the Centrist

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he
disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Thomas Jefferson

Dear friends and family,

Build Your Own God

As I contemplate this most holy of weeks, I marvel at how far America has come in my lifetime. I recall as a youth how we had no television, no super high ways, and no jet planes. I can remember the simpler times when we Americans held my faith as a national treasure. We would pray in school, read from the bible, and pledge to the flag in our public schools. My family and friends would hold each and every day of this special week as sacred. My Mom would make special breads and we would think nothing of fasting and to give thanks for the gift of salvation.
I remember in our teens how Marilyn and I would attend mass each and every day in an effort to maintain our commitment to Him and each other. But most of all I remember when we were not ashamed to call this nation, a Christian Nation. I still believe we are a Christian Nation. It seems only a Christian Nation would tolerate and encourages people of all faiths and no faith to come and abide with us. But just because our laws allow an expression of any faith as well as no faith, does not give any the right to impose atheism or their faith on us, any more than it gives Christians the right to persecute or impose our faith on others. So, for those of you who wonder what is behind my faith, I thought a simple exercise might be apropos for the week. Why not build our (your) own god… I ask you, if you were to just make up a faith… I mean build one from scratch… what would you build, how and whom would you worship? Finally how could you make a universal appeal?

Would you not make a god so big He would be responsible for creating the universe, yet so personal He belongs uniquely to you? Wouldn’t be a good idea to have Him born in the most humble of ways… say born in a barn with a food trough for His crib? Yea, that is about as humble as it gets. By doing it that way every man, woman, and child could relate to Him. One would not have to be rich, or smart to understand that, one would need only to understand the universal passion of LOVE.

But wouldn’t your God eventually have to prove Himself. I would have Him perform miracles, even physical miracles like raising people from the dead, and even conquering His own death. That would prove his identity to all, I mean if He could come back from the dead, well, what greater feat could there be? And wouldn’t you make Him equal to God in some sort of mysterious manner? I know I would. He would have to be a perfect God, one who came from heaven, yet one who was related to man. I would even have Him born of a virgin so He could maintain his Holiness, being ½ God and ½ human. I guess the scientists would say He had both human and Godly DNA.
I would make up a God who could somehow transfer that perfection to me, how else could I become Holy… certainly not by my own actions. I would never be able to live a sinless, you know, perfect, life… I mean who could? And if God were truly perfect, sinless He could not abide with sin. So for mankind to dwell with Him, God would need to somehow be able to impart His Godliness, perfection to you?

The God I would make up would also have to pay a price for my sins, because I’m neither rich enough, nor powerful enough to force or earn my way into heaven. You think you can live a perfect life, bet you can’t.
So how could our God infuse His perfection into us? Faith, true life changing belief, may be the only way to impart that faith. But faith in what, and in whom, a book, a prayer, a myth, a fable?
Just what would be the requirements to believe? What would this God have to do, have to impose on humans, to make all equally able to merit heaven? Can you think of any? Well, the Old Testament, certainly one of the oldest documents assures us that sin, our faults, are forgiven only by a blood sacrifice… and since God is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow… then His Law cannot change. Sorry you animal rights people, I didn’t make it up, that is what it says. Honest, it is. So blood it will be. But whose sacrificial blood; a lamb, a goat, a bull, a dove… all of them were used in the past? Logically it would have to be something a lot greater than that. It would have to be a perfect sacrifice, and not just physically perfect, but emotionally, spiritually perfect. Guess, it would have to be that God man we are inventing. He would have to be a kind of scapegoat… somebody I (we) could hoist our sins onto and drive Him away… away from Himself, away from His Heaven, away from His Father… at least for a short time, so that I, we, could, through faith in that sacrifice, have His blood cover, substitute if you will, for my sins. Wow, wouldn’t that display the true meaning of LOVE for all times and for all of mankind? Wouldn’t mankind be so happy to have such a wonderful gift they would want to share that LOVE with everybody… and, if that sacrifice happened on a Friday, I guess we could call that Friday, ‘Good’.
Happy Easter… He has arisen.

Dr B and Marilyn

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Blogger’s Corner

From our Norma of Notes fame:

VERY SPECIAL DELIVERY

May the Lord open up
The windows of heaven
And pour you a blessing
That you will not have room
Enough to receive it all.

May the Lord bless
You exceedingly and abundantly,
Above all you could ever hope for.

May the Lord bless you
That you may walk in a
Financial overflow.

May you fall in love with Him
For the rest of your days
In the Name of Jesus.
Amen!

Happy Easter
Have a beautiful Day
Jesus can do anything but fail!

