Sabbath a day of rest, reflection, worship

It has been a long day, as many can tell within your own lives. Friday always seem the longest. It is a day that embarks on a period of rest and reflection-- which within itself is very interesting. One of the requests that God had of us, which I personally feel is misinterpreted, is to rest on the 7^th day, the Sabbath to keep that day holy.  

There are two definitions that I could find pertaining to the Sabbath: (1) a day of religious observance and abstinence from work, kept by Jews Friday evening to Saturday evening, and by most Christians on Sunday, and (2) a supposed annual midnight meeting of witch with the Devil. If the Sabbath in 24 languages means Saturday and God rested on the 7^th day, the Sabbath in accordance with Genesis 2:2-3, then the Sabbath means Saturday. It is the same (Sabbath) as mentioned in Exodus 20:8, Deuteronomy 5:12, and Mark 2:27-28. Then why do we not meet on Saturday, as Christians to worship. Man has determined this request was not reaffirmed as justification. Is this a good enough reason? Well yes and well no. There is no clear cut answer.

Christians began to interpret that we should worship on Sunday based off of Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. I always understood that Luke wrote NT book of Luke as well as some of the beginning of the NT book of Acts, because he was in attendance with Paul on some of his travels. That information and the overall authorship are still in question to this day. The remainder of the book, though, is attributed to Paul. We would like to attribute 1 Corinthians to Paul but the research again, is still out on that. It is said to possibly have been written by Paul with Sosthenes and Marcion (who were some church leaders of the Corinthians at that time.) 

Acts 20:7 says, “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.” On Sunday, Paul came together with some people, had a meal and began to speak at length because on Monday he was leaving the next day.

I understand that this meeting which Paul had arranged was about Eutychus raised from the dead at Troas. Eutychus was listening to Paul when he dozed off to sleep and fell out the window. Paul insisted he was not dead, took him inside and continued to speak until well after midnight. When Paul left, he (Eutychus) was discovered not to be dead and made a full recovery from his fall.

I Corinthians 16:1-2 states: “Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”  This instruction was strictly made by Paul, not God and certainly not Jesus.

Jesus said in Mark 2:27-28, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” This is interpreted various ways when Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees. The practice of fasting was nothing uncommon during the time of Jesus and the Pharisees had gotten carried away that practice. It was nothing unusual to eat on the Sabbath when man was hungry; but they did without unless you were a priest and therefore gathering food to eat was prohibited. It has been interpreted that man was made for God and the Sabbath was made for man as an advantage for us to improve, to rest, not to be tired, but not to restrain or destruct especially from food. God had a lot of forethought about our souls. I understand that Jesus was gathering food to ease the flesh. When the flesh is at ease, the word of God and Jesus is more readily acceptable. Jesus was making a very valid point which was to not get carried away in tradition that it relates harmful behavior. Too much fasting can harm the body.   

Use common sense. What is the one thing that gets man detracted from hearing the word of God and Jesus on Sunday morning? Majority of all church worship takes place around 11:00 am. The stomach growls distracting the thoughts from God’s word to the human biological function—“my stomach says I am very hungry.” Jesus was pointing out that it is okay to eat even if you have to work slightly to gather a few grains. What is the difference in hunger from the year 30 and the year 1950 or 2014? The common factor between the years is that when man gets hungry, he thinks about feeding himself – nothing else is important, which is common human nature.

This is where I have trouble on “man’s interpretation.” Sabbath was made for man. Man was not made for the Sabbath. That is easy to understand. The Sabbath was made for man as the 7^th day to rest, improve, and not be tired, not to restrain, or destruct; but, to worship in rest and reflection. On the first day of the week our collections are made for another week has arrived. If man was made for God and God made the Sabbath for man, then, do you not think we Christians should be worshiping, resting, and reflecting on God that day, the Sabbath? Why does the interpretation have to be so complicated? Why should we take mere man’s word over Gods or Jesus’?  

