tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47022702697008976782024-02-07T18:27:53.561-08:00From Ashes to BeautyStraight but Not Narrow, Saved by God's Grace, Rediscovering Christianity in the Light of Jesus' Love.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-14857915228548740262013-09-12T07:49:00.000-07:002013-09-12T07:51:08.221-07:00Just Because I Don't Follow Your Version of Religion, Doesn't Mean I am Without Christ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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People amaze me. They think just because my life isn't going THEIR way, because I'm not following their version of religion, or that because I'm struggling in life, it means I've strayed away from "the holy spirit" and I'm not living my life "right." I got a call from someone yesterday, who nonchalantly assumed I've tried to "push the holy spirit out of my heart"...</div>
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<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1187301_725818167444566_1195237650_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1187301_725818167444566_1195237650_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Well I've got news for you. People struggle - God himself puts us through struggles with good reason. The Bible is full of stories of faithful, Godly people who've struggled. I'm waiting this one out to see what it is he has planned. My faith is still strong, possibly stronger than ever, and just because I don't follow the ridiculousness of the religious right's version of religion, it doesn't mean I'm without Christ.<br />
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Just because I'm not in church doesn't mean I can't have a relationship with Christ. My temple is a gospel based temple - it is my heart, my body, my soul. It is not a <span style="color: #f4cccc;"><a href="http://mickmooney.com/bible-based-church/">bible based temple</a></span>, which was eradicated when Christ came and brought forth a new covenant... Christ in the new testament compared the church to the wind -<i>“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot
tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone
born of the Spirit.”</i><br />
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Life isn't perfect. "Proof" that you are living your life "right" by who ever's standards doesn't always flow in the form of bountiful blessings. God tests our faith... he tests our love. For me, that is what he is testing most now. My ability to remain faithful in the storm... during my first marriage we never really faced a lot of storms - I had the perfect house, the perfect car, everything was "as it should be"... at least by society's standards... we had some financial struggles... we had more marital struggles... but for the most part I had it under control.<br />
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Also, he is testing my ability to love the way Christ wants us to love one another. To learn how to care for others no matter their circumstance, and not judge them based on their current trials. Instead of this "unchristian" notion that many Christians seem to have that they should shun people or judge them when their life is less than perfect. <br />
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I know I've made mistakes in my life -- but last time I checked, I'm human. Last time I checked, no one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but it is also how we learn... last time I checked, Christ went to the cross for our sins... and last time I checked, I've learned from my mistakes. As for my current move, I can't say it was a "mistake." Did it go as I planned? No. Do I have some regrets as far as how things happened and what has occurred? Yes.<br />
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But I keep going. I keep trusting and having faith that God is still working. Just because blessings aren't "pouring out" and I'm facing a lot of hard struggles, doesn't mean God isn't working. Just because I've taken a difficult path in my life, doesn't mean God isn't with me. I pray that whatever happens, I know I've tried my best... and that if I lose all hope and things don't go as I pray they do, that God's plans are better than my dreams.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-52533630309342137822013-01-24T20:03:00.000-08:002013-01-25T06:36:04.246-08:00if he lives in my heart shouldnt i let him do the leading?...so it has been a minute since i posted anything on this blog. and sorry for no caps but my phone doesnt want to seem to totally cooperate so this post may not be grammatically correct. as i lay here tonight, sick as a dog and only a week or two away from a huge change in my life i reflect on what i have learned in the past 6 months... and i figure out how to apply it. to make sure im on the right path. i hear so many ppl say dont trust your heart to guide you, but lead your heart... well if jesus lives in my heart because i let him in, shouldnt i let him lead... its like brad stine said about the bumper sticker that said god is my copilot... um if gods in the car i think i will let him drive.<br />
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i think the ppl who have been so sucked into this lead your heart theory have been so indoctrinated that they are too afraid to trust god that much. this road is not easy for me. this road meant finally coming to grips with the fact i havent been happy, in love, or physically attracted to my husband for several years. that we both have done things wrong, but the fact he would have chose to look at other women through the use of porn instead of me deadened me inside to him. i let him try to fix things, i tried leading my heart as they say back to what everyone around me has always said was right, staying married instead of seeking a divorce. but i was fooling myself. i tried every day to lead my heart but when i finally let go and followed it there was a sense of freedom. and i was taught recently that through god we are free... i didnt really understand it when i heard it and didnt feel truly free in my life. but i do now. our hearts are not free if we are trying to force ourselves to live a life that doesnt mean anything anymore. we only get 1 shot at this... and im letting god lead, im listening to my heart more intuatively than ever. </div>
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this road will be tough. it means leaving behind my children while i get my life back home settled and established... only seeing my babies on holidays and school breaks... it has meant a lot of ppl turning their backs on me, but ive learned a true friend, christian, or someone who loves you would walk through fire with you, fight your fight with you, and stand by your side no matter what. that is the kind of person i want to be to those i love, and this has shown me who the people are who really have my back all the time, not just when im doing it their way...</div>
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im tired of people trying to change me because i didnt fit the bill. all my life i was seen as wrong or different or a problem because i wasnt pretty enough or smart enough or sporty enough.... fill in the blank. well im done letting people try to change or fix me. i can honestly say i believe god is leading me where none of that matters.. that there is life out there and love out there.... that god has set aside one person for another... someone recently told me the love i seek can only be found through god, and basically if i have gods love my miserable life doesnt matter... that the love i seek from another person doesnt exhist... that is their belief, their theory and i respect that, but i dont have to nor do i agree... </div>
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gods love is powerful, but i believe he shows us his love through others who really care... otherwise life would be pretty dull and lonely without others along the way to love and support us... and until a big booming voice tells me what to do, im choosing to let him reside in my heart and guide me... and i will follow.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-66091936144134232852012-10-19T08:01:00.001-07:002012-10-19T09:24:35.164-07:00I am a Progressive Christian - What does that mean?<br />
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<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/222519_270930473028339_1395533884_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/222519_270930473028339_1395533884_n.jpg" width="281" /></a>First off, I want to thank <a href="http://mainstreambaptist.blogspot.com/">Dr. Bruce Prescott </a>for such a wonderful explanation of the Progressive Christian faith. His words are inspiring, and I will sum up my thoughts on his characteristics of Progressive Christianity...<br />
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My faith is growing daily... it is a progressive faith. I strive for depth - meaning I don't want a "shallow faith." I want a faith that includes meaning and purpose, that shows love and understanding. My faith is never finished, never satisfied with its progress - I constantly yearn for more. I am an imperfect being, striving for a strong relationship with God, that leads to strong relationships with those around me, so that others may know Him as I do.<br />
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My faith is conscientious. Meaning, I am conscious of those around me - I am aware of the fact we are not all the same, nor do we believe the same, and I understand that's okay. I try to step outside myself - I am not afraid to understand things that clash with my own beliefs. I strive to be sympathetic to the perspective of others. "Walk a mile in my shoes." Progressive faith requires an act of reflexive self-conscientiousness - the ability to put yourself in the place of others, and to look at yourself through others eyes. How do you want to be seen? And "do unto others as you would have done unto you" (Jesus) - but the Golden Rule is not unique to Christianity... The concept of the Golden Rule or a standard of respect for
others is common to all religions and philosophies. <br />
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My faith is a chastened faith. I am able to, with open eyes, an open mind, and an open heart, see and acknowledge the pain and injustice that my own religion has inflicted upon others. We need to, again, look ourselves through the eyes of others, but in this case the eyes of other faiths. Christians need to see themselves through the eyes of Jews. Specifically Jews who were herded into box cars and slaughtered like cattle during the Holocaust -- if I hear one more Christian in American claim persecution, I will scream. We all need to look at ourselves through the eyes of the homeless, the hungry, those in poverty... if we can learn to see ourselves through the eyes of others, we can begin to see how blessed we really are as a Christian faith - and begin to view things as God views them.<br />
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My faith is a hopeful faith. I am hopeful that we will have peace on earth. That we could all learn to live together, to coexist and to be tolerant of one another and our different beliefs. That we would be more loving toward each other. Jesus did more than just coexist - he ate with those who were rejected and considered unclean. He healed them and cared for them. <span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]">That's
the Jesus Christ I know. Not the one portrayed by "fundamentalists" to be so harsh, cruel, and bigoted... I've read the bible and know the real deal, and I wonder how they can be so grossly mistaken of who Christ really is, and how we should be as Christians. I am hopeful that Christianity can be reclaimed - that we can turn it around from how it's been perceived due to the actions of the extremists, to what it is supposed to be. I strive to be aware of those around me - a sense of community, not just self. I am supportive of justice and equality for all mankind. If life is just an endless cycle of violence, conflict and strife, then there is not much reason for a hopeful future.</span></span></span><br />
<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/576427_270326889755364_172752219_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/576427_270326889755364_172752219_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]">My faith is a strong faith. I am strong in my beliefs, I am strong in my relationship with God - I am passionate about loving others as Christ did. My faith is<i> strong enough to demand both equal rights in civil life and genuine
respect in social life for those who have other convictions and
different worldviews -- while remaining firmly committed to its own
convictions and worldview</i>. I will not serve a weak faith that has to compensate for its inadequacies by scapegoating those who are different from myself and my faith. I will not judge others or condemn them based on my faith - we are taught that this is wrong through the words of Paul and Christ. I can be strong in my faith, but also considerate, understanding, and tolerant of others and their beliefs or values.</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]">My faith is a humble faith. I understand the fallibility, the imperfections of all mankind - myself included. I make mistakes almost daily, but I strive to learn from them - and to be humble and to accept my mistakes, admit my mistakes, and take responsibility for myself before God. I understand that all forms of communication and understanding fall short of perfect comprehensibility - someone always misunderstands something that is said or written - it is about how it is perceived or interpreted. Different faiths make undenied claims for the absolute authority of their sacred texts and practices... their holy text or rituals are divinely inspired and without any error. <i>Generally, it is not necessary to directly challenge the authority of
these differing truth claims. It should be enough for all to acknowledge
that no matter how sacred, perfect and privileged these texts,
practices and rituals are believed to be, all historical faiths are
subject to differing interpretations and understandings by adherents
within their own faith tradition. Humility, therefore, is proper for
people of all faiths. </i>-Prescott. No system of communication is perfect - it is inadequate to fully express the meaning of the Divine. Thus, infallibility is an attribute best reserved for the Divine.</span></span></span><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]">My faith is a questioning faith. <i>Progressive faith welcomes doubt and raises questions because it knows
they are necessary for the extension of understanding, for spurts of
growth and for the testing and strengthening of genuine faith. </i>Progressive faith questions to understand - not to reply, overturn, or trump the response with a "better one." This is hard as a human being - especially with all the political debates out there right now. Sometimes we get ahead of ourselves, or a sense of "being right" about something, especially when paired against someone who has this same attitude. Like when we respond with our point of view on an issue, and then someone rips it apart piece by piece, word for word. But a questioning faith is undaunted by critical thought. It is not a blind faith that expects supporters to surrender their intellect - and even more so, it is not a blind faith that expects everyone to support them. Instead, it <i>desires to be more than a projection of human wishes and desires,
more than an stimulant for the masses, and more than merely a slave revolt
by which the weak seek to gain power over the strong.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]"></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]"> My faith is a dialogical faith. It appreciates discussion, critical thought, and exchange of ideas... It refuses to extend itself by force. Instead it extends itself through kindness, compassion, and mercy. When it seeks to convert others it does so through example, actions and genuine dialogue. Thus, my faith is an active faith. It gives more than "lip service" to love. It seeks to show love, not just say it loves. It wages peace and seeks justice. <i>It is faith with the courage to put itself at risk by publicly opposing
injustice and by actively resisting it by non-violent means.</i></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/229883_269720789815974_1664673785_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="spotlight" height="320" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/229883_269720789815974_1664673785_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]">My faith is an interdependent faith. It is unified, harmonious, and connected. It is a faith that affirms and honors the claim that future generations
have on the present by responsibly stewarding the resources that make
life possible on this planet. It strives to take care of our planet,
our resources, our livelihood and to care for our environment so that
it will still be livable for future generations to come. We should care
about our planet, the environment, and everything around us. We should
do good works to care for other human beings, but also for our animals,
our plants, our water, our air - because without them, we cann</span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]">ot feed the hungry... we cannot live and provide care for others, help the impoverished, so that they may live as well. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[9].[1][2][1]{comment442221952481585_999669}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]">My faith is not inside a box... my faith is in my heart, it is in my mind, it is in my thoughts and actions. I am pro-equality because Christ wants us to love everyone - to follow his example, and that example was to treat everyone with tolerance and respect. I am pro-choice (NOT pro-abortion) because I believe we as women are valuable and we deserve the freedoms and rights this country offers just as much as the next guy, and that things like marriage (who can marry whom) or pregnancy should not be dictated by a government. Just because Sally Jane goes and gets an abortion doesn't mean my faith is shattered, my relationship with God changes, or my life is altered in some way. Her life changes - and that is between her and God. It is her choice - God gave us freewill to make our decisions in life and we will answer to Him, and no one else! God is too divine for us to possibly understand Him through a book - and that book does not actually take a stance on gay marriage or abortion - we twist and cherry pick scripture and assume we know how God thinks, when we couldn't possibly begin to imagine how God actually works - he doesn't fit inside a theological box.</span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-61765826427420109262012-09-24T14:02:00.000-07:002012-09-25T08:23:48.627-07:00Election Time... You don't HAVE to vote for the lesser of two evils...<br />
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A lot of times, we forget about the third party at election time. It's either Dem or Republican, and a lot of times it's whichever one we feel is the "lesser of two evils." How about considering a candidate without all sorts of negative propaganda coming from his site and supporters?<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody"><span class="userContent">The
fact that so many others say they have no idea who Gary Johnson is
demonstrates the issue with the presidential election in our country. A
lot of people feel like they are wasting their vote going Libertarian so
they don't do it... but if enough people "wasted" that vote, the guy
might have a shot. They wouldn't even let him debate - what are they so afraid of??? People might like what he has to say???</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b>Lie #1: “This is a two-party system.”</b><br />
Nothing in the US Constitution limits the number of political parties.
