People of THE CHURCH are attentive to God’s Direction, His Will and His Word, many, many times falling short in their efforts.  Organized religion is often about looking for stuff from God, asking Him to Change His Will and adjusting His Word to fit its needs.  The sad Truth is organized religion is the image of THE CHURCH in America.

It may not have been made clear in other blog posts on this Web site, but the root cause of white supremacy and racism is organized religion.  Until organized religion in America publicly confesses and repents the following perversions of Christ’s teachings:  Matthew 28:19-20.  Don’t Bother!

Papal Bull Dum Diverersas - 18 June 1452

Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Dum Diversas on 18 June, 1452. It authorized Alfonso V of Portugal to reduce any “Saracens (Muslims) and pagans and any other unbelievers” to perpetual slavery. This facilitated the Portuguese slave trade from West Africa.

The Bull Romanus Pontiflex (Nicholas V) - 5 January 1455

The same pope wrote the bull Romanus Pontifex on January 5, 1455 to the same Alfonso. As a follow-up to the Dum Diversas, it extended to the Catholic nations of Europe dominion over discovered lands during the Age of Discovery.

The Bull Inter Caetera (Alexander VI) - 4 May 1493

In 1493 Alexander VI issued the bull Inter Caetera stating one Christian nation did not have the right to establish dominion over lands previously dominated by another Christian nation, thus establishing the Law of Nations.

Together, the Dum Diversas, the Romanus Pontifex and the Inter Caetera came to serve as the basis and justification for the Doctrine of Discovery, the global slave trade of the 15th and 16th centuries, and the Age of Imperialism.

information taken from www.doctrineofdiscovery.org.

People of THE CHURCH are attentive to God’s Direction, His Will and His Word, many, many times falling short in their efforts.  Organized religion is often about looking for stuff from God, asking Him to Change His Will and adjusting His Word to fit its needs.  The sad Truth is organized religion is the image of THE CHURCH in America.

It may not have been made clear in other blog posts on this Web site, but the root cause of white supremacy and racism is organized religion.  Until organized religion in America publicly confesses and repents the following perversions of Christ’s teachings:  Prayers for Justice.  Don’t Bother!

Papal Bull Dum Diverersas - 18 June 1452

Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Dum Diversas on 18 June, 1452. It authorized Alfonso V of Portugal to reduce any “Saracens (Muslims) and pagans and any other unbelievers” to perpetual slavery. This facilitated the Portuguese slave trade from West Africa.

The Bull Romanus Pontiflex (Nicholas V) - 5 January 1455

The same pope wrote the bull Romanus Pontifex on January 5, 1455 to the same Alfonso. As a follow-up to the Dum Diversas, it extended to the Catholic nations of Europe dominion over discovered lands during the Age of Discovery.

The Bull Inter Caetera (Alexander VI) - 4 May 1493

In 1493 Alexander VI issued the bull Inter Caetera stating one Christian nation did not have the right to establish dominion over lands previously dominated by another Christian nation, thus establishing the Law of Nations.

Together, the Dum Diversas, the Romanus Pontifex and the Inter Caetera came to serve as the basis and justification for the Doctrine of Discovery, the global slave trade of the 15th and 16th centuries, and the Age of Imperialism.

information taken from www.doctrineofdiscovery.org.

“Prayer begins where human capacity ends.”— Marian Anderson

Oh Lord!  If only the American people would realize they have reached their end.

I am an unpaid, non-pastoral layperson… and a sinner.  So why do I post on Phil’s blogs?

While I make no claim to prophecy, one of my life Bible verses is Ezekiel 2:1-3:11.  But having been an accountant for my entire career, I have a difficult time proceeding until I’ve been held Accountable.

This may be best understood by listening to the first part only of an original song.  Then reading the re-imagined words.

Listen only from 0:00 to 1:05 then read the words below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOgTVJOdFVU

I'm not Jesus
My name is Ricky
I don’t know the Mind of God
I get ideas
That might not be His
So I ask some Christian friends

I'm not Jesus

I am an unpaid, non-pastoral layperson… and a sinner.  So why do I post on Phil’s blogs?

While I make no claim to prophecy, one of my life Bible verses is Ezekiel 2:1-3:11.  But having been an accountant for my entire career, I have a difficult time proceeding until I’ve been held Accountable.

