Why do I believe what I believe? Post #2

 The answer to why I believe what I believe is experiential. That is why when I say I believe the Bible, I want to study it because then I will actually have experienced learning what it is that I choose to believe. That only makes sense, right?

So besides the biblical knowledge that I already have, other experiences that I have had in my life that help me and prove to me that Jesus is who He says He is in the Bible.

From what I have read/learned of what the Bible says, it is consistent with what I have experienced and continue to experience in life:

1.       The Bible says that God is living & He is Spirit, and that God’s Spirit lives inside of those who know him. In the New Testament the Bible records that many were filled with the baptism of the Spirit. John the Baptist (cousin of Jesus) testified that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

      When I decided to follow Jesus, I was 13 years old. I sensed that God was speaking to me in my heart. There was an inward pull to believe. When I decided to give my life to Jesus, I remember thinking that I had been so selfish in life and I felt so guilty. I literally felt an inward cleansing from that guilt from a power outside of myself when I told Jesus yes. Then in the same day, I told God that I wanted more of Him. I didn’t really even know what that meant, but I felt a hunger inside of me. After I asked God to give me more of him, I told Him I didn’t care what people thought of me. Then I again, literally felt something happen inside myself. It was a power that came inside me and I started speaking in an unknown language. The next day or so, I was hanging out with my usual friends and we went to go smoke pot. After I did it, I felt an uneasiness about it now. I just didn’t feel as clean and as good inside and the high I experienced was not the high or sensation of clean that I experienced when the Holy Spirit came upon me.

      As the time went on I felt that the Lord, would give me that Holy Spirit energy, I had a joy that I had never experienced before when I was speaking out what the Lord was speaking to me and I had boldness to share what it was because I knew it was truth from God.

       Again as time went on, people started questioning what I was saying. I took my eyes, my confidence, off of the Lord. After that, it was a quick downward spiral. I let fear in, depression followed and even a mental breakdown.

      As I was put on anti-deppresants, I finally got to feeling like I could live a “normal” life again. But my zeal and fervor for life and the Lord was non-existent.

     I went to Bible college and during that time felt pretty even keel. It was before I graduated, I started wondering, questioning, thinking, and really just searching for life and meaning again.

       I believe all of this was really a struggle to figure out what was lacking in my relationship with the Lord.

       I started walking toward or gracing the line of what I thought may or may not have been sin. But I wanted to have fun. And it was fun. Until I went to church and I felt guilty again. I started looking for fun to be my life. And while doing that, inside I started losing hope. I tried to stir it back up, but it wasn’t until my friend Claire had had a dream about me that I was really angry, that I even realized that I had let a lot of anger grow inside of me.

      The next  2 or 3 years were dark in my heart. I was so confused and felt so hopeless. All the while knowing somewhere within me that God was beckoning me. He was asking me to come back to His loving arms and embrace. To be cleansed. To be whole and healed. I just couldn’t at that point, but I did start trying to take steps to. My friend Claire invited me to her church. When I went there, it felt like heaven.  The joy and exuberant worship there awoke my heart and my mind again to the fact that there was a reality of heaven on earth.  I then tried to start making plans to get to where God wanted me to be, when again, that wasn’t what I needed to do as much as that I needed to know that I was right where God wanted me to be at that time, in that place, if I would just turn around and run into His loving arms and trust Him again. Like I said, and as you may have been gathering it has been a journey and today I’m realizing that this testimony itself is helping me to realize  that God is right here and I’m right here and if I just release myself to Him, trust His Holy Spirit, and let Him cleanse me and fill me every day and listen to what He speaks and obey what He directs that my life will not only be better, but my destiny will be fulfilled in every moment of my life.

Why do I believe what I believe?

I personally say I believe the Bible, which I truly think I mean to. But do I know what the Bible says so that I actually know what I say I believe?

 But what does believing the Bible really mean? Do I know and understand how the Bible came to be. Who contributed to it and what the original intent and meaning was and how that applies to me today?

And if the Bible is true and what it says is true, then what does that mean for me.

How do you know you think it is true unless you have read it and know what it says?  And then why do you not do what it says if you believe it is true?

So because I believe the Bible is true, then I feel I need to dedicate my life to reading, studying, and really learning and applying what it says.

Obviously I can’t do this in one night, week, month, year, but over my lifetime, if I keep pursuing, then I will learn more.

My challenge to myself…. Read, study, learn and apply what the Bible says and then check a year later and reflect on how it has enriched, changed, or helped my life.

If the emphasis the preachers and Christian teachers put on learning and living the Bible is as important as they say it is, then it’s time to start. 

American Flag, Rainbows, and God

The American Flag: What does it mean to you?

What impression does the America flag leave on you? Think about that… Is it Hope… Is it hopelessness… is it a promise for a future…. Is it a loss of happiness… Is it hatred… is it a deep appreciation…
I’m sure this flag invokes many emotions, from the worst to the best across this nation and around the world.
As I read an article tonight linked on Facebook ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sid-mohn/poverty-the-conversation-_b_1833092.html ) , I was inspired to write about my country, my world and my God.

Now I don’t claim to be well versed in the political arena, but I do want to make a difference in the world. If my one voice, or my one vote really does count, then why don’t I always see the good I long for. I was reminded tonight about purpose. About how every man woman, boy and girl should have the right to food, clothing, shelter…. and beyond those basic needs of survival, every man, woman, boy and girl, should have the right to be treated with dignity, respect, liberty, and justice. But does that happen? Can it happen? Is it even possible for this fairytale sort of utopia wish to come true?  Well I know it’s not possible as long as evil exists in this world. But then what about good? Will the good guys ever truly, ever really, and finally, win the fight? After all that is what keeps us fighting, right? It’s the belief that someday, right will win, and wrong will lose. Good will triumph and Evil will fade away.

