Have a Great Day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas - A funny Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8&eurl=http://simplysage.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-fun.html



Found this video here: http://simplysage.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-fun.html

Some great photos!

http://imac-photosfromthemindseye.blogspot.com/2007/12/norfolk-gardens-post-1.html

These are just absolutely beautiful and breath taking photos!

Ice

http://hoodphotography.blogspot.com/2007/12/v-is-for.html

OOOOOOOO!!!!! How beautiful! I love ice! I've posted some pics of ice on my blog but none as beautiful as this! I'll post some more of ice soon!

Christian Themes in Writing

http://writingright-martin.blogspot.com/2007/12/handling-spiritual-thread-in-christian.html

As a quick note I'd like to say that I have read and reviewed Gail's new book on Christian romance writing and I highly recommend it.

As far as her post goes, I highly agree that stories should not preach the Christian message to the point where it annoys the reader. This will push the reader away. Another thing that is important to me is that stories be realistic. We don't go around preaching in real life and people are not converted to Christianity in a short amount of time in real life. I just saw a Christmas program the other day that I did not like because after one song about the Christmas story everyone came to know Christ. The song was very powerful, but the ending ruined it for me, especially since everyone present was clapping and screaming throughout the song in "excitement and joy for God."

Homosexuality

http://msp31wannabe.blogspot.com/2007/12/something-fun-quiz.html

If you look at the comments on the post above, you'll see a discussion about homosexuality.

As far as homosexuality goes, I'm with Shalene. For certain reasons and for Biblical reasons I believe it is wrong, but I also believe that although Jesus would not have us embrace them as leaders in the church he would have us embrace them in love. I also believe that our sinful nature affects many things, including our chemical makeup. Although it may be proven that many are born with homosexuality, those born with it still have a choice. I know this from personal experience. I will always support equality of all people and I will always support gay people in love, even if I don't support their lifestyle. If I ever had a child who was a homosexual I would still love them. I would not feel like a failed parent because I know God is always in cotnrol and will work things out for His glory and in His way not for my glory or in my way.

A Bible Quiz

I found this quiz through http://msp31wannabe.blogspot.com/2007/12/something-fun-quiz.html

You know the Bible 98%!

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes

Gail Martin

http://gailmartin.blogspot.com/2007/12/relationship-between-tears-and-laughter.html

It's fun to laugh at our stupid mistakes! I also always find great joy in remembering what it felt like to think everything was going wrong and then to be pulled out of the pit by God who is above all things.

Worship for men?

http://www.churchformen.com/leadstory.php

I like the premise of this article because it points out that there are differences in worship styles depending on sex, background, and personality (it focuses on sex). However, I don't like it's proposed solution to the problem (that churches are too feminised and men don't go to church because it means being sissy). It suggests that men should come first in everything at the church and that worship should be more directed towards men. I disagree. I believe the worship plan, among other things, should be balanced between female and male characteristics. The article says the women in churches that focus on men don't mind this change, but I believe that neither male nor female should be put above one or the other.

Worship of all Types

http://locustsandhoney.blogspot.com/2006/11/men-and-contemporary-worship.html

I don't see feminization in the church, but I do believe that in general many men have different worship preferences compared to women because of their personalities and background. I believe that worship is about honoring God, but that doesn't mean we can't try to accomodate those people with different preferences. There are ways to do this that don't involve becoming sexist or ignoring God. You would still filter what you use in a service through the Bible. I would suggest that whats sex you are can affect your personality as well.
By the way, I'm female and I don't like more feely contemporary music very much. I feel pressured in that environment to become emotional. I'd much rather focus on the words of the songs and what they mean and what God is trying to teach to me, but seeing others dance about distracts me from this. I think I would be better off if churches that do have more contemprary music still included a traditional song here and there and liturical elements such as repsonsive readings every once in a while. I think a good church is about balance and most importantly about praising the Lord. It's hard for me to become part of a body and community when I feel like a church is excluding worship that fits my personality type.
ANother note, I used to be more judgmental of contemporary worship and traditional worship, but I'm slowing learning that what type of worship you prefer depends on your personality, not on doctrine.

Worship

Here are some good posts I found on another blog about worship:

http://www.founders.org/blog/2005/10/word-regulated-worship.html

http://www.founders.org/blog/2005/10/more-thoughts-on-worship.html

http://www.founders.org/blog/2005/10/authentic-worship.html

The Golden Compass and Atheists

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/december/12.36.html#related

I don't understand how you can say the world is just physical (atheist view) and say there are absolutes (such as the virtues mentioned in this article) at the same time. If the world is only physical, we live pointless existences and there are no absolute morals or virtues. In which case the main belief would focus on survival of fittest, doing what you want, and believing what you want. This would be a chaotic world. In this sort of world, only society determines what's right and wrong. What then, makes society right?

What's your form of worship?

http://www.sacchurch.org/action-steps/sacred_pathways.htm

Harmony -Based on your responses to the Sacred Pathways Assessment, your temperament favors a Naturalist approach to worship.

