power or control of money and policy making
6.  Leaders of politics and religion will say anything to keep their followers
7. War, character assignation, and lies are OK to maintain control
8. When followers are confronted with different thinking or truth they are greatly offended.
9. The end justifies the means
10. Many are willing to ignore their leader’s failures and lifestyles just because of what they feel they may get in return.
11. There are a large percentage of people who are ignorant of the truth and are dependent on others for their well being and will follow whom ever just because of what is promised them, or told what they may lose if they do not follow.

I am sure there is more we could add to this list.  You may have a few to add yourself and I would like to hear them.  This is just to get you to think and look what is ahead of us in this world.  We should never follow anyone blindly no matter what.  Each person should first follow the Lord and His commands and then participate in their given rights in what ever country they live in.  If you live in a place where you are not given such rights and freedom then above all follow Jesus and his teachings, live a life holy before the Lord and well pleasing.

The thing I don’t understand is how can so called Christians condone or go along with thinking or policies that are clearly contrary to scriptures and the teachings of Jesus.  I do believe in a fallen world a country can not legislate morality.  When we have a nation diverse as ours, with many doctrines and ways of thinking no one particular group should be in charge.  Like the saying goes and history has proved out, he who has the power makes up the rules.  That is properly why our founding fathers proclaimed that there would be not state church.  The State is to stay out of the churches business and the church is not to run the State.

This does not mean that the church can not influence the state and make a mark on our society.  For instance when one person took schools to court over prayer, where was the Christians?  When creationism was removed from our school books and Darwinism was forced upon our students, where were our Christian teachers? We could go on and on over issue after issue and in all we will find the Christian voice silent.  Except for a few misguided radicals that give true Christian love a bad name, as a whole the Christian has been silent.  When our statistics show that Christianity as a whole makes up the largest part of our country how does non-biblical things prevail.

Growing up in church, it was hammered into us that we had to separate ourselves from the world.  We were not raised up to be leaders in our community, just followers of doctrines and traditions.  We were raised to serve the Lord through the church.  To be a good Christian one just followed their churches teachings and served with all they had.  The result of such thinking has raised spiritually and socially ignorant people who just follow depending on others to provide for them.  So while we were being busy being separate, the sinful world was raising up educated men and women to run our country without God.

A few years ago we had a President that was honest about his faith and lead by His convictions.  I will not say I agreed with all he did, but I was amazed at how many Christians bashed that man and called him all kind of things.  Then this year the Democratic Party tried to remove any mention of God out of their platform.  We have a current President that is open about his views about abortion and homosexuality.  He has demonstrated a lack for Christian thinking.  Yet we have people who say they are devoted church going Christians who will stand and vote for such a person.

A few weeks ago I was asked how I felt about a person who was of Mormon faith being President.  After some thought and considering what the doctrines and what I know about the current president, what’s the difference?  We are a country that does not endorse any particular faith, what should guide us are principles that agrees with our God given commandments. 

I am not telling anyone how to vote or to what party one should be a part of.  For me I do not consider myself belonging to any party.  I vote by God given convictions and principles.  I just can not agree with anyone who will violate God’s commands and ignore the rights of the unborn.  In my book there is only God given morals, and any other morals that choose to be selective are often based on Godless ideals and humanism.  Our Government was not formed to provide the well being of its people, but to protect the liberty and freedoms of all.  Government is not the answer to society’s problems, but God and His word can guide us to a higher level of living.  Right belief in the one true God can bring hope and faith. My confidence is not in government or man, but I will exercise my right as a citizen to vote for a leader who’s moral convictions is closer to God’s word.  As long as so called Christians have warped views of God, Jesus, and His word they will always follow and vote with a blinded mind.  

In conclusion, how do you vote?  Have you prayed about it?  Are you blindly following a party line just because you always have?  Is your motive based on what you will get out of it or fear?  Are you dependent on the government or God?   Is your faith and politics similar?  How do you act when confronted with truth?  Do you ignore the basic principles of God’s word and blindly follow just out of traditions?          

