So what is this page about?
It is about my faith. I am a Christian.
With a name like Kaosweaver, are you sure?
Yes. I was raised in a Christian family and then, like so many young adults, I turned away from God disappointed with people who claimed to be Christian and then the actions I saw them doing didn't fit what I thought a Christian should do, plus a fairly rebellious streak in me against my parents didn't help. Later on in life (much later) I realized something was missing from my life. I tried a variety of churches in a half attempt to find what I was missing. I studied the occult, Wicca and other alternative western religions as well. None of them seemed true to me. I moved to Kansas and from our apartment we saw a church being built. My wife and I made the choice to go to that church once it was completed. We've been going to church since then only missing when Joshua was born, Nathan was born and when we were out of town.
Why?
I found the Word of God. Taught by a pastor who knows it and doesn't add to it or take away from it, is the spiritual fulfillment I needed. If you look to the actions of man to judge God, you will find disappointment. God gave mankind freewill and our actions aren't a reflection of who He is, be it the actions of a preacher, priest or pastor.
Are you nuts putting this on a business site?
This is who I am. If I lose business because someone doesn't want to deal with me because I am a Christian I understand.
Are you going to send religious material to me, send my name/address to a religious organization or in any way attempt to convert me or speak to me about your faith?
View the Privacy policy in regards to any and all information obtained from this site. I won't attempt to do anything to you beyond what you seek out and request from this page. I will post scripture quotes or nuggets of wisdom from the speakers at my church on my home page. The fastest way to turn people away from God is to shove a bible down their throats - Jesus didn't do this so I won't do it.
Wow, you're different from what I expect from religions.
Jesus' life was one of compassion and helping people. I try to follow the
pattern Jesus laid down in regards to actions with other people. Jesus loved
everyone He came in contact with - even those He may have admonished. When
Jesus was asked what is the greatest of the commandments, He laid out two
new laws, 'Love the Lord your God more than anything else' and 'Love your
neighbor as yourself'. That is how a person who is a Christian should operate,
with the love for all people as Jesus commanded.
One critical point about this love is it isn't a blanket acceptance of everything
anyone else is doing. A prime example is a person who wants to touch an
electric stove burner which is glowing red hot, if I love this person, I'll
try to convince them that it isn't good to touch the glowing red burner.
The person may not like what I say nor like that I really disprove of their
action - but I am doing it because I love them and don't want them to get
hurt. Now if they touch the burner and get hurt, in love, I must be compassionate
and understanding towards them and not condensending (as in, I can't say
'I told you so').
So what is it in the loving of others that sets us apart?
It is the love your enemies and do good for those that persecute you that makes a different. It is easy to love those that love you. it is totally different to love those that give you a hard time or cause you pain. Jesus Christ while on the cross asked God to fogive those who scourged and nailed Him to the cross. That is love beyond doubt.
So, do you have to be perfect when you're a Christian?
Hardly. Anyone who says they are without sin or is perfect is wrong. Everyone fails to be perfect simply because we are human. I am far from perfect, my pastor isn't perfect either. As I grow in my Christianity, I find things I do that God detests and I stop doing them.
What is faith?
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1). This is, perhaps, one of the hardest hurdles for me to overcome as I like to be able to see whatever it is I believe in (it is the programmer in me). Faith in Christ is the spiritual substance created by the heart of man's spirit agreeing with the Word of God, which *is* Christ, enabling that man to transform his life for the better by the power of his God's word.
So, did you have to give up everything you liked?
No. The Holy Spirit is working on me to rid myself of behaviors that aren't right, however, the things I really enjoy doing, which includes playing games, watching TV, seeing sporting events, etc, all I still do. As I grow as a Christian, some of the things I did regularly I do less. Like porno for instance. I had that vice, but over time I realize porno for what it is and how it steals what is rightfully my wife's and it is eradicated from my life. As I've progressed in my walk, I've found resources for Christian music and I've all but ended listening to non-Christian music; with today's choices for music artists who work in the Christian field, I was able to find a few dozen CDs I listen to all the time and they are great. My favorite band is Apologetix - the Christian Weird Al Yankovic. Others I like include Skillet, Pillar, Disciple, Toby Mac, Thousand Foot Krutch, KJ 52 (awesome song I AM), Gretchen, POD and Kutless. You don't have to give up anything that doesn't conflict with the word of God. Those things that do, you will give up as a Christian simply to be within the word of God, they won't seem like sacrifices or a loss, but rather a gain as you grow together in your relationship with God.
Great, what is your point?
One of the teachings of Jesus was to spread the word and that is what this is for.
Ok, so how can you believe in something you can't see or touch?