Intellectual

23

Contemplative

21

Enthusiast

18

Caregiver

19

Activist

13

Ascetic

24

Traditionalist

14

Sensate

17

Naturalist

28

The information contained in this online assessment has been borrowed from the following book:"Sacred Pathways" by Gary L. Thomas© Copyright Zondervan Publishing, 2002click here to purchase this and other books by Gary Thomas, from Amazon.com
Summary of spiritual temperaments:
Intellectual - Loving God with the Mind:These Christians live in the world of concepts. They may feel closest to God when they first understand something new about Him.

Contemplative - Loving God through Adoration:These Christians seek to love God with the purest, deepest, and brightest love imaginable. They want nothing more than some privacy and quiet to gaze upon the face of their heavenly Lover and give all of themselves to God.

Enthusiast - Loving God with Mystery & Celebration:Excitement and mystery in worship is the spiritual lifeblood of enthusiasts. They are inspired by joyful celebration; cheerleaders for God and the Christian life. They don't want to just know concepts, but to experience them, to feel them, and to be moved by them. They like to let go and experience God on the precipice of excitement and awe.

Caregiver - Loving God by Loving Others:Caregivers serve God by serving others. They often claim to see Christ in the poor and needy, and their faith is built up by interacting with other people. Caring for others recharges a caregiver's batteries.

Activist - Loving God Through Confrontation:These Christians define worship as standing against evil and calling sinners to repentance. They are energized more by interaction with others, even in conflict, than by being alone or in small groups. Activists are spiritually nourished through the battle.

Ascetic - Loving God in Solitude and Simplicity:Ascetics want nothing more than to be left alone in prayer. Let there be nothing to distract them--no pictures, no loud music--and leave them alone to pray in silence and simplicity.

Traditionalist - Loving God Through Ritual and Symbol:Traditionalists are fed by what are often termed the historic dimensions of faith: rituals, symbols, sacraments, and sacrifice. They tend to have a disciplined life of faith and have a need for ritual and structure.

Sensate - Loving God with the Senses:Sensate Christians want to be lost in the awe, beauty, and splendor of God. They are drawn particularly to the liturgical, the majestic, the grand. They want to be filled with sights, sounds, and smells that overwhelm them. The five senses are God's most effective inroad to their hearts.

Naturalist - Loving God Out of Doors:The naturalist seeks to leave the formal architecture and the padded pews to enter an entirely new "cathedral", a place that God himself has built: the out-of-doors.

Dumbledore is Gay

http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=196#more-196

J.K. Rowling has officially announced that her Harry Potter books are based on a Christian worldview. However, I also ran into the following article:

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071020/ap_en_ot/books_harry_potter

That's right, Dubledore is gay. At first it kind of ruined my good opinion of the books, but then I started to think about it. Rowling says it was love that broke Dumbledore's heart, so I like to think that he realized his mistake and turned from it. Rowling also said that she was trying to promote tolerance of gay people. I like to think that she meant that gay people should not be discriminated against, but it's still a sin to be gay. I'm not against gay people. I'm against their actions, but I won't let that keep me from treating them like human beings. I don't know. I'm tending to think that Rowling is one of those, it's not a sin to be gay, people who think gay people have their rightful place in the church without repentence.

There is a God

http://lancessoulsearching.blogspot.com/

Pavarotti Dies

I'm depressed!

http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/1615637110x4311772157x4298164926/aol?redir=http%3A//news.aol.com/entertainment/music/story/ar/_a/luciano-pavarotti-has-died-says-manager/20070905142309990001%3Fncid%3DNWS00010000000001

http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/entertainment/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070906/ap_en_mu/pavarotti_reax

http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/1615637110x4311772157x4298164926/aol?redir=http%3A//news.aol.com/entertainment/music/story/ar/_a/luciano-pavarotti-has-died-says-manager/20070905142309990001%3Fncid%3DNWS00010000000001

New Blog, Again

I've started a new blog because it's an assignment for my computers class. The description is below. http://segwaythrucollege.blogspot.com/

The name of this blog is "Segway'n Through College." I've given it this name because I own a segway which I have named Brooklyn. I bought the segway as a means of transportation for college as well as a means of stress relief. Right now I am taking a computers class which requires me to start a new blog as an assignment, so here is my new blog!!! I already have three other blogs at http://atthestudy.blogspot.com/ http://declarationphotos.blogspot.com/ and http://confabremarks.blogspot.com/. I will often post the same stuff on this blog that I will post on my other blogs. Still, this blogs has a specific purpose and that is college life, so I will be focusing on my segway adventures and my college experiences. I will often post devotionals and things I write for classes. Since my computers class also deals with ethics I will post my views and opinions on current events and popular trends and well as on my own interests.I'd like to start with a devotional I wrote as I entered college. I also thought it appropriate because it starts out talking about computers.

Prayer

http://freedomofthespirit.blogspot.com/2007/08/practicing-presence-by-max-lucado.html

I love Max Lucado. He always has so much to say that reminds me of God's love and what God requires of me. Thanks for posting this. It's a great reminder for me. I'm not very good at praying out loud, in fact, I don't like praying in front of others. I feel fake about it. But when I'm alone with God I feel genuine. THe only problem is I don't pray too often. I forget to pray in the morning and in the night and during the day. When I remember to pray my thoughts often trail off to other places. I guess I'll just have to make more of an effort and pray that God will help me in my prayer efforts and make my prayers genuine.

