Posts Tagged ‘Christianity’
Posted by Shirley Anne on June 1, 2012
There is a war going on in the ranks of human beings and especially those who are Christians. The greatest problems we face as Christians in trying to witness to the unbeliever are generated by ourselves………….
The offices of The Gazette newspaper on Saint Catherine Street, Montreal, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” Psalm 103:17-18 NIV1984
Christianity in Transition and Karma (an article written in The Montreal Gazette recently by a friend of mine…..I pray for her daily)
With more than 1,000 people protesting in a demonstration on Sunday against a North Carolina pastor who made anti-gay comments last week, some of his 100 or so congregants applauded him in church, according to a report on msnbc.com. Apparently, though, leaders of other churches are trying to distance themselves from him, feeling that his outrageous statements will hurt their more moderate anti-gay efforts.
Sigh . . . When will all these folks understand that not everybody believes their Bible is the inspired work of a god and that their interpretations of it are relevant or realistic? Really, where do these folks get off thinking that they can impose their superstitious belief system on everybody else? Of course they have a right to believe what they want, but they simply should not have a right to use their beliefs to spread hate and discrimination. It’s obvious to me that much of Western society is in transition (there’s that word again). Many people have moved on from the superstitious belief system expounded by people like the North Carolina pastor who preaches fire and brimstone if you don’t believe what he does. But some haven’t moved on. Still, fundamentalists are not united on these issues — some are far more liberal than others. Those with extreme views are becoming more and more isolated, which is probably why their extreme comments go viral sometimes. Which is not to say the essential message of Christianity is lost or irrelevant. The bottom line has always been to love thy neighbours, regardless of who they might be. It’s the bottom line in most spiritual schools of thought — and those religious institutions that lose sight of it ultimately lose followers. Which explains why only 100 people are showing up in that North Carolina church while more than 1,000 were protesting against the pastor outside the Justice Center . . . Sounds like karmic justice to me.
Jillian
The great lost chord of modern civilization is forgetfulness of the fact in nature of universal brotherhood, which means not merely a sentimental or political brotherhood; it means that we are all of one common cosmic or spiritual origin, and that what affects one affects all . . . – G. de Purucker (end of article)
Whilst in some respects I understand what Jillian is saying I feel she is missing the point somewhat. Many of us will have heard about the North Carolina pastor who voiced such an unloving sermon and as a result will now thinking his opinions are those of the true Christian Church. They are most emphatically not! In her article Jillian agrees that and indicates that the main anti-gay movement within the Church has been harmed by what this pastor has said and I agree with her on that point. However the Christian message has never been one of hate thy neighbour, whether gay or not. Many Christians think that just because Scripture shows us that homosexuality is a sinful way of life that it gives them the right to judge and condemn participants. It doesn’t! Neither is it appropriate to marginalize people for believing in other things or making a stand against their rights to behave as they wish. A true Christian does not do these things. A true Christian reaches out in love whilst being a faithful witness for Christ Jesus. This means pointing people to what God is saying and what God is commanding from us all. Decisions on lifestyle and belief always should rest with the individual. Being a witness does not mean pushing the faith down the throats of unbelievers but it is a duty and a commandment to explain and deliver the Gospel message to non-believers. From a Christians point of view it should be as an encouragement for sinners to repent, not something to turn them further away!
Jillian mentions (quite correctly) that not everyone believes that The Bible is the inspired Word of God but what she should have said is that non-believers in God think that way. Christians believe it is, or SHOULD do. I read Jillian’s posts quite frequently and I have found her to be very caustic sometimes when writing some of her articles. Firstly, in this article, she appears to accuse all Christians of being ‘fundamentalists’ as if being a fundamentalist was wrong. It isn’t wrong for Christians cannot turn away from the fundamental teachings encompassed in Scripture, they either have to believe it is God’s Word or not. Some conflicts do arise in interpretation sometimes but the tenet of content is unaffected. Remember, fundamentalism isn’t an invitation nor a free ticket to stir up hatred and discord with non-believers. Secondly, Jillian renders Scripture and belief in the Faith as all superstitious nonsense. This is a personal and direct attack on the Christian faith and ultimately God. Personal opinions should be kept out of good journalism. Present the facts and let the people choose one way or the other. This should be the case in presenting The Gospel too and it would be wiser for all those ‘fundamentalists’ to consider that fact.
