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[01 Nov 2009|11:12pm] |
My sister had a guy friend who she dated for a while. I dont know what happened exactly but now things have fallen apart and very badly indeed and i dont honestly know what to do or say. The thing is that this guy now insists on calling me and messaging me because my sister has cut off all contacts with him and even changed her number. His messages are vile and filthy and most of the time I dont read them but the few I read in the beginning spoke so badly about my family who I love so much.
i doont know what to do anymore. I can't study. I can't think.. Please pray for me. I really am very lost..
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| Hello |
[19 Oct 2009|01:50pm] |
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I am a new user to livejournal with the intent in remain mostly anonymous so I can share my heart. The main purpose is to get encouragement and constructive criticism in a way that will help me grow in my faith with Jesus Christ. I am apart of small groups and I have the women that are a huge support for me, but I want to be able to share with others too.
Anyone is welcome to friend me. I will accept all comments positive and negative. (Hopefully they will all be positive or constructive) And most importantly, I want to know a way I can pray for each of you.
God Bless
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| Jesus, Choice, Love, and Gay Marriage Rights |
[04 Oct 2009|06:12pm] |
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To be honest, I'm not so sure about the reaction I'll get posting this here. But I wanted to know what you guys honestly thought about this.
It's from my personal journal and cross-posted to ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) christianitysex.
From Philip Yancey's The Jesus I Never Knew. which is just amazing me right now:
The more I get to know Jesus, the more impressed I am with what Ivan Karamazov called 'the miracle of restraint.' The miracles Satan suggested, the signs and wonders the Pharisees demanded, the final proofs I yearn for-these would offer no serious obstacle to an omnipotent God. More amazing is his refusal to perform and overwhelm. God's terrible insistence on human freedon is so absolute that he granted us the power to live as though he did not exist, to spit in his face, to crucify him....
I believe God insists on such restraint because no pyrotechnic displays of omnipotence will achieve the response he desires. Although power can force obedience, only love can summon a response of love, which is the one thing God wants from us and the reson he created us.....
....As I survey the rest of Jesus' life, I see that the pattern of restraint established in the desert [during the Temptation] persisted throughout his life. I never sense Jesus twisting a person's arm. Rather, he stated the consequences of a choice, then threw the decision back to the other party. He answered a wealthy man's question with uncompromising words and then let him walk away. Mark pointedly adds this comment: 'Jesus looked at him and loved him.' Jesus had a realistic view of how the world would respond to him: 'Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.'
....In short, Jesus showed an incredible respect for human freedom."
I can't hear a sermon, read a Christian book, or listen to a Christian song these days without thinking somewhere in the back of my mind: "And where does all this tie in with what I'm sifting through? What does God REALLY think about homosexuality and all the issues tied in with it?"
And I still don't know.
But this passage in particular had me thinking about gay marriage rights.
Would God come down and MANDATE, make into LAW, something that would take away the choice and freedoms that all people should have? After reading that passage above, I'm thinking not. Maybe He disapproves of gay marriage. Or maybe He's shaking His head over the fact that we could still be so cruel as to not grant gay marriage rights. Like I said, I don't know, and I haven't gotten any clear resolution on the subject yet. But the issue here is CHOICE. If you're looking at it from a religious standpoint, a Christian standpoint, God has never taken away our ablity to CHOOSE what we do with our lives. He's honest with us. He shows us what will be good and what will be bad for us. But He never FORCES us.
So why would Christians, who are supposed to represent Him, decide to forcibly take someone's rights away? Isn't that displaying an attitude that's directly oppositional to God's character?
To be honest, this whole idea of God not forcing us to do things is kind of a new one to me. It shouldn't be, but it is. Yancey describes the church he grew up in as being one that very much forced issues, and I can most definitely relate. It's refreshing to be seeing things differently.
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| Dear Child.... |
[28 Sep 2009|01:51pm] |
As you got up this morning,
I watched you and hoped you would talk to Me,
even if it was just a few words,
asking My opinion or thanking Me for
something good that happened in your life yesterday -
but I noticed you were too busy
trying to find the right outfit to put on
and wear to work.
I waited again.
When you ran around the house getting ready
I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello,
but you were too busy.
At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes
with nothing to do except sit in a chair.
