Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Sunday, June 26, 2016
It Is Finished
I was asked by someone, fairly recently, "What do you teach your children, like how do you raise them in believing in the Salvation of All?" At the time I just kind of told him a few different things of what I thought and also mention that my children are quite at the age to even understand a word of what I am saying. Now, however, I know exactly what I am going to do. I think it is exactly what we should be doing for everyone we meet, not just our children.
Tell them the Good News. That is it. Tell them that although we were sinners, Christ died for us, was buried and rose again. He did everything there was to be done, nothing more required. Leave it at that. Say nothing more. Go on about your day. Why? Because anything more causes doubt and complicates things. If they believe it, GREAT! Their life will be so much easier without the constant condemnation felt by those who feel that God is just waiting for them to mess up their salvation. If they don't believe it, tell them again. I never TRULY believed that Christ did everything while I was under the threat of ETC. In fact, I never fully believed that my salvation was secure at all! It wasn't until I realized the fact that Salvation was ACTUALLY accomplished over 2000 years ago, by Christ alone, that I couldn't f*** it up!
The greatest peace I have ever felt in my life was shortly after coming out of the psyche ward and the moment, and boy was it apparent, that I FINALLY got it! It finally clicked! I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MY SALVATION! IT WAS 100% accomplished fully, utterly, completely, without fail, by Christ over 2000 years ago. I don't know about you but I haven't come in contact with a time machine in order to travel back and change the past. We can never change the past, what's done is done. You can never be unsaved, because.... "IT IS FINISHED!"
Rest in that fact. Speaking as one who knows how tormented you can feel wondering if you will make it, or if you have ENOUGH faith to be saved or if you can lose your salvation, please, PLEASE know, that it was never up to you. And you know what the funny thing is? Once you give up trying to "muster up" faith to believe and you realize and accept that Christ already accomplished everything on your behalf and that NOTHING can change that, then... you end up having the faith you were trying to muster up to begin with. And the truth will set you free... Trust me.
Tell them the Good News. That is it. Tell them that although we were sinners, Christ died for us, was buried and rose again. He did everything there was to be done, nothing more required. Leave it at that. Say nothing more. Go on about your day. Why? Because anything more causes doubt and complicates things. If they believe it, GREAT! Their life will be so much easier without the constant condemnation felt by those who feel that God is just waiting for them to mess up their salvation. If they don't believe it, tell them again. I never TRULY believed that Christ did everything while I was under the threat of ETC. In fact, I never fully believed that my salvation was secure at all! It wasn't until I realized the fact that Salvation was ACTUALLY accomplished over 2000 years ago, by Christ alone, that I couldn't f*** it up!
The greatest peace I have ever felt in my life was shortly after coming out of the psyche ward and the moment, and boy was it apparent, that I FINALLY got it! It finally clicked! I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MY SALVATION! IT WAS 100% accomplished fully, utterly, completely, without fail, by Christ over 2000 years ago. I don't know about you but I haven't come in contact with a time machine in order to travel back and change the past. We can never change the past, what's done is done. You can never be unsaved, because.... "IT IS FINISHED!"
Rest in that fact. Speaking as one who knows how tormented you can feel wondering if you will make it, or if you have ENOUGH faith to be saved or if you can lose your salvation, please, PLEASE know, that it was never up to you. And you know what the funny thing is? Once you give up trying to "muster up" faith to believe and you realize and accept that Christ already accomplished everything on your behalf and that NOTHING can change that, then... you end up having the faith you were trying to muster up to begin with. And the truth will set you free... Trust me.
Monday, January 18, 2016
Romans 7
"7 Now, dear brothers and sisters[a]—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living? 2 For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. 3 So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she married another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries.
4 So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. 5 When we were controlled by our old nature,[b] sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. 6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.
7 Well then, am I suggesting that the law of God is sinful? Of course not! In fact, it was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.”[c] 8 But sin used this command to arouse all kinds of covetous desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power. 9 At one time I lived without understanding the law. But when I learned the command not to covet, for instance, the power of sin came to life, 10 and I died. So I discovered that the law’s commands, which were supposed to bring life, brought spiritual death instead. 11 Sin took advantage of those commands and deceived me; it used the commands to kill me. 12 But still, the law itself is holy, and its commands are holy and right and good.
13 But how can that be? Did the law, which is good, cause my death? Of course not! Sin used what was good to bring about my condemnation to death. So we can see how terrible sin really is. It uses God’s good commands for its own evil purposes.
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[d] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin."
This is from the NLT, it is very easy to read and understand although there are a couple of things that I don't agree with translation-wise, such as spiritual death. I never really understood what this passage meant for a couple of reasons. One reason is that I thought Christ died in my place, when in fact I died WITH Christ. With that death I was no longer bound to law but instead to my new relationship with Christ. The law no longer applies to us, because they law was only upon us UNTIL we died. "You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ." Before I truly understood what grace meant and that I was no longer bound to law, I tried everyday to live as perfectly as possible, I tried to follow the commandments and do what I knew was right. Yet, everyday I failed miserably no matter how hard I tried. Sometimes I failed for well-meaning reasons. For example, I wanted to love and encourage people no matter what they believed in or how they identified with themselves. But according to my religion that was a sin! I may as well be encouraging homosexuality and prostitution! You can't really love anyone when you feel like God disapproves of your association with them! I have a Muslim friend who is struggling very deeply to accept our friendship as it is, because in Islam, the only reason you are allowed to befriend someone is to convert them to Islam. She know that I have studied Islam and that I find it appalling. She is aware that I will not ever convert to it, yet she still can't walk away from our friendship because she feels a real connection. Unfortunately, she is conflicted within herself, because her religion tells her that it is a sin to be my friend, yet her conscious tells her otherwise. She, like a lot of well-meaning Muslims, has not truly looked into her faith (sound familiar) to see what it teaches, but deep inside her I know that she can feel God trying to wake her up. I was the same way, I wanted to care for others, I wanted to love others, but I couldn't if they didn't share my faith.
When Paul says we are free from sin, that in turn convinced me that I was free to LOVE. Free to care for others as Christ did, EVEN though Christ was only sent for the lost sheep of the house of Israel while on Earth, he still helped the woman who begged for just a scrap of his blessing. I never understood why God would condemn ANY loving gesture that edifies a person or family, as long as it does not harm another.
What brought this passage to light for me was my friend asking how I could have any sense of morals if I don't believe that anything I could do would change my standing with God. She couldn't understand why I was so kind to her and her daughter even though I didn't know them, and especially considering that they are Muslim. I tried to explain but Muslims believe Paul to be a deceiver and a false prophet. So any reference to Paul is an automatic dismissal in her eyes. Unfortunately, she has never compared Paul to Mohammed in order to make an educated analysis on which one is a true prophet or messenger of God. But this passage really sums it up. The reason I am so kind and loving today is because I am allowed to be. I have no rules, therefore I find no joy in doing evil or sinful things. When the law was upon me (in my perspective of course) breaking the rules had a thrill to it. When your parents tell you not to do something, what is the one thing you WANT to do? But if your parents say go ahead eat all the candy you want, what happens? Maybe at first you do eat tons of candy, but then you spoil it for yourself and you no longer desire candy. When something is allowed the excitement that you feel from rebellion or the rush you get from doing something that you know is wrong goes away. The only things that really bring joy after that are the good things that you are now able to do for people.
Once law is gone, selfishness fades quite a bit! Obviously, not all the way. Even Paul still struggled with doing things he didn't want to do. But when you look at who Paul is after he was freed from the law, he became a much more loving and caring person. Under the law, he murdered Christians! Under the law, I have condemned people to never-ending torment for not believing what I believed! I wanted to love them still, but I couldn't because they were dirty rotten sinners, and since I said a little prayer and believed in Christ, I was snow cover-dog poop as some evangelicals put it. "You are still just as crappy as you were before but now God only sees the pure snow because of Christ's blood." Hogwash. We are pure now, because we can't break the law, because we are no longer under it. We died with Christ and that is that.
