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Archive for the ‘Religion’ Category

Caught up in traditional ways

Posted by Shirley Anne on December 8, 2011

 

Detail - Glory of the New Born Christ in prese...

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It is the season to be jolly, goodwill to all men, presents, family get-together, food, drink, parties all in the name of Christ. Ooops, sorry, did I infer that Jesus was the reason for it all? Yes, it is all very nice to greet people with a smile, wish them a Merry Christmas and a Happy new year if it really is sincere and based upon Christ. The sad thing is few people include Jesus in their celebrations. That is one thing but did you ever consider that those you may be wishing these things may not support the festival maybe for personal reasons or for religious beliefs (such as myself). Not everyone is a Christian, some may be Muslims, some may be Jews, some may be Buddhists…..you get my drift…..but nevertheless people still insist on greeting others with this message. It is burnt into their memories, it is a traditional thing to do but it could be an insult to an unbeliever. Now I am a Christian, that is a follower of Jesus but over the last couple of years I have come to the conclusion that the way the mainstream Church celebrates Christ’s birth is unscriptural. Whilst it celebrates one thing it neglects others which are scriptural. The majority of people in this land would say they believe in God and Jesus and because their upbringing was based upon traditional things they assume it is the right thing to do. Tradition is very hard to break. It is like a bad habit that is hard to stop and the reason for that is because it is nice and gives us a sense of well-being. There is nothing wrong in having a good time of course, for those who enjoy it, like the majority of us, including me. A lady I did a job for recently, only a very small job, presented me with a Christmas card and wished me a happy Christmas. I had to tell her gently that I couldn’t accept the card and the reasons why I didn’t believe in the celebrating of Christ’s birth as it is celebrated in this country and elsewhere. Of course I celebrate His birth, I do it every day in prayer and the thought is with me all day long. I do not need to be told to have a happy Christmas, I do not need to have a card wishing me the same and sitting on the mantle for a couple of weeks only to be thrown into the waste bin afterwards. So please don’t wish me a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I will not be able to reciprocate such a gesture in the same way. I want people to love each other under His banner of love. I want people to be nice to each other 24 hours of the day and 365/6 days of the year and not forget the reason they are supposed to be celebrating Christmas in the first place if in fact they believe anyway. It would be wonderful if we had a festival that wasn’t focused on Jesus. It would be filled with good things, food, drinks, parties, family and friends and all could wish each other well, but we already have one of those disguised as a religious festival. Then we could concentrate on Jesus all of the time, in the right way and for the right reasons. May God’s will be done.

Shirley Anne

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I hate this time of year, no, not the weather!

Posted by Shirley Anne on November 30, 2011

Despite it being very windy, occasionally raining and unusually warm, it isn’t the weather I dislike. In fact I love Autumn, No, it is the approach to Christmas. I hate the advertising on television which promotes and encourages unnecessary spending. Assumptions are made that everyone is looking forward to the day and accordingly promotes good times using carefully selected music and filming. Many people will be feeling left out of things because they are poor or have no family to share the time with, maybe some will be living alone. Whilst I do not agree now with holding Christmas festivities when once I did, I do realise that I am in the minority. I have written about this on several occasions here in the past year or thereabouts so I won’t re-iterate again. Christmas isn’t about the birth of a saviour anymore, it has become a hedonistic and lavish experience for most people. People will say that Christmas is for children and they want to make sure that their children enjoy the now ‘magical’ time with plenty of presents and good food. That wasn’t the original reason for celebrating Christmas. The real reason for celebrating Christmas although believed to be sincere is probably debatable in light of what Scripture dictates but nevertheless even that is ignored in favour of the modern empty version. The atmosphere surrounding the approach to the day is full of hype and is all commercially generated. It is all so false and without meaning. Is it any wonder that people do not believe in the true message that Christmas was supposed to convey? They want the tinsel, the bright lights, the food and drink, the ‘good times’, the short-lived season of ‘goodwill to all men’ and then return to their hum-drum lives the following week where none of the ‘goodwill’ goes with them. I see signs in the back windows of cars which read, ‘A dog is not just for Christmas, it is for life’, in an attempt to curb the practice of dumping the animal at the RSPCA once the novelty has worn off. Well ‘Jesus isn’t just for Christmas’ either but how many even consider that, or even believe it?Adorazione del Bambino (Adoration of the Child...

