A slow fade.

If you think you stand, beware... lest you fall. Where is your passion? Satan will never dive into your life, saying "Suprise! I'm here to ruin your life." He's a brilliantly talented fallen angel. He will be subtle. If you question me, take a look how he works people into temptation to sin in the bible. So be wise people of the Almighty!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wo26sCH-Fw

The Seventh Commandment: part 2

Article in question: "Would you only marry a Virgin?" (Please scroll down and read article first so this all makes sense. )

I watched the two videos connected with the article... and it appears that Darrin is challenging the view that the church has, on promoting virginity purity before marriage. He believes it could be a dangerous 'bill of goods'.

In the first Video, Derrin comments on how the church creates an atmosphere for young adults to be MORE tempted to have sex before marriage, by encouraging them to pursue careers and put off marriage.  He argues that this is only increasing the temptation. (2:00) I wonder, is he saying the church is to blame for the mistakes of the people? Also, he comments on how the church does not support young couples, saying "they only married for the sex." In which my first thought is, "Well duh." Lol. 

But i believe that saying the church does not support young couples is isolated to his opinion. I know plenty of churches who I have the impression that they would stand beside and support all couples no matter their age. I believe this is a generalization on his part.

My conclusion about this video is he is presenting a controversial topic to get people riled up. He wants the attention. Way to go Rob Bell. 

In the second Video, I understand the story of redemptive framework that he is promoting. Frankly a lot of what he is says is just a lot of assumptions that are really not worth my time to correct. So here's a few main points:

2:13 He expresses that the central tenet of the gospel has become wether or not a person is a virgin. Again, an assumption. Someone who has been called by God and accepted Christ is a new creation, God does not look at that person's past sins and neither should we. On a personal note, I have dated people who were not virgins and although it does cause me to pause and consider the type of person they may be based on their past decisions, it is not a deal-breaker for me. But consider this: I Cor. 6:18:

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

Just saying. 

7:43 Again, a central point that Darrin makes is that we live in a sex saturated culture and that the church is unforgiving. 

"Call me naïve or foolish or liberal, but I am truly convicted that the Church is preaching a message about purity that is both impractical and unforgiving. The culture disdains marriage and puts it off so that people might remain in a state of advanced adolescence for as long as possible, especially men."

Well, yes, we have a lot of those people. But doesn't mean that you and I can't be the exception. We should strive to spur each other on in purity but also we do need to accept people who have fallen into temptation and who want to continue to strive to do the right thing and live a life honoring to God. 

In the article he also says "All spiritual platitudes aside, does it work in the real world? Can I tell my daughter, “Stay a virgin until marriage,” and have any hope of that being a possibility for her without it being the strangest anomaly known to man?"

Seventh Commandment: You shall not commit Adultery. (this includes adultery against your future spouse)

I vote, let's keep the standards up. I'm not about to let the culture begin to permeate my life like Sauron's army sweeping across the plains. If you believe that there 'is some good in this world and it's worth fighting for!' then keep up the good fight. 

If you are a virgin, good! Keep it up and fear God, love him above all and watch the situations you put yourself in. You will be stronger and a better person. The rewards are worth the effort! 

If you are not a virgin, and you are a believer... know that God has forgiven you! And so should the church, but if they don't...  remember that the church is not perfect. Lean on God's words for support.

I kinda feel like I rambled on and on there... and i think this blog is unraveling anyhow. Comment if your feeling like it. I'm outta here. ;)


Here's the links:

http://thechristianmanifesto.com/archives/4807#comments
part 1: http://vimeo.com/39347942
part 2: http://vimeo.com/39382528

Inspiring Sushi.

I had sushi today! It was on my list of things to do this year... so as you can imagine, I was quite happy when I visited a friend today at City Flats Hotel and was recommended to try as such. :) It was so interesting, crab and a ginger flower... and i needed something out of the ordinary at that point. I was stuck in a rut as far as writing... art... anything. My brain was cramping up. I need to finish writing this Seventh Commandment blog and I just wasn't feeling anything.

But you know what? I am a creature of the Creator. So here I go...

~*~

All art is nonsense if you look at it the wrong way. No matter what you think, there is someone who will disagree with you. Perhaps what we always thought was true, is not.  What is truth? And what if what we thought we wanted came in a form we did not recognize?

Seek and you will find, if you seek with all your heart.

And I found.

The Seventh Commandment. Part 1

What do we think of this?

Here's the links for reference:

http://thechristianmanifesto.com/archives/4807#comments
part 1: http://vimeo.com/39347942
part 2: http://vimeo.com/39382528

Dot dot dot... book!

I so enjoy Blogging...

My inspiration these days has lately been coming off of pages of an unsuspicious looking books... sentences and paragraphs jumping out and hitting me square in the forehead. Most of which have been written by crusty old men who have long since deteriorated. But they've hit me none the less... and i can't quite help but think that it is not on accident.

