In the SSTS text compiled with my lifelong friend Paul Estabrooks, we said: “Materialism is the attitude that says money, property, possessions, physical comforts, as well as worldly fame and honor, are the most important things in life. Not to say, “There is no God,” but to say, “We don’t have any need for God!” Materialism is the subtlest trap of Satan. We can have all the Christian externals and yet be complete materialists in our hearts. For Christians, materialism is much like the frog in a pan of water that is slowly heated. He boils to death because he does not realize the danger quickly enough to jump out of the pot before it is too late. In Matthew’s Gospel (Chapter 6) Jesus teaches us to give to the needy. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” – (Matthew 6:1-4 ESV). There are two opposing masters on Earth: God and Money. You are a slave to the one you obey.
To compare down—with those who have less—creates one of two attitudes: The positive view is compassion and justice thinking: “How can I help?” The negative view is to ignore without mercy thinking: “How can I avoid helping?” The opposite of love is not always hated…it is also to ignore!
To compare up—with those who have more—generates one of two attitudes: The positive view is to rejoice and learn thinking: “How can I improve? Teach me.” The negative view is enviousness thinking: “How can I get (or take) what they have?” And who of us has never envied?
This graphic gets an amazing variety of responses depending on where I show it.
It helps some who tend to think of themselves as poor to see that when they step off the plane in another country with a) eyeglasses worth $500 and b) a laptop worth $1,000 and c) a return airline ticket worth over two grand they have instantly identified themselves as part of the “upper-10%” — just to get there! Many in North America are currently (may change soon) among the world’s rich just by virtue of birth! Am I complaining? No. Am I rejoicing? Yes. Do I know what to do about it? Follow my own chart I guess!
“When you give…when you pray…(and) when you fast…” is the expectation of our Lord’s teaching in Matthew 6. Not “if you give…if you pray…and if you fast.” Giving, praying and fasting are among the most private, secret and personal of spiritual practices…and the most misunderstood. Those who fail to practice these delights in secret with a humble attitude can become like pharisaical sounding brass and legalistic tinkling cymbal
“Empty Cities” – an enlightening video below of the Rise and Fall of past Civilizations. It is prophetic in what has happened to our “Western Civilization” in the past 50 years. Well worth the 28 minutes to watch!
STAGE 1 Less than 10% of Country’s Population: Canada – USA – England
Muslims delight in their rights as the visible, assertive Islamic minority seeking protection from the Christian majority.
STAGE 2 10 to 50% of Country’s Population: Nigeria
Muslims demand their rights as the vocal, ascending Islamic mission soliciting privileges from the Christian community.
STAGE 3 50 to 90% of Country’s Population: Indonesia – Sudan
Muslims dictate their rights as a vigorous, advancing Islamic mandate striving for personal freedom from any Christian influence.
STAGE 4 90 to 100% of Country’s Population: Saudi Arabia Afghanistan, Taliban/ISIS Caliphate
Muslims deny rights to others as the victorious, aggressive Islamic majority solidifying persecution of Christians as Infidels.
Evidence suggests that Islam teaches tolerance only until Islam can impose the 4-Choices of Sha’ria law on all non-Muslim citizens! Convert, Flee, Pay an Exorbitant Tax…or Die!
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“The hardest teaching of this seminar (SSTS Seminar) has been the teaching on forgiveness. It is easy to quote Luke 23:34 where Jesus said: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ I have told myself, ‘I cannot forgive these Muslims because they ‘knew’ what they were doing! They ‘knew’ what they were doing when they burned my house. They ‘knew’ what they were doing when they murdered my wife. And they ‘knew’ what they were doing when they burned my church! I have been unable to forgive until today. By God’s grace I do forgive them – and will forgive them.”
This pastor’s comments began a series of conversations at the end of the seminar about “What steps do we take next?” The timing of the workshop was God’s intervention. Friday, November 16 was the beginning of Ramadan – the Muslim holy month of fasting during the daylight hours. It was often a time of increased tensions, rhetoric and inflamed passions. The National leaders wanted Cunningham and Estabrooks “off the island” Friday morning—before Ramadan began. But the Seminar had affected the pastors deeply, and they were seeking for wisdom on how to respond. Rev. Eman Santoso, the leader of the Indonesian National Prayer Movement, was one of our team members. He proposed to the pastors that after we left, they spend the remainder of the day in prayer together. Incredible consequences resulted!