Democracy means free participation, in the party of your choice. </div>
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<b>Lie #2: “Green candidates steal votes from
Democrats”</b><br />
Greens will continue to affect election outcomes - and sometimes win.
But Greens have no power to steal votes from Democratic candidates,
because no candidate owns anyone’s vote except for his or her
own. </div>
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<b>Lie #3: “If Nader hadn’t run, everyone who
voted for him would have voted for Gore!” </b><br />
According to exit polls, Nader’s support came from Democrats,
Republicans, independents, and many others. Many would not have voted
for Gore if Nader hadn’t run, and some voters might not have voted at
all. </div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=446856462033953&set=a.402813076438292.115433.164640060255596&type=1&ref=nf"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-73425622086507424742012-09-24T07:15:00.003-07:002012-09-24T09:23:35.587-07:00What is the Difference Between Baptists and Methodists?<br />
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So the other day, someone asked what is the difference between Baptists and Methodists? We were having a pretty well rounded conversation about different religions, with people from different faiths, and one who didn't really understand much about Protestant Christianity was curious... Well there are several differences between the two (like women in church leadership roles for example), but this one stuck to me because I've personally experienced it... and in order to not "call out" or deface either one I will not be specific as to which one I'm referencing as I write this post... But if you know me, you'll probably figure it out...<br />
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So a funny comparison I heard the other day was that one preaches against it on Sunday, and does it on Monday... while the other doesn't preach against it on Sunday, and does it on Monday. (hahaha) Ok this was meant for humor - we are all human and no one is perfect, but the main thing I want to take from this point is that one "preaches against it" and the other "doesn't preach against it." What not to do, and what to do.<br />
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Personally, having been in both church's I've seen this... one teaches a more negative, what not to do, against this, that, and them sermon... extreme fundamentalist... the other is a more positive this is what we should do and here's how to apply it to our personal lives sermon... it is more progressive. <br />
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And looking to the Bible, it's ironic how these two compare, and line up with the old and new testament. In the old testament, human beings were under the mosaic law - they were told what not to do. But this didn't work very well, because people were enticed to rebel against the law. Jesus was sent to earth to die on the cross and being forth a new covenant... teaching us what to do - how to follow him. Leading us, showing us - being our example.<br />
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The deeper rooted issue with many of the church's today who use the "against it/what not to do" style is that they are teaching this way to point fingers at others, not to look inside themselves and shape their own lives... look at those atheists... those homosexuals... those liberals... those "fill in the blank." I'm not saying they ALL do this, but sadly a majority of today's church's are doing this. But what they don't realize, is that by judging others they are only making the log in their eye grow larger... as they worry about the splinter in another person's eye. <br />
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Personally, I want to learn what to do and how to apply it in my life. I want to learn how to be a true disciple of Christ... And not just to hopefully reach non-believers so that they may see the amazing love and grace of God, but to reach other Christians... who may be strapped to this other way of thinking. After personally coming over from one side to the other (the fundamental Christian to the more progressive Christian), I see how much more free and liberated I am in God's love by focusing on Him and my relationship with him... by focusing on how I can be a better person and love others... not judge them. Honestly, trying to defend the other, more fundamental side was tiring and stressful... sometimes it hurt, and it just didn't feel right. But I know now God was pushing me to rediscover him and myself through a much more positive, loving, and nurturing experience. <br />
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The love of God is supposed to be unconditional, forgiving, and forever present. He will not leave or forsake us... he loves us always. And he sent his son to share this love with us, to teach us that this is how we need to treat each other. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-8884831774721743592012-09-18T09:54:00.001-07:002012-09-18T09:54:18.179-07:00Why I'm Proud to be a Member of Harvest - a United Methodist Church<br />
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So when I was "confronted" about my views, I was asked what kind of church is this new church we attend, and I told him Methodist... and he said "well that explains it..." First off, my "views" were established long before we came to this church, and represent my personal opinion, not the opinion of any one church - my spiritual growth is one of the reasons we left our old church and came to this one. I feel they fit best with my new-found spirituality and point of view on Christ and the Bible. I know no two people will ever see eye to eye on everything, and the same goes for me finding a church... but I have found the place that I see eye to eye with on the most important thing - positive ministry and spreading Christ's love - not using the Bible to "defend" hate.<br />
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I want to share with you what I learned in our Membership class about the United Methodist church, and why it excites me.<br />
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"You are a member of God's very own family... and you belong in God's household with every other Christian." Ephesians 2:19<br />
<br /><b>The Mission of Harvest</b><br />
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I am extremely proud to be part of this mission. While I wasn't "unchurched" I didn't grow up in church, and I was definitely "mischurched" before finding Harvest.<br />
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Jim had a vision, to "see a tremendous harvest reaped for the Lord in Middle Georgia." He told this amazing story how him and his wife Jennifer were out one day about 10 years ago in Warner Robins, and they were just driving around, not really sure where they were, but stopped in front of a gas station by the Taco Bell off 41 and 96 because they felt God's presence strongly there. Later, they were talking with their pastor about starting a church in middle Georgia, and the pastor told them they already had surveyed a place, they probably didn't know it not being from WR, to put a new church. Jim pressed and asked him where it was... and he told him well it was near a gas station and Taco Bell off the intersection of 41 and 96 in Houston County....<br />
It is amazing how God works. Jim's visions continues - he "wants to see thousands of people won to Christ and discipled. He forsaw home Bible studies throughout Houston County - each group taught by a qualified lay leader."<br />
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"He saw a church that is honest and genuine with people. Accepting them where they are but loving them enough to not let them stay that way. A church which does things in an excellent way. One which exalts the Lord by teaching and preaching the Scriptures. A church which equips people by teaching them the Word and helping them discover and use their gifts and talents given by God. A church with a process, a system, and a strategy to intentionally win people for Christ and then help them grow in maturity."<br />
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What makes this proposal of Jim's so amazing is that he's doing it. They purposefully dress down and use a contemporary method of worship that is joyful and full of celebration. The music is upbeat and mood lifting - making people genuinely glad to be there (I know from personal experience!) The style of worship is "seeker sensitive" meaning sensitive to people who may not know Christ. "Traditional" worship music was contemporary to the time it was written and sung... the old Hymns ministered to the people of those times. But now different contemporary music is what reaches people of this time.<br />
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Harvest genuinely welcomes and wants the seeker, the unchurched, the non-believer to come. And they show it in their worship, their ministry, their sermons, their community groups... Christ's teachings are applied all throughout this church.<br />
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I now understand why I felt so much more comfortable at Union Chapel back in Muncie when we went... I now have a better understanding of the Methodist mission and heritage... and it's awesome - it represents Christ. I now understand what God has been trying to show me for so long. And I'm now in a place where I find confirmation regularly. Not in a place where I question my thoughts and the difference of those thoughts from the views of the church... but in a place where I've started learning on my own accord what the Bible really teaches, and the church matches up to it. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-65039680405408570712012-09-18T06:07:00.001-07:002012-09-18T06:07:14.473-07:00It is Not "Us" vs. "Them"... As Christians it is important that we know that God loves everyone unconditionally. And that God wants us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, and even love our enemies no matter how difficult. And even if that neighbor or enemy doesn't believe in God, or follows a different religion, it is not "us" vs."them."<br />
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I've been in enough church's where I've heard the preachers up in the pulpit going on about atheists, homosexuals, Muslims, or "fill in the blank"... and with that mentality of "us vs. them." I've seen it enough times to know it exists more than it should. And then they wonder why they aren't "winning" people over to Christ... why their congregations aren't growing... I've been in church's full of petty people, where it just felt like high school all over again... Ignored and shunned for my mistakes in life... I didn't "fit in" with the crowd. I've seen it so much that it was amazing to me, an absolute shock, to sit it a church where this didn't happen... where it was the total opposite...<br />
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Teaching us to apply scripture in our personal lives... to forgive over and over again, not just for the person needing the forgiving, but for our personal healing... and reaching out to the possibility of non-believers sitting in the congregation that morning, and welcoming them, expressing that they are loved and not preaching against them, but showing them what a Christian is supposed to look like. And this church is growing and people are coming to Christ. And it is because they want people to know who Christ really is. They want to reach people and let them know they are loved. <br />
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It is not up to us to choose who "belongs" - as Christ followers we are supposed to love, welcome, and accept everyone. By doing so, applying Christ's teachings to our lives, and showing through our actions what a Christian is supposed to look like, that is how others find Christ... through us.<br />
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<b>Forgiveness</b><br />
This is one of the hardest ones to apply. God wants us to forgive, because he has forgiven us. But when people do us wrong it hurts, and it's hard to just forgive and let live. But even if you have to forgive one person 77 times, forgive them. It may take a while to forget, but eventually it won't bother you any more. And by forgiving you will be set free.<br />
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I can hold a grudge with the best of them... but holding a grudge is like a delicious poison... at first revenge seems like it'd be so good. You go over in you head what you should of said to put them in their place... you think about how to get them back. But this only makes things worse. It eats at you. If you are still holding a grudge against someone who hurt you today, let it go and strive to forgive them. A lot of time it is just petty stuff, and even if it isn't petty, you've got to forgive because Christ forgives every one of us for every stupid thing we do.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-61834268141095818352012-09-14T09:13:00.000-07:002012-09-14T09:55:31.903-07:00How Can You Ignore What is Written?<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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So the other day, I was confronted about why I believe what I believe in regards to marriage equality. I was told that for believing this way, for not believing in a certain religious doctrine or creed, I'm endangering myself to enter heaven. There are several (very biblical) reasons why this method of thinking is incorrect, and I will be quoting directly from scripture to show this... this is not just my opinion, this is what the bible is trying to teach us in it's original, intended context. No cherry picking - feel free to read deeper into these passages and verify, I'm providing the most relevant sections. This is not based on another human being's opinion - this is based on my personal study of the Bible and my findings.<br />
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<a href="http://alaskabibleteacher.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/judge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://alaskabibleteacher.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/judge.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></a>1. Do not use scripture to point fingers at others. Any form of judging another for sin (or your perception of their sin) is "judging hypocritically" because we all sin, we all fall short, and no sin is bigger than another. - Romans 2 (The Message Bible): <sup><br /><br />'1-2 </sup>Those
people (the people Paul told about in Chapter 1 who were worshiping
idols and living in sin) are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think
that leaves you
on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think
again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes
one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of
escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so
easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds
you to what <i>you’ve</i> done. <br />
<sup>3-4 </sup>You
didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you
would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down
on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d
let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning.
God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the
hand and leads us into a radical life-change.<br />
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2. Religion doesn't save you -Still in Romans 2:<br />
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<a href="http://www.glennsasscer.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/religion_relationship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" id="il_fi" src="http://www.glennsasscer.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/religion_relationship.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></a><sup>17-24 </sup>If
you’re brought up Jewish, don’t assume that you can lean back in the
arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you’re an
insider to God’s revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God,
informed on the latest doctrines! I have a special word of caution for
you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because
you know God’s revealed Word inside and out, feel qualified to guide
others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions
to God. While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you? I’m
quite serious. While preaching “Don’t steal!” are you going to rob
people blind? Who would suspect you? The same with adultery. The same
with idolatry. You can get by with almost anything if you front it with
eloquent talk about God and his law. The line from Scripture, “It’s
because of you Jews that the outsiders are down on God,” shows it’s an
old problem that isn’t going to go away.<br />
<sup>25-29 </sup>Circumcision,
the surgical ritual that marks you as a Jew, is great if you live in
accord with God’s law. But if you don’t, it’s worse than not being
circumcised. The reverse is also true: The uncircumcised who keep God’s
ways are as good as the circumcised—in fact, better. Better to keep
God’s law uncircumcised than break it circumcised. Don’t you see: It’s
not the cut of a knife that makes a Jew. You become a Jew by who you <i>are</i>.
