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Eight Problems with Catholicism and the Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church is essentially all that remains of the great Roman Empire.  One of many empires that ruled the known world at one point in history.  Many good things have come out of the church I am sure (ie. preservation of the Word of God through hand copying in monasteries).  However, as I study the Word of God, the beliefs of Catholicism, and watch the trouble in the catholic church, it is very clear to me that there is something wrong.
If you are reading this and you are a Catholic, I hope that you are following Jesus first and foremost and not any other leader before the King of Kings of the Lord of Lords.  There is no intension to be offensive so we pray you read this with an open mind and consider for yourself the practices and beliefs and compare with the Word of God.  For any Christian or sincere follower of Jesus (and the Way), it is the priority is to follow after Jesus first, not any man.
Yesterday after 6 hours of study, research, and some review, I have found eight areas that need to be seriously addressed with regards to the Roman Church. These areas are-
1. Father– Believers are only to call the Father Father.  We are not to call unrelated people such as pastors or priests “father”.  Unfortunately, the pope is called Holy Father.  This is an area of concern as so much honor is given to the minister.  I just can’t understand why the old guys would be kissing other old guys hands.  There are no cultures like that that I am aware of.
2. Prayer to (or through) Dead People– The constant hailing of Mary and prayers directed to her and past saints are concerning.  The Word tells us to only pray to the Father in Jesus Name.  Why would a believer ever kneel and pray to the statue of some dead person and pray to them.  Isn’t that what ‘the heathen’ do?  They are no longer around and cannot hear our prayers.
3. Infant Baptism– The Word says we are to believe and be baptized, not be baptized and believe.  The Roman church has baptized millions of people as infants which is meaningless according to the Word.  It causes confusion as people who don’t know Jesus think they do just because they were baptized.  This is very concerning as many people are literally deceived by this confusion and forever separated from the Father at physical death.
4. Celibacy Of Priests–  It is completely unnatural for men not to marry.  All men and women have a sex drive (especially men) and the Word tells us not to forbid to marry.  Ministers should marry and have a great relationship with their wife and children.  The Epistles say that leaders of the church must be leaders of their own household first before leading a church family.  Could this be part of the reason why we have all this sexual sin recently coming to light in the news?  I am convinced it is.
5. Penance– From what we have researched from the Catholic church beliefs, belief is that you attain salvation by going to a weekly mass service, confessing sin to a priest, and the ‘holy Eucharist” (or communion) on top of just turning to Jesus.  The Word is clear that salvation comes through Jesus immediately when you confess, repent and live the Way of Him to become pure before Him.  Following Jesus is a daily lifestyle.
6. Purgatory– A belief that when you die, depending on your works, you may have to go to temporary ‘holding pen’ to work yourself the rest of the way to heaven.  We wonder then why did Jesus resurrect from the dead for us, if we have to work our way to heaven? Further complicating things for the discussion, there is no mention of purgatory in the Word.  It needs to be documented 2-3 times at least.
There is mention of Abraham’s Bosom which was a holding places for those who called on the Name of Yahweh before Jesus made them righteous before the Father.  You can read about it in Luke 16:19-31.  It is now very unrelated as we have Jesus who has made us holy before the Father and He emptied Abraham’s Bosom when He went to hell on our behalf.
7. The Rosary– There is absolutely nothing wrong with praying prayers based on the Word of God or even reading prepared prayers based on the scripture.  However, having a priest subscribe you to 10 “Hail Marys” to chant with prayer beads is no different than the Buddhists around the world chanting to try to become more spiritual.  The rosary is just like the Buddhist beads we see in Asia and draws away from fellowshipping with the Father.  It is not chanting the prayers, it is believing in the Father you are praying to that matters.
8. Transubstantiation– According to Roman church beliefs, the bread and the wine (literally they use wine which is not recommended) used for communion after a ‘blessing’ from the priest, literally becomes the flesh of Jesus’ body and the wine becomes His blood.  Where does this belief come from? I can’t find anything in the Word of God to justify or even explain this.
When you look at these areas you see all eight distract from what the Word of God teaches.  As a follower of Jesus, I know no church or pastor is perfect.  However when we are in error we need to fix things otherwise we will go farther and farther away from Him. I have seen it in my life and the lives of others.
The conclusion is the fundamental of the Roman church is that the belief is the leadership is built on Peter the apostle.  The problem is this belief is based on one scripture and what most see as a interpretation.  Historically, we have no proof that Peter was ever even in Rome.  It takes a bit of imagination but the Roman Catholic church considers itself the one true church as it somehow traces its line of pontiffs back to Peter quoting Matthew 16:18
<em>18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.</em>
For some reason, it is assumed that what is being said here is that the Messiah is going to build His church on one man.  Why would God build His church on one man when one man already failed before.  Remember Adam? He messed up God’s plan for all mankind. The Epistles tell us that the church is built on the apostles and prophets not one apostle.  IF you read this in context, the Rock that the church is built on is not a man, but the rock or foundation is the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.  Isn’t that why we have the Church of Jesus Christ not the church of Peter?  Let’s read it in context.
Matthew 16
<em>13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed[d] in heaven.”
20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.</em>
We must make this issues clear as people are lost.  We see many calling themselves Catholics that do not practice, as they say. Everyone needs to know Jesus and repent and turn to Him.  No church is better than any other.  However, a good church is a church that follows directions that God has given us for thousands of years.  What is it all about?  It is all about loving and serving Him.
Deuteronomy 6:5
<em>5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.</em>
Whatever church you attend, if it is not encouraging you to seek Him with your all and all, then it is time to change churches.  If the presence and power of God is there, then help that pastoral team bring more people to Jesus. He is coming back soon and we must not hide the truth.
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Eight Concerns with Catholicism and the Roman Catholic Church


