I recently saw this on facebook, "DONT MAKE FRIENDS WITH GODS ENEMIES". What does this mean? Is this person saying I cannot have friends in a different religion? Is this what Jesus taught us to do?
There is a song by an amazing artist named Todd Agnew, check it out.
So which Jesus do you serve? A Jesus who ignores people of different religions? How are we to reach people of a different religion? Why are we so concerned about making converts? Where has the love gone?
What is God? God is many things. But one important thing to remember is God IS LOVE! Faith, Hope, and Love but what is the greatest? LOVE! If you want to show your beliefs and you want to show people your God, show them LOVE!!!
Labels: Christianity, God, Love, Music Video, religion, Theology, Todd Agnew
Hey people’s! Well what is love? I’m gonna scribble down my feelings right now. But please if you have an answer to this question please send me a comment, for me and others who have the same question…
This question popped up when I was surfing the local radio stations. The Song What Is Love by Haddaway came through the speakers…
What is it about this four letter word that has people in confusion, in pain, in frustration, ect. LOVE is very complicated subject, why? Cause the English Language sucks! Lol sorry to my English friends, no hard feelings. But English is probably the only language that someone can say… “I love my wife” then say “I love Tacos” What!? How can one word describe both feelings. Certainly someone can’t love their wife the same as they love something that might might just give them heartburn… (Lol, actually a relationship might give you a different kind of heartburn, just a random thought.)
When it comes to Love… the bible says God is love… So I’m gonna attempt to explain 3 different kinds of Love you find in Hebrew, in the Book of “Song of Songs.”
First love we find is Raya. Raya is the love you feel for a companion, a close friend. Someone you can tell anything to. Someone you know how will come to your defense and to be the shoulder to cry on. The listening ear when your lost or confused. This is the type of Love Jonathan and David had for each other in the bible.
Second love we find is Ahava. This love is more then just friends. Its the type of love you feel when you “falling in love.” Your thoughts are bent toward this one person. You just want to be with this person. Its the kind of love that makes you want to talk on the phone for hours, then once you hang up you just want to call them up again. This can also be the dating love, we find in now and days.
Third, and last love we find is Dod. This is the sexual intimacy love. The passion and the heat between a man and his wife. This love is attraction the physical aspect of Love. This is the love we refer to as “Love making.” One thing important to mention this is not just sex. This is deeper, this is the sexual connection. (One thing to add is that you need to have the first 2 loves, the Raya and Ahava, before you get into the Dod. Ever hear the term meanness sex? Some relationship are hot, but burn out… is because the relationship was lacking the Raya, and Ahava… In the song of songs it clearly says you must have these three loves to have great love. To have the love that the characters of the man and women feel for each other you must have all three loves, as to not burn out.)
This question has been stuck in my head all week. Not only because of a song that was playing on my radio. But because I find myself looking for love, and what is love? How do I know when a man really does love me? My ex told me so many times he loved me… and I believed him and I was hurt. How can I protect myself from this happening to me again? Thing is I can't, Love is risky, but the outcome can be far beyond the risk. Nothing in life that is worth having doesn't come with out a list of risk.
Question is are you a risk taker?
So Halloween is approaching and I’m really conflicted when it comes to this holiday. When I was a child my parents never allowed us to participate in the holidays acts, or dressing up scary and going trick-or-treating. So instead our church had a harvest festival. Where the church dressed up as bible characters, and played games and had corn mazes. Was great fun and we never felt we were missing out on the holiday.
But towards the end of our teenage years our church fell into hard times and could no longer hold the festival. So we were forced to stay at home and pass out candy to the “Lucky” kids who got to celebrate the holiday. The more my brother, and my sister got older the more our parents gave us freedom on this holiday. We were allowed to do anything that we felt was okay. Our parents trusted that the holy spirit was working in our lives and we could feel him ourselves.
My brother and I, along with our dad. Would go to a local haunted television studio, called Old Tucson Studios, Night Fall. Was great fun! Being chased around with scary cowboys with chainsaw’s. And seeing a musical of Dracula at the old saloon!
But tonight I was talking to a Christian who refuses to do anything on the holiday. They sit at home read the bible, and even refuse to pass out candy to the little princess, ghost, ect., that might show up at their doors. I just find this so wrong. I understand their reasoning for they don’t want to participate in a pagan holiday. But still doesn’t settle right with me.
So I just go out and have fun. If we set around and do nothing, isn't that just allowing the devil to have his day. Where as us Christians should take the day back. God created all the days, and isn't right that Christians stay in doors and allow the devil to have his day. That attitude is completely wrong.