Then I saw you spring to your feet.
I thought you wanted to talk to Me
but you ran to the phone and called a friend
to get the latest gossip.
I watched as you went to work
and I waited patiently all day long.
With all your activities
I guess you were too busy
to say anything to Me.
I noticed that before lunch
you looked around,
maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to Me,
that is why you didn't bow your head.
You glanced three or four tables over
and you noticed some of your friends
talking to Me briefly before they ate, but you didn't.
That's okay. There is still more time left,
and I have hope that you will talk to Me...
yet you went home
and it seems as if you had
lots of things to do.
After a few of them were done you turned on the TV,
I don't know if you like TV or not,
just about anything goes there
and you spent a lot of time each day
in front of it,
not thinking about anything -
just enjoying the show.
I waited patiently again
as you watched the TV and ate your meal...
but again you didn't talk to Me.
Bedtime - I guess you felt too tired.
After you said goodnight to your family
you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time.
That's okay
because you may not realize
that I am always there for you.
I've got patience
more than you will ever know.
I even want to teach you
how to be patient with others as well.
I love you so much
that I wait everyday for a nod,
prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart.
It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.
Well you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing but love for you hoping that today you will give me some time.
Have a nice day!
Your friend,
GOD
It's a little theologically incorrect seeing as God knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts so He doesn't "guess" about our actions, He already knows. However, it's still a good lesson that we should be aware of His love throughout our day! :-) Have a great day, ladies!
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| Emergent Church Lingo |
[24 Sep 2009|12:46pm] |
What do you guys make of this:
"Well, that's why you aren't feeling close to God... you have too much head knowledge."
"Stop quoting Bible verses and tell me what YOU think."
"It's not a belief, it's an experience."
This is what people have been saying to me about my faith. I would like an opinion from you about how to reply to people who say things like this.
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| prayer requests... |
[21 Sep 2009|08:14pm] |
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Sorry I haven't posted here in a long time, I've just been busy with stuff, and since school's started, I have to write two pages a day, about (60 pages by midsemester, 125 by the end of the semester,) about anything, and it won't be read, so now that I HAVE to write stuff down to make the "quota" on paper, I LJ less. College is good- I added a political science major to the German, joined a new club, and actually think I might have friends this year. :) How are you all doing?
( the requests...sorry, selfish and long, I know... )
Otherwise, life is good. :)
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| Fasting |
[04 Sep 2009|08:06am] |
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I wanted to get your guys opinion on fasting. Have you ever fasted and what were your reasons. I'm thinking I'm fasting one day a week till my dad gets a full time job. He has been laid off since January. Please let me know your opinions.
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| stunned |
[11 Aug 2009|11:46pm] |
I am in a new city where I know noone. I met a guy who was my senior and he wooed me majorly. He messaged, he showed me around, he walked me to my hostel if it got late. I got diagnosed with malaria and he rushed to the hospital at midnight. On my birthday (which was the next day) he showed up with a large bouquet of carnations which I had once mentioned as my favourite in an offhand manner. At this I fell for him. A day later he messages me that he has feelings for another girl, also my senior, and they're probably going to start going around.
I am quite stunned. My question is why'd he do all that? He didnt even have any strange ulterior motive as we'd only held hands. It makes no sense and I hate to say it but I'm more saddened by this than I'll like to admit to him or my other friends.
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| Dating non-Christians |
[10 Aug 2009|10:00pm] |
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I am not dating anyone who isn't a Christian, but the possibility of a future relationship was there and I just explained tonight, that we couldn't take our relationship any farther than friendship because he wasn't a Christian.
He doesn't understand why it is an issue, and even though I tried to explain he still didn't understand. Has anyone been in this kind of a situation before? What did you say? Is there anything in scripture about dating non-Christians?
Any advice or comments are appreciated, I've been struggling and praying about this for a long time.
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| Epic Jesus hug |
[07 Aug 2009|12:35am] |
Had a thought I wanted to share. Here, John 20:15-18, where Jesus reveals Himself to Mary:
[15] "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
[16] Jesus said to her, "Mary."
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
[17] Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "
[18] Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Some of my own personal musings… When Mary cried out in recognition, it was not simply a happy reunion. This was the most epic ‘fangirl’ squeal of all-time!