Shirley Anne

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Finality of death

Posted by Shirley Anne on November 14, 2011

Death found an author writing his life.. Desig...

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Ecclesiastes 9:4-6

New International Version (NIV)

4 Anyone who is among the living has hope—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!

5 For the living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;
they have no further reward,
and even their name is forgotten.
6 Their love, their hate
and their jealousy have long since vanished;
never again will they have a part
in anything that happens under the sun.

Following on from yesterdays post I thought about death and all that surrounds it. The verse above more or less says it all but it talks of this world, it talks of things to do with the flesh as much as it talks about the spirit. Those we knew in life who have passed into death know nothing, they have ceased to exist. There is a promise to be raised from the grave and into a new body and a new life for those who believe in God and have placed their faith, trust and hope in Jesus Christ but whilst even they lie in the grave it is as if they never existed. People do strange things at funerals, burial sites and memorials, acting as if they were in the presence of the dead when in fact they are completely alone! Watching part of proceedings surrounding the burial of Jimmy Saville recently I saw people applauding the passage of the hearse in which his body lay. Why the applause, why not simply a bowed head? Then it was told that he had requested to be buried at a 45 degree angle overlooking the sea so that he could look out over it! How preposterous is that? The man is dead, what possible reason is there to be buried that way, especially as he won’t be there to enjoy it? Ridiculous! I hear you say, ‘But it was his last request’, agreeing with the stupidity of it all. About eighteen months ago a Christian brother was cremated in a cardboard coffin. He realised that to spend such a lot of money on a wooden coffin only to have it burned was a silly thing to do and a unecessary expense for his widow. Now that is sensible. We place far too much emphasis on tradition instead of applying common sense sometimes. When we are dead we are dead, gone, final and it is pointless for those who live to continually mourn over their lost ones. Memories should be sufficient and indeed they are. Love those you love whilst you have them with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGDA0Hecw1k

Shirley Anne

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No other way…….

Posted by Shirley Anne on November 8, 2011

Salvation (The Cranberries song)

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Many times I have written about salvation and the route to it and I will continue to do this as long as I take breath so I make no excuses for doing that here. This blog isn’t dedicated to my writing about God but occasionally I will do so. I have another blog (http://www.minkyweaselsmusings.blogspot.com) which I now dedicate entirely to that theme. I read many other people’s blogs and often their thoughts on what they believe about God (for those that do believe) and I have to say that their ideas about God, Jesus, heaven are far removed from what is written in Scripture. I wonder then where exactly do they get their ideas from? On what basis are they placing all their trust and hope for it surely isn’t what God Himself says. Below is a chapter from one of the books in the New Testament and in it are two verses which show just what it means to be saved and more importantly how to be saved (verses 9-10). Read the chapter and see how it compares with your own view then be honest with yourself and think again whether your plan to be at one with God is the right way or does God’s word change that view?

Romans 10

1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[g]

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[h] 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”[i]

19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”[j]

20And Isaiah boldly says,

“I was found by those who did not seek me;
I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”[k]

21But concerning Israel he says,

“All day long I have held out my hands
to a disobedient and obstinate people.”[l]

Footnotes:
    1. Romans 10:5 Lev. 18:5
    2. Romans 10:6 Deut. 30:12
    3. Romans 10:7 Deut. 30:13
    4. Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14
    5. Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16 (see Septuagint)
    6. Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
    7. Romans 10:15 Isaiah 52:7
    8. Romans 10:16 Isaiah 53:1
    9. Romans 10:18 Psalm 19:4
    10. Romans 10:19 Deut. 32:21
    11. Romans 10:20 Isaiah 65:1
    12. Romans 10:21 Isaiah 65:2

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright ©  1973, 1978, 1984, 2011  by Biblica

Reading the whole Book of Romans will open your eyes to many things……..

