This picture reminds me of how Christ's followers can get caught up on what they believe to be right even when there’s a possibility that they’re not entirely “right” (or entirely “wrong”).
Many times we can all be right with regards to our own personal walk with Jesus. As Romans 14 better explains it… (paraphrased) one thing may be right or suitable for one person and not to the other person in which case who are we to interfere and belittle someone else’s personal walk with Jesus. That’s between the individual and Jesus.
  For the most part all who claim to be Christ’s followers can agree on matters like murder, adultery, theft, et cetera because it is as clear to one believer as to the other why they’re is wrong.
 When a follower is truly seeking God the truth can be as simple as understanding the reason why murder is wrong. However, in other cases it can be as complex as one person interpreting “Sabbath” as Saturday a day of rest (holy) vs “Sabbath” as every day is holy so any day can be a day of rest (holy).
 Point is some things are just meant for Christian’s own personal relationship with Jesus. Jesus has made it very clear to all Christians the morals we all need to live by and that is something we all could agree on.

Ecc 7:10

http://bible.us/114/ECC7.10.NKJV 

Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?”

[Something God spoke to me a few weeks ago. I'm surprised this verse didn't stand out before. I've read this book before, but it was through an audio devotional when it really make me think to remember this verse any time I have the very thoughts this verse speaks of.]

"A skeptic won't take KNOW for an answer."
~Unknown

"An atheist can't find God the same way a thief can't find a policeman." 
~Unknown

http://vimeo.com/11150452

Kari Jobe on Singleness from Going Beyond on Vimeo.

[Jamie Grace] Boys, Boys, Boys

True Salvation (Gateway Church)

Man, this pastor preaches like it's supposed to be preached. He wont sugar coat the truth. If you're going to hell you're going to hell, your life will be a testimony of that. I'll admit, telling someone whether they're going to hell or not is a tough truth for me not to sugar coat (and I'm normally not a 'sugar coater'). I've even heard a very popular pastor calling evil what is evil but when asked if that would send a person to hell he said he "couldn't say." Sadly, many times I would say that but other times is just easier for me to just show them what scriptures say to prove I'm not being bias or anything like that, which is easier for a person to examine their own life if they truly care for the Truth. And of course it "isn't" for us judge whether or not someone will go to hell, but rather Jesus is the Judger and He DID! So point to the scriptures where Jesus preached it like it is! Sadly, many will go to hell and few to heaven, its even sadder that "church" goers and even pastors are among those many. Also, I've heard many people say "I was saved at such at 'such & such time' but I rededicated my life during this time (which was when change was evident)." Well, that always seemed senseless to me when people would say that. I would think if salvation and re-dedication really was how they said it was for them then I could easily say that with my life. However, I know that isn't so, yes at an early age a seed was planted (which made think I was a Christian) so for most of my life I was in the "pregnancy stage/in the womb" but I wasn't saved til I was born from a seed that was conceived long ago. When I was born (reborn in Christ) that's when true salvation came to pass. My life did change, I did feel different, with the change growth came & as I grew in Christ any misguided truths became clear & the deception obsolete. Getting baptized as an adult was not a re-dedication statement rather a statement of "now I've been saved." My child baptism wasn't when I was saved. Yes, as a kid I "knew" what it "meant" when I was dipped in that water "ooh yes now I'm truly a 'Christian'," but truly Jesus didn't have my life. I hadn't given it to Him and I didn't know what it meant to. I thought -that seed- /the knowledge of Jesus was Christianity. I hadn't even heard the word or understood "reborn and salvation." I just knew Jesus died for me & loved me & is God, that's it. It's been about 4yrs now that I've been reborn, but this time in Christ, from a seed that was planted as a kid. And I love it even in times when I feel like my old ways were better but this new Life just won't quit on me. He loves me, convicts me, strengthens me to continue with His change in me and the growth that comes with it. Many times I wonder why so many who seemed on fire for Jesus have gone back to their old ways with no sense of remorse? That's one of the many times when I pray to God to search my heart & reveal any wicked way in me & for His deliverance. But as Jesus said His sheep know His voice & what His Father in heaven has given to Him can never be snatched away from His grip. I am His, He has me in His grip (which gives me comfort & many butterflies, lol) & even when I feel like this life isn't worth it He doesn't loose His grip but rather tightens it closer & reminds my I'm saved & their is no room for my old ways. He is jealous for me & will not share me with any one or thing! Now that's a love I can't get from anyone else nor need from anyone else!
http://gatewaypeople.com/sermons/65354

Ha! And like I've said before - The greatest mysteries in life to discover are those things human logic will never understand!