Jillian redeemed herself in her concluding remarks though recognising that what has been voiced by an over-zealous pastor is not what the Christian message is all about nor is it the same opinion of all people of the faith or anyone with an inkling of common sense and humanity. Love thy neighbour even if he has six heads four arms and is green-skinned!
The war is not between human beings. It is a spiritual war being waged out of our sight and it is a war for souls, lost souls who need redemption.
“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.” Psalm 103: 17-18 (NIV 1984). I just wish Christians would remember to obey his precepts and do all things in love as He commands, maybe then the unbeliever will respond to the Gospel.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
4 bloggers like this post.
Posted in Christianity, God, Gods love, Gods love through Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, Lifestyle, Religion, Wisdom, Writing | Tagged: Bible, Christian, Christian Church, Christianity, God, Jesus, Love, North Carolina | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on May 16, 2012
Getup Get God (Photo credit: prettywar-stl)
Psalm 14:1-3
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
For the director of music. Of David.
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.
2 The Lord looks down from heaven
on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
3 All have turned aside,
they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
From United Christian Broadcasting (UCB) http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today
10 May 2012
Don’t Be a Fool (1)
The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God…’ Psalm 14:1
The atheistic fool. It’s said, ‘An atheist can’t find God for the same reason a thief can’t find a policeman.’ Sometimes pride is at the core of atheism. Without God, you become your own god, which means there’s no higher power than yourself! But the God of the Bible proves His existence in three ways: 1) Creation. Many people are in prison today who weren’t caught at the scene of the crime, and no one actually witnessed the crime. What proved they did it? Fingerprints! DNA! Creation carries God’s fingerprints and DNA. ‘Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name…’ (Isaiah 40:26 NLT). 2) Calvary. In creation you see God’s power, at the cross you see His love for you. In creation you see His hand, at the cross you see His heart. 3) Conscience. ‘Gentiles…even without having heard it…demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right’ (Romans 2:14-15 NLT). Conscience is like having a Bible in your soul; no one was born without one. Voltaire, the French atheist, said, ‘It took twelve fishermen to build Christianity. I will show the world how one Frenchman can destroy it.’ After Voltaire died, the home in which he had lived became Europe‘s most famous Bible distribution centre. Bottom line: Voltaire is dead; our God lives! Atheism is the greatest gamble of all. After all, what if there is a God and you stand before Him one day?
11 May 2012
Don’t Be a Fool (2)
‘…Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee…’ Luke 12:20
The ambitious fool. Jesus told the story of a successful farmer who said, ‘…I will pull down my barns, and build greater…’ (v. 18). Evidently he was a good businessman and planner. But then he said: ‘I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee…So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God’ (vv. 19-21). This man had a plan for time, but none for eternity. He thought about himself, but not God. He paid attention to his body, but not his soul. It’s said that the average body has enough phosphorus to make eight hundred thousand match heads, enough sugar to go into sixty cubes, enough salt to cover twenty spoons, and enough iron to make about ten dollars’ worth of nails. The rest is just dust and water. When you pamper, promote and protect the part of you that will only live seventy or eighty years and neglect the part of you that will live on in either heaven or hell, God says you’re a fool. This man told himself he had ‘many years,’ but God said, ‘This night thy soul shall be required of thee.’ Don’t you realise that an accident, a blocked artery, a stray bullet, a plane with engine failure or a drunk driver could take you out in an instant? Wise up! The question is not will you die, but when? And are you ready to stand before God?