Jesus repeated the commandments of God according to Matthew 19. But, the Sabbath, the day of rest, the day to keep holy was overlooked. In John 14:15, Jesus said: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” John the Epistle recorded in 1 John 2:3, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.” We can reflect on the other verses such as John 14:21, 1 John 5:2, 2 John 6, Revelation 12:17 and Revelation 14:12 as well. What can we gather from this information? In Matthew there are details not mentioned in Mark, Luke or John and vice versa.  That does not mean that it was or was not reaffirmed of any event in the Old Testament or the New Testament. This is just a point of view of different authors which was recorded differently like the first two chapters of Genesis. We teach the Ten Commandments to be kept yet, we do not abide by them because it was overlooked or misinterpreted. Well the Bible is not contradictory but mere man can be. 

As time passes on, we all understand that historical presentations have been known to be incorrect. Why should this be any different? I am going to for once and all solve this solution. Christians you are wrong in worshiping on Sunday because you are not keeping with God’s commandments. However, it is not for me to judge other than to offer my opinion, for whatever it is worth. Therefore, we as Christians have to do what is best in our heart. We have to ask ourselves, what is it that God wants us to do? What is best in my relationship with God?

Sometimes we find ourselves outside out given groups with our ideals. But, being a true Christian in most cases, you walk alone with God and not in a group.

This just my opinion

God bless each and everyone 

A word to the wise, learning about the intricacies of the Bible and the meanings therein, should not ever detract from your faith, belief, or general understanding. It is meant to enhance, to draw you personally closer to God and to Jesus Christ (our Lord and Savior.) 

I have the answer!

How many of you have often wondered why good things happen to bad people? I personally have for numerous years. I have asked and received all sorts of answers. Those answers just lay there. It is as if they are just a choice conversational reply with no real substance.

Today I the light came on and there was a great epiphany in my mind and soul. I am very elated to for once understand the answer to this question!

I am reading St Augustine dialogue On Free Will which is some of his earlier writings. He contends that God is not the author of evil a man does though he is the author of evil a man suffers when God punishes us. Evil deeds are punished by the justice of God when man performs evil acts voluntarily.

If this being the case would it not be evil to let a baby suffer from cancer? God did not cause the cancer. The suffering is primarily done at the hands of earthly men and not God, Jesus, or his heavenly creatures.

During the creation God turned dominion of the earth over to man. (See Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2: 19-20) Through the evil acts of free will and not making the proper decisions, man (himself) has caused catalytic events which changed the original biological composition of the body from when God had intended. God then allows man to correct errors they have made. Because man is not perfect, the correction may not be as well or what should be rendered is less than humanly satisfaction. Not all free will is evil or bad just like learning is neither good nor bad.

God guides and answers prayers. They may not be the answers we want to hear. Always remember that God is in control and will use everything in his power, his reach, his creation to maintain that control. 

Man has to want to submit 100% to the will of God which includes seeking the grace of God through (1) spiritual revelation and (2) work. Alone work or spiritualism separate will not cut it. It has to be both. This means we are accepting God 100% and everything else is secondary. In the modern evangelical times, this is often overlooked and not even considered; it is also, very much so, taken for granted.

DO NOT BE FOOLED when we are told, accept Jesus and you are reborn. That is true in part and understand that is just a beginning ideal theory.  To accept the road to the path of eternity we have just began again. It is a long hard working battle of mentality (spirituality of the soul) over the work of physical deeds. While on this work submitting 100% to God, there is always the possibility that the evils of man can interfere with our physical being. But, we have to put our faith that they evils of man should never be allowed to interfere in the spiritual composition that belongs only to God

Never forget separating the body and the soul while in present form on earth is an impossibility when seeking the grace of God. The separation of such only comes in death. Therefore, the spirituality and the physical work of God have to go hand and hand.

That answers the question of why bad things happen to good people.

Go with God and stay safely in His arms.

Naked butt on my Bible!

There are sometimes many things that we wish to tell our children. Some of those things have to do with what parents to do who is low income just to make ends meet like taking on a second job. In 2008, I did just that. I took a second job. It was the hardest thing I ever did. Oh, I have had second jobs before but at this age in my life I was not the healthiest and I knew that this second job would eventually cause worse damage to my physical and mental health. But, my children were and are worth it.

I would get off of work at 11:00 pm and then pick up the “green cab” until 7:00 am the next morning. Of course there was always fear and severe risk involved in driving a cab, so I had decided to keep my Bible on the front seat next to me for my only protection. It saved my life more than once. On specific two occasions my hand was on the Bible and God’s hands were on me.