Labels: Christianity, God, problems
Atheism (the World is cruel argument)
"My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of 'just' and 'unjust'? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust? If the whole show was bad and senseless from A to Z, so to speak, why did I, who was supposed to be part of the show, find myself in such violent reaction against it? A man feels wet when he falls into water, because man is not a water animal; a fish would not feel wet. Of course, I could have given up my idea of justice by saying it was nothing but a private idea of my own. But if I did that, then my argument against God collapsed too- for the argument depended on saying that the world was really unjust, not simply that it did not happen to please my private fancies. Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist-in other words, that the whole of reality was senseless-I found I was forced to assume that one part of reality-namely my idea of justice- was full of sense. Consequently atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning; just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning."
-C.S. Lewis
Labels: Atheism, Bible, C.S. Lewis, God, Music Video
Alright! This Blog I am typing is one out of frustration and of sadness. I am so tired of hearing this name. I hear this name EVERYWHERE!! I hear it in chatrooms, I hear it on forums, on my friends blogs, and I even see it on friends profiles. This name strikes confusion on Christians, causes fear, and even keeps some old believers in rekindling there relationship with God. Who is this one person? His name is Richard Dawkins.
I feel almost at a lost when I recently googled this name. I feel angry not at what this man says about my God, but more angry that no one is doing ANYTHING!
I feel like David hearing Goliath threats to God’s armies. “Who is this!? Why is allowed to defy God?" And who is going to do anything about this? Why has the church allowed this man to say these things about our God!? Is anyone going to do anything about this!?
From what I understand many people have tried to stand up to this giant in today’s reality. They have tried to debate with him and lost. WHY!?!!
(please view the video)
Who is this man!? How can he say this about my God!!! Who does he think he is?! Why do the Christians fear this man!? So he is educated, he uses big words, he has gone to all the best schools. People listen to him.
You know what I don’t know much. I didn’t do well in school. I didn’t get the best grades. And if you have been following my blog you know that I don’t have the best grammar let alone the best vocabulary. But if no one else is going to stand up to this 21st century giant I will! My God has my words, God has my courage, God has my strength, and best of all God is one MY SIDE!
Psalm 144
1 Praise be to the LORD my Rock,
who trains my hands for war,
my fingers for battle.
2 He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples [a] under me.
3 O LORD, what is man that you care for him,
the son of man that you think of him?
4 Man is like a breath;
his days are like a fleeting shadow.
5 Part your heavens, O LORD, and come down;
touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
6 Send forth lightning and scatter {the enemies};
shoot your arrows and rout them.
7 Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
8 whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
9 I will sing a new song to you, O God;
on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you,
10 to the One who gives victory to kings,
who delivers his servant David from the deadly sword.
11 Deliver me and rescue me
from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
12 Then our sons in their youth
will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our daughters will be like pillars
carved to adorn a palace.
13 Our barns will be filled
with every kind of provision.
Our sheep will increase by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our fields;
14 our oxen will draw heavy loads.
There will be no breaching of walls,
no going into captivity,
no cry of distress in our streets.
15 Blessed are the people of whom this is true;
blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.
Labels: Atheism, Bible, God, religion, Richard Dawkins
Hey guys and gals!
Well when I find myself with time to write I have found myself in a situation of NOTHING to write. Ha ha ha.
Well not to worry I do have something to fill in the time. I have recently found an interesting conversation on Facebook that struck me as one of great interest. Why? well it has something to do with a topic I find a lot of Christians today don’t find important. What’s that? Well Church!!!
The following conversation is an actual conversation that has taken place, so since I have yet to ask permission to use this conversation I will change the names so no harm done!!
James -Christians attending church was God's idea and is his will for his people. It is God who calls people to be pastors. Why? It is God who inspired all the "one another" scriptures in the Bible. How do you love, serve, admonish, encourage, instruct and care for one another if you are not with one another? Scripture says that believers should not neglect meeting together. Find a church and get connected.
Harry- Right. But could you also say the way we run churches is not necessarily the way God intended it? Who knows how God intended it really? Didn't our system of the rituals we practice church stem from the Catholic Church? I thought the original church consisted more of a fellowship of eating with one another and breaking bread, giving honor to God at the same time and discussing his words. It's seems more and more to me that Church was God's plan for us to come together as one and strengthen one another towards his cause.
James-No church is run perfectly. What we know from scripture and the earliest days of the church is that gatherings included singing praise, study of Scripture, Communion, Pastors and Elders serving the people and equipping them to minister to others, correction when needed, exercizing of spiritual gifts, doing the "one another’s", and - yes - giving offerings. Rituals are not bad if founded on the Word of God and not the traditions of men. Consistent personal Bible study and prayer could be considered a ritual - and we should all embrace it. I say again, God's will is that his people be committed to a local church.