Love this analogy of both LIFE and God! 

--In a mother's womb were two babies. One asked the other: "Do you believe in life after delivery?" The other replies, "why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later. "Nonsense," says the other. "There is no life after delivery. What would that life be?" "I don't know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths." The other says "This is absurd! Walking is impossible. And eat with our mouths? Ridiculous. The umbilical cord supplies nutrition. Life after delivery is to be excluded. The umbilical cord is too short." "I think there is something and maybe it's different than it is here." the other replies, "No one has ever come back from there. Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery it is nothing but darkness and anxiety and it takes us nowhere." "Well, I don't know," says the other, "but certainly we will see mother and she will take care of us." "Mother??" You believe in mother? Where is she now? "She is all around us. It is in her that we live. Without her there would not be this world." "I don't see her, so it's only logical that she doesn't exist." To which the other replied, "sometimes when you're in silence you can hear her, you can perceive her." I believe there is a reality after delivery and we are here to prepare ourselves for that reality....--

Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3

If I can speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy
But I don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate
If I speak God's word with power, revealing all His mysteries
And making everything as plain as day
And if I say to a mountain jump and it jumps
But I don't love, I'm nothing
If i give all I own to the poor
Or if I even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr
But I don't have love, I've gotten nowhere
So, no matter what we say, no matter what we believe, no matter what we do
We're bankrupt without love

[Love this verse! So much truth to it and honestly allowing God to free us from hate is truly liberating, liberating to oneself. My... in my past I never thought a person could be w/o hate, but it isn't so. Disliking someone doesn't mean we hate or need to hate them. I hate only what is evil, but I've certainly learned not to hate the evil doer, even they have the chance of redemption. A person isn't evil (may sound nuts) as the likeness of God we can't be and 'though we see all these manifestations of evil at the end its all the enemy of our souls who is evil. So while I can be tempted to hate evil doers {as we've all been at some point of our lives} I'll remember what hate feels like and the meaning of it, so NO room for hate!] :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-2dKOfbC9c

I love and do not judge the people from the world for it is God's job to judge them. I teach, love, and am tolerant. Like Lecrae says "I'm in no position to condemn anyone, but I won't condone the actions of everyone." So while I'm on this earth representing Christ I will stay away from judging unbelievers but rather teach how can I judge someone who does not know the Truth? (don't confuse judging or conviction for condemnation - that debt has been cleared looooong long ago) But I will not allow a fellow believer claim their faith while PURPOSELY disregarding who they claim to be while not being the example of one. One argument that ticks me: when people expect Christians to be perfect yet when they don’t meet their expectations than “all hope is lost.” Christians are not perfect, well not on this side of heaven; we are only working on perfection. Yes, Christians slip and fall so we will do a lot of wrongs but what sets apart we get back up and repent ask for guidance. Point is growing in Christ & if you're the type that says “I try” but really don't improve then all u are doing is the talking and not the walking. The Key point is growth and like children we grew, learned not to repeat our mistakes, so is this Christian journey mistakes/sins will happen but it’s how we get through them and not how we choose to "rollover on them"
Where I am trying to get to- is while someone calls themselves brother, believer, Christian, and does not display any growth in Christ I will not call them my brothers, period!
One of my very favorite verses that really speak to me on how not to judge the world for it is God’s and how to act around false Christians. Like I once heard Believing in Christ DOES NOT make u a Christian if that were so Satan would be one too cuz he too believes in Christ but he is way far from ever being a Christian!

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NLT)
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.
12 It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

It's a GOD Morning!