Unconformity

http://confessionsofanunchurchedbeliever.blogspot.com/2007/08/unconformity.html

I suppose I should take your advice when it comes to college. I just started on Monday and will probably get used to a certain kind of schedule of studying. But I'll have to remember to take time out for God still and to take time out for myself to relax every once in a while as well.

Cross Country Trip

Well I'm at college now. I drove cross country and took LOTS of pictures. I'll be posting them on and off over the next month or so. I've been taking lots of pictures and will be posting them at my photo blog: http://declarationphotos.blogspot.com/

On my Way

I'm on my way to college this week, so I won't be posting very often. Feel free to check out older posts.

California Coast

http://clearlyenlight-travels.blogspot.com/2007/08/santa-barbara.html

I visited Santa Barbara when I was looking at colleges. I was looking at Westmont. It's a nice place, but not for me. I prefer places like Monterey and Asilomar. I don't care much for Santa Cruz because I've been there too many times. Plus, it's gotten dirty there over the years. It's full of tourists and there are no seashells. There used to be tons of sand dollars there. All gone now.

http://clearlyenlight-travels.blogspot.com/2007/08/four-day-excersion.html

Did you ever try camping. Only $18 most of the time and you get to spend some great time with God and nature. The stars are beautifula t night and smores are delicious by the camp fire.By the way, I'm so jealous. You hit up all my favorite places in one trip. I miss the coast!

The Infallible Word of God

http://freedomofthespirit.blogspot.com/2007/08/reposting-of-bible-is-infallible-by.html

One of my Bible teachers once said that the Bible is inspired by God, but that God merely told the writers what to write about and the writers put it into their own words and related it to a certain audience. I like to think that God was the one who wrote the Bible in a way that related it to its audience. Is not God able to do wonderful things? Is not God all knowing? Does not God know how to relate to His own people? The word of God is God-breathed. I believe He wrote every word of it.

God: Male or Female?

http://emergingwomen.blogspot.com/2007/08/my-god-my-mother.html

I like to think of God as someone beyond the boundries of gender. God created us in His image, so I would think that He has both female and male qualities. But I would not limit Him to having just those qualities either. What do you think?

Parable of the Sower and Acting out Your Faith

http://confessionsofanunchurchedbeliever.blogspot.com/2007/08/parable-of-sower-addendum.html

Thanks so much for this post. It cleared a lot up for me and has made me reexamine my faith (and works through faith) a lot. I just finished reading a new Max Lucado book called "Every Day Deserves a Chance." Your post kind of goes along with the theme of this book in a way. It teaches us to look at our lives in a positive light, in God's light. It talks about living out your faith with a positive attitude. I also just started his book "It's not about me" which also has this sort of theme of shining as a light through our actions and feeling better inside, having a better day, just because we helped someone.

Absolute Truth

http://bibledude.net/WordPress/?p=25

Great post! I believe in an absolute truth. There are a lot of people who would say that everyone has their own truth, but that would just cause a lot of chaos. You are also right about the truth being misused. If you use one truth with one falsity, does that make the result true? I guess there are a lot of peope who aren't very good at logic because they fall for the falsities that use truth as support. For example, many religions use the Bible to support their beliefs, but they do not use it correctly. Does that make the Bible wrong? No! It makes the interpretation wrong. The absolute truth is the absolute truth. It cannot be changed.

Organ Photo

http://quick-snap.blogspot.com/2007/08/organ-practice.html

I think macro pics are my favorite. This one of an organ is beautiful, very graceful. I went to an organ concert at the Mormon Tabernacle (But I'm not Mormon, just a tourist) and loved the beauty of the instrument. Bach is a favorite classic composer of mine. I read an article about how complicated oragns can be and how hard they are to play. Wow. Amazing.

What's Your Stand on Homosexuality?

http://www.sicarii.net/2007/08/17/you-can-call-me-names-but-ill-persist-in-my-beliefs

I completely agree!!! I, too, have trouble making people understand that I don't judge the homosexual person, just their lifestyle. I was once one of those people who avoided homosexuals and felt extremely uncomfortable around them.

When I participated in a secular acting program that had homosexual members my judging problem got in the way and those members knew I didn't like them. I had not yet learned to treat them rightly and to not judge.

Since then, I've learned to stand up against the lifestyle and gay marriage, but to not treat homosexuals as if they were below me. They have the right to choose that lifestyle, after all.

I've learned that homosexuals are often a lot kinder than straight people. Sometimes I wonder why Christians can't be that nice. Unfortunatetlt they also serve good purposes that should not fall to them. We live in a messed up world. I had a friend once who was sexually abused by men at a young age and thus felt confortable around homosexuals.

As far as homosexuals in the church go, I think that's just disgusting and wrong and should be guarded against by the leaders in the church. We need a makeover in our churches today. There are way too many politics behind the scenes.

Why - Nichole Nordeman

http://lancessoulsearching.blogspot.com/2007/06/inner-peace.html



Feeling like you love God?

Because you are the reason He died?

Surrender

He is calling you

High School Musical 2

http://jeremysconsumerscorner.blogspot.com/2007/08/high-school-musical-2.html

Disney has already announced it's planning to make a High School Musical 3.

