Go within

The Internet is demonstrating to us the power of feeling "linked in" to a power greater than ourselves. We may become frustrated, to the point of panic, when viruses or other malfunctions destroy this connection. Imagine that all creatures are "linked in" to the Creator by unconditional love, and that this bond is broken by the despair of our doubts and fears. Can we measure the compassion generated by unconditional love? Can we measure the despair generated by fear? We call one "good" (or God, in the primitive origin of our religions), the other "evil" (or the Devil, in our religions). They are neither. They are natural phenomena. Energy has a purpose, to keep us going. Viruses have a purpose, at times, to protect us from becoming hyper-inflated with energy, perhaps. If left alone, we might be better off for a time.

Is the Creator a "real" entity, apart from ourselves, or something within that guides us throughout our lives, when we are not overly burdened with the viruses of doubt and fear? Perhaps the Creator is both. We can prove the existence of unconditional love by the way it affects our relationships with others. Can we tap into it at any time, for answers to questions, for understanding, for advice on any subject? It's like the Internet in that regard. If we seek these things, we will find them by going within, for that is where our link with the Creator dwells. It is a birthright of every living thing at the cellular level, in our genetic inheritance. Fear is also our birthright, evidenced in the startle reflex of infants, to alert us to the unexpected, which might turn out to be dangerous to our survival.

All of this natural, part of the plan of Creation. Should we condemn fear, therefore, and try to eliminate it? or work to understand it? and employ it in ways that will benefit us, rather than suffer with it when it appears to be in overabundant supply? Fear, and the negative feelings engendered by fear, are not the enemy. Those who do "criminal acts" because of fear are motivated by a survival instinct that has been overstimulated, through training or parenting or circumstances beyond their control.

Is behavior modification, or the punishments of incarceration, enough to establish the compassion that unconditional love provides? Probably not, for there is no outward method of forcing someone to go within, where their answers lie, hidden in the genetic inheritance that we all receive, activated at the moment of birth. Proof of the God that we are told does not really exist, except in our imaginations? I challenge everyone who reads this to go within for five minutes, at the start of every day. You will receive information and guidance that will amaze you.

Written by NJAhrens@att.net
Source: 10keys...Blogpost

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Knowledge and Wisdom

The older I get the more I value knowledge and making wise decisions. The Bible speaks a great deal about the importance of knowledge as it relates to life and spirituality. Proverbs 2:6 , Colossians 2:2-3 , and Chronicles 1:10-12 tell us that all knowledge is from God and is important to the makeup of every Christian.

"Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." 2 Peter 1:5-7. By putting these things into practice we are able to better achieve our individual calling. "For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:8.

When we study the Bible we gain knowledge not just on our spiritual purpose in life but on everything else in this world that affects us and the people we care for. Knowledge to follow and the wisdom to lead are necessary to meet the challenges we face as Christians today.

Source: Bible on Knowledge , Wisdom of God.

Extra reading: Ask...Seek...knock

All things bright and beautiful

Simply amazing video sent to me by the folks over at fywssTV (Fong Yun Wah Secondary School TV), Church of Christ in China youtube. I really enjoyed the video.

Make use of the subtitles (CC button) if needed.

More from the makers of this particular video: CheungLoChurchtv.

Let me write the songs of a nation...

I stumbled upon this blog not too long ago, and by that I mean a minute ago: conversation.acwi-online.org. It looks very interesting, academic, and christian so I will read it when I have more time. Right now I'm off to work, but expect a review of the website sometime soon.

* Blog

* Let me write... post

Is God happy?

This post in particular was made by another blogger, John m. Pond to be exact. I am posting it because like many people I tend to view God as a overly stern and disciplined being. I'm happy to know the Bible shows another side.

Is God happy? Reflections from "God Is The Gospel" by John Piper

In 1 Timothy 1:11 Paul focuses on the gospel as "the glory of the blessed God." The word translated "blessed" in this phrase is the same greek word used in the beatitudes of Jesus in the book of Matthew 5:3-11. It's a crazy fact that only in 1 Timothy 1:11 does the word refer to God, out of the entire Bible. Paul is making a statement about God, as he usually does in his letters. Here in 1 Timothy Paul is making the statement that God is happy, makarios.

"We may learn the phrase "the glory of the happy God" that a great part of God's glory is His happiness. It was inconceivable to the apostle Paul that God could be denied infinte joy and still be all-glorious. To be infinitely glorious was to be infinitely happy. He used the phrase, "the glory of the happy God," because it is a glorious thing for God to be as happy as He is. God's glory consist much in the fact that He is happy beyond all our imagination."

Imagine that. God is happy! Most people in this world awake to the idea every day that God is out to get them. That if they do not live a life full of good works and good deeds then God is out to get them and punish them forever. God does have a side of righteous wrath but it is not eternal for those who trust in Christ as the savior of their lives. So at the end of the day God does not have a kingdom full of worry, sadness, or regret. God knows the end and the end is completely filled with the whole earth proclaiming God is the glorious God, who else is like Him?

J.P.

- Original post link
- Johnmpond.blogspot.com

Tyrone went to hell - 2011

Thugexposed.org

Carnal minded vs Spiritually minded

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:16-25

A Motivated Man

Amotivatedman.com - Nick Vujicic's website.

Life without limbs CBN.com (youtube link)- Interestingly enough this video exists. It is truly the ones in life with the least that give the sweetest and most honest praise. God is great. Truly.

Lift my eyes- David Crowder band

From their All I can say album.

On another note: My heart goes out to those who lost their lives in the earthquake and tsunami that hit japan this friday morning. Really wacko stuff. God help us.

Ravi Zacharias Appealing to Ivy League Students

RZIM.ORG

Thank you for hearing me - David Crowder Band

Endure temptation and do not waver.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

- James 1:1-18

Can Man live without God lecture - by Ravi Zacharias

From the 'Can Man live without God lecture' by Ravi Zacharias at the National University of Singapore.

The four questions every man/woman must answer in life according to RZ:
1. Origin- why am I here?
2. Meaning- what brings me meaning?
3. Morality- what's right and wrong?
4. Destiny- what happens to a human being when he/she dies?

RZIM.ORG

Grammy awards 2011- Switchfoot wins grammy, Lecrae.

Congrats to Lecrae for his grammy nomination for best rap/rock christian album. Congrats to the David Crowder Band for their nomination, and for Switchfoot for winning (both of course are two of my favorite bands). I don't really care much for the grammy awards, and never watched, but I was surprised by the reaction of some christians upon viewing Switchfoots acceptance speech and the crowds reaction to the christian segment of the award show.



Of course the grammy audience don't care for Christian music, in fact you would wonder why they even include a best christian category if not to raise ratings. Even their choice of winner shows their partialty- I felt like DCB was more deserving of the award, the album Church music is FANTASTIC, and far more spiritually potent than Hello Hurricane was. To all the christian artists out there keep making the beautiful and relevant music that is pleasing to God and I along with many brothers and sisters will continue to support. Pleasing God with your music is FAAAAR more important than pleasing a grammy committee, but with the maturity of faith these band members have I'm sure that goes without saying.

I AM SECOND: Brant Hansen

Check out other new vids over at Iamsecond.com

Lauryn Hill on life

Redemption prayer

Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God. When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

- Jonah 1:17-2:10

Merry Christmas everyone.

Rain down by David Crowder Band.

Lead me- Sanctus Real

I'd never seen the video. Good stuff.

Thou art the Christ- by The Voice

Luv it.