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Reading Heart

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Everything posted by Reading Heart

  1. Reading Heart
    While I appreciate the statement, I have to say wisdom and eloquence come from the Father above, as does every good thing. I seek only to be a vessel of honor in his service, nothing more. Unity in the body of Christ is found at the foot of the cross, when we all turn there, we find our brothers and sisters with us, I've been in many different churches, with many different denominations, and found more similarities then differences, and I believe that the Holy Spirit can bring us together in love and unity once again. That said, the wheat and the tares are fully present in the church today, it will take the work of God to separate them now, for now, we must seek Him and His wisdom. In the light of eternity only love will last, if your speaking biblical truth in love, hold to it, but there is no need to beat people in the face with it, but generally this isn't what I've seen with many people on this matter, more often then not I see prideful or angry accusations from people, and then beating a dead horse. So much of this has happened that often times folks who are within that community see everything as accusation, and react accordingly, which is were you get the angry reactions from. Perhaps, we should take the example of the first major intercession within the bible, Abraham, who interceded for Sodom and Gomorrah. I bring them up because people often link that with the matter of homosexuality, although if you really read the story, the real problem in those two cities was roving rape gangs, a much worse issue and one I doubt anyone would disagree was something that should have been taken care of. Instead of accusing people, maybe loving them and praying for them might be the better course of action?
  2. Reading Heart
    Actually, the only folks Jesus treated really harshly were the religious zealots of his day, who were often hypocritical and critical of others. And the money changers in the temple, when he drove them from the temple. For context, the jewish religious leadership of the time had said that no foreign money was acceptable in the temple, and so forced people who came to the temple to exchange money at an unfavorable rate, so that they could make more money out of the exchange. For the first, he told them in Matthew 9:13, and he was quoting Hosea 6:6 when he spoke the words: But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." For the second Jesus drove the money changers from the temple, he was quoting Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers.'" Actually, if you study much of what the Lord said, he would often quote or teach scripture in ways that people didn't understand it before, which is why he amazed the people at the time. 'For he spoke as one having authority' Now, regarding the matter of lust and other sins.. there are depths to one's life within Christ, at these depths, what seems to be a problem at one will become less one as you seek to draw nearer to God, trust Him, for He always knows what he is doing, and He's always willing to cleanse sin from your life, if your willing to listen to his voice, and align your will and heart with his..
  3. Reading Heart
    Your focusing on the negative, rather then the positive, while I admit that is easy to do, but things can always change, both for the better and for the worse. Much of the problem here is due to a lack of love, mainly for each other and for the future generations, people are more concerned for their own situation then that of others. But here's something I can say to this, you may not think so, but even one person can make a difference. Consider Gandhi, who changed the direction of a country, or Martin Luther King Jr who turned the direction of civil rights in the USA, or Martin Luther whose work began the protestant reformation in the 1500's. I can also name such folks as Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, George Washington, Louis Pasteur, Sigmund Freud, William Wilberforce, Aristotle, and the one I consider greatest, Jesus Christ. Regardless of what you think about these men, they changed the way the world viewed things, in scientific, religious, political, or social ways, and they did it because they believed it was an important matter, something that they cared about, in some ways, were willing to extreme lengths for. Embrace the same commitment, be willing to go to the same lengths, and you can change things too, even if you don't think so right now.
  4. Reading Heart