     

I pray for our government and our nation.  We need a change from the top down as well from the bottom up.  If truth does not prevail in our doctrines and nation, we are heading for trouble.  I can only imagine what our nation will look like if we don’t see some changes.

It’s time to step off of my soap box now, back to my ongoing subject next week.

The Apostles Revisited

A couple of weeks ago I thought I could leave this subject and move on to what I really wanted to talk about.  After several emails and messages I feel I need to clear up my thoughts some more.  There are many who may think I do not believe in the five ministries mentioned in Ephesians chapter four.  I was just stating that I disagree with most of today’s modern teachings on the subject.  So, if I may this week try to clear up my thoughts on this.

A large part of today’s teaching on this subject leads to people believing in a restoration of Apostles like in Acts.  This often leads to abuse and men taking leadership, claiming special callings from God.  In story after story we find where this happens there is abuse and false leadership.  People seem to follow such men blindly and fall into spiritual bondage.  If one would just pay attention to the teachings of these men and their lives, you would find many errors in what they say and do.

We have just in recent history, right here in America many so called revivals based on such false teaching.  Over and over again we hear the leaders tell those in their meetings to stop checking out what is done and just go with the emotions and feelings.  This very thing has left many a poor soul shipwrecked in their walk with God. During my time as pastor in a Midwestern town of Missouri, just down the road from a so called revival, I dealt with many a broken life after revival got done with them.

Each story was much the same. I was told of strong arm leadership and demands for the faithful to take their word for what was being taught.  If they disagreed with leadership they were told they were going to hell, missing God, or just too carnal to see and know what they were teaching.  These people were hurt and dejected, many telling me they had their fill of church, never wanting to be apart of any church again.  Their faith in God is questioned and some even begin to doubt their salvation and God’s love.

Like I said before I grew up in church and in my late teen years and early adult life was under strong leadership.  They too taught what was called the five fold ministry and the offices of the Apostles and Prophets.  This kind of teaching only ended up in what I call spiritual abuse.  I only survived such teaching because I refused to check my brain out at the door so to speak.  I was willing to confront and ask questions, of those who tried to control our lives by their teachings.  In the end I had to leave and ended up attacked by those who could not control me. 

Before we go any further I started out this series about the manifestations and will get back to that.  I just want to make very clear that the manifestations and leadership gifts are not the same and should be addressed separately.  I do believe in both and that they should be in operation in today’s church body.  I just disagree with how they are both being taught and used in many churches today.  Don’t get me wrong, I do not feel I am anyone special that has some kind of revelation on this matter.  I am however amazed how divided the body of Christ is on this matter.  Then again I am so amazed how the body of Christ could be so divided on many subjects that I feel are pretty clear in the scriptures.

I started this blog page to speak my mind and to spark your thinking as well.  I wanted to open dialogue on many subjects and see what we learn.  It is time for the body of Christ to come into maturity, each believer to step up and stop following blindly and let God work through them.  Too much has happened in the church that should not have, just because so called believers just refuse to step up and pursue truth.  It seems that the average believer is willing to let somebody else do their thinking and remain a spiritual baby all their life.  I will even be blunt here and say I seriously doubt they are a real believer.  Faith without works or action is dead.

(James 2:26 NIV)  As the body without the spirit (breath) is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (emphases mine)

After saying what I said, let me get to today’s point. (Eph 4:11-12 NIV)  It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, {12} to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.  If you would read the whole chapter, I feel you may understand Paul was not talking about any special calling or office of leadership.  He was not elevating one gift over another. He was however teaching unity, peace and maturity in the body of Christ.  Upon my study I find there will only be that special calling that was given to the first apostles and prophets in the Bible.  Paul does however teach about God’s gifts to the church in Romans, I Cor., and Eph. Each time he states it a little different and helps us understand he is not setting up a high calling of leadership.  Has God set up leadership? Absolutely!  That is clearly seen and should be honored and respected. Do I think there is a restoration of Apostles and Prophets? Absolutely no!  Let me explain what I mean.

