The Man Who Remembers

What is the future of cultures that use oral traditions to pass down myth from one generation to the next when the influence of another culture is introduced? The essay centers on an Italian anthropologist by the name of Giancarlo Scoditti and his travels to the island of Kitawa in order to study the culture of the native people. Give the name Toruruwai, “the man who remembers” by a local sorcerer Scoditti is being sought after today by the natives to help revise some of the old customs that are being forgotten. Stille bases this essay upon discussion he had with Scodotti without ever visiting the island to verify the information he received.

Scoditti’s first visit to Kitawa was in 1973 when he was able to find passage with an Australian official abroad an old motorboat who left him on the island promising to return in one month but never came back. An experience he describes near the beginning of his island adventure was the spiral dance which led to a “nights of love” by the unmarried men and women. A contrast exists between the colorful description of Scoditti versus earlier “grayness” writings of Malinowski.

After the experience with the dance Scoditti began a period of depression in which time he was bitten by thousands of bugs, suffered protein deficiency and experienced illness. He was treated by the local sorcerer who packed his legs with paste to cure the bug bites and met Towitara, a master canoe craftsman. He was aloud to watch the creation of a ceremonial canoe including who a canoe is cut down and transported to the beach without touching the ground; reminiscent of Kula Ring, the myth of the flying canoe. Towitara would come to his dwelling at night and teach him the ways of the Kitawa and after much convincing the witches and sorcerers also began meeting him at night.

The Kitawan culture has been in decline. In the past the changes were gradual but today, like so many throughout history, the change is taking place in a more rapid fashion causing concern that the Kitawa culture will be lost. The man who remembers has become the recorder of a dying culture.

I found an interesting website which I highly recommend. I even bought a t-shirt.

http://who-would-jesus-kill.blogspot.com/

I was thinking about what is know in the Club as Heresy Hunters. These are the people who have committed themselves from clearing the religious landscape of all heresy by their definition. The question is always asked at what point do they disagree with my beliefs. These are the dangerous people within the club. Most Bible teachers either teach prosperity or politics but these man teach that you are all wrong if you don't agree with them. If you don't have it right your damned. I use to be one of these fools until I realized that I was hurting the body of Christ but I had the "right" doctrine.
Today the club in America has degenerated into nothingness and I think I may understand why. I have struggled with porn for 30 years and there are books out there to help the club doesn't real want to deal with this. I understand the 50% of Christian men and 20% of Women are trapped in this area. I also have heard that 50-60% of ministers are in bondage to porn. How can the body of Christ help others when they themselves are trapped. I understand this, the need to point fingers against people because not relationship with Father exists. My desire is to have that relationship and to walk away from the dangers of religion that effect the club.

I had to write a short note about Social Darwinism for a Geography class I have so I thought I would attached it for your reading and comments. A note the book we are reading for the class is Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel so this looks at a comment he made.

Social Darwinism is social theory created from the writing of Charles Darwin, Thomas Malthus and others that can be defined “to describe the idea that humans, like animals and plants, compete in a struggle for existence in which natural selection results in ‘survival of the fittest.’” http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761579584/social_darwinism.html

The idea is based upon Charles Darwin’s work The Descent of Man as applied to human society. As Darwin himself wrote in the Descent of Man, “at some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world.” http://www.reference.com/search?q=social%20darwinism

Social Darwinism gave permission to the European powers to conquering the “savages” located throughout the world because these people were inferior to the white race as Rudyard Kipling called it the “The White Man’s Burden.” Throughout the nineteen and first half of the twentieth century it was used to justify the elimination of less desirables from society. Social Darwinism lost favor after World War One as anthropologists started emphasizing culture or biology. http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761579584_2/Social_Darwinism.html

For Diamond the less fit are eliminated by a high murder rate from New Guinea thus producing a more intelligent population. Diamond makes the impression a high murder rate can be good because it eliminates those misfits from society. I think what he is trying to show is that those who are being murdered in New Guinea are the misfits who are the burdens on society, such as law breakers, who are causing the problems. I think Diamond’s main point is that the traditional Western way of defining intelligence is not the world’s way.

I was listening to a podcast called The God Journey this morning. Wayne Jacobsen read a letter from a lady about how torn she was between freedom and grace and at the other end of the religious dial performance based acceptance. For most of my Christian walk it has been based upon performance, I belonged to a Word of Faith club for 17 years before the ministerial temper tantrum make me leave. I understand that conflict within. On one side the Freedom and Grace Christ purchased and on the other having to do something to earn favor with God. I would confess the word so I could get stuff from God. Make sure you do all these things or else. And God forbid bad things will happen if you leave the club. I left the club and I am waiting to see what Father has for me. My goal is to discover how much He loves me and to experience that love.