Note how Jesus said “Do not hold on to me.” I think many of us have the impression that Jesus was subtly saying ‘I am in a holy and restored body, do not touch me.’ No, no. Keep in mind Mary’s excitement, she likely TACKLED Jesus with a hug, and the ‘missing’ portion between verses 16 and 17 was Jesus saying, “Mary…can’t…breathe…let…go…” Jesus told her to not ‘hold on’ because He had places to go and Mary needed to tell the other disciples. He could not stay with her. He was NOT trying to avoid her.
Just my thoughts as I imagine that scene in my head.
Arjayen
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| hi there! God bless ^^ |
[01 Aug 2009|01:10am] |
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Hello, can I ask you my fellow Christians a favor? My name is Chette and I am a Christian Blogger. God put in my heart to make a Page all about "Christian Bloggers" Do not worry it's just a List. If you have time and you're a Christian Blogger please visit and join http://christianblogs.clan.su
It's a Christian Blog List (all you gotta do is fill up the joining form and your blog will be listed in the page that's all.. its not community or a forum like this community. I hope and Pray you'll Join ^^
God bless!
Chette
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| God DOES care |
[29 Jul 2009|11:55pm] |
Read a poem by Russell Kelfer, and this part caused my breath to catch:
“No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into his likeness you'd grow.”
God cares that I suffer. Strife is not allowed into my life with no emotional attachment on God’s end. He does not send a situation as a ‘growing opportunity’ and think nothing of it. God HATES it when I experience pain. He really does want to take it away. But being stubborn and fallen, sometimes pain is the only way I will be motivated to learn and grow. If there were truly a BETTER way, God would be thrilled to use it.
Arjayen
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[08 Jul 2009|04:53pm] |
After going through 3 lay off periods at my old workplace, and finally being laid off there; and after 5 months of searching, I finally found a job I love at a place I’m so passionate about. We just had a meeting where people will be laid off at my current workplace. We will not know anything until Friday…. Two terribly long days of waiting. And I was the last person hired at my company as of late….
Selfishly to ask, but please keep me in your prayers. I just found a position at a place I love, and I couldn’t image loosing it. Please pray I do not get laid off.
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| Small group of one |
[17 May 2009|03:54am] |
So my pastor is teaching on a seldom addressed theme right now: small groups. This is a humorous yet thoughtful clip presented last week, and I wanted to share it.
x-posted
Arjayen
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| Searching for Songs |
[11 May 2009|08:56pm] |
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There are two songs by MercyMe that I've been looking for for several months and haven't been able to find... They are "Beautiful" and "If I Could Just Sit With You" I'm wondering if anyone knows where I might purchase the two CD's that these songs can be found on? Or, perhaps there's a compilation CD?? Any help any of you could give would be much appreciated!!
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| More musings... |
[06 Apr 2009|12:31am] |
Spiritual musings from the past month…
A thriving social life has often been elusive in my life. For so long, SO LONG, I have felt when God constructed my mind and heart, He did not install some key software. This is not some introverted excuse thing. Even other intros seem to make friends and keep them easier than I do. And can put themselves into someone else’s shoes. I wondered for a long time if something in my heart was broken and kept causing problems. Big reason I was/am heavily interested in studying psychology and personality studies. I felt like I had to make an ‘artificial’ replacement.
Then I read a discussion about Paul and the mystery over what his ‘thorn in the flesh’ was. And it hit me…HARD. What if God made me weak in this area ON PURPOSE??? All my attempts to fix and enhance my warmth to others kept failing and stalling… God is made perfect in our weakness. So what if God does have a plan for me to lead and teach, but the only way I can GET there with my lacking heart is with His help?? Think about it…in your own life, your own ongoing struggles, what if you are weak there INTENTIONALLY?? God DESIGNED you that way. God took me from disinterest in other people to now a co-leader among my rather large ‘small group’ of college peers. And it happened when I asked God to fix my attitude toward other people. And do with my social life what He wanted. He took a 10% heart and took it up to 110%. Like…like…like He said, “You have a lame leg…yet I still want you to run this race. RUN, and trust in Me that I can and WILL empower you to finish.”