12 May 2012
Don’t Be a Fool (3)
…Died Abner as a fool dieth. 2 Samuel 3:33
The absolute fool. Abner slew a man called Asahel, whose brother happened to be Joab, King David’s number one general. So Joab was out to take Abner’s life. The tragedy of this story is that Abner was within reach of Hebron, one of the six cities of refuge. But instead of running into that city and enjoying its protection, he allowed the enemy to catch him outside the gates and kill him. ‘They buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept…and said, ‘Died Abner as a fool dieth?’ (vv. 32-33). Abner was the absolute fool. Why? Because unlike the atheistic fool who did not believe in God, or the ambitious fool who had no time for God, he knew what to do-but didn’t do it. There were no rivers to cross, no mountains to climb, and no price to be paid. The gates of Hebron were open; all he had to do was go in and stay there. Imagine being given a gospel tract with these words on the cover: ‘What must I do to be lost?’ Then opening it and finding that page is-blank. You don’t have to do anything to be lost! But you must do something to be saved: ‘…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…’ (Acts 16:31). When Mary brought the newborn Christ to the temple, an old priest named Simeon held Him in his arms and said: ‘Now I’m ready to die, because I have seen the Saviour of the world…’ (Luke 2:25-32). In order to die right you must meet Christ, embrace Him, and acknowledge Him as your Lord and Saviour. Why don’t you do it today?
People today, as in days of old, refuse to turn to God. Their minds have become corrupt and they follow after falsehood and lies. They worship other gods, which are not gods at all and forget the creator who is God. Believing that all they need to do is be ‘good’ and that will be enough. Believing that their ways are best, rejecting what God actually says and expecting Him to ignore it. They will have no excuse, they will have no-one to intercede on their behalf because they reject the only one who can, Jesus! The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, get wise before it is too late.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Christianity, Evangelism, God, Jesus, Wisdom | Tagged: Atheism, Bible, Christianity, Evangelism, God, Jesus, Voltaire, Wisdom | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on May 7, 2012
free love (Photo credit: london_ally)
Many years ago we had what was called the summer of love when, supposedly, the younger generations subscribed to demonstrating love toward everyone they met and to ‘free love‘. ‘Free love’ however, was simply an excuse to engage in promiscuous sexual intercourse for many. The idea of love, love, love did not last and the movement eventually faded into insignificance. Most people would advocate the promotion of love but in real terms find it hard to demonstrate it in their own lives. Many religious leaders teach us to love each other and many philosophies encourage the same to the extent of attracting followers to such ideologies and religions. There is nothing wrong in that but the question I have is why don’t people place their faith and trust in the originator of love rather than some religion or philosophy that advocates it? People will believe anything else rather than have a belief in God. God commands us to love Him first and foremost and then to love our fellow-man but man wants to elevate himself and disregard God. Mankind makes the false assumption that we can achieve peace on earth and goodwill toward all men through our own efforts but in fact we fail at every turn. It is one thing having a belief in some philosophical ideology or to follow the teachings of ‘a good man’ whoever he may be but an entirely different thing to place your hope in God. God came amongst us in the flesh. Jesus Christ is our only real hope, no-one else comes anywhere near, no matter how ‘good’ they may be. Salvation is but through one name and that is Jesus Christ. Why? Because Jesus has paid the price for all of our sins and turning away from God. Which would you rather have, a nice human philosophy, a religion, an ideology, another human being to follow, faith in our own capabilities or some other thing or would you rather know your creator God and know the real love He has for you demonstrated in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? Why place your hope in anything else? When you die your spirit will be in the presence of God, nowhere else. You don’t reincarnate and occupy another body, you don’t magically jump to another level having earned the right whilst here on earth, no, you face the God who created you. Be prepared, accept His gift of everlasting life by accepting Jesus Christ as your saviour. Repent of all your superstitious beliefs and faith in anything or anyone else because your future in eternity depends upon it! Real free love is found in no other place.
Shirley Anne
PS If you like this then follow me to http://wwwminkyweaselsmusings.blogspot.co.uk/
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
3 bloggers like this post.