One night I had received a call to pick up two men at an adult men’s club. They had prepaid with a credit card and needed to go to their hotel. I responded to the call and was there to pick them up. Both men were highly attracted. Well what can I say—I was not your average cab driver. Of course, my hair and makeup was in place and I have naturally long nails which I keep manicured. My cab smell was Elizabeth Taylor’s ‘White Diamonds’ cologne. That is me and I am a picky person about smells. When I arrived at the club, the men told me which hotel they wanted to go to. While in route, one of the men was amorous and extremely flirtatious. I ignored his talk. Even though they were very physically attractive, I was not interested.

One thing I have learned over the years is to hold true to my convictions, and I politely ignored the one man and his sexual advances. The topic eventually turned to me being offered a $200 tip for an hour roll in the sheets in his hotel room with his friend watching. As strapped for money as I was and how great it sounded, I declined. We pulled into the hotel parking lot which was our destination. One man had already exited the cab and went inside the hotel. Meanwhile the propositioning man pulled his pants down, so fast, and jumped into the front seat—plopping his naked butt on my Bible. 

There was a naked butt on my Bible. The emotions went through me were extremely overwhelming. What was once a physically attractive man became a slithering, smelling, and foul serpent in my eyes. He wasn’t dangerous he was just utterly and truly disgusting.

“$200 baby! Have you ever seen a big dick like this in your life?” He said in his repulsed low keyed voice.

I sat staring at him for a moment that seemed like an eternity. What went through my mind was that I don’t ever want to be touched by another man again in a sexual manner. All of it made me utterly ill. I don’t ever want to be touched again by anyone in a sexual manner.  

“Please” I asked. “Please pull up your pants, and get your naked behind off my Bible.” I instructed. I was not upset. I did not yell. I wasn’t rude.

At that moment he looked me square in the eyes and became really calm and with no further amorous behavior. He turned around, and got out of the taxi cab. He gave me a $200 tip and left. I drove off. I 

honestly couldn’t believe what had just happened. I prayed to God a prayer of thanks.

What did I learn? 

I learned no matter where I go or what I do...

God will take care of me. 

What is good sense?

It is the starting of another school year at the schools, colleges, and universities. Three of my closely associated friends graduated in August and I will miss them dearly. On Monday, 9.8.2014, there is an MLA reception near the Museum in which I very much want to meet the incoming MLA’ers and take note that this is my last semester with two other dear friends. In December of this year, I walk the “stage.” And, even though my legs are old and weary—when I sometimes feel that I cannot go on, God will provide that strength to finish all He wishes me to accomplish.

In the meantime, I have spent two days observing the incoming “freshmen” and how their student advisors council them. I am scared about the very sites that I have seen and heard this weekend. This statement is not inclusive of all incoming freshman at the university I attend but a good bulk of them.

Yesterday when I was in the students lounge, a group of freshmen came in with their upper class advisor. The topic of discussion was briefly share with each about their summer events. One student was a volunteer at a youth camp. Another student went to Nicaragua to help build a church. The other students spent their days in praise with God because they have faith. The worse fear the students in missionary work were the “shots.” At first I thought they were talking about being shot in the field, but no. They were referring to the inoculations they have to get from the doctor before the trips.

I realized that in their discussion, none of the students talked about their souls, eternal life, and the grace of God or hope—or even the eternal walk in the hereafter. The only discussion outside of trivial chatter was “glad we have faith” and “God has been good to us.” How? Defend yourself! And … I suppose I am asking too much. Didn’t I understand the defense of my faith at their age? No, not really.

Today, I am sitting next to freshmen listening to them speak. These were some of the young people that I observed yesterday and what they plan to do with their futures. Today’s topic at the lunch table was “he bent me over the picnic table and ‘f’d’ me really hard. I had to praise God, because it felt so good!”

Before brunch—“How are we going to go to church, since it is mandatory, without breakfast service first at the cafeteria? How can they make this mandatory? This is crap!”

Another student responded; “Well at least you don’t have to put on a dress and hooker heels!”

After brunch, I ran into one of the elder Student Spiritual Life advisors. When I say elder, he is older than me. He and I were speaking about what I had overheard. He said; “If one or two students out of 200 find true spiritualism isn’t that what it is all about?”