Harry-Valid points. I have a hard time accepting Churches these days because it feels like they are off track. I don't want to be so critical of them but church history, in my studies, seems to have started off on the basis of anti-Semitism. Which sadly still has some remaining remnants in a lot of churches today. I love fellowship with Christian believers and discussing God's word. I take great joy in it. I just see a lot of fake fronts in churches today and wish we would all be real with one another and love each other for it. We cannot and will not ever be perfect, and to me that is ok. That is why Christ came to save us. And we should all accept one another as screw ups, cuz we all are. I understand that is what church is for, but church seems to have taken the role of look perfect to one another and pity the one who actually comes clean.
James-Many churches are among the greatest supporters of Israel and the Jewish people. The sin/imperfections of churches does not negate God's will in this area. Find a church that is close to what you are looking for and accept their "screw ups" just as you want others to be accepted. Grow in God's grace together with others.
Harry-The thing I felt most robbed about from my church was that I trusted them for my biblical education. I sat there a listened to my pastor’s interpretation of scripture and it seemed contradictory at times. I just felt that I should have been taught the different beliefs and theological issues, instead of just one view. I wish my church would have taught me how to interpret scripture on my own. I had to go to Bible College to learn the difference and decipher for my own. I believe every Christian should be educated to decipher for their own. It plays a huge role in our relationship to God and in understanding him more.
James-True. And we should learn how to study the Bible for ourselves. My advice is to read a church's statement of faith/beliefs carefully before connecting and look for a strong commitment to the sufficiency of Scripture. You've got to have a pastor whom you trust when teaching God's Word. From a practical point of view, pastors cannot generally give all theological views of a given scripture/topic in a sermon. It would take too much time and promote confusion and factions rather than conviction and unity.
Harry-I don't know if I agree... I think those things being taught in the church would be great for real Christians. When you water down scripture and make messages to win numbers it only creates temporary Christians. There should be no confusion if taught correctly. Our different ideas should actually unite us. There is only separation into factions when people are hard headed and closed minded. How can you learn and study the bible ourselves if we are not given the tools to do so. That is exactly what I want to make prevalent in church, teaching the congregation how to learn on their own. All I ever heard was read your bible. Ok, no what? There is more than just reading, which you know. Please don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for my church experiences. There are many positive and great things the church has done for me in my walk. I am thankful for it. You make some great points and am thankful for the opportunity to discuss.
James-We will have to agree to disagree on this one. Though I am not talking about watering down Scripture or winning numbers for numbers sake. I am talking about pastors/teachers called by God preaching with conviction God's truth as they see it in Scripture. Not being like a member of a debate team who has to be able to argue convincingly for a point of view they don't believe. Finding a church or denomination where you can be in substantial agreement with their doctrinal view should enable to receive teaching and training without always being concerned with what everyone else's view of the topic is. Not bad to be curious and have a well-rounded understanding - more important to receive, embrace and apply God's Word through your pastor to your life.
Harry-I actually have attended two churches were they took the time to answer theological issues and questions. It was great. So many people had great questions and the pastor not only gave an answer from his view point but shared the other views as well. It was probably one of the most beneficial services I have seen. I am not saying it should be my way all the time, but a good mixture of both. We get so caught in the usual routine that we lose focus. Balance is important with everything.
Harry-Getting out there and seeing different churches is great as well. You can learn so much from your brothers and sisters.
James-I agree but still believe you need to have a home church where you commit, serve, build relationships and function as family
Some interesting things in this convo. I hope you chew the meat and spit out the bones
Everyday feels like I am a rose trampled on the ground. Does anyone see I am a rose? Do I realize I am a rose? If I was a rose wouldn’t I be in a lovers hand? Why am I on the ground?
The recent days I have felt like this. I haven’t let anyone know. But I couldn’t trick God. He allowed a youtube video stumble in my way. Have you ever heard a song that has nothing to do with your situation but you just broke down and cried? This one did it to me…
So I’m going to live today like it was my last day and I’m moving forward. Not going to spend another moment be the rose on the floor.
Labels: God, Music Video, New things, problems
So I have not much to write about my life. So as I was wandering through my mind I think I dug up something worth a blog, lol.
I have been listening to Shane and Shane a lot lately. Actually its playing right now. I was sitting here listening to them and they made a good point. In a certain song they talk about what a wise man has found out about life. And it’s to get over yourself, and that is where life is hidden.
When we all find that we need to get over ourselves is when we can be truly happy. When we see that our lives are just a empty casing of our own selfish desires. We see that God actually has a purpose and a destiny for us. That is when we truly find our greatest fulfillment.