Posted in God, Jesus, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, Relationships, Religion | Tagged: Christ, Christianity, God, Jesus Christ, Philosophy, Salvation | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on May 3, 2012
The sunlight shining through these clouds in England is an example of sunbreak. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
For a few weeks now we have had dull skies and rain save for some days of bright sunshine and cloudless skies. Generally it has been typical April weather but on this last day of April, when I write this, it is warm and sunny, a precursor to brighter and warmer days ahead. Over the previous week I hadn’t been feeling too good as I explained in an earlier post but now I feel good and the sunshine certainly makes a huge difference. I like sunshine but I like it more when I am feeling down because it is therapeutic I feel. Even so, when it isn’t sunny, when it isn’t cosy and warm, I still have sunshine in my heart. Many years ago I didn’t feel this way but now I do. It isn’t a frame of mind though some would say it is but I have found throughout my life that maintaining a happy disposition was always a difficult thing to do, bad weather always made me feel lousy and miserable. People too had a similar effect upon me sometimes. My job, my family, my health would all have me feeling depressed at times as I am sure is the case for many people. I could put my new-found attitude to life down to personal thought training but I know that isn’t true, I simply wouldn’t last the course! There is a reason for my sense of well-being which isn’t dependent on any outside influences but is dependent on my live-in helper. Have I gone mad? No way. I am of sound mind as they say but it is something within me that gives me the feeling of sunshine in my heart. I laugh at misfortune, I laugh at bad weather and annoying people, nothing seems to get me upset these days as they once did. I put it all down to that live-in helper who is The Holy Spirit. As Christians we are told that The Holy Spirit will be with us once we put our faith and hope in Jesus but many Christians never really experience His presence at all and never thought it possible to receive. Being a Christian does not bring with it a troubled-free life, we still have to face the problems common to all people on this planet but being a Christian should help us to be able to handle them better. The presence of The Holy Spirit in our hearts puts us in the right frame of mind and life’s little problems simply cease to be problems at all. So I can safely say that the sun shines in my heart every day whether it is raining, blowing a gale or whatever. I feel better for it too.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
Posted in Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, Wisdom | Tagged: Christ, Christian, Christianity, God, HolySpirit, Jesus | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on April 15, 2012
Go to the Future (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Where is this world headed? The future of mankind is often the subject of debate with many different views on offer. Some place our future in the hands of science and technology and our own abilities as human beings, others may say it is all in the hands of God, some even think we might be overtaken by aliens and yet others have no real opinion regarding our future or how it will pan out. The secularist will say that our future is entirely in our own hands and in a way that is perfectly true, we do determine our own fate, we are free agents. However, with all the unrest that’s going on throughout the world it seems to me that we do not learn by our mistakes. The idealised ‘utopia’ many consider to be the goal we are aiming for can never be achieved by our own efforts, history shows that we constantly keep making the same mistakes. There is war of one kind or another in many diverse places and according to a report I read a few years ago there are around 34 skirmishes in the world at any one time. We talk about brotherly love and goodwill to all others but we never seem to achieve it. Mankind is inherently sinful, we just cannot help ourselves. We simply find it difficult to live in harmony. Disputes often arise based upon race, religion, ethical standards, lifestyles and a host of other things simply because we are so diverse in our outlook and we are often reluctant to accept our differences. Everyone wants to have their say, promote their views but not everyone wants to leave it there. If we are seen to be different from those around us it can lead to friction, rejection even hatred. There is a future for mankind but it may not be the one we expect. For believers in God and Jesus Christ there is a future that non-believers want to believe, favouring their own but that is to be expected. The Bible is a collection of books covering many things but around one-third of it is prophecy, things that have been foretold before they happened and things yet to come to pass. For instance many of the prophecies have already been fulfilled long after they were written down and based on this fact we can assume with confidence that the remainder of the prophecies will, one day, be fulfilled. Even so just knowing this won’t make a skeptic believe until it actually happens by which time it will be too late to do anything about it. It’s like we have the knowledge that there is a bomb somewhere that is going to explode one day but we turn a blind eye to it and hope everything will be alright. The bomb could explode tomorrow, next year, twenty years into the future but for those who doubt or put the information to one side it will come as a great surprise when it does. To the open-minded amongst us it would be useful to know exactly what these as yet unfulfilled prophecies are so preparations can be made. The link below will reveal that information.