Let’s start with some scripture and then I hope to expound on the verses I share.

    (Eph 2:19-22 NIV)  Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. {21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. {22} And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

(1 Cor 3:10-14 NIV)  By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. {11} For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. {12} If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, {13} his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. {14} If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.

(2 Tim 2:19 NIV)  Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

(Heb 6:1-3 NIV)  Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, {2} instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. {3} And God permitting, we will do so.

(Rev 21:14 NKJV)  Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I am going to draw from my many years of construction and home building to expound on the above verses.  One thing I learned early on in building any kind of home or building was the importance of the foundation.  Without a good foundation, not matter what you build and how good it looks it will not last.  Jesus used this analogy in Luke 6.48&49 concerning obeying the teachings of Jesus.  Another thing I learned was no matter what you would build on the foundation, it had to remain true to the foundation that was laid.  When we built homes we could change the look of the walls or even move a few in the floor plan, but we could not build outside the perimeters of the foundation.

How does that apply to the above scriptures and the apostles and prophets?  Let me explain. In Eph. 2, Paul tells us that the church then and still today is built upon a foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus being the main cornerstone.  If you look in Revelations 21, there is only twelve who are considered foundation Apostles.  So what was Paul saying?  There were only those men God called to lay the foundation of His church, and the foundation is already laid.  There will be no other foundation, but the one where Jesus is the main cornerstone. 

I can only hope to make this plain or understandable as I see it.  The special prophets Paul is referring to is all those that have already spoken about God’s plan for man through Jesus. We call that the Old Testament, and there will be no other prophets to add to what has already been spoken and written concerning Jesus, God’s plan for man, then and for the future.  If anyone claims to be a prophet today he can not add to what is already spoken or take away.  The calling of those kinds of prophets are over and the foundation is already laid. If anyone today stands up and says they have a special revelation that does not match the foundation already laid is a false prophet. Another meaning for prophet which I believe applies to today, is a spokesman for God. 

God still uses people to speak His will concerning others today.  That is where the manifestations come in.  God may and often does use someone to forewarn someone, advise or admonish another believer.  God has people he has gifted to help the body of Christ come into maturity, but we have to understand that all those kind of prophecies are conditional.  The foundation that is laid can not be changed but the walls built on top can.  God has laid the foundation of all His plans concerning mankind, the church, the work of Jesus and the coming kingdom, which will not be changed. God is done with those kinds of prophets, but prophets in building up one another should still be in use today.

The same pretty much goes for the Apostles.  God chose special men through Jesus to be the foundation of the church and all that God intended for the church.  These men all have died by the end of the first century.  God has and will not call any others to this special calling.  Paul made claim to be one of these men and said he laid a foundation for others to build upon. He warned us how we should build and what we did build would be tested.  He spoke about those who have tried to appose what he had taught (II Tim. 2) and said the foundation of God stood firm.  The writer of Heb. 6 tells us that the teachings of the Apostles are a part of that foundation.  The teachings of the faith, salvation, baptism, resurrection, judgment is already laid.  We need to follow what they have taught, and you can find that by rightly dividing the Word of truth, not following mans ideal of what it says.  That foundation is already laid and there will be no other.   

Another meaning for apostle is one sent by God.  That does and should apply today.  God still calls men to go forth and build upon the foundation, reestablishing truth and drawing people back to the foundation that is laid by the Apostles of Acts. One today could feel the call of God to go and establish a work or teach a truth that is in line with the foundation already laid for the church.  Anyone who goes around calling themselves apostles trying to lay their own foundation built upon their own revelations is a false apostle.  Anyone that goes around demanding to be recognized as an apostle, claiming special anointing over other ministries should be rejected. 

I feel that Paul was not elevating one gift over another.  They should operate in the church as one then as needed.  He was not giving them a special office or position. The work of ministry is to be done by the whole body of Christ not a selected few.  When we start seeing the church go back to the foundations already laid and the teachings of the Apostles we will start to see true maturity in the body of Christ.  A church operating as God intended it to be working in love and the power of God.  God did give apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelist, and teachers, to build upon the foundation of the original teachings of the Apostles, Jesus being the main cornerstone of all that is built upon it.  How are you building and on what foundation is it being built upon?