Shirley Anne

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How many were hurt?

Posted by Shirley Anne on November 6, 2011

I wonder how many children were hurt by a firework last night?

It all started in 1605 when a group of Catholic men, one of whom was Guy Fawkes conspired to blow up King James 1 and his followers when the king went to open Parliament on November 5th. Queen Elizabeth 1 had passed laws which endeavoured to make people visit a protestant church on a Sunday. Catholics were not allowed to follow their faith and anyone found doing so were in danger of losing their life. When King James came to the throne the catholic population had thought he might relax the laws but in fact he made it even more difficult for those who were catholics. The group of men, led by Robert Catesby included Thomas Winter and Robert Winter, Christopher and John Wright, Thomas Percy and someone called Bates together with Digby, Keyes, Rookwood, Grant, Tresham and of course

The Discovery of the Gunpowder Plot, Laing Art...
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Guy Fawkes had purchased a house next to the Parliament buildings. The cellar of the house went partly beneath Parliament House where the king was to arrive. Guy Fawkes was the man who was to light the gunpowder stored in barrels in the cellar but he was discovered by soldiers carrying out the routine inspections of the cellars on the night of the 4th before the deed could be carried out. At first he wouldn’t disclose the others involved but eventually he was forced to speak and all the others were subsequently arrested or killed in the process. Guy Fawkes was placed in the Tower of London and was tried and convicted of treason. He was executed on January 31st 1606 at the age of 36. By way of a celebration King James declared that a bonfire be lit in every town on November 5th each year in commemoration of the uncovering of the plot.

Since those days it has been customary to celebrate with fireworks and unfortunately in the past many children have been injured through their mis-use. Many organised events are held by local authorities so there is no real need to continue selling fireworks to the general public. Perhaps one day it will become law but in the meantime we have to be careful that our children are not maimed for life because of carelessness.

Shirley Anne

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I’m so glad

Posted by Shirley Anne on November 1, 2011

Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, ...

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The other day I received an email from a local supermarket encouraging me to shop early for Christmas and showing me what was on offer in their stores. I have no problem with promotions like this when I can simply move them to the trash can, which is where they end up anyway with me. This time I opened the email and saw the amount of goods they had on offer, not because I wanted to see them but because I wasn’t sure what the content of the email was. Either way it got binned. Having seen what the message was about made me think of all the years previously I had worried myself silly wondering what to buy family and friends for Christmas. Now I no longer have that problem as I ceased celebrating Christmas in that fashion last year. In fact I don’t celebrate it at all in any way now. It is my own choice based on what I believe to be consistent with my faith. I rely upon Scripture, The Bible, for instruction and although I haven’t got it all right I am endeavouring to do my best. The main point of contention is the fact that the whole ‘Christmas’ thing is a man-made affair and has no foundation in the Christian faith and teachings. There are other festivals which I think should be celebrated as Jesus Himself did but we neglect them. Many people, including Christians, are not aware of this fact and prefer to do their own thing, especially non-believers. I used to be concerned that people didn’t celebrate Christmas as a festival commemorating the birth of Jesus (even though it wasn’t on 25 th December) but rather indulged themselves in a form of hedonism and forgot all about the message in the Christmas season. Christians celebrate the fact that their Saviour was born and He later paid for their sins. Others think it is the ‘season of goodwill to all men’ but really have no idea on what that means if anything at all. The idea of giving gifts at Christmas stems from the Biblical  account of Christ‘s birth where the wise men (astrologers, mystics, kings of the Orient, whatever title you choose) gave gifts to the babe in the manger. In fact Jesus was a little older by the time He actually received any gifts. It was the custom to bear gifts to any new-born king and so a normal thing to do. Not everyone was given the same treatment but the practice has become the norm by the traditions of men. It is nice to receive gifts from anyone of course and at any time but to make it as being an essential part of what is in fact not a recognised festival nor recommendation in Scripture is a recipe for unnecessary hardship for some and a worry for others. Christ Himself would think it absurd to show love in this way, if love is the intended motive in the first place. A nice gift would be one given to someone in need, done anonymously and whenever that need arose, not because it was Christmas. I want to celebrate the birth of my Saviour so I do that every day of my life, giving thanks to God for His wonderful gift of life, the sacrifice of His Son Jesus for the forgiveness and payment for my sins. I have no need to stuff my face with rich food and wine, worry about buying presents and leave my purse lighter when I can use that cash for a more noble purpose. I expect people will wish me a merry Christmas but I shall not return the blessing. I shall probably give them a different message, more pertinent to the reason behind the birth instead. If I get any cards or emails wishing me the same I will not reply in kind. Yes, I am so glad I don’t need to worry about such things. As I write this the television is on and on the program they are discussing what they will be doing for Halloween. I worry about that!

