I realize now that I only have the urge to write in here when feeling frustrating. I try not to rant too much to friends or family as I am trying to grumble less.. But I need somewhere to say things so.... This is it i guess! First of all- sometimes when I read what people have to say on facebook all I can think is "blahblahblah..no body cares." (like when posting about really dumb stuff, like 'eating lunch!' or 'in the shower!' Ok...)
Secondly- I really don't see how anyone can vote republican and still claim to be Christian. I won't say that is true for all of our republican representatives, but for a majority of them and for most of their views........ Comparing what they believe on most stuff with the bible... being republican just doesn't add up. I know, some democratic views are not very spot on with the Bible either but 1- they don't claim to be & 2- and I can only think of 2 issues..
Also, Santorum apparently wants all the women pregnant (whether they want to be or not) and everyone uneducated. I just read an article where he stated that all college does is indoctrinate us and take us away from our faith. Well he went to 2 or 3 state universities! ...And he obviously didn't lose his faith! And he called Obama a snob for wanting us to be educated... In a way, this reminds me of Catholicism back in the day... Lets put the bible in a language they don't understand, keep the bible out of their hands, & keep em ignorant and make them rely solely on us- uber 'religious' modern day pharisees. ....... The more research I do the more frustrated I get. The truth is so obvious. All you have to do is earnestly seek it and God will take you there. I promise. But if you're not truly seeking it (as in looking but deep down you believe you already know it and know you won't really find anything that doesn't agree with what you believe...then youre not truly looking.) Arggggg I just wish Christians/Catholics would truly read their bible.
Sorry I know I'm being offensive. :( I am just frustrated. Please forgive. I had to rant somewhere.
xo
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Aiieeee yaiii yaiii
Ok got to rant.
I am so tired of reading scriptural abuse...like people taking things WAY out of context and then clinging to it as if there is nothing else left. I like to consider myself a truth seeker. I LOVE to research things and always have. And since dh decided to leave me for a catholic cult, I have done way too much research into catholicism to see if there is ANY truth in what this guy teaches. Now this guy, is the extreme. But as I've been learning about even more 'normal' catholics. Holy cow. Crazy talk. Seriously, CRAZY TALK. I remember once my dh was complaining about how protestants take Jesus off the cross and how he hates that. Well you know what I've concluded about that?! Catholics keep Jesus on the cross because that's exactly where they want him, dead and on the cross. Protestants take Jesus off the cross because we serve a LIVING GOD. Not a dead one. If Jesus did not come off the cross and live, we would NOT have a religion. Everything hung on that alone, that he would rise 3 days later. And he did. So, since he did, we take him off the cross as well.
Also, the whole praying to/with Mary/worship thing is very bothersome to me. It's not scriptural. And for those that want to argue that you are not praying to her or worshiping her, well, first of all your catechism says otherwise. (2675, 2676 & 2679). And so do your daddy popas.
Pope John Paul when he got shot was apparently begging for her to have mercy on him and praying for her to save him... Unfortunately I can't find my source on this one to give the exact quote.
Pope Piux ix, 1854 Papal Decree: "continue to venerate, invoke, and pray to the most blessed Virgin Mary"
He also said something along the lines of "If there is any hope in us, any grace, any salvation, it comes to us by her, because thus is the will of God, who has desired that we have everything through Mary" Ummm what about when JESUS himself says I am the way, the truth and the life. No body comes to the father except through me..? (John 14:6) So you are going to discredit the words of Jesus himself for the words of some man?? Psalm 146:3 tells us not to put our trust in man. And what does Paul tell us in Galations about deserting the Gospel for a gospel that is really no gospel at all? (Gal 1:6-9)
Anyway I have quite a task ahead of me but I just had to get a few things out there.
God bless.
I am so tired of reading scriptural abuse...like people taking things WAY out of context and then clinging to it as if there is nothing else left. I like to consider myself a truth seeker. I LOVE to research things and always have. And since dh decided to leave me for a catholic cult, I have done way too much research into catholicism to see if there is ANY truth in what this guy teaches. Now this guy, is the extreme. But as I've been learning about even more 'normal' catholics. Holy cow. Crazy talk. Seriously, CRAZY TALK. I remember once my dh was complaining about how protestants take Jesus off the cross and how he hates that. Well you know what I've concluded about that?! Catholics keep Jesus on the cross because that's exactly where they want him, dead and on the cross. Protestants take Jesus off the cross because we serve a LIVING GOD. Not a dead one. If Jesus did not come off the cross and live, we would NOT have a religion. Everything hung on that alone, that he would rise 3 days later. And he did. So, since he did, we take him off the cross as well.