It’s the mark of God on your heart, not of a knife on your skin, that
makes a Jew. And recognition comes from God, not legalistic critics.<br />
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3. The scriptures are addressed to us (the readers, the believers) in the first place - Romans 3 (this is down around vs 18-20)<br />
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<a href="http://www.lhbctoronto.org/photos/allsinned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" id="il_fi" src="http://www.lhbctoronto.org/photos/allsinned.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></a>This makes it clear, doesn’t it, that whatever is written in these Scriptures is not what God says <i>about others</i> but <i>to us</i>
to whom these Scriptures were addressed in the first place! And it’s
clear enough, isn’t it, that we’re sinners, every one of us, in the same
sinking boat with everybody else? Our involvement with God’s revelation
doesn’t put us right with God. What it does is force us to face our
complicity in everyone else’s sin.<br />
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4. Technically I am religious - I am a progressive Christian <a href="http://mainstreambaptist.blogspot.com/2008/11/defining-progressive-faith.html" target="_blank">(progressive faith defined here)</a>. But even the non-religious, but whom have faith in God will enter the kingdom of heaven. Faith does not equal religion: Romans 4 (vs 8-9)<br />
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Do you think for a minute that this
blessing is only pronounced over those of us who keep our religious ways
and are circumcised? Or do you think it possible that the blessing
could be given to those who never even heard of our ways, who were never
brought up in the disciplines of God? We all agree, don’t we, that it
was by embracing what God did for him that Abraham was declared fit
before God? <br />
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<a href="http://www.christianwholesale316.com/assets/images/PBWU-religiondoesnotsavepeopleJesusdoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" id="il_fi" src="http://www.christianwholesale316.com/assets/images/PBWU-religiondoesnotsavepeopleJesusdoes.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></a><sup>10-11 </sup>Now <i>think</i>: Was that declaration made before or after he was marked by the covenant rite of circumcision? That’s right, <i>before</i>
he was marked. That means that he underwent circumcision as evidence
and confirmation of what God had done long before to bring him into this
acceptable standing with himself, an act of God he had embraced with
his whole life.<br />
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<a href="http://www.geekinheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/cherry_picking_bible_verses.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-7448" height="310" src="http://www.geekinheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/cherry_picking_bible_verses-510x495.jpg" title="cherry_picking_bible_verses" width="320" /></a>5. You can't quote the old law (I.E.
Leviticus, the verse regarding "abomination" - which there are also
linguistic issues with this verse that aren't really relevant) because
when Jesus went to the cross he cancelled the old law code and brought
forth a new covenant. Book of Romans, Galatians, and Corinthians. I'm not going to paste all of these, because well, it's A LOT - just go read these books. But here's one from Romans 7:<br />
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<span class="text Rom-7-4-Rom-7-6" id="en-MSG-12037"><sup class="versenum">4-6 </sup>So,
my friends, this is something like what has taken place with you. When
Christ died he took that entire rule-dominated way of life down with him
and left it in the tomb, leaving you free to “marry” a resurrection
life and bear “offspring” of faith for God. For as long as we lived that
old way of life, doing whatever we felt we could get away with, sin was
calling most of the shots as the old law code hemmed us in. And this
made us all the more rebellious. In the end, all we had to show for it
was miscarriages and stillbirths. But now that we’re no longer shackled
to that domineering mate of sin, and out from under all those oppressive
regulations and fine print, we’re free to live a new life in the
freedom of God.</span><br />
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6. I was also warned about the "proper" way to interpret scripture... well I
don't cherry pick scripture out of context - this is a fallacy. When I
read the bible I read the entire passage/chapter/book as a whole, as it
was written, in the context and lesson the writer intended... None of that "oh but this ONE line in the whole bible says so!" Well removing one line from an entire passage could easily change the meaning - and it is sad that so many believe this is the right way to "interpret" scripture. There's nothing to interpret - just read it. For example, Paul's letters - they are letters. So read the entire letter, not just one piece of it. I wouldn't write a letter with the intention for you to only read one line or section - especially if I elaborate further in the next section like Paul does. I don't tell an entire story for you to take one line from it and run with it. And the
passages I've been reading to do not blanketly condemn homosexuality - and even if they did, well reread my first three points. I'd have
to go clobber verse by clobber verse to show them all, which I am already doing under <a href="http://sgryle.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-clobber-passages.html" target="_blank">http://sgryle.blogspot.com/<wbr></wbr>2012/08/the-clobber-passages.<wbr></wbr>html</a> - this is not complete yet, but it will be. I've been reading and studying these passages closely, I just haven't been able to type up the posts yet. So stay tuned.<br />
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So the person's response was that they disagree with me (which means they are disagreeing with scripture, not just me - as I have thoroughly shown) because they've been around a day or two longer. Well just because you've been on this earth longer doesn't mean your beliefs are more right (or wrong) than mine. But when I'm using scripture in depth, in context, to back up my claim like you asked me to, because you believe that scripture holds all the answers in life, you might should consider it more. But by ignoring what I've shown, through scripture, and continuing to condemn a group of people based on your personal beliefs, you are just deceiving & contradicting yourself.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-29681389460291660472012-09-13T12:11:00.000-07:002012-09-13T12:12:24.985-07:00Don't Blame your Spouse for YOUR Porn Issues
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First off, (DISCLAIMER) this is not directed toward my husband in any way. In fact it represents what we both have learned from our personal experience, and I hope it will help someone who may be going through a similar issue.<br />
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Pornography and addictive video gaming are plaguing our generation. They are being used as scapegoats for people who don't want to fix their problems or deal with reality. And many men are blaming their spouse for their issues... "it is my wife's fault I'm looking at porn (<i>and committing adultery by lusting after other another person)</i> because she doesn't give me enough sex" or "it is my wife's fault I lose myself in video games (<i>and neglect my family, our home, etc</i>) so I don't have to deal with her nagging." And so on...<br />
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So the part in italics isn't normally stated by the husband, but it is the reality of the situation. Many men (and even women) of our generation are getting sucked into extreme gaming & the use of internet pornography. It is causing them to neglect their families, their home (leaving all of the housework, raising the kids, etc on the shoulders of the other spouse who may or may not also work), and to lust after another, which according to the Bible, is considered adultery in the eyes of God, and probably in the eyes of the other spouse. From personal experience, I can tell you this is a heavy weight to carry as the spouse of a husband who was addicted to porn and video games. You feel like you are a single parent, and raising an additional child.<br />
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Well guys, it's time to grow up. You are married (and may have children) now. You are an adult with responsibilities, and it is time to put away the childish games and support, love, honor, respect, and help your family. It is time to honor & respect your spouse and not look at pornography. Also, it is time to stop these negative habits with you - with our generation - before it is passed on to the next generation (our children.) My husband got into pornography because he found it in his parent's bedroom. My son started reacting negatively with his attitude and wanting to play video games all the time like daddy. <br />
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Is this the kind of legacy you want to leave for your children? Technology has it's place and it certainly has been an awesome attribute to society, but just like anything else it can be misused and it can be addicting, but we can choose to not let it effect us negatively.<br />
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<a href="http://www.fullerinstitute.org/wordpress/wp-content/themes/dynamik/css/images/addiction_definition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" id="il_fi" src="http://www.fullerinstitute.org/wordpress/wp-content/themes/dynamik/css/images/addiction_definition.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a>Also, marriage and relationships are not all about sex. Most women want way more out of their marriage and life than sex. When a man is constantly nagging for more sex, the same as when a woman nags for them to do the dishes, the nagging doesn't make them want to do it. Love is what allows the other spouse to want to do things for the you. Belittling them or degrading them for sex is not love. Your spouse may get to the point she feels all you want is sex and you only do things to get it. Well here's my advice: JUST STOP. It's time to evolve... you are not an animal. You are not just here to get some and reproduce. Marriage is about commitment, friendship, intimacy (which does not mean sex), and unconditional love. Sex is a beautiful thing in marriage, but when it feels like the main focus, it gets distorted. And a lot of times, sex is damaged in a marriage because of previous sex outside of the marriage. That sex was not about commitment or true intimacy or love. It was about feeling good. <br />
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There is a reason God intended for us to love, marry, and then have sex - it is because sex outside of commitment and true love can hurt. It can cause self-esteem issues and make us have regrets. God doesn't want us to feel that way - he loves us unconditionally and he wants us to love the way he loves because it feels good to truly love.<br />
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Do not blame your spouse (or anyone else) for your porn or excessive gaming issues. It is your personal choice and responsibility to pick up the game controller or navigate to a trashy website. Only you can change yourself. It may take some self discipline and trust in God, but you can change with God's help if you seek it. You cannot change your spouse, and your spouse cannot change you. You have to be willing to change for you and for God, and in turn your spouse will most likely see these changes and want to change for the better as well. When you truly have God in your life and you live your faith (walk the talk) others will want to know what it is that makes you so happy, loving, etc. And they will want to be a part of it. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-82749736386907374512012-09-12T13:58:00.000-07:002012-09-13T05:52:38.467-07:00Why You Can't Quote the Old Testament to Condemn Homosexuality <br />
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So as I've gotten further and deeper into my study I've learned the following:<br />
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1. God loves everyone. His love is unconditional and it doesn't just apply to the religious. My favorite example of God's teaching of unconditional love is the story of Hosea. <br />
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2. Religion will not save you - in fact a person who professes faith in God and asks for salvation, but does not follow a specific religion before they die, will enter heaven. Christ's death on the cross insured this. This is in Romans.<br />
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3. When Jesus died on the cross, he saved us from sin and death, and from the code of the old law. He established a new covenant. To quote a fellow blogger, "<i>My response to the passages in Leviticus (</i>The Old Testament<i>) is more like the solution to
the Gordian Knot, which was a large, hopelessly tangled knot,
impossible to unravel. Alexander the Great solved the knot, not by
disentangling it, but by cutting it in two with his sword.</i><br />
<i>Declaring the cancellation of the Law (from Romans and Galatians) is
not only the truth that Paul taught, it also prevents us from getting
bogged down in endless discussions of word meanings, culture, etc.</i>" Ron Goetz<br />
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# 3 is the main reason why it is insignificant and meaningless to quote OT Law to condemn homosexuality. Instead of picking and choosing which parts of the law would stay and go, Jesus just cancelled it completely and replaced it with his new covenant. (This is covered in great depth in Romans, as well as Galatians.)<br />
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While these verses can also be approached linguistically - there are issues with the translation, I'll use Leviticus for an example, but this is also pointless because Christ's death made OT Law obsolete: "<i>First, this passage condemns gay ritual sex in a Pagan temple, but the
misinterpretation is stating simply that “a man should not lie with
another woman” when a more accurate translation of the original text is
“males having sex in a woman’s bed.” Also “abomination” or “enormous
sin” is also a poor translation of the Hebrew word, which actually means ”ritually unclean” or "taboo."</i>" <br />
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If we're going to use the <u><a href="http://sgryle.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-ot-law-10-commandments-how-do.html">Old Law Code</a></u> to support anti-homosexual points, then by deliberately applying the OT law to our lives (or in this case, the lives of other's, which is also against scripture) and placing ourselves back under it's control, it is said to be "falling from grace."<i> In spite of this, there have always been those who insist that the
Mosaic Law, at least the Ten Commandments, are still in force for the
Christian. </i>To clarify - the Ten Commandments are still in force, because Jesus repeats each one of them within the New Testament, making them a part of the new covenant. But the old Mosaic Law has been cancelled out by Christ's death and resurrection. He updates us with a <u><a href="http://sgryle.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-new-covenant-law-of-christ.html"> new covenant</a></u>, or "law", regarding our duties towards God, other human beings, and ourselves. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-7805279146946163342012-09-12T13:07:00.001-07:002012-09-12T13:14:43.536-07:00Life on God's Terms - Romans 8<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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So we left off in Chapter 7 where Paul was speaking, in his letter to the Romans, about how Christ's new covenant gives us a clean slate and saves us from the old ways, but gives us a new way.<br />
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Chapter 8 continues with this same concept. That because of Christ, the fateful dilemma is resolved - there isn't a question of "one way or the other"... <i>A new power is in operation. <span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2">The Spirit of life in Christ, like a
strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated
lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. (</span></i><span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2">Romans 8:2 The Message)</span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2"><br /></span>
<span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2">God didn't deal with the problem mankind was dealing with lightly. He took it upon himself to come to earth in the form of man. The law code had been fractured by human nature... and so it in itself could not have done what Jesus did for us, in order to set things right.</span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2"><br /></span>
<span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2">The old law was like a band-aid, but it didn't deeply heal sin. So now instead of being tied to the law code, we simply embrace what the spirit is doing in us. Personally, what I see is this: there are a lot of Christians out there still trying to tie in the old law to life - and no so much their life, but to the lives of others... but the thing is, we are all saved by Christ from the ways of the old law code and from the death of sin. As Christians, we believe in Jesus, and his covenant that he brought forth by his death. And that is what we should be applying, not the old laws. And we should focus on applying it in our own lives, not worry about how someone else applies it in their's. "<i>Those
who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring
their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real
life. Those who trust God’s action in them find that God’s Spirit is in
them—living and breathing God!</i>" (Romans 8:5)</span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2">If we have accepted God into our lives, we shouldn't be self-focused... we should be thinking of Him and living life on his terms. There is no need to do-it-yourself, when you have God to do it for you. We have inherited what Christ has done for us. He will be with us through the hard times, and through the good times. I've been personally seeing this lately... when I finally gave myself, my family, my marriage over to God and let him drive, it just seemed so much better. Now that I'm heading down the right path in my life and letting go of my self, God is raining his blessings, and he's showing me how to live with him in my heart and walking beside me daily. How to love others and how to focus on having a loving spirit, Christ's spirit, dwelling inside of me and how to show it.</span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2"><br /></span>
<span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2">I'm far from perfect, and as I'm discovering a new point of view and a new life, I want to share it, but at times I struggle with how. And of course I'm getting a lot of recourse from people who think I'm wrong for the way I look at certain things now, but if I'm going to look at one thing through the loving spirit of Christ, I have to look at all things that way. I've seen so many Christians walk around with the WWJD bracelet... but we really have to stop ourselves, every time we are faced with a choice or question, and ask God. We have to turn to him and let him guide our answer and our decisions. Not our misguided personal agendas.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.idlehearts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/God-hears-what-is-not-spoken-and.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" id="il_fi" src="http://www.idlehearts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/God-hears-what-is-not-spoken-and.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a><span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2"> </span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2">And even though this world is sometimes difficult, confusing, painful, and even irritating... God is there with us through it, and is within us. And we don't always know what or how to pray - but God knows our heart, he lives in our heart, not on our lips or within our minds... He hears what is unspoken and understands what is not explained... "<span class="text Rom-8-26-Rom-8-28" id="en-MSG-12054"><i>Meanwhile, the
moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside
helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t
matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our
wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know
ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before
God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love
for God is worked into something good.</i>" (Romans 8:27-28)</span></span><br />
<span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2"><span class="text Rom-8-26-Rom-8-28" id="en-MSG-12054"><br /></span></span>
<span class="text Rom-8-1-Rom-8-2"><span class="text Rom-8-26-Rom-8-28" id="en-MSG-12054">And no matter what the world, or life throws at us, it doesn't matter. With God on our side, we can't lose. "<span class="text Rom-8-31-Rom-8-39" id="en-MSG-12056"><i>Not trouble, not
hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying
threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture.</i>" (Romans 8:39) None of it should even faze us... through faith in Christ, we are God's chosen people. </span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-73443533938624620892012-09-11T13:06:00.002-07:002012-09-12T14:02:07.734-07:00Why Do You Think the Way You Think?<br />
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Many people wonder why someone is the way they are. Well, everyone's life is a journey, and everyone walks different paths. I am the way I am because of the thing I've gone through in life, and the same goes for anyone else.<br />
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Many may wonder why I feel so strongly the way I do about religion, especially Christianity (the extreme religious part of it.) I didn't necessarily "grow up in church" - but I was sent to church's or drug to church's. I was always the outcast even at church. The church I remember spending the most time in, and dreading it every time because I knew I'd just be alone and bored, was my stepdad's church. But I've seen it in other church's as I've grown up.<br />
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I feel the way I do about these so-called Christians because I got a regular dose of them growing up, and even as a young adult. I was bullied daily in school by a large sum of the student body for no apparent reason. And a large sum of those kids claimed to be Christian. I was never befriended or had anyone try to love me in many of the church's I attended growing up. My mom tried to get me into a private Christian school in our town because of the crap I was dealing with in public school... I got turned away, and their reason was my mom wasn't a regular church attendee. Not that she wasn't a believer mind you, she just didn't attend church regularly.<br />
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So because of what I went through growing up, I have been able to open my mind to other people who deal with the same issues - being bullied, harassed, or criticized by the Christian-right. Being turned away by these people because they don't "fit" their "Christian" criteria. Well I know now that Jesus will never turn me or anyone else away.<br />
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And I see the kids who have "grown up in church" and been accepted all their lives... and a l<br />
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ot of them have grown into the fundamentalist, the Christian-right we know today. With their "my way or the high way" option. Their "love the sinner, hate the sin" euphemism. And just like in high school, their still the "popular" crowd. True Christians, who try to walk the talk, are the minority. We were stomped on then, and we're stomped on now. If we raise a rebuttal against their point of views, we're laughed at or pushed back... we're automatically wrong, and given no merit whatsoever.<br />
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Even though our answers come from the Bible, and are actually within context of the writings, and not just one single verse picked out of the middle of a book and chapter, they hold no value. What they have been told by their teachers, preachers, parents (other human beings) holds way more weight than taking the Bible at it's word and meaning. Frankly, it makes no sense. And it only gets worse when they use their misguided, misinterpreted views of the scriptures to judge or harm others - and that's where I know that their "translation" of the verses are wrong - because Jesus never intended for us to use his words or the words of his disciples or apostles to criticize another or point fingers.<br />
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<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/376809_10151067167371446_1810484888_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Photo: Life is so much simpler when you check your brain at the door of religion and let others tell you how to think, how to believe, what to wear, how to spend your money, how to love, how to feel, how much sex to have and with who...
I mean it simply is so much easier to live that way then to actually think for yourself, to grow up and get your own hands dirty digging for the truth. But the reward is great once you can sit under your own vine and rest in God, knowing all is truly well and All are safely tucked in His big Heart of Love.
~ Juli Walt
image by nakedpastor" border="0" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="320" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/376809_10151067167371446_1810484888_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Opening up a book of the bible, going to a random chapter, and picking out a random verse or line to validate your claim is not what it was intended for. Those books, chapters, and passages were written with a point, a lesson. And the lesson comes from reading the whole entire thing, not just one piece. The practice of quoting out of context, or quote mining, is a fallacy - a type of false attribution in which a passage is removed from it's surrounding content in a way that distorts it's intended meaning. This is also known as cherry picking, or suppressing evidence.<br />
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And the more I heard this and saw this, the more frustrated and further away from God I got, until he finally said "enough" and got me the heck out of there, and started leading me back to him by showing me his way, his truth, and his light.<br />
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The fact is, I think the way I think because I'm stuck in my head... and other people think they way think because they're stuck in their's - and their upbringing, experiences, education (or lack there of), influences, friends, and family have sculpted them so that they think the way they think. One's willingness to open their mind, or stubbornness to keep it closed, is the final piece. We all have had our thoughts and minds shaped into a box - now the question is can we think on our own? Can we think outside the box?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-2839494523411598232012-09-11T07:24:00.000-07:002012-09-11T07:25:24.587-07:00Religion & Faith are Personal, not Institutional<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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So yesterday I saw a "cause" that said: "Put prayer back in schools to show that <i>American</i> people want <i>their</i> rights back to pray and <i>speak</i> out freely about what <i>their </i>faith is..." (sorry the italicized words are ones I corrected for spelling or grammar...)<br />
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(Jesus) <span class="text Matt-22-21">“<i>Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.</i>” Matthew 22:21 </span><br />
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So first of all, Separation of Church & State (SOCS) do not stop a religious person from praying anywhere, or for speaking out about their faith. SOCS goes hand in hand with freedom of religion - meaning people can still pray in school, but it doesn't force a group prayer of one particular religion onto people who may have different beliefs, or aren't religious at all. And it doesn't stop a group of people from one faith from coming together in their school (IE Meet Me at the Pole) and praying together or hosting a club for their faith for people to willingly join.<br />
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Prayer should be personal, not institutionalized. Your faith is personal, and your relationship with God is between you and him, not you and your classmates. Christ's covenant in the NT teaches us that our bodies become the temple of Christ. And in this country, we are free from religious persecution - but so are all other religions. We can pray anywhere we sit, stand, crouch, etc... and no one will stop us. There are church's on every corner. In other countries around the world if you don't follow one specified religion and you are caught, you will be put to death - and there are some Christians in this country who would like to see that happen here! We are not the religious minority as many like to think. However, Christians who follow Christ's teachings and don't spend most of their time passing negative judgement on others for their beliefs or lack there of; or trying to get involved politically to enforce their religion as law are the minority in the Christian faith.<br />
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We will not reach non-believers by forcing our religious doctrines (BTW,
which one will we choose? Methodist? Baptist? Roman Catholic?) on
others... if you want to reach non-believers, get personal with God.
Live YOUR life for God. Apply his principals in YOUR life and act on
faith. No one comes to the son unless drawn by the father - and God may
use you to draw a non-believer to him, but it will be in His time, and
he will use you through your actions, not your words. Also, prayer
doesn't even have to be out loud... God hears what is not spoken and
understands what is not explained. His love does work on the lips or in
the mind, but in the heart.<br />
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We live in a country where we have every right to exercise our personal beliefs, not be persecuted for those beliefs, nor have other beliefs shoved upon us - and so does everyone else.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-7799880597416165532012-09-10T08:22:00.001-07:002012-09-10T08:22:30.771-07:00Is God's Freedom, Really Freedom?<br />
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So many ask, is the freedom of following God, really freedom? Many think of the scriptures as a list of "do's and don'ts" and they don't really see how this is freedom.<br />
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But they aren't really "restrictions" - back during the OT, yes they were law, solid, must follow - not freedom. But through Christ's death on the cross we were saved from the law (along with our sin) and following Christ's covenant is freedom. The covenant is there to guide you down the right path so you will be free... <br />
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Our pastor used two really great examples this past Sunday that I wanted to share... One was financial freedom. He grew up hearing about paying his tithe, saving a portion of his money, and then living off the rest... he chose to abide by this - yes there were times it didn't feel like freedom because his friends had more money than him because they weren't giving 10% to the church, or 10% to savings, etc, plus they weren't just living off 100%, then were living off 110, 120 or even 150% with the use of credit cards.... But once he got older, he realized how blessed he'd been by trusting in God. He may not be rolling in the dough, but he has a pretty good life, and is also not in debt (how many of us know debt? Is that freedom???) This one hit home because I've recently devised a plan to get 100% out of debt, pay our tithe, and to live within our means... (this Sunday's sermon was confirmation for me that God is behind it, yet again!) But when we weren't paying our tithe, we were saving some, but we were also in debt up to our eyeballs... struggling to pay off credit cards every month in addition to the mortgage and car payments. In 2 years (maybe less because God is working) we'll be debt free and even with paying our tithe we'll have more money left at the end of the month than we've ever had in our entire lives.<br />
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The next example really tugged on my heart. He talked about following the covenant of Christ about not having promiscuous sex before marriage. About how there are some of us (guilty party here) who have had sex with more than one partner before marriage, because it was fun, felt good - felt like freedom! But once you get past that stage of life, have settled down and are married with a family, and you look back - does it really look like freedom? It sure doesn't to me... it looks like mistakes and regret... and it feels like chains tugging on and tying down my heart instead of letting it love freely without the haunting of the past relationships that just ended up hurting. How much more free I would feel if I would have waited for the right person, the one I would marry. So my conclusion is that yes, God's freedom through Christ, is freedom. He will free you from your chains because through faith in him you are forgiven for your past transgressions. <br />
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Anyways, I just wanted to share what I've learned this weekend - because I've just started reading in Romans and other NT passages about the freedom we have through Christ - and I also wondered, is this really freedom? But God answered my question this Sunday! God is good.. ALL THE TIME!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-30275328214705519792012-09-10T07:33:00.001-07:002012-09-10T08:01:38.734-07:00Keeping up Appearances is not the "Key" to Christianity<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9dl8fblZo1r1j4f5o1_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" id="il_fi" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9dl8fblZo1r1j4f5o1_1280.png" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></a><span class="text Jas-1-22-Jas-1-24" id="en-MSG-12788">"<i>Don’t fool
yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything
but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on
what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in
the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are,
what they look like</i>." James 1:22-24 - The Message</span><br />
<span class="text Jas-1-22-Jas-1-24" id="en-MSG-12788"> </span> <br />
First off, someone said the image to the left is a "weak" analogy because you can't "become" a car... but that's not the point - the point is that you don't "become" a Christian simply by standing in (or sitting, or going to) a church.<br />
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This weekend started off the new series "Life Apps" at church, and the sermon was about applying the word to our lives. Many people just "go to church"... and we deceive ourselves by thinking we can just listen in church and that's the end. The Bible was written to guide us in our walk with Christ - while it is not the "final answer", and the true answer is within ourselves, we can't find that answer if we don't apply Christ's basic principles to our lives. Many of us do this naturally, but it doesn't come so easy for all.<br />
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A relationship with Christ is a road to self-discovery - but by learning and applying the lessons of the people who came before us (learn from the past, from history) we can save ourselves a lot of time and grief instead of learning the hard way. <br />
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Being a Christian is not about keeping up appearances by attending church every week. Being a Christian means to follow Christ - to let him live in and lead your heart. Christ came to earth to save us, but also to set the example we are supposed to follow on how we treat others. In fact, when Christ came to earth and died for our sins, he saved us from the old law, and brought a new covenant that changed the "physical temple" (or church) to our hearts and bodies as the temple of God. So going to a physical place does not make you a Christian.<br />
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The key here is to learn the word on your own accord and to apply it to your life. To act on what you hear, and to put your faith into action. You can learn all the right words, know the bible inside and out, but until you do something about it, talking about faith doesn't indicate that you really have it. (James 2:14) <span class="text Jas-2-14-Jas-2-17">God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense. (James 2:17)</span><br />
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"<span class="text Jas-1-26-Jas-1-27" id="en-MSG-12790"><i>Anyone who sets
himself up as “religious” by talking a good game is self-deceived. This
kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind
that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the
homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from
the godless world.</i>" James 1:26-27</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-55467293858665155242012-09-05T10:51:00.000-07:002012-09-05T10:52:36.301-07:00Can Trust be Restored in a Damaged Relationship?God is showing me, slowly, that trust can be repaired once broken. It takes time, and effort, and there may even be some pitfalls. My husband is still learning how to communicate with me, as I am learning to better communicate with him.<br />
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I still have a hard time believing his word sometimes. But he seems adamant that he only looked at the porn as a test, to see how far he'd come, and that he wasn't aroused by it. That's not the only part of the conversation we had, but that is his final answer.<br />
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I'm still spinning everything that was said in my head... when I confronted him originally, he said he just "slipped" and seemed very upset that he'd "faltered"... but then once he left for the trip and we got on the phone, the story changed to he was testing himself, but when I asked him what he had done, he froze... which in my mind makes no sense at all - him slipping and faltering is worse than just testing himself and not feeling anything as a result... So why say the worse of the two out of panic?<br />
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Because now the other story looks like a cover up, in my mind. I hate not being able to read people's minds. I'll tell you what if only I could hear what people are actually thinking instead of saying.<br />
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Now there is the possibility Adam could be mildly bipolar as it is genetic... he doesn't seem to have it anywhere near the level his mom, but he does seem to have slight ups and downs that seem to be beyond the normal level of regular mood swings. And one thing I've learned about bipolar is that when presented with a stressful situation, the more "natural" result is for the person to lie (no matter how silly or backwards the lie is.)<br />
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God is leading us to find out more. To seek counseling and medical council regarding the possibility of bipolar disorder. I thought we were doing ok without some form of counseling, but we were obviously fooling ourselves.<br />
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So please pray for us as we continue to rebuild the broken trust and our damaged marriage. I read something the other day about someone asking a couple how they stayed together so long (something like 60 years) and they said "back in our day, if something was broken, we fixed it, not threw it away and got a new one..." Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-26902544495831496552012-09-04T06:47:00.000-07:002012-09-04T06:56:08.283-07:00How to Make your Woman Feel Worthless...<br />
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<br />
<a href="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c100.0.403.403/p403x403/394383_452971091414808_1192713239_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo: Share And Inspire Others. <3<3
Inspire Your Spirit With Best Inspirational, Motivational and Romantic Thoughts <3<3
See more" border="0" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="200" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c100.0.403.403/p403x403/394383_452971091414808_1192713239_n.jpg" width="200" /></a>Let her find photos of naked women with fictitious bods on the computer. Porn is the #2 cause of divorce (infidelity). And yes, it is indeed infidelity even though not everyone will see it that way. Lusting after another woman is considered adultery. And looking at pornography is lusting.<br />
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A lot of self respecting women see porn as an issue. They do not want that kind of trash in their marriage. It makes a woman feel degraded, worthless, like she's never going to be enough and compare to those women with fake breast implants and ass jobs. <br />
<br />
Want to know how to damage your marriage further? Stop the porn and make it look like you've really changed, work to re-earn your spouse's trust, and then, right when you actually start making some progress, crush it again. You know the saying - trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair. Well what about when they keep breaking it? Over and over. How do you get yourself back from 7 years of broken trust? You give him the chance to change, and he blows it... so what are you supposed to do next?<br />
<br />
Fool me once, shame on you... fool me twice, shame on me. Sorry, this post is really just a vent. The shock of finding more porn on my computer from my husband is still sinking in. After 3 months of trying to make things work, of trying to make repairs. Of thinking we were past this. They say it takes 6 weeks to start a new habit - well we were 15 weeks in, so what now?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251931_4061565308349_1010823359_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" id="il_fi" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/251931_4061565308349_1010823359_n.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a>I don't know where to turn next. One step forward, and like 1000 steps back. It was hard enough to say "yes, let's fix this" the first time. But at the same time I feel like I've come too far in my spiritual life, in my personal life, to just give up all over again.<br />