The pastors spent the day together “on their knees” before the Lord asking for forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation. A consensus was achieved to return to their pulpits on Sunday and make this request of their church members: “Stay home for the next three days if you can, go to work if you have to, but set aside this time for prayer and fasting before the Lord. Then like Esther, after you have fasted and prayed for three days, we will go to the leaders of the Muslim community and seek a peace agreement. And again like Esther, we go bound in the Spirit, “and if we perish, we perish.”
The following week the leaders of both the Christian community went to the leaders of the Muslim community and offered the Muslims a ‘Peace Apology’ for killing hundreds of Muslims. [Note: The initial response by Christians to the attacking Laskar Jihad was to ‘fight back’. Christians killed Muslims, burned Muslim homes and destroyed mosques “in retaliation” to the Islamic Jihad violence.] Amazingly – in the eyes of the world – the Ambon Muslim leaders accepted the ‘peace apology’ – and reconciliation. By Christmas of 2001, a Peace Agreement began. The barbwire roadblocks were down, and Christians and Muslims were once again shopping in each other’s shops.
We were encouraged by the results of the Holy Spirit moving in the hearts of the Pastors to initiate a process of forgiveness and reconciliation. It happened and to God goes all the glory.
What Forgiveness is NOT?
Forgiveness is not Forgetting.
Forgiveness is not Reconciliation
On the cross, Jesus forgave the soldiers, the Jews, His disciples — and you and me — even though at that moment He never got off the cross, had a cup of tea with the Roman soldiers, (or Pilate, Herod, and the Pharisees) and became “reconciled” to them. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And then He died.
Forgiveness brings Freedom to the one, who forgives, not to the other party until they too are willing to forgive. Reconciliation can only happen when BOTH agree to forgive.
Some feel that if they forgive they must return to the same stage / level / place as prior or else they did not forgive. Not so. Forgiveness brings the emotions to ZERO! Reconciliation (love and trust) when (and if) it happens, starts back at — ZERO!
Listen to this conversation between a man who committed adultery — asked forgiveness — and after counselling, his wife agreed to forgive him and accept him back home. Note: Reconciliation starts back at ZERO.
Home phone rings:
Husband: “Honey, I’m going to be late getting home tonight. I have to work late at the office.”
Wife: “No you’re not. You are going to be home for dinner at 6:00 PM as we agreed at the counselor’s office.”
Husband: “I thought you forgave me?”
Wife: “I did…”
Husband: “…then you don’t trust me, do you?”
Wife: “No, I don’t. That’s what you told me for all those months you were sleeping with ‘Miss-what’s-her-name” – “working late tonight – dear.”
My trust level is back at zero. You have to regain my confidence! Be home by 6!”
Husband: “Your tone doesn’t sound very loving.”
Wife: “You’re right. My level of love is pretty small too (laughs). Bring some flowers with you. Start romancing me old man…”
Husband: “OK…see ya’ at 6 PM!
Trust and Love must begin all over at ZERO — and be rebuilt.
Forgiveness is for OUR benefit and our Freedom. Not for “the other party’s” benefit. The other person may feel manipulated if we keep pressuring them to forgive us. That has to be their initiative.
There may come a time when a mutually agreed mediator can help bring both parties back to ZERO. But, in the meantime, we must forgive. That makes us free, and that’s all we can do.
Forgive me if this sounds like a slap on the head (I said I am not a counsellor 🙂 Just Forgive. Get Free and start living! Let God do the rest!
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Forgiveness is not Restoration.
Forgiveness is not Tolerance.
Forgiveness is not Justice.
Forgiveness is not Condoning.
What Is Forgiveness?
An Asian Christian apologist says, “If asked, ‘What separates Christianity from other religions?’ or ‘what’s different about Christianity? Aren’t all religions the same when you get down to it?’ One of the first things I would say is one beautiful word: forgiveness.” South Africa’s notable Bishop Tutu says, “There is no future without forgiveness.”