Also, the whole praying to/with Mary/worship thing is very bothersome to me. It's not scriptural. And for those that want to argue that you are not praying to her or worshiping her, well, first of all your catechism says otherwise. (2675, 2676 & 2679). And so do your daddy popas.
Pope John Paul when he got shot was apparently begging for her to have mercy on him and praying for her to save him... Unfortunately I can't find my source on this one to give the exact quote.
Pope Piux ix, 1854 Papal Decree: "continue to venerate, invoke, and pray to the most blessed Virgin Mary"
He also said something along the lines of "If there is any hope in us, any grace, any salvation, it comes to us by her, because thus is the will of God, who has desired that we have everything through Mary" Ummm what about when JESUS himself says I am the way, the truth and the life. No body comes to the father except through me..? (John 14:6) So you are going to discredit the words of Jesus himself for the words of some man?? Psalm 146:3 tells us not to put our trust in man. And what does Paul tell us in Galations about deserting the Gospel for a gospel that is really no gospel at all? (Gal 1:6-9)
Anyway I have quite a task ahead of me but I just had to get a few things out there.
God bless.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Give shoes!
http://www.crosspoint.tv/media/light/v172
Such an awesome message. Makes me want to one) become a missionary & two) give lots of shoes! Should you still be in the mood of giving, please consider donating to giveshoes.org. Such a sad fact that there are more than 300 MILLION children without shoes (& plenty more adults) yet there is 1.5 MILLION shoes just sitting in our closets. I think I'm feeling inclined to donate.
Anyway, Merry Christmas to all!
Such an awesome message. Makes me want to one) become a missionary & two) give lots of shoes! Should you still be in the mood of giving, please consider donating to giveshoes.org. Such a sad fact that there are more than 300 MILLION children without shoes (& plenty more adults) yet there is 1.5 MILLION shoes just sitting in our closets. I think I'm feeling inclined to donate.
Anyway, Merry Christmas to all!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Grumble.
A few things to say. I am trying not to 'grumble' so much but at the moment, I am failing. Right now, I am a little irritated at people who speak about things they clearly do not know. Really- if you do not know what you're talking about, do not talk. If you have not researched it, do not express your opinion as fact. I guess that's really what bothers me. I talk about things I'm not sure about but I PRAY I do not try to express them as facts as opposed to suppositions. Here's where this annoyance came from [today] (I've had this annoyance MANY times). Something got me looking into different bibles and the accuracy of them. I think because someone I know (and care very much about) has a strong bend towards the Douay Rheims and believes it is the ONLY bible we should read. Well, as a lover of languages, I am bothered by the fact that the DR is a translation of a translation. St Jerome translated the bible into latin and then it was translated into English from latin. So we went from A to B to C. And when it comes to translations A ≠ C. Simply because A doesn't TrULy resemble B and C doesn't trULy express B therefore it is impossible that C could accurately interpret A. Does that make sense? Something is ALWAYS lost in translation. Always. So I began researching the accuracy of the vulgate. Which, well, I found many a poor review. But we all also have our biases.
Well, during this 'hunt' for what is suppose to be the 'most accurate', one finds cheerleader groups for every version there is. The KJV has quite a little following. I particularly like the NIV because it is clear, easy to read, and during a difficult time in my life, I was praying & PRAYING for understanding of God's word (I had been reading the DR) and the next day, someone gave me the NIV as a random gift. So. I am rather fond of it. Anyway, I also feel it is neither here nor there. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter which version of the Bible you read. I am just thankful you are reading it! From all the Bibles I've been comparing during my walk, they all have the same basics. Love God with all your heart and soul, believe in Jesus (and that he is your savior), and love your neighbor. Those are some of the key points all versions have in common. Because they are the most important. I mean really, for people who think you MUST ONLY read the KJV or the DR or the NIV or the ESV or the etc, what about the people who speak French? Or arabic? Or hindi? Obviously they are reading different versions.... Because if they are reading a translation of the KJV, the DR, or the NIV (etc) then we have again the A ≠ B ≠ C thing again. Sigh, anyway, Paul talks about unity in several places. (1 Cor 12:12-31; Eph 4:1-16, esp v. 3, 14) and Jesus also talks about being one (John 17) and that those who are not against us are for us (Mark 9:38) and when Jesus talks about a house dividing on itself (Matthew 12:30).