Shirley Anne

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So you think you have lived before and will be ressurected again?

Posted by Shirley Anne on October 30, 2011

The Mystery of the Resurrections Mentioned in the Bible

 article by Good News Editor

Does the resurrection from the dead seem like a mystery to you?

The Mystery of the Resurrections Mentioned in the Bible

Source: Photos.com

Paul brings clarity to this often-overlooked biblical truth while acknowledging human mortality: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order. Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians:15:22-23[22]For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.[23]But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.).

Paul describes an order of resurrections commencing with “those who are Christ’s at His coming,” which Revelation:20:5 refers to as “the first resurrection.” An order of resurrections commencing with one called “the first” means there are subsequent and sequential resurrections—and indeed these are described more fully elsewhere in the Bible.

A first resurrection for those who are Christ’s

Paul describes the first resurrection, of those who have been Christ’s faithful servants at His coming, this way: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians:15:51-53[51]Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,[52]In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.[53]For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.).

Those raised and changed to immortality at Christ’s return will live and reign with him for 1,000 years: “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them . . . And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation:20:4-5).

The glory of those who have “put on” immortality puts them permanently beyond the grasp of death: “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power” (verse 6). These will be endowed with life eternal in the likeness of Christ (1 John:3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.), attaining the destiny of those who remain faithful—to “bear the image of the heavenly man” (1 Corinthians:15:45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.). This first resurrection, with those in it learning God’s way and being made immortal before the rest of the world, is called a “better resurrection” (Hebrews:11:35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:).

A second resurrection for those who never knew God or Christ

What about those described in the book of Revelation as “the rest of the dead” who “did not live again until the thousand years were finished” (Revelation:20:5). Who are they? And what will become of them?

First, “the rest of the dead” constitute all those who were not “Christ’s at His coming” and fall into two broad categories—those who died never truly knowing Christ, and those who have already willfully rejected Him as their personal Savior. These are two very different categories of people, facing two very different destinies.

The first group, who died without ever having known Christ, is described standing before the throne of God in a second resurrection: “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened” (Revelation:20:12).

The prophet Ezekiel was given a vision by God in which he saw vast numbers of long-dead Israelites come back to life as flesh-and-blood human beings. In this vision, “breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army” (Ezekiel:37:1-10[1]The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,[2]And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.[3]And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.[4]Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.[5]Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:[6]And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.[7]So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.[8]And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.[9]Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.[10]So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.).

“Then,” God tells them, “you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and performed it” (verses 13-14).

A merciful God, not willing that any should perish, reaches out to all those to whom the “books” of the Bible had never been open (in terms of understanding) and brings them back to life to offer them an intimate relationship with Him by putting His Spirit in them—a powerful demonstration of a merciful God so unwilling that any should perish that He reaches into the grave to offer life to the unsaved masses.

A final resurrection for those who ultimately reject God

But a merciful God, to be perfect, must also be just. Those who have knowingly and willfully defied the mercies and commandments of God in their lifetime even after coming to know God and His truth face a very different destiny in a final resurrection—that of the second death: “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation:20:14).