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I'm not saying I'm just going to let it go and keep going like nothing
happened, but I'm not saying I quit either. I have a few days to clear
my head while he's out of town with work. So I'm starting there. My
heart feels like it's shattered into a million pieces... I'm going to
try and pick up the pieces, but I don't know if I can put it all back
together this time. I'm giving it to God, because only he can repair
something so broken.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-20585032614472587662012-08-31T08:30:00.000-07:002012-08-31T08:30:43.393-07:00The New Covenant - The Law of Christ<div class="bodytext">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"<i>The fact that the Mosaic law has been terminated
does not mean that there is no law in this age of grace even though the
nature of this law is quite different from the standpoint of incentive,
motivation, and means. In fact, the epistles speak of “the perfect law
of liberty (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Jam. 1:25</a>), “the royal law” (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Jam. 2:8</a>), the Law of Christ (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Gal. 6:2</a>), and the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom. 8:2</a>).
This consists of the many imperatives found throughout the epistles
which comprise this law. These too cover all areas of the believer’s
life to direct him in the will of God in today’s world.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="bodytext">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The moral principles embodied in the law of Moses Paul calls “the righteousness of the law” (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 8:4</a>),
and shows that such principles are the goal of the Spirit-directed life
in the same context in which he teaches the believer is not under the
Mosaic law (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 6</a>–8).</i><sup><i><a href="http://bible.org/article/mosaic-law-its-function-and-purpose-new-testament#P57_13333">8</a></i>" <span class="submitted"><a href="http://bible.org/byauthor/23/J.%20Hampton%20Keathley,%20III">J. Hampton Keathley, III</a></span></sup></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="bodytext">
<sup><span class="submitted"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> So we are under a new covenant because of Christ. But we still have to have principles to live by, otherwise we could just go out and do whatever we want (and we know that leading a life filled with sin is not the way to go.)</span></span></span></sup></div>
<div class="bodytext">
<br /></div>
<div class="bodytext">
<sup><span class="submitted"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 10 Commandments are present in the New Testament - as they are the basic principles we should follow. The principles under the new covenant are outlined in the NT.</span></span></span></sup></div>
<ul><h5>
Duties toward God</h5>
<ul><h6>
<i>Positive</i></h6>
</ul>
<div class="bodytext">
1. Trust Him (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Mark 11:22</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">John 14:1</a>, ASV; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Heb 11:6</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
2. Love Him and seek to know Him better (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 John 5:2</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Phil 3:10, 15</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Jas 4:8</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
3. Be thankful to Him; worship and praise Him (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">John 4:23</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Col 3:15</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Heb 13:15</a>.)</div>
<div class="bodytext">
4. Serve Him (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:6-8</a>, 11; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 15:58</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
5. Pray to Him (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Luke 18:1</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:12</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 6:18</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Phil 4:6</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Col 4:2</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Tim 2:2</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
6. Live in accordance with His will (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:1</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Heb 13:21</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Jas 4:7</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
7. Walk in the Spirit (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Gal 5:16, 25</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 5:18</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
8. Hold fast to sound doctrine and contend for the faith (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Tim 1:13</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Heb 13:9</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Jude 3</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
9. Witness for Christ (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">John 15:27</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Acts 1:8</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 3:15</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
10. Do everything as unto Him (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 10:31</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 6:7-8</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Col 3:17,23</a>-24).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
11. Be diligent in devotion and study of His Word (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">John 5:39</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Col 3:16</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Tim 2:15</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Jas 4:8</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 2:2</a>).</div>
<ul><h6>
<i>Negative</i></h6>
</ul>
<div class="bodytext">
1. Do not have idols (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 10:7, 14</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 5:3</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Phil 3:19</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Col 3:5</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Tim 6:17</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Heb 13:15</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 John 5:21</a>). </div>
<div class="bodytext">
2. Do not receive false teachers (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 John 10</a>). </div>
<div class="bodytext">
3. Do not mock or speak against God (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Gal 6:7</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Col 3:8</a>). </div>
<h5>
Duties toward Other Human Beings</h5>
<ul><h6>
<i>Positive</i></h6>
</ul>
<div class="bodytext">
1. Love all, especially our brethren (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">John 15:17</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:10</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 16:14</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 1:22</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 John 3:23; 4:7</a> {<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 John 4:7</a>}).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
2. Be sympathetic and compassionate (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 4:32</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Phil 2:4</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Col 3:12</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
3. Forgive and forbear (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:19</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 4:32</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Col 3:13</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
4. Deal honestly and fairly (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:17</a>b; 13:7 {<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 13:7</a>}; 13:13 {<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 13:13</a>}; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Thess 4:12</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Jas 2:1</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
5. Do good to all and help all (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:13</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Gal 6:2, 10</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Thess 5:15</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Titus 3:1</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Heb 13:16</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Jas 4:17</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">3 John 11</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
6. Tell the truth (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 4:25</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
7. Be courteous and live peaceably with all (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:18</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 2:17; 3:8</a> {<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 3:8</a>}).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
8. Treat others as we would like for them to treat us (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Luke 6:31</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:17</a>a).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
9. Provide a good example for others (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 8:9, 13</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Phil 2:15</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
10. Urge brethren to good works and seek to restore backsliders (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Gal 6:1</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Heb 10:24</a>).</div>
<ul><h6>
<i>Negative</i></h6>
</ul>
<div class="bodytext">
1. Do not lie or bear false witness (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 4:25</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Col 3:9</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Titus 2:3</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
2. Do not steal (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 4:28</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 4:15</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
3. Do not murder (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 4:15</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
4. Do not commit adultery or fornication (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 6:18</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Thess 4:13</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
5. Do not judge others or speak evil of them (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 14:13</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Titus 3:2</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Jas 4:11</a>; cf. <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">John 7:24</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
6. Do not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Cor 6:14</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
7. Do not have fellowship with professing Christians who live in scandalous sin (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 5:11</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Thess 3:14</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
8. Do not go to law with other believers (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 6</a>:lff).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
9. Do not glory in men (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 3:21</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
10. Avoid troublemakers and useless disputes (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 16:17</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Tim 2:23</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Titus 3:12</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
11. Do not have unpaid debts (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 13:8</a>).</div>
<h5>
Duties toward Self</h5>
<ul><h6>
<i>Positive</i></h6>
</ul>
<div class="bodytext">
1. Be holy (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 1:15; 2:11</a> {<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 2:11</a>}; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Pet 3:1</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
2. Cleave to the good and do good to all (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:9</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Thess 5:15</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
3. Study the Word of God and meditate on sacred things (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Thess 4:11</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Tim 2:15</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
4. Grow spiritually (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Pet 3:18</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
5. Think on good things (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Phil 4:8</a>).</div>
<div class="bodytext">
6. Think soberly of yourself (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:3</a>).</div>
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7. Be ambitious in the right way (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 12:31; 14:1</a> {<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 14:1</a>}; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Cor 5:4</a>).</div>
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8. Be content with what God gives you (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Heb 13:5</a>).</div>
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9. Rejoice in the Lord (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:12</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Phil 3:1; 4:4</a> {<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Phil 4:4</a>}; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Thess 5:16</a>).</div>
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10. Live in the light of the judgment seat of Christ (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 9:24</a>).</div>
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11. Judge yourself and confess sins to God (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 11:31</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Cor 13:5</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 John 1:9</a>).</div>
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12. Conserve time for good purposes (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 5:11</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Col 4:5</a>).</div>
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13. Cultivate your mind (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 1:13</a>).</div>
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14. Do useful work (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 4:28</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">2 Thess 3:12</a>).</div>
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15. Keep your body clean and in good health (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 6:15; 6:19,20</a> {<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 6</a>}; 10:31 {<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 10:31</a>}; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:1</a>).</div>
<ul><h6>
<i>Negative</i></h6>
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1. Abhor evil (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:9</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Thess 5:22</a>).</div>
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2. Avoid pride (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:3</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Jas 4:10</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 5:6</a>).</div>
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3. Do not conform to or love the world (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:2</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 John 2:15</a>).</div>
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4. Do not fellowship with evil (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 5:11</a>).</div>
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5. Do not sin through anger (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 4:26</a>).</div>
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6. Do not worry (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Phil 4:6</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Pet 5:7</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 John 14:1,27</a>).</div>
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7. Do not be lazy (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Rom 12:1</a>).</div>
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8. Do not use filthy speech (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 4:29; 5:4</a> {<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 5:4</a>}).</div>
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9. Do not become drunk (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Eph 5:18</a>).</div>
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10. Do not complain (<a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">1 Cor 10:10</a>; <a class="NETBibleTagged" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678">Phil 2:14</a>).</div>
<h5>
Miscellaneous Duties</h5>
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Beyond all that has been said…, there are still
other duties which the earnest believer would do well to consider:
duties toward the lower creation; responsibilities with regard to human
government; special duties devolving upon particular classes, such as
the unmarried, husbands, wives, children, servants.</div>
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http://bible.org/article/mosaic-law-its-function-and-purpose-new-testament </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-9851918749843443372012-08-31T06:48:00.003-07:002012-08-31T06:48:53.240-07:00Nothing Holy About Hatred - Press Release August 2012<div align="center">
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<img height="90" id="header-image" src="http://nothingholyabouthatred.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/cropped-nhah-logo-13.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://nothingholyabouthatred.org/" rel="Home" title="Nothing Holy About Hatred">
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PRESS RELEASE- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8 AUGUST 2012</div>
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<strong>SAYING NO TO HOMOPHOBIA IN FAITH COMMUNITIES - </strong><strong>RELIGIOUS LEADERS PLEDGE AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA</strong></div>
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Leading faith and interfaith organisations in the UK are pledging
against homophobic bullying and violence. Organisations such as the <strong>Islamic Society of Britain</strong>, <strong>City Sikhs</strong>, <strong>3 Faiths Forum</strong> and many others have left messages of support on the <strong><a href="http://nothingholyabouthatred.org/" title="Nothing Holy About Hatred">Nothing Holy About Hatred</a> </strong>campaign website, to speak out against hatred and homophobia from their own faith perspectives.<br />
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Organisers of the Nothing Holy About Hatred campaign are asking
leaders and authority figures from different faiths and denominations to
join with their congregations, members of the LGBT community, and other
supporters, to take a simple pledge against prejudice and hatred
towards LGBT people; something that many faith communities have never
spoken publicly about before.<br />
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<strong>Dilwar Hussain, </strong>president of the <strong>Islamic Society of Britain</strong> and Head of the Policy and Research Centre at the <strong>Islamic Foundation</strong>, is among those who have taken the Nothing Holy About Hatred pledge, leaving the comment: <em>Love,
mercy and compassion are at the core of all of our faith traditions –
whatever moral position people may take on same-sex relationships, there
is no excuse for discrimination or hatred. There is nothing holy about
hatred!</em><br />
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The campaign highlights the damage that homophobia causes -including
bullying, intimidation and violence- and the high levels of self-harm
and suicide amongst LGBT youth. The Lesbian and Gay Foundation has
reported <strong>that 73% of lesbian, gay and bisexual people have experienced prejudice, discrimination and harassment</strong>, and the School Report 2012, recently published by Stonewall, showed that <strong>over half of all gay young people are bullied at school</strong>.
