Vanity of Vanities by the Unknown Preacher

The Unknown COG Preacher

with the best film editing EVER!

One of the vainest men in the COG is the guy who wrote the comments below about his recent sermon.

Can your life be a waste? “Vanity of vanities” says the Preacher. Who wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes? When was it written? Do modern secular scholars disagree with the word of God? If you have more money, power, sexual opportunities, food, wine, and world renowned projects than any one else, could that be vanity, grasping against the wind? What should your priorities be? Is money evil? Is compromise acceptable? Does wisdom excel folly? Can sin be pleasurable? Does God have eternal pleasures for His people? Are you willing to have God’s priorities and live as He would have you live?

That was all well and good to examine, but then the train wrecks, once again. From discussing the faults of vanity, our buddy moves into whether or not animals will be resurrected in the kingdom.

Will God’s Kingdom be everlasting? Will that you have been through help you for eternity? Are animals expected to be resurrected? Dr. Thiel goes through each verse of the first three chapters of the Book of Ecclesiastes, as well as scriptures in other parts of the Bible to help address these and other issues.

Seriously, vanity and animals?

As has been pointed out many times here, our great Bawana seems to not have an original thought in his head but has to work off of old reprint articles and magazine articles of the old Worldwide Church of God.

I sure do love the booklet held in front of the face!  Great work there buddy!

UCG on Personal Body Fluids and Gelatin

With all the things going on the world and in peoples daily lives, UCG has placed its focus on body fluids and gelatin. They have a coronary at the mere thought of a marshmallow made with non-kosher gelatin as they feed their faces with every kind of processed and modified food imagined in their grocery store. Dink that Coke and gulp down the wine with sulfates and beer with all kinds of additives. But god forbid a marshmallow passes their lips.

UCG also has a problem with members marrying outside the "faith" due to the fact their playing field of young eligible men and women are shrinking rapidly.

Doctrine Committee—Mario Seiglie

Mario Seiglie, chair of the Doctrine Committee (DC), presented five doctrinal projects to the Council for discussion and approval. Three projects: #58 on the identity of Melchizedek, #60 on personal body fluids, and #59 on preaching from house to house were finished and had no support from the DC or the Council.

Part of the ongoing review of the Personal Correspondence Department (PCD) letters included an update to one on the subject of gelatin from unclean sources. The letter reinforces our long-standing belief that we don’t eat gelatin from unclean sources and also provides resources for gelatin products that do not come from unclean sources. It was unanimously approved by the Council and can be found on the Ministerial Resource Site.

The study paper Marrying Outside the Faith was discussed with a minor edit to changing the word “extenuating” with “problematic” to better convey the meaning in the paper. It was unanimously approved to change the wording and can be found on the Ministerial Resource Site.

Chairman Ward thanked the DC for all their work.

Isn't it amazing be part of the greatest Church of God ever!

Perspectives-It Depends on How You Look At It

Perspectives-It Depends on How You Look At It

“The more a man knows, the more willing he is to learn. The less a man knows, the more positive he is that he knows everything...”

― Robert G. Ingersoll

Spiders

I gave a sermon once with a large 3D image that , when looked at properly and with parallel viewing skills  (go learn ye what that meaneth) one would see the hidden picture embedded in the pattern.

The point was, of course, just how difficult it can be at times to see that which is clearly there if we just know how to do it and are willing to give it a go.   Once you could see the image, you can never unsee it.  If you can not see it, try as you might or would not see it because one believes it's not there to see,  you never will see it. .

Small Candy Clusters

After the sermon the large image placed on an easel was available up close and a rather large crowd of people gathered around it. I stood back and let the conversations unfold. It was a telling example of how we receive new information or not.  A good chunk of the congregation hung out to give it a go but, as well, a fairly large number simply didn't bother and just went about the standard fellowship time as if nothing new was available for consideration and inspection. Also telling

"How's this thing supposed to work?"

(Didn't listen to the instructions)

"Looks like just a bunch of jumble to me"
(Flippant know it all who states the momentary obvious and isn't about to try to see anything differently or ask how to)

"Oh I see it!!!"

(That was fast! Probably saw this before elsewhere and knew already how to see it)

"Ok, ok...you kinda gotta just relax your eyes and cross them a bit."

(Apt to teach)

"You're all  nuts! "

(Their common response to everything not understood or provides no interest)

"I think I see it."

(Hopeful and willing to see. Eventually did)

"I think I see it"
(Wanted to but I doubt ever did)

"Yeah I see it it. So what"
(Maybe saw it. Maybe not. Can't admit to learning anything they didn't come up with or not actually seeing it, who cares.)

(Dinosaur)

"This is stupid"

(That's as far as they got)

"Oh , oh....that is so cool!"

(Lover of knowledge. Went about teaching others how to see it too)

"Um...oh yeah, I see it"  

(leaves and didn't really)

"I didn't come to church for this crap"

(I went back to church for other crap the next week)

"Sorry, I don't see it. I gotta go."

(I think they wanted to but it just didn't work for them)

"Yeah, yeah...I saw it. Let's go to lunch"

(Didn't see it. Didn't want to admit they couldn't see. Changed the topic)

"Diehl is an idiot. I want our old minister back"

(Change is uncomfortable. Long for the past and attack the messenger)

"C'mon! Let's go to lunch!"
(More hungry than inquisitive. Or just can't see it and gave up)

( Dave Pack, Gerald Flurry, Bob Thiel sermon in 2D.  Nothing here to see no matter how long you sit and hope to see it)

2D

Old or Young?

It depends on how you look at it...

And so it is....