In Spirit and In Truth

Growing up, I was apart of a family, that wasn't really a family. We were related by blood, but not by love. It was a sad, lonely life growing up in that family. They weren't necessarily mean, no, just....loveless. Their concerns in life was more towards themselves than other members of the family. This attitude was a source of many contentions and conflict. Now, it wouldn't have been so bad, if I wasn't the youngest (in a family of six). It wouldn't have been so bad if both of my parents hadn't passed away by the time I was seventeen. As strange as it may seem, during these hard, hard times, we were all faithfully involved in a church. As a young adult, I was in need emotionally and spiritually. Surrounded by a bevy of Christians, in which my family also considered themselves Christians. I was surrounded by Christians who were uncomfortable with my needs. Christians who insinuated my situation was result of "hidden sin" or a curse handed down by...

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

I don't know about you, but as I grow in my relationship with the Lord I feel more "woman" than I was before. I mean, it's like this...my identity as a woman, wife and mother rests solely upon Him, upon His creation of me. When I accepted His son as my savior and received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. I was more "me" than I ever was before. Maybe that doesn't make any sense to you, maybe it does. It's the wholeness that I love with Him. The sense of feeling "right" by the way of who, I am as a woman. There are many parameters upon us. Many demands. Many opinions and do's and don'ts. Many guilts. But there are many victories as well. A birth of a long awaited child, the respect of your husband and his desire to protect you. When all is said and done, ultimately, I am defined by His love. This is why I am woman.

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Do you have a thorn in your side? I do. In times of trials, every minute is a battle for my faith. At times, I find myself crying out for mercy and then, I understand that while He is merciful, He is also purposeful. He says to me, "Count it all joy." JOY?!? "Yes, joy. For the trying of your faith worketh patience. Let patience have her perfect work, so that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4 So each day, I battle. Every hour, I fight. Every minute I paste a pained smile over my mind. While I wait patiently for Him. All the while, rebuking the Devil's lies that He (my Father) has forsaken me. What I realize....eventually....while I am without, a slow recognition begins to form. A miraculous transformation. I SEE His daily provision. I AM waiting patiently upon the Lord. So, bless this thorn! And count it all joy! I still battle and still I fight. This will be my lot until the Lord returns on high or until He calls me home. But, as I col...

When Adam and Eve bit the apple in the Garden, so long ago. It was a catalyst. I imagine in my mind's eye that there was an invisible, quiet moving and shaking as their eyes were "opened". I imagine...mournfulness. Painful, anguish upon concession that a grievous harm had been done. It had to be soul shaking... it had to be as...death. When the blasphemous deed has been consummated in their mind, translated into their heart and devastated their souls. Now they found each other alone...their Father no longer...available to nourish their bodies...their souls... He cannot be apart of their lives any longer for they are now...unclean, defiled and rebellious. They must leave the haven of provision. They must till the barren land. They must birth their children in this land ripe with sorrow. By the sweat of their brow they now work, until...they die. But... who dares interfere with the love a father has for his son? Who would dare get between a mother and her newborn baby? Noth...

I have heard many sermons, read many books on the topic of "effective prayer". It wasn't until my relationship with Him had blossomed and through Him I overcame debilitating issues that prevented me from praying confidently to be heard, and humbly, as not to be rebuked. Because of my personal prayer experiences and my studying of the Word, I believe effective prayer cannot be taught, but, instead, it must be received. Bear with me, please read on with your bibles open... John chapter 15 in all it's beauty, explains the intricate "vine and branches" relationship between us, Christ and the Father. Take note of verse 7: " IF ye abide in me, AND my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." The conditions attached to "ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you", is we first MUST abide in Him AND His words abide in us. These conditions are of utmost importance, as without it we will be "fruitless...

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Some of you may wonder, how it is I get my church since I'm not a member of an organization. I'm blessed to be married to a man who loves the Lord, just as much, if not more than I do. Through him, my husband, is where I've came to be the woman that I am in the Lord. He, (husband) has been (one of) the instrument in the molding, shaping of my faith. Teaching, me about bible study, and the tools for further clarification (concordance, bible dictionary etc.). Not only is he my family and my friend. He is my church. And I love him beyond words can say. He has been and is the Lord's provision for my walk in faith on this earth! Yesterday, we were sharing in the Word. Praising and glorifying the Lord. He shared with me something that I've always known, but it was put in a way that was so relevant. I wanted to share here in this blog. A bit of history first. My husband has studied the New Testament for years now, and he is focusing his attention on the Old Testament. He s...

These are tumultuous times. There is no doubt we have a varied selection of beliefs, philosophies and doctrines. The world seems to be crazed with these issues. Consumed by every sort of practice. My decision to remove myself from the tradition of church (modern organized association) attendance stems from a need to separate, from what seems to be, an ineffectual force against these times. (Please read my post "The Integrity of Fellowship and Accountability) If you have read Acts 1 and 2. The power of the Holy Spirit during the beginning of the early church was undeniable. The Spirit was a converter of hearts of minds during that time, allowing the apostles to overcome language barriers, healing etc. Today, speaking in tongues seems to be something completely different. Or at least 1 Corinthians 14 tells me something different than what I see today. There are many who condemn the history of "church" (I use the "" because any church that does not promote the lov...

