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Showing posts from 2009

Evangelical Church in Denver

Rev. Mark Tidd of Highlands church in Denver has announced his embracement of same sex relationships. The fact that this is coming from an Evangelical pastor is what makes this news. However, that is not the reason I'm writing this post. This pastor's views and beliefs reflect today's mindset of what church is about...embracing and exhorting of the self...as it is. "Tidd said he supports gay marriage and would perform same-sex blessings if asked. A gay man in a committed relationship sits on the church's board of trustees. "Our position is not one of lenience, but a matter of justice," said Tidd, a married father of five. "It's not that we don't acknowledge the reality of sin. It's not a sin to be gay or act in accordance with your nature." Its not a sin to "act in accordance with your nature"? Wow. I'm really trying to give him the benefit of the doubt here. Maybe he spoke without thinking it through (which is still

Ooops!

Not five minutes ago I posted an article titled "Car Safety Research for Pregnant Moms". This post was sent from my phone and meant for my other blog http://theoliveparent.blogspot.com . Instead of deleting the post, I thought it would be a good time to share the (drastic) cosmetic changes I made to it. If you have seen it prior to its changes then you'll understand what I mean by drastic! While these two blogs may seem composed of two entirely different subjects. The OliveParent reflects my 2nd passion in life and goes hand in hand with how I worship and live my life by faith alone. Like I do in this blog, I encourage parents, mainly women to know and understand for themselves, what takes place in their bodies and raise their babies/children with confidence. This sentiment is aimed at women who have healthy, normal pregnancies and want more options in birth as opposed to the over-medicalized process that reflects society fear and/or disdain for what the Lord had created

Car Safety Research For Pregnant Moms

A car safety research is being done for pregnant women, to provide valuable information in designing safe vehicles. Biomedical researchers are collaborating with automakers to create a computer-aided model of pregnant vehicle operators to develop crash protection features in future designs. http://news.mobile.msn.com/en-us/articles.aspx?aid=34591506&afid=1&pg1=2501 This all sounds good. Hopefully the research will through and concise so there won't be any recalls. I have to say though, I'm amazed this hasn't been done before, I mean 2009 is ending. That means we won't see a vehicle with those safety features until, what... 2012? 2014? In the meantime, all you gestating mommas should wear your seat belt correctly. With the lap strap across your pelvis, and not your belly. When available, you consider buying a vehicle with safety features for gestating mommas? Blogging from my mobile phone!

About That Yulelog...

In my last post I shared some information I found on a website www.holidays.net . In the spirit of truth, I thought I would print some more interesting information from that site. Of course anyone who wants to read the whole article for themselves can do so by visiting www.holidays.net/Christmas/story.htm On the origins of Yuletide... "In Scandinavia during the winter months the sun would disappear for many days. After thirty-five days scouts would be sent to the mountain tops to look for the return of the sun. When the first light was seen the scouts would return with the good news. A great festival would be held, called the Yuletide, and a special feast would be served around a fire burning with the Yule log. Great bonfires would also be lit to celebrate the return of the sun. In some areas people would tie apples to branches of trees to remind themselves that spring and summer would return." On the origins of gift giving and decked halls... "The ancient Greeks held a

O Night Divine

You know, its hard for me to write for this blog because of the profound apostasy of these times. At times, I feel as though I'm living in an alternate world. Especially around major Christian holidays, which are considered so sacred and holy. Christmas like Easter, has deep pagan origins. The Christmas history began 4000 years ago with the Mesopotamians. "The history of Christmas dates back over 4000 years. Many of our Christmas traditions were celebrated centuries before the Christ child was born. The 12 days of Christmas, the bright fires, the yule log, the giving of gifts, carnivals(parades) with floats, carolers who sing while going from house to house, the holiday feasts, and the church procession can all be traced back to the early Mesopotamians. Many of these traditions began with the Mesopotamian celebration of New Years. The Mesopotamians believed in many gods, and as their chief god - Marduk. Each year as winter arrived it was believed that Marduk would do batt

Hungry Are Ya? Go Shoplift!