So guys, go out and love everyone you can. Don't feel restrain because you don't agree with their life choices or beliefs. Paul didn't preach only to believers, could you imagine if he did? What would have been the point? Confuse the hell out of people. Make them wonder what in the world happened to you to bring about this kind of love towards humanity regardless of any conditions. We are free to bear fruit now that the law isn't choking out our roots. Soak up the love that Christ has for us, and pour it out on everyone you can. =)
This is from the NLT, it is very easy to read and understand although there are a couple of things that I don't agree with translation-wise, such as spiritual death. I never really understood what this passage meant for a couple of reasons. One reason is that I thought Christ died in my place, when in fact I died WITH Christ. With that death I was no longer bound to law but instead to my new relationship with Christ. The law no longer applies to us, because they law was only upon us UNTIL we died. "You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ." Before I truly understood what grace meant and that I was no longer bound to law, I tried everyday to live as perfectly as possible, I tried to follow the commandments and do what I knew was right. Yet, everyday I failed miserably no matter how hard I tried. Sometimes I failed for well-meaning reasons. For example, I wanted to love and encourage people no matter what they believed in or how they identified with themselves. But according to my religion that was a sin! I may as well be encouraging homosexuality and prostitution! You can't really love anyone when you feel like God disapproves of your association with them! I have a Muslim friend who is struggling very deeply to accept our friendship as it is, because in Islam, the only reason you are allowed to befriend someone is to convert them to Islam. She know that I have studied Islam and that I find it appalling. She is aware that I will not ever convert to it, yet she still can't walk away from our friendship because she feels a real connection. Unfortunately, she is conflicted within herself, because her religion tells her that it is a sin to be my friend, yet her conscious tells her otherwise. She, like a lot of well-meaning Muslims, has not truly looked into her faith (sound familiar) to see what it teaches, but deep inside her I know that she can feel God trying to wake her up. I was the same way, I wanted to care for others, I wanted to love others, but I couldn't if they didn't share my faith.
When Paul says we are free from sin, that in turn convinced me that I was free to LOVE. Free to care for others as Christ did, EVEN though Christ was only sent for the lost sheep of the house of Israel while on Earth, he still helped the woman who begged for just a scrap of his blessing. I never understood why God would condemn ANY loving gesture that edifies a person or family, as long as it does not harm another.
What brought this passage to light for me was my friend asking how I could have any sense of morals if I don't believe that anything I could do would change my standing with God. She couldn't understand why I was so kind to her and her daughter even though I didn't know them, and especially considering that they are Muslim. I tried to explain but Muslims believe Paul to be a deceiver and a false prophet. So any reference to Paul is an automatic dismissal in her eyes. Unfortunately, she has never compared Paul to Mohammed in order to make an educated analysis on which one is a true prophet or messenger of God. But this passage really sums it up. The reason I am so kind and loving today is because I am allowed to be. I have no rules, therefore I find no joy in doing evil or sinful things. When the law was upon me (in my perspective of course) breaking the rules had a thrill to it. When your parents tell you not to do something, what is the one thing you WANT to do? But if your parents say go ahead eat all the candy you want, what happens? Maybe at first you do eat tons of candy, but then you spoil it for yourself and you no longer desire candy. When something is allowed the excitement that you feel from rebellion or the rush you get from doing something that you know is wrong goes away. The only things that really bring joy after that are the good things that you are now able to do for people.
Once law is gone, selfishness fades quite a bit! Obviously, not all the way. Even Paul still struggled with doing things he didn't want to do. But when you look at who Paul is after he was freed from the law, he became a much more loving and caring person. Under the law, he murdered Christians! Under the law, I have condemned people to never-ending torment for not believing what I believed! I wanted to love them still, but I couldn't because they were dirty rotten sinners, and since I said a little prayer and believed in Christ, I was snow cover-dog poop as some evangelicals put it. "You are still just as crappy as you were before but now God only sees the pure snow because of Christ's blood." Hogwash. We are pure now, because we can't break the law, because we are no longer under it. We died with Christ and that is that.
So guys, go out and love everyone you can. Don't feel restrain because you don't agree with their life choices or beliefs. Paul didn't preach only to believers, could you imagine if he did? What would have been the point? Confuse the hell out of people. Make them wonder what in the world happened to you to bring about this kind of love towards humanity regardless of any conditions. We are free to bear fruit now that the law isn't choking out our roots. Soak up the love that Christ has for us, and pour it out on everyone you can. =)
Sunday, January 17, 2016
Would It Even Matter?
Free will. Even if it were a true idea. Would it matter? Would it change the outcome of what God intends to accomplish?
When someone thinks I am a lunatic for thinking that God will reconcile all of creation to Himself, the first thing I do is give them a simple algebraic problem. I ask, "Do you believe that God is all-loving?" I have never heard anyone answer no. Then I ask, "Do you believe that God is all powerful?" Once again the answer is always yes. Then comes the really tricky part, I ask "Okay, so assuming you believe that He is all-loving, is it a fair assumption that you believe He wants to reconcile everyone to Himself?" And of course the answer is always yes. Then I ask, "Okay, and assuming that you believe that He is all-powerful, is it fair to assume that you believe that He can reconcile everyone to Himself?" Yet again without fail, the answer is always yes. But here comes the curve-ball. No one ever expects the next question and I really don't know why they don't see it coming with such an obvious set-up. If God wants to reconcile all, and God can reconcile all, then why do you think that most people will be forever lost?
Number One Answer: Because God gives us free-will to choose Him or to deny Him.
My response to that, is "Why in the world would that matter?"
Even if free-will were a logical law of the universe, which by even secular scientific accounts it is a fallacy, it would have no bearing on the final outcome of what God intends to achieve.
Even if our will was free, God knows exactly what to do to cause us to fall in love with Him, and I truly think that the biggest hindrance in this life preventing people from falling in love with God, is the horrible ideology behind eternal conscious torment, and the sick picture that was painted so deceptively by Satan that millions upon millions of people could actually believe that God is more twisted and sadistic than an human that has ever walked the Earth.
I don't believe in free-will, but I do believe we have a will, and I believe that we should be trying our best to remove this sick picture of God and show others who He truly is. When I believed in eternal conscious torment, I never loved God. I only did what I was supposed to to keep myself convinced that I was saved and that I wouldn't be going to hell. I was afraid of God. It wasn't until He showed me His true self, that I fell in love with Him and all of the things that I felt conflicted about determining who it was okay for me to love and care about vs those that I was told to condemn went away. I could finally truly LOVE everyone. No matter who they are.
Anyone reading this, please remind me tomorrow night to do my blog on Romans 7. I am very excited to have lived the exact scenario out in my life. I just now understood what Paul meant during this passage and it makes me very excited, haha.
Love you all,
Chris
When someone thinks I am a lunatic for thinking that God will reconcile all of creation to Himself, the first thing I do is give them a simple algebraic problem. I ask, "Do you believe that God is all-loving?" I have never heard anyone answer no. Then I ask, "Do you believe that God is all powerful?" Once again the answer is always yes. Then comes the really tricky part, I ask "Okay, so assuming you believe that He is all-loving, is it a fair assumption that you believe He wants to reconcile everyone to Himself?" And of course the answer is always yes. Then I ask, "Okay, and assuming that you believe that He is all-powerful, is it fair to assume that you believe that He can reconcile everyone to Himself?" Yet again without fail, the answer is always yes. But here comes the curve-ball. No one ever expects the next question and I really don't know why they don't see it coming with such an obvious set-up. If God wants to reconcile all, and God can reconcile all, then why do you think that most people will be forever lost?
Number One Answer: Because God gives us free-will to choose Him or to deny Him.
My response to that, is "Why in the world would that matter?"
Even if free-will were a logical law of the universe, which by even secular scientific accounts it is a fallacy, it would have no bearing on the final outcome of what God intends to achieve.
Even if our will was free, God knows exactly what to do to cause us to fall in love with Him, and I truly think that the biggest hindrance in this life preventing people from falling in love with God, is the horrible ideology behind eternal conscious torment, and the sick picture that was painted so deceptively by Satan that millions upon millions of people could actually believe that God is more twisted and sadistic than an human that has ever walked the Earth.