Thought of an interesting theory regarding purity and strength. Jesus said to flee from temptation. But I have come across fellow brothers (and sisters), who want to look sin straight in the eye and say, “NO!” But that is trying to be strong, not pure. Can you have lasting victory by being strong?
Arjayen
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[02 Apr 2009|11:29am] |
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i was really encouraged by this at worship practice last night...
Third Day "God of Wonders"
Lord of all creation
of water earth & sky
the heavens are Your tabernacle
glory to the Lord on high
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
the universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven & earth...
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
when I stumble in the darkness
I will call Your name by night
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
the universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Hallelujah
to the Lord of heaven & earth...
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
precious Lord, reveal Your heart to me
Father hold me, hold me
the universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
How amazing is it that we can come to the God who holds the entire universe, and call Him Daddy, & ask Him to hold us, & He does?! I never noticed this until last night because every other time I've sung this song, it's been "Father holy, holy", which is also perfectly correct, but last night the bridge said "Father hold me" & when I was reading the lyrics I just stood so in awe of His amazing love for us :)
Anyway, I just wanted to share that with you all! Hope you're all doing well!
In His love,
Kylie
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[19 Mar 2009|10:02am] |
In an update to this post : http://community.livejournal.com/1truelove/1546911.html, I called her Wed of last week, and I should hear by this week or next if I got the position. She told me that she is extremly busy and is hiring for two other positions.... so fingers still crossed!
Also... I had a very sucessful first interview last Thursday with another foundation, and a second interview today at 4, this position is a great position with a lot of possibility for advancement, and is quite close to my ultimate career goals. If I had to chose between the two it would be this one hands down.
So if you wouldn't mind still praying and thinking good thoughts; I would really really appreciate it!!
Blessings!
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| Relationship With Jesus Christ |
[16 Mar 2009|02:18am] |
You’ve heard it said before, “Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus Christ.” What does it mean to be in a relationship with the Son of God? Does it mean that we communicate with Him as we would a buddy? In a way, yes, but in a way, no. Allow me to explain.
You can talk to Jesus as you would your best friend. “Hey Jesus, I know You’re omniscient so you know all my thoughts already but let me tell You about my day because You desire to hear from me and as the Psalms say, ‘How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!’ I have some requests for You, too, because You stated in the scriptures that if we have a need, we ought only to ask You.” Tell Him your shortcomings and failures but also thank Him for your triumphs and blessings. Ask Him to for the strength to help you to do better in following Him.
In an ordinary conversation, we speak, then listen for the response of the other person. It's the same with God! Once we've prepared our hearts to listen through prayer, we're more likely to hear the voice of God. We won’t always hear God’s voice clearly in a perceptible voice. Some have claimed to have heard it. Others may live their entire lives never hearing it. I think I maybe have heard God twice but once definitely. It’s not like a booming man’s voice or anything... it’s more like an idea or thought in explicit words that I know are not mine. I know they aren’t because it was a series of Bible verses going through my head with every question I asked God. A few of the words were not verbatim verses, but ideas taken from scripture.
Are you having trouble communicating with God? God speaks to us in a variety of ways. Here are just some: through our thoughts, conversations with others, circumstances, and dreams. But the MOST IMPORTANT vessel God uses to speak to us is THROUGH HIS WORD! Do you have a regular time set aside to spend with God and read the Bible? It is crucial to spend time reading it because that is the foremost way that God speak to us. The Bible is the God-breathed, written from His lips (1 Thessalonians 2:13; John 1:1, 2, 14). It is the written Truth of God (John 17:17; John 14:6). God reveals everything about Himself to us through the Bible. God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him. (2 Peter 1:3). The only way to please God is to know God and to grow in the grace and knowledge of Him (Colossians 1:9-10). The Bible will equip mankind for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Word of God is LIVING and ACTIVE and SUPERNATURAL. It is POWERFUL and sharper than any double-edged sword. “It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). The second more important way that God speaks to us is through His Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 17; John 16:13, 14). Do you want to hear God's voice? Then read the Bible. Find a good time to read it daily and stick to the plan. The Holy Spirit can only bring to our remembrance God’s Truth if we put the Truth in our mind to begin with!!!
Sometimes people get caught up on the word “relationship” and think that it means they should be hearing God’s voice audibly or feeling some sort of strong emotion.