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/endtime.htm
Shirley Anne
- Jesus, can we believe in Him? (inhisservicetilhecomes.com)
- Why study prophecy? (wordsofgrace.wordpress.com)
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Prophecy | Tagged: Bible, Christianity, God, Human, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Prophecy, Religion and Spirituality | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on April 3, 2012
The title page to the 1611 first edition of the Authorized Version Bible. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
When I am asked about the reasons I believe in God I am also asked what proof do I have that He exists. A reasonable question but it wasn’t the one I asked myself when I converted from atheism. Basically I was searching for God, even though at the time I didn’t believe He existed. God says in Scripture (Jeremiah 29:13) ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart’. I was seeking Him with all my heart and the more I sought Him the more He revealed himself to me. At that time, had I been asked the same question what proof do I have, I would most probably have not been able to give a definitive answer although that isn’t really an excuse for it also says in Scripture
19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
The unbelievers heart is darkened to the truth, even many eminent scientists supporting evolution over creation. Not all scientists believe we came about by chance, in fact the more they learn about the nature of life the more they become convinced in the involvement of an intelligent creator. I have been reading several articles from different sources which debate this very issue, if we can call it an issue but for some it is just that. It is more than that though, it is the difference between knowing God and understanding His creation or following after an ideology that claims we are irrelevant and only exist through pure chance. One such article is here (but there are many more), http://www.ucg.org/science/do-science-and-bible-conflict/ where the evidence is presented for each case. For me, I don’t have a problem. I do not have to prove that God exists, He has done that Himself but it takes the veil to be lifted from the unbeliever’s eye for them to see it too. The proof is there if you want to see it. When asked these days what proof do I have I turn the question around and ask what proof is there for there not being a god. Most people cannot give a convincing answer, mostly because they understand very little about the nature of things. On the same web site is another article which challenges us to prove that evolution is false without having to refer to The Bible http://www.ucg.org/science/prove-evolution-false-even-without-bible-0/ . If we don’t have evolution it is hard to claim that we came about by chance.
Shirley Anne
- Bear with an Atheist (freedomborn.wordpress.com)
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Creation, Evolution, God, Secularism | Tagged: Authorized King James Version, Bible, Christianity, Creation, Evolution, Existence of God, God, Jeremiah, Mathematical proof, Religion and Spirituality | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on March 25, 2012
Fred Neher's Life's Like That (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As I sit here writing this on Thursday afternoon the sun is streaming in through the windows and it is pleasantly warm outside on this second day of the new season. I have nothing to do so I am fixed on enjoying the moment. Still we have had little rain and I hope this won’t continue much longer. It’s not that I prefer rain to sunshine but we simply need the rain to water the land and fill the lakes and reservoirs. The coming month has been traditionally linked to an abundance of the wet stuff and maybe this year this will be the norm. Many things in life make me feel good and make life bearable but as ever I am never content with just physical comforts and delights, I need to be spiritually content too. Life itself, that is the living of it, is different and yet in many ways the same for each of us, we all need food, shelter, relationship, companionship, friendship, something to do and everything that is necessary in making life in today’s societies possible. Many are content with these things, some want more and more and are never satisfied, others are happy with just the minimum. Everything it seems centres on the practical side of life and many forget they need a spiritual side too or they don’t consider that to be true. We are all spirit, all enclosed in our mobile homes but many don’t think on such things, their thoughts firmly stuck in the everyday hustle and bustle of life. It is when we can find time to relax and actually have nothing to do that our thoughts can be free to dwell on things, make sense of what is going on around us. Too many of us use this time just to make plans for the ongoing lifestyles we lead but when I have the time, and that is quite often these days, I think about my faith, I think about my creator, about salvation, about how inadequate and undeserving I am in the eyes of Him who made me. Then I realise how fortunate I am in the knowledge of a love that goes far beyond my thinking, far beyond my deserving, a love that deals with and forgets my mistakes, a love that paid the price for me so that I could be free from my chains, this is the love I dwell in. This love is all I need, it enables me to face life with all its problems and remain happy and content no matter what is going on around me. I don’t really care if it rains or shines for I have something of more value, something I cannot get from just living this life as if everything in it was satisfying. I could have all the riches in the world and remain empty inside but I would rather be filled with a contentment that is not sourced in the physical realm. The love my God has for me is more than enough for me to be content. His sacrifice through Jesus Christ is sufficient. Life is certainly good when Jesus is in your heart.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
3 bloggers like this post.