Zac Efron is getting quite popular. He was in Hairspray and is sign up to play the main role in the upcoming big screen revival of Footloose. I'm not too crazy about them making another Footloose film. I'm glad that if they're going to make another one they're going to do the musical version, but I never liked the story of teens rebelling against their parents. Nor did I like the impression given that all Christians are strict people who only care about following the rules and are people who hate any kind of dancing. It's not true in all cases.

Hollywood has given audiences a lot of remakes of musicals lately. I hate to say it, but it all started with Disney. As much as I like seeing musicals appreciated in society once again, I must admit that I have not liked Disney since I was a child. Sometimes I’ll watch the Disney Channel, but I really don’t see anything worthy in it. I miss the family friendly aspect of it. These days all you see is a teenage friendly channel. I’ve seen better efforts come from Disney in past years with the weekly movie on ABC, but there has not been much of that going on lately. I miss the days of the Mickey Mouse Club, Anne of Green Gables, Zorro, and old shows. Even the Broadway shows have deteriorated. Tarzan was a flop. It closed on July 8, 2007. Mary Poppins is doing well, as well as The Lion King, but Beauty and the Beast is closing this summer. I love Beauty and the Beast, but late productions of it have lacked energy and good acting. I’m finding that only original casts are any good, and Tarzan did not even have that. Disney shows are choppy and half the time are cheesy. As much as I like "High School Musical," I can't help but think it makes fun of old fashioned Broadway. I don't think we need new, modern shows like "Spring Awakening" that lack any moral. In my eyes, these are the end of the Disney days. I’m sure it will exist a lot longer, but without the integrity it once had. I miss the days when shows were clean and taught kids good morals. That was the original Disney.

Translation vs. Interpretation/Paraphrase

http://confessionsofanunchurchedbeliever.blogspot.com/2007/08/translation-vs-paraphrase.html

My dad has always been very serious about this topic. He's brought me up making sure I see and know the difference between various versions of the Bible. There is a difference between a translation and interpretation/paraphrase and those versions that paraphrase or interpret often are inaccurate or miss key central points. I don't care if they're easier to read, it does not seem right. Many are misled by such versions. I see no hurt in reading these interpretations, but I think it's important to compare them and check them with more accurate translations. My favorite is the KJV, although right now I'm using a NKJV. Before this I used NIV. The point is, I am using more than one version. You are so right on in this post and I thank you for posting it.

Who's Saved and Who's not Saved

http://confessionsofanunchurchedbeliever.blogspot.com/2007/08/parable-of-sower.html

The parable of the sower fits what Hannah says perfectly. I never really thought about it that way, but now that she mentions it, it makes complete sense and clicks for me.

Still, the topic brings up a lot of questions. Does it mean that those who are not yet deeply rooted in Christ, who are still babes in Christ, are not going to heaven until they become more firmly grounded in Him? This question popped in my head when you mentioned Peter's faith, but I think I can resolve it by remembering that Peter had not yet experienced the resurrection and had his eyes opened.

We, too, must have our eyes opened. One person plants a seed, but only God can work in your life until you completely surrender to Him and accept Christ as your savior. The official eye opening moment. The moment you truly accept Christ as savior, profess Him as your savior, and the Holy Spirit enters you.
But what about those who die when they are still babe's and have not yet become firmly rooted? What is your definition of firmly rooted?

What happens to those who never hear of Christ? I've always wondered this myself. In the book "The Last Sin Eater" Francine Rivers implies that God looks at the heart. One character who dies is said to have always known there must be some sort of real official sin eater out there, that their rituals aren't the real thing. It's implied that nature and the way of life made her think this and that since she had a good heart and knew in her heart that there was something real out there (and already believed in God) that God would allow her into heaven.

Harmony of Old and New Testaments

http://www.carmical.net/blog/jesus_jehovah.html

I, myself, have trouble with reading the Old Testament. Parts of it seem boring and endless. However, I do not fail to see the harmony of the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jesus says that what He taught is the same as what was taught in the Old Testament, people just don't see it that way because they never looked at the laws in the Old Testament in the right way.

Women in Leadership and Fear in Leadership

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/giftedforleadership/2007/08/the_black_hole_of_fear.html

I've always believed that the Bible says women should not be the head pastor of a church. I've also always believed that it is the curse of the fall that women should be put under men's authority and have to go to men for guidance. However, I never once thought that women were not fit for leadership, themselves. God uses everyone for His purpose and I see several women in the ministry that belong in the ministry.

I know that there is a fear of not being treated equally with men, but I we should not get politically correct on this. I don't think that this is the only thing that causes fear in a woman leader. I think we naturally are afraid that we're not good enough. It's part of human nature.

I'm so glad you posted this because it really encouraged me. I've always known I was not meant to be a real leader in the forefront, but I also know that God calls all of use to be leaders in the sense that we are called to be witnesses and to be a part of a Christian body. Too many times I've been afraid that I was not good enough to write devotionals, but I've learned that God does not care. We should not worry about the future, God will take care of us.

What do you think of women in leadership? In pastoral positions?

About Mother Theresa: Yes, she had little fear in her heart and yes, I appreciate the way she stood up for things, but I have to wonder what she truly believed. I've never really approved of literal "marriage to Christ" in becoming a nun (but I don't want to pick a fight there). The real thing I'm concerned about is the fact that so many Catholics believe in salvation through works. I never saw Mother Theresa speaking about salvation through faith in Christ alone. I've written a short on this topic (in reply to another post on another blog) at http://confabremarks.blogspot.com/2007/08/httpwww.html.

