Monday, January 16, 2012

"Why I Hate Religion"





I've seen some back and forth about this video. Some feel it's an attack on the faith. I don't see it that way. I see it as an attack on legalism....false religion.
IMO, he is describing "false religion" and has described it really well. So everytime he says "religion", I take it as him talking about false religion. I think there are others taking it otherwise, and in that I can see where there would be offense, but I don't see it as an attack on the faith.

I don't see it as a message saying "sin all you want, grace will cover it". I don't see it as saying we don't have to do any changing in our lives. Not at all. I think he addressing how the church has put so many restrictions and judgmental attitudes on people that they feel they can not freely approach salvation. Salvation is not earned. It's a gift.

 "IT IS DONE" is about initial salvation. Christ died and rose again so that we did not have to die for sin. We now have the option of life. Yes, we need to make efforts to reflect a life of Christ, but we do not earn the salvation that begins our journey. It's a gift, to us...to ALL of us. When we can freely approach salvation then we understand grace, and grace is what keeps us getting up every morning knowing that we just need to do our best and that our weaknesses are not bigger than God. Religion as false religion is the reason I tried so hard to be athiest for years. All I could see was the world's view of God and what a Christian "should be. In this thinking, no one can measure up in it's eyes. We are defined by how God sees us though, and he's searching for the unwanted, the undesireable, the snubbed, the unrighteously judged, and the lost. He's searching for the ones that get turned away at church or get scoffed at or the ones that try but feel they can't add up. None of us add up! We never will! That's the beauty of grace! Why would Christ die to give us grace if we didn't need it?
I see this video as attacking a prominent world's mindset of this faith, not the faith. I do back up this video, but I do want to acknowledge that maybe he should use "false religion" vs "religion" since definitions/angles always change with the culture. We have a responsibility to be very careful in our wording and/or how we are perceived especially when trying to be good examples. No everyone is going to understand your intentions, so we should be very careful.  Anyhoo...for those interested or not liking it. Just a tidbit on how I see it/understood it...

Monday, January 9, 2012

Daniel Fast Meals

I'm on day...six on the Daniel Fast. I'm going to record my more favorited meals so that I can reference them. As this goes on, I will just add the new meals to this post. So, it will be changing with add ons during the next couple weeks. I'll come back later this week and add in the "how to's" on these dishes. That's been the amazing thing that I've noticed while doing this - the veggies are the stars of the show so you don't have to "create" a flavor. You just add, per your preference, what you want to spice it up with. The seasonings/herbs and amounts are up to you. Let nature do its thing. :)



                                             CILANTRO CHIL'E LIME RICE THING

                                                     TOMATO BASIL SPAGHETTI


THE TOMATO BASIL SPAGHETTI DURING DEMOLITION


                                    KEEPING BREAKFAST SIMPLE WITH POTATOES


BREAD FINDS


VEGGIE SAGE RICE THROWDOWN







Praying "For" A Spouse

My thoughts on this:



I was thinking about this idea today and something didn't sit right with me. I couldn't pinpoint it until now. When you hear this topic we all assume there's going to be a list that follows for each individual and what they are praying for in a person. There's nothing wrong with that. I dont 'think it's neccessarily about praying for certain qualities in someone. Yes, there are things you can pray for, but it's something bigger than that. You don't need to just pray for a special someone, but pray FOR them like pray for their protection, guidance, discernament, and spiritual growth. It's not neccessarily just  praying for them to be known to you right now or what you "want". God made you. He knows what you like and what you need. Are you going to trust Him in that?

 If there is someone out there who is meant to be in your life as a future spouse, then you/we need to be praying FOR their well being. If there is a plan that includes you as being a partnered with someone, then you/we have a responsibility to be spiritual support for them right now. Even if we can't see ourselves married right now or have no clue who this person may be, that doesn't negate the fact that you may meet someone down the road that needs your spiritual intercession for them right now. I hope I'm making sense.

I dont think there's a better way to love a person then to love them before you ever meet them. Love them enough to be praying them through their "right now". In other words, it might help if we not make this issue about us and what we want. Maybe we should make it about them. That seems more ....right...to me. Just a thought. For me, for someone else...but there it is.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Guiding My Steps

God, I'm going to just let go of these things beginning to taunt me. I don't need to get tangled in them again to know it's not where I want to be. I've done what I should. That's all I can do, and that's ok. I know you've got me. Thank you for gently guiding my steps even when it's my steps just pointing in the wrong direction. I'm soo grateful for your love in that way. You're my joy. Thank you for filling me. I need nothing else. Just keep overpouring into me so that your love continues to go out to others. My cheek rests on yours.





