Posted by: the warrioress | June 22, 2015

Heartbreaking

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There have been some things going through my mind, things about who I am in this Christian life and how that relates to other’s who also claim Christianity. These things  have prevented me from wanting to write and share; I’ve been out of sorts. It’s not really a surprise to me that I’m different from a lot of Christians, but it’s a concern for me when I have to wonder how or where I fit into what is defined as “the body of Christ” on this earthly plane and who is right about what they think and who is wrong.

Internally, I believe that there is only one body, one church, and that God wants us to grasp the bigger picture and unify as one. Unfortunately, I don’t really see that coming to fruition for a few particular reasons. These reasons fall under the heading of confusion, misunderstanding, and overall apathy and selfishness.

a) A huge number of Christians don’t really grasp the teachings of Jesus Christ. They are bogged down in the details of legalism and nit-picking people over their personal sins, instead of grasping the primary aspects of what Jesus tried to tell us when He walked this life in a human body like we do. Many of these same Christians are so caught up in “angry, punishing God” that they have no real ability to show the whole of who God is; they forget the love entirely. They put forth this frightening being, a threatening, fearful thing whom no one but their little group of believers can relate to. Threats of thunderbolts and hell permeate their witness. There aren’t many takers who want to be part of what they preach and seriously…who can blame the lack of desire?

b) Then there are Christians who hammer in so much fire and brimstone that they’re even raining it down on their brothers and sisters in Christ, insisting that we are going to hell along with the non believers! I’m shocked at this, truly heartbroken, and terrified on some level. How can this be and how can people have gotten things so wrong and be so misguided. Are they not reading the same bible that I am? How do they miss the main points to the degree that they are? And how when they are called on it again and again do they stay in denial and not care?

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c) What confuses me the most and what I truly find most concerning are how many millions of people on this earth are not really getting God’s message because of the horrible confusion among the very believers who claim to believe. When believers in Jesus Christ who claim to follow Him can’t even agree on a few simple common things that are Christianity, how can the gospel be spread adequately and appropriately? How can we fulfill what God wants, what Jesus Christ asked us to make our primary purpose?

d) And why is it so hard for Christians to just get together and embrace the commonalities of what we share and spread that beautiful love that is like no other to the rest of the people in this world? How is that so many Christians are caught up in the politics of hate, punishment, fire and brimstone that they no longer put forth the love of Jesus Christ in their lives? They have nothing to exhibit but judgment without the love and mercy. They have missed the entire point of Jesus and what He stood for and why God allowed everything to occur as it has. They have bought into the foolishness of the world with it’s love of money, greed, selfishness, and fear.

Jesus loves

Now what are we going to do about it?

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Posted by: the warrioress | June 20, 2015

The Philosophical Side Of Life

I have been very busy of late, friends and readers. Thankfully, one whom I think so much of has had more time to teach us God’s Way….here it is:

efchristi's avatarEd Christian's World

As I look back over the past 50 years of my life, I find a definite change in philosophy and a deeper understanding of the philosophical side of life. The internal calm God has blessed me with and a deeper appreciation of life in general. As I am sharing my world with you I offer some things to consider:

There is not one big cosmic meaning for all; there is only the meaning we each give to our life, an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel, a book for each person. We start our life with a blank page, a page we draw on, write on and even scribble on as we grow up. Sometimes we write nonsense and go back and erase it to start all over. Sometimes we write prose and songs. It doesn’t matter what we draw or write for we are defining ourself…

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Posted by: the warrioress | June 3, 2015

Prayer and Love

As usual, Edwin Christian knocks it out of the park!

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Posted by: the warrioress | May 21, 2015

My Guiding Light

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God is a wonderful Friend, Compadre,’ Father, Comforter, and centering Presence in my life. When my life becomes chaotic, I can always turn to Him to straighten things out and bring peace to disorder and order to chaos. God is not the author of confusion, ever.

I have been given the precious gift of God’s Holy Spirit, whom I can count upon to bring me an inner knowledge of the next right thing to do in my life, every single time. Even if I steer my ship the wrong way, I know beyond any doubt that the Holy Bible, God’s innerant word, promises me that God will turn all things, even the mistakes, for my good. God promises this!

I can step out in faith and real assurance that God has my back. I sincerely believe this, though sometimes I still have an inner anxiety that I have to fight, no matter how much I trust God. I think this is part and parcel of the human experience, of living on a planet that is “fallen.” My fleshly nature does not take well to trusting God; sometimes there is anxiety to contend with, but I am learning confidence in being given peace of mind when I claim it as my right as a child of God.

I look forward to a place with God eventually where there are no more fleshy battles of angst, worry, fear, and sin to contend with. Complete and blessed peace with Him is going to be quite something.