The unrepentant incorrigibly wicked of past ages meet their Maker in a resurrection to receive justice through a second death in the lake of fire, from which there will be no resurrection.

The biblical teaching on the resurrections provides hope, destiny and justice for all. There will be three resurrections for three distinct groups of people—each in their own order, each in their own time through the power of a perfectly merciful and perfectly just God not willing that any should perish. To learn more about these resurrections, with far more complete biblical explanations, download or request our free booklet What Happens After Death?

Copyright Good News magazine http://www.ucg.org/

Shirley Anne

 

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Is it really?

Posted by Shirley Anne on October 27, 2011

CometDiagram
Image via WikipediaImage via Wikipedia

Today, tonight (Sunday, Monday), who knows exactly? A comet dubbed the doomsday comet passes the Earth but at a distance of twenty-two million miles. Hardly worth mentioning I would have thought but people have been forecasting doomsday events for many years, one guy keeps proclaiming new dates when his previous predictions haven’t materialised, well obviously, we are still here! Many times in history people have tried to predict our demise to no avail. Why they thought they could predict such an event is open to debate. Perhaps they had  ‘a vision’, perhaps they ‘looked into the stars’, perhaps they worked it out mathematically but an event like the end of the Earth is impossible to predict with any accuracy. Another prediction, not concerning the end of the world but the ‘end times‘ have been pondered for centuries.  In Scripture we read about the end times in both the old and new Testaments, even Jesus was asked by His disciples when those times should appear. Jesus replied that it was not for them to know the end times but only God knows when they will happen. It is all forecast in prophesy. It is written that there will be signs indicating the onset of the beginning of the end times with various stages happening over a period of time. It isn’t describing the end of the world as a planet but the end of man’s rule and a new beginning for mankind. There will be many signs pointing to that new era, worsening attitudes, rise in sinful behaviour, famines, earthquakes in diverse places, wars and rumours of war among many other things. If we get destroyed in the meantime by some stray comet, asteroid or off the beaten track planet it will be because God has changed His mind but that He will not do, His promises are true so if He says something is going to happen you can be sure it will. Don’t look for signs in the skies, even though there will be those too at the return of Christ, rather look at the signs around you, the state of the world, the wickedness of man and the unbelieving people.

Shirley Anne

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The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

Posted by Shirley Anne on October 20, 2011

O Worship the Lord

Image by Ruth Flickr via Flickr

I base truth on what is written in the Word of God, the inspired word of God, The Bible and in the revelation of truth as given by the Holy Spirit. What others believe is a matter for themselves to consider. Having made a statement like that I have to admit and accept that not everyone believes the same. For those however, who purport to be Christian, the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth as written in the holy Scripture should not be taken lightly. Mis-interpretation is to be avoided as far is possible and the assumption that something is truth because certain passages seem to indicate that as fact should be avoided at all costs. Never take Scriptural passages out of context in order to justify one’s beliefs. The whole tenet of Scripture is to be taken into consideration over an issue for many passages may give a different view. All must be considered and weighed before making any assumptions as to the truth of the matter. As an example it says in many instances in the Bible that God is love. People therefore will use that as an excuse for their behaviour assuming that because God sent His only begotten Son to make atonement for our sins, all our sins are forgiven. They are indeed forgiven if we repent of them. Our lifestyles can be a reflection of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ or they can be an insult. If we knowingly continue in sin, against the will of God, there is no further atonement for those sins and we condemn ourselves. God is a loving Father to all mankind but He is a God who judges too. I read about homosexuality, bi-sexuality, lesbianism and deviant sexual activity which are not accepted as being wrong in the eyes of those who consider themselves to be of that persuasion. They assume that because it wasn’t their fault that they were born that way, which is in itself a debatable subject, that God accepts them when they live that way. He accepts them but not the things they do. It is one thing to be sexually attracted to the same-sex but another to actively indulge. God loves the sinner but hates the sin. The Bible is often used as proof that it isn’t wrong to love another person of the same-sex and it isn’t wrong to love another person but not in a sexual way. There are several verses in Scripture which show that God detests homosexual behaviour. It isn’t just sexuality either, there are many things that God detests and they are all written in His Word. Idolatry, fornication, mediums (as in fortune tellers and such), man-made festivals (and there are a few in the calendar year) and many other things which people tend to gloss over and forget. If you want the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth then why settle for anything less? I am a sinner, I get things wrong, I do not deserve salvation from a loving Father but * by grace I have been saved, through faith and this not from myself, I couldn’t earn it, not by works or anything I have done lest I should boast about such things*. No, it is the gift of God and it says so in His word. It is all down to a willingness to walk as He expects us to walk and to beg forgiveness when we get it wrong. Not by the way we think we should be walking, not by a misguided interpretation of the truth but by the real thing.