Ecclesiastes 3:11  He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Monday, December 26, 2011

From "Facing the Giants" (Movie and Book)

From "Facing the Giants" movie and book:


movie-     “Attitude is the aroma of the heart. If your attitude stinks, your heart is not right.”

book-       "Jesus never missed the mark. Equally amazing, he never distances himself from those who do. Just read the first verse of Matthew's gospel. Jesus knew David's ways. He witnessed the adultery, winced at the murders, and grieved at the dishonesty. But David's failures didn't change Jesus's relation to David. The initial verse of the first chapter of the first gospel calls Christ "the son of David". (Matt 1:1 KJV) The title contains no disclaimers, explanations, or asterisks. I'd have added a footnote: "This connection in no way offers tacit approval of David's behavior." No such words appear. David blew it. Jesus knew it. But he claimed David anyway."

Whether we are David, or we are judging a David....remember God and David's relationship. People are "God's projects, not His failures". We may distance ourselves from God (being in a place to not be able to communicate clearly with Him), but our relationship TO him never changes. How amazing is that...

No matter what or who, keep turning back to Him...God claims us anyways. Praise God

Friday, December 23, 2011

You Lead, and I'll Follow

MUSIC  VIDEO:    Jamie Grace "You Lead"


Psalm 16:11
You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Isaiah 30:21
Your ears will hear a word behind you,
“This is the way, walk in it,” whenever
you turn to the right or to the left.

Romans 8:14
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Hebrews 13:21
equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.



Everytime I come out of a storm, I come out more numb to the world around me. I become more sensitive to God holding my face towards Him. Everything else is a mere muffled thing around me. I can't wait to look at you. You've got me now and later. :)

Monday, December 19, 2011

My King and Your Unfailing Love





"Son of God you are the perfect one
You came to give your life away
My sin you have erased with your
Precious blood you showed your, Unfailing love and I will never be the same
Forever I am changed,
Jesus...
Sit enthroned upon my heart, with everything you are
Come live your life in me, reign supremely
I'm not just giving you my sin, but everything within
Come take control and make me Holy
Son of God you are the risen one,
You came to overtake the grave
By the power of Your name. You have
raised me up with your conquering love
And I will never be the same,
Forever I am changed,
 Jesus...
You are my king, Enthroned to be
My everything, My everything
Sit enthroned upon my heart, with everything you are
Come live your life in me, reign supremely
I'm not just giving you my sin, but everything within
Come take control and make me Holy



1 John 18-20      My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Political Leaders: Gotta Love 'Em. No, Really.


I had planned on doing a post on this today, but I came across another blogger that says it better. Here is the link and my reply to his post. It pretty much sums up what we need to do and how we need to do it in the political arena.


[Followed Blogger: Politics]


"This is why I don't venture into discussion in this arena. It's never pretty. What I've decided personally is that no matter what side we chooses or if we choose to stay inactive due to inevitable beliefs, that as believers we're supposed to pray for our leaders. As you pointed out, there's a repetitive history in the bible. So you know that the one that always comes out blessed is the one that obeys. Agree or not with them, we need to be obedient in standing in the gap for them."


 I Timothy 2:1-2     "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."


All in all, this world may fall. It may cave in on itself, if it hasn't already. Nothing may change no matter what we pray. The point, in my opinion, is that the "we may lead quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" may very well be in reference to us individually. What is going to happen will happen. We just need to keep ourselves in line, and let God do the rest. Be obedient and trust that we individually/our family will be taken care of. That's all.

Time Magazine's Person of the Year

TIME: The Protester


I'm absolutely moved at all the restlessness and injustice in this world.  Not just in this article or just currently. It's always been harder on some. I'm more moved at the fact that I avoid looking into the struggles going on over seas. Why? It doesn't concern me? Too hard to face?

It's a little of both.

We are blessed here in the US even in our upheaval. We've got to pray for these people daily. I'm sure we can't even fathom what they go through. They are fighting for their lives, with their lives, for things we have and don't think twice about.


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The Molehill Moutain

From what I've seen, conflict begins with one hurt. Think about it...

Think of all the conflicts you have been involved with or witnessed. It boiled down to someone, in the very beginning, being hurt or offended whether it was real or perceived. Right?  It seems this way to me.

So what if, instead of lashing back or running away, we quietly stand there and then embrace that person? Either literally or in other ways that show we acknowledge that something hurt them. It's all about one person needing acknowledgment over a hurt...

Think of how much trouble we could avoid by instantly loving people before we judge  them.

I'm not saying that we need to swallow every situation and enable people. Sometimes we're wrong. Sometimes we're right. We can work and bend on our reactions though. I can definitely think of some instances where I still stand firm on my "why", but in the same instance I wish I could take back my reaction-the "how". Love people. Assume they are hurting because usually they are.