    Focusing on the New Year

  5. Reading Heart
    Regarding homosexuality, what it is, by biblical teaching, is sin, you may not like it, but if your going to be honest about it, that is what the scripture teaches. However, God says the same thing about lying [proverbs 12:22], about unbelief[Hebrews 3:12], about swearing[Ephesians 4:29], and a number of others, I'm sure at least one of everyone is guilty of somewhere, why we single out homosexuality is mainly because our culture has singled it out. Moving on however, everything that is contrary to the will of God is sin, and all of us are guilty, and what God is saying regarding sin is like a doctor saying your sick and dying, which from the view of God is exactly the problem, he is Life and in sin is death, and he would have us embrace his Life. His answer is in the Cross, which we come back to every time, don't forget that everyone (except Jesus) started from the point of having fallen short of the glory of God, and in God there is life . Furthermore, expecting the same level of morality in those who do not believe in Jesus is a mistake, love them and pray for them, and tell them of Jesus, but until they have chosen him, don't try and make them conform to a standard that isn't in them. And really, letting the Spirit doing the directing at that point is far more effective then anything you can do. On a further note, this likely isn't the place to continue the discussion of this matter, though your welcome to continue it with me in a PM if you like. As to the other, there are certain principles within MLP that are true to christian principles, but that happens when you focus on virtues such as kindness, generosity, loyalty, honesty, laughter and friendship. These things are things that God calls his people to be, so you can certainly find a lot of interesting parallels in the show with regards to christian ideals.
  6. Reading Heart
    Actually, as strange as it might seem, I agree with Narishia98 and Steel Accord. Though I see it as something more, there are certain nuances to this passage.. first off, they were in disobedience to God's command to spread to the whole earth.. secondly, there are some indications that this may have been a tower to worship the heavens, turning from worship of the true God to worship of the stellar objects, such as the sun, moon and stairs... furthermore, there is also some hints (not sure ones) that the builders of the tower were practicing slavery.. Three things that would certainly displease God, that his image bearers would turn against his directions, his worship and turn to oppressing one another. His words regarding the matter, I take more be more of the level of "They will turn to doing whatever they want rather then what they should." In other words, deciding good and evil for themselves, once again, rather then depending upon God's judgement of such. On an interesting side note, I find it interesting here that it's another point of language similar to Genesis 1:26.. as in God speaking to himself, something I see as a sign of the trinity in action.
  7. Reading Heart
    Ah now, where do you think the Spirit lead me to gain the idea from, hmm? Job is an excellent book. As to devotion, I wrote a poem by that name, posted it here back a few pages.
  8. Reading Heart
    Although I tend to approve of the practice of confession to an actual person, since it increases responsibility, and some sins should be confessed to an individual, as exposing them to the light of truth is the only way of dealing with them, my understanding of scripture leads me to believe confession is mainly between us and God. As the true essence of sin is this: doing what we want rather then what God wants. You can really cut all sin down to that, though there are quite a few details about that.. but, with the exception of the Holy Spirit, everything around us and within us rebels against the degree of surrender God calls us too in the Christian faith. For myself, I have reached the point of seeking to meditate on the Cross daily, and come before God in an attitude of seeking his mercy and grace every day, after all, perhaps I've fallen into some sin without realizing it. As I've grown in the Lord, I've been shown by Him that this has happened before, as complaining and gossip (though I try hard to avoid them) are sins that are very easy to fall into if I'm not paying attention to my words, especially at work, were folks always find something to complain about. By the catholic view I believe these sorts of things are called venial sins,such things get in the way of a vibrant relationship with God and I'm unwilling to allow anything to get between the Beloved and myself, so I've come to the point of seeking Him and ask for his mercy and grace regarding even forgotten or unrealized sins regularly. Now, all of that said, if your seeking the more specific answer, I believe that the Catholic church teaches that one is only required to go to confession yearly during the Easter season, but I've known some suggest that weekly is a good practice. Ultimately, however, God seeks to build relationship with us, the Hound of Heaven seeks us out, calls us and draws us too Him, conviction is His path, calling us to repentance, so as to remove the barriers between us and Him.
  9. Reading Heart
    Happy New Year, and an early Happy Birthday to Narishia98. Best wishes and blessings to everyone
  10. Reading Heart