*Ephesians 2 v 8-9*

Shirley Anne

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The silly season is nigh again

Posted by Shirley Anne on October 19, 2011

Fireworks on Guy Fawks' night

Image via Wikipedia

If there is a silly season in the year it has got to be around about now. We are approaching ‘Halloween‘, Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Day), Remembrance Day, Advent, Christmas, New Years, Mid-Winters Day. Most, if not all these events are based on superstition or are man-made and have no basis in truth. Halloween is messing about with forces of evil and showing disrespect to a loving God. Bonfire night is a celebration of an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament, a wicked deed which should be condemned and not celebrated. Remembrance day pays honour to the forces of evil and not the memory of those who have fallen (see http://www.midnightministries.org.uk/funerals.htm ), Advent is a man-made festival which has no basis in Christianity, Christmas is likewise a man-made festival which celebrates Christ‘s death! That is what the word ‘Mass’ means. Not that many people celebrate Christmas for the right reasons anyway! Mid-winter festivals are based in paganism and New Year similarly so. People follow the traditions of men, want nothing to do with God unless it is a token gesture. If asked, many people wouldn’t be able to give a reason for why they follow blindly after the things their peers or friends do. Ask the question of yourself and if there is any benefit to you in this type of indulgence.

Shirley Anne

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Something to ponder

Posted by Shirley Anne on October 10, 2011

I was browsing other blogs to do with ‘Religion’ and came across this post. I seem to recollect having seen the content somewhere before but I cannot remember where. Nevertheless it is here again, intact, placed by a fellow blogger.  The article uses logic to explain it’s message that we should not simply take things as true because we are being taught them.

http://myscientificways.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/faith-the-biggest-hope-in-this-universe/

And have a look at this one which I thought was brilliant…….

Finding Real Contentment
Acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace… Job 22:21
A wealthy businessman was upset to find a fisherman sitting beside his boat. ‘Why aren’t you out fishing?’ he asked. ‘Because I’ve caught enough for today,’ replied the fisherman. ‘Why don’t you catch more fish than you need?’ the businessman asked. ‘What would I do with them?’ replied the fisherman. The businessman said, ‘You could earn more money, buy a bigger boat, catch even bigger fish and make more money. Soon you’d have a whole fleet of boats and be rich like me.’ The fisherman said, ‘Then what would I do?’ The businessman replied, ‘You could sit down and enjoy life.’ The fisherman said, ‘What do you think I’m doing now?’ Contentment comes from two things: great relationships and God-given purpose. The first great relationship you must have is with God. In the book of Job we read, ‘Acquaint yourself with [Him], and be at peace; thereby good will come to you.’ The second relationship you must have and treasure is with your family. When you reach the end of your life that’s the relationship that will matter most. When it comes to God-given purpose, you must identify your core strengths, know what God’s called you to do, then go to work. Humourist Sam Levenson said, ‘My folks are immigrants. They fell under the spell of the American legend that said the streets are paved with gold. But when Papa got here he found out three things: a) The streets are not paved with gold. b) Many streets are not paved at all. c) He was supposed to do the paving.’ What are you supposed to do? Do it, and you’ll find contentment.
© 2011: This devotional is produced by UCB, free of charge through the generosity of our supporters. As a gift to the body of Christ, permission is given to Churches and Christian organisations to copy up to a maximum of 52 daily excerpts per year. Excerpts must acknowledge The Word For Today as the source, give the UCB address and inform that free issues of the daily devotional are available for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