Do not Judge

http://msp31wannabe.blogspot.com/2007/08/judge-and-jury-by-shalene-kearney.html

Great post and very helpful! A great reminder that we are not to judge others, that is God's job. I admit I've been one to judge. I've gotten caught in the middle of arguments and let my own opinions of those involved rule who's side I took. I've also sat the sideline, encouraging nonChristian friends who find themselves condemned by Christian relatives. I've let my emotions control me when I feel like rebelling against authority or hate the politics in a church. But I have to remember that God is the judge. He's in control. He can use bad for good. I have to put my faith in Him. I wrote a short devotional on this that I may post soon.

Who's the Best Phantom of the Opera?

http://www.musicaltheatrespot.com/14-who-is-the-best-phantom-a-video-gallery.html

Antonio as the Phantom? Who woulda thunk? His voice is good, but I can't get past the accent. I think the made a good choice with casting Gerard Butler in the film version. I really like the Colm Wilkinson version! Personally, my favorite Phantom will always be Crawford, but it's sad because the Phantom is the only role he can sing and sound good on. I bought his CD once and regretted it the minute I started listening to it. I've never been a big fan of Brightman. I saw the show in NYC last fall twice and didn't care much for it. It seemed rather cheesy in the staging and the singing wasn't very good. I was sad, because I love the movie so much and I loved the show the first five times I saw it in San Francisco. I've seen Howard McGillin and think his understudy is better. It was interesting to watch all the other videos of various Phantoms from throughout the years. I've found that no one will ever be up to the par set by Crawford, though.

Tipping: Barb's Photo Blog

http://xerraireart.com/blogx/

I've found a new photo blog called Barb's Photo Blog. It's really lovely and very professionally done. She seems to be a Christian. Other than the photos, I like the fact that she posts quotes with her photos that match them.

The Catholic Church and the Primacy of Peter

http://www.sicarii.net/2007/08/14/the-primacy-of-peter/

Great post!!! My dad has always had similar opinions and made them known to me. I've found that he has good reasoning and upon my own reading and knowledge of the topic I must also agree with what you have said.

I think one slight problem with the Catholic church's assertions is that it seems to place itself eqaul with Christ. They still have confessions, don't they? And you have to go through the priest to have communion. Most Catholic churches teach salvation through works, not faith, as well, which is one of my biggest pet peeves.

I've known several Catholics who don't believe in these things. I know there are those who go to Catholic church, but really do have the heart relationship with Christ and belive in salvation through faith in Christ alone. I find that many do not realize what their church teaches. Either that or they blindly feed off of what they are told.

In regards to who is Christ's representative on earth, I belive we all have the equal responsibilty to represent Christ. I also think this is one of the reasons why community is so important. We work together as a community and as individuals to witness to those around us. There is no one specific representative of Christ that leads the church, we all work together to move the church forward.

Island Dreams

http://natureshows.blogspot.com/2007/08/sailboats-and-research-vessel-photo.html

This blog is a great photo blog with a touch of writing to accompany the photos.

I have many different dream homes, and one of them is living on an island with a view. Just last Friday I went to Angel Island (only staff lives there - it's a national park) and the views were just beautiful. So far I've been treated to living on an island for one year, but I don't know if Manhattan counts. LOL.

Of course, we can't let our dreams control our lives. God provides for us daily and His purpose will always prevail. That doesn't mean we can't have fun pretending and dreaming every once in a while, just as long as we don't lose the gratitude we should show to God for what He does give us.

Testing what you Hear

http://msp31wannabe.blogspot.com/2007/08/blind-leading-blind-by-shalene.html

I agree entirely with Shalene if I interpret one sentence the way I think she meant it. If I didn't, I'd have to deduct two points. (Hey, 98% is still an A+!)"I only follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and am inspired by Him alone. But test all that I say as well. Know for yourself the Truth!"Today, inspiration constitutes a huge sore point between Christians. As Shalene said, only the Bible is God's inerrant Word; but many, many of us (along with many false believers) have fallen for the idea that God inspires (in the Greek, "God-breathes") the words of some people on a par with how He inspired the Bible. It's such an easy shortcut to substitute the supposed leading of the Spirit for the reading of the Spirit's Words. That way, it doesn't take any sacrifice of time or energy to become as much of an authority as the next person.I'm not disagreeing with Shalene's post -- I'm just responding to a pervasive error in churchianity that would be avoided if more people took her advice. Shalene's words bear repeating:"But test all that I say as well. Know for yourself the Truth!"

Do not be Anxious

http://molly-coddled.com/2007/08/03/enjoying-each-stage/
I've never had to watch kids grow up, but I know how fast my childhood has passed away and how much I often let my past and my possible future bother me. I try to relax and take things day by day, but too often get caught up in the problems I want fixed now. I get impatient really easily. But I'm learning to see the positive even in the negative. Reading my Bible every morning helps a lot.