Anyway so my more specific point about doing your research. One of the websites I came across was a yahoo forum and these people were praising the KJV as the most accurate (one even said it was 100% accurate) and putting down the NIV. Ok have your opinion. One person though, stated that anyone that reads the NIV should be ashamed of themselves because Zondervan publishes it and they continued to say that Zondervan is apart of Harper Collins that publishes the 'Satanic Bible' and the 'Joy of Gay Sex' or something so because of that ...I should be ashamed of myself.
So knowing that was completely ludicrous, I started looking into publishers. Well, little did this person apparently know that 1) the NIV is also published by several other publishing companies and 2) Zondervan also publishes the KJV. So........ their argument holds no ground. Please people, do your homework.
Ok that was a long grumble. Had to get it off my chest I guess. Thank you.
In a LiGhTeR note, I love the Word of God (whether it's the NKJV, the DR, NIV, ESV, MSG, etc) and I pray that it will continue to resonate within me and continue to lead me into the light of God. I am so thankful for the Word. I am so thankful for my family and friends. For the holidays. For time off to spend with my loved ones. For a husband who is willing to work hard for us. For Cross Point. For the peace within my heart. For my beautiful, healthy [well, she's got a cold actually, but overall] baby girl. For people who are quick to listen and slow to speak or anger (ahem, I should work on these). I am thankful for people open to the Bible and to His love. I am thankful for so much, He is such an amazing provider. I love Him so. Anyway I suppose that's all for now. I shouldn't have grumbled so long. I am sorry. But I hope my rant may have helped someone, somehow.
xo
Well, during this 'hunt' for what is suppose to be the 'most accurate', one finds cheerleader groups for every version there is. The KJV has quite a little following. I particularly like the NIV because it is clear, easy to read, and during a difficult time in my life, I was praying & PRAYING for understanding of God's word (I had been reading the DR) and the next day, someone gave me the NIV as a random gift. So. I am rather fond of it. Anyway, I also feel it is neither here nor there. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter which version of the Bible you read. I am just thankful you are reading it! From all the Bibles I've been comparing during my walk, they all have the same basics. Love God with all your heart and soul, believe in Jesus (and that he is your savior), and love your neighbor. Those are some of the key points all versions have in common. Because they are the most important. I mean really, for people who think you MUST ONLY read the KJV or the DR or the NIV or the ESV or the etc, what about the people who speak French? Or arabic? Or hindi? Obviously they are reading different versions.... Because if they are reading a translation of the KJV, the DR, or the NIV (etc) then we have again the A ≠ B ≠ C thing again. Sigh, anyway, Paul talks about unity in several places. (1 Cor 12:12-31; Eph 4:1-16, esp v. 3, 14) and Jesus also talks about being one (John 17) and that those who are not against us are for us (Mark 9:38) and when Jesus talks about a house dividing on itself (Matthew 12:30).
Anyway so my more specific point about doing your research. One of the websites I came across was a yahoo forum and these people were praising the KJV as the most accurate (one even said it was 100% accurate) and putting down the NIV. Ok have your opinion. One person though, stated that anyone that reads the NIV should be ashamed of themselves because Zondervan publishes it and they continued to say that Zondervan is apart of Harper Collins that publishes the 'Satanic Bible' and the 'Joy of Gay Sex' or something so because of that ...I should be ashamed of myself.
So knowing that was completely ludicrous, I started looking into publishers. Well, little did this person apparently know that 1) the NIV is also published by several other publishing companies and 2) Zondervan also publishes the KJV. So........ their argument holds no ground. Please people, do your homework.
Ok that was a long grumble. Had to get it off my chest I guess. Thank you.
In a LiGhTeR note, I love the Word of God (whether it's the NKJV, the DR, NIV, ESV, MSG, etc) and I pray that it will continue to resonate within me and continue to lead me into the light of God. I am so thankful for the Word. I am so thankful for my family and friends. For the holidays. For time off to spend with my loved ones. For a husband who is willing to work hard for us. For Cross Point. For the peace within my heart. For my beautiful, healthy [well, she's got a cold actually, but overall] baby girl. For people who are quick to listen and slow to speak or anger (ahem, I should work on these). I am thankful for people open to the Bible and to His love. I am thankful for so much, He is such an amazing provider. I love Him so. Anyway I suppose that's all for now. I shouldn't have grumbled so long. I am sorry. But I hope my rant may have helped someone, somehow.
xo
Friday, December 23, 2011
Feeling bitter
This doesn't have much to do with 'my walk' but do you ever just want to say to people: "blahblahblah nobody cares blahblahblah" I mean this in reference to stupid things people post on facebook. Seriously. No one cares. Ok. Anyway I think the holiday stress is getting to me and making me a bit of a scrooge. Especially the passive aggressive tendencies of one of my closest relatives.... Ugh. Plus my wee one has a wee bit of a cold :( And found out today at the doc she has an ear infection. My poor love bug. Anyway I need to go tend to her and watch something christmasy and uplifting. Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Good debate..