Acts, The Apostle Question

After a my last entry, I have had much feed back and time for reflection.  This week there are a few things I want to clarify, then a few more points on the book of Acts.  In my last entry I asked some questions that when I received feed back nobody seemed to answer. The main one was, when did the manifestations stop and where in scripture can we back that up? 

There seems to be this prevailing thought that many think God only worked through the twelve apostles. Where do we find that. Now, I will not debate with anyone on the ideal that the church was established on the foundation of those apostles and they will be represented in the coming kingdom (Eph 2:20 NKJV) having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,) In the ideal that there were only twelve who were with Christ who may have been called apostles and none since I would agree.  Yet I can not throw the whole ideal out that God uses people in an apostolic way.  Let’s look at what Paul had to say about this.

(Rom 1:1-6 NKJV)  Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God {2} which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, {3} concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, {4} and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. {5} Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, {6} among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

(Rom 11:13 NKJV)  For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

Paul in several places sets the record strait about his apostleship.  I used these first two just to show you his claim.  I have heard from those who say to be an apostle you had to have seen Jesus.  In all my searching I could not find any place in scripture where qualifications are given to be gifted, or called by God other than being faithful and obedient.  I guess one could try to make the case in Acts 1. 15-26, that to be an apostle, one had to be with Christ during his earthly ministry.  That then would eliminate Paul, for he only saw him in vision. If seeing Jesus is qualification for being an apostle then everyone who claims they have seen Jesus could be an apostle.  We all know we cannot thrust in everyone’s claims alone.  Yet I would like to see where we get the ideal that only the twelve plus Paul were apostles, Barnabas is called an apostle in Acts 14.14.

Let’s look at the very word apostle. The Greek word used is apostolos, which means delegate; spec. an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ["apostle"] (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent.  With this understanding I feel anyone who is obedient to the gospel and have a God called purpose on their life could possibly operate as an apostle.  A missionary for example going to a land that has not heard the gospel and establishes a group of believers could be considered an apostle, like Paul who took the gospel to the gentiles, establishing groups of believers.  Paul even said that we are ambassadors for Christ II Cor. 5.17-21.

Lets look at another scripture where Paul mentions apostles.  We should take notice in how Paul gives an account of the resurrection and those who give witness to the event.  He first mentions Peter and the twelve.  Which twelve is Paul talking about, Judas had already committed suicide by the time Jesus arose and appeared to Peter.   Was he referring to Matthias, who was chosen by lot not called by Jesus?   Then Paul mentions five hundred brethren, none of whom he mentions names.  The next verse he says James the brother of Jesus had seen Jesus alive.  In the book of Acts we understand that James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem.  Could he not be considered an apostle since many of the other apostles answered to him and the church council?  In verse seven, Paul tells us all the apostles seen Jesus alive.  Notice no number is given and the time line would exclude Judas and Paul from this group. He already mentions twelve so who was Paul talking about when he says all the apostles?  Paul then mentions his own testimony of seeing the risen Lord in his vision, and him being one of the apostles.  Is it me or does it seem that Paul is making a distinction here?  Not all the twelve were apostles, but some of the foundation apostles were a part of the twelve in which Paul was not a part of the original twelve.  My Point is this, if one is to make the case for whom is an apostle based on what we read only in Acts 1, that one had to be with Jesus, then the foundational twelve would have been completed in Acts 1, with Matthias by lot.  Then if you read it to be just those who have seen Jesus after resurrection (I Cor. 15) the number is more than twelve, including Paul, and maybe the five hundred.

(1 Cor 15:4-9 NKJV)  and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, {5} and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. {6} After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. {7} After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. {8} Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. {9} For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Now, before you get upset at me, I want to state here that I do not believe in the abused use of the term apostle today.  There are many false leaders calling themselves apostles.  There is the false teaching of the five fold ministry. There are those who claim they have special callings who teach false doctrines, in which I fully disagree with.  This is nothing new Paul even dealt with this as well.