The Roman Catholic Church is essentially all that remains of the great Roman Empire. One of many empires that ruled the known world at one point in history. Many good things have come out of the church I am sure (ie. preservation of the Word of God through hand copying in monasteries). However, as I study the Word of God, the beliefs of Catholicism, and watch the trouble in the catholic church, it is very clear to me that there is something wrong.

If you are reading this and you are a Catholic, I hope that you are following Jesus first and foremost and not any other leader before the King of Kings of the Lord of Lords. There is no intension to be offensive so we pray you read this with an open mind and consider for yourself the practices and beliefs and compare with the Word of God. For any Christian or sincere follower of Jesus (and the Way), it is the priority is to follow after Jesus first, not any man.

Yesterday after 6 hours of study, research, and some review, I have found eight areas that need to be seriously addressed with regards to the Roman Church. These areas are-
1. Father– Believers are only to call the Father Father. We are not to call unrelated people such as pastors or priests “father”. Unfortunately, the pope is called Holy Father. This is an area of concern as so much honor is given to the minister. I just can’t understand why the old guys would be kissing other old guys hands. There are no cultures like that that I am aware of.

2. Prayer to Dead People– The constant hailing of Mary and prayers directed to her and past saints are concerning. The Word tells us to only pray to the Father in Jesus Name. Why would a believer ever kneel and pray to the statue of some dead person and pray to them. Isn’t that what ‘the heathen’ do? They are no longer around and cannot hear our prayers.

3. Infant Baptism– The Word says we are to believe and be baptized, not be baptized and believe. The Roman church has baptized millions of people as infants which is meaningless according to the Word. It causes confusion as people who don’t know Jesus think they do just because they were baptized. This is very concerning as many people are literally deceived by this confusion and forever separated from the Father at physical death.

4. Celibacy Of Priests– It is completely unnatural for men not to marry. All men and women have a sex drive (especially men) and the Word tells us not to forbid to marry. Ministers should marry and have a great relationship with their wife and children. The Epistles say that leaders of the church must be leaders of their own household first before leading a church family. Could this be part of the reason why we have all this sexual sin recently coming to light in the news? I am convinced it is.

5. Penance– From what we have researched from the Catholic church beliefs, belief is that you attain salvation by going to a weekly mass service, confessing sin to a priest, and the ‘holy Eucharist” (or communion) on top of just turning to Jesus. The Word is clear that salvation comes through Jesus immediately when you confess, repent and live the Way of Him to become pure before Him. Following Jesus is a daily lifestyle.

6. Purgatory– A belief that when you die, depending on your works, you may have to go to temporary ‘holding pen’ to work yourself the rest of the way to heaven. We wonder then why did Jesus resurrect from the dead for us, if we have to work our way to heaven? Further complicating things for the discussion, there is no mention of purgatory in the Word. It needs to be documented 2-3 times at least.
There is mention of Abraham’s Bosom which was a holding places for those who called on the Name of Yahweh before Jesus made them righteous before the Father. You can read about it in Luke 16:19-31. It is now very unrelated as we have Jesus who has made us holy before the Father and He emptied Abraham’s Bosom when He went to hell on our behalf.