Proverbs 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Debating an Agnostic

http://help.com/post/87698-i-know-that-in-life-you-should-have#mesg

To read my first reply to this link, go here: http://poorhousedad.blogspot.com/2007/08/what-does-it-mean-to-be-christian.html

Xeno Dragon wrote: Agnostics, like myself, however, have no faith. We require proof.

To the contrary: Agnostics take a great number of things for granted — which is to say, they put faith in quite a number of assumptions with no proof at all. They assume that they are capable of sensing and understanding any proof that is put before them. They assume, for that matter, that, even while denying God by default, they deserve to receive some sort of revelation. Usually, they assume their agnosticism frees them from responsibility to search. Most dangerously, they assume they can sit on the fence without suffering dire consequences in the long run. One consequence follows the adage, “if you don’t believe in something, you’ll fall for anything,” especially with all the counterfeits out there. The more obvious consequece, however, is that, whether one rejects God’s gift or merely ignores it, the result is the same.

Xeno Dragon wrote: That doesn’t bother me, as the Christian’s threat of “convert or burn in Hell” is simply fantasy until it’s proven.

Reality does not depend on proof; but in post-modern thinking, people have confused the perception or interpretation of reality with reality itself. Thus, if a woman wants the life within her, it’s a baby; but if she doesn’t want it, it’s a lump of cells. It’s the ultimate form of alchemy: People need not do anything to change lead to gold; they merely call it so, and in “their” reality, it is. And then they pat themselves on the back for being so “logical.”

Quite right you are, though. I must rephrase the quote: “If you don’t believe in anything, you already do.”

Turn, or burn.

Three things about God. First, God is holy, holy, holy. Evil and darkness cannot exist in His presence. Second, God, as Creator, has creative license to do what He wishes with His creation. Third, God has revealed His way since the Beginning, and He provided the way through the death and resurrection of Christ. Since He created a way of escape, we are responsible to take it. It isn’t God’s fault if we don’t. It’s like the Law of Gravity. Dance too close to a cliff and it won’t be anybody’s fault but yours if you get hurt. Judging God and calling Him childish just isn’t rational.

By the way, Lucifer is also the father of lies, and where you find lies, you find darkness. As a liar, Lucifer transforms himself into the appearance of an angel of light — which is a lie; and he was the angel not of knowledge, but of the first-hand knowledge of evil. Also, Lucifer didn’t prepare hell as a place to live; God prepared it as a place to punish Lucifer and those who follow him.

Xeno Dragon wrote: I’d rather burn, then. Why would I want to worship such a childish, temperamental God? Besides, Hell might be cool. You know all the best bands will be there. Lucifer was the Angel of Light and Knowledge, why would he make a sh*tty place to live? Besides, if the Bible is true, I don’t have much chance of getting into heaven. I’m bisexual, a furry, agnostic, I have had other gods before the christian one, I’ve lived on the carnal side of things, and have no reason nor inclination to be sorry, and I’m not a republican… I can’t get in no matter what I do.

Then half my work is done! A healthy man doesn’t call a doctor; a sick man does. Do you know how many people, especially nominal Christians, are too proud and self-righteous to realize what you just said about yourself? Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Jesus didn’t come for Joe Sundaybest with his genuflection and his big gifts to the church; He came for those who know that they are what we all are. Any kind of sins can be forgiven except that of rejecting God’s gift.

Seven deadly sins — seriously, that’s a clever outline!

Xeno Dragon wrote: Assuming this, why have we chosen God as the protagonist? Why not Lucifer?

You insult yourself with that kind of question, but since you mistake rhetorical questions for legitimate arguments, I will answer in kind. Why would the Creator be the center, rather than the created? Why would One who is by nature god be the focus rather than a weakling usurper? Why would the Almighty be the protagonist rather than the one whom the Almighty has bound and limited? Why should the Way, the Truth, and the Life rule our hearts rather than the one who is the Accuser, the father of lies, and the pied-piper of death?

Xeno Dragon wrote: What is wrong with the angel of light and knowledge?

What is wrong with the one who ceased to be the angel of light? What’s wrong with the demon of darkness who still pretends to be an angel of light? What’s wrong with one so dumb that he thinks he can occupy the throne of his Creator? You think Satan is an angel of knowledge, but you’ve allowed him to use a little bit of sugar to make you swallow a load of poison.

Xeno Dragon wrote: We, (still assuming now), worship a deity that would flood the planet, kill millions, torture Job simply to see what happens, wipe entire cities from the map because he didn’t like the people there, and teaches people to hit babies with rocks.

The salient error above is that God did not torture Job; Satan, your precious “angel of light and knowledge,” did that. God accepted responsibility because He stood back to allow Job to prove his devotion to God; but your Satan tortured a righteous man of faith. In contrast, the world that God punished was occupied by a race at the height of rebellion and wickedness. Rebelling against God is like rebelling against gravity: Step off a ladder, and you have nobody to blame but yourself when the consequences hit. What difference does it make if somebody dies and goes to hell after 100 years of turning up hell’s thermostat, or if they die and ********** when they’re in their teens? As perverse as it may seem to say, if somebody knocks you off the ladder before you reach the top, he’s done you a favor. Our Creator has the right to make that decision.

Even so, God provided a way of escape analogous to the one He provides today. If you don’t accept that way of escape, you have nobody to blame but youself when the consequences come. He provided that way of escape for you just as much as for anybody else alive, but He isn’t going to force it on you.