(2 Cor 11:12-15 NKJV)  But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. {13} For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. {14} And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. {15} Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Paul used some strong language in the above scripture, and I think we should not be afraid to do so as well.  There are false teachings out there that only leads people into bondage and false hopes.  Those who follow such teachings always end up in despair and confusion.  This will bring us to another scripture from Paul that will help clear up this confusion and lead me to the point I made last time and want to make clearer. 

(1 Cor 12:27-31 NKJV)  Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. {28} And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. {29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? {30} Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? {31} But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

 (Eph 4:1-7 NIV)  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. {2} Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. {3} Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. {4} There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- {5} one Lord, one faith, one baptism; {6} one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. {7} But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

(Eph 4:11-14 NIV)  It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, {12} to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up {13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. {14} Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

With the understanding of what the word apostle means I want to make the case that God still have all aspects of His gifts working in the church today.  One would be hard pressed to prove otherwise with scripture. We do however need to look at what is said by Paul.  In I Cor. Paul makes it known that there is diversity in the gifts.  We need to understand there is a difference between gifts and manifestations and I will deal with this later. It is God who gives the gifts and chooses to whom they are given.  It’s not yours or mine to decide who gets what.  We are encouraged to desire the greater gifts.  Yet, Paul tells us there is something more important. I will deal with I Cor. 13 later.

In Eph. Paul does the same thing as he did in I Cor.  He lays out what is more important and what we should be looking for in knowing a gift that is in us or another person. He stress that there needs to be humility, love and an effort to keep unity. 

When I questioned the lack of true manifestations in today’s church, I said that maybe it was because the gospel was not being preached like it should in unity.  I was talking about manifestations and not gifts. I had many responses asking to whom I was referring to. No one is my answer to that.  I think if we take what Paul says here and begin to understand some basics, we can come to an understanding.  I feel it is very clear that there is only one faith and one God, well you can read it.  No mater what, almost everyone would say Amen to those verses.  Now, how that is defined becomes the many doctrinal differences.  I will stand firm in believing is says what it says. In Acts we find this was not a problem for they all followed the apostle’s doctrines. The basic message I was referring to in Acts last time was the simple message of Jesus the son of God who lived a sinless life, died and rose again to set all sinners free, then ascended to the Father with a promise to return and set of a kingdom on this earth.  This basic message has over the years been muddled up so much by doctrines of men that hardly anyone knows what truth is. Yet it is so plain in scripture.  You have to just open your eyes and read for yourself without your doctrinal glasses.

In the above verses Paul lets us know two things.  God through Jesus gave gifts to lead the church into truth that produces unity.  (It should be obvious that we are not in unity) Not one of those is mentioned to be finished or done away with.  They are all needed to complete the task that is before us. If you remove one gift you have to remove them all. Until we reach the unity in the faith we need all the gifts.  Who God chooses to give what gift to is not up to me.  However I have been given a measuring stick so to speak, to make sure those who claim they have truth and a gift do measure up. Like I have told many in my responses , it’s by God’s grace who He chooses to use and not mine to fight against.  Yet I will measure all that I see today by the Word of God, like the verses in Eph. Four. 

If you are not seeing spiritual manifestations, it could be one of several reasons and only you can answer for yourself.  Just don't dismiss them as not of God or not for today.  Maybe you feel you have the true gospel message but reject the gifts.  You may feel you have a gift but reject the true gospel (I am not sure you can have a gift without truth, but that’s up to God). Maybe you lack Godly love, or real compassion.  You might have the gospel, but you are not bringing people into unity.  I could go on an on.  I can only seek God for myself in these matters and desire the best God would have for me.  Who am I to judge another in their heart?  I just want to be found obedient to God and the faith.  Over the next few weeks we will look at the manifestations some more and I just want to be a humble servant as I present some thought and insight.