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Posted by: the warrioress | May 12, 2015

goodbye

| Night Ranger|

As the sun hides his head

For another night’s rest

And the wind sings

His same old song

And you on the edge

Never close, never far

Always there when I needed a friend

But it’s hard living life

On this memory-go-round

Always up, always down

Spinning ’round and ’round and ’round

All this could be

Just a dream so it seems

I was never much good at goodbye

There once was a time

Never far from my mind

On the beach, on the 4th of July

I remember the sand

How you held out your hand

And we touched for what seemed a lifetime

But it’s hard

Leaving all this behind me now

Like a schoolboy so lost

Never found until now

And all this could be

Just a dream so it seems

I was never much good at goodbye

Yet it’s hard

Living life on this memory-go-round

Always up, always down

Turning ’round and ’round and ’round

And all this could be

Just a dream so it seems

I was never much good at goodbye

And all this could be

Just a dream so it seems

I was never much good at goodbye

Goodbye

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Posted by: the warrioress | May 1, 2015

Like a Child

 

I’ve been in the middle of a business-related “learning experience” that I haven’t had to endure quite to this degree ever in the past. It’s been a kind of draining, energy-sapping thing and there’s not been a lot of time or stamina within me to put forth a lot of analysis about it, spiritually speaking; I’ve just been pretty much intent on simply surviving it. Now however, as it continues to drag on and on, and it seems completely out of my control to do much of anything to impact it, I’m attempting to pause and try to see it through the eyes of Jesus. This isn’t often fun, to be honest; in fact, it’s downright humbling and causes me to be still, to seek God.

A man does a fine thing when he endures pain, with a clear conscience towards God, though he knows he is suffering unjustly. After all, it is no credit to you if you are patient in bearing a punishment which you have richly deserved! But if you do your duty and are punished for it and can still accept it patiently, you are doing something worthwhile in God’s sight. Yes, this is your calling. For Christ suffered for you and left you a personal example, so that you might follow in his footsteps. He was guilty of no sin… Yet when he was insulted he offered no insult in return. When he suffered he made no threats of revenge. He simply committed his cause to the One who judges fairly. –1 Pet 2:19-23

“Oh dear…why doesn’t this ever get easier, Lord?”

Yes, that’s just me.

I’m banging my head over here against the nearest wall, or maybe just leaning against it, hoping to hang on to what’s left of my sense of humor (at the very least).

I don’t do well with offering no insult in return! I’m not good at making no threat of revenge! Especially when it hits me right where I live, in ye old pocketbook or threatens my pride.

This means tremendous joy to you, even though at present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident–it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold, and gold, as you know, even though it is ultimately perishable, must be purified by fire.  –1 Peter 1:6-7

When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance.–James 1:2-4

Endurance, eh?

So God wants me to be patient and offer no insult in return. Don’t throw mud for mud, repay evil for evil, or fret and worry about what’s to come next.

In other words, I’m to accept this terribly degrading matter and welcome it as a friend; it’s purifying me for Christ, and making me more like Jesus.

So okay.

Where am I lacking now, oh God? Show me the way to please You through this difficulty.

Ahh, that’s it, there’s the key!

 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. –Romans 12:12

Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the LORD, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.”–1 Samuel 26:2

 

And the primary thing never to forget:http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?&id=JN.gXtckcG12x8BlCExD2OaOQ&w=300&h=300&c=0&pid=1.9&rs=0&p=0

Become as a child. Pure of heart, full of joy, and trust.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

And He called a child to Himself and set him before them,and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.… — Matthew 18: 1-3

 

 

 

 

 

Helpful sources for this posting:

http://www.acts17-11.com/tests.html

Bible Verses About Trials: 20 Scriptures on Tribulations

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Posted by: the warrioress | April 10, 2015

The Heart of Worship

“The Heart Of Worship”

When the music fades
and all is stripped away
and I simply come.
Longing just to bring
something that’s of worth
that will bless Your heart.

I’ll bring You more than a song,
for a song in itself
is not what You have required.
You search much deeper within,
through the way things appear,
You’re looking into my heart.

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
and it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
when it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.

King of endless worth,
no one could express
how much you deserve.
Though I’m weak and poor,
all I have is Yours,
every single breath!

I’ll bring You more than a song,
for a song in itself
is not what You have required.
You search much deeper within,
through the way things appear,
You’re looking into my heart.

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
and it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
when it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.

Matt Redman – The Heart of Worship: https://youtu.be/P-Zp586pvZg

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Posted by: the warrioress | April 5, 2015

The Third Day

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“After Jesus was crucified, Joseph of Arimathea had Christ’s body placed in his own tomb. A large stone covered the entrance and soldiers guarded the sealed tomb. On the third day, a Sunday, several women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna and Salome are all mentioned in the gospel accounts) went to the tomb at dawn to anoint the body of Jesus.