“A British Anglican priest is facing criticism following a controversial sermon in which he advised his congregation to shoplift, providing the thievery takes place at large chain stores. Rev. Tim Jones, 41, told his followers stealing from such stores is sometimes the best option for the poor. He said it is better for people to steal than resort to prostitution, mugging or burglary.” Read more: www.nationalpost.com Here’s an idea, how about GIVING to the poor? Isn’t that what “Christianity” is all about?? “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:14-17 Just how lazy has this priest become in his “ministry”, telling the

Snooze Button

More U.S. Christians Mix in 'Eastern,' New Age Beliefs Article by USA Today : This article is a must read. It states some VERY telling facts that reflect time sign of today's time. Last year, many Christian denominations warned of the world's end based upon the economy's impending failure and the election of America's first African-American president. Some went as far as date-setting, predicting the return of Christ in the fall of '08.What those same Christians/denominations who made such proclamations are oblivious to; is they, themselves are the reflection of the time which we now reside. Christians within a divided Christianity, nowhere near the passion, beliefs nor Spirit of the Christians who Saint Paul loved, taught and warned... "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in  among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men  arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.  T

For the Record, Translation vs Paraphrase

The NLT IS a paraphrased bible. Upon more research, I read the “Introduction to the New Living Translation”, straight from the horse’s mouth, it states this: “A dynamic-equivalence translation can also be called a thought-for-thought translation, as contrasted with a formal-equivalence or word-for-word translation. Of course, to translate the thought of the original language requires that the text be interpreted accurately and then rendered in understandable idiom. So the goal of any thought-for-thought translation is to be both reliable and eminently readable. Thus, as a thought-for-thought translation, the New Living Translation seeks to be both exegetically accurate and idiomatically powerful .” You can find this exact wording in the Introduction chapter of your NLT. Why it is categorized a bona fide translation could be explained by the goals and desires of Kenneth Taylor, the author of the Living Letters, the Living Bible (paraphrased) and the NLT. This excerpt was taken from a

A Personal Responsibility

This comment was left on my post “ Translation vs. Paraphrase ” Hannah, you may want to check your information. The Living Bible was indeed a paraphrase. NLT is not a paraphrase. It is a translation in the thought-for-thought discipline. If you are looking for a word-for-word approach, NASB and KJV are the most staunch in their approach to a word-for-word translation. NRSV is word-for-word but less staunch in a literal word-for-word where it hinders understanding. NIV is a thought-for-thought translation as is NLT , and The Living Bible and The Message are paraphrases. I appreciate your concern about making sure you're using an accurate translation (and I have some issues with NIV and NLT in this arena because a thought-for-thought inherently involves interpretation), but NLT is NOT in the same category as The Message or The Living Bible . G-Man, you are right. The NLT is NOT categorized as a paraphrased Bible, but the question is… should it be ??? A translation is tran

Getting With The Program

It's AMAZING to me how technology has taken me surprise. I have been rendered slightly helpless, by the convenience of modern technology. How sad. Allow me to explain... two years ago I was given a Sidekick by which I have delighted myself to it's bells and whistles. A Sidekick is typically considered a smart phone for the socially savvy youth. However, a lot of deaf and hard of hearing persons use this device for communication. In any event, I fell in love with it and it indeed became my sidekick. I just didn't know how dependant I was on it until lately. T-Mobile (Danger) is having a MAJOR data outage that has lasted a week now. With no email, all of my contacts deleted, lost calendar information, it seemed as if my digital life has come to a standstill. Over the past two years I have created the perfect scenario with my phone where I could receive third party email accounts on my sidekick. I could get comments left on my blog instantly and reply. And now this... is the

Have Some Christian? No, Thank You.

What in the world?? Town halls across the nation are filled with "moral" and "righteous" Christians spewing borderline and outright racial epithets. Calling for the death of our President. It all started during the presidential campaign, the seemingly frenzied, desperate behavior of Republican Christians, politicians and citizens alike at the prospect of a black, I mean Democratic President. And now with Tea Parties and Town Halls, they come armed with anger and misinformation yelling about anything, but health care. Where is the reasonable state of mind? For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind . - 2 Tim.1:7 Where's the fruit of peace? Charity, anyone?? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, - Galatians 5:22 "We're trying to preserve America." they believe. "We are trying to save our children's future.", they excuse. Well, no won

The Afflicted Soul

All of my sisters are involved in some sort of church or religion and it has been interesting for me to hear each of their take on fasting. One sister told me she planned to fast from sweets. Another sister told me she fasted from meats, eating only specific foods. My oldest sister told me her husband went on a fast/diet eating only vegetable and drinking water for a month. Fasting sure has changed since I've left behind the "works" of church. How is it that fasting has morphed from eating nothing to eating particular foods? In the beginning days of my walk in Him, I used to fast on a regular basis. Under a religious mind set I fasted to seek a closeness to Him. I fasted to hear Him. I sought answers to troubles I was facing at the time. Hoping to "move" Him by my humbleness. In light of my sisters' various versions of their fasting episodes, it has become all too clear to me why I no longer fast... quite simply...I don't need to. Dumping my religiou