Actually, it wasn't a debate because I believe debate implies that both could potentially be right. And here, biblically speaking, this person is NOT right. I may not be right either, but I know this person is not.
I saw a youtube clip on FB about some christian girls talking about bad politics. Short, decent little clip. Basically asking politicians to stop using Jesus as a way to get votes (especially when you are MISrepresenting Jesus). Well, my mistake after that- was reading some comments. One person wrote that JC doesn't love all the children and started quoting leviticus. One person wrote that the girls needed to preach 'the whole truth' and that if we are continuing to sin, we are not truly christian. Another wrote a comment criticizing their intelligence while using bad grammar.
So I felt compelled to reply. To the first, I told them that unless they are jewish, to get out of the old testament and into the new and gave several verses about how His burden is light, that we are no longer bound by the 600+ OT laws, the most important commands according to JC, and several verses about the OT vs the NT and how God is love.
To the second, I wrote that we are not able to live sinlessly (Rom 7:16-25. 1Jn1:8,9) and they themselves should practice what they preach about 'preaching the whole truth' especially since that would take longer than a 1:14seconds (the length of the video).
And to the third, I wrote that before criticizing their intelligence with bad grammar, maybe they should read the story about throwing the first stone.
Someone apparently took strong offense to my 3rd comment and called me judgmental and said something like 'before you go out and kill somone...' I was QUITE confused. And then thru a string of comments, I couldn't tell if they were christian or not. Then they said that these girls were almost demonic and that anyone that believes JC encourages us to 'love extravagantly' as the video states, is flat out wrong. Which of course, I had to reply to that. And more or less it just went back and forth. They are very much like....someone I know but through that person I was truly brought to Christ so. I kind of wanted to elaborate and give more details of the conversation but it would take a lot of time to go back and forth trying to find the comments now on yt.
It is so sad to me though when people want to focus on the hate. God is love. 1st John says that more than once. And what is love? 1st Corinthians 13. So let's put 2 & 2 together, please. Anyway, praise God for His Son & His Word. I love the Bible so much, I do not know how to express my love for it! Anyway I need to go to bed since I have to get up and work tomorrow.
-xo
I saw a youtube clip on FB about some christian girls talking about bad politics. Short, decent little clip. Basically asking politicians to stop using Jesus as a way to get votes (especially when you are MISrepresenting Jesus). Well, my mistake after that- was reading some comments. One person wrote that JC doesn't love all the children and started quoting leviticus. One person wrote that the girls needed to preach 'the whole truth' and that if we are continuing to sin, we are not truly christian. Another wrote a comment criticizing their intelligence while using bad grammar.
So I felt compelled to reply. To the first, I told them that unless they are jewish, to get out of the old testament and into the new and gave several verses about how His burden is light, that we are no longer bound by the 600+ OT laws, the most important commands according to JC, and several verses about the OT vs the NT and how God is love.
To the second, I wrote that we are not able to live sinlessly (Rom 7:16-25. 1Jn1:8,9) and they themselves should practice what they preach about 'preaching the whole truth' especially since that would take longer than a 1:14seconds (the length of the video).
And to the third, I wrote that before criticizing their intelligence with bad grammar, maybe they should read the story about throwing the first stone.
Someone apparently took strong offense to my 3rd comment and called me judgmental and said something like 'before you go out and kill somone...' I was QUITE confused. And then thru a string of comments, I couldn't tell if they were christian or not. Then they said that these girls were almost demonic and that anyone that believes JC encourages us to 'love extravagantly' as the video states, is flat out wrong. Which of course, I had to reply to that. And more or less it just went back and forth. They are very much like....someone I know but through that person I was truly brought to Christ so. I kind of wanted to elaborate and give more details of the conversation but it would take a lot of time to go back and forth trying to find the comments now on yt.