7. The Rosary– There is absolutely nothing wrong with praying prayers based on the Word of God or even reading prepared prayers based on the scripture. However, having a priest subscribe you to 10 “Hail Marys” to chant with prayer beads is no different than the Buddhists around the world chanting to try to become more spiritual. The rosary is just like the Buddhist beads we see in Asia and draws away from fellowshipping with the Father. It is not chanting the prayers, it is believing in the Father you are praying to that matters.

8. Transubstantiation– According to Roman church beliefs, the bread and the wine (literally they use wine which is not recommended) used for communion after a ‘blessing’ from the priest, literally becomes the flesh of Jesus’ body and the wine becomes His blood. Where does this belief come from? I can’t find anything in the Word of God to justify or even explain this.

When you look at these areas you see all eight distract from what the Word of God teaches. As a follower of Jesus, I know no church or pastor is perfect. However when we are in error we need to fix things otherwise we will go farther and farther away from Him. I have seen it in my life and the lives of others.

The conclusion is the fundamental of the Roman church is that the belief is the leadership is built on Peter the apostle. The problem is this belief is based on one scripture and what most see as a interpretation. Historically, we have no proof that Peter was ever even in Rome. It takes a bit of imagination but the Roman Catholic church considers itself the one true church as it somehow traces its line of pontiffs back to Peter quoting Matthew 16:18
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

For some reason, it is assumed that what is being said here is that the Messiah is going to build His church on one man. Why would God build His church on one man when one man already failed before. Remember Adam? He messed up God’s plan for all mankind. The Epistles tell us that the church is built on the apostles and prophets not one apostle. IF you read this in context, the Rock that the church is built on is not a man, but the rock or foundation is the fact that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Isn’t that why we have the Church of Jesus Christ not the church of Peter? Let’s read it in context.

Matthew 16
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed[d] in heaven.”
20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

We must make this issues clear as people are lost. We see many calling themselves Catholics that do not practice, as they say. Everyone needs to know Jesus and repent and turn to Him. No church is better than any other. However, a good church is a church that follows directions that God has given us for thousands of years. What is it all about? It is all about loving and serving Him.

Deuteronomy 6:5
5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Whatever church you attend, if it is not encouraging you to seek Him with your all and all, then it is time to change churches. If the presence and power of God is there, then help that pastoral team bring more people to Jesus. He is coming back soon and we must not hide the truth.

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The God Of People

Interesting how Yahweh is the Almighty God. He is the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. He is not limited to the god of the sea, sky, stars, moon, some animal or any other created thing.
He is the God of people. He is personable.

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Five Reasons For Learning To Cook

Great points from CBN on why we should learn to cook. Source article here.

Cooking is Easy. You’re reading this right now, which means you’ve passed the first step of my one piece of culinary advice: if you can read, you can cook; just follow the directions. Preparing a meal from scratch needn’t be complicated or laborious. Leave that to the professional chefs at the fancy restaurants. Cooking can be simple with just a handful of ingredients and a little bit of time. Skill and talent are really unnecessary if you can read a recipe. Also, you don’t need volumes and volumes of cookbooks. You don’t even need one. The Internet is full of recipes, from the easy to the complicated. No matter the mood you’re in – be it Italian, Mexican or the good ol’ American burger – you can find meals and how-to guides to get that dish from your imagination to your kitchen table.

Cooking is Healthy… almost by default. Between the super-sized portions and ability to add a sugary milkshake to any meal, you are setting yourself up for nutrition failure as soon as you hit the drive-thru window. Sure, the occasional dalliance is forgivable, but if you’re a regular, you are putting your health at risk. High cholesterol, high blood sugar, not to mention what it does to your waistline… it will catch up with you. Plus, processed, preservative-heavy foods you get at the grocery store can be just as bad. Have you checked out the sodium content in some of those canned soups and frozen dinners? That’s a lot of salt you and your family are taking in, which is not good for the heart. Trade those ultra-fattening meals for a home-cooked dinner with fresh foods and here’s what you have: total control. When you cook your food, you know what’s in it. You understand each ingredient in its natural state. You control how much salt you use or whether you substitute sugar for honey. You can go all organic or vegan or whatever you’d like to do. Cooking makes you the boss of what your family consumes, and you’re able to make the right choices for a healthier diet.