Forgiveness is given even before apologies are offered. On the cross, some of the final words of Jesus were: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) The soldiers crucifying Him had not asked for forgiveness, but Jesus realized their need for forgiveness.
Forgiveness happens by the power of the Holy Spirit. When given, it communicates most powerfully the love of God. And we are called to be like God, who is love, to bear God’s family resemblance.
Forgiveness is the conscious choice to remove the barrier(s) of the offense thereby restoring the potential for relationship. Forgiveness pushes the “reset button” and brings the emotions back to zero. Satan uses false guilt to suggest that because you are no longer exchanging Christmas cards—or birthday cards—you never really forgave the person. Not so! Remind Satan seventy times seven that you’re forgiven (Period!). What proof is there? You no longer gossip about the person you forgave. As Joseph said to his brothers, “You intended it for evil. God intended it for good…” Forgiveness allows the relationship to return through eventual reconciliation ‘back to the beginning’ as love returns and trust gradually rebuilds. [1]
Reflection
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, who do I need to forgive in order to have a clean heart?”______________________________________
Father, forgive me for holding __________________________________________________
against ___________________________. I forgive__________________________________,
so that You may forgive me. I release _______________________________________________, to Your Holy Spirit. Free me Lord of any hatred or wrong attitude toward__________________. In Jesus Name, Amen. [Adapted from Catherine Marshall’s book ‘Beyond Ourselves’]
The source of these 1000+ Aboriginal Tribes/Nations (whatever name one chooses to identify them) is a discussion point among anthropologists and linguists. (Asia, China, Siberia).
Each group had a somewhat distinctive dress, culture, religion, architecture and language.
Yes, there were conflicts over land, resources (food) and power.
Some conflicts were resolved peacefully while others involved tribal wars and slavery of those who were “conquered.”
In many cases the sheer size of the North American continent – and the disproportionate smaller size of the groups (a few hundred up to a few hundred thousand) permitted many to live in peace in their region (valley) having little interface with their neighbors “over- there-somewhere.”
Each group had their system of spirituality, worship, worldview and values.
Most if not virtually all believed in a “Great Spirit” who controlled weather, wars and personal lives.
Enter the first Europeans (likely Vikings from Scandinavia) into this ‘New World.’
Admittedly the first non-aboriginal explorers were searching for wealth (gold) or a passage to India (for spices) or freedom and a new homeland for persecuted Christians and Jews (Spanish/Dutch and others).
Each European group brought their distinctive dress, culture, religion, architecture, language – and technology (often surpassing traditional aboriginal knowledge).
This led to a subduing of the original groups, with the end result being isolated on homeland “reserves” and living in many cases as welfare recipients of the new dominant white-European-legislators.
Cases of aboriginal children being taken to “residential schools” to learn one of the European languages and culture are too frequent for even the most liberal sociologist to pardon.
This flow of European immigration continued almost unabated from the 1500’s to the 1960’s.
Chinese, Indians and Africans were restricted in the immigration policies – with the exception of slaves from Africa, who at that time were regrettably deemed as ‘goods-and-chattel’ rather than humans.
The dominant religions of North America became Catholic, Protestant (Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist Pentecostal and a smattering of smaller denominations and cults) plus Orthodox.
A significant change came in Canada (and for the most part in the USA) during the regime of Pierre Elliot Trudeau in the late 1960’s. His view of a “Just Society” was more than naming his firstborn son “Justin.” Mr. Trudeau single-handedly initiated and achieved his “multi-cultural” goal to slow down (virtually end) European immigration and open Canada (and North America) to a flood of immigrants and refugees (aka “Non-Christian) from Asia, SE Asia, Africa and South America.
At the same time laws were changed inside North America after the 1960’s that permitted lifestyle and morality changes unthought-of (and unprecedented) in the previous 400 years of Western Civilization. This included approval and acceptance by lawmakers of birth control, divorce (for any reason other than adultery), abortion, same-sex marriage, gambling, pornography right through to currently (2016) legalizing marijuana and trans-gender-ism (with polygamy and bestiality to follow?).
The biggest changes have been in the introduction of new dress (turbans, hijabs), cultures, religions and languages – impacting our ‘traditional’ morality, lifestyles, worldviews – and laws.