Xeno Dragon wrote: What did Lucifer EVER do that cast him as the antagonist in this story?

In many countries, mutiny is still punishable by death. Satan went beyond that. Having failed to usurp God’s throne, he set about to turn God’s creation away from Him. Fomenting a revolution is still punishable by death in many places, too. He corrupts God’s creation through lies and temptations. He physically attacks people, too. What did Satan do? He’s done or conspired to do every crime in the book.

Xeno Dragon wrote: Sure, he was proud, but look at God!

There used to be a TV show called The Three Sons of Will Sonnett. Walter Brennan played title role, an unbeaten, “good-guy” gunslinger. People would laugh at his age and call him boastful, but he’d reply, “It ain’t boasting if you can do it.” Likewise, it isn’t self-centered if you really are the Center. What darkness it is to blame the Creator for expecting some respect and devotion from His creation!

Xeno Dragon wrote: Greed? God wins that one, look at what he’s taught to get followers and their pocketbooks to show up to church every Sunday.

Many real Christians haven’t reached the point of maturity in their faith where they recognize the greed and manipulation. They have two problems: First, we all start out with a full set of faults; and a lifetime of growth in authentic Christian faith barely begins to get those faults under control. Second, we have your Satan and his minions constantly putting evil intents into people’s hearts. The Bible corrects Christians who get off track just as it does non-believers. You wouldn’t blame the U.S. Mint for counterfeiters; you shouldn’t blame God for the charlatains. What gives a counterfeit its appearance of value is the existence of the real thing. Even the values you refer to come from an attempt to imitate and substitute for the real thing. Not proof, but definitely evidence that the real thing is out there.

Xeno Dragon wrote: Sloth? God wins that contest as well. If we’re still
believing as a christian here, just look at the world, and tell me Satan hasn’t been busy.

Just what evidence do you see that Satan’s been busy? You’ve just implied an admission to Satan’s nature as a deceiver, a destroyer, a fomenter of hatred.
But God’s been busy limiting Satan’s destructiveness. We can’t see the evidence because good events don’t grab headlines. We also can’t see the evidence because we can’t see what would have happened.

Xeno Dragon wrote: Meanwhile, God’s been pretty flakey about coming into work those miracles, lately.

What hubris, that we think God owes us a miracle. There’s no guarantee that we’ll believe if we do see miracles. Many saw Christ’s miracles, yet most denied it or attributed it to Satan. Anyhow, if we believed because miracles obligated us to believe, there’d be no reward in it. Last summer, I drove 50 miles in mountainous jeep trails with the gas gauge on Empty. With 20 miles to go, I started praying and confessing, and when I looked down, the needle had gone back up above the empty mark. You can doubt it if you wish; I doubt God did it for you; but I believe it was a violation of the laws of physics.

Xeno Dragon wrote: I’ve never heard of the “Wrath of Lucifer”, after all. Just the “Wrath of God”.

No, Satan just goes around fomenting hatred and murder, tearing down God’s creation and turning it against God any way he can, and preparing to lead the next insurrection. Such things justify wrath. God would be defective if He didn’t exhibit wrath. He has the jurisdiction.

Xeno Dragon wrote: Well, I’ve never heard of the devil knocking up some married chick for a kid, just to watch the kid die later.

That’s just so twisted! First, go look up the Nephilim. Second, she wasn’t married; she was engaged. Third, God is spirit; and while in that form, spirits can’t “knock up” anybody. Fourth, the virgin conception wasn’t any more sexual than was restoring the muscle cells of the lame or resurrecting a corpse or any other act of creation. Fifth, God didn’t just watch that kid die; God is that (33-year-old) kid. Sixth, that “kid” didn’t just die; He died to take the well-deserved punishment that we cannot bear; and then, to prove the adequacy of His sacrifice and His ability to restore spiritual life to us, His body came back to life.

Xeno Dragon wrote: Envy is right in the bible as well, “For I am a jealous God”, right out of the big guy’s mouth.

Envy is when you covet what’s somebody else’s, and God isn’t jealous over anything that isn’t Hiw own. It isn’t wrong to be jealous of what’s rightfully yours and the object of your love. Is it wrong to be jealous of your spouse? It isn’t if you she goes after other men who will lie to her and abuse her. So God is right to be jealous over people who follow false gods into destruction. And if you can handle this… God is jealous over you.

Xeno Dragon wrote: That’s all seven Deadly Sins, and our good guy wins them all.

The Seven Deadly Sins were made up by one of the counterfeit churches, not by God. All commandments are but individual points of one great Law. Violate one point, and you’ve violated the whole. In that sense, all sins are “deadly.” Ironically, since the resurrection of Christ, there has been but one deadly sin: to fail to receive the gift of life through faith in God’s provision and offering of it.

Losing Weight for the Right Reasons

http://hopeforthefamily.blogspot.com/2007/08/scale-is-not-your-friend.html

I've been losing about a pound a week for about five weeks now. All I do is eat healthier as well as eat smaller portions. I also try to get some physical activity in.

