Breaking Da Vinci's Code (into tiny little pieces)

Some quick thoughts on the Da Vinci code. You'd think that people would want the truth about things but when it means humbleness, a contrite spirit and dying to self, it isn't something we want to do. We'd rather be lied to than face the fact we have to face a holy God on Judgment day. And so what happens? We manufacture ways to pretend that only self matters and that sin is neither of importance or offensive to someone greater than ourselves. However, there is a simple argument from Da Vinci's code that is being touted and accepted by many.

Jesus is and has been viewed on a higher level than most ordinary men in history and as is displayed in the book, in the movie and in the world in general. The phrase 'royal bloodline' has been used to describe him. You may have heard Jesus referred to as a "great moral teacher in history and time"as we know it. Jesus is in fact, considered a great teacher, one who has toppled kings and queens, has a claim to fame and above all is widely accepted as of great influence on society as "a moral teacher". However, the Da Vinci story seeks to undermine Jesus as being the Son of God, the resurrection of Christ and the truth of the Bible in general. The code suggests that Jesus was not God, which is basically the goal of the entire story. Come with me and let’s take a look at the "code" as it shatters and breaks into a million or so pieces.

In the Bible, more specifically the Gospels, Jesus claims he is God. Jesus was seen by many as resurrected from the grave. The tomb where Jesus was put was found empty. Either He was stolen or He was in fact God and rose from the grave as He predicted. Do we trust what God says about himself or are we calling God a liar? (See 1 John 5) Before Jesus' was crucified, the Jews and many others try to kill Jesus from the get-go. Why? Because Jesus claims He is the Son of God. Making such a claim of deity is a claim the Jewish people understood. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life no man comes to the Father except through me." Jesus asks a blind man in John 9:35, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" the man answers, "who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?' Jesus responds, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you." The man responds, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him.

In John 1:1 we read, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." This is considered outright blasphemy in the Jewish religion, when a supposed mere man claims to be God. Many also testified about what Jesus said about his deity. In 1 John 5:20 John writes, "We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life."
Only one who is perfect and sinless can forgive sins. Jesus was worshiped, forgave sins, and healed many---physically and spiritually, but made the biggest claim of all: being referred to as the Savior of the world who takes away the sin of the world---as the Son of God in the flesh. (See John 3:14-21)
Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5) So, I ask, if a mere sinful man, such as you and I, made the claim to be the Son of God, the God of the Universe, should we be considered a great teacher(someone you can trust) or simply a lunatic? If a lunatic, can anything else about such a person be trusted? Why would you trust him? Why is the 'Da Vinci Code' looking at Jesus as someone of greatness, unless..... He was and is who he claims to be---God Almighty, the One who said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." (John 8:58)
(This is another of Jesus' claim to be Yahweh, God of the Old Testament scripture. I AM refers to absolute eternal existence.)

Hatred and Anger Toward God, Men or both?

Some of what I'm about to say may or may not be able to be proven by men because of human deceit and the God given ability to be in denial regardless of what is in one's heart and mind. I believe many have the feelings I will list below but will not publicly admit it. And so some may become angry at my words.


Today people are angry and filled with hatred and some direct this anger and hatred no further than the President of the United States. Hatred is directed toward Christians and Jews. I believe the hatred and anger is not really meant completely for or about the person as an individual and to whom it may appear it is directed. (For example, hatred seen toward people such as President Bush, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, John MacArthur and others who are vocal about and profess to be a follower of Jesus Christ). There is merely a false face on display on the part of those filled with such hatred. The true anger is publicly directed to Christians and those who stand for biblical principles when in fact it is meant toward the God of the Bible, the One who created all things. Some will be completely honest and tell you that they do in fact have a hatred of God or simply don't believe in the God of the Bible but many will not wish for this fact to be known because they know this is everything against a holy, just, righteous God who will judge them in the end. They know there is a responsibility, at some point, which must be taken for their actions and beliefs.
I believe these things to be true because many who have such a hatred toward God and his Son Jesus Christ---the name of Jesus to be specific....is for two reasons. The first reason is because Jesus said people would hate true Christians because of his names' sake.(Luke 6:22, Mt. 13:13) God says we are enemies because of our wickness and sin (see also James 4:4). Second, these folks were raised from childhood with a so-called Christian background but were instead lied to about what it means to know God and have a relationship with Him. This naturally stirs of anger and hatred toward God and others who preach about Him. It makes perfect sense to me why there would be anger and resentment. They were promised something wonderful by knowing God but instead got something completely different. Many have a Catholic background and/or some variation religion. Being saved meant a wonderful life and a great religion to go along with it. Instead, all they received was pain, suffering, death, sickness, sadness, doubt and more.

If you can relate to any of this, take heart because there truly is good news. Friend, God wants you to know the truth before it's too late. (2 Peter 3:9) I am not speaking of joining a church or religion either.
God's word does not teach that your life will become "wonderful" if you simply desire to follow Him. Jesus said that as a true follower you will suffer, and suffer much persecution. Many will be murdered. (2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Cor. 1:18) As was referenced earlier, a true Christian will experience hatred and persecution for having a relationship with Christ when His name is proclaimed and the Gospel is preached.
Get this; many people have "wonderful" fulfilling earthly lives without Jesus in it. So why would anyone desire to follow God then, you ask? The answer is quite simple and may be surprising. It requires one's complete honesty and truthfulness. Please take this test if you have not done so before. What God did will be able to make sense if it has not in the past. Many blessings are promised to true follows of Christ but a wonderful merry life on earth is not a promise from His Word because as the test will show, this is not what knowing and following Jesus Christ is truly about.

I was out digging yesterday

I was digging out the ground yesterday minding my own business when I was interrupted by a raccoon that seemed to have ideas she wanted to share with me. What those ideas she had in mine, she had difficulty communicating because it was a raccoon and I was a human, but it appeared to me that she wanted to fight. Part of its tail was missing which led me to believe she had previous encounters. However, I wasn't much bigger than she, which was a factor working against me but I did have a shovel so I was certain I was safe.
I walked toward her, slowly advancing (she was about 20 feet away) and she didn't move. Suddenly she stood up on her hind legs and so I stopped. We might have been the same height then although she probably was bigger round. She reached out her paw or whatever you call those on raccoons, and then I knew what she wanted. She wanted to be friends and shake my hand. If I had known that sooner I would've put the shovel down and shown less aggression. To be honest I was afraid of shaking this little guy's paw thing and so I didn't and I think she understood that because she got back down on her all-fours and backed away. Relieved she was gone, I continued digging, keeping one eye on the look-out for Ms. Raccoon. I'm pretty sure she was female because she looked pregnant.