Here is a list of Religion & Spirituality Blogs ordered by Most Viewed, posted by members. A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you've learned. Post an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Update your blog on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with others. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about others. Click here to post a blog.
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Mystical Experience - The Interconnection of Everything: Spiritual versus Religious
(I have modified the Blog title to focus on the Mystical Experience which I view as being Spiritual)
On October 24, 2013, I posted a poem entitled “Spiritual but not Religious” on CS Poetry Corner:
I also posted it as a blog on December 20. 2013:
In my view, there is a clear distinction “Spiritual” and “Religious” that I wish to express in this blog.
I am aware that some may not agree with my interpretation of the terms which is as follows:
Spiritual
The term “spirit” suggests an active living force or energy which may be termed “life energy”. This energy pervades all living things, whether animal or plant. Some may wish to restrict the use of spirit to human beings only. Yet, what is the justification, if any, for such an anthropocentric view?
Spirituality entails a personal awareness of one's connection with the life energy of all living things, whether plant or animal. This awareness is based on direct experience or insight, independent of any dogma or religious teaching.
Such an experience may occur as a mystical feeling somewhat similar to Jane Goodall's experience as mentioned in her Earth Day 2018 message:
“There was a moment when I was in Gombe National Park and it began to pour rain, and then the rain stopped and I could smell the smell of wet hair on the chimpanzees and I could hear the insects singing loudly, and I just felt absolutely at one and it was a sense of awe and wonder.
Out in the rainforest you learn how everything is interconnected and each little species, even though it may seem insignificant has a role to play in the tapestry of life.”
(courtesy of Google)
Religious
The conventional view of religion is a system of beliefs or dogma pertaining to a supernatural deity or deities, referred to as a god or gods.
God is viewed as an anthropomorphism.
Anthropomorphism -
an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics.
(Merriam Webster Dictionary)
To be religious is to have an understanding of certain concepts and the relationship between them as espoused by religion. This is the backbone of theology. One may attempt to seek a deeper experience beyond the conceptual level but it must be firmly tied to the relevant belief system or dogma.
The term “religion” may be viewed in a general sense and in a specific sense.
In the general sense, it is viewed as an aspect of culture, regardless of its specific details. I think that it is from such a perspective that some nonanthropomorphic systems like Buddhism, particularly Zen, may be classified as religion.
However, in the specific sense, Zen goes beyond any dogma or belief system which is a characteristic of religion:
“No dependence on words and letters. Directly pointing to one’s heart, Seeing into one’s own true nature and thus attaining Spiritual Awakening.”
On October 24, 2013, I posted a poem entitled “Spiritual but not Religious” on CS Poetry Corner:
I also posted it as a blog on December 20. 2013:
In my view, there is a clear distinction “Spiritual” and “Religious” that I wish to express in this blog.
I am aware that some may not agree with my interpretation of the terms which is as follows:
Spiritual
The term “spirit” suggests an active living force or energy which may be termed “life energy”. This energy pervades all living things, whether animal or plant. Some may wish to restrict the use of spirit to human beings only. Yet, what is the justification, if any, for such an anthropocentric view?
Spirituality entails a personal awareness of one's connection with the life energy of all living things, whether plant or animal. This awareness is based on direct experience or insight, independent of any dogma or religious teaching.
Such an experience may occur as a mystical feeling somewhat similar to Jane Goodall's experience as mentioned in her Earth Day 2018 message:
“There was a moment when I was in Gombe National Park and it began to pour rain, and then the rain stopped and I could smell the smell of wet hair on the chimpanzees and I could hear the insects singing loudly, and I just felt absolutely at one and it was a sense of awe and wonder.
Out in the rainforest you learn how everything is interconnected and each little species, even though it may seem insignificant has a role to play in the tapestry of life.”
(courtesy of Google)
Religious
The conventional view of religion is a system of beliefs or dogma pertaining to a supernatural deity or deities, referred to as a god or gods.
God is viewed as an anthropomorphism.