I don't believe in free-will, but I do believe we have a will, and I believe that we should be trying our best to remove this sick picture of God and show others who He truly is. When I believed in eternal conscious torment, I never loved God. I only did what I was supposed to to keep myself convinced that I was saved and that I wouldn't be going to hell. I was afraid of God. It wasn't until He showed me His true self, that I fell in love with Him and all of the things that I felt conflicted about determining who it was okay for me to love and care about vs those that I was told to condemn went away. I could finally truly LOVE everyone. No matter who they are.
Anyone reading this, please remind me tomorrow night to do my blog on Romans 7. I am very excited to have lived the exact scenario out in my life. I just now understood what Paul meant during this passage and it makes me very excited, haha.
Love you all,
Chris
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
The Christian God is a Hypocrite.
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
This is found in Luke Chapter 6.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
And this in Matthew 5.
Now suppose for a second that there was a dictator that ran a country. This dictator says to the people of his country, "As long as you love and obey me, I will feed you, I will clothe you, and I will provide you with a place to live. You must also do as I say no matter what it is or how meaningless it may sound. Do this and you will live, you will have all you need. However, if you don't LOVE me and if you don't OBEY me, I will put you in a metal box and pour lava over your body. I will ignore your screams and tell you that you deserve it for not loving me."
How many of you would find this man worthy of worship, worthy of love, and worthy of praise? How many of you KNOWING what he truly was (even though he does good to all who love and obey him) would still look up to this man? Only a sadist would praise this man! He is sick and demented. THIS IS THE CHRISTIAN GOD, THIS IS THE MUSLIM GOD. Both are very conditional beings. Either you LOVE them and obey them or they will never forgive you and you will b punished "justly" by torment or annihilation (after torment). Both of these ideologies are absolutely sickening.
When anyone asks where we find truth of the reconciliation of all OUTSIDE of Paul's message. These passages are all we need to see. Yes there are more but these sum up perfectly how hypocritical Jehovah would be if He didn't or failed to reconcile all. Either He was unable, making Him too weak; or He was unwilling, making Him a hypocrite, to save all of mankind.
A being that is said to be all-loving AND all-powerful HAS to redeem all. Anything less and you can't call him these things. He would be unworthy of worship.
I love when someone says, "Yeah, He WANTS all to be reconciled, and yeah He is POWERFUL enough to to that, but He gives us "free-will" to choose Him." That is a pathetic argument... Say that we do have free-will, how exactly can God not figure out how to win us over? Is he so clueless as to be able to win our love? Does God not know exactly what to do and say in order to woo us? God is not stupid, He knows ever detail about how we work and all of the emotions that make us tick. God can AND WILL be able to get all of creation to fall IN LOVE with Him. But first, He needs people to see who He really is. It is really hard to fall in love with a vindictive sadist that has no problem burning people (even some that we love) for a never ending period of time.
Once people see who God truly is, it will be impossible for them to not fall in love...
This is found in Luke Chapter 6.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
And this in Matthew 5.
Now suppose for a second that there was a dictator that ran a country. This dictator says to the people of his country, "As long as you love and obey me, I will feed you, I will clothe you, and I will provide you with a place to live. You must also do as I say no matter what it is or how meaningless it may sound. Do this and you will live, you will have all you need. However, if you don't LOVE me and if you don't OBEY me, I will put you in a metal box and pour lava over your body. I will ignore your screams and tell you that you deserve it for not loving me."
How many of you would find this man worthy of worship, worthy of love, and worthy of praise? How many of you KNOWING what he truly was (even though he does good to all who love and obey him) would still look up to this man? Only a sadist would praise this man! He is sick and demented. THIS IS THE CHRISTIAN GOD, THIS IS THE MUSLIM GOD. Both are very conditional beings. Either you LOVE them and obey them or they will never forgive you and you will b punished "justly" by torment or annihilation (after torment). Both of these ideologies are absolutely sickening.
When anyone asks where we find truth of the reconciliation of all OUTSIDE of Paul's message. These passages are all we need to see. Yes there are more but these sum up perfectly how hypocritical Jehovah would be if He didn't or failed to reconcile all. Either He was unable, making Him too weak; or He was unwilling, making Him a hypocrite, to save all of mankind.
A being that is said to be all-loving AND all-powerful HAS to redeem all. Anything less and you can't call him these things. He would be unworthy of worship.
I love when someone says, "Yeah, He WANTS all to be reconciled, and yeah He is POWERFUL enough to to that, but He gives us "free-will" to choose Him." That is a pathetic argument... Say that we do have free-will, how exactly can God not figure out how to win us over? Is he so clueless as to be able to win our love? Does God not know exactly what to do and say in order to woo us? God is not stupid, He knows ever detail about how we work and all of the emotions that make us tick. God can AND WILL be able to get all of creation to fall IN LOVE with Him. But first, He needs people to see who He really is. It is really hard to fall in love with a vindictive sadist that has no problem burning people (even some that we love) for a never ending period of time.
Once people see who God truly is, it will be impossible for them to not fall in love...
Friday, November 13, 2015
Appendicitis
So, the Scriptures mention us believers as being in the Body of Christ, right? Some of us are arms, some legs, some rock-hard abs, and some killer glutes. And then there is me, at times I look around and see all these awesome members of our family and see how strong they are, how dedicated they are to study. How compassionate they are and how generous when another member is in need. Then I look at myself and feel like I am not doing nearly enough to be a useful member of the body. I classify this as "appendicitis". What the hell is an appendix for?? I mean seriously, it sits there and takes up space only staying alive because the rest of the body is. At times it needs help from the other members and it get that help. It is grateful, yes. But at the same time it feels pathetic and useless. Sometime the appendix can get so bad that it even needs to be removed from the body. If this were a possibility within the Body of Christ. I feel certain that it would happen to me at times.
I can go months without writing in this blog, or reading from scripture. I get so distracted with how busy my life can be that I never remember to take time to nourish myself with the words and teaching of Christ and the Apostles. Does this ever happen to you? Do you ever feel useless within the body? If so I understand completely. But, please, don't get discouraged. We all have moments where the rest of the Body is needed to help us. And as useless as an appendix is, God put it there for a reason. Sometimes we just don't know why yet.
I can go months without writing in this blog, or reading from scripture. I get so distracted with how busy my life can be that I never remember to take time to nourish myself with the words and teaching of Christ and the Apostles. Does this ever happen to you? Do you ever feel useless within the body? If so I understand completely. But, please, don't get discouraged. We all have moments where the rest of the Body is needed to help us. And as useless as an appendix is, God put it there for a reason. Sometimes we just don't know why yet.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Longing To Long For God
If I could ask God for anything, it would be for Him to put in me the desire to fully crave Him, and long to know Him more. I get very distracted from Him all of the time and I wander off more often than any other sheep I have met! I put in a half-effort from time to time to learn more, but I want so badly to just CRAVE God as if nothing else at all mattered! Because, if we stop and think about it, nothing else does matter...
Why is it that I can't just get completely overtaken by the urge to seek God and to know him intimately? Why is it that I can never stay motivated to learn more about Him, and talk to Him more? Does prayer change things? Does that even matter? I just want to speak with my creator, forget asking for anxiety to go away, forget asking for things around me to change. I don't even want to care about that! I just want to TALK with God for the sake of TALKING, for the sake of growing closer to Him.
David worded what I am feeling, because he was feeling it too! I don't know if he was only feeling it because he was in the desert heat or if he always felt this way but he says, "O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water."
I want to feel that way all of the time! That is my prayer. That is what I want more than anything. Here is a secular song that I think really sums up how I feel about wanting to feel about God:
Why is it that I can't just get completely overtaken by the urge to seek God and to know him intimately? Why is it that I can never stay motivated to learn more about Him, and talk to Him more? Does prayer change things? Does that even matter? I just want to speak with my creator, forget asking for anxiety to go away, forget asking for things around me to change. I don't even want to care about that! I just want to TALK with God for the sake of TALKING, for the sake of growing closer to Him.