Posted in God, Happiness, Jesus, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit | Tagged: Christianity, God, Happiness, Jesus, Life | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 24, 2012
Your love is all I need
To last my whole life through
For it to me is everything
And in my heart such joy it brings
That all I need is you.
Your love I treasure most
In each and every way
For it brings me such happiness
Like nothing else I must confess
And gets me through the day.
Your love is over all
Against it nought can stand
For it’s more mighty than the sword
And I ask you my dear sweet Lord
To spread it o’er this land.
Your love will conquer all
It is the purest kind
No other love compares to it
For your love is the ultimate
And there for all mankind.
Your love is who you are
The greatness that is you
There is nobody else beside
There is no place that we can hide
From such a love as You.
Copyright Shirley Anne 26 Feb 2004
Each morning I awake I get down on my knees and speak with my love. He is everything I need. He cares for me like no-one else does. Nothing I do surprises Him and He is very patient with me. When I make mistakes He is ready to forgive me. When I present Him with gifts of love He returns it in greater measure. Nothing is impossible for Him. Others let me down but He remains faithful and loving. Who else can compare to Him? No-one. He is the ‘I am’, He is and was and shall be forever the same. He is Almighty God. He is my Father and I am His child. He comforts me in times of sorrow and gladdens my heart in times of joy. Without Him I am nothing. His love for me goes beyond all measure. He gave to me His only Son as an atonement for my sins, the sins which kept us apart. He gave me Jesus. He is wonderful, He is kind, He is forgiving, He is approachable and He waits for those who don’t yet know Him. He never rejects those who earnestly seek Him. Gracious and wonderful God He is. He is my own true God.
Amen.
Shirley Anne
- Love Like Christ… (sunshinelittleone.wordpress.com)
- 2 Corinthians 1:20 (davidthefourth.wordpress.com)
- How wonderful is my God (minkyweasel.com)
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
Posted in God, Jesus | Tagged: Amen, Christ, Christianity, God, Jesus | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on February 19, 2012
Image via Wikipedia
I make no excuses for declaring that I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus the Son of God and sometimes in this blog you will see reference to this in the form of a post of some description. I use this platform occasionally to act as a witness for God but I do have another blog dedicated solely for this purpose. As Christians we are commanded, not asked, to spread the Good News, the Word of God, the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, which means you dear reader. It isn’t meant to be an exercise for hammering home or trying to force anyone into belief for we as Christians do not have that authority. Only God can transform people and only the Holy Spirit can bring people under conviction. What is needed for any recipient is an open heart. All we can do is present the facts. It is true that there are many religions in the world, many belief systems, many ideologies, some almost as old as mankind, some modern. Only Christianity proclaims salvation through a Saviour and He, the Son of God, Jesus. The Bible teaches that there is no other name by which we can be saved (salvation) and that name is Jesus. This means that there is no way to be at one with God unless it is through Jesus but still many will not accept that, those who believe in God that is. Many simply don’t believe in God but prefer either what their own hearts tell them or place their belief elsewhere. I came across this very interesting site some time ago but it is only recently that I began to explore what it had to say about the various belief systems around today. This is the address http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/ (There is also a link on the right under ‘Religion’). On the front page you will see a short list which describes various themes. At the bottom of that list there is a link to ‘New Age‘. On the New Age page you will see in the column on the right a sub heading called ‘What do you believe’? At the bottom of that list there is another link to ‘Additional content to explore’. Here is a comprehensive list of belief systems held in today’s world. The short link directly to this list is here… http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/what-do-you-believe-aasp-8669.htm See if your belief system is present and see what is said about it. Compare what is said to what the Bible says. Perhaps it will get you thinking about changing or perhaps it won’t. That’s up to you.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
2 bloggers like this post.