The campaign exists to raise awareness of these issues, arguing that
people of faith need to do more to tackle them within their own
communities.<strong> </strong><br />
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<strong>Rabbi David Mitchell, Reform Rabbi and Jewish Educator based at West London Synagogue of British Jews </strong>left the following pledge: <em>On
behalf of my congregation I’m honoured to sign this pledge. There is no
place for homophobia in this day and age. An individual’s personal
religious beliefs can never justify their acting in ways that denigrate,
demean and emotionally damage others. Thank you for launching this
important initiative.</em><br />
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And from the Sikh community, <strong>Jasvir Singh, Director of City Sikhs </strong>pledged<strong>: </strong><em>As
a Sikh, I believe that all people should be treated equally and without
discrimination. Homophobia is wrong. Regardless of what one’s views are
about homosexuality from a religious or doctrinal basis, homophobia
itself can never be defended. Discrimination should be fought wherever
it may be, and whatever form it may take, and I am glad to be able to
support this project.</em><br />
<br />
<strong>British Muslims for Secular Democracy</strong>, <strong>Faith Matters</strong> and <strong>Rene Cassin</strong> are
also among those who have taken the pledge, as well as a number of
rabbis, priests, community leaders and people of faith. The campaign is
backed by<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.strategicdialogue.org/programmes/diversity-and-integration/phoenix/"><strong>Phoenix</strong></a>,
a group of professionals, thinkers and activists from a variety of
religious, non-religious and ideational backgrounds, who aim to <strong>create safe spaces for dialogue around issues which are often seen as contentious or difficult to address</strong>.<br />
To <strong>find out how you can support the campaign</strong>, visit the <a href="http://nothingholyabouthatred.org/" target="_blank" title="Nothing Holy About Hatred"><strong>campaign website</strong></a>, the campaign’s <a href="http://nothingholyabouthatred.org/2012/07/18/press-release-3-2/www.facebook.com/NothingHolyAboutHatred" target="_blank"><strong>Facebook page</strong> </a>or the campaign’s <a href="http://nothingholyabouthatred.org/2012/07/18/press-release-3-2/twitter.com/NothingHolyHate" target="_blank"><strong>Twitter feed</strong></a>
and take your own pledge against hatred and homophobia within your
community. Supporters are also welcome to share their personal
thoughts on the subject including via photos, videos, blog posts and
more.<br />
<br />
<strong>Nothing Holy About Hatred</strong> can be found online at <a href="http://www.nothingholyabouthatred.org/">www.nothingholyabouthatred.org</a>, on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/NothingHolyAboutHatred">www.facebook.com/NothingHolyAboutHatred</a> and on Twitter at <a href="http://nothingholyabouthatred.org/Documents%20and%20Settings/Alice%20Keen/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/ME61DI09/twitter.com/NothingHolyHate">twitter.com/NothingHolyHate</a> or emailed at <a href="mailto:hello@nothingholyabouthatred.org">hello@nothingholyabouthatred.org</a>. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-29840600073253824562012-08-30T12:09:00.002-07:002012-08-31T06:13:53.182-07:00Love & Compassion - Battling Intolerance & Hatred<div style="background-color: black; color: white;">
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<b>My Personal Background</b> </div>
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As a child, I wasn't really guided on how to handle people... I didn't have regular conversations with my parents about faith, religion, etc. I do vaguely remember hearing them say at least once that racism is wrong. So I knew they wanted me to know that it is not right to discriminate. Up until the 4th grade, I went to church periodically - my parents didn't take me, they sent me with a lady from my brother's church, or I went with my best friend Val to her family's church, and sometimes her brother's church. Being young and easily distracted, I didn't really grasp the stories - though I vaguely remember being taught about basic bible stories (Jonah, David & Goliath, etc.) and singing Father Abraham.</div>
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My mom remarried when I was in 4th grade, and my stepdad took me with him to church, and mom went sometimes. She, nor I, really felt comfortable in a Pentecostal church with all the speaking in tongues, falling on the floor, etc. Just not our cup of tea. But while she wouldn't go, I still got drug, and I dreaded it not just because of the weirdness, but because it was just another place I didn't feel accepted or welcome. I didn't get bullied there like I did at school, but I didn't have anyone to hang out with either. I was always a loner. I didn't really get involved in a church and get a fire in me to learn about the Bible and God until I moved to Georgia and got involved in my half-sister's church, where her dad preaches. But it was hard, because I felt like I was ill-equipped because I wasn't "raised" on this stuff - the stories weren't drilled into my head - I wasn't familiar with the bible and struggled with reading and understanding it because of the old english language most versions are written in, and everyone always said the King James Version was the "true" version... yet according to most church's, "all versions are inerrant"... thinking about it now, maybe they wanted us to read the KVJ because of our lack of ability to fully understand it, so that made it easier to teach it their way... they also pushed the NIV alot - but I've personally found this is one of the most mistranslated versions out there. They purposefully change the words in the clobber passages to homosexuality so no one will even question if that's the meaning or not...</div>
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Anyways... back on track... I listened intently to their teachings, and for a while got sucked into the whole "right-wing fundamentalist" way of thinking... This church considers itself non-denominational, but is a part of the Southern Evangelical association. And of course, non-denomination doesn't mean they don't hold a specific set of "standards" or doctrine. I heard a lot of preaching about sin, how to obtain salvation, that we must right our wrongs, etc. But I also heard negative remarks towards liberals, abortion, homosexuals, atheists, and basically anyone who didn't believe the same way they did. This hit a nerve with me, and not in a good way. I started to question the teachings I'd become so wrapped up in, and I started reaching outside the church for my own understanding of God and the bible. Since I had such a difficult time understanding the bible in its old English format, I started browsing the web for other views. I was involved in a debate one day over gay marriage, and "saw the light." I came across ReligiousTolerance.org that explained both the conservative and liberal view of scripture. I discovered BibleGateway.com where I could review different versions of the Bible, and eventually came across The Message, which was written in plain English and in a way that I could understand and relate in today's time.</div>
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Someone had told me to "read & re-read Romans" because of my POV on gay marriage, and that "it's about not accepting sin." Yeah ok, so I started with the <a href="http://sgryle.blogspot.com/2012/08/i-was-told-to-read-and-re-read-romans.html"><u>book of Romans,</u></a> and I'm to chapter 5, but this book is not about teaching us to "not accept sin" nor does it teach us homosexuals are sinning because of their sexual orientation - in fact it doesn't talk about homosexuals, it talks about unnatural homosexual actions (straights performing gay practices), and teachings of Romans are intended for believers, or the religious, to learn how not to live in sin nor to criticize others. So I wondered, how many other scriptures are so loosely translated? I've reviewed Sodom & Gomorrah in Genesis - also not what I was taught. I'm slowly making my way through the clobber passages and I'm discovering a whole new & amazing point of view on God, the Bible, and my faith.</div>
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<b>Love & Compassion; Religious Tolerance</b></div>
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<b> </b> <i>"Religious tolerance means to refrain from discriminating against others who
follow a different religious path. Tolerance is more difficult to maintain when you <b> know</b> that your religion is true and their religion is wrong</i>."- Anon</div>
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<i>"Religious tolerance is <b> not </b> religious
indifference. It consists of valuing the right of another person to hold
beliefs that you know absolutely, and without a doubt, to be wrong</i><i>."</i> - Anon</div>
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First off, no one <b>knows </b>their religion is true and the only right one - only God knows all of the truth, and the proof is in the puddin' - even different denominations of Christians have different interpretations of the bible and doctrine. They can't all be right, and I'm willing to be they've all got something wrong... And the way I see it is if the religion is teaching hate, intolerance, oppression, etc... it's probably not right. Why would God create us to be at war with each other, to hurt each other, to destroy each other and ourselves? And the bible instructs us (in the book of Romans - see chapter 6:13-16 ) that it is not your religion that gets you right with God. Your <i>faith </i>in God is what sets you right.We are told that even the Gentiles (defined as non-Jews, synonym: Pagan) who naturally live by God's laws without religion, can inherit the kingdom of heaven through salvation. (Romans 2) </div>
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Also, God specifically instructs us not to criticize others (Romans 2:3-5). He doesn't want us to be intolerant of people who are different or without. In fact, we are instructed to reach out to the poor... and that by "placing the homeless man in the back row and the rich man in the front" (James 2) you have segregated God's children and proven that you are judges who can't be trusted. </div>
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So by turning someone away because they don't meet the church's criteria, you have practiced segregation, discrimination, and you have judged another. God teaches that we are to show love & compassion to all mankind. He instructs us to love thy neighbor our ourselves, and even to love our enemies. God made every one of us - he made each of us distinct and none of us are the same. Our differences are made by God! He crafts each and every one of us - none of us are self-made. </div>
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<b>Proverbs 14:21</b><br />
<i>It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but <b>compassion</b> for the poor—what a blessing! </i></div>
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<b>Ephesians 2: 9-10</b></div>
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<i>No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and
saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he
does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had
better be doing. <b> </b></i> </div>
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<b>Religious Tolerance in the Bible</b></div>
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<i>The prophet Micah prophesied
about a coming time when nations will stop making war. The various peoples of the world
will live in peace and pursue their different religions, each worshiping their different
Gods and Goddesses. Meanwhile, the Jews will continue to follow Jehovah. His prophesy came
to pass for the known western world during the Roman Empire where religious were generally
tolerated (except for the intermittent persecution of Christians). However, late
in the 4th century CE when Christianity became the official religion of the
Roman Empire, persecution of non-Christians became the norm. </i>- ReligiousTolerance.org</div>
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Micah 4 (The Message)</h4>
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The Making of God's People</h5>
<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9633">1-4</sup> But when all is said and done, <br /> God's Temple on the mountain,<br />Firmly fixed, will dominate all mountains, <br /> towering above surrounding hills.<br />People will stream to it <br /> and many nations set out for it,<br />Saying, "Come, let's climb God's mountain. <br /> Let's go to the Temple of Jacob's God.<br />He will teach us how to live. <br /> We'll know how to live God's way."<br />True teaching will issue from Zion, <br /> God's revelation from Jerusalem.<br />He'll establish justice in the rabble of nations <br /> and settle disputes in faraway places.<br />They'll trade in their swords for shovels, <br /> their spears for rakes and hoes.<br />Nations will quit fighting each other, <br /> quit learning how to kill one another.<br />Each man will sit under his own shade tree, <br /> each woman in safety will tend her own garden.<br />God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so, <br /> and he means what he says. </i><i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-9634">5</sup>Meanwhile, all the other people live however they wish, <br /> picking and choosing their gods.<br />But we live honoring God, <br /> and we're loyal to our God forever and ever. </i></div>
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Jesus' disciples rejected and criticized a healer who was exorcising demons in Jesus' name, but wasn't a "Christian" follower. Jesus then criticizes his disciples and accepts the healer because he is doing good in his name. </div>
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<b>Mark 9:38-40</b></div>
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The Message (MSG)</div>
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<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-10519">38</sup>John spoke up, "Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn't in our group." </i><br />
<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-10520">39-41</sup>Jesus
wasn't pleased. "Don't stop him. No one can use my name to do something
good and powerful, and in the next breath cut me down. If he's not an
enemy, he's an ally. Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my
name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice. </i><br />
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<b>Luke 9:49-50</b><br />
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<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-10838">49</sup>John spoke up, "Master, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn't of our group." </i><br />
<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-10839">50</sup>Jesus said, "Don't stop him. If he's not an enemy, he's an ally." </i></div>
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<b>Other examples of Jesus' tolerance:</b><br />
<i> </i><br />
Jesus refused to curse non-believers.<i> </i>(Luke 9:52-26.)<br />
<br />
Jesus treats a Samaritan women with respect. (John 4:7-27.)<br />
<br />
<b>Religious Tolerance: </b> <br />
<br />
Christians treat Jews with respect. (Acts 17:10-13)<br />
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Non-Christians who follow God's law will be accepted into heaven. (Romans 2:14-16.<b>)</b><br />
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Also, Paul instructs to avoid offending followers of other religions. (1 Corinthians 10:31-32.)<br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/215404_10151178367013487_801268827_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/215404_10151178367013487_801268827_n.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="200" /></a>The more I think about it, the more I think, why would anyone want to
focus so much time and energy into playing "keep away" with basic human
rights? They put a "positive" spin on it and call it "supporting or defending
traditional marriage" - but that doesn't change what it is. It's
anti-gay, it's intolerant, and it's discrimination - it is the civil
rights movement of our time. And just like the "Christian" groups who
used twisted, cherry picked, and loosely translated scripture to support