Others begin to doubt their faith, believing that because they do not feel these intense longings for Christ as others seem to feel or because they aren’t hearing the voice of God speak to them, then they must not really be truly Christian.
I believe that you’re a child of God and on your way to heaven if you fear and respect God, know His Son Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, and have individually made a decision to accept Him as your LORD. Do you grasp that your sin separates you from God and that Jesus is God's only provision for that sin? The Bible says, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Having a relationship with God is not about a “feeling.” Half the time I don’t “feel saved” either. In fact, tonight Mathew and I were planning on spending the night at his apartment. (Don’t worry, we weren’t going to sin, just sleep!) But Mathew told my dad before we left that he’d bring me home tonight. After we pulled away he felt terribly guilty that he lied to my dad. About halfway to his apartment he turned around and brought me back home. I was very angry because I was looking forward to having a good night’s rest next to him. (I haven’t been sleeping well lately and he comforts me and relaxes me.) I definitely didn’t feel like a Christian tonight because just yesterday God convicted me through Sam Beil that I shouldn’t make Mathew an idol and spend so much time with him, especially doing things like sleeping next to him. Yet what was I going to do tonight? Just that. I was more angry at myself than at Mathew. I was angry that I wasn’t remorseful or regretful about the lie to my dad or that I had no desire to refrain from what I knew I shouldn’t do. I was angry that Mathew was doing the RIGHT thing by turning around to bring me home and that I was resisting his decision to do what was good. I certainly didn’t feel like a Christian at that moment. But I asked God to forgive me for being selfish and to help me be thankful that I am marrying a good man who desires to obey God.
We don’t always do the right thing. We are sinful creatures after all! But we are no longer slaves to sin, Sam reminded me last night! We are new creatures in Christ. We don’t always feel like we are saved because we don’t yield to the Father in all things. We also don’t always “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” But don’t doubt that you aren’t His child just because you don’t feel like His child. Your faith is not about a feeling. It’s a security of knowing that no matter what, Christ’s death was sufficient for your sins. He took them away once and for all and nothing you do can make God take away your salvation if you’ve accepted it by grace through trusting in Jesus Christ.
The more time you spend with God, the less you will stop doubting your faith. There is no shortcut around a lifelong discipline of regularly reading, studying, and reflecting on the words of the Bible. If you want to really be in tune with God and hear His voice, you must become a student of His Word. The Bible is the primary means of having an intimate relationship with Him. The Bible such a precious gift from God. I am thankful God gave me His promises, His guidance, and showed me His love through the stories about Himself and His people.
Many "new age Christians" (especially from the emerging church) will tell you that you don’t need the Bible to experience God. I beg to differ. Without the Bible, one would never KNOW WHO GOD IS, and knowing someone is the first step in having a relationship with him. The Bible is our lifeline. It is our key to unlocking communication with the Master of the Universe.
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| Which way to pray? |
[09 Mar 2009|06:41pm] |
Spiritual musings from the beginning of the year…
Life right now is NOT about bettering myself (though that is a natural outcome of the current goal). It is about drawing closer to God.
God has done so much for me, placing me in a family with strong spiritual values. And then, giving me a mind to comprehend deeper theology and faith. And recently, graduation from a highly academic
Christian college. As I shared with my friends, I felt God say “It is wonderful that you personally benefit from all that knowledge…but I never intended for you to keep it all to yourself!” So I am stepping out more in leadership, in sharing my thoughts, and not assuming my peers have grown in a similar spiritually information rich environment.
Something I am currently struggling with. Matthew 5:43-48 talks about how to act and to be perfect as God is perfect. The unspoken, key idea there is God is CONSISTENTLY perfect. But in 1 Corinthians 10:13 it says God will not send us more than we can handle. So if during my day I step out of the ordinary, out of my comfort zone, to REALLY help someone like Jesus would…it was just ONE person. Is that all I can truly handle? God thinks I can only help one person? How is the right way to pray about this? Two options:
A. God, open my eyes to opportunities that I keep missing to show Your love, or
B. God, fix my heart so you GIVE me more opportunities to serve you.
They sound the same, but are actually different. I jump back and forth between the two.
x-posted
Arjayen
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