Yesterday I talked with a friend about the spiritual abuse that has taken place. He is a member of the same group. His counsel was helpful. Christ has set each believer free from the law. We died to the law. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Christ has given no one permission to use their "anointing" to spiritually abuse his body.

I grew up Baptist and went to an Assembly of God church for several years. For the last 17 years I attended a fellowship that met at a Lutheran church. When I started the group had 40 to 50 people. My last class where the abuse occurred maybe 15 including the teacher and family (6). I never realized it but he had done this same thing with many people. We have had many people come through which he made sure he drove away.

I stared reading Grace Walk by Steve McVey this week. I am also going through a Grace Walk workbook for daily morning devotions. I do it because I want to not because I think I better or else. I want to experience the Journey Father has for me not some religious system that makes me fell empty at the end of the day.

I experienced an attack this past week that has me deciding my "church" life, aka the club. The who leads this group for which I have attend for 1 years was teaching about using Grace to obey the Law, Old Testament. I asked a question and I thought was given a poor answer. He was raised Catholic so works and obedience are important. I thought it was done but at the end of class he threw a temper tantrum like an 8 year old. He left the class and would not acknowledge me in the parking lot, he was hiding in his truck.
This is not the first time this has happened. I remember golfing with him and he was about to begin teaching the Word of Faith spirit man teaching. I made the comment that I was convinced yet about the teaching. For five holes of golf he gave me the cold shoulder. He never once came to me about this issue to talk to me about him. I've concluded that he is a typical Charismatic teacher were the world circles around him. Any way back to the original story.
I went home thinking about all the ways I could talk this out with him but I realized that he will never come to me and talk about this. He thinks he has special anointing from God to be a teacher so anyone who disagrees is anathema. When I first joined that group he taught there was probably fifty people involved. Today a good day is 15. Why?
I have decided to listen to Wayne Jacobsen at Lifestream.
The Journey Father has for me looks like, I don't know but I have started using the material of Steve McVey "Grace Walk."

Over the years I have listened to Talk Radio. The evil ones on the radio. I remember listening to Rush back when he first came on the air. Why I would waste my time is beyond me. These days I listen basically to the local guys. Just another set of wind bags. So I have decided to try an experiment. I am going to give up listening to talk radio and talk TV, you know crap like Morning Joe on MSNBC. Why does everything have to be so confrontational these days is beyond my way of thinking. Even my minister teaches that way. Winds bags all around these days. I will keep you posted if I can achieve inner peace of mind from disavowing myself from talk radio and talk TV.

I don't think I have ever written it before but I think Sean Hannity is a perfect example of what Jesus had to deal with when we confronted the Pharisees.

Have you ever weight so much that you no longer weight yourself? I walk through life with this melancholy attitude toward everything. I have decided that it is time to lose the weight. I have decided that it is not a run to be thin but a journey to be healthy (borrowed from someone). I know for me that if I stay away from sweets and refined carbs the weight will come off. I weigh close to 400 pounds. It is insanity that this has happened. I should weigh about 200. Every so often I question what I am doing. I have belonged to this little bible study group for about 16 years. I no longer feel it is interesting and I fear the leader is getting a cult like mentality. It is now us against the world. God is going to judge the world but we will be fine. That is a dangerous thought pattern for a leader to have.

I am looking forward to the future as I take one day at a time to lose this weight. Also, taking one day at a time with my....

I have found an issue that American Christianity does not want to deal with, Pornography. I have struggled with it for over 30 years. I once was part of a group but it died. I feel there is no beliver in my life I can discuss this issue with in my life. Why? If this problem effects 50% of Christian men and 20-30% of Christian women and 50% of pastors then should not this be the number one issue being dealt with within the church. All politics and theology should be set aside to discuss this one issue. As long as the American church refuses to deal with pornography and other sexual issues it will continue to decline. I need help as do millions of others in this area.

Why is this being ignored?????

Just when I thought I had it the posting system failed me. Hahah, here I am trying to feel sorry for myself and I can't get anyone to listen. I was talking about depression and the holiday season makes me very sad because of it all. I don't know I lost the old post so I guess I can't get it back.

Christ In you the hope of glory

I have been thinking of late about the relationship Father wants to have with each believer. I have an open invitation with Father to talk through my problems but why do I find it so difficult to just sit down and talk. I was in church on Thursday night and my pastor made a comment that made me uncomfortable. He writes out his notes ahead of time and goes through them. His comment was the notes were as if Jesus was talking to us. I feel like the class I have been a part of for 16 years is becoming a cult with the whole shebang even with word of prophecy about the future. Everyone else will go through hell but we will be ok because we are following God. I feel bad about this stuff as I hear more of this crap.