Cooking is Cheaper (in the long run). Six dollars here, seven dollars there everyday or even four to five times a week can add up. Let’s say you spend $50 a week on one-shot-and-it’s-gone fast food meals and frozen entrees. Another person who prepares their meals at home and is reasonably consumer-savvy can get a combination of groceries for that same price, including vegetables, dairy, meat and pasta, that would feed you for weeks. Not to mention that eventually a well stocked kitchen only needs maintenance shopping, like restocking milk or eggs, causing fewer trips to the grocery store. The point is that those fast food meals are gone sometimes within minutes of purchase. You buy groceries, and they last much longer and have far more uses. More bang for your buck.

Cooking Feels Good. Much like a runner’s high, there is an elation after cooking your own food. When you take a few mushrooms, olive oil, salt, pepper and pasta and make a simple, delicious dish, you have a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment. It can be thrilling. I love seeing my friends nod their heads and give me a thumbs up while their mouths are full of food that I just made. That moment when I finally sit down after an hour in the heat over a stove is a rush of satisfying relief. When you cook, you can go to bed knowing that you gave yourself and your family the best of ingredients and the best of your time and efforts… and that’s a good feeling.

Cooking Dinner Is Just the Beginning. Another great thing about cooking is that it is a hands-on sport. You can watch all the shows and read all the books, but you learn how to cook by cooking. Every time you step into the kitchen, whether it turns out to be a masterpiece or a disaster, you learn something. You get better every time and may discover that it’s easier than you thought. Maybe you’ll like it and venture out to make lunch and long, leisurely breakfasts on the weekends.

Cooking at home changes the way you eat, the way you shop, and your entire relationship with food. You start to take an active role in what you put inside your body. Before you know it, this occasional foray can heat up into a hobby. If you let it simmer long enough, it just might become a passion. And if you find yourself with new skills in the kitchen and a new love for cooking, well, that’s just gravy.

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The Pope And Catholicism

As I ran on the cross trainer at the gym I saw the live feed of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church arriving at the airport on the Italian carrier Alitalia into Scotland in the United Kingdom.  The leader is called the pope and is currently 83 years old.  It was interesting to see the Scottish honor guard (which needed to practice a bit more on moving together) and all the old guys in flowing robes going to meet the Pope Benedict XVI AKA German Mr. Joseph Alois Ratzinger.  They got off the jet, did their hand kissing, walked through the honor guard, went into a tent on the tarmac, then boarded a fleet of Land Rovers, while the Pope was directed into a new looking Jaguar.  They were surrounded by a fleet of police motorcycles and driven into town.
It is very interesting that this church leader has a political status as well.  I am amazed at the time and effort they put into their clothing.

As I ran on the cross trainer at the gym I saw the live feed of the leader of the Roman Catholic Church arriving at the airport on the Italian carrier Alitalia into Scotland in the United Kingdom.  The leader is called the pope and is currently 83 years old.  It was interesting to see the Scottish honor guard (which needed to practice a bit more on moving together) and all the old guys in flowing robes going to meet the Pope Benedict XVI AKA German Mr. Joseph Alois Ratzinger.  They got off the jet, did their hand kissing, walked through the honor guard, went into a tent on the tarmac, then boarded a fleet of Land Rovers, while the Pope was directed into a new looking Jaguar.  They were surrounded by a fleet of police motorcycles and driven into town.

It is very interesting that this church leader has a political status as well.  I am amazed at the time and effort they put into their clothing.

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Welcome To Osaka

Quick trip to Osaka.  A bit different from the Tokyo feel.  The people seem to be a bit more expressive.

A bit hotter than Kanto, but the architecture, streets, and layout of the city and the public transportation looks the same.

No bright green or yellow taxis in Osaka.  They all seem to be black.

Tokyo probably rocks for great food.

But wait!  I arrive at the hotel.

Many nice things waiting in the room to welcome you in Osaka!

Wish I had some family members here to enjoy the food with.

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Stomach In Your Throat

Ever had you stomach jump up to your mouth?  May sound strange, but I think that happens when you have a near tragic experience.

This morning my wife drove myself and two of my children to the station.  I was sitting in the front seat and could see everything that was happening.

The upcoming light had turned red for 2 full seconds and she continued barreling down the street ready to run the light at that busy intersection.  I could see she was going to run it.  Scary,  as I have seen a car pulverize a man on a scooter at that same intersection.  Not a good place to break the law.

I shouted, “Stop!” and thankfully she did. If she wouldn’t have, would for of us be in heaven today?  I don’t know but as I write this my stomach is still in my throat.