Good Morning,

Be careful around people who don’t value themselves, because they’re incapable of valuing you. Look for those who enhance you, not inhibit you; who fertilize your mind and fortify your faith. When you’re around them you’ll see your best qualities mirrored, and be nurtured by the words that come from their lips. When you encounter somebody who says you have nothing to offer, be sure to laugh; it’s impolite to hear a joke and not laugh. When God made you He stepped back and said, “That’s very good” (Genesis 1:31). So stop entertaining contrary opinions. You have so much potential that the word “possibility” is written all over you. By God’s grace you can be everything He desires. “God decided to give us life through the word of truth, so we might be the most important of all the things he made.” You say, “But I’ve so many regrets.” If you’ve repented and learned from them, get your eyes on the future! God’s love isn’t based on your performance. He didn’t pick you because of your virtues. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He’s the God of second chances, and third ones too. Paul writes, “There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish” (Philippians 1:6 TM). The God who brought you this far will take you the rest of the way; He’s committed to you. Just make sure you’re committed to Him. (Taken from: The Word For You today/FBCIT)



“So we might be the most important of all the things he made.” James 1:18 NCV

"For me, religion was about 'what not to do.' Spirituality opens you up, sets you free." ~Stapp (Creed)

Exactly!

lt frustrates me when people confuse me for a religious person. Christianity is not a religion but rather a Faith. Religion is a man made label! Sometimes is easier for me to simply explain myself as Spiritual (but even then people get confused, since sadly people have misconstrued Spirit as anything but The One True God). So, I can only pray that by my words and actions, people can see the difference...
Even within other faiths (not just Christians) have religions.

BTW: I am not bashing religion. I have no problem going to any religious Christian church I simply will not subscribe to one. I follow God's leading and I believe no matter one's religion we are all God's children and that's what's being a Christian, being renewed by our Heavenly Father & not man's doctrines. The Bible will be our main source of God's Will & pastors are simply helpers/ teachers. We can look at it this way: when we went/go to school we don't just go listen & take notes from our instructors, though they are very nologable on the subject there's so much they can do for us so therefore we have homework. Samething with Pastors & The Bible. And just like misunderstanding an Instructor homework will help clarify the subject, SO will The Bible.

P.S. Good Morning.
{Numbers 6:24-26}

Beyonce, The Super Bowl, Sasha & Satan

Man, It's sad to think of who I used to be that while calling myself a Christian and claiming to love God I would mock His Word I would mock videos such as these and call His holy people "fanatics" as a derogatory term as if being a fanatic of Christ was bad or reason for mockery. What saddens me the most & truly hurts the most is that now I'm on the other side of this criticism and not just the fact that the people I love the most see me in the same "light" as the world does (as I used to, too) it hurts because I see it in their faces, I hear it in their tone (and of course I don't want the people I love to see me as a joke) but like them and the rest of the world especially those people I crossed words with or even crossed with a distant glance I do love them all and I wanna know that I will see them in eternity. My past criticism would've said that Christians are blowing this event or lifestyle"out of proportion" by nit picking everything, such as what Beyonce/JZ say and over analyzing their choices, but now I know the difference and the power of our words. Words have ONLY - I mean {only} - 2 purposes good or evil / praises or condemnation / blessings or cursings. So, now knowing this I know that nothing righteous came out of their mouths and it IS definitely something to be concerned and prayed about. This video isn't trying to condemn anyone nor be patronizing its simply trying to educate and convict people in order for true repentance and change. Repentance comes first so no need to worry about changing first and then "repenting" because it's the other way around.

Ever since I truly became a Christian I always have this nagging voice telling me how much better my "old" life was and how nothing ever faced me nor did anything hurt. So, a piece of this video reminded me of that of how I can't understand how I felt invincible before and how I was always independent and in control and never even cared of being in the "in crowd" because I didn't even want to be part of it, it was me and ONLY me (funny how I never saw myself as selfish)! So, while watching this video and remembering that nagging voice of the enemy I then had 'chills' just run through my body because I was reminded that my old ways no longer live in me, just as God intend/ed for us all, to have His Spirit within us. And, though I don't understand why I feel the way I do or why a love like His can live in me can cause me so much pain, especially knowing that the pain comes from those who hurt His heart and not my old stony heart is what drives me nuts so many times. I have these unspoken discussions with God about how can He really love and care for me if I KEEP SCREWING UP, I'm thinking "yes, yes, I know that love is unconditional, but shouldn't there be a severe punishment for my constant disobedience. Oh, God! Yes, I know Jesus already paid the price, but is that a reason for treating Him with contempt? Is that really what Grace means? God I'm so divided between these two thoughts: Grace without contempt or disobedience without a price/repercussions? Where is the in between? Do I wait until I'm on my death bed to truly repent in order to have no chance of feeling guilty of taking advantage of Grace trough Christ to use it as my Licence to be contemptuous towards Your Son's defeat over all sin?" Idk, maybe I'm like a "donkey" and I'm gonna be stubborn 'til God hits me with the truth (such as this video).
So, I'll worry about today and confess I've sinned and I repent and am seeking to continue allowing His Spirit to do His work in me regardless of all the purging He has to do from everything that is evil and bad in me, which ironically the purging of those things hurt just as much as the evil itself, but I know the out come will be perfect! "Funny" how humans can be content in a crappy life vs. a righteous one just because the crappy one is the one they've always known. Masochist?... yes, I think so.