David worded what I am feeling, because he was feeling it too! I don't know if he was only feeling it because he was in the desert heat or if he always felt this way but he says, "O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water."
I want to feel that way all of the time! That is my prayer. That is what I want more than anything. Here is a secular song that I think really sums up how I feel about wanting to feel about God:
Thursday, August 20, 2015
How To Become Righteous
"There are none righteous, no not one." -Romans 3:10
"Yet now, apart from the law, a righteousness of God manifest ." Romans 3:21
"Abraham believes God, and it is reckoned to him for righteousness." - Apostle Paul in Romans 4:4
To become righteous, you simply must believe God. I say simply, because it should be simple. Yet, so many people now don't even believe IN God. It is not hard to trust an honest man to keep his word, no? This is a man! We have faith that if someone we trust says they will do something, they will do it. Yet, we can't give God the same courtesy? The Creator of the Universe has a credit score of 400?
I am not trying to ridicule anyone for not trusting that God will do what He says he will do. That is not my intention. I am only bring attention to the fact, that so many people are so close to the truth, yet they can't figure out how the only piece left of the puzzle fits. I mean picture that! Picture someone piecing a puzzle of 250 pieces together. They started with the edges; there is a God, He is all powerful, all knowing, loving. Then they started moving inward; oh no we messed up, now we aren't in a perfect state of being, now life kinda sucks, how can we keep all of these commandments and laws, I will never be righteous! Oh but wait! God sent His Son to die for us! All I have to do is believe! Now I have to get baptized or my belief won't count, oh and if I am not in Sunday School every Sunday morning it doesn't count either, I have to stop sinning now too or I am not truly saved....
Does this sound familiar?? This was me! This is still a lot of my friends and family! THEY JUST DON'T GET IT! The last piece is in their hand and there is only one way that it fits in the puzzle! IF CHRIST DIED FOR US, AND WE DIED WITH CHRIST THEN THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO DO EXCEPT REST IN KNOWING THAT IT CAN'T BE UNDONE! It isn't based on you, or your attendance, or your lifestyle. We have FREEDOM because of Christ. If our righteousness were based on anything we do or don't do, then Christ dying was completely pointless! A complete waste of time and he suffered for absolutely no reason at all! It is so simple but mankind always has to complicate things! The only way people can't grasp this is if they are Divinely blinded for the time being.
Abraham believed that God would keep His word, despite everything showing the contrary. We need to believe that God and Christ have already accomplished everything, despite Churches and religion telling us the contrary. I know it is hard to believe. But if anyone can make something too good to be true, actually be true. It is God.
One day everyone will get it. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord. One day everyone can finally place that last piece and rest knowing that the work is done.
"Yet now, apart from the law, a righteousness of God manifest ." Romans 3:21
"Abraham believes God, and it is reckoned to him for righteousness." - Apostle Paul in Romans 4:4
To become righteous, you simply must believe God. I say simply, because it should be simple. Yet, so many people now don't even believe IN God. It is not hard to trust an honest man to keep his word, no? This is a man! We have faith that if someone we trust says they will do something, they will do it. Yet, we can't give God the same courtesy? The Creator of the Universe has a credit score of 400?
I am not trying to ridicule anyone for not trusting that God will do what He says he will do. That is not my intention. I am only bring attention to the fact, that so many people are so close to the truth, yet they can't figure out how the only piece left of the puzzle fits. I mean picture that! Picture someone piecing a puzzle of 250 pieces together. They started with the edges; there is a God, He is all powerful, all knowing, loving. Then they started moving inward; oh no we messed up, now we aren't in a perfect state of being, now life kinda sucks, how can we keep all of these commandments and laws, I will never be righteous! Oh but wait! God sent His Son to die for us! All I have to do is believe! Now I have to get baptized or my belief won't count, oh and if I am not in Sunday School every Sunday morning it doesn't count either, I have to stop sinning now too or I am not truly saved....
Does this sound familiar?? This was me! This is still a lot of my friends and family! THEY JUST DON'T GET IT! The last piece is in their hand and there is only one way that it fits in the puzzle! IF CHRIST DIED FOR US, AND WE DIED WITH CHRIST THEN THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO DO EXCEPT REST IN KNOWING THAT IT CAN'T BE UNDONE! It isn't based on you, or your attendance, or your lifestyle. We have FREEDOM because of Christ. If our righteousness were based on anything we do or don't do, then Christ dying was completely pointless! A complete waste of time and he suffered for absolutely no reason at all! It is so simple but mankind always has to complicate things! The only way people can't grasp this is if they are Divinely blinded for the time being.
Abraham believed that God would keep His word, despite everything showing the contrary. We need to believe that God and Christ have already accomplished everything, despite Churches and religion telling us the contrary. I know it is hard to believe. But if anyone can make something too good to be true, actually be true. It is God.
One day everyone will get it. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord. One day everyone can finally place that last piece and rest knowing that the work is done.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Hypochondriac Mentality
Some of you may have seen my posts on Facebook recently about having my blood tested for some serious conditions. I was entirely certain that I had at least one of those conditions. I have been panicking and stressing out for the last few days awaiting the results and thinking about how horrible it was going to be to hear the news. Turns out, nothing serious is wrong. Now normally, I am not a hypochondriac. However I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder. These don't effect me at all when I am properly taking my medicine. However, if I stop taking my medicine for about 7-15 months straight, I lapse into the agoraphobic stage of panic. It takes anywhere from 3-7 weeks for me to be able to function outside of my house normally. The reason I say all this is because I see a striking parallel between my mental state when I am not on my medicine and the spiritual state of many well meaning people when they are not fed the truth of Scripture, and are instead filled with lies and traditions that lead to anxiety.
Think of it this way: when I am not on my medicine, everything and anything can and will scare me. There have been times where I was terrified to look at the sky, because all I could imagine was gravity just vanishing and me floating uncontrollably into outer space. It is ridiculous, I know, but with the right amount of influence from certain chemicals in the brain, everything becomes a very real possibility. Even, and sometimes especially, the most ludicrous sounding things. When something you trust (your brain) is constantly telling you that something is wrong, you start to believe it. Even when everyone else around you that hasn't been influenced by the chemicals in your brain can see how silly your thoughts have become.
When people aren't told of certain passages in Scripture, they believe that anything and everything they do jeopardizes their standing with God. They look at the sky and are terrified that God is looking down on them just waiting to condemn them to a torturous fiery pit of despair if they slip up. It is ridiculous I know, but with the right amount of influence from certain people in the "Christian" religion, everything becomes a very real possibility. Even, and sometimes especially, the most ludicrous sounding things. When someone you trust (your pastor/preacher/deacon) is constantly warning you that God's love is conditional, you start to believe it. Even when a basic understanding of Who God is and what He has accomplished for each and every one of us, would prove to you just how silly this reasoning is.
2 Corinthians 5:19 (NLT) "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."
Take your medicine to avoid insanity.
Think of it this way: when I am not on my medicine, everything and anything can and will scare me. There have been times where I was terrified to look at the sky, because all I could imagine was gravity just vanishing and me floating uncontrollably into outer space. It is ridiculous, I know, but with the right amount of influence from certain chemicals in the brain, everything becomes a very real possibility. Even, and sometimes especially, the most ludicrous sounding things. When something you trust (your brain) is constantly telling you that something is wrong, you start to believe it. Even when everyone else around you that hasn't been influenced by the chemicals in your brain can see how silly your thoughts have become.
When people aren't told of certain passages in Scripture, they believe that anything and everything they do jeopardizes their standing with God. They look at the sky and are terrified that God is looking down on them just waiting to condemn them to a torturous fiery pit of despair if they slip up. It is ridiculous I know, but with the right amount of influence from certain people in the "Christian" religion, everything becomes a very real possibility. Even, and sometimes especially, the most ludicrous sounding things. When someone you trust (your pastor/preacher/deacon) is constantly warning you that God's love is conditional, you start to believe it. Even when a basic understanding of Who God is and what He has accomplished for each and every one of us, would prove to you just how silly this reasoning is.