Posted in God, Jesus, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, Religion | Tagged: Christian, Christianity, God, Good News, HolySpirit, Jesus Christ, Son of God | 2 Comments »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 28, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
Many, if not all of my readers will know by now that I am a Christian. Many will think I am daft and beyond saving but that is because they think I should have the same beliefs as they do. In regard to everyday life in fact I do have all the same beliefs as they do but not in spiritual things. I was watching the news the other day and all those people who couldn’t wait to get to the annual sales, each looking for a bargain, This show me where their priorities lie. They are captivated by the material world, their idols are their possessions. It would have been better to them to spend their money and pay the normal price. In that way they would have been helping the economy but people are selfish and don’t consider what they do is selfish. They do not consider spiritual things either. The Bible has much to say on such things, Jesus said, ‘What shall it profit a man if he gains the world and loses his soul?’ (paraphrased). Once I went along with the flow, once I was an atheist but now I am a Christian. Now that is a transformation! If anyone knew me as an atheist they would most certainly not be able to understand my transition to Christianity. Everything I once stood for just flew out of the window and something new and revealing flew inward to my heart. Some would call that unbelievable but I know different, I call it amazing grace. My transformation was really something that had to be seen to be believed. Once, totally against religion, totally against the idea of there being a God, totally against everything, against people, against everything and yet at the flick of a switch, the toss of a coin, in a complete turnaround, I became a new person, a believer and one who puts her whole faith and trust in her maker, the one and only God, creator of all things, Yahweh. From that memorable day I have tried my utmost to be a faithful witness to God and the salvation He offers free of charge. How amazing is that? That He should give me a way out of my separation from Him is remarkable. None of us deserve such love but nevertheless it is there for all who would open their hearts to that fact. It is hard to change one’s beliefs and way of thinking and to be fair it does require a touch from God for anything to happen but for that to happen requires an openness to the fact that He exists and a willingness to invite Him in. God does not act unless invited for a special reason, He requires his creation to worship Him because they want to, not because they have to. So He leaves us with the choice. There are so many things to know, so many things that will be revealed, so many things to understand that will only be known by those who are willing to turn to Him. Once I was lost but now I am saved, once I knew nothing but now I know true love and have been given an understanding of God’s creation, His love and His purpose for all that He has made, which includes you my reader. I can do nothing to persuade you of this gem of truth. Of myself I am nothing but in God’s spirit I am everything for it is through God’s spirit that I reach out to you in the hope that you will consider His love. God sent His only begotten son as a sacrifice for your sins. Believe in Him and in the one He sent, Jesus, and you shall be saved. My hope for this coming year is that you will turn to God and see a better future, one far better than that you have now if you do not believe in Him. May the Lord guide you and teach you what you need to know. Let this year be a turning point in your life and see the difference it will make. Turn away from idolatry and turn to the One who can change your life for the better.
What is the purpose of your life? Why are you here? Click on this link for a video message http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yZstH3iQ0Q
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Christianity, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, Religion | Tagged: Amazing Grace, Belief, Christian, Christianity, God, Jesus, Lord, Yahweh | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 26, 2011
Just to remind my brothers and sisters in Christ. Did you enjoy your holiday? Did you celebrate the birth of Jesus? Did you honour God by doing so? Think again. Please read again the post I placed here on 23rd December and ask yourselves whether you are truly following God’s instructions or are you simply following the traditions of men? Each time I read the article I pray that my fellow Christians would repent and come out of the ways of the world. I include myself in those prayers. In Jesus’ name
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
3 bloggers like this post.