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What I have observed about Bible teachers and ministers over the years is that they really don't know much of the Word og God. What these men and women know is a theology or religious system that masquerades as the Bible. Todays teachers are teaching or defending a system that they have learned or created. When comparing these different systems what is discovered is that each one will defend the system based upon the Bible. The heresy is rampant in the 21st century Church. These systems must manipulate the Word. Walking trying to fulfill the Law is lifeless as a building is lifeless. Abandon the lifeless church and discover the Love Father has for you.

These institutions no longer encourage believers to walk with Father in a loving relationship that can only exist with a Triune God. I hear only a few talking about the indwelling life of Christ that each believer has within. Historically the church buildings are the sign of death. I recently heard that millions of beleivers are abandoning the buildings for the relationship with Father. This is only a bad thing to the power pastors that exist within the walls.

The goal of all these religious systems created by man is twofold. The first is power over people. The Power religion is best represented by Pharoah in Exodus. The other thing these systems seek is money. Look at the fame and fortune that has been created by these ministries. Each believer should discover the value of the storehouse principle but not at the expense of manipulating other believers.

Last year I was golfing with my pastor. He was telling me about some Bible teaching he was learning from Charles Capps about the inner man. I made a comment about I wasn't convinced about the teaching. What I got in return was the silent treatment. The teaching is Christianized Napoleon Hill teaching. Subconscious mind stuff using the inner man(spirit) instead of the mind.

I have pretty much given a cold shoulder to this teaching and I hope he never asks what I think about it. This little fellowship I have been a part of for about 16 years. I am ready for it to end. I have grown tired of the b.s. that is associated with it. I wish the group would end.

What I wonder is, is the cold shoulder I got last year causing me to reject this teaching as just some stupid heresy that has been floating around the church since the heretic EW Kenyon came on the seen in the mid-20th century.

I have been learning about the indwelling life of Christ so my excitement is based upon the living Christ not what can I get out of Father. The self centered gospel that I hear today is sad. I want to experience a relationship with the Triune God and everyone else just want more junk to toss when they die.

Historically the worldwide wage rates have been equal throughout the
earth. The only reason it changed over the last two centuries was the
industrial revolution. The problem today is the industrial/information
revoultion has come to China and India. The end result will be towfold,
real wages will decrease in the West caused by lower wages in the East.
Second, production will always seek out the lowest cost producer
including R&D. Wal Mart has said this year they will start bypassing the
US middlemen and buy directly from Chinese producers. Good bye front
companies. China is willing to give companies 20 years tax free to build
a factory. Just to stay even the US (DC idiots) must also. As for
protecting shipping lanes. Historically people have always been willing
to take the risk in order to get foreign goods, aka Lloyds of London. As
for the world being safe, since WWII the totals days of peace on earth
has only been one week. Perpetual war for perpetual peace. The 'Third
World" also has something that the West lacks, Belief. In Europe it is
the Muslims who are the future. In China Confucius is leading the way.
Never forget that something will always defeat nothing.

New Year New You

I have heard this many times every year. I stopped making resolutions because I prefer goal setting. The chief desire this coming year, Intimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What else can I desire. I want to experience the Divine Romance I hear talked about. I have also choosen to read several books covering this topic. Wayne Jacobsen's book He Loves Me and Jennifer Kennedy Dean's study The Life Changing Power in the Blood of Christ. I think this is a good start to the new year. May the Father touch your life this year in a new and intimate way.

Storehouse Principle

Recently I have been struck by the Biblical concept of the Storehouse. In the Old Testament the LORD continually promises to fill our storehouses and barns to overflowing. Proverbs says our barns will be overflowing and our presses with burst forth with new wine. What is the key concept laid out here? Stewardship is required to achieve this promise. It first requires giving to the LORD. I think the Father accepts you to tithe to what is important to you. So it you go to church or give to the poor the LORD still blesses this. This is also a New Testament teaching. The great Apostle taught that if you sow bountifully you would reap bountifully. In studying the concept of the tithe I have learned that both believers and unbelievers teach this as a way to blessing. The second step is building the storehouse or barn. I find that the secular word teaches this concept much better than the church. In George Mason's book, The Richest Man in Babylon the foundation principle taught is that "a part of all you earn is yours to keep". This idea has been borrowed by many within the financial communtiy as the starting point in achieving financial freedom. These two ideas make up the Storehouse Principle. Begin small and watch Father make the blessings grow. If you suffer under the burden of debt might I suggest picking up a book by Dave Ramsey called, Total Money Makeover.

How does Religion defile Christ's Teaching?