Marvelous Marcel sends us this familiar prayer:
Saint Theresa’s Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing,
Dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Brother Pat sends us this reminder on this most Holy of weeks…

For the next 60 seconds, set aside whatever you’re doing and take this opportunity to understand… when you read this, realize that Jesus was more than just another man… He was God incarnate and only had to speak a word and the ‘cup’ would have been removed from Him… here is the cup of suffering he suffered so that we could be with Him:
THE DEATH OF JESUS
At the age of 33, Jesus was condemned to the death penalty.
At the time crucifixion was the “worst” death. Only the worst criminals condemned to be crucified. Yet it was even more dreadful for Jesus, unlike other criminals condemned to death by crucifixion Jesus was to be nailed to the cross by His hands and feet.
Each nail was 6 to 8 inches long.
The nails were driven into His wrist. Not into His palms as is commonly portrayed. There’s a tendon in the wrist that extends to the shoulder. The Roman guards knew that when the nails were being hammered into the wrist that tendon would tear and break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support himself so that He could breath.
Both of His feet were nailed together. Thus He was forced to support Himself on the single nail that impaled His feet to the cross. Jesus could not support himself with His legs because of the pain so He was forced to alternate between arching His back then using his legs just to continue to breath. Imagine the struggle, the pain, the suffering, the courage.

Jesus endured this reality for 6 hours.
Yes, 6 hours! Can you imagine this kind of suffering? A few minutes before He died, Jesus stopped bleeding.
He was simply pouring water from his wounds. From common images we see wounds to His hands and feet and even the spear wound to His side. But do we realize His wounds were actually made in his body. A hammer driving large nails through the wrist, the feet overlapped and an even large nail hammered through the arches, then a Roman guard piercing His side with a spear. But before the nails and the spear Jesus was whipped and beaten. The whipping was so severe that it tore the flesh from His body. The beating so horrific that His face was torn and his beard ripped from His face. The crown of thorns cut deeply into His scalp. Most men would not have survived this torture.
He had no more blood to bleed out, only water poured from His wounds.
The human adult body contains about 3.5 liters (just less than a gallon) of blood.
Jesus poured all 3.5 liters of his blood; He had three nails hammered into his members; a crown of thorns on his head and, beyond that, a Roman soldier who stabbed a spear into his chest.
All these without mentioning the humiliation He passed after carrying his own cross for almost 2 kilometers, while the crowd spat in his face and threw stones (the cross was almost 30 kg of weight, only for its higher part, where his hands were nailed).
Jesus had to endure this experience, so that you can have free access to God..
So that your sins could be “washed” away. All of them, with no exception! Don’t ignore this situation. JESUS CHRISTDIED FOR YOU! For you, who now read this e-mail. Do not believe that He only died for others (those who go to church or for pastors, bishops, etc).
He died for you! It is easy to pass jokes or foolish photos by e-mail, but when it comes to God, sometimes you feel ashamed to forward to others because you are worried of what they may think about you.

Accept the reality, the truth that JESUS IS THE ONLY SALVATION FOR THE WORLD.
God has plans for you, show all your friends what He experienced to save you. Now think about this! May God bless your life.
If you are not ashamed to do this, please, follow Jesus’ instructions. He said (Matthew 10:32 & 33): “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whosoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven”.
If you believe, send or share this message… But send it only if you believe in Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
Yes, I love God. He is my source of life and my Saviour. He keeps me alive day and night.
Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13.

Matthew 10:32…..
‘Whoever acknowledges Me before men,
I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven…
But whoever disowns Me before men,
I will disown him before My Father in heaven.’
Blogger Dr Rev Ron

EATING FRUIT…….
It’s long but very informative

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and
just popping it into our mouths. It’s not as easy as you think. It’s
important to know how and when to eat.

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN
ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your
system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and
other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let’s say you eat two slices of
bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go
straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented
from doing so.

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium,
vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a
low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances
the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon
cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total
antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from
cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep
colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as
well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher.. Composed of 92% water, it is
also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our
immune system They are also a key source of lycopene – the cancer
fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C &
Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners
for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which
helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good
for your eyes.

Grammy Sammy… Subject: Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this….

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, ‘They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and I don’t know where they have put him!’

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stopped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn’t go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely!
Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.
The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished..

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, “I’m finished..”

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because……….

The folded napkin meant,

“I’M COMING BACK!”

AND SO HE SHALL………….

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Lighter Side
Next week

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Prayer
Good friend and fellow dentist from our community In NY, AJ, to have career ending surgery on his spine Friday. Pray for success and rapid recovery. He suffers from the same malady that disabled me.
Pray for Wanda who lost her mother last week
Continue to pray for Cailf. Clint … that he gets called soon with a match for liver transplant
Prayer for my Fredonia Pattie’s cousin’s husband… the healing and the wisdom, to pick the right treatment option
Brother Craig for severe throat and ear infection… he has recovered
Ken L’ sister Bobbi very critical after 21 year cancer battle, she is now in hospice… no new word
G W financial problems
DG financial problems and unemployed
Gary W undergoing radiation treatments for prostate cancer
Donovan severe anemia is responding to med
Rita H surgery for hernia and is recovering
Judy C chemo and hip surgery
From California Clint on behalf of his friend Jerry”
Please pray for Jerry’s wife Becky, (for strength and wisdom) as both her brother and a nephew are suffering from accelerated aggressive cancer. Pray for immediate and miraculous healing in both situations.
Please continue to pray for Mary C, as her cancer has returned
Please continue to pray for Wanda S whose brother died two weeks ago while she was on her way to see him. This is the brother that had cancer and who’s wife died last July. Please pray for the family. To add to an already overwhelming burden, Wanda lost her mother last week… see above, continue to pray for the family.
Our troops in Afghanistan as they are in the midst of battle
Continue to pray for:
Donavan’s father Derrick with heart disease
The people of Haiti
The people of Chili
John B (frequent Blogger) hand surgery … still in pain but the surgery was successful and he is recovering… no new word
Safety for troops and relief workers in Haiti
Safety for grandson Scott now aboard ship and we are not certain of his destination
Please continue to pray for the Family of Harold L who recently passed away (especially two of my favorite students, his youngest children: Shaughn and Siobhan)
Answered Prayer: Baby Camdyn continues to recover but please keep her in in prayer for strength. As you know she came through her first surgery with flying colors , thanks in no small part to your prayer! But remember she will need even a more serious surgery in about five months.

