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Living in Absolutes

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  According to Martin Luther , leader of the Reformation , "I shall never be a heretic; I may err in dispute, but I do not wish to decide anything finally; on the other hand, I am not bound by the opinions of men." This means that if the truth is not absolute, it is not the truth at all. Aristotle states, “The high-minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think.” According to him, if we consider ourselves to be wise individuals, our concern should be to find the truth, not to submit to opinions. Truth is objective, originating outside of oneself, and provides certainty since it can be applied to all people at all times.   There are absolute realities and standards that define what is true and what is not. Actions can be determined to be either right or wrong by how they measure up to those absolute standards. If there are no absolutes, no reality, chaos ensues. If the law of gravity were not absolute, no one would have clarity about any dynamics of life...
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Follow the Wind: When the Holy Spirit Takes Charge

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  In  Judaism , the Holy Spirit is God's divine force, quality, and influence  over the universe and his creation. The Nicene   Creed recognizes the Holy Spirit as the third person of the  Trinity . In  Islam , the Holy Spirit acts as an agent of divine action or communication. In the  Baha’i Faith , the Holy Spirit is seen as the intermediary between God and man and "the outpouring grace of God and the effulgent rays that emanate from His Manifestation." Each faith has its own unique interpretation of His role and purpose.   In like manner, the subject of the Holy Spirit is a highly controversial subject within Christianity. Some segments emphasize the signs and wonders that come from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life, including the outward signs of speaking in tongues and their interpretation. They also recognize the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” as a separate event from the Holy Spirit baptizing each believer into the Bo...
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Freedom in the Holy Spirit

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  Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty .           2 Corinthians 3:17   According to Webster’s Dictionary, freedom is the power or right to speak, act, and change as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of "giving oneself one's own laws." The English word "freedom" is etymologically related to the word "friend." Philosophy and religion sometimes associate it with free will as an alternative to determinism or predestination. The Greek word is eleuthería , and it is translated as freedom, generosity, or independence. Freedom is presented as a signal blessing of the economy of grace, which, in contrast with the Old Testament economy, is represented as including independence from religious regulations and legal restrictions; it is freedom from the yoke of the Mosaic Law, f...
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Forevermore

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  For a child will be born to us [nation of Israel] , a son will be given to us, and the government [ misra – rule, dominion] will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful [ pele - a wonder, a miracle, a marvel, something unusual or extraordinary]. Counselor [ yaats – consultant, advisor, Jethro in Exodus 18:19] , Mighty God [ eel gibbor – brave, strong, mighty] , Eternal [ ad - perpetuity, unforeseeable future] Father, Prince of Peace [ shalom – tranquility, wholesome] . There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom , to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore [ olam - a very long time] . The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.                              Isaiah 9:6-7 The above passage, ...
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