This may be best understood by listening to the first part only of an original song.  Then reading the re-imagined words.

Listen only from 0:00 to 1:05 then read the words below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOgTVJOdFVU

I'm not Jesus
My name is Ricky
I don’t know the Mind of God
I get ideas
That might not be His
So I ask some Christian friends

I'm not Jesus

I am an unpaid, non-pastoral layperson… and a sinner.  While I make no claim to prophecy, one of my life Bible verses is Ezekiel 2:1-3:11

I recently heard a sermon on waking up ourselves and the church (Rev. 3:1-6).  Coupling that with a sermon I heard the week before regarding tolerating Jezebel’s/Judas’ (a male version of the name) practices as acceptable within the Faith (Rev. 2:18-29), a prayer of confession and repentance is offered.  It may behoove “man’s” organized churches and their religions, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE CHURCH, to adopt this prayer.

Such confession and repentance may begin a healing in America by acknowledging the influence on “man’s” organized church religion, and the resulting effect on secular human society, of a Judas Pope (Dum Diversas, June 18, 1452, information below taken from www.doctrineofdiscovery.org).  Then, perhaps, in light of such awakening, confession and repentance, God may provide mankind with His Solution for the problem of white supremacy and its racism.

Organized Church of Men - Prayer of Confession and Repentance

In fourteen hundred fifty-two

Supremacy sailed the ocean blue.

From southwest Europe, they were white;

Pope Nicholas V. gave the right

To grab land with no title claim

And “save” pagans in Jesus’ name.

Then all “new” western lands belonged

To whites, who were all foreign born.

When Europeans were expelled

Americans the role then filled.

Native people, they could stay

Until they got into the way.

Then came the time to free the slaves,

Six-hundred-thousand in their graves,

And still that freedom’s not been found

Did we waste those long in the ground?

In world wars: the winning side,

Our hearts were filled with joy and pride.

We were now leader of the world

How proudly did our flag unfurl!

We now decry supremacy

Exceptionalism is our creed.

We think we do what God has Told

Perhaps we shouldn’t be so bold.

Were we taught as Jesus Hoped?

No, we were misled by a Pope!

We plea now for a troubled nation

Forgive our sin; Send Your Solvation.*

*Salvation is God’s Greatest Gift, but it is not of this earth.  Solving the problems humans have created is His Greatest Gift to those still on the earth.

(Information taken from www.doctrineofdiscovery.org)

Papal Bull Dum Diverersas - 18 June 1452

Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Dum Diversas on 18 June, 1452. It authorized Alfonso V of Portugal to reduce any “Saracens (Muslims) and pagans and any other unbelievers” to perpetual slavery. This facilitated the Portuguese slave trade from West Africa.

The Bull Romanus Pontiflex (Nicholas V) - 5 January 1455
The same pope wrote the bull Romanus Pontifex on January 5, 1455 to the same Alfonso. As a follow-up to the Dum Diversas, it extended to the Catholic nations of Europe dominion over discovered lands during the Age of Discovery.

The Bull Inter Caetera (Alexander VI) - 4 May 1493
In 1493 Alexander VI issued the bull Inter Caetera stating one Christian nation did not have the right to establish dominion over lands previously dominated by another Christian nation, thus establishing the Law of Nations.

Together, the Dum Diversas, the Romanus Pontifex and the Inter Caetera came to serve as the basis and justification for the Doctrine of Discovery, the global slave trade of the 15th and 16th centuries, and the Age of Imperialism.

I am an unpaid, non-pastoral layperson… and a sinner.  While I make no claim to prophecy, one of my life Bible verses is Ezekiel 2:1-3:11

I recently heard a sermon on waking up ourselves and the church (Rev. 3:1-6).  Coupling that with a sermon I heard the week before regarding tolerating Jezebel’s/Judas’ (a male version of the name) practices as acceptable within the Faith (Rev. 2:18-29), a prayer of confession and repentance is offered.  It may behoove “man’s” organized churches and their religions, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE CHURCH, to adopt this prayer.

Such confession and repentance may begin a healing in America by acknowledging the influence on “man’s” organized church religion, and the resulting effect on secular human society, of a Judas Pope (Dum Diversas, June 18, 1452, information below taken from www.doctrineofdiscovery.org).  Then, perhaps, in light of such awakening, confession and repentance, God may provide mankind with His Solution for the problem of white supremacy and its racism.