I thought about what he said and he was wisely correct.

In our life time, we will have encountered thousands of professed Christians and there will only be a few who will understand and be able to defend what faith in God and true Christianity is all about. It is not just about faith and deeds; it is the understanding of the Grace of God. It is the understanding of how love, hope, and faith go hand in hand. It is the understanding that the personal mindset of God and Jesus with the deeds of personal spiritualism must reflect heavily in our lives more than anything else. It is the understanding that we are in the position where God has placed us at this very minute. It is the understanding that now is the time to act and fulfill the thoughts and the work in which God intended us to do for him to obtain His Grace.

Now is the time not to be afraid to be a Christian or to believe in God but to profess proudly without judgment in our fellow man and attempt, to the best of our ability, the work He has assigned to us in the face of total adversity. Now is the time of our calling. Answer the door. You may never get another chance.

Proverbs 23:23

Get for yourself that which is true and do not let it go for money; get wisdom and teaching and good sense.

God bless you all and keep you safely in His arms. 

Do not be afraid--the mind can fool you

Part One 

When I went on Facebook and then checked news stories to understand, I was hard. The death of Robin Williams hit me hard. Why? It is the depression--the silent mental illness--the thing that everyone is afraid to speak of.

I can't repeat this enough!

I am not afraid!

I have it--it doesn't bother me anymore who knows. It is hard. Do not be afraid of it. Speak out! Face it. Due to other chronic illnesses in my body, the depression medicines do not necessarily work on me. I have to focus and keep on focusing in the face of stress and other horrendous situations. It can be done. If you feel you that you have depression get help. Talk about it to someone. If you feel down and want to just end it all, call someone. Do not be afraid because you are not alone.  

So often we are ashamed because of the rules and stipulations that society has placed on those who have a mental illness. These deepest troubles of the mentally ill is what is in our bodies -- our selves -- the confusion. 

Do not let anyone make you feel less. Be aware of the pit falls like "Depression cause medical problems and medical problems cause depression." That remark is a vicious cycle of non-sense. 

There is hope when you least expect it. God is on my side; He, Jesus, my children, family, and friends have been my saving grace. You never fail with God or Jesus however the medical community has help as well. Do not be afraid to make the call to get help. If you are not happy with the help that you are receiving keep looking but never give up. Life is too precious and short to just throw the towel in.

Do not end your life!

Part Two

Not  everyone who is deemed a criminal is guilty.
No every homeless person is a drug addict or alcoholic.
Not everyone on welfare is lazy, on drugs or abuses the situation.
No every foreign speaking individual is illegal.
No everyone is a racists.
Not every happy person is truly happy. 
No every wealth person has it all. 
Not all the intellectually astute as wise or intelligent.
No all the Christians are Christian.
Not everyone who has a child is a parent.
Our senses can fool us. 
For we do not understand what we cannot comprehend,
   and that is the soul of another.
You alone only know what is true to your heart. 
Learn you heart and your soul.
Walk with God and Jesus.

Do not end your life!

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1 800 273 8255

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

(This includes Veterans--our national heroes--press one)

 http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/GetHelp/

National Domestic Abuse Hotline 

1 800 799 7233

http://www.thehotline.org/

Alcoholic Anonymous

http://www.aa.org/

Al-Anon

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/

National Sexual Assault Hotline

1 800 656 HOPE

https://www.rainn.org/get-help/national-sexual-assault-hotline

If you are in need of mental health assistance, please call your local mental health agency or 

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/if-you-are-in-crisis-and-need-immediate-help.shtml

Always remember, you are not alone. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. 

Psalms 23:4

Faith, religion, and doctrine—you have no idea—no clue?

I recently took a class that left me with so very many emotions—some very conflicting, very objectionable, few truths, and some very ludicrous. What is really bad is that I already am anti-organized religion and feel the “Christian Community” of the 20^th and 21^st centuries is already misguided and misguiding to a certain extent by religious doctrine. This is was just another flame into the fire of reality—theoretically speaking.  