Anthropomorphism -
an interpretation of what is not human or personal in terms of human or personal characteristics.
(Merriam Webster Dictionary)
To be religious is to have an understanding of certain concepts and the relationship between them as espoused by religion. This is the backbone of theology. One may attempt to seek a deeper experience beyond the conceptual level but it must be firmly tied to the relevant belief system or dogma.
The term “religion” may be viewed in a general sense and in a specific sense.
In the general sense, it is viewed as an aspect of culture, regardless of its specific details. I think that it is from such a perspective that some nonanthropomorphic systems like Buddhism, particularly Zen, may be classified as religion.
However, in the specific sense, Zen goes beyond any dogma or belief system which is a characteristic of religion:
“No dependence on words and letters. Directly pointing to one’s heart, Seeing into one’s own true nature and thus attaining Spiritual Awakening.”
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Gods and Goddesses
In early civilizations, human survival depended on a regular food supply from plant and animal sources. These, in turn, depended on the goodness of Nature, manifested on the Earth, through the sunshine and the rain that were necessary for growth of plant life and and also animal life, directly or indirectly
Earth, Sun and Rain were key figures in the process of survival and were probably the initial sources of worship by human beings. Perhaps with the exception of the Sun, these were viewed with female attributes – the great mother who gives and sustains life.
It is an established fact that in addition to male deities or gods, female deities or goddesses were common in the religions of early civilization.
Here are a few examples:
Roman
Gods – Jupiter, Neptune
Goddesses- Venus, Minerva
Greek
Gods – Zeus, Poseidon
Goddesses – Hera, Gaia
Egyptian
Gods – Osiris, Horus
Goddesses – Isis, Bastet
Nordic
Gods – Odin, Thor,
Goddesses – Frigg, Freyja
Also, it appears that there is a renewed interest in Goddess worship in the western world at present.
Although it is a fact that most early religions had both male and female deities, that is, gods and goddesses, it is most noticeable that in the Abrahamic religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism, which constitute more than half of the present world's population, deity is exclusively male. Female deities have disappeared entirely.
Perhaps, this is related, to some extent, to the unequal status of women in comparison with men in today's society.
Here are some verses from the Bible to illustrate this unequal status:
Leviticus 12:2
“If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days.”
Leviticus 12:5
“But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks.”
Judges 19:16-30
Some men in the city wanted to "know" a visiting Levite. The owner of the house offered his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine so that the men could rape them. Verse 24 states: "Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing." The man sent his own concubine outside to the gang, who proceeded to serially rape her. She died of the attacks. The man only learned of her death when he was leaving the house in the morning and stumbled across her body. The woman was clearly considered expendable and of little value.
Ephesians 5:22-24
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything."
These are just a few verses showing the unequal status of women in comparison to men in the Bible.
The Quran of Islam has a similar message:
Quran 4:34
“Men are superior to women and have authority over them, while women must obey men or risk being beaten.”
Apologists may offer some roundabout explanations in an attempt to refute what is stated above showing the unequal status of women in the Abrahamic religions.
Earth, Sun and Rain were key figures in the process of survival and were probably the initial sources of worship by human beings. Perhaps with the exception of the Sun, these were viewed with female attributes – the great mother who gives and sustains life.
It is an established fact that in addition to male deities or gods, female deities or goddesses were common in the religions of early civilization.
Here are a few examples:
Roman
Gods – Jupiter, Neptune
Goddesses- Venus, Minerva
Greek
Gods – Zeus, Poseidon
Goddesses – Hera, Gaia
Egyptian
Gods – Osiris, Horus
Goddesses – Isis, Bastet
Nordic
Gods – Odin, Thor,
Goddesses – Frigg, Freyja
Also, it appears that there is a renewed interest in Goddess worship in the western world at present.
Although it is a fact that most early religions had both male and female deities, that is, gods and goddesses, it is most noticeable that in the Abrahamic religions – Christianity, Islam and Judaism, which constitute more than half of the present world's population, deity is exclusively male. Female deities have disappeared entirely.