Organized Church of Men - Prayer of Confession and Repentance

In fourteen hundred fifty-two

Supremacy sailed the ocean blue.

From southwest Europe, they were white;

Pope Nicholas V. gave the right

To grab land with no title claim

And “save” pagans in Jesus’ name.

Then all “new” western lands belonged

To whites, who were all foreign born.

When Europeans were expelled

Americans the role then filled.

Native people, they could stay

Until they got into the way.

Then came the time to free the slaves,

Six-hundred-thousand in their graves,

And still that freedom’s not been found

Did we waste those long in the ground?

In world wars: the winning side,

Our hearts were filled with joy and pride.

We were now leader of the world

How proudly did our flag unfurl!

We now decry supremacy

Exceptionalism is our creed.

We think we do what God has Told

Perhaps we shouldn’t be so bold.

Were we taught as Jesus Hoped?

No, we were misled by a Pope!

We plea now for a troubled nation

Forgive our sin; Send Your Solvation.*

*Salvation is God’s Greatest Gift, but it is not of this earth.  Solving the problems humans have created is His Greatest Gift to those still on the earth.

(Information taken from www.doctrineofdiscovery.org)

Papal Bull Dum Diverersas - 18 June 1452

Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Dum Diversas on 18 June, 1452. It authorized Alfonso V of Portugal to reduce any “Saracens (Muslims) and pagans and any other unbelievers” to perpetual slavery. This facilitated the Portuguese slave trade from West Africa.

The Bull Romanus Pontiflex (Nicholas V) - 5 January 1455
The same pope wrote the bull Romanus Pontifex on January 5, 1455 to the same Alfonso. As a follow-up to the Dum Diversas, it extended to the Catholic nations of Europe dominion over discovered lands during the Age of Discovery.

The Bull Inter Caetera (Alexander VI) - 4 May 1493
In 1493 Alexander VI issued the bull Inter Caetera stating one Christian nation did not have the right to establish dominion over lands previously dominated by another Christian nation, thus establishing the Law of Nations.

Together, the Dum Diversas, the Romanus Pontifex and the Inter Caetera came to serve as the basis and justification for the Doctrine of Discovery, the global slave trade of the 15th and 16th centuries, and the Age of Imperialism.

One of the Civil Rights protest slogans is "No Justice No Peace."

That slogan has strong implications. When a peaceful Civil Rights protest is followed by rioting, it makes me wonder, “Has implication turned into action?”  The answer to that question affects my view of race in America.

There is no firm information as to who is responsible for these riots.  I still, in my heart, believe the riots are not caused by the Civil Rights Movement. But my gut is telling me be on guard in personal interracial encounters.

A person “on guard” will, by nature, display micro-aggression, at a minimum. I know this and I try to avoid that aura, but I’m not certain how well I hide my fear.

People of color are always “on guard.”  I understand. But I have to say, I, myself, sometimes feel micro-aggressed during personal interracial encounters.

I pray for those feelings to end for all.

Until a Divine solution on race is recognized by Americans, I have one suggestion.

This suggestion applies only to normal police activities.  In the current racially sensitive environment, have majority minority communities police patrolled only by minority police officers.  This would include ethnic officers, African-American and Latinx, assigned as appropriate, if necessary.  I know this is a racist idea, but in racist-America, at least such police assignments would provide better understanding between the police and the cultures they are serving.  None of the multitude of other racial problems are solved by this suggestion.  Just looking for a place to start.

From an unpaid, non-pastoral lay person:

Saw a sign that read, "The Church has left the Building," in front of a church in Palatine, Illinois on May 9th.

They had added more to their sign below this phrase, probably about on-line worship and stuff.

But I really didn’t see that part.

I HAD ALREADY RECEIVED GOD’S MESSAGE!!!!!!!!!

From an unpaid, non-pastoral lay person:

Saw a sign that read, "The Church has left the Building," in front of a church in Palatine, Illinois on May 9th.

They had added more to their sign below this phrase, probably about on-line worship and stuff.

But I really didn’t see that part.

I HAD ALREADY RECEIVED GOD’S MESSAGE!!!!!!!!!

We’re in a pandemic!  What is God waiting for?

 So many in the world have said, "no," to Him--and He Respects that.  God isn't causing Covid-19.  But He's not Intervening.  He is Waiting on the sidelines--to be invited back in: to be called by His Creations.