John Milton contended:  “It was also evident to me, that, in religion as in other things, the offers of God were all directed, not to an indolent credulity, but to constant diligence, and to an unwearied search after truth; and that more than I was aware of still remained, which required to be more rigidly examined by the rule of Scripture, and reformed after a more accurate model. I so far satisfied myself in the prosecution of this plan as at length to truth that I had discovered, with regard to religion, what was matter of belief, and what only matter of opinion… I earnestly beseech all lovers of truth, not to cry out that the Church is thrown into confusion by that freedom of discussion and inquiry which is granted to the schools, and ought certainly to be refused to no believer, since we are ordered to prove all things, and since the daily progress of light of truth is productive far less of disturbance to the Church, than of illumination and edification.”[1] Milton, upmost than anything, was an educator and is teaching us a lesson. We have to satisfy ourselves—our souls, not the Church, not the neighbor, and not the religious academic community in our belief, or our faith when it comes to God and Jesus.

I am now of the total understanding, that religion and the church were as confused in the 16^th century just like it is in the 21^st century. How can I make this claim? The claim is a personal perspective: like when did we have to dress in our finest to worship? When did the church become so commercial or capitalistic? When has the materialism of life become more important than the soul? When you ask yourself these questions, be honest with yourself in the answers. The only person we have to prove anything to be our internal being and the relationship we have with God.

There are so many different interpretations, definitions, etc pertaining to things we do not know or seek to find guidance from that is written in the Bible. Religion and doctrine are defined by man. In some cases they were defined by men as early as the 4^th century and further back in time than that. We people get too caught up in all the definitions of the world as to what something means; we can find ourselves lost.

When I make the statement “you have no idea—no clue” means that the Bible contains many scriptures without a definition or an answer. Any interpretation past that point is mere conjecture. Any and all conjecture, ideas, input, or insight can be wrong in 5 minutes, 400 years, or 10,000 years. We may never know an answer to anything and never have a clue.

We should put our faith in God and Jesus but at the same token, beware of religion and religious doctrine because in all honesty, they were written by men who claimed to be inspired by God. The Bible (for that matter) was written by men who claimed to be inspired by God as well. We have no idea and there is no clue as to the truth. All interpretations were also done by mere man. We personally do ourselves an injustice when we fail to learn just this fact of nature. Question is this literal or literary? Is it a parable or actual account? Is it opinion or fact? Much of these questions should be asked when reading the Bible. The Bible existed before the conformed compilation of only pages and there was more to it than what is considered allowable by mere man. The average person was not allowed to read all, because a group of “mere men” made decisions for us as to what is spiritual and what is not in the ancient text.

BUT, faith in God and in Jesus is a tradition that I care not to test or question. I am glad I made that decision to have the relationship with God and Jesus that I do! It is a relationship with each that I will never regret.

Read the Bible for your soul’s sake—your personal understanding and no other. Read the Septuagint for knowledge purposes. Make informed decisions about how you as a person should have a relationship with God and Jesus.

God bless you all and keep you safely in His arms

---

[1] Sumner, Charles R. "John Milton Treatise on Christian Doctrine.” Archive.org. 1825, pg 6.  https://archive.org/stream/treatiseonchrist01miltuoft#page/n115/mode/2up  (accessed July 7, 2014).

ABC: Procreation, Ensoulment and Development

 When we are children, generally questions are asked like “Mom where did we come from?” During certain time periods, some parents might have responded, “Well, you came from the cabbage patch” or “The stork delivered you to the hospital.” The purpose of this paper is to discuss three ideals which are: (a) where we came from with the (b) intent purpose of when was our ensoulment and (c) the development process that makes up our very persona. There is actually no biblical or scientific study that can actually answer when ensoulment takes place; but there is a tremendous amount of theologically based and philosophical conjecture covering this particular topic. From the research that will be presented in this paper, the argument will be based on how we are formed, the ensoulment taking place in the womb from 13-25 weeks, on an average of 19 weeks after conception, and how our development makes up our very persona.