Perhaps, this is related, to some extent, to the unequal status of women in comparison with men in today's society.
Here are some verses from the Bible to illustrate this unequal status:
Leviticus 12:2
“If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days.”
Leviticus 12:5
“But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks.”
Judges 19:16-30
Some men in the city wanted to "know" a visiting Levite. The owner of the house offered his virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine so that the men could rape them. Verse 24 states: "Behold, here is my daughter a maiden, and his concubine; them I will bring out now, and humble ye them, and do with them what seemeth good unto you: but unto this man do not so vile a thing." The man sent his own concubine outside to the gang, who proceeded to serially rape her. She died of the attacks. The man only learned of her death when he was leaving the house in the morning and stumbled across her body. The woman was clearly considered expendable and of little value.
Ephesians 5:22-24
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything."
These are just a few verses showing the unequal status of women in comparison to men in the Bible.
The Quran of Islam has a similar message:
Quran 4:34
“Men are superior to women and have authority over them, while women must obey men or risk being beaten.”
Apologists may offer some roundabout explanations in an attempt to refute what is stated above showing the unequal status of women in the Abrahamic religions.
Surprise!
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.--A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Jeremiah 31:13 - Ecclesiastes 3:4
By Mara Hodler July 2016
How about those moments when life is moving along smoothly, it looks like you have a good view of where things are headed, you’re making progress … and then all of a sudden, surprise! A total about-face happens. Something that forces you to change and pushes you in a different direction. A complete game changer.
I find those “surprise” moments kind of scary. Having no control over a situation feels like a free fall. Not my thing! It’s at those times when my best-laid plans are strewn around me like worthless debris that I hear in my head the words, “Man proposes, but God disposes.”
I have the choice to just “go with it” or try to force and steer things back to my cherished plans. Really, it’s not so much of a choice as it is a mental attitude. Half the time, the outcome is obvious, and holding on to my plans is clearly only going to prolong the inevitable. Still, it’s hard to let go.
It’s like a good salsa dance. When two people have danced together for a long time, they learn to “read” each other and can ad-lib a dance perfectly and in perfect synchronization. In traditional salsa, the man is the leader, and the woman is attuned to his slightest pulls and guides, moving her body to follow his lead. When the couple is in sync, their movements become an extension of each other, and it’s amazing! A couple that is out of sync is pretty sad to watch. They step on each other’s toes, sometimes even fall, and at best, lack the gracefulness that the dance is supposed to convey.
I sometimes picture my life as a dance. When those “surprises” come into play, I can almost hear Jesus saying, Come on. We’ve been dancing together for so long, you know how to follow. Just let Me lead and I will make this dance spectacular.
I know in my heart that if I let Him take control, I won’t trip and fall. But it can be hard to surrender to His lead. Usually the reason is that I feel I’ve worked hard on practicing the previous routine and learning every step, and I don’t want to change. Sometimes I try to lead. And the results are, well … pathetic.
Surrender is not a common first reaction. It’s human nature to become attached to a certain outcome. We like to think we have control. We put a lot of energy into planning, and it’s hard to think that it can all be wasted by one event that nullifies our plans.
Here’s the funny thing, though: when it comes to dancing, all the routines, all the carefully choreographed dances rehearsed over and over are what allow a couple to abandon the planned dance and spontaneously create a whole new dance.
Some of the most amazing people I know recognize these troublous interjections as an invitation to a special dance. They trust so well that they are able to skip the struggle and sway in time.
The good news is that I can be sure there will be more surprises, and I have the opportunity to practice getting better at flowing instead of struggling. As I write this, I know that there are going to be unexpected happenings and events ahead that I could not have predicted. My prayer is that I will flow with the dance, and that I will not resist or struggle—at least not so much that I ruin the dance.
Jesus wants to make your life extraordinary, and He’ll use every little twirl, dip, bend, and lift to create the most beautiful dance, if you’ll just flow with it.