A violent earthquake took place as an angel from heaven rolled back the stone. The guards shook in fear as the angel, dressed in bright white, sat upon the stone. The angel announced to the women that Jesus who was crucified was no longer in the tomb, “He is risen, just as he said.” Then he instructed the women to inspect the tomb and see for themselves. Next he told them to go inform the disciples. With a mixture of fear and joy they ran to obey the angel’s command, but suddenly Jesus met them on their way. They fell at his feet and worshiped him. Jesus then said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me.”

When the guards reported what had happened to the chief priests, they bribed the soldiers with a large sum of money, telling them to lie and say that the disciples had stolen the body in the night. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the women near the tomb and later at least twice to the disciples while they were gathered at a house in prayer. He visited two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and he also appeared at the Sea of Galilee while several of the disciples were fishing.

Points of Interest from the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Story:

• There are at least 12 different appearances of Christ in the resurrection accounts, beginning with Mary and ending with Paul. They were physical, tangible experiences with Christ eating, speaking and allowing himself to be touched.

• Jesus’ resurrected body was different from his physical body. It was no longer subject to the same laws of nature. He could transcend locked doors, and yet he could still be touched and he could eat.

• Before Jesus ascended into heaven he gave the Great Commission, telling his followers to go and make disciples of all nations.

• The stone was not rolled away from the tomb so Jesus could get out. He was able to walk through walls (John 20:19) in his resurrected body. The stone was rolled away so that everyone could see that he was risen.”

Sources & further informative reading:

Resurrection of Jesus Christ – Bible Story Summary
What the Bible Tells Us About the Resurrection
By Mary Fairchild, Christianity Expert
Scripture References: Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-21:25.
Resurrection of Jesus Christ – Story Summary:

http://abt.cm/1c38g9

http://christianity.about.com/od/biblestorysummaries/p/theresurrection.html

http://christianity.about.com/od/easter/a/7-Proofs-Of-The-Resurrection.htm

 

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Posted by: the warrioress | April 3, 2015

Good Friday

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Our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of the world, according to the Holy Bible, specifically the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. There are also countless other passages within the New Testament and even the Old Testament, that collaborate the events that took place on the day of Christ’s crucifixion.

We celebrate Jesus’ death on the cross with gratitude and sorrow at the same time; it’s a catch-22. While we mourn what occurred and why, we are thankful that Jesus, as the son of God, took upon Himself our sin, our trespasses, our inability to measure up to a holy god. Jesus made it possible for us to cross the sin barrier and stand up with Him in front of His father and now ours…

We are adopted children now, (if we so choose to believe and thus agree), of our Father in Heaven. We give thanks on Good Friday for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that paid the price so that we can call God, “Abba,” or “our Father,” as Jesus does.

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To the thief on the cross nearby, Jesus said: “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And after he said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

What, in detail, did Jesus do for us on this day, “Good Friday?”

“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2Corinthians 5:2

“In His sinless and perfect human body—prepared especially as a perfect blood sacrifice for the sins of the world—Jesus suffered terribly in body, soul, and spirit during the long night of His trial. That suffering began with the agony in the garden of Gethsemane and in all the humiliating events of His trial and cruel torture prior to His morning journey to Golgotha. The worst was yet to come. Death by crucifixion is an especially painful and terrible death. It was common in Roman times for crucified men in good health to hang dying on a cross sometimes for days, yet Scripture records that Jesus died within six hours’ clock time. Even if He only suffered normal human pain in this ordeal it would have been incredibly severe.

All this pain, however, was but the prelude to His real suffering, which involved being cut off from the Father’s love and presence and consigned to carry our sins out of the universe, to hell as it were, like the scapegoat sacrifice of Israel of which he, Christ, is the antitype.” (see this source)

This intense, incredible sacrifice of Christ Jesus’ is our hope, our faith, our strong belief, culminating in the celebration of Easter Sunday and the Resurrection, in which Jesus rises from the dead, or “the empty tomb.”

Personally, I am so very thankful that God allowed Jesus to stand in the place He did for my sins. From birth there was the inability to measure up to the holiness of God, as I was born into an unholy world and thus became a part of it. I acknowledge the intense suffering Jesus endured for me, and I am grateful for it. I believe. I accept His sacrifice. I want to be holy in the eyes of God. Thank you, Jesus.


Further interesting reading:

http://ldolphin.org/sixhours.html

https://bible.org/article/where-was-jesus-spirit-when-his-body-was-tomb

http://www.gotquestions.org/where-was-Jesus.html

http://www.gotquestions.org/three-days.html

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Posted by: the warrioress | March 29, 2015

The Teachings of Jesus Christ

 

 

For the mobile viewer, click:

( https://youtu.be/ghJYCdhVix0 )

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