Older White Christians of European Heritage feel increasingly isolated and marginalized with proposed legislation permitting Islamic Sharia Law to trump historic British Law.
What will be the dominant Worldview in North America by 2020? – Or 2050?
The morphing of cultures in North America continues.
I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet but the “non-prophet” in me sees our “Local Churches” becoming like little “Reserves” (or spiritual enclaves) almost in a parallel relationship to the outside world held by our Indigenous “First Nations” Indian tribes.
Our “Local Church Reserves” have an agreed culture that includes:
Dress – somewhere between “suit and tie” to “sliced jeans and T-shirts”
Language – some “bless you” and others “regulate you.”
Customs – some do communion every week, others never do it.
In essence while “on the reserve” one can sing, pray, chant, dance, tell stories and play drums—“whatever”—as few outsiders appear to care.
LCR “members” tend to inter-marry with other families from the same reserve.
Parents find control is lost when their kids move “off” – or “out-of” the LCR.
The majority of non-LCR citizens drives past the LCR’s and cares not a hoot about what’s happening on/in the reserve.
Periodic news hits the media if there is a crisis or serious crime on the LCR.
Outsiders rarely enter a reserve — unless invited — perhaps for a wedding/funeral.
Historically whatever’s done on the reserve stays on the reserve (they have their own rules and enforcement officers).
Since the “Local Church Reserves” are open to the public, and get State benefits (like charitable tax status) there is increasing media/public pressure for the State to regulate what is done – and said – on the LCR “Local Church Reserve.”
As a child, I used to live in a small Canadian village of some 300 people called Carlisle, Ontario. The year was 1943. Canada was at war with the Allies against Nazi Germany. Wives were left at home while their husbands went off to war. My maternal grandparents, Norman and Mina Mills, helped raise me till my father returned from Europe.
Our little village had four quadrants formed by the main intersection of Centre Road and the 9th Concession. Grandpa Mills owned, operated and lived above the General Store/Post Office on the southeast corner of the village. To the southwest was a Bank and on the northwest corner was another General Store. A private home stood on the remaining northeast corner. This village was my immediate world.
Each year I gained access to more of the community. Up the hill to the east lived my mother’s sister (my Aunt Margaret), her husband and my four rather special first cousins. Everyone knew my mother, Marie Cunningham. Mom worked in the local gathering place for news of the war: the Post Office.
Folks tended their gardens, cheered for the hometown baseball team and showed up for the annual July 1 Community Garden Party in the park behind the Methodist Church. A few commuted to the big city of Hamilton, to work in the steel mills. Such was life in my little home village.
Tombstones in the church graveyard had British sounding names like Campbells, Greys, and Eatons. A few Ukrainian Fulchucks and Italian Trigonas made it on the mailboxes – but Asians, Africans, and South Americans must have lived on another planet. To be Chinese was synonymous with owning a city restaurant or laundry!
How little we knew in our village of the “outside” world. We knew each other but precious little about anyone else. A few pre-kilometer “miles” from our home was a ridge of shale like rock formation that rose above the surrounding countryside. This escarpment, named ‘The Mountain” rose some 200 meters high.
Years later I moved to Vancouver, British Columbia and lived within eyesight of Mount Baker, a 10,000 foot (3,300 meters) “Giant.” That was a “real” mountain. I climbed and hiked alpine meadows, to experience the reality of life above the tree line.
Then in 1994 I made my first trip to Lhasa, Tibet. I stepped off the plane at 12,000 feet (4,000 meters) in the land of Mount Everest and the towering 29,000 foot (10,000 meters) Himalayas. I discovered that how one views reality – and life – is often a matter of perspective.
I cannot comprehend 7.5 Billion people on our planet Earth.
I cannot comprehend 1 Billion people.
I can better understand 1,000.
So I decided to visualize Earth as an Island of 1,000 people and consider numbers for the year 2017 AD based primarily on Patrick Johnstone’s text Operation World with an approximate world population of some 7.5 Billion. I was able to reduce these humongous numbers to a more easy comprehension.
Let’s look at the map below of New Earth Island and consider ways this impacts our lives.