The Word For Today is written by Bob and Debby Gass, with Ruth Gass Halliday. http://www.ucb.co.uk/
Shirley Anne

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An invitation

Posted by Shirley Anne on September 23, 2011

Psalm 121

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My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.  [Psalm 139:1]

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.  [Psalm 139:2]

I am familiar with all your ways. [Psalm 139:3]

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. [Matthew 10:29-31]

For you were made in my image. [Genesis 1:27]

In me you live and move and have your being. [Acts 17:28]

For you are my offspring. [Acts 17:28]

I knew you even before you were conceived.  [Jeremiah 1:4-5]

I chose you when I planned creation.  [Ephesians 1:11-12]

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.  [Psalm 139:15-16]

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.  [Acts 17:26]

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. [Psalm 139:14]

I knit you together in your mother’s womb. [Psalm 139:13]

And brought you forth on the day you were born. [Psalm 71:6]

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. [John 8:41-44]

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. [1 John 4:16]

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. [1 John 3:1]

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.  [1 John 3:1]

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. [Matthew 7:11]

For I am the perfect father. [Matthew 5:48]

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. [James 1:17]

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. [Matthew 6:31-33]

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. [Jeremiah 29:11]

Because I love you with an everlasting love. [Jeremiah 31:3]

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. [Psalms 139:17-18]

And I rejoice over you with singing. [Zephaniah 3:17]

I will never stop doing good to you. [Jeremiah 32:40]

For you are my treasured possession. [Exodus 19:5]

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. [Jeremiah 32:41]

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. [Jeremiah 33:3]

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. [Deuteronomy 4:29]

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.  [Psalm 37:4]

For it is I who gave you those desires. [Philippians 2:13]

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.  [Ephesians 3:20]

For I am your greatest encourager. [Thessalonians 2:16-17]

Father’s Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2011 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

 

Shirley Anne

 

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No compromise

Posted by Shirley Anne on September 1, 2011

Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee)

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I am fed up reading what people say about God when they don’t even know Him. He is described by some as being ‘the great energy’, ‘the essence’, ‘the mighty force’ all kinds of names which all may true of His nature but God is spirit, He is not some remote being that we can only imagine in our thoughts, one that cannot be known on a personal level, He is the Almighty, the Creator and He can be known. He is the Father of all mankind, He is your Father if you believe in Him and put all your faith and trust in Him AND in the One He sent……Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, the Saviour. God wants us to know Him, He wants a relationship with each one of us and to prove He loves us He gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice, a payment for all of our sins. He offers the free gift of a life everlasting if we repent of our ways and accept His gift but like any gift that is presented to us it doesn’t become ours until we take it. We have to repent and accept Jesus’ sacrifice by accepting Him as our Saviour for salvation is through Christ Jesus. The Bible tells us that Jesus is THE ONLY WAY to God, there is no other way, no religion, no other faith or belief, half-truths, false doctrines, false gods, or any other thing that can be substituted for what God has done for us through His Son, Jesus. Call God by whatever name you wish but you must have this relationship with Him, through Jesus or else there is nothing to look forward to. Gods word tells us that those who believe in Jesus as their personal Saviour and have accepted Him will be resurrected to life eternal,

Revelation 5: 9-10 speaking of Jesus (The Lamb)

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Notice, they will reign on Earth. What happens after the thousand years on Earth isn’t told.

And here in Revelation 7

The Great Multitude in White Robes

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice:

Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”

13Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

14I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore,

“they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
16 ‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ”

These are those who have placed their hope and trust in Jesus now, in their mortal lives.

For those who are alive when the time of the end is here and still do not repent, God in His word says this..

Revelation 9

1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. 2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. 3 And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. 5 They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. 6During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.

