I am foster care for a Jack Russell. Spot’s kennel is outside on the covered patio. It is a wire cage he likes to sleep in, as it communicates safety to him.
Last night we had a incredibly violent thunderstorm… He ran inside his cage, but looked a bit frazzled because it didn’t provide much comfort…. I covered his cage and he was ok with that….
The picture in my mind of Spot standing inside his cage, shivering with fear as the wind was blowing, lightening striking and thunder doing its thing is worthy of note. It makes me wonder what cage do I voluntarily run to when the storms of life engage me? Why is it there an illusion of safety when we give up our freedom?
Surrendering our freedom takes on many forms. Nationally, our freedom continues to be eroded and is traded for supposed safety and security. In religion, we also surrender our freedom by placing people in authority over us and between us and God.
When God allowed His Son to die on the cross for you and I, a free and open channel of communication was created. We no longer need to have a “go between” when giving a shout-out to God. Christ hears us and interprets our thoughts. He passes them on to God the Father with a smile.
As for the cage, it is my hope to abide in Christ and He in me. I have no desire to live life in a cage so readily prepared by others.
God Spots 
Hi Archie;
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
The difference between Christianity and Islam is emphasized in your post above and two passages I refer to.
John said “I am the way”. Jesus in Matthew claims otherwise.
Contrary to popular belief Jesus was only sent to Israel
(Matthew 15:24): “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Note, I use only references of the bible so people cannot accuse me of trying to put in words of my own.
I write this for one simple reason. There is a major contradiction in your post, whether you see it or not.
” In religion, we also surrender our freedom by placing people in authority over us and between us and God.
When God allowed His Son to die on the cross for you and I, a free and open channel of communication was created. We no longer need to have a “go between” when giving a shout-out to God” A direct communication to God, just like Jesus said as reported by Matthew. That makes sense.
Then the Caveat: “Christ hears us and interprets our thoughts. He passes them on to God the Father with a smile.”
Jesus is not “passing on the message”. God hears it directly.
That is the biggest failing of “Trinity” Christians. They do not see or hear the truth of what is obvious in my mind.
This is not to criticize, it is to point out something that I have wrestled with for many years and which finally led me away from the doctrine of John, the contradictions.
Hi Archie
Last but not least, I do not know or understand God. It is impossible.
How can I? I am not God, I am limited by my mortality and intelligence. All I know is what I live in, how I feel and think.
Life itself is unbelievable and wondrous. Whatever caused this, if there is a cause, cannot be relegated to a box in our minds called God.
This is where all religion falls far short of the mark.
This is why religion disappoints so many.
This is why peace can only be found beyond that which man describes it.
Ichabod. Your comments are well thought out and I wish I had better recall as to chapter and verse for everything I say. Sometimes I will have wrestled with a thought years back, drawn a conclusion based on chapter and verse and now have forgotten. It is that way with the thought of Jesus as the interpreter. I will have to go back and look, but I hope someone reading this blog will already know the Biblical reference.
But I also believe as you that God can hear us directly. I think you are right on. I will put no limits on what God can or can not do. Although some will….
I am also right on board with you that religion falls short.
Gosh! It was great to hear from you. I trust you are enjoying the spring weather and your corn is sky high. 🙂