            In Genesis, God created man and then he turned the earth dominion to him to rule over. Man should proceed and procreate. The physical earthly process had begun.[1] This is the beginning of physical development. From this point, procreation is the formation and the movement of the embryo in the female womb only. At six weeks after conception, there is a formation of parts of physical body: sockets, bubs for limbs, lower and upper jaws, placenta, a yolk sac, a tail, a bulge to where the heart should be, and an umbilical cord. Prior to that period there is just a “growing blob of cells.” That blob is where the zygote matures—it grows. By ten weeks the embryo has a brain and fingers. The baby continues to form: joints, eye lids, face, head structure, fingers, toes, and blood vessels. The embryo really starts to look more like a

fetus. At 20 weeks there is a baby in the womb. There are three trimesters that stretch over about 40 weeks which is technically classified as nine months.[2]

            Some women feel their “baby” according to the American Pregnancy Association as early as 13-16 weeks. It is described as “quicken of the womb” and considered a light flutter. Depending on the mother and the number of pregnancies already experienced, the first movement averages around 13 -25 weeks.[3] The fetus is primarily stationary because it is affix to the uterine wall; however, it will adjust naturally because of the growth process. Actual movement on its own volition does not necessarily happen until after the 13 week. The earliest baby born to survive has been just “twenty-one weeks plus six days into gestation.”[4]

            It is clear knowledge that is not to be mistaken, that all human bodies are formed through a physical sense from human man and woman. The human, biologically are not a-sexual reproducers. There are very few species on this earth that are a-sexual reproducers and the primate, humanoid, mammal or any warm blooded animal are not a-sexual reproducers. A human zygote, embryo, or fetus is formed from a living human organism.  There is no questioning this fact. However, envisioning how ensoulment occurs still is a mystery that we will try to answer.

            The term used, “quicken” as mentioned in the third paragraph or this paper, is the actual

movement of the fetus in the uterus felt by the mother. Aristotle stated that quicken of male children happen on the right side of the womb usually on the 40^th day after conception and for the female children on the 90^th day on the left hand side of the womb.[5] The 40^th day is only about four and a half weeks. There have been studies where fetal movement has been detected at 7 to 8.5 weeks into gestation.[6] We should not necessarily agree with Aristotle because there is no scientific evidence supporting his statement. We should be subjective about scientific studies because it should be in serious question whether modern science can detect neurological brain activity at 7 to 8.5 weeks into gestation—the fetal brain is still in the active developmental process.

            Babu G. Ranganathan, a Christian biologist, states, “Reproductive cells (i.e. sperm and ovum) come from somatic cells. That means we must have existed in the somatic cells of our parents’ bodies at some point… God has not given humans the right to independent life until conception for that is the means by which He has sanctioned for bringing independent human life into the world.”[7] Since physical conception of the cells must be present to form a physical life, then ensoulment would not begin until that physical life starts to take the actual human form. We would not be in existence if our parents did not reproduce us.

           There is a biblical passage that would be supportive of Ranganathan’s statement, “As you do not know the path of the wind or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the makers of all things.”[8]  There are other biblical passages that

discusses God knowing the person in the womb such as in Psalms 127:3-5, 139:13, Jeremiah 1:5, Job 31:15, Isaiah 44:24 and many others. Philosophically speaking, Jerome would have supported Ranganathan because he believed that God sent forth the soul to be born when it pleased God and He is the only one who knows when the soul comes into the body.[9]

            Gregory of Nyssa contended that evidence of life, that which is animate, distinguishes us from what is dead.[10] After the initial physical formation in the womb from male and female gamete, ensoulment takes place when the physical body has a formation with actual animation of the fetus, which is 13-25 weeks, as an average of 19 weeks after conception. Taking into account we are formed physically by our parents, God breathes the soul into the womb, the fetus becomes a baby and is born. Aristotle believed that the soul is in the essence of the living breathing body.[11] Whereas, Philo contends that the soul only become separate essences since after birth.[12] Therefore, when examining all the biblical text and scientific text we should come to the conclusion that there is no scientific evidence as to ensoulment. There is only biblical text in which we should heavily rely on as being faithful fact.

            After ensoulment it is generally understood in most of the Christian society that the body houses the soul that provides the animation for the body, we can reasonably state that the soul will develop with the body. To discuss the formation of our actual persona, then we have to look

at the material developmental in conjunction with the aspects of the soul.

            Human nature just doesn’t occur unless there is a living human involved in the equation. The brain is the mass of matter that controls the bodily mechanics and regulates the bodily functions then it is safe to assume that it is where the soul is located as the driving force. Neurologic clinical tests have shown movement of the fluid in the brain with the introduction of various internal and external stimuli. Therefore, this is should be taken into consideration when formulating any ideas about our persona—how we developed and what makes us up.