Good question and one that I fought with for a long time. It is a feeling inside, a feeling of peace. It isn't a voices/conversation thing for me, more of a sense of the existence of God. It isn't Earth shattering, for me anyway, just the peace of knowing Him. It took some time for me and isn't instant.
How can I find out more?
Go to the library or a bookstore and get a bible or try these online sources www.e-sword.net, Bible Gateway or Unbound Bible. Try to find one that has studying information in it. A lot of the bible is referenced to other sections and the full understanding of a passage may take reading a dozen others. Read the New Testament section starting with the books of the gospel Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Find a church that teaches from the whole bible and seek guidance, the best way to learn is being taught by one who has already been down the path you're about to embark on. I recommend Calvary Chapel if one is local to you, I attend one now and the church is "raw" Christianity with real people in it (at least the few I've been to). I am always open for email, phone or (if you're in Kansas) personal contact and I will do my best to answer questions or help in your faith.
Does it cost anything?
No. Jesus is free. Eventually, with spiritual maturity, you'll want to give to further the works of God. That is why finding the right church is so important. The proper investment of offerings and gifts to a church following the teachings of Jesus and the whole bible will only bring more blessings!
Do Christians live worry free lives because they give or are part of the faith?
We all know that isn't true. We also know bad things happen to good people through no fault of their own. However, the community around a good church makes many of the harsh realities of life easier to bear.
What does being 'saved' mean? We don't have a 'Control-S' or a 'Command-S'.
Ah, an easy one :) - being saved is confessing you're a sinner and asking Jesus to forgive you your sins and accepting Him as your personal savior. That's it. Check out Romans 10:8-11 or Act 16:30-31 for scripture on this.
Of course, after salvation, if one really meant they wanted to walk as a Christian, it is important to understand what that means and how to do so. Churches who teach a biblically based theology are best suited to guide people on the correct path of obedient faith. A lot of discussion about works, salvation through faith alone, baptism, election and such are great for theologists - what is critical is understanding what Jesus laid out as commands for you to do and these commands need to be adhered to because you *want* to not because you *have* to.
Sin? I am not a bad person, God would let me into heaven, right?
Wrong. If you have a Christian background you're familiar with the 10 commandments, if not - or if you need a refresher - here they are again:
- I am the Lord thy God.... You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
- You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
- Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Now, when you stand in front of God on your day of judgment, just take a quick review of these and see which you've broken. For instance, have you told a lie - ever? What does that make you - a liar. Have you ever stolen anything (be it worthless, be it time from your employer, office supplies, etc)? What does that make you - a thief. Did you obey your parents for all time? Doubtful. We haven't even gotten into the commandments related specifically to God Himself - but on those, do you say your god would never send anyone to hell or hell doesn't exist? Then you have created a false god and worshipped it. Do you use God, Jesus, Christ in the place of a foul word? You've taken His name in vain. If you think you can stand in front of God and say "You're a loving God and a good God, I am sorry for my sins, can I avoid punishment" and it will work - ask yourself this - what would happen in a court of law if you tried that "Judge, I am sorry for what I did, but I'm a good person - even though I am a thief and a liar and a murderer and an adulterer - can you let me free?" Do you think that will work? No and it won't work in front of God who is the ultimate justice. How can you avoid judgment and punishment? Salvation is only through Jesus and Jesus paid for your sins and has taken the punishment already. He so loved you he died for your sins. Without Jesus, you have to pay for your sins yourself and you can't. I say these things not to cause pain and hurt but to share with you what Jesus has done for me and for you and so you will avoid pain and hurt on your day of judgment and so you will see why salvation is needed.
What is baptism and do I have to do that?
Baptism is a symbolic rebirth where you're submerged in water then risen from the water. You will decide on your own baptism after you've been saved. This is something you yourself have to decide to do. It can't be decided for you or by someone else's option. It is also symbolic of submission to Jesus' will, it is the first act of obedience you should do shortly after you're saved.
What about evolution and the big bang - don't those disprove God and the bible?
Well I wasn't around back then, so I have a couple of questions about these
theories. We'll start with the big bang.
From what I can recall in science class, the state of objects, without external
force, is rest. In other words, things don't change unless an outside force
affects them. Second, from what I can recall again - everything expands and
cools according to the space available until all energy and matter exist
without motion (zero kelvin). So, given those two bits of info we have to
determine if the universe had a start. Did everything always exist forever?
If so, if everything existed for an infinite amount of time, everything would
have gotten to zero kelvin a long time ago. Therefore, my first question
is, Did the universe have a start? If so, what caused it to start. Even if
we don't know what exact scientific method caused it to start or put things
in motion - what existed to put the force that started the universe in motion
prior to the start of the universe? If the universe didn't have a start,
why aren't we at zero kelvin? Not that this disproves the big bang or points
to the existence of God, however, I haven't yet found a plausible explanation
as to why the universe would 'start' without a cause or force acting upon
it and, exactly where did the big bang matter come from?