Cousin Dick (Jamestown Patti’s brother) cancer of prostate… radiation treatment is underway, while we’re praying include Jamestown Patti she is the main caregiver and both her and Dick are disabled.
Close friend Norma W passed away after long illness… please continue to pray for family and husband Chuck
Brother Vince, heart and circulation issues bypass and stint surgery upcoming
Brother Mike, high blood pressure
Krisher family for loss of son Jon
DK stress
Sue intestinal disease… she is trying medication rather than this serious surgery… so far she is responding, please keep praying
Please pray for our troops and especially the victims of Islamist Terrorism
Jamestown Patti’s special family Steven’s Johnson Syn. little 7 yr. old girl
DG gainful employment
Blogger Clint having problems with liver toxicity… may need transplant, please pray.
Our nation, our President, our Congress, our courts… to put the people before their ideology

TD for special intention
Kairos Torch for juveniles is a Christian outreach to troubled youth. Please pray that Kairos Torch will become reality in NY.
Close family friend Brenda… has been diagnosed with MS and has lost her job.
AE for strength to face his dilemma
TD gainful employment
Bless and pray for our service men and women as they seem to have fewer and fewer options as they deal with a mortal enemy.
wdb prostate problems continue
Continue to pray for missionary Bergman’s as they lost their wife and mother this past year
Maria – diabetes is critical. She had a skin and muscle biopsy and suspect small nerve neuropathy. Please continue to pray no change in her condition.
Clint: to find his son in Viet Nam and have the opportunity to present salvation to him. Clint is in hospital for esophageal bleeding, please keep him in prayer. Has liver toxicity (see above)
Pastor Neil S. (long time close friend and prayer partner) pray for God’s Will in his ministry. A possible opening in a local church or continued success in his present ministries…
Niece Rhonda and strength for her new career and job
Brother Les is about the same, but he continues to have a Godly attitude. Yet the burden continues to be heavy on both he and Valarie. Please keep both Val and Les in prayer… such a faithful couple and a reminder, Camdyn’s grandparents!
Transplants: Good Friend Keith – liver, Brother Pat – liver, Good Friend Jim – kidney … please keep praying for their well being; they all are doing well as of this printing
Sister Jane, Brenda, Cousins Janet, Janet, and Karen for strength… all are suffering from MS.
Unity for our family

Tom H and Marilyn for RSD
Tolerance, Christ’s Love, and Understanding for our families, friends, and enemies
Bonnie Erbie (author accusing Christians of being knuckle draggers), prayer for salvation.
Pray for wisdom and spiritual guidance in rearing children for our family as well as the renewal of the nuclear family; pray that marriage stays as one man, one woman, but rights are extended to same gender unions.
Pray for truth in education… i.e. AIDS, abortion, evolution, American History, and Man Made Global Warming
Pray for our troops each evening at 9:00 pm. every night … pray that America wakes up to evil before it is too late
Pray for Nephews John and Ryan – Navy and grandson Scott a Marine.
Prayer for healthy and safe births: Kassilyn, Meg, and Melissa
Prayer partners John and Ron and family.
Please continue to pray for health issues for five of our nieces and Marilyn.
Pastors: Dan, John, Tom, Lyell, Steve D, Ben, Estes, Gail, Sam, Whittikers, Neil, and Steve T for their ministries, ease of stress, and courage to spread the gospel; wisdom for all leadership at Yates, Greater Toledo 1st Baptist,
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Billy Graham’s Prayer For Our Nation:

‘Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics.. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!’

Clermont Sunday School
Prayer Requests:

Twila S has a praise that the Health Fair was a success. They had 175 attendees. She is also praising God that her mammogram was negative the second time.

Paul H’s brother-in-law has cancer.

Charlie Mae’s sister in New York. She is being cared for at home.

Ron G’s leg is in pain from the removal of 2 cysts and a melanoma.

Terry’s friend died in a white water rafting accident. He was a guide. Please pray for his family.

James’s wife.

Woody and Susan’s son Mark is suffering from depression.

James M’s witnessing opportunity.

Yates Baptist Sunday School :

Marilyn L had a heart attack … her surgery (bypass and valve) was successful but, she has had a setback and still has fluid on her lung, and is in Medina hospital at this time(mother of Karen B).
Jacob (5 year old) has psoriasis, and has improved but still an issue, please continue to pray… he is improving

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing

Dr B