    Happy New Year everyone

  11. Reading Heart

    And a New Year on it's way

  12. Reading Heart

    Merry Christmas everyone

  13. Reading Heart
    Thank you for the best wishes for Christmas, I return them too you and wish the best for everyone else here also. On a different note, I like the song, but not the video, it's a lot more violent then I prefer, plus I've seen to much of the particular anime, it's fun, but it's another bad interpretation of christian history, theology and thought. Of course, if we're sharing music, here's one that I like for the Christmas season. It also reminds me of the words from the Last Battle by C.S Lewis.. "Come further in and further up"
  14. Reading Heart
    I love these, cute and adorable, as well as nurturing and compassionate, makes me think that, as portrayed in the show, she would make a wonderful mother, though she's still a bit young for that, while I agree with some of the others that Applejack might possibly be the best potential mother of the main six, I think Twilight would be just as nurturing, in a different way.
  15. Reading Heart
    Thank you Diamond, and on that note, let's turn our attention to the joys of Christmas season.. Merry Christmas to everyone one, may your Christmas season be a blessed one..
  16. Reading Heart
    And that God can directly intervene at any time in our lives, sometimes that's what is necessary to change someone's life direction. Consider what a hard time Paul must have had trying to get the church of the time to trust him, and from his writings, we also know he had a good deal of trouble with his own conscience regarding his treatment of believers before his conversion.
  17. Reading Heart
    If your going to indicate sci-fi twilight, considering the season, I have to post a link to this short by hasbro, I rather liked it, have to say it's as much sunset's as it is twilight's though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCMg_iyI2Xw&index=1&list=PLNXV9Mb7egjHnPs8HxD56ec6qea0A-b7e&ab_channel=HasbroStudiosShorts
  18. Reading Heart
    Sunset, Twilight, Starlight, at this point we only need someone to represent entirely the night.. oh right, we have Luna and Moondance. Oh, well, I like all of them just fine, and I love redemption stories.. so here's to one to Starlight, who went from adversary to student and friend by the end of the season.. not as quick of a redemption as sunset or luna, but one that was just as much fun.. for me at least.
  19. Reading Heart
    Hmm, now Sunset looks pretty good in Rainbow Power mode, it suits her coloring, unlike the mane six in rainbow power mode. I could get being her being the element of courage, assuming we get more elements then those of the main six. (which I doubt would happen)
  20. Reading Heart
    Actually, that's not entirely true, there are Protestant's groups who hold that taking part in communion also involves confession of sins, and I've know teachers within the Protestant churches to tell people to be careful about taking communion without reverence and proper preparation, including confession... but there is a critical problem you will find regardless of where you go.. that of imperfect people following a perfect God.. to quote someone else.. There's an old joke that says if you're looking for the perfect church and you find it, don't join it -or else you'll ruin it! The point of the joke is easy to see. A perfect church simply doesn't exist. Every church consists of people, and it's all those people that cause the problems.
  21. Reading Heart
    Ah, well, I was trying to avoid getting into the discussion here, but it comes down to this, when tradition and ritual becomes more important then relationship and love, with regards to our relationship with God, then it forms a problem. Inter-doctrinal disputes are not really something that are worth too much of our time. Division, anger and accusations are the devil's game, let's try and avoid playing that particular game, it's one that no one wins. Instead, let's embrace mercy and assume the best of one another, after all, the Lord commands us to 'love one another', it's not an easy thing, but it is a worthwhile thing. There are followers of Jesus in every denomination, and there are those who are sadly 'only going though the motions' in all of them. This is part of the parable of the wheat and the tares. Following Jesus will bring you face to face with joy and sorrow, it's an amazing wonder that is both incredibly simple in implementation, and amazingly hard to reach that point. The key is to keep your eyes on Jesus, and your focus upon the cross, and reliance on the holy Spirit.. it's not a one time thing, it's a daily, sometimes even hourly return to thing. Hmm, I wrote this in the last week, perhaps it will help redirect us to something more then disagreements about specific denominational differences. Devotion Lord, I give you my heart My own self to deny My soul, for you set apart Upon your Spirit, I rely And trust your life to impart On your altar, my self I place Transform me, in your Spirit's fire Your word, my foundations base You, my only treasure and desire By faith, I run your chosen race Daily, to the cross I turn Your blood the only way Your salvation, nothing I can earn Draw me closer, I continually pray Toward your heart I ever yearn All I can give, in worshipful adoration Never can compare to your boundless love Which your willing sacrifice set in motion Opening the way to heaven above To you, my eternal and lasting devotion
  22. Reading Heart
    The heart of the answer to this question is respect, if you can respect one another's differences, even if you don't agree with them, then you can be friends with anyone, regardless of differences in beliefs. I personally am a believer in Jesus, but I have plenty of friends who are not, who have other beliefs, and while I pray for them, I respect their beliefs and their right to make their own choices and form their own ideas about the world, and they respect my right to make my own choices and beliefs. I may think they are wrong and they may think I am wrong, but as long as we remain respectful of each other, then a friendship can grow and develop.
  23. Reading Heart
    Hello Quartzy, good to hear from you. Favorite historical christian eh? There are a lot of good options, I like the one's mentioned so far.. I'd say one of my favorites in the last century would be Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a german pastor and theologian who defied the Nazis to the point of death. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietrich_Bonhoeffer
  24. Reading Heart
    Some folks have issue with the term 'sheep' but, in terms of how we relate to God in our broken world, though our broken selves, it's a very appropriate definition. Broken is a good imagine for what sin has done to us, and the life of Jesus give's clarity to what God really wants from us, there is a lot about his death on the cross, and it's important and foundational, but there are also very important things that the life of Jesus can teach us. On a slightly different note, Psalms 23 is a beautiful one.
  25. Reading Heart
    Thinking that the God of the old testament and the God of the new testament are different, is a misunderstanding of the nature and being of God. I don't blame folks that much for seeing it that way, but if you think he's not a God of mercy even in the old testament he's moved in mercy, read the book of Jonah. The problem is that people have trouble giving equal weight to his justice and his mercy, or have any real understanding of what him being Holy means. God can't comprise any part of himself, that's why the cross was absolutely necessary, it reconciled justice and mercy, allowing God to be true to both, without comprising who and what He is.
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