True Revelation

There is so much confusion and contradiction in Christianity today that newcomers to the faith - and even old-timers - can easily be led astray from the true gospel, as preached by Jesus and his apostles, into idolatry disguised and eloquently preached as Christianity.

There are innumerable versions of the gospel message and religious how-to books and websites available. How can you recognize the truth when you hear or read it? By the guidance and inspiration of the Spirit of truth - the Holy Spirit.

Vicki of Windows To My Soul has a food-for-thought post on her blog today. It is titled, "Regurgitation is not Revelation."

Oops. Guess the words food-for-thought and regurgitation are an oxymoron, but they are aptly descriptive.

Vicki is a passionate writer. I hope you will drop by and read some of her posts.
www.mercyandpercy.com/

Living Will

When I hear the word euthanasia, I think of an animal in great pain and with no hope of recovery. I have a mental image of a tearful and loving - or at least a kind-hearted - owner holding the animal as a veterinarian gently injects it so as to end the animal’s suffering.

Over the years, euthanasia has become the acceptable word used to describe killing animals at shelters. In a large part because of irresponsible owners, backyard breeders, puppy mills and folks who don’t want to sterilize their pets, millions of healthy, adoptable animals are routinely killed each year. Many are still stuffed into death boxes and gassed with carbon monoxide. Others are injected. A vein on larger animals might be the injection site, but the small animals are jabbed in the heart. The animals do not die willingly. They are frightened and fight to live. Too frequently workers drag them into the death room. Is this what humans consider a pleasant or comfortable death? Then it isn’t euthanasia, is it?

But the word euthanasia helps assuage the guilt of those who contribute to pet overpopulation as well as those who are responsible for “euthanizing” them. For many shelter workers, killing the animals is the hardest part of their job and they do it as gently as possible; however, there are those who enjoy killing and are attracted to employment where they can legally abuse and kill animals.

Jack Kevorkian, or “Dr. Death,” as he was often called, was one who helped redefine the word euthanize. It is now “assisted death.” At the rate society is “progressing,” it is only a matter of time before “euthanasia” for humans will not only be accepted but required.

When my mother spent a few days in the hospital a year ago, the first nurse she met in her room began campaigning for her to sign a Living Will so Mother’s wishes would be followed instead of (the nurse glared at me) any of her children making decisions for her. I didn’t know much about a living will at the time, but it sounded fairly innocuous. I was considering filling out one for myself, until this morning when I read Dr. Albert Mohler’s blog entry “Sign Your Way to a "Good Death?" -- The Soft Slide to Euthanasia” ( posted Tuesday, October 16, 2007) and Charlotte Allen’s story at the Washington Post, “Back Off! I’m not Dead Yet” (Sunday, October 14, 2007; Page B01).

I had not seriously associated a Living Will with future potential permission to “euthanize” the one who signed the document. These articles gave me food for thought, and perhaps they will do the same for you.

Can what Dr. Mohler and Ms. Allen write about actually happen? One day in the not too distant future, it is conceivable the word euthanize could be as innocuous-sounding in terms of human death as it has become in relation to unwanted animals.

There is a story of a frog that is put into a pan of water on the stove with low heat. By the time the frog realizes the water is dangerously hot, it’s too late. As a human being, and especially as a Christian, you don’t want to wait until the water begins to boil under the pot you’re sitting in. Do some research before signing a Living Will so you can make an informed decision.

www.mercyandpercy.com/

Nancy and Naomi

A friend sent a link to a testimonial video - a series of photographs - that tell an amazing death and life story of a mother and newborn baby.

I hope you will take a few minutes to watch the video and then read the message directly below it. Click here to watch the video.
www.mercyandpercy.com/

Anything I Can Do

I was just listening to the song "Is There Anything I Can Do?" by Jeff and Sheri Easter and thinking, this should be one of the major themes of life, whether a person is a Christian or a non-Christian.

Some needs only a close friend can fill, but sometimes God will send a stranger to help you through. So, whether your friend needs a hand or a stranger needs a friend .... is there anything you can do?

Click here to listen to the song.

www.mercyandpercy.com/

Inasmuch, Sue

Billie Sue Edwards Bates – January 2, 1943 – October 13, 2007

Sue Bates died early Saturday morning. She will be buried next to her husband Ron (click here to read "Inasmuch, Ron") who died in late July of this year, in the village of Goloshei, Romania.

"Missionary, wife, mother to four sons, 'Mama Sue' to hundreds of God’s poor young lambs, Sue Bates came to Romania seventeen years ago with her husband, Ron Bates. Through the years the service of Ron and Sue Bates included a preaching ministry to Rroma (Gypsy) churches, printing the Braille Bible for the Romanian Blind Society and for Russian Christians, funding basic medical services for the needy, distributing gifts from European and North American Christians to churches, schools and the homeless, and overseeing homes for almost one hundred single mothers and street orphans. Her and her husband’s ministry always sought to live out Jesus’ command in Matthew 25:40. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. " (Quoted from the October 14, 2007 Inasmuch newsletter.)

You can read more about their ministry at Inasmuch. The newsletter will undoubtedly be posted on the website soon.

Sue and Ron left a wonderful legacy of love behind. And surely those they ministered to will pick up the mantle and carry on.

www.mercyandpercy.com/