It is so sad to me though when people want to focus on the hate. God is love. 1st John says that more than once. And what is love? 1st Corinthians 13. So let's put 2 & 2 together, please. Anyway, praise God for His Son & His Word. I love the Bible so much, I do not know how to express my love for it! Anyway I need to go to bed since I have to get up and work tomorrow.
-xo
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Walking in circles.
So today, I've found the connection between that guy that claims to be the prophet Elias/Elijah and John the Baptist. Matthew 17:11-13. I wondered about this for so long. I had kinda forgotten about it though until I stumbled upon those verses tonight.
Chapter 15 (9, 14, 17-18) were particularly reassuring during my read tonight. I love the Bible so much, it gives me so much peace and whenever I start to doubt some of the things that have happened and wonder if I'M the nutty one, I open the Bible and He reassures me. Praise God :)
Lately, I've been trying to figure out how I feel about whether or not God is inclusive or exclusive. I've always been raised that God is very INCLusive. And looking at how Jesus was, he seemed very inclusive and accepting. I know somewhere in the Bible (NT) it says accept others as Jesus accepted you. ("Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7) BTW, I tend to use the NIV version of the Bible although I like to compare it with the Douay Rheims & the Greek/Hebrew interlinear. Anyway, so Jesus accepts us as we are. (Praise God, again) And I would love for everyone, yes EVERYONE, to feel how I feel on the inside- the peace, the reassurance, how Christ/my faith takes away my worries, helps me to relax. But, for someone that may have all those things in a different religion, how can one compete with that? And, how do I know that God would ultimately turn someone away for that? I don't know that. And honestly, no one will truly know that until they are there before Him. People can make exceptions, then God can MOST DEFINITELY can make exceptions. And personally, I don't feel comfortable putting God in a [small] box. I added small because I am only human, my mind naturally has limitations so naturally I put him in some kind of box, I just try not to put him in a small one :)
So I'm trying to figure out how I feel about that issue. But really, does it even matter? Because I have faith in our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ so I know I'm covered. And I'm going to continue to make relationships and have open conversations to maybe lead people to the peace I have within me but if someone is already at peace... This is where my problem lies. Ok I'm seriously going in circles. Anyway, I've been reading C. S. Lewis' book, The Screwtape Letters, it is very interesting! It takes me a minute to figure out what he's saying sometimes but it is a very good read so far. I suppose I'll end here, with a quote from C.S. Lewis (although, not from The Screwtape Letters.) "Preach the Gospel; when necessary, use words." I love that. :)
-xo
Chapter 15 (9, 14, 17-18) were particularly reassuring during my read tonight. I love the Bible so much, it gives me so much peace and whenever I start to doubt some of the things that have happened and wonder if I'M the nutty one, I open the Bible and He reassures me. Praise God :)
Lately, I've been trying to figure out how I feel about whether or not God is inclusive or exclusive. I've always been raised that God is very INCLusive. And looking at how Jesus was, he seemed very inclusive and accepting. I know somewhere in the Bible (NT) it says accept others as Jesus accepted you. ("Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7) BTW, I tend to use the NIV version of the Bible although I like to compare it with the Douay Rheims & the Greek/Hebrew interlinear. Anyway, so Jesus accepts us as we are. (Praise God, again) And I would love for everyone, yes EVERYONE, to feel how I feel on the inside- the peace, the reassurance, how Christ/my faith takes away my worries, helps me to relax. But, for someone that may have all those things in a different religion, how can one compete with that? And, how do I know that God would ultimately turn someone away for that? I don't know that. And honestly, no one will truly know that until they are there before Him. People can make exceptions, then God can MOST DEFINITELY can make exceptions. And personally, I don't feel comfortable putting God in a [small] box. I added small because I am only human, my mind naturally has limitations so naturally I put him in some kind of box, I just try not to put him in a small one :)
So I'm trying to figure out how I feel about that issue. But really, does it even matter? Because I have faith in our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ so I know I'm covered. And I'm going to continue to make relationships and have open conversations to maybe lead people to the peace I have within me but if someone is already at peace... This is where my problem lies. Ok I'm seriously going in circles. Anyway, I've been reading C. S. Lewis' book, The Screwtape Letters, it is very interesting! It takes me a minute to figure out what he's saying sometimes but it is a very good read so far. I suppose I'll end here, with a quote from C.S. Lewis (although, not from The Screwtape Letters.) "Preach the Gospel; when necessary, use words." I love that. :)
-xo
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