Take John Calvin for example. Long ago, ever since a friend of mine brought up the Great Debate between Catholics and Protestants, a curiosity about the religious forefathers has been a driving force in my life. Granted, I am a born again Christian. I love God and his people. But this structure... these strange rules and regulations of religion that have separated the Body of Christ through the generations and even has had 'christians' killing 'christians' is a painful thing to think about. I can hardly bear to think that an organization who truly has God and his Love at it's center would go to such lengths to promote their interpretation of the Bible. My conclusion? They are not what God intended for his people.

Apparently, John Calvin as well as the author of this book "Pursued by God, the amazing life and lasting influence of John Calvin" is convinced as well that a relationship with God does not result in the the extreme exaggeration of rituals on the Catholic side nor the rebellious violence resulting from the Reformation. He was raised Catholic and only questioned the extremes of it, not condemning it completely. I am on page 31 and so far I am very much enjoying this book. More to come!

~*~

Another book to consider is St. Augustine of Hippo (the place, not the animal)

What a guy! What a writer and thinker! This guy seriously rocks my socks. He lived forever ago but I can totally relate to what he's saying. He writes of how God gently led his rebellious heart to be in step with His own. He was very much Catholic and so very close to God. Read it only if you have the guts because it is a very deep, deep read.

~*~

Ah, lets see... oh yes! One more book....
"Dating with Pure Passion." Aha! A dating book. Here we go.. now you are all paying attention. I have been putting alot of thought into this dating thing and how it relates to me. I have observed that each person has their own 'style' of dating. I am starting to understand this delicate business of trying to find that person that you connect with and who you can entertain thoughts of marriage with. In my earlier years, I was disliked the thought of being connected with anybody for that length of time. But I'm starting to understand... I have no one in particular in my life at this time, but i've settled into a 'dating pattern' to be sure. The questions i ask myself about each person i consider. Then there is that curious thing known as, chemistry.

This book is a lantern for sure. It it telling me just what I knew deep inside... that to follow Christ first, is to hand over the reins of future marriage. Idolize God, not that person that might be the perfect one. I love what this author suggests, that God is not going to have your life all planned out like you are a robot... he will put people across your path for you to consider, good and bad choice people. He knows what choice you are going to make, but YOU are going to make it. So stick close to God... let him influence you to make wise decisions.


Thats all folks! Looking forward to painting tomorrow... check out my other Blog sometime: Artistically Equestrian

Kids these days.

I find it terribly interesting when a high school acquaintance greets me in the same way we used to as kids. With a nickname or common teasing phrase. I want to say "But i'm a grown up now!!"

Yes, yes yes... but am I really? What does God say on the subject? "Who ever does not become like a little child... " you know the verse. I thought I was done growing... but what a childish thought.

Accept God's word like a little child... but don't stop there. Get past the milk and feed your spirit with daily food from the word of God. Surround and support yourself with Godly friends. And worship God with gladness wherever you are in your day.

*Inspiring Quote Alert*

"Whenever you go out-of-doors, draw the chin in, carry the crown of the head high, and fill the lungs to the utmost; drink in the sunshine; greet your friends with a smile, and put soul into every handclasp. Do not fear being misunderstood and do not waste a minute thinking about your enemies. Try to fix firmly in your mind what you would like to do; and then, without veering off direction, you will move straight to the goal. Keep your mind on the great and splendid things you would like to do, and then, as the days go gliding away, you will find yourself unconsciously seizing upon the opportunities that are required for the fulfillment of your desire." Advice from Elbert Hubbard

~*~

Sometimes you don't realize how much has changed.. until you notice how far you've come.

Interpretation

Seek Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly with your God.

To seek Justice... is to condemn myself, for I am not worthy. To love Mercy is to appreciate what Christ has done for me on the cross, because of Grace. So what other response can I have but to walk humbly with my God who's saved me?

Kindle My Heart

My heart feels... trashy. Thats the way I have to describe it. Needs a good God-fire to clean and purify...

Ahh! It is a lovely thing to blog, is it not? It is a lovely-er thing to talk to real people as well, which is what i've been doing for the past five hours... God is doing a work in me. And i had to ask for it... after he showed me the path I was on. I'm not as strong as I think I am. And it's hard to admit that I'm not doing a good job of putting him first... but when you realize that the shadow you've been following looks an awful lot like the world than it does like Jesus the error is kinda hard to deny.

So here I am. It's hard to go backwards... it really is. First thing that struck me this week: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Really? When was the last time I feared... or fretted over whether or not God would be pleased with what i'm thinking or doing? Yup. Point taken. Next thing: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you." Ah. Well, then... I've been trying to add things to my life for the momentary highs of happiness and figuring that seeking God will fill in the spaces. Hmmm....

I'm needing a Re-Boot. A Spell-Check. A De-Tox. What ever you wanna call it... I'm inviting God to do a Spring Cleaning, no matter the cost. So we'll see what happens next.