 We Creatures of His have free will: the right to say "yes" or "no" to God. And we humans have been sending Him a lot of negativity in recent decades.  So, how's that working out for us?

Many think being on one’s knees is the way to pray.  But knee pain can set in quickly.

Some set a clock for a certain time of daily prayer.  When time is up, prayer concludes.

A walk with God is best because the distance of the walk lengthens the conversation.  A person gets more time to ask questions.  He Gets more time to Give and Repeat Answers.  God also provides receptacles along the path you walk with Him where you can discard those "prayers(?)" that are not in accordance with His Will.

Spoken of frequently in Christianity is a personal relationship with Christ.  One either has that or does not.  God seeks all of the world (John 12:47).

God has Given us free will.  Free will is nothing more and nothing less than having the right to say, “no,” to God.  All human sin is committed after one says, “no,” to God.  But Grace allows that same sinner to say, “yes,” to God at other decision points in their life.  Clearly, whether God Exists has a “yes” or “no” answer.

Perhaps what needs to be Re-imagined is the practice of religion.  What has been done by religious people has not always been good for the world.  Saying “yes,” to religiosity is too often saying “no,” to God.

Christians should understand that, while we are always On Call, we are not On Duty 24/7/365.

God Knows we're in for the long run.  But He also Knows that humans cannot run as fast or as long as He Can.  He told us to take a rest (e.g. Exodus 20:8)

So, at those times when you may think you are not doing the Lord's Work, consider that it may just be a "sabbathitcal."

There is a TV insurance commercial that says, "Only pay for what you need."

The problem with that is that for what I only need, there is no way I could pay.

“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”— Proverbs 18:2.

Too bad the USA has this separation of church and state when it comes to political discussions.  This separation, as pertains to Proverbs 18:2, has turned us into fools.

Since we now only express our opinions and eschew understanding of others, we have fertilized the extreme right and the extreme left.  The goal of the extreme right has always been to eviscerate the left.   The goal of the extreme left has always been to eviscerate the right.  As this manured “sword play” continues, each side has only one way to grow:  toward the middle.

This encroachment on the middle continues to convert people to “Proverbs 18:2 fools.”  So, can America heal?  Yes.  There is a saying that states, “If you’re in a deep hole and want to get out, you first have to stop digging.  So, if America is ever to heal, “Proverbs 18:2 fools” on both sides must stop cutting each other.  Those of the un-encroached middle will have to stop shoveling [CENSORED] on the far right and the far left.  Unenriched far right and far left plantings will shrink if not nourished.  The middle could again become a bountiful American plain.

Do I trust that mankind can do this?  No.  I no longer trust mankind, present company included.  The only one I trust for this task is God.  I know He will help.  The question is, as an entire nation, are we willing to ask Him to do so. 

It was only in 1998, when I started studying the Bible, that I realized God had found me in 1968.

A fellow college student told me there was room for only 144,000 people in Heaven. He then asked if I had accepted Christ as my savior.

At age 20, without ever having studied the Bible, I replied with a question. “So, with all the lives that have been lived, over the past thousands of years, do you think that there is still room for you?”

The student hung his head and walked away. I did the 1968 version of what today is called a “fist pump.”

In 1998, John 14:2 was revealed to me. And my eyes bugged open! Thirty years ago, I had been an instrument of discipleship.

In 1976, I joined a local church. Very shortly thereafter, the position of treasurer became my task. In serving in that position, many improvements became evident to clearly communicate to the members the finances of the church.

In implementing these improvements as a neophyte Christian, I naïvely stepped into the bad graces of one particular church group. Despite this, the changes were implemented after asking an “out of the blue” question that "came to my mind" that cause this group to acquiesce.

Upon further Bible study, He Showed me John 15:16 and Romans 8:31.

Throughout this local church experience, I have heard many prayer requests for specific outcomes. Thanksgiving is offered when the outcome matched the prayer. Many times, additional suffering occurred when prayers and outcomes did not match: doubt; fear; anger.

Through faith, it is clear that God is the Only Sovereign Being in all of Creation.

I stopped praying to change God’s Mind.

God bless America.  That is the poorest excuse for a prayer I’ve ever heard.

Americans bark out that demand hundreds of times every minute of every day.  That phrase has no humility.  That phrase has no confession of need.  That phrase offers no supplication.