2 Corinthians 5:19 (NLT) "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."
Take your medicine to avoid insanity.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Invest Wisely
If you think that our current lives here on Earth have one purpose, and one purpose alone, then you are sorely mistaken....
Why are we here? Is it solely to learn the contrast between a miserable existence of running around struggling, tired all the time, and barely scraping enough in to feed your family and a life of pure joy, abundance and peace on the new heaven and new earth? Are we really only here on probation? Just sitting around twiddling our thumbs doing nothing but waiting for Christ to return? Is that what we are called to do? Sit and wait? Praying for this life to end so the new can begin? Or is there something else we should be doing.
I believe that we are to be investing this life. Investing this life into the next. Whether we be ruling and reigning with Christ or just enjoying the Kingdom of Heaven. Wherever our roles end up being, shouldn't we have something from this life to carry over into the next?
Paul tells us that we each will stand before the Dias of Christ, and we will each receive what is due from our works in the body, whether they be good or evil. In this life, it is good practice to start a 401k among other financial plans; savings accounts, etc. That way when you are ready to rest later on in life you have the means to do so. If you invest wisely enough, you can do more than just rest. You can ENJOY the rest of your life.
In Matthew, Christ urges people to store up for themselves treasures in heaven. Although this is most likely in reference to Israel's part in the Kingdom, it is still (I believe) sound advice for all of us. Paul's statement alone should show that we should strive to invest in the next life.
Yes, we are here to learn to appreciate God and Christ and the gifts he so graciously gives us. However, we are also given the opportunity in this life to invest in the next. No this life is not the only "chance" for Salvation, but it very well may be the only time we have to make deposits into our Heavenly Bank Account. Make a point to do good in someone else's life on a day to day basis. You won't regret it.
I love and miss you all.
Why are we here? Is it solely to learn the contrast between a miserable existence of running around struggling, tired all the time, and barely scraping enough in to feed your family and a life of pure joy, abundance and peace on the new heaven and new earth? Are we really only here on probation? Just sitting around twiddling our thumbs doing nothing but waiting for Christ to return? Is that what we are called to do? Sit and wait? Praying for this life to end so the new can begin? Or is there something else we should be doing.
I believe that we are to be investing this life. Investing this life into the next. Whether we be ruling and reigning with Christ or just enjoying the Kingdom of Heaven. Wherever our roles end up being, shouldn't we have something from this life to carry over into the next?
Paul tells us that we each will stand before the Dias of Christ, and we will each receive what is due from our works in the body, whether they be good or evil. In this life, it is good practice to start a 401k among other financial plans; savings accounts, etc. That way when you are ready to rest later on in life you have the means to do so. If you invest wisely enough, you can do more than just rest. You can ENJOY the rest of your life.
In Matthew, Christ urges people to store up for themselves treasures in heaven. Although this is most likely in reference to Israel's part in the Kingdom, it is still (I believe) sound advice for all of us. Paul's statement alone should show that we should strive to invest in the next life.
Yes, we are here to learn to appreciate God and Christ and the gifts he so graciously gives us. However, we are also given the opportunity in this life to invest in the next. No this life is not the only "chance" for Salvation, but it very well may be the only time we have to make deposits into our Heavenly Bank Account. Make a point to do good in someone else's life on a day to day basis. You won't regret it.
I love and miss you all.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Counting The Cost
"For who of you, willing to build a tower, doth not first, having sat down, count the expense, whether he have the things for completing?"
Before anyone can call me out on this, yes I am going to use this verse out of reference; because I believe that, in doing so, I am not altering the meaning of the analogy, nor am I applying it to something non-applicable.
When Christ said this, he was talking to people who wanted to be His disciples. This is a statement made to them to teach them how foolish it would be for one to start something that they cannot finish. I believe this is a true matter for God as much as it is for man. If Christ was teaching men not to start something that they can't finish, don't you think that God would also know better?
Didn't Christ know that he would succeed before he ever uttered the words, "It is finished"? I don't believe that God would create the universe and everything in it, then introduce the sufferings and pains that we feel in this life, without knowing what it would all accomplish in the end. God counted the cost. He is willing and He is able to win the hearts, minds, and souls of everyone of His creatures.
He is starting on some of us early, we are amazingly blessed to be chosen to be dragged toward God here and know, be it "willingly" or kicking and screaming. One way or another Christ's love will compel us. Each and everyone one of us. So much so that at the name Jesus Christ every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.
It is comforting for me to know that even though I struggle with it now, there will be a day where I love Christ with every ounce of my being.
(P.S. Alan, if you are reading this, I really could use some more Cheerwine)
Before anyone can call me out on this, yes I am going to use this verse out of reference; because I believe that, in doing so, I am not altering the meaning of the analogy, nor am I applying it to something non-applicable.
When Christ said this, he was talking to people who wanted to be His disciples. This is a statement made to them to teach them how foolish it would be for one to start something that they cannot finish. I believe this is a true matter for God as much as it is for man. If Christ was teaching men not to start something that they can't finish, don't you think that God would also know better?
Didn't Christ know that he would succeed before he ever uttered the words, "It is finished"? I don't believe that God would create the universe and everything in it, then introduce the sufferings and pains that we feel in this life, without knowing what it would all accomplish in the end. God counted the cost. He is willing and He is able to win the hearts, minds, and souls of everyone of His creatures.
He is starting on some of us early, we are amazingly blessed to be chosen to be dragged toward God here and know, be it "willingly" or kicking and screaming. One way or another Christ's love will compel us. Each and everyone one of us. So much so that at the name Jesus Christ every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.
It is comforting for me to know that even though I struggle with it now, there will be a day where I love Christ with every ounce of my being.
(P.S. Alan, if you are reading this, I really could use some more Cheerwine)
Friday, March 27, 2015
Time
"Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is."
-Psalm 39:4 YLT
This verse is especially important to me at this point in my life. As some of you are aware a few family members and loved ones of the body of Christ have entered in to rest, until they are resurrected. I am sure that you all have also noticed that I have not been writing nearly as often as I used to. I recently got a very full time job driving a cab from anywhere between 48-75 hours a week depending on what is going on in town that week. While is is great to finally be able to support my family better, I am faced with the flip-side of the coin. Now, I spend most of my time away from them. So although they are getting their material needs met, the emotional and spiritual needs are going unmet. Currently, I am driving 6 nights a week. However, since we are expecting another child in a few months, I will be dropping down to only driving 5 nights a week. This, I hope, will allow me to at least spend a little more time with my family. I also hope that it will allow me to study more of the Scriptures, and be able to share with all of you my discoveries and thoughts regarding what I read in them. This verse reminds me that making money is not the most important thing in this life. In fact, it is far from it. I need to focus on sharing the True Gospel with others that have been, or are, exactly where I was when God saved me from my misery. Had I never been revealed the truth about grace, my life would be nothing but fear and torment, until I found a way to justify releasing myself from this life, in a way that I didn't feel would send me straight to hell. Thank God for Jesus Christ. Thank God for the men and women that He used to reach me with the truth. I thank Him for Martin, Dan, Clyde, James, Regina, Heidi, Waylan, Alan, etc. etc...
It is sad to see any kind of division in the Body of Christ. It is also sad when someone feels personally attacked for thinking a slightly different way then the rest of the Body. I personally feel that instead of shunning someone for believing differently, which mind you sounds incredibly Amish. We should here them out and discuss where they are coming from. If after that we disagree would should just move on. There is no reason that it should cause such division. I feel like this kind of reaction to someone else's thoughts is what slows momentum and progress in teaching the truths about God. I love all of the men and women that I have learned so much from. Paul and Peter didn't get along for awhile in the Scriptures either, but they were able to reconcile their differences and get along. Time is fleeting and division like this makes it hard to bring anyone else into the rest that was provided me when God lead me to this group of amazing individuals. Had there not be a like-minded group of people already with the same thoughts (for the most part). It would have been harder for me to accept the things Martin had to say, given that he is a bit cuckoo.