As for evolution, the claim all species came from prior species. This assumes
that life came from non-life. This also assumes intelligence came from
non-intelligence. The records we use to examine evolution has to do with
skeleton remains fossilized.
The fossilized record has yet to provide a transitory species. Furthermore
the entire basis of evolution is on positive genetic mutations and additional information added to the DNA, from what
I've read the vast majority of mutations are negative and all involve the loss of genetic, genome and DNA information and no evidence exists and nothing in the trillions of life forms today indicate, reflect or show any mechanism for the incorporation of additional genome data to add additional functionality, features and such to an organism. Likewise the DNA strand of a human is vastly more complex then that of an amoeba. Imagine the number
and complexity of the mutations that are required to go from a creature
without an eye to one with an eye. Further complicating the mutation-to-new-species
myth is the eboli virus, in forced mutations in labs, the eboli virus has
been subject to testing through generational mutations (trying to prove
evolution) and while the end result is mutated and changed beyond any doubt,
its basic structure is still an eboli virus. This is after thousands of
generations and as many mutations. Imagine how difficult it would be for
whales to form if it takes more than thousands of generations to form a
new species.
Even
in
the plant world, generational cycles can be centuries (the oldest trees
are claimed to be 5000 years old while the old growth trees on the west
coast of North America are, at least, a couple centuries old). It has been
claimed that even if a positive mutation occured every minute, their still
isn't enough time since the dawn of life on Earth to go from a single cell
organism to a human. To start the mess, they claim some primordial goo,
electrically charged, could
make
the basic building blocks by random. Issues
with this include utter inability to make any example work in which the
environment isn't seriously modified to represent a world that never existed
on Earth.
(for instance, the atmosphere when the goo was supposed to be made in to
building blocks was toxic to all carbon based life) Next issue is the complexity
of life, even the single cell life form's DNA is amazingly complex. For
life to simply form out of randomness makes the lottery seem like a sure
thing
(10 to the power of 60 or 10 with 60 zeros behind it, most lotteries are
1 in 49 million - only 6 zeros) Furthermore the sequence of information
stored in the DNA can fill volumes of text, if any of it is out of place,
out of
sequence or incorrect, the organism isn't alive. Some recent claims of
life coming from outer space simply move the issue of how life can come
from non-living
material and intelligence and come from inanimate objects isn't explained,
it is just moved to another planet. The claim that clay or ice prove patterns
can exist in nature is true, however, the complexity is the problem, the
pattern in ice or clay is simple (say, on an information comparison, it
would say the sky is blue - it would fill a book up with that information
repeated
a million times. DNA in informational terms is comparable to a 26 volume
encyclopedia, index, and maps.) Finally, another consideration that needs to be thought of is, if you're an evolutionist scientist and you discover an item of interest - say a pelvic bone close to a fish head & midsection bone structure found close by with no known water beds - looks plausable that the bone was a part of the creature and without a known water bed in the area - you'd be presupposed to conclude that the creature had was a fish with legs. If you were a creationist, you'd be predisposed to conclude the creature was a fish and a pelvic bone just happened to be near by. The fact is that a pelvic bone was discovered near some fish bones (apologies for probably a horrible example) - each person works within their expected presuppositions and reports their opinion based upon experience and their education and their framework of reference. Stopping to think that the information you're getting from evolutionist scientists doesn't even consider options outside of their presupposed framework - even questioning this framework is considered herecy - now the kicker, what if creationism was actually 100% correct - does the study of that become science? Again, this doesn't prove the existence
of God or disproves evolution, it just leaves some problems that I can't
see explained away without evidence. I think it does point to an intelligent
creator behind life. Answers in Genesis has wonderful, far more detailed and accurate, articles on this topic.
Ok, then why do bad things happen, people die, starve, etc if there is a good God?
Ah, I've heard this question often. God provided mankind with freewill and pretty much every single bad incident that happens can be traced back to a point where a person made a choice. Sometimes the choice is made by someone else (like, for instance, a drunk driver killing an innocent bystander), sometimes the choice is made by the person in trouble (using narcotics, smoking, bad diet) and sometimes it is just being in the wrong place at the wrong time (in the path of bad weather for instance). The existence of freewill insures bad things will happen as we all have to choose the paths we take - if we were all forced to choose the safest path or the path the follows God, we wouldn't have freewill. Additionally, we are no longer perfect because of sin. This means our bodies suffer the corruption of the sin in terms of disease, sickness and injury.
Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew 24:25-30
Revelation 20:11-15
Revelation 21:6-8