Issuing this command to God is blasphemous.

A proper prayer for God’s blessing would be, at a minimum, “God, please bless America.”

A more appropriate prayer would be, “God, we have pushed you to the sidelines.  You Remain there Waiting for us to ask for Your Help.  Please, God, Restore America’s heart for You.  Make our nation receptive once more to Your Divine Counsel.  Make us again a house that accepts Your Blessing.”

America began as a God fearing nation.  Now, as a nation, I fear much of America has no place for God—but still we demand His Blessing.  U.S. Presidents call for this blessing of America as if the powers of Commander in Chief extend to the heavens.

By its faith, America used to receive Divine answers to its problems.  Now Americans believe that they alone can divine all the necessary solutions.  How is that working out for us?

Repeating all the stories of chaos and discord is unnecessary.  No American can escape what is happening.

I believe in God: man not so much.  America, once of God, is now of man.

Thus, by faith, I can no longer pledge allegiance to America.  So I will offer a “Prayer for Allegiance.”

I pray Allegiance with the Lord,

whose Kingdom is in Heaven,

And with the Savior, His Only Son,

One God, in Three Persons, indivisible,

with Salvation for all who believe.

 May God forgive the United States of America.

God bless America.  That is the poorest excuse for a prayer I’ve ever heard.

Americans bark out that demand hundreds of times every minute of every day.  That phrase has no humility.  That phrase has no confession of need.  That phrase offers no supplication.

Issuing this command to God is blasphemous. 

A proper prayer for God’s blessing would be, at a minimum, “God, please bless America.”

A more appropriate prayer would be, “God, we have pushed you to the sidelines.  You Remain there Waiting for us to ask for Your Help.  Please, God, Restore America’s heart for You.  Make our nation receptive once more to Your Divine Counsel.  Make us again a house that accepts Your Blessing.”

America began as a God fearing nation.  Now, as a nation, I fear much of America has no place for God—but still we demand His Blessing.  U.S. Presidents call for this blessing of America as if the powers of Commander in Chief extend to the heavens.

By its faith, America used to receive Divine answers to its problems.  Now Americans believe that they alone can divine all the necessary solutions.  How is that working out for us?

Repeating all the stories of chaos and discord is unnecessary.  No American can escape what is happening.

I believe in God: man not so much.  America, once of God, is now of man.

Thus, by faith, I can no longer pledge allegiance to America.  So I will offer a “Prayer for Allegiance.”

I pray Allegiance with the Lord,

whose Kingdom is in Heaven,

And with the Savior, His Only Son,

One God, in Three Persons, indivisible,

with Salvation for all who believe.

 May God forgive the United States of America.

Quotes to Enrich Your Easter were posted by Craig Lounsbrough, M. Div., LPC at www.craiglpc.com/quotes-enrich-easter/. The quotes were shared with me by Phil Miglioratti. I would like to share the points The Lord Showed me from these quotes and, where relevant, to what He specifically Led me.

Quote: “God did for us what He did not need done for Himself.”
He Led me to: God is so powerful, that He could Save us by telling us to eat cotton candy. He could Do It just by His Own Will. His Desire to save His creations is that Strong. But He knew that humans would never have believed that would work.

Quote: “Sooner or later I will realize that the very things I most desperately need are the very things I am unable to give myself.”

Quote: “I am wholly deserving of all the consequences that I will in fact never receive simply because God unashamedly stepped in front of me on the cross…”

Quote: “Perfect majesty that deliberately chose to be born into abject poverty, walk a road of perpetual poverty, and be unjustly executed in the raw nakedness of poverty is utterly ludicrous unless I realize that this is the single and sole way that God can reach me… “
He Led me to: God not only knew me before I was born. He also understood what it was to be human before Jesus ever set foot on the earth.

Quote: “And is it possible that God had to do the impossible to finally get our attention?”
He Led me to: YES! Even then many do not pay attention.

Quote: “There are an incalculable number of things within me that I frantically wish to be emptied of, and despite my most earnest efforts to remove them, they remain.”
He Led me to: 2 Corinthians 12:7b-9a. “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

Then, in the silence, He Led me to: One of the things that needs #Reimagining among Christians is Easter Sunday Resurrection Celebration Day.

Gracious Resurrection Day,
Rick Skiba