Can't we just forgive each other for the way events went down and for the love of all thing good and holy, can we please hold another conference! I don't care if I personally have to set it up here. I need to see you guys and I want to learn more from what you all have studied. The longer I go without being connected to the Body the weaker I feel in this journey. Let's stop wasting time with silly playground bicker and unite again...
We don't have time for this. I love and miss you all.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is."
-Psalm 39:4 YLT
This verse is especially important to me at this point in my life. As some of you are aware a few family members and loved ones of the body of Christ have entered in to rest, until they are resurrected. I am sure that you all have also noticed that I have not been writing nearly as often as I used to. I recently got a very full time job driving a cab from anywhere between 48-75 hours a week depending on what is going on in town that week. While is is great to finally be able to support my family better, I am faced with the flip-side of the coin. Now, I spend most of my time away from them. So although they are getting their material needs met, the emotional and spiritual needs are going unmet. Currently, I am driving 6 nights a week. However, since we are expecting another child in a few months, I will be dropping down to only driving 5 nights a week. This, I hope, will allow me to at least spend a little more time with my family. I also hope that it will allow me to study more of the Scriptures, and be able to share with all of you my discoveries and thoughts regarding what I read in them. This verse reminds me that making money is not the most important thing in this life. In fact, it is far from it. I need to focus on sharing the True Gospel with others that have been, or are, exactly where I was when God saved me from my misery. Had I never been revealed the truth about grace, my life would be nothing but fear and torment, until I found a way to justify releasing myself from this life, in a way that I didn't feel would send me straight to hell. Thank God for Jesus Christ. Thank God for the men and women that He used to reach me with the truth. I thank Him for Martin, Dan, Clyde, James, Regina, Heidi, Waylan, Alan, etc. etc...
It is sad to see any kind of division in the Body of Christ. It is also sad when someone feels personally attacked for thinking a slightly different way then the rest of the Body. I personally feel that instead of shunning someone for believing differently, which mind you sounds incredibly Amish. We should here them out and discuss where they are coming from. If after that we disagree would should just move on. There is no reason that it should cause such division. I feel like this kind of reaction to someone else's thoughts is what slows momentum and progress in teaching the truths about God. I love all of the men and women that I have learned so much from. Paul and Peter didn't get along for awhile in the Scriptures either, but they were able to reconcile their differences and get along. Time is fleeting and division like this makes it hard to bring anyone else into the rest that was provided me when God lead me to this group of amazing individuals. Had there not be a like-minded group of people already with the same thoughts (for the most part). It would have been harder for me to accept the things Martin had to say, given that he is a bit cuckoo.
Can't we just forgive each other for the way events went down and for the love of all thing good and holy, can we please hold another conference! I don't care if I personally have to set it up here. I need to see you guys and I want to learn more from what you all have studied. The longer I go without being connected to the Body the weaker I feel in this journey. Let's stop wasting time with silly playground bicker and unite again...
We don't have time for this. I love and miss you all.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Abundant Life
What in the world did Christ accomplish for us other than a promised resurrection? I mean, yeah that is awesome, but being human, I want instant gratification. What did Christ do that affects me now. He came to do the opposite of Satan. "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."
When I was under the impression that "God so loved the world"*, I was always afraid that He was still mad at ME for not giving Him 110%. As if I could with-hold any part of me from Him. I was scared for my immortal soul, because I didn't want to burn in hell-fire forever and ever. Satan STOLE my joy, he KILLED my happiness, and he DESTROYED my peace of mind.
Bette Midler performed a song titled, "The Rose," and in this song there are the lyrics: "It's the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live." Now I understand that she wasn't exactly talking about dying and going to hell in this context, but for me it struck a chord. I was so afraid of DYING because of what was going to happen to me next, that I couldn't truly LIVE! In fact, I was barely alive at all! I was in a psyche ward weighing in at 110 lbs, being tranquilized and fed pills just to gain weight.
It wasn't until God removed the blinders from my eyes that I was able to TRULY LIVE. No more worrying about whether or not God would still love me if I stopped going to church, or if I said a PG rated word. No more questioning God's power and/or Love. But knowing, that If anyone can make a story truly end "happily ever after" it would be the creator of the universe. The One who intricately formed each and every one of us, completely unique in our own ways.
Satan steals, kills, and destroys us, and he uses the false image of "God" to do it. God will BURN you if you don't turn from your evil ways! God is angry because you had that extra candy bar! God only loves you proportionately to your love for Him! No, no, no. God loves you IN SPITE of your hatred of Him. "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." Will God listen to His Son?
True abundant life comes when you understand that you cannot out-sin grace. And despite what you may think, you don't sin more. You actually have a stronger and more genuine motivation to change others' lives. When God chooses to open your eyes to the amount of love He pours out into you, you can't stop it from overflowing and reaching others.
(* as long as you obey the 10 commandments, don't look at a girl ever, don't go over the speed limit in any circumstance, don't pop your gum loudly, chew with your mouth closed, pray only if you wash your hands, tell everyone else your sins, give me 10% of your money, go to church even if you are sick, etc. etc...)
When I was under the impression that "God so loved the world"*, I was always afraid that He was still mad at ME for not giving Him 110%. As if I could with-hold any part of me from Him. I was scared for my immortal soul, because I didn't want to burn in hell-fire forever and ever. Satan STOLE my joy, he KILLED my happiness, and he DESTROYED my peace of mind.
Bette Midler performed a song titled, "The Rose," and in this song there are the lyrics: "It's the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live." Now I understand that she wasn't exactly talking about dying and going to hell in this context, but for me it struck a chord. I was so afraid of DYING because of what was going to happen to me next, that I couldn't truly LIVE! In fact, I was barely alive at all! I was in a psyche ward weighing in at 110 lbs, being tranquilized and fed pills just to gain weight.
It wasn't until God removed the blinders from my eyes that I was able to TRULY LIVE. No more worrying about whether or not God would still love me if I stopped going to church, or if I said a PG rated word. No more questioning God's power and/or Love. But knowing, that If anyone can make a story truly end "happily ever after" it would be the creator of the universe. The One who intricately formed each and every one of us, completely unique in our own ways.
Satan steals, kills, and destroys us, and he uses the false image of "God" to do it. God will BURN you if you don't turn from your evil ways! God is angry because you had that extra candy bar! God only loves you proportionately to your love for Him! No, no, no. God loves you IN SPITE of your hatred of Him. "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." Will God listen to His Son?
True abundant life comes when you understand that you cannot out-sin grace. And despite what you may think, you don't sin more. You actually have a stronger and more genuine motivation to change others' lives. When God chooses to open your eyes to the amount of love He pours out into you, you can't stop it from overflowing and reaching others.
(* as long as you obey the 10 commandments, don't look at a girl ever, don't go over the speed limit in any circumstance, don't pop your gum loudly, chew with your mouth closed, pray only if you wash your hands, tell everyone else your sins, give me 10% of your money, go to church even if you are sick, etc. etc...)
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Friend of Saints?
When you go to church and church related events, most people put on their best mask so no one will see what they really are. Or in some cases, church-goers genuinely are very clean people with little visible sin in their lives. That is because church is all about trying to fix you up enough that you are presentable to God. To make you good enough to deserve to talk to Him, when in reality you have already been made perfect. Christians warn about being associated with the wrong kind of people in nearly every youth service I have ever heard! I find this incredibly ignorant... First of all if every one that knows the gospel only kept to themselves about it, how would the good news travel? How could we bring peace to others? Secondly, in Matthew 11:19 Christ is called a FRIEND of sinners. He isn't referred to here as someone who associates with sinners, no, he is referred to as their FRIEND. To me being a friend is a lot more than just caring about someone. You hang out together, have fun together, laugh and cry together. Jesus was said to eat and drink with these sinners. Not cool-aid either, Jesus drank wine! Christianity is more moral than Christ!