Posted in Christianity, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit | Tagged: Christ, Christianity, Christmas, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Nativity of Jesus, Religion and Spirituality | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 20, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
This is the final working week before the holiday that is celebrated as Christmas. I say celebrated but in fact not everyone celebrates the day in accordance with its sentiments. When I was younger it was always the run-up to Christmas that was exciting, less so the day itself which always seemed to be a little of an anti-climax. Yes, the food, the presents, the giving and receiving, the family and friends were all good things to enjoy although the expectation had all but disappeared. I never was sure what that expectation was until much later in life. In those days I wasn’t a Christian and, like everyone who isn’t a Christian, my heart was set on other worldly things and having a good time. The message of Christmas never entered my thoughts. Christmas itself is a celebration that has hijacked a much older celebration or celebrations that were in existence long before. The early Church did not celebrate the birth of Christ for good reason, it wasn’t part of Scripture and therefore wasn’t a command of or from God. It was many years later that the early Catholic Church introduced the idea of celebrating Christ’s birth but to encourage people to join in the worship and subsequently become believers they introduced many of the artifacts and traditions of the pagan and mystic religions that people were drawn to at that time. So all the things which are now part of the modern celebration of Christmas have their roots in these non-Christian belief systems and really have no place in Christianity. Over the centuries these customs have become tradition and have become accepted as a right way to celebrate Christ’s birth. The early Church was warned to steer clear of the practices of ‘foreign’ religions by God Himself, not only in His word, The Bible (then the Old Testament) but also by His prophets. The New Testament follows in that same vein. The Church became corrupt when together with the celebrations instigated by the Catholic church, the ’festival of Christmas was declared to be celebrated as a normal practice by Emperor Constantine. Those who declared themselves to be Christians followed the practice through ignorance, mostly because the general population couldn’t read or write and relied upon the Church for instruction. It was only much later when people became more educated and were given the opportunity to read The Bible for themselves did they learn the true message it contains. However, old traditions were so ingrained that they remained and the celebration of Christmas went on unabated until today where it has taken on a whole new meaning, especially for the unbeliever. Notwithstanding, Christmas is not Scriptural and in fact goes against God’s will as a means to praise and worship Him for it is through Jesus Christ that we worship God. I look on in despair at the goings on in the Christian (so-called) world where believers still choose to ignore God in this instruction and think there is little harm in doing so. People may not think what they do is wrong and may even believe that it is perfectly alright to choose how they worship God but God says otherwise. Look at the mess that is the Christmas celebration. It has become hijacked itself being reclaimed as a pagan festival but is also now a totally commercial event coupled with old and new traditional values that have no root in God’s word or His will. What an obstinate and disobedient people we are. No, I do not like the run-up to Christmas as I once did and for reasons I once knew little about.
Shirley Anne
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
Posted in Celebration, Christianity, God, Jesus, Religion, Tradition, Wisdom | Tagged: Bible, Catholic Church, Christ, Christian, Christianity, Christmas, God, Jesus, Nativity of Jesus | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on December 8, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
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
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Celebration, Christianity, God, Jesus, Religion, Tradition | Tagged: Bible, Celebration, Christ, Christian, Christianity, Christmas, God, Jesus, Religion | Leave a Comment »
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?
Shirley Anne
- Screw the holidays! (blogsbyaloser.wordpress.com)
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
One blogger likes this post.
Posted in Advertising, Celebration, God, Jesus, Life, Lifestyle, Religion | Tagged: Calendar, Christianity, Christmas, Decorations and Props, Holiday, Literature, Opinions, Religion and Spirituality | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Shirley Anne on November 14, 2011
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
0.000000
0.000000
Like this:
Be the first to like this post.
Posted in Death and mortality, God, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit, Life, Religion | Tagged: Christianity, Death and mortality, Disc jockey, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jimmy Savile, Leeds, Leeds General Infirmary, Life, Religion and Spirituality | Leave a Comment »