slavery... and to support the oppression of women.... and to claim interracial marriage wasn't right either... today they are using it to support the oppression of gays and are denying them the legal right of marriage. How are they denying it? There are active political groups campaigning for the "Defense of Marriage Act" and when someone goes to the polls to vote for something like that, or to vote against the legalization of gay unions, they are denying those people their rights. <br />
<br />
They talk about preserving "traditional marriage" as according to the bible... well first of all, traditional marriage in biblical times was not what we see as marriage today. And secondly, heterosexuals are doing a pretty poor job of preserving their own marriages to be worrying about someone else's... how about worrying about the log in your own eye before telling someone else to remove the splinter from their eye. <br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4702270269700897678" name="02"></a></i> <i>Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—
unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has
a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's
face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the
nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is
distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all
over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your
part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to
offer a washcloth to your neighbor. </i>
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Matthew 7.1-5 MSG</center>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-53294979990678819042012-08-30T09:15:00.004-07:002012-08-31T08:31:41.016-07:00The OT Law & The 10 Commandments - How do they effect us now?<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">So as we've learned in the book of<a href="http://sgryle.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-way-of-spirit-not-law-romans-5-6.html"><u> Romans</u></a> so far, the grace bestowed upon us by the death of Christ saves us from the deeds of the OT law, also known as the Torah. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The Law of the Bible include Natural Law (NT), the Law of Eden (OT), The Law of the Patriarchs (OT), The Law of Moses Given to Isreal (OT), Human Law as Prescribed by Man (NT), The Law of Christ (NT), and The Law of the Kingdom (NT).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The types of things from the Old Law we have been saved from by Christ are the following:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">1. When to Stone your Children - there were specific instructions in the OT to stone children when they were stubborn and rebellious (</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Deuteronomy
21:18</b>).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">2. When to Marry Your Sister-In-Law - if the husband dies, the brother is to marry the wife of the deceased brother. </span><span style="font-size: small;">(</span><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Deuteronomy
25:5</b>).</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">3. When to Stone your Entire Family (<b>Deuteronomy 13:6-8</b>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">4. If a Girl is Raped She must be Stoned with her Rapist (<b>Deuteronomy 22:23</b>).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">5. How Long to Hang Somebody (<b>Deuteronomy 21:22</b>).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">And this list goes on and on, and on - there are 613 commandments in the Mosaic Law ... for a complete list of these OT Laws, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/613_commandments"><u>click here.</u></a></span><br />
<br />
The Mosaic Laws were given to Israel to govern their life as a nation in order to experience God’s blessing under the Abrahamic covenant. A system of rules may be tailored for different times, groups of people, or purposes.<br />
<br />
The original 10 Commandments also appear in the New Testament, so they are still considered to be upheld under Christ. <br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr class="tdtop"><td class="tdwidth"><b>Ten Commandments in the Old Testament</b></td>
<td class="tdwidth"><b>Ten Commandments in the New Testament</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>1.</b> “You shall have no other gods before me.” <span class="teal">Exodus 20:3</span></td>
<td><b>1.</b> “You shall worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” <span class="teal">Matthew 4:10</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>2.</b> “You shall not make unto you any graven
image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is
in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: You shall
not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God
am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing
mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my Commandments.” <span class="teal">Exodus 20:4-6</span></td>
<td><b>2.</b> “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” <span class="teal">1 Corinthians 10:14</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>3.</b> “You shall not take the name of the LORD
your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh
his name in vain.” <span class="teal">Exodus 20:7</span></td>
<td><b>3.</b> “That the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” <span class="teal">1 Timothy 6:1</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>4.</b> “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days shall you labour, and do all your work: But the seventh day is
the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, you,
nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant,
nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates: For in six
days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is,
and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day,
and hallowed it.” <span class="teal">Exodus 20:8-11</span></td>
<td><b>4.</b> “For somewhere he has spoken about the
seventh day as follows: On the seventh day God rested from all his
works, There remains, therefore, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.
For the one who enters God's rest has himself rested from his own works,
just as God did from his.” <span class="teal">ISV Hebrews 4:4, 9-10</span>. See solid New Testament basis for Sabbath Keeping below.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>5.</b> “Honour your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God giveth you.” <span class="teal">Exodus 20:12</span></td>
<td><b>5.</b> “Honour your father and your mother.” <span class="teal">Matthew 19:19</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>6.</b> “You shall not kill.” <span class="teal">Exodus 20:13</span></td>
<td><b>6.</b> “You shall not kill.” <span class="teal">Romans 13:9</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>7.</b> “You shall not commit adultery.” <span class="teal">Exodus 20:14</span></td>
<td><b>7.</b> “You shall not commit adultery.” <span class="teal">Matthew 19:18</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>8.</b> “You shall not steal.” <span class="teal">Exodus 20:15</span></td>
<td><b>8.</b> “You shall not steal.” <span class="teal">Romans 13:9</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>9.</b> “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.” <span class="teal">Exodus 20:16</span></td>
<td><b>9.</b> “You shall not bear false witness.” <span class="teal">Romans 13:9</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>10.</b> “You shall not covet your neighbour's
house, you shall not covet your neighbour's wife, nor his manservant,
nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is your
neighbour's.” <span class="teal">Exodus 20:17</span></td>
<td><b>10.</b> “You shall not covet.” <span class="teal">Romans 7:7 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://sgryle.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-new-covenant-law-of-christ.html"><u>A NEW COVENANT</u></a> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-54779388788973906492012-08-29T12:25:00.001-07:002012-08-30T08:36:31.837-07:00The Way of the Spirit, Not the Law - Romans 5-6Through Christ's death, we are no longer tempted by the old Law to rebel against it. We are no longer required to believe in God because of fear, but to choose to believe in God because of faith in an awesome gift.<br />
<br />
"<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12017">1-2</sup>By entering through
faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with
him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our
Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and
discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to
us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out
in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and
shouting our praise.</i>"<br />
<br />
<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/539469_518114998203206_1238048533_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo: Romans 3 :23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 3:24 But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 3:25 God publicly displayed him at his death as the mercy seat accessible
through faith. This was to demonstrate his righteousness, because God in his forbearance had passed over the sins previously committed. 3:26 This was also to demonstrate his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus’ faithfulness.
Romans 3 23-26" border="0" class="scaledImageFitWidth img" height="320" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/539469_518114998203206_1238048533_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> God's grace is open to us at all times. He never closes his door to us, even when our door may be shut to him. All we have to do is enter through faith and be set right by God, all because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Ask, and you shall receive. <br />
<br />
"<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12020">9-11</sup>Now that we are set
right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood
sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in
any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms
with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our
best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his
resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing
friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in
plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the
Messiah!</i>"<br />
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You aren't expected to be 100% perfect the rest of
your life... you should strive to live a good life by God's standards,
but you are no longer tied to God's law like the OT - the punishment is
no longer death, but the gift is life! Instead of giving us a spanking, God has decided to use positive reinforcement. ;-) <br />
<br />
"<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12021">12-14</sup>You know the story of
how Adam landed us in the dilemma we're in— first sin, then death, and
no one exempt from either sin or death. That sin disturbed relations
with God in everything and everyone, but the extent of the disturbance
was not clear until God spelled it out in detail to Moses. So death,
this huge abyss separating us from God, dominated the landscape from
Adam to Moses. Even those who didn't sin precisely as Adam did by
disobeying a specific command of God still had to experience this
termination of life, this separation from God. But Adam, who got us into
this, also points ahead to the One who will get us out of it.</i>"<br />
<br />
When Adam sinned, punishment was death instead of everlasting life. And this wasn't just for him, but for all mankind. But when Jesus went to the cross, the opposite happened. His sacrifice gave us the gift of life, through faith in him.<br />
<br />
"<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12024">20-21</sup>All that passing laws
against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn't, and
doesn't, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we
call grace. When it's sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin
can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace,
because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah,
invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without
end.</i>"<br />
<br />
Many humans rebel against a bunch of rules by nature... we try to outlaw marijuana, people still smoke it... as teenager we go through that rebellious stage - the more rules our parents tried to enforce, the more we tried to break away and got in trouble. But if they apply grace, and use positive reinforcement - like we know we get to go out on Friday night with our friends as long as our room is clean, or when we were little we got a treat at the grocery for good behavior... God has done the same thing by sacrificing his son for our sins, and giving us the gift of grace.<br />
<br />
Romans 6 - "<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12025">1-3</sup>So what do we do? Keep
on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've
left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our
old house there? Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for
good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we
left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water,
we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!</i>"<br />
<br />
Well, we knew that if we screwed up, we didn't get to go out on Friday night or get a treat at the store... the same with sin and God. Just because he extends us grace doesn't mean we can just go live an intentionally sinful life. The gift is a reward for trying to live a good life through faith in Christ. And when we got saved, or baptized, we left our old ways behind when we asked forgiveness. The Law isn't completely abolished -the New Testament makes it abundantly clear that the believer in Christ
is not any longer under the Mosaic law <i><b>in its entirety</b></i>… Indeed after
having been delivered from the law, to deliberately place ourselves once
again under its [control] is said to be “falling from grace.” - however to define sin there must be some sort of law. Just because we have
grace, doesn't mean we can sin. Long before the law was given to Moses, it was utterly wrong to do evil things. <br />
<br />
"<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12028">12-14</sup>That means you must
not give sin a vote in the way you conduct your lives. Don't give it the
time of day. Don't even run little errands that are connected with that
old way of life. Throw yourselves wholeheartedly and
full-time—remember, you've been raised from the dead!—into God's way of
doing things. Sin can't tell you how to live. After all, you're not
living under that old tyranny any longer. You're living in the freedom
of God.</i>"<br />
<br />
The ways of sin should not even be included in your life. Live in the new freedom you've been given. Strive to live by God's standards and love others. Don't criticize or judge, show compassion. Be tolerant and don't offend others. Don't lie, cheat, steal, kill ,etc... but do so because you know it is right and because a life in heaven is your reward for not doing evil. Plus remember, we are all on this earth together - God created us all. Treat each other with the same respect you wish to receive. And remember, no matter how hard you try you are not perfect - which is why God gives us grace. Extend that grace to others and don't pass personal judgement on another for their sins or mistakes in life.<br />
<br />
And don't push your religion on another. If you are going to live by your religion, that is wonderful - to fellow Christians - in order to justify yourself with the word of God you must educate yourself fully on his word and follow every aspect - and don't just take the word of preachers in the church - we are warned of false prophets. Don't loosely translate the word verse by verse - but listen to what the writers are telling you as prophets and disciples of God. If you use a single verse to backup your claim, make sure it still means the same thing in the original content you pulled it from. And don't use it to hurt others - God does not want us to hurt people, especially with his word! God's greatest command is love.<br />
<br />
<i>"<sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12029">15-18</sup>So, since we're out
from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we
want? Since we're free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that
comes to mind? Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience
that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom.
Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it's your last free act. But
offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All
your lives you've let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you've
started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to
live openly in his freedom.</i> <br />
<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12031">20-21</sup>As long as you did
what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn't have to bother with
right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But
do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you're
proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end. </i><br />
<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12032">22-23</sup>But
now that you've found you don't have to listen to sin tell you what to
do, and have discovered the delight of listening to God telling you,
what a surprise! A whole, healed, put-together life right now, with more
and more of life on the way! Work hard for sin your whole life and your
pension is death. But God's gift is real life, eternal life, delivered
by Jesus, our Master." </i><br />
<br />
We are taught in the NT that the old covenant of the Mosaic Law was temporary, and has been replaced by the coming of Christ. This doesn't mean we are free to do whatever we want - a new covenant is established in the NT. <i><br /></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-26708975326654496432012-08-28T10:39:00.000-07:002012-08-28T13:34:41.563-07:00False Prophets & Destructive Opinions - 2 Peter 2 1-9So today's post comes from 2 Peter. I was working on Romans but couldn't bring myself to concentrate, and then I saw this verse posted and it struck a nerve. I just read another post yesterday where all one commenter had to comment was that the writer was a false prophet - but he wasn't a false prophet because his points did line up with the context of scripture. His points just didn't line up with what said commenter had been taught.<br />
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"<i>But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be
false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive
opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift
destruction on themselves. Even so, many will follow their licentious
ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned.
And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their
condemnation, pronounced against them long ago, has not been idle, and
their destruction is not asleep.</i>"<br />
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The message states it like this:<br />
<br />
" <i><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12862">1-2</sup>But there were also
lying prophets among the people then, just as there will be lying
religious teachers among you. They'll smuggle in destructive divisions,
pitting you against each other—biting the hand of the One who gave them a
chance to have their lives back! They've put themselves on a fast
downhill slide to destruction, but not before they recruit a crowd of
mixed-up followers who can't tell right from wrong. </i><br />
<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12863">2-3</sup>They
give the way of truth a bad name. They're only out for themselves.
They'll say anything, anything, that sounds good to exploit you. They
won't, of course, get by with it. They'll come to a bad end, for God has
never just stood by and let that kind of thing go on.</i>"<br />
<br />
<br />
Sound familiar? Sounds like a prophecy to me that has been fulfilled in our society today. Look at a large part of religion around us today. Destructive opinions, lying religious teachers, destructive divisions... putting you against one another.<br />
<br />
Let's look at the first one - what are some of the things that several of the Christian church's today are preaching, and are not what the Bible actually teaches us? (Note, I said several - not all church's preach these negative opinions.) <br />
<br />
1. First off, most religions constantly pushes that they are the only way. Faith in God is the way. Religion is not. (Romans 4)<br />
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2. Many folks would put their person religious beliefs at a level of "importance" over human rights for other individuals or groups. They do this because they are taught this in "church." But if one studies the biblical passages closely, they will learn this is not God's way. <i><span class="st"><i>Do unto others</i> as you would have them do to you</span></i>. Luke 6:31 <span class="woj"><i>The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’<sup class="footnote" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-24705b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A30-31&version=NIV#fen-NIV-24705b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> There is no commandment greater than these. </i>Mark 12:31</span><br />
<br />
<i>Human rights are often held to include the individual's free access to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It includes equality before the law. Also
important are the
freedoms of thought and expression -- including religious freedom. Religious freedom, religious tolerance and human rights are interrelated.
Countries that exhibit religious tolerance will generally extend religious
freedom and rights to persons of all faiths. - </i>ReligiousTolerance.org<br />
<br />
Another thing to look at is lying religious teachers - these false teachers typically interpret the bible in a loose or "authoritarian" sense. An example is the <a href="http://sojo.net/blogs/2012/08/27/gender-equality-why-gospel-coalition-misses-gospel"><u>TGC (The Gospel Coalition)</u></a> who admits openly to "loosely translating" scripture, and admit to doing so inconsistently (only when it suits them.) <br />
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Next we'll look at the concept of destructive divisions and putting us against one another. Look at the divisions within the church. The number of denominations with different beliefs that no one can agree upon, the number of times individual church's split and go opposite directions for negative reasons. Look how many Christians are against other people or groups who don't meet their lifestyle expectations or match their belief system... and they twist individual bible verses to validate their intolerance.<br />
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This is what people see - and this is a terrible misrepresentation of God and faith, giving the way of truth a bad name. And as the bible states, these people are out for themselves - to exploit you. And Peter continues...<br />
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"<i><sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12864">4-5</sup>God didn't let the
rebel angels off the hook, but jailed them in hell till Judgment Day.
Neither did he let the ancient ungodly world off. He wiped it out with a
flood, rescuing only eight people—Noah, the sole voice of
righteousness, was one of them. </i><br />
<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12865">6-8</sup>God
decreed destruction for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. A mound of
ashes was all that was left—grim warning to anyone bent on an ungodly
life. But that good man Lot, driven nearly out of his mind by the sexual
filth and perversity, was rescued. Surrounded by moral rot day after
day after day, that righteous man was in constant torment. </i><br />
<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12866">9</sup>So
God knows how to rescue the godly from evil trials. And he knows how to
hold the feet of the wicked to the fire until Judgment Day.</i>"<br />
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False prophets who preach judgement, intolerance, criticism of others... who preach the gospel in a loose sense, out of context... who divide us and cause us to argue and bicker through childish debate... they will be held accountable by God. They are no better than those who were destroyed with Sodom and Gomorrah - isn't that irony... a clobber passage these false prophets use to judge and criticize others is actually who they are compared to by Peter.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-47632817862128239752012-08-27T11:12:00.003-07:002012-08-27T11:21:43.522-07:00Do you Honor Your Spouse's Love Language?<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<a href="http://dreamosity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Fotolia_6077878_XS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" id="il_fi" src="http://dreamosity.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Fotolia_6077878_XS.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">What is your spouse's Love Language? Do you know, or are you looking at me like "what's a love language anyway?" I've listed the "5 Love Languages" from<a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/"> http://www.5lovelanguages.com</a> below. You will most likely see one, or more, that describes your Love Language, but what about your spouse? Chances are you don't speak the same Love Language - and if you don't know your spouse's lingo, then you are more than likely trying to show love through your own - and if it is different, this may not be working out too well. :) </span></div>
<br />
<h4>
<sup></sup></h4>
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</div>
<ul id="lovelanguageslist" style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<li id="affirmation">
<h5>
<span style="font-size: small;">Words of Affirmation</span></h5>
<span style="font-size: small;">Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love
language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the
words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love
sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not
easily forgotten.</span></li>
<li id="time">
<h5>
<span style="font-size: small;">Quality Time</span></h5>
<span style="font-size: small;">In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like
full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is
critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down,
and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel
truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure
to listen can be especially hurtful.</span></li>
<li id="gifts">
<h5>
<span style="font-size: small;">Receiving Gifts</span></h5>
<h5>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of
gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift.
If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you
are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was
sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a
hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of
everyday gestures.</span> </span></h5>
</li>
<li id="service">
<h5>
<span style="font-size: small;">Acts of Service</span></h5>
<span style="font-size: small;">Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely!
Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an
“Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most
want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments,
and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their
feelings don’t matter.</span></li>
<li id="touch">
<h5>
<span style="font-size: small;">Physical Touch</span></h5>
<span style="font-size: small;">This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary
language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats
on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm,
shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern,
care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while
neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.tameyourmindmonkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/5-love-languages1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" id="il_fi" src="http://www.tameyourmindmonkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/5-love-languages1.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="214" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">You have to honor your spouse's Love Language... my husband and I didn't really understand this either. Adam's Love Language is Physical Touch, and mine, is not... so I had a huge issue when my husband was always so touchy feely, and I got irritated by it. I just thought it was a "man thing" having to do with wanting sex all the time... when it turns out it is his way of expressing love - which is how he should receive love from me, but not necessarily how he should show it to me. And when I didn't want to be touchy feely, he didn't understand why I didn't want to show him love... and he felt nagged to help around the house. My Love Language falls a little bit in every other category, but mostly Acts of Service. I feel actions speak louder than words - but I don't mean physical, touching actions... I "feel the love" when my husband helps me around the house or with the kids, or when he wants to spend quality time with me that doesn't have to result in sexual time. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Now that we've learned how each other feels love, we've learned to deliver love to one another in each other's language. When my husband speaks to me in my lingo, it makes it much easier for me to respond in his. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments">Learn Your Love Language: Love Language Assessments</a></u></span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4702270269700897678.post-87531061198341965222012-08-24T13:42:00.001-07:002012-08-27T05:48:23.170-07:00God Made Me - I Wish People Could See ThatI wish more people would actually care about why someone is who they are or thinks the way they think... people, especially those closest to us, are just always so quick to judge... you would hope the people closest to you would actually love you enough to want to understand you, not make you into something you aren't.<br />
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We live in a society that just thrives on judging others. All my life I've felt judged, bullied, like I just didn't fit, or I wasn't good enough... But I know I'm not the only one who goes through this at some point in their lives, if not all their lives. There's nothing wrong with being different from what other people expect. God made every one of us who we are, and he didn't use a cookie cutter.<br />
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Just because someone is different from you doesn't mean they're bad or evil. God decides what is sin and who is sinning. He is the judge. A different point of view on an issue is not a sin. A different lifestyle is not a sin. A different set of beliefs is not a sin. We are all just trying to figure out life and this world we live in. One set of beliefs or religious views isn't the 100% best. No one has it right. But the one commandment we should all be able to follow is to love one another.<br />
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This society we live in makes me so sad... it's depressing the way we all treat each other. People are so wrapped up in their "world views" that they forget to care for one another... to try to live in peace and harmony. And you can't oppose something and have a meaningful conversation about it... you just chewed up and spit out for why you are wrong... but people are so wrapped up in their personal bias that it's my way or no way... We don't have good meaningful conversations any more. We just bicker at each other - what the heck is a rational debate anyways? <br />
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I'm at the point I know a good chunk of my own family doesn't even really care, not just about my views, but about me in general (not all of them, but I get more loving feedback online from the ones hundreds of miles away, than I see or hear from the ones close by.) And when I do see most of them, it's usually for seeing my kids, not me - what am I, chopped liver? We stopped attending our old church to attend a new one - how many of them have checked on us to see how we're doing and what we're up to? A lot less than the amount of people I'm sure are sitting around on Sunday gossiping about it.<br />
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You ever feel like you're constantly looked at as a misfit or a child? Like what you think or say couldn't possibly hold any merit because people can't stop basing "who you are" off of your past... heaven forbid someone try to get to know you once you've grown up. Like we'll always be who we were... but none of us started out living right, and none of us live right 100% even now... we are all still growing and learning... <br />
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<i>There's nobody living right, not even one, <br /> nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God. <br /> They've all taken the wrong turn; <br /> they've all wandered down blind alleys. <br /> No one's living right; <br /> I can't find a single one. <br /> Their throats are gaping graves, <br /> their tongues slick as mudslides. <br /> Every word they speak is tinged with poison. <br /> They open their mouths and pollute the air. <br /> They race for the honor of sinner-of-the-year, <br /> litter the land with heartbreak and ruin, <br /> Don't know the first thing about living with others. <br /> They never give God the time of day</i> <br />
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You ever just feel like it's you against the world? Outcast? Like you don't deserve to be a part of something because you just don't fit?<br />
<br />
Update: God is so good. We had an awesome church service about Spiritual Balance, which is where I seem to be struggling. Also, I was reading Romans 4 over the weekend and this verse really perked me up:<br />
<br />
<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12010">6-9</sup>David confirms this
way of looking at it, saying that the one who trusts God to do the
putting-everything-right without insisting on having a say in it is one
fortunate man: <br /><br /> Fortunate those whose crimes are carted off, <br /> whose sins are wiped clean from the slate. <br /> Fortunate the person against <br /> whom the Lord does not keep score.<br />Do
you think for a minute that this blessing is only pronounced over those
of us who keep our religious ways and are circumcised? Or do you think
it possible that the blessing could be given to those who never even
heard of our ways, who were never brought up in the disciplines of God?
We all agree, don't we, that it was by embracing what God did for him
that Abraham was declared fit before God? </i><br />
<i> <sup class="versenum" id="en-MSG-12011">10-11</sup>Now
think: Was that declaration made before or after he was marked by the
covenant rite of circumcision? That's right, before he was marked. That
means that he underwent circumcision as evidence and confirmation of
what God had done long before to bring him into this acceptable standing
with himself, an act of God he had embraced with his whole life.</i> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11835785691638120661noreply@blogger.com0