Should you go out and get trashed, snort crack off a stripper, and then have your way with any woman in town? If I have to answer this for you then you need more help than I can provide. Obviously that would be stupid. That isn't what Christ was doing. However, he was FRIENDS with these people. I am willing to bet (Oh no, did I just mention gambling? Forgive me God!) that if Christ had a Facebook, his friends list would contain thousands of the earth's "scummiest" people in the eyes of the religious. And if he had Myspace, his top 8 would include the likes of Dirty Steve, Drunken Bob, and Anthony Kiedis. It sure as heck wouldn't have the pope, John Hagee or Kirk Cameron. Does he love them? Yes. Would he hang out with them and drink a couple glasses of wine with them? No, because they would think they were hurting God's feelings by enjoying life.
Don't avoid people just because they seem to not care about the choices they make. Some of the best people I know drink, smoke pot, eat more than the suggested serving size, and even roll through stop signs. You will be surprised at how much more they will receive the message of pure grace.
Should you go out and get trashed, snort crack off a stripper, and then have your way with any woman in town? If I have to answer this for you then you need more help than I can provide. Obviously that would be stupid. That isn't what Christ was doing. However, he was FRIENDS with these people. I am willing to bet (Oh no, did I just mention gambling? Forgive me God!) that if Christ had a Facebook, his friends list would contain thousands of the earth's "scummiest" people in the eyes of the religious. And if he had Myspace, his top 8 would include the likes of Dirty Steve, Drunken Bob, and Anthony Kiedis. It sure as heck wouldn't have the pope, John Hagee or Kirk Cameron. Does he love them? Yes. Would he hang out with them and drink a couple glasses of wine with them? No, because they would think they were hurting God's feelings by enjoying life.
Don't avoid people just because they seem to not care about the choices they make. Some of the best people I know drink, smoke pot, eat more than the suggested serving size, and even roll through stop signs. You will be surprised at how much more they will receive the message of pure grace.
Monday, November 24, 2014
The Point Is To Live
When I believed in eternal conscious torment, I believed that my purpose in life what solely to help save as many people as I could from ending up there. The thing that kept me from feeling useless was the idea that I was somehow able to save a person's "soul" form being damned to hell for all eternity. Well now, you can see how this became a problem when I realized that God didn't need me at all to save His creation because, in fact, He did it all on His own. When I realized that I was completely useless to God when it came to saving people, I lost my purpose in life. But, then I realized, I have an even greater purpose in life now. Before I was giving people not good news, no not at all, I was giving them an ultimatum, I was selling them fire insurance for something that is yet to happen. I was promising them happiness in the future. If, and only if, they themselves put faith in Christ. But now, oh man, now I am able to bring happiness even in this current evil age! Why? Because now I proclaim GOOD NEWS! The true gospel! That all is taken care of and there, in fact, will be a happily ever after. That is a glorious expectation indeed. Now not only do I have a reason to live, I have the drive to actually proclaim the gospel. Whereas before, I dreaded telling someone that their loved ones could possibly be burning in hell and that they too would end up in hell unless they did something about it. I truly have good news. Our purpose is to tell others this news so that they to can enjoy life to the fullest. Remember when we thought we had to please God by our actions? Wasn't it terrible? Never knowing if you did well enough that day to even talk to God. Thinking He is ashamed of you and upset at you for something you did or didn't do? Ugh, that weight is just awful. You can't enjoy life at all feeling like you have to measure up. But thank God that we do measure up because of what Christ did. We can't screw it up, and that is the Gospel. That is the point. To live freely and fully is the point. Grace is so simple that people think it is too good to be true. When know that God is good, and we know that He is true. Grace will always super-abound.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Past Regrets
Awhile back I did a blog about free will and prophecy. I made the point that if something at all goes out of order in God's plan, then prophecy would not come true. If you are off by the smallest degree while going from point A to point B, you will end up at point WTF.
The reason I bring this up is because I know a lot of people who either regret their past or feel like they aren't doing things correctly right now. Let me put it this way. If you regret your past, then you are not trusting God's plan for the future. Everything that you have done in this life, everything you are doing, and everything you will do is in accord with our Creator's absolute will. Is this fatalistic? Sure, if you want to call it that. Clyde Pilkington calls it God-ism rather than fatalism, and I 100% agree with that.
There is nothing at all fatal about our Sovereign Creator and Father being in control. Fatalism should be what we call the idea of free-will. If the clay were in control of forming itself into a pot, what would be the outcome? It would still just be a lump of clay at the end of the day. Clay does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to contribute to itself being formed into a vessel of any shape or form. The Potter is the One that takes care of that.
We are all just clay in the Potter's hand and we cannot do a single thing to change what God is turning us into. Sometimes it seems like life is spinning out of control. Well maybe that is just the wheel we are on and God is turning up the speed so He can smooth us out.
Listen if there is anything at all you can say to someone to bring comfort, it should be that God is in control. This was used so many times by my church "family" growing up to try to comfort me. If only I had known it was actually true, oh the relief it would have brought. Sadly though, I thought that God only had a mere influence on humanity and that we could easily thwart his will.
Fatalism is believe that God's will can be stalled and/or thwarted. Find comfort knowing that this isn't so, and that He will do ALL His good pleasure and one day EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess. God will be ALL IN ALL.
The reason I bring this up is because I know a lot of people who either regret their past or feel like they aren't doing things correctly right now. Let me put it this way. If you regret your past, then you are not trusting God's plan for the future. Everything that you have done in this life, everything you are doing, and everything you will do is in accord with our Creator's absolute will. Is this fatalistic? Sure, if you want to call it that. Clyde Pilkington calls it God-ism rather than fatalism, and I 100% agree with that.
There is nothing at all fatal about our Sovereign Creator and Father being in control. Fatalism should be what we call the idea of free-will. If the clay were in control of forming itself into a pot, what would be the outcome? It would still just be a lump of clay at the end of the day. Clay does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to contribute to itself being formed into a vessel of any shape or form. The Potter is the One that takes care of that.
We are all just clay in the Potter's hand and we cannot do a single thing to change what God is turning us into. Sometimes it seems like life is spinning out of control. Well maybe that is just the wheel we are on and God is turning up the speed so He can smooth us out.
Listen if there is anything at all you can say to someone to bring comfort, it should be that God is in control. This was used so many times by my church "family" growing up to try to comfort me. If only I had known it was actually true, oh the relief it would have brought. Sadly though, I thought that God only had a mere influence on humanity and that we could easily thwart his will.
Fatalism is believe that God's will can be stalled and/or thwarted. Find comfort knowing that this isn't so, and that He will do ALL His good pleasure and one day EVERY knee will bow and EVERY tongue confess. God will be ALL IN ALL.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Cancer of the Soul
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." -- Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8.
Paul didn't have a degree in psychology that we are aware of, but this passage alone can solve depression and anxiety better than any pill. But just like any medicine or remedy, you need to follow the instructions in order for it to work!
Yes there is some really crappy stuff in this world, and we are surrounded by it constantly. However, there is also some amazing stuff. Look around and you can see it. If you can't find anything good in the people around you, then start looking at nature. The birds, flowers, trees. It is almost time for leaves to start falling and cool breezes to tickle our noses. If you are too cold, enjoy some hot cocoa with the fake styrofoam marshmallows. Relax by a cozy fire. Listen to the crackle and feel the caress of the soothing heat. Do anything other than reading all of the negative posts online. Stop listening to the media and their untrue, dishonest, unjust, impure, ugly, bad reports!
There is good out there, and you don't have to look as hard as you would expect. Change your lenses and see the world from a different view. Remembering all the time that God is in control.
Paul didn't have a degree in psychology that we are aware of, but this passage alone can solve depression and anxiety better than any pill. But just like any medicine or remedy, you need to follow the instructions in order for it to work!
Yes there is some really crappy stuff in this world, and we are surrounded by it constantly. However, there is also some amazing stuff. Look around and you can see it. If you can't find anything good in the people around you, then start looking at nature. The birds, flowers, trees. It is almost time for leaves to start falling and cool breezes to tickle our noses. If you are too cold, enjoy some hot cocoa with the fake styrofoam marshmallows. Relax by a cozy fire. Listen to the crackle and feel the caress of the soothing heat. Do anything other than reading all of the negative posts online. Stop listening to the media and their untrue, dishonest, unjust, impure, ugly, bad reports!