First, we note that half of the 1000 inhabitant of New Earth Island (500) are under the age of 18! This number compares to a much smaller percentage (7.9%) over the age of 65.
Notice also that Canada has only 5 Citizens on the Island (5 x 7.5 million = 37+ million people). Ironically the city of Tokyo, Japan – ranked the largest city on Earth – also has 5 Citizens. Tokyo equals Canada’s entire population! Small wonder Japanese think Canada is “uninhabited”!
Now let’s examine the “Religious Profile” of New Earth Island.
Of the 1,000 citizens on New Earth Island, 535 believe in:
some god
other than Jesus of Nazareth; and read
some holy book
other than the Bible; and follow the teachings of
some prophet, or guru
other than the Jewish prophets of the Old/New Testaments who spoke on behalf of God; and accept
some form of angelic/demonic activity
other than the defeat of Satan by the resurrected Christ; believe
some criterion for eternal life
other than the Bibles command to confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead and you will be saved, and hoping in
some system of future rewards for decisions/actions in this life
other than heaven or hell.
Some may ask what is meant by the term “Christian.” I am quoting Operation World when they say: Christian is “Anyone who professes to be Christian. The term embraces all traditions and confessions of Christianity. It is no indicator of the degree of commitment or theological orthodoxy. The primary emphasis utilized is that of recognizing self-identification as well as accepting the Scriptural principles illustrated in Matt 10:32 and Romans 10:9.” http://www.operationworld.org/glossary
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I have followed Jim’s career here in Canada and his numerous travels overseas to teach adults as a Christian Adult Educator. Jim has a proven vision to teach adults across cultures to model their teaching after the character and methods of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has done this with personal warmth and academic proficiency. His current text is evidence of Jim’s ongoing contribution to his discipline of Adult Education to fulfill his 2 Timothy 2:2 discipling vision of training others to teach others.
John H. Redekop Ph.D. – Professor of Political Science, Wilfrid Laurier University (1968-1994) Professor Emeritus, Wilfrid Laurier University, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Jim and I share divergent views from our religious heritage, he as a practicing Christian, and I as a semi-religious Israeli Jew. Jim has been a gracious international adult educator in his dialogues, respecting other learners’ worldviews and cultures. I regard him to be a gifted thinker, communicator and facilitator in the field of adult education.
Eitan Israeli Ph.D. – Professor of Adult Education, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
“Men need help!” That’s the cry I hear in my role with Focus on the Family. For the past years Jim has been a mentor to me. I have seen his heart’s passion for helping men in all cultures be a biblical man. It is a treat to see an older brother take time to share biblical insights gained from his 50-year marriage to Rita, lessons gained as a lifelong learner and disciple of Jesus Christ.
Steve Wilson – VP Focus on the Family, Langley, BC, Canada
Men are missing in our culture. Women – wives, mothers and daughters – are giving the predominant leadership role in the home and church. Men need practical help and courage to graciously accept and lovingly fulfill their biblical roles. Dr. Jim’s book has given us biblical insights and an understandable framework for this to begin.
Peter Mathenge – Pastor, Nairobi, Kenya
Dr. Jim Cunningham and I have shared a 60-year+ friendship. As best man at his wedding to Rita (July 1, 1967), I can attest that Jim makes good decisions! He has spent his lifetime gaining insights on the 12 Primary Roles of a Man. I have witnessed his lifelong goal to “be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.” This has happened through good times and difficult personal defeats. He speaks from his heart. I recommend his ministry for any man wanting to fulfill his biblical roles.
Paul Estabrooks MA – Retired Speaker, Teacher, Author, Story Teller, London, Ontario, Canada
I call Dr. Jim my “Guru!” In Sanskrit terms, the word “Guru” means, mentor, guide, expert, and master. Simultaneously, it also connotes, “spiritual teacher, and leader.” Dr. Jim is all of the above to me. Our comraderies know no bounds and we have shared our times of tears and joys together in days gone by! But, after numerous shared teaching and learning times in Bhutan, India, Malaysia, and on social media, a higher title for Dr. Jim is my “Brother in Christ.”
Pastor Tandin Wangyal - D.Min. Thimphu, Bhutan
CONTACT
FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS, E-MAIL: menaliveuntogod@gmail.com