Activated TFI [Posted Video - "How to Be Led by the Spirit" - Joyce Meyer]
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What do you think will happen after you die?
Most religions state that when a person dies, his/her soul/spirit/consciousness leaves the body which decays. However, they differ in what they believe happens to that soul, etc., which continues to exist after the experience of death.
The Abrahamic religions, that is, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, teach that, after death, the soul is faced with a fixed permanent state, either heaven, where there is eternal happiness, or hell where there is eternal suffering and damnation. This final state is determined by the way one lives one's life on this earth, prior to one's death. A life filled with goodness and kindness towards others will be rewarded with heaven. However, “good” actions alone are not sufficient but also a belief in a divine being or God as advocated by that religion. In this regard, a philantrophist who may spend most of his/her life in doing “good” to others, or helping them, unless he/she believes in God as prescribed by that religion, will not make it to heaven and eternal happiness. It does not matter if the “good' actions part of his/her life exceeded that of a believer. The believer will be rewarded with heaven whereas the philanthropist will not.
Several Eastern religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism do not accept that the soul is faced with a final permanent state after death. They teach the doctrine of reincarnation instead. They say that, after death, the soul/ spirtit/ consciousness will be reincarnated and born into a new human body, and live a new life right here on this earth. The actual “quality”of life that one experiences, after rebirth, in the new life will be influenced by the measure of "goodness", or lack thereof, that one did in the previous life. Thus, if there are some persons who appear to be suffering a lot in their lives here on this earth, despite the fact that they may be kind and good towards others, according to reincarnation, they are paying for their misdeeds in their previous life. This process of reincarnation or rebirth will continue until one has attained a “sufficient” or adequate quantity of goodness in this life here on earth. Upon doing so, one will break the cycle of rebirth and would not return to a life here on earth but will enter into a permanent state of union with God or the Divine.
There are others who advocate that when a person dies, in addition to the fact that the physical matter of that person's body decays, there is total annihilation of everything that was initially referred to as that person; this includes the soul, spirit, consciousness or whatever. Absolutely nothing is left after death.
Personally, I find such a view difficult to accept. According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It may be changed from one form to another, but not annihilated. Whatever it is that drives us when we are alive, whether we refer it as soul, spirit, consciousness or whatever, is certainly some form of energy, psychic or otherwise. Then, according to the Law of Conservation of Energy, total annihilation of this energy is impossible. It may be changed to another form but it can never vanish into nothingness.
In his Rubaiyat, Omar Khayyam states :
"Strange, is it not? that of the myriads who
Before us pass'd the door of Darkness through
Not one returns to tell us of the Road,
Which to discover we must travel too."
- Omar Khayaam
What do you think will happen (to you) after you die?
Will it be:
1.Permanent Location?
2.Reincarnation?
3.Annihilation?
4.Other?
If other, please describe briefly.
Thanks for your responses.
The Abrahamic religions, that is, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, teach that, after death, the soul is faced with a fixed permanent state, either heaven, where there is eternal happiness, or hell where there is eternal suffering and damnation. This final state is determined by the way one lives one's life on this earth, prior to one's death. A life filled with goodness and kindness towards others will be rewarded with heaven. However, “good” actions alone are not sufficient but also a belief in a divine being or God as advocated by that religion. In this regard, a philantrophist who may spend most of his/her life in doing “good” to others, or helping them, unless he/she believes in God as prescribed by that religion, will not make it to heaven and eternal happiness. It does not matter if the “good' actions part of his/her life exceeded that of a believer. The believer will be rewarded with heaven whereas the philanthropist will not.
Several Eastern religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism do not accept that the soul is faced with a final permanent state after death. They teach the doctrine of reincarnation instead. They say that, after death, the soul/ spirtit/ consciousness will be reincarnated and born into a new human body, and live a new life right here on this earth. The actual “quality”of life that one experiences, after rebirth, in the new life will be influenced by the measure of "goodness", or lack thereof, that one did in the previous life. Thus, if there are some persons who appear to be suffering a lot in their lives here on this earth, despite the fact that they may be kind and good towards others, according to reincarnation, they are paying for their misdeeds in their previous life. This process of reincarnation or rebirth will continue until one has attained a “sufficient” or adequate quantity of goodness in this life here on earth. Upon doing so, one will break the cycle of rebirth and would not return to a life here on earth but will enter into a permanent state of union with God or the Divine.