So, what’s my point?

The American Flag…. Well my point runs deeper than the flag… the symbol I would use to represent my point would actually be much more colorful. I would use a rainbow. A rainbow in its most original, archaic and natural form: a form of purpose, commitment, and covenant. This symbol that comes after a rain is a promise from the past as well as a promise from the God of all time.

So what sort of promise comes from a God who would allow evil to exist?

Hmm…………………………… That's one to think over..........................................................................

All I know is what I’ve been told, experienced, and have searched out for myself. And I do know that this God of promise has a purpose of love and good for every individual on this planet. God loves. He really does. He loves and He actively participates to bring the best to a world of people who very often favor evil and hatred over goodness and love.

So, again, what is my point? Well as I read an article talking about how our politicians dodge highlighting issues such as poverty, it made me cringe.

So, here is my point and my plea. If you are on American soil today or better yet if you are on planet earth…  remember the poor, the widow, the orphan. Stop to think about the suffering child on the street, the widowed woman next door, the hungry foreigner who is mistreated and taken advantage of. Remember the downcast. Don’t just remember like you do when you think of a memory. GO Comfort that child with food, clothes, perhaps, even a glass of water. GO visit that lonely widow, who just wants her life to end today. GO care for the crippled, the mentally handicapped. Remember that if you have something to give, give it. That is how we will change this country. That is how we will change this world. Love.. Have compassion. And Love some more. <3

The Woman of God: What does the Bible say about her?

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

From the Old Testament to the New, God has something to say about women. But what is it? What does God say about women? What are our roles? Are we to be equal with men? What about ministry? I am setting out on a quest to find out what God is saying about my gender…Come along if you’d like….
2 places in Scripture that I looked at today:
1Timothy 2: 9-15
In 1 Timothy, under a heading – Instructions on Worship –  Women are instructed to dress modestly with propriety and with good deeds. It also talks about a woman not having authority over a man and being saved through childbearing- “if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”
Proverbs 31:10-31
Proverbs is talking about – The Wife of Noble Character- and talks about a woman who works diligently, “who watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.”  It says she is clothed with strength and dignity. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 NIV

.....She is worth far more than rubies...

So, women of God any thoughts?

Emily- by My good friend Melanie Colón

E legant young lady

M y good friend                       

I love her so much!

L inda, linda, linda!
Y ou are awesome  

My Beginning

Some would say that it started with a cry. A baby being born. Maybe even conception. But God says contrary.

He knew me before. Before I was conceived. He knew me before I was in my mother's womb. And He loved me then and still now and forever more... He spoke His purpose for me over my life. And what a beautiful purpose He has for me. If I will only let Him have it!

I've recently wondered... What was going on in the world or in eternity when God spoke me into existence. When He took the time, then God of the universe, took the time... To speak life into me. Yes of course, the biological things happened, but that was after. That was after. When was God's first thought of me? Was it moments before? Was it before time? Did He know in all eternity that I would one day exist.

Words for thought....

What about the birth of Jesus. What about the birth of Adam. And Eve. And Moses. And David. And John the beloved. What about Paul and Barnubus. What about Martin Luther King? What about President Barack Obama. What about the widow in your neighborhood. What about the orphan on the street. What about the woman in shackles in a prostitution ring. What about me? What about you? What is God's thoughts towards you? See you may think you know.........

But, we have fogged vision on this earth. Because the truth is God LOVES YOU! God loves Barack Obama and God loves the orphan. And GOD LOVES ME. This was my beginning. This was your beginning. God carefully molded, shapes and contemplated each and every part, each and every structure of your face, your toes, your nose and your heart. HE DID IT BECAUSE HE LOVED YOU THEN. AND HE LOVES YOU NOW! That was my beginning... THAT is our DESTINY! Will you embrace it? I WILL!

Who am I?

I am a woman that lives in a world where there is destruction and pain. I live in a world where a war has been waged and an attack issued. Not only has this war of hatred been waged on me, but also on every single human being. 

A decision has to be made. I can only decide for myself, but I'm hoping that in fighting the battle and standing my ground, others will see that it is a battle worth fighting. 

Simply put the decision is whether or not you will know and hear and follow the voice of God. The one true God. He is God in three persons. God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He came to earth in human form as the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It was around 2000 years ago that God came to earth. He not only came to earth, but He came to tell us that we can have life, love, peace, joy, and everything we will ever really need in Him and through Him. 

You can learn more about Him in the Bible. The Scriptures of old. They originated with the Jewish people, the Israelites. And when Jesus came through the Jewish race, He wanted everyone to know that He loves them and He wanted to show each and every person to the eternal love and life of God. 

See the battle lives on in each and everyone of us. What is our purpose? What happens when we die? A battle is being fought for your soul. But you alone can choose if you will accept life or death. If you choose to surrender to God, then you will win the battle! Jesus came to earth died on a cross, and because He is God, He could not and would not be held down by death. He rose again! He wants to help you fight the battle and win! 

So, I'm also on a quest for a promise. A promise of purpose. A promise of life on earth. And a promise of eternal life. I'm most excited to see Jesus face to face and to enjoy eternity with Him, but also, I'm excited to journey with His Holy Spirit everyday on earth. Today I choose to follow Jesus. Today I choose to obey Him. Today I choose to Love God and to Love People.