One motivator I have in walking my dogs is taking a book or my Bible with me and stopping at the park to read for an hour or so. I get the exercise I need and an hour of solitude with God's wonder shown through the sunrise (or sunset, the birds' chirping, and the soft breeze that keeps me cool. It's a wonderful experience.

It is also good to remember that often where you are when you weigh can make a difference by a couple of pounds. When I weigh at the doctor's office I always way in 5 pounds more than I do at home. I've heard that if you go to a different elevation your weight on the scales will also change. So, yes, the scale is unreliable.

Weighing yourself too often puts stress on your shoulders and can control your life. It often make you pessimistic. This is what Satan wants. He tries to control us through our thoughts and through our obsessions. I suggest that instead of letting our weight go to our head, we should give it all up to Jesus. We cannot accomplish anything if we do not try to accomplish it in the right way. If it is all about losing weight so you can look sexier and attract more guys, if its is about your own selfish motives, you often will not get anywhere with it. But when you trust Jesus and try to lose weight in an effort to represent Him better, then you may just get results.

Condemnation of Others

http://confessionsofanunchurchedbeliever.blogspot.com/2007/08/shackled-liberty.html

Note: Hannah, the author of the post at the above link, as replied to my comments at the said link.

This post means a lot to me. Lately I've been prone to judging other Christians because I get stuck in the middle of arguments or because I hear one side of the story and let my own prejudices decide whether the stories are true or not. I need to stop condemning those people and just be a good witness and friend to them, no matter how much they may be flawed or come off the wrong way.

I do have to wonder about modern time Pharisees, however. I've seen pastors foudn out in their sins. One in particular turned down counseling offers as well as a smaller job offer that would take him away from being the official pastor. He went away and started his own church where he now constantly promotes those who have come away from their sin. They act like their sins make them more pious and righteous than those who have not gone through similar hard times and come out of their sins, etc. I don't begrudge a man for admitting his sins and recovering in the Lord, but I don't think that a man who has committed adultery should be the head pastor of a church. Sure he can be involved in the ministry, but not the head. I also don't think it right to wave around your sins to promote yourself instead of the Lord.

You are so right about judging others. Condemning the world straight out is why so many nonbelievers thing Christians are close minded and extremely strict with rules.One last thing I want to ask about. What are your thoughts on condemning nonbelievers who have heard the word? I have a Muslim friend who used to be a Christian. When she was a Christian she was full throttle. She was excited about the word and excited about church. That's all I know. I'm not sure if she was ever excited about Jesus. Do these kind of people who switch over go to heavne if they once were Christians and meant the sinners prayer they prayed?

Anyway, the main thing I wanted to talk about was that this friend of mine was recently condemned by her grandparents, who are Christians. They basically said she was going to Hell, said they loved her, implied they never wanted to see her again, and hung up. I don't think we as Christians should be so quick to condemn. God will jusge when the time comes. Sure, if my friend never accepts Christ she'll go to Hell, but she still has a chance as long as she is alive and I'm not planning on rejecting her and being a bad witness to her. What are your thoughts?

Trying to Fly on Our Own

http://stoppingspot.blogspot.com/2007/08/first-flight.html

Amazing, how nature reflects God's glory so much. The doves at your home chose to take the nest given to them instead of making their own. They knew their own nests were poor. In the same way, God offers us a place of comfort, but we too often try to make it our own way. We try to earn salvation by works or we forget that God is in control and yell at Him for not doing things the way we want them done. We forget that God will provide no matter what.

Hindsight

http://unmasking.blogspot.com/2007/08/hindsight.html

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I often wonder why God won't fix things when we want them fixed and why God allows bad things to happen, and then I remember that God is in control and that He can use any bad to bring about good. We are not all knowing like He is. Besides that, God often allows things to happen in our lives to teach us lessons we would not learn otherwise. God did not bring evil into this world, but He has a plan to redeem us from it. Every time we get into a pickle we need to remember that God is in control and His will will be done. We cannot imagine the wonderful things He can do in our lives and when He does them we have even more reason to praise Him.

Changing the World

http://msp31wannabe.blogspot.com/2007/08/changing-world-by-shalene.html

It's so true. There have been so many times when I've been afraid to witness when people ask if I'm a Christian. I don't always feel ready. Just the other day I was reading a Christian book and someone asked me what I was reading. I showed it to them, but didn't do anything or say anything further. I wish I had. I suppose that's why I keep a blog. I feel more comfortable saying what I have to say in writing. Writing is where God has gifted me, so I continually turn to it to stand up for what I believe in. I didn't wuite get that when I had Harmonious Glow Writings, but when I did start to get what it was I wanted to do for a living I started At the Study. I do wish I could come up with a catchier title, not to mention get more readers. I'm not that great at writing Bible studies, but I have a feeling that one day God will teach me how to write more devotional items and such. For now, I try to blog daily about life and every day isuues, etc. I'm doing my best to witness through my blog, even knowing that not many people read it. LOL.

Introduction to this Blog

Confab: A casual talk; confabulation. To engage in casual talk.

Remark: To say casually, as in making a comment. to note; perceive; observe. comment or mention. a casual or brief expression of thought or opinion.

Welcome to Confab Remarks!!! This blog is where I will post all the blogs I read and my comments on their posts. In a way, it's a tip page. In another way, it's a page for discussion. Please join me in the world of blogging!