There are others who advocate that when a person dies, in addition to the fact that the physical matter of that person's body decays, there is total annihilation of everything that was initially referred to as that person; this includes the soul, spirit, consciousness or whatever. Absolutely nothing is left after death.
Personally, I find such a view difficult to accept. According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It may be changed from one form to another, but not annihilated. Whatever it is that drives us when we are alive, whether we refer it as soul, spirit, consciousness or whatever, is certainly some form of energy, psychic or otherwise. Then, according to the Law of Conservation of Energy, total annihilation of this energy is impossible. It may be changed to another form but it can never vanish into nothingness.
In his Rubaiyat, Omar Khayyam states :
"Strange, is it not? that of the myriads who
Before us pass'd the door of Darkness through
Not one returns to tell us of the Road,
Which to discover we must travel too."
- Omar Khayaam
What do you think will happen (to you) after you die?
Will it be:
1.Permanent Location?
2.Reincarnation?
3.Annihilation?
4.Other?
If other, please describe briefly.
Thanks for your responses.
“If you resist change, you resist life.” Sadhguru
“If your body, if your mind, if your emotions, if your energies are not functioning the way you want them to, then this is the worst kind of slavery, because somebody else decides what should happen within you. If somebody else decides what should happen around you, that itself you call as slavery. But if someone decides what should happen within you, is it not a more horrible way of being a slave? But please see, the whole world is in this slavery. The only consolation is everybody is like this.”
Sadhguru, Inner Management: In the Presence of the Master
Sadhguru, Inner Management: In the Presence of the Master
What Every Body Needs is Love!
By David Berg
NO MATTER WHAT COUNTRY YOU'RE FROM, what religion you believe in or what colour your skin is, your heart is the same as other people's hearts all around the World!--There is no difference! Our desire and need for love and peace and happiness is made by God, and the same in everyone the World over!
WHOEVER WE ARE AND WHEREVER WE ARE FROM, the simple answer to all of our problems is the same as it has always been for every age and every generation: LOVE!--True love, real love, God's Love!
WHAT EVERYBODY NEEDS IS LOVE! This is God's answer to all the problems of today as well as to all the problems of the past!--An answer which has always been so simple and childlike that many people find it hard to believe! But this is still God's solution, even in such a confused and complicated World as we live in today!
IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE: If we love God, if we have His Love in our hearts, we will love and care for each other. We will then follow His rules of life, liberty and happiness, and all will be well and happy as we follow Him!
FOR IT IS MAN'S REJECTION OF GOD'S LOVE AND HIS LOVING LAWS THAT CAUSES MOST OF THE EVILS AND TROUBLES IN THE WORLD TODAY! If people would love God and each other, they would not be mean and selfish! The rich wouldn't rob the poor, those with plenty wouldn't let their neighbors suffer hunger, disease or overwork without helping them, and they certainly wouldn't fight cruel wars in which they kill and wound each other!
THIS IS WHY JESUS SAID THAT THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT IS TO LOVE!--To first of all love God, and then to love your neighbor as yourself! In fact, He said that these two simple laws fulfill all the laws of God! (Matthew 22:37-39) In other words, Love fulfills all the Law!--God's only Law is Love!
OF COURSE, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY, "OH, I DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD!" But if you were to ask them if they believe in love, they'd probably reply, "Of course I believe in love!" Well, if they can believe in love, then they can believe in God!--Because the Bible says, "God is Love!" (1John 4:8) So real love, God's Love, is all the religion you need, because God is Love, and Love is God!