            From the beginning point of physical development to the point of ensoulment there are things that can be done to enhance the soul or persona of a fetus/baby even before it is born into the world. This is done through proper prenatal care which includes a good diet, oral vitamins and plenty of rest and exercise.[13]

            Other “in-utero” development can be noticed that affects the persona of the human. For example, (1) playing music helps with movement, alertness, or is a calming effect on the fetus: during the last trimester, the diet of the mother helps the baby formulate tastes after there are born.[14]  For example if a mother craves bananas during the last trimester then it is a big probably that the infant will prefer banana instead of any other flavor. Therefore in all of this we understand that from the time of conception then ensoulment the developmental process has begun. After the birth another process begins.

            An infant does not have the cognitive developmental capability to make informed decisions other than from feeling and emotion; whereas, a toddler, with increased active movement, starts to form ideas based on environmental stimulus. The environmental stimulus generally is from the parent through verbal communication and simple age related activities.[15]  

            Everything that the body does is a developmental process of thought through what is call the conscious and sub-conscious where each individual has established a unique system based on cognitive ability. Everyday action is considered the conscious—the current, the now where action is taken. The subconscious is the storehouse of experiences, processed and unprocessed—understood or not.[16]  As we develop in the conscious state, we store those experiences in the subconscious state. Unfortunately, there is not enough solid substantial evidence about the subconscious of the human mind—brain or soul to form any qualified conjecture other than the assumption of categorized theory on the subject.

            The age progression our body and soul develop jointly through a learning process. The Learning Philosophy of 70/20/10 is built to encourage a holistic approach by integrating both formal and informal elements (see insert).[17]           

       

            70%     real life, on-the-job experiences, task and problem solving

            20%     feedback, observation, role models

            10%     education

            We can understand that all of this information in the 70/20/10 is stored in the conscious and subconscious of the body to be recalled through the temporal and long term memory process. The learning process includes everything—whether or not a person learns about God, Jesus, algebra, cooking, reading in any average matter, this learning is will including in the 70/20/10.  Taking this into consideration, the physical living body and the soul are one in the same. This type of philosophy affects the body and the soul equally--a cause and effect which leads to a vital aspect not mentioned in the 70/20/10.

            Another way of looking at this is to break this down into three differently worded developmental processes:

(a)    Biological process which includes the physical development

(b)   Cognitive process which includes intellectual, memory, knowledge, problem solving, communication

(c)    Socio-emotional process which include the emotional communication, self understanding, morality and  behavior[18]

Of course the developmental begins in the pre-natal stages.

            The 70/20/10 model is basically the same as the three developmental processes which 90 percent is learned environmentally in and out of the home with the exclusion of basic formal education. These stages pass with the age of the individual. The most difficult times when incorrect decisions are made in the developmental process is the middle school years which is about 12 – 15 years in age. It is common knowledge among most parents, teachers, and community members that this is the most changes in a young person’s life. To put this simply the middle school ages are too old to be the child being over coddled by their parents like sitting on Mom and Dad’s lap; and, they are too young for total independence. Their bodies are also changing drastically.

            Sixth graders are still younger children with some innocence left to the mysteries of life. Their attention span becomes shorter. By the time they reach seventh grade, they have awoken in a world of sexual discovery. “…have typically entered what may be the most disorienting time of life. They have discovered sexuality but still deal with most things like children. Bickering and tattling are rampant, and they are intolerant of imperfection in anyone or anything.”[19] This is where the soul, the physical, and the psychological developmental process can be very susceptible to the evils of the physical life.

            An example of this is that 44% of children harmed in a sexual nature are under the age of 18 years old: of that 44%, 15% are under the age of 12 and 29% are 12-17. This is where the developmental ages cannot be ignored or overlooked.[20] A parent or caregiver has to be in tune with their children because a safe, genuine moralistic environment is one major key factor during the years of any child. Again, however, this is not a guarantee that an adult will reap any benefits of a good rearing. Once a child reaches maturity and break their mythological “apron strings,” their decisions are hopefully based on their 70/20/10 that is sound, logical and acceptable ideals that they can recall. Then again, keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed in the overall development process pertaining to a person’s internal spirituality. This is when we hope for the best and with that hope, we rely on the individual having a faith that God will lead them in spiritual wisdom.          The most important aspect in the development of the persona is what is called the wisdom of spirituality.  “Spirituality is the domain of human existence that pertains to the essence of every human being, the very core of our personhood and its relationship to something greater than ourselves.”[21] The wisdom of spirituality can be classified as “free will.” There are two decisions (1) “either” (2) “or”; however, we can let God lead us or not in all decisions. This is where common sense must be applied more so starting with our youth.