Who would have thought to actually experience a life, you have to give yours up. That when we start living for something greater then ourselves is when we find that life is actually worth living…
“ We the people in order to form a more perfect union. Establish Justice, Insure domestic tranquility. Provide for the common defense, promote for general welfare and secure the blessing of liberty for our selves and our posterity. Due ordain and establish this consititution for the United States of America.”
In the spirit of the 4th of July I decided to go Patriotic. That was the Preamble to the United States of America’s Constitution. Here are some quotes from the Declaration of Independence.
“We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness.”
"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and provide new Guards for their future security."
"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
To high treason. That's what these men were committing when they signed the Declaration. Had we lost the war, they would have been hanged, beheaded, drawn and quartered! Here's to the men who did what was considered wrong, in order to do what they knew was right...what they knew was right.
(My favorite picture, George Washington prayer at Valley Forge)
IN GOD WE TRUST
I don’t know what to write I’m just going to let my fingers fly across the keyboard. Then I’ll sit back and yawn, then read what my heart and soul poured out while I wasn’t looking. (FYI: I just re-read what I wrote you need to understand I’m being poetic and random)
Today I got to set back and watch how awesome God really is. Why can’t I keep this feeling through out my life? Why do I let daily activities get to me, I soon become bored and just live life going through the motions. I get up and repeat what I did yesterday, nothing changes. I continue life with my hands in my pocket and my head down. Is this what God created life to be like?
Why don’t we look up more?
Today I was out on my veranda drinking some ice tea. I was watching the lightning in the distance. Then I looked up and the clouds that were building above me had a light red, orange glow to them. It was so breath taking. But I would have missed all that beauty if I kept my eyes on the darkness.
What do we find when we look up?
Sailor's knew to look up. They looked up for stars to guide them. Dreamers look up and dream. People at there wits end look up for comfort.
People travel across the world to Arizona to look at a hole in the ground. Yes the Grand Canyon is impressive. But have you ever realized you have ENTERNITY above your head? Here we are staring at a hole. People saying "Oh it looks like it falls forever," but eventualy it ends. The whole time there staring at a hole, there's never ending space above them!
How big would your problems be ever you looked up, then thought about them?
“Keep your eyes on the heavens, Keeping them on the ground makes you wonder where you are. But look at the heavens you know exactly where you are at to the stars. The lights that God put forth for you to see and to follow.”
(this wasn't the moment I was discribing, But this was soon after I ran and grabbed my camera)
Labels: God, Music Video, problems, Theology
I am a member of a Christian Chat group. I have no idea if anyone knows what the term “Troll” is, but is basically someone who goes on to a Chat Room looking for Trouble. Lately I have noticed that this name is now being expanded to a more broader since. Know if you even mention a question in your faith, and you continue to ask questions, so called “Christians” think your lacking in faith and now judge you as a “Troll”.
Why is this? Why is it, when you have a question about your faith people take it as your weak? Or if you have a question about another religion people take it that your faith shopping?
Isn’t the fact your questioning support you have a faith?
Okay let me clarify that last question. Think back to when you were a child, and your in the classroom. Your in 5th grade and your learning about long division. Your teacher’s standing at her chalkboard, (or marker board depending how old you are) and she is explaining how the numbers on the board can be divided into a longer sense then you’re use to. You know how to divide but your learning a new way to divide and tackle the bigger problems. Everything sounds nice and sweet and easy when she is at the board explaining it to you. That is till she passes out that worksheet. You stare at the numbers blankly, your overwhelmed. You take a deep breath and start on the first set of numbers, 12 divided by 2, oh that’s easy, so you carefully write 6 above the divided bar. Your proud, but you scan your teachers chalkboard again, it doesn’t look the same. Oh no! You forgot what to do with the bottom half. You want to raise your hand. But what is Little smart Timmy going to think of you when your stuck on the first question?!
So what would you do? Would you raise your hand? Do you allow fear to grasp you and hold you back?
Why do we question in the first place?
To find that answer you have to ask yourself, why do teacher’s always say “There is no such thing as a bad question?” Because they know that when your struggling and you have a question, that means your learning. The fact you have a question about something is evidence of growth and comprehension.
So back to the question, “Isn’t the fact your questioning support you have a faith?” It’s true. The fact your questioning is showing you want to grow, you want to learn. Something inside you is wanting to expand.
So next time a judgmental Christian calls you a troll just for asking some questions. Take it as a compliment.
Luke 2:46
After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
1 Corinthians 2:10
but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
1 John 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test everything. Hold on to the good.