GOD IS NOT ONLY LOVE, BUT JESUS ALSO SAID THAT "GOD IS A SPIRIT!" (John 4:24)--He is the Great Spirit of Love that created you and me and this beautiful World and the entire Universe! He is so big and so great that He is far beyond our human understanding! But God loved us so much that He wanted us to somehow know and love Him, so to show us His Love and to help us to understand Himself, He sent His Own Son to Earth in the form of a man, Jesus Christ.
JESUS WAS LIKE A PICTURE OF GOD, to show us what God Himself is like.--And that picture is a picture of Love, because all Jesus did was talk about love and show love and live love. Then finally, in love, He gave His life for you and me, so that we could have God's Love, forgiveness and free Gift of Eternal Life if we would just receive Him into our hearts.
SO IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH LOVE, MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T YET FOUND GOD'S LOVE BY RECEIVING HIS SON JESUS!--There is a hollowness, an empty spot that He has placed in each of our hearts that only He can fill, and that nothing else will ever truly satisfy. So if you'd like Him to fill that spot in your life, all you have to do is open your heart to Him.
TO RECEIVE GOD'S LOVE IS SO SIMPLE that Jesus said you must become as a little child to enter His spiritual Kingdom of love and joy! He said, "Unless you humble yourself and become as a little child, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven!" (Matthew 18:3)
We pray these words of love Helped you find the love you need to make you Happy!--And that others will find happiness through your love too! God bless you and make you a blessing with His Love!
DeepTruths TFI [Post Video - A Must See! "The Antichrist is here and You are following him!"]
jarred1, unfortunately
Was taught about Christianity by someone who completely misunderstood it, if he thinks it's "terrorism".
Discuss.
Discuss.
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Eid Mubarak
Happy Eid to you all of you , May Allah /God showers his blessing on you and fill your life with love ,peace and prosperity .
"My Lord and my God".......
.....
When the Saviour Came My Way
For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15 ...... ......
You ask me why I love the Lord.
Well, friend, just let me say
Life was not worth living
'Till the Saviour came my way.
You say I lose so much in life.
Yes, friend, PRAISE GOD, I do.
I lose the sin and sorrow
Which was all I ever knew.
I lose the days spent seeking joy,
The long nights full of tears;
I lose the heavy burdens,
Which I carried through the years.
But friend, I would not have them back
For all that you could pay.
My life was not worth living
'Till the Saviour came my way.
—Author unknown... .. ..The Footprints Prayer
One night I had a dream...
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, There was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, You would walk with me all the way; But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, There is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why in times when I needed you the most, you should leave me.
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child. I love you, and I would never, ever leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you. ...
.. ..Merry christmas....to all...
When the Saviour Came My Way
For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15 ...... ......
You ask me why I love the Lord.
Well, friend, just let me say
Life was not worth living
'Till the Saviour came my way.
You say I lose so much in life.
Yes, friend, PRAISE GOD, I do.
I lose the sin and sorrow
Which was all I ever knew.
I lose the days spent seeking joy,
The long nights full of tears;
I lose the heavy burdens,
Which I carried through the years.
But friend, I would not have them back
For all that you could pay.
My life was not worth living
'Till the Saviour came my way.
—Author unknown... .. ..The Footprints Prayer
One night I had a dream...
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, There was only one set of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, You would walk with me all the way; But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, There is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why in times when I needed you the most, you should leave me.
The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child. I love you, and I would never, ever leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you. ...
.. ..Merry christmas....to all... A Secular Hymn
Ever feel left out in Church? Here's a little something to take along with you on your next visit.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
Atoms make them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
All due to natural selection,
It made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
A freshly baked bird* pie.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
Laws of physics made each one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
Biology, I’d say.
We evolved eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is evolution,
Which turned out pretty well.
* Don't ask me, take it up with MiMi.
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
Atoms make them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
All due to natural selection,
It made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
A freshly baked bird* pie.
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
Laws of physics made each one.
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
Biology, I’d say.
We evolved eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is evolution,
Which turned out pretty well.
* Don't ask me, take it up with MiMi.
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