Written 4/3/11
Jake and Steph were so wonderful in taking us to see some
major attractions in Harbin, that would give us a better taste of the Chinese
culture, and the spiritual position of the majority of the Chinese.
major attractions in Harbin, that would give us a better taste of the Chinese
culture, and the spiritual position of the majority of the Chinese.
One of the places they took us to was the Buddhist Temple in
Harbin. We had to pay to enter into the complex because we are not Buddhist.
Harbin. We had to pay to enter into the complex because we are not Buddhist.
I was blown away by many things inside the temple, one of
them being the gorgeous architecture and construction of the temple buildings.
The detail is bright, and intricate. Very striking and powerful. It was
absolutely stunning.
them being the gorgeous architecture and construction of the temple buildings.
The detail is bright, and intricate. Very striking and powerful. It was
absolutely stunning.
What blew me away too was seeing the worship to the Buddha
idols, and the burning of incense to the gods. I have always heard about these
things, but I have never seen it first hand. I read often in the Bible about
God telling the Israelites that they have turned from Him, and have been
worshipping idols, and statues that cannot hear, see, or save them.
idols, and the burning of incense to the gods. I have always heard about these
things, but I have never seen it first hand. I read often in the Bible about
God telling the Israelites that they have turned from Him, and have been
worshipping idols, and statues that cannot hear, see, or save them.
Those ancient scriptures came so alive to me as I walked
through the temple buildings.
through the temple buildings.
One building in particular is dedicated to the Buddhist view
of hell. There are paintings all over the walls depicting different forms of torture. I have to say, it’s not very far fetched from the Christian view.
of hell. There are paintings all over the walls depicting different forms of torture. I have to say, it’s not very far fetched from the Christian view.
Look at this image carefully. Slavery, torture, anguish,
gnashing of teeth, eternal separation from peace and joy.
gnashing of teeth, eternal separation from peace and joy.
So many thoughts were running through my head as I walked
form Buddha statue to Buddha statue. “What are they praying about?� “What has
Buddha done for them?� “What is truly the difference between Buddha and Jesus?�
“Is it all really the same god?�
form Buddha statue to Buddha statue. “What are they praying about?� “What has
Buddha done for them?� “What is truly the difference between Buddha and Jesus?�
“Is it all really the same god?�
I have friends whom I love DEARLY from many different
religions, and I know that religion is a touchy topic. But there has to be one
Truth. Because if everyone’s truth is truth, then there is nothing that truly
is true (chew on that).
religions, and I know that religion is a touchy topic. But there has to be one
Truth. Because if everyone’s truth is truth, then there is nothing that truly
is true (chew on that).
In learning about Buddhism , and what Buddha taught, and
what Mohammad taught, and about what so many other spiritual leaders teach,
there seems to be two things that stand out about Jesus than any other person.
what Mohammad taught, and about what so many other spiritual leaders teach,
there seems to be two things that stand out about Jesus than any other person.
First is the controversial statement that Jesus makes when
He says that He is “the way, the truth, and the life.� That no one can go to the Father except
through Him.
He says that He is “the way, the truth, and the life.� That no one can go to the Father except
through Him.
The second is this.:
The God of Christianity stooped down to man’s level to bring
us up to Him, without us having to do any performing, only believing.
us up to Him, without us having to do any performing, only believing.
And the gods of every other religion require man to perform
in order to reach a level good enough where they can be with god.
in order to reach a level good enough where they can be with god.
This is something to consider, and ponder, and question, and
dwell on. It’s an important part
of our life… and we only have one of them.
dwell on. It’s an important part
of our life… and we only have one of them.
As I travel the world I see different cultures, different
religions, and different colors. But the one thing that remains consistent is
the NeeD.
religions, and different colors. But the one thing that remains consistent is
the NeeD.
The NEED that everyone has for someone to help them, to love
them, to protect them, to care for them… For a hero to save them.
them, to protect them, to care for them… For a hero to save them.
We all have that need.
There is a Hero who came. His name is Jesus
“This is how we know
what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to
lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” – 1 John 3:16
what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to
lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” – 1 John 3:16
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” – 1 John 4:9-10
Agenda: Love,
Bethsaida