7 The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. 8 Their hair was like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. 9 They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. 10 They had tails with stingers, like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. 11They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer).

12The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.

13 The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. 14 It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15 And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. 16The number of the mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand. I heard their number.

17 The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. 18 A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. 19The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

20 The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Notice especially the last few words…..

There can be no compromise, we cannot afford not to listen, we must not think that just because God loves us all he loves the things we do or the things we believe about Him. God IS a loving god but He is also a God who judges. He sets the rules and if we follow His way He is ready to forgive us our sinful ways. We cannot assume our lives and lifestyles are acceptable to God if they do not conform to His commandments and laws which are the source of righteous morality. May God bless us as we reach out in true repentance.

Shirley Anne

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Bert and Ernie!

Posted by Shirley Anne on August 14, 2011

Bert and Ernie: Let me tell you a secret / 200...

Image by See-ming Lee 李思明 SML via Flickr

I have been following a thread concerning the proposed ‘marriage’ of two Muppet characters from Sesame Street. The characters themselves are presented as two males who happen to be friends. Whether it is suggested that they live together I am not sure, Sesame Street isn’t exactly on my viewing list these days. The program is meant for pre-school aged children. It appears that some people want to promote the fact that these two characters are ‘gay’, that is homosexual to give the condition its proper name whilst at the same time promoting the idea that this is quite normal behaviour. They see this as an opportunity to teach children about the wrongs of homophobia but they are also trying to instill behavioural ideas in their little heads that are contrary to the teachings of Scripture. No-one it seems is interested in God these days. As a Christian, a believer in God, I have to say that it isn’t right in Gods eyes to practice homosexuality. I see arguments from both sides, the for and the against but many on both sides are missing the point. It isn’t about being homosexual that we should condemn people or shy away from them or hate them. We are called to love one another, whoever and whatever they may be. No, it isn’t the condition at all, it’s the practice, the execution of perverted thoughts that offend God and it is for this reason as Christians we should make a stand against such things. Love the person but hate the sin, help the person in love without condoning what they do. To turn a blind eye to what this depraved world gets up to is tantamount to condoning the evil and an offence to our Lord God. Let Bert and Ernie remain good friends and leave all this nonsense about marriage alone. It is a children’s program after all. I read yesterday that the series producers made a statement that Bert And Ernie were just friends and are symbols to show children that people can get along with other people even with their differences. They maintain that the two characters are not meant to be gay! Common sense prevails!

Shirley Anne

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I’m crying

Posted by Shirley Anne on August 9, 2011

New Testament, Old Testament

Image by thousandshipz via Flickr

I am sitting here crying. I have lots of reasons for crying, everyday things connected with relationships, respect, the sins of society, the attitudes of others, oh many things make me cry. This time though my tears are tears of joy. Have you ever cried because you were happy or because you were touched by some compassionate incident? Sometimes I even cry when listening to music! I was reading some articles in relation to Christianity and it’s stance against homosexuality, not those who engage in it but the condition itself. The Bible has strong views regarding homosexuality which can be found in both the New Testament and the Old Testament. Activists will be quick to point out that things found in the Old Testament do not necessarily apply today even if they find those writings to be untrue anyway. It is true that some of the laws as written in the Old Testament do not apply today because they were specific to the life and times of the day and were a matter of civil law. However the laws regarding sexual behaviour are a matter of moral law and do not change with the passage of time so those laws as written in the Old Testament and subsequently in the New Testament are very much still relevent today. It wasn’t this subject or anything about it that opened the floodgates in my eyes though, it was the reassurance I felt of Gods love and forgiveness when we repent. There is no difference between a Christian and anyone else for we are all sinners every one of us. A person can only claim to be a Christian when they repent of their sins and continually strive against the sin in their lives. Whilst I was reading more on this subject through reading about homosexuality and other things, I realised how much God loves me, loves us all. It’s the sin He hates, not the perpetrator. So if we don’t repent we condemn ourselves. I am crying because God loves me.

Shirley Anne

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