Have you elected to birth your children (child) in the comfort of your home? I would love to hear your story! Three of my five children were born in the comfort of our home. Here are some sites I found helpful and informative during those times: Born Free by Laura Shanley BirthJunkie Christian UC Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) Birth Supplies In His Hands Home Birth Supplies Cascade HealthCare Products Inc.

http://msp31wannabe.blogspot.com/ It's not my job go condemn or encourage anyone to "leave" church. It's not my intention to lump all churches as "bad" or "unfruitful". It IS my job to promote the Word for the purposes of edification. Who am I but a lowly servant of the Lord? Who am I but a sinner saved by the blood of the Lamb, that I would tell anyone what they should or should not do? I believe and receive the power of the Holy Spirit, the essence of God and I believe through the Word, others can also receive Christ in TRUTH. For who is he that overcometh , but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:5. Jesus makes it clear that the Spirit's JOB is to CONVICT the world of sin, righteousness and judgement. John 16:7-12 Jesus tells us that he sends us as sheep in the midst of wolves, but reading further, he teaches that we are to be WISE as serpents and HARMLESS as doves. Matt. 10:16 Now I am not a member of an organized chur...

I'm writing this post today because tomorrow is father's day and I will be busy honoring the "fathers" in my life! To my husband, I wish a blessed father's day. I've never seen a father more dedicated to his children than you! May the Lord receive your prayers for our children and manifest them. May the fruit of your hands be multiplied a hundredfold as Christ multiplied the bread and fish! Our children love you dearly...I know they will be wonderful men and women for all the hard work you do, and your goal to be at home with them! Happy Father's Day!!! From all of us!

MY AFFILIATION I am but a sinner washed in the precious blood of the Lamb, led of the Spirit to share my testimony of my walk in Him. I am not affiliated with any denomination, doctrine or organized church association. I am a part of the spiritual body of Christ, in this light, I am a member of HIS CHURCH, as the heavenly Father desires those to worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24 In the midst of various churches and teachings, my commitment is to Christ and Him alone. STATEMENT OF FAITH I believe that it is every believer's responsibility to test the spirits as explained in 1 John 4:1-6. With that in mind, here's what I believe: Jesus is The Christ, the Son of God, born of a virgin, crucified, rose from the dead and is seated as King in heaven. Who will, in the fullness of time, will return to receive us unto Him. John 14:1-4 His sacrifice served as atonement for our sins. Belief/trust/faith in Him translates into forgiveness and reconciliation with God ...

This post was originally written in response to another post that singled out my blog, then titled "Confessions of an Unchurched Believer" by stating that church was integral to one's walk providing fellowship and accountability.  I have updated this post, which is still read by many readers. An asterisk precedes updates and changes. As always respectful comments are welcome :) - Hannah, April 24, 2010 Fellowship I want to clearly state that I am not against church attending and any kind of fellowship that automatically comes with it. When one is a Believer of the most high, one automatically has a desire to dwell amongst and offer praise, with lifting of hands and voices to their Savior with LIKE-MINDED brothers and sisters as a part of the body of Christ. What has been continually neglected, whitewashed or glossed over is that church today and church yesterday is NOT the church Christ established so long ago (as demonstrated in the beginning of the book of Act...

Salvation is so simple, but nowadays many churches and individuals tack on conditions to salvation and place "burdens" on one's confidence and/or Faith regarding their own personal salvation. Church attendance, tithing, eating or not eating certain foods the list is long and overwhelming and in the end, hopeless. Let us remember how simple and liberating the blood-shed salvation of our Lord is: Romans 10:8-10 "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" vs. 13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" Forget not the simplicity of salvation of the prisoner nailed alongside with Christ. "An...

YES! I am saved by the power of the precious blood of the lamb! No. I am not a affiliate of an organized church association. I have been scolded and reprimanded by those who believe church attendance is vital, if not conditional to my salvation. Yes. I've heard it repeatedly. "Forsake not the gathering of yourselves..." "Accountability towards one another...", "You're on a path to shipwreck...." The more I read my Word, the more confidently I stand in FAITH that church lies not within the confines of a physical structure, but church lies within the confines of the spirit. The Holy spirit. The spirit of TRUTH. Matt. 16:17-19 Jesus declares to Peter "Upon this rock I will build my church" after Peter declared Jesus' majesty as God's Son through faith as it was revealed to Peter from the Father. John 4:23 Jesus says to the woman at the well ...."the hour cometh and is now when the true worshippers shall worsh...

Take a look in the phone book! Look it up on the web! Look in the newspaper! There are so many segments of Christianity! I'm speaking of Christianity in particular and not religion in general. For those who love Christ and desire fellowship with like-minded believers, how would one begin to figure out in the midst of a buffet of churches which demonination or non demonination that teaches and fellowships truthfully upon the principles taught by Christ? I've watched some of my relatives go from Mormon to Baptist to Jehovah's Witness within the past ten years. Such confusion! We know that God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33. It becomes more and more clear to me that church today and church yesterday (original church as demonstrated in the book of Acts) are vastly different. For one, there was unity and oneness of mind. Acts 2:44 "All that believed were together, and had all things in common" Today, there are varying demoninations of Christianity ...