A song came to mind today about welcoming the Holy Spirit into our worship service. I thought about how this is a religious song not based on the Bible but man made. The Holy Spirit dwells within each believer so He is always with us. What religion has done to Christianity. I heard that a new mega church was being added every two days, a mega church is defined as having over 2,000 members. 2,000 seems like a small number. I gave up on the church 15 years ago and I have been happy with that decision. No politics. No religious piety. I can be myself. Something I was never able to be when I was a church member. I was raised Baptist and chose the Assemblies of God as my personal torment center. Trying to live the life that was preached was trouble from day one. I lived with a tormented soul trying to be obedient. I never realized that the goal of the Christ Life was was to be loved by the Father. To be brought into the relationship of the Triune God. I have been learning that I have died in Christ thus I am raised in Christ. I want to experience true itimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is my heart's desire. Nothing else can satisfy the longing of the soul.

An Open Letter to Laurence Vance

Mr. Vance In response to your column on Lewrockwell.com about Pat Buchanan I would like to say a few things. First, I have concluded after reading Pat's material for many years that when it comes to war the Vietnam influence is great. He saw what happened to our ally when we refused to honor the obligation we made with South Vietnam. This I believe has influenced Pat's thinking greatly regarding this war.

Second regarding your comments about who continues to support this war. As a Christian I have great dislike for the so called leaders within the Christian circles. I have decided that power is the game here. Mr. Bush did and continues doing a wonderful job deceiving these people, but as the saying goes "you can cheat an honest man". I think the unbiblical teachings of these men and women have caused tremendous damage to the Church.

Third, I have opposed this war from day one. I was called unAmerican because this. What I have discovered is Americans no longer understand the concept of Liberty for which our founding fathers fought to preserve. The Constitution is a document in word only. I doubt if any member of Congress or the Supreme Court has ever read it. I made a pledge to myself that I would return to the writings of these great men and rediscover this concept called Liberty.
Fourth, as for mocking Bush. What else is there to do with a fool who happens to be king. He and his croonies have made a mockery of this nation. Like no other leader in modern times the corruption within this administration far surpasses anything thought of by Johnson or Nixon. The problem today is journalism is dead having been replaced by big media.

have been thinking much about Bible teaching available to the body of Christ. I find there are some excellent Bible teachers but only a few Major Leaguers. I live in Minnesota and there are three levels of baseball played in this state. The first is what I call Miesville baseball. It is made of a part time amateur players who play because they love the game. The second level are those I call minor league. It is made up of the St. Paul Saints. The game is played at Midway Stadium. It is fun to watch but exciting at times but not much substance beyond the present. The third level is the Minnesota Twins. A major league baseball team. Though at times it may seem minor league in the end the team is usually in contention. You can go to the Metrodome and watch the Yankees or Red Sox play.

In the same way there are different levels of Bible teaching. Let me say I have no fault with anyone on any of these levels. The great majority of teachers are like the team in Miesville, fun to watch but amateurish and lack substance. They do it because they want to teach. I am not using as a marker the number of students or were a teacher is teaching. These students teach the denominations teaching. These teachers never move beyond what they started with. I find this the saddest thing of all, getting locked into one subject and spending your days because that is all the teacher knows.

The minor league Bible teachers can be seen on television or listened to on radio. This group is off teaching there own thing without being help accountable by anyone. They too have a message they will continually pound on. Like the amateurs from Miesville growth is very limited. Though you may feel you are growing. You really don't.

The last group are the major league Bible teachers. In baseball teams have scouts to go out and find these players. Like baseball each believer needs to be a scout. These teachers are not easy to find without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. These teachers are the diamond in the ruff. Hold these teachers in high esteem. What do these teachers teach? The Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the Cross of Christ.

Colossians 3:1-4 1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ, aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Paul says in Galatians 2:20a That I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me…

You are dead. You died with Christ on the Cross. Rejoice because you are dead in Christ. Now what, the Christ-life (who is our life). Christ in now your life.

In 2 Timothy the Apostle was writing his goodbye to Timothy he talks about all the churches having forsaken him. What happened? The churches turned their backs on the Christ-life (Christ in you the hope of glory Colossians 1:27) to move into some form of legalism (works religion). The farther the church as moved away from the Grace of Christ Jesus the more legalistic is becomes. Liberal churches have abandoned Christ Jesus altogether thus I no longer consider them Christian thus no longer an aspect of the Church. The Gospel is about a relationship with Father God. It is not about me doing anything but God doing it all. What do I do in this relationship? TRUST!! (A learning process involved here folks)

The United States, as a nation, as it has moved further away from Jesus Christ has moved into greater forms of legalism. Laws controlling every aspect of life has been created to control the masses. This is the essence of the culture war being faught within our borders. Only in Christ is true freedom (liberty) to be found.