Well, getting back to how it hurts being on this side of the harsh criticism and before never caring to be in the "in crowd" or even being a "leader" of one. Now, its the opposite I am in the "in crowd" (which isn't the crowd most people think is an "in crowd" but it is certainly the best one EVER! I still don't wanna be so much a "leader" as much as just the example and path to the one true Leader. I'm simply a follower, His follower! I want to continue feeling the comfort and hope where regardless of the pain of experiencing the hurt by "brotherly" love or by those who may find my many posts "preachy," tedious, and feel the desire to just end communication with me, I know I do it because I care. Also, because I'm not going to be selfish by keeping a "secret" or have reason for shame or fear of being shunned by keeping the GOOD I mean VERRRRRRY GOOD news about God's love for us (Rom. 1:16). So, while I remain breathing and His Spirit in me I will not stop being "preachy" YES, I am a FANATIC! Deal with it. Yes, I am Crazy, Crazy for God, but certainly NOT delusional! "Great" woooh I get to be persecuted for my faith woop tididoo. But, I will remain comforted that my rewards will be greater in heaven than this earth could ever offer or "conjure!" In heaven I wont need to worry about the pain people or loved ones can cause each other because regardless if they're there with me or not, my heart will know no sorrow nor pain! We all have a choice and I've made mine. Mine is eternity. What is yours?... that's up to you! Take it or reject it!

(END of Sermon, "lol")

Faith in GOD and not on Superstitions

Where's the faith of a Christian when they say (or) "knock on wood"? Are superstitions stronger than the Almighty Creator? How about we be an example to others & put our faith in Jesus & say/think "LORD willing...."

I remember once (way after becoming a Believer) I said something & then I saw myself about to say & knock on wood. And its when I held back & realized that by doing that I was idolizing something that has no power (it wasn't that I truly ever believed it worked but some things are habits we pickup as kids w/o even knowing what it means). There are many things that in time with God your spirit will let you know what's right without ever being thought by anyone.

I am who He says I am!

My past no longer defines me. My present temptations does NOT define me. My struggles, my mannerisms, my personality, etc... does not define me. No one in existence has that power over me, only my Father can & does. He says I am His! He says I'm His Royal Princess & that slacks, shirts, & tattoos does not make me less of a princess. Yeah, so what if the world expect women to be "girly girls" My Father says I am who He says I am & was created to be, so not even I can change or define myself, it is impossible!
I'm glad of finally knowing the true meaning of Love & of a Father. I'm so excited of meeting the Lover of my soul, my Father, the One & only who's made me fall head over heals in love, God!!! Yes, I am a Believer & though most of my outward appearances have not changed, my heart has & it will continue to til The Bride's Grooms comes to take me into perfection... Oh, what a glorious day that will be!!! As one of my favorite songs "There Will Be a Day" by (I think) Jeremy Camp which says: There will be a day when I'll see Him face to face. Oooh, it always gives me chills & very anxious & happy to know there WILL BE A DAY. How greater will it be if every person whose crossed paths with me were to be there, too! (From strangers that never crossed words with me to the people that did).

Remember this, like someone who struggled with alcohol was called an alcoholic by society because of their struggles. That still does not define the person much less when they've joined the heavenly family. So "once an alcoholic always an alcoholic" is not to be considered a definition nor a life long bondage when you're in Christ.
I'm not fat, I have fat. No one's an alcoholic, but rather have a bondage to alcohol, they have a problem but they are not the problem, bondage & sin is. We all have had or have bondages but their is some One who can free you from them & give you your true identity, your true name, He will be the One to define you. Yes, I was alot of things before Christ. Even when I've always hated subscribing to labels (which I still do) in my past I even took the liberty of allowing society to define me just to suit their ignorance, but now I know better.
And, like Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.
Now, I say...:
When I was an unbeliever ("child") I talked like a heathen ("child")and thought like heathen ("child") I reasoned like a heathen (child"). When I became a believer ("man") I left my old heathen ways behind me (I put the ways of childhood behind me).