There is good out there, and you don't have to look as hard as you would expect. Change your lenses and see the world from a different view. Remembering all the time that God is in control.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Comfort
How many of us growing up in religion heard all the time when we were scared or worried that we should just trust God, because He is in control. This would be awesome advice if any of us actually believed that God was in control. However, most of us didn't, so when we were being "comforted" by church members saying that everything would be okay because God is in control, we weren't comforted at all. We would think to ourselves, well if I have enough faith in God then I won't be scared anymore because my faith will make God cause good to happen to me and nothing bad will come. I have to control my future based on how pleasing I am to God.
The problem is, it is hard to trust God to run the universe if you don't in fact believe that He RUNS THE UNIVERSE. So the recent Ebola scare and ISIS scare, which are most likely government agendas for profit on Pharma-Companies and Oil, etc. Can be scary and, I will admit, last night I was even a bit anxious about all of it. I am not scared of catching Ebola, nor am I scared about ISIS. I was scared of my government and what they plan to do. I kept thinking about the end-time prophecies and other things that could happen to me.
The media only airs negative stories if you have not noticed. This, I believe is to strike fear and worry into us so deeply, that they can sell us all anti-depressants and vaccines. Then they make sure you keep watching T.V. by giving us something to laugh at or feel good about. It is all about money. Now, I do not condemn television at all. I just want to make aware the stuff that happens that we don't even think about. We need to look into things for ourselves, and by doing this it can definitely cause anxiety and stress, until... you get a reminder that God, the same God that formed you in the womb, the same God that knows every hair on your head, the same God that specifically chose us to know the truth, is the One in control of it all. ALL OF IT. So, knowing that God is the One in control, ACTUALLY IN CONTROL, can be the greatest comfort in this eon. Everything that happens must happen for God's purpose to come into fruition. What is His purpose?
To become All in all.
The problem is, it is hard to trust God to run the universe if you don't in fact believe that He RUNS THE UNIVERSE. So the recent Ebola scare and ISIS scare, which are most likely government agendas for profit on Pharma-Companies and Oil, etc. Can be scary and, I will admit, last night I was even a bit anxious about all of it. I am not scared of catching Ebola, nor am I scared about ISIS. I was scared of my government and what they plan to do. I kept thinking about the end-time prophecies and other things that could happen to me.
The media only airs negative stories if you have not noticed. This, I believe is to strike fear and worry into us so deeply, that they can sell us all anti-depressants and vaccines. Then they make sure you keep watching T.V. by giving us something to laugh at or feel good about. It is all about money. Now, I do not condemn television at all. I just want to make aware the stuff that happens that we don't even think about. We need to look into things for ourselves, and by doing this it can definitely cause anxiety and stress, until... you get a reminder that God, the same God that formed you in the womb, the same God that knows every hair on your head, the same God that specifically chose us to know the truth, is the One in control of it all. ALL OF IT. So, knowing that God is the One in control, ACTUALLY IN CONTROL, can be the greatest comfort in this eon. Everything that happens must happen for God's purpose to come into fruition. What is His purpose?
To become All in all.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Where there is a Will, there is no way.
I am sure that everyone is familiar with the saying, "Where there is a will, there is a way." That is entirely true...depending on whose will is being addressed.
For instance, Jonah willed NOT to go to Nineveh. Yet God willed that he DID go to Nineveh. Where did Jonah end up? God had a will, and his way was a smelly belly of a fish. So the saying is true only if it is in accord with God's. If God wills it, there is a way. If God does NOT will it, there is no way. And if God wills it, there is no way... no way that is isn't going to come to pass, that is.
God wills for all mankind to be saved and come unto a knowledge of the truth. God has a will. His way is through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. There is NO WAY that it will not come to pass.
God wills for all mankind to be saved and come unto a knowledge of the truth. God has a will. His way is through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. There is NO WAY that it will not come to pass.
Most Christians today will NOT that all mankind be saved, because if all mankind were saved, then they would be no better than anyone else! They will say, but I chose you and they didn't, why do they get to come too? Even though they will (lower-case "w") that mankind as a whole is not saved, they have no way to stop it from happening, although they are seemingly doing a great job at hindering its arrival!
The only Will that will ever come about entirely as planned, is God's. So rest assured that no matter how many people "will" that you burn in hell for cutting them off at an intersection, or for telling someone that Christ was a success and that God actually knows what He is doing, His will is certain and it is going to come to pass.
P.S: In-case you are wondering... 17 times. Started to not sound like a word anymore.
P.S: In-case you are wondering... 17 times. Started to not sound like a word anymore.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
The Ghost of Mankind's Future
This topic should be so easy to understand, but the illusion of "free-will" is so strong that most people deny that God is actually, factually in control of everything. Or at least that He set everything in operation to perfectly play out exactly how He planned it.
Think about it. You can either believe in free-will, or you can believe that prophecy has been and will be fulfilled. It is one or the other. IF we have free-will, then it is possible to stop events that were prophesied from occurring. If you have not heard of the "butterfly-effect" it is the theory that says that if you change even the smallest thing about a past situation, the entire outcome of an event can and will occur differently. Take for instance our diet, if we feel hungry and crave an egg, and then we eat the egg only to find out it was rotten, we end up sick and possibly hospitalized. That is only ONE event. Now imagine our entire diet. Everything we eat affects our bodies. Eventually poor diet can lead to all kinds of things and eventually our death. If we changed one thing about our diet it would change our lifespan. Since God knows exactly how long each of us are going to live (because He Himself numbered those day) then our cravings are going to be in accord with what He wills, and if we "decide" that we are going to get fit and start eating right? Well, where do you think that motivation came from? If you haven't seen the movie, "The Butterfly Effect", then you should watch it. It is similar to the Ghost of Christmas Past/Present/Future story in which Scrooge is shown what life would be like if he didn't change.
If you don't think that even the tiniest little thing isn't controlled by God picture this: God has a plan He has set out to accomplish. There are specific results He wishes to achieve. Now if anything at all happens differently than He intends the outcome will not be the same. Imagine you are traveling in a straight line. You need to get from Springfield, MO to Faith, NC. If you set the co-ordinates to go only in a straight line to NC you had better get them dead on precise. If you are off by 1°, you will not end up in Faith, NC. Heck you may not even be in North Carolina at all!
Simply put. Either prophecy will be fulfilled, or we have free-will.
Think about it. You can either believe in free-will, or you can believe that prophecy has been and will be fulfilled. It is one or the other. IF we have free-will, then it is possible to stop events that were prophesied from occurring. If you have not heard of the "butterfly-effect" it is the theory that says that if you change even the smallest thing about a past situation, the entire outcome of an event can and will occur differently. Take for instance our diet, if we feel hungry and crave an egg, and then we eat the egg only to find out it was rotten, we end up sick and possibly hospitalized. That is only ONE event. Now imagine our entire diet. Everything we eat affects our bodies. Eventually poor diet can lead to all kinds of things and eventually our death. If we changed one thing about our diet it would change our lifespan. Since God knows exactly how long each of us are going to live (because He Himself numbered those day) then our cravings are going to be in accord with what He wills, and if we "decide" that we are going to get fit and start eating right? Well, where do you think that motivation came from? If you haven't seen the movie, "The Butterfly Effect", then you should watch it. It is similar to the Ghost of Christmas Past/Present/Future story in which Scrooge is shown what life would be like if he didn't change.
If you don't think that even the tiniest little thing isn't controlled by God picture this: God has a plan He has set out to accomplish. There are specific results He wishes to achieve. Now if anything at all happens differently than He intends the outcome will not be the same. Imagine you are traveling in a straight line. You need to get from Springfield, MO to Faith, NC. If you set the co-ordinates to go only in a straight line to NC you had better get them dead on precise. If you are off by 1°, you will not end up in Faith, NC. Heck you may not even be in North Carolina at all!
Simply put. Either prophecy will be fulfilled, or we have free-will.
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