            God can “either” lead us in our decisions “or” we can go forth and just decide on our own what we want to do in life or what me might consider our purpose. Middle school children can be lost in a confused society if their spiritual wisdom is not in check especially during these difficult years. From years of observation, I have met very few parents who are actually concerned about their children’s morality, soul, or spirituality. It is a topic that is taken fore-granted in the assumption that taking a child to church or raising them in an orthodox or indoctrinated religious setting that their developmental part of their spiritual wisdom will take hold. Five people from the between 19 and 31 were asked if their parents discussed with the wellbeing of their soul. All answered unanimously that parents did communicate or show concern about the spirituality of their children. All five children were raised in a church setting.

            In view of this information, how does the body develop spiritual wisdom? “But the fact is, almost one in six Americans today is unaffiliated with any particular religion. Indeed, young adults under age of 30—today’s and tomorrow’s parents, essentially—are the most likely to be living religion free lives.”[22] From personal observation, many people would like to relate religion and spirituality as being very similar but as personal belief they are not. Religion is a doctrine of how to worship in a church as a particular church community. Spirituality pertains to the soul, our essence, our morality; however, the definition of the two as separate leads to another discussion in which will not be pursued in this paper. Teaching the spiritual wisdom is left up strictly to the family and partially to a doctrine in specific church body. Of course both methods in many cases, of opinion through personal observation, fall short. However, one could question if this really makes a difference overall?  Regardless of the outcome, for a well rounded developmental purpose of any individual it is best to expose a person during their youth to some sort of religious or spiritual doctrine—preferably to God and Jesus Christ.

            To conclude, by recapping the points covered, the purpose of this paper was to prove three aspects. The first was where we came from. In the beginning of creation were formed by God. When man began their dominion over all things earthly, it was a physical biological process between the joining of male and female gametes from each parent. Secondly, since there is no definitive answer as to ensoulment from God, we can strongly assume it is within the first actual movement of child. We used an average of 19 weeks after conception because there is a strong possibility that a fetus/child can survive outside of the womb considering the earliest survival has been 21 weeks and 6 days. And last, the development process begins the minute both parental gametes come together and are implanted in the female womb because humans are not a-sexual. From the minute the gametes are joined, the embryo becomes a fetus which becomes a baby according to science. Learning begins in-utero and continues at all times in a conscious state. The hardest developmental period is during the middle school years between 12 – 15 years of age. We learned that spiritual development is not necessarily involved in the equation of our persona however it assist and can improve the quality of the persona spiritually by the introduction of spiritual wisdom. The developmental process that helps make of our persona is physically as well as mental and only obtained through what we know as time through personal experience only—i.e., social experience, employment, education, and environmental exposure. 

If you are a new parent, we often do not think about life after death or the soul of our children. Don't you think it is time to start thinking about it?  

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[1] Editor. The Quest Study Bible-New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994. Genesis 1-2, pgs 2-5.

[2] Storck, Susan etal. “Fetal Development.” U S National Library of Medicine: Nation Institutes of Health. September 30, 2013. (accessed 7.19.2014) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm

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[9] Joseph, Anthony. Unborn Life in the Western Tradition and American History -Document Collection MLA 6310. Houston: Houston Baptist University , 2013, pg 54. Jerome, Apology Against Rufinus

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[11] Joseph, Anthony. Unborn Life in the Western Tradition and American History -Document Collection MLA 6310. Houston: Houston Baptist University , 2013, pg 23. Aristotle, On the Soul.

[12] Joseph, Anthony. Unborn Life in the Western Tradition and American History -Document Collection MLA 6310. Houston: Houston Baptist University , 2013, pg 33. Phil0, The Special Laws

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