Therefore I Am

Many times the spiritual aspect, in today's Christian environment, applies to unseen entities, dominions and the like. What has come to my realization that the concept of what is spiritual applies to all things that exists unseen with human eyes. It gives the true Believer in Christ Jesus the ability to grow and mature in their intimacy with the Father when a leave is taken from the mainstream perception of what is spiritual allowing the Believer to renew their mind leaving behind the carnality that has enslaved it. Romans 12:2 THE UNSPOKEN COMPONENT While spirituality applies to entities, it also applies to the characters and attitudes we exhibit. By this reasoning the mind is to the brain, what breath is to the body...one could not exist without the other. The brain takes up physical space, but the mind does not. The mind cannot be seen, but like breath it exists and gives life to what would be an dysfunctioning matter. While the physical form is visible and tangible to the human

A Comment to Share

I wanted to post the response to a comment that was left under a previous post titled "Why I Do Not Call Myself Christian". Because I am posting via mobile. I cannot provide a direct link, but you will find the link in question on the right side bar under "Frequently Asked Questions" to follow the thread. -----------Start of Comment------------- Although publishing this comment, and the comment I'm about to type, may start a "war of words", I'm using this opportunity to possibly bring furthur clarity to truth as it taught by scripture and Spirit. Mikes, you say "what's important really is how we live and how we nourish our relationship". In other words our relationship should take precedence over labeling ourselves "Christian" which is what you call a "brand". There can be no doubt, by reason of faith, our relationship with Christ is not only important, but the very reason our souls have been delivered from an eter

The First Reprint

Now I consider myself fairly articulate, but what a blessing when one can further articulate unto clarity, the principles and truth that the spirit has made known to me! I'm not one to reprint articles of other Christians/Believers. I have not found any worth reprinting. I'm sure you've noticed my Blog Roll is limited and has gotten smaller since I started blogging, which should speak volumes about what I'm about to do here... reprint, with permission of course, in whole, an article that EVERY CHRISTIAN WHO CLAIMS BELIEF IN JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, THE SON OF THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAAC AND JACOB should read... Cain and Abel - The Roots of Apostasy ApostasyWatch.com by Steve Lumbley Gen 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering

Sign of the Times

Ten years ago the subject of prophecy was mum in mainstream churches. That much was obvious to me in my pursuit in understanding the last years of the age of man. A simple mention of the return of Christ brought an awkward angle of conversation between an institutionalized Christian and myself. Many admitted they didn't study the prophecy of the end of the age of man, nor did their pastors teach it. However, in this year of 2009, I am bombarded with commercialized messages of prophecy. With the obvious the fulfillment of the Word of God in increments, it is pathetic to witness mainstream Christianity playing "catch up" in an attempt to legitimatize their failed doctrines. In commercialized prophecy, Obama is the anti-Christ. The failed economy is a sure sign of Christ's imminent return, some has gone as far setting specific dates of His return based upon these "signs". FiveDoves is such a site. They have gone as far as setting specific dates in September o

Passover - The Testimony and The Record

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is... no doubt greater. For it had been ordained by the Lord, the law of sin and death, the remission of sins (in singular form, as a collective) can only be done by (the shedding of) blood, which is death. And in times past, the accepted, method of this remission, was a sacrificial lamb. Christ, that sacrificial Lamb was foretold, in times past, during Passover, that it may, be a testimony and a record for us who believe on His blood-shed sacrifice TODAY as the power of Salvation found in Him. Let the TRUE record show that Christ was our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Crucified on a cross and resurrected during Pesach on this week centuries ago... 6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and thes

Clarification

I would like to clarify the overall message I made in my last post "Today is Good Friday!" I do my very best to post truth, clear and consise without confusion. This is part of the reason why it there are lengthy periods between postings. However, my message may still come across in a way that I do not intend. It came to my attention that it may appear that I was promoting an observance of Passover over Easter. Let me be clear as it has been declared in Scripture, no flesh can be justified by the works of the law. Galatians 4:16 It is NOT my intention at all for any reader to believe that I promote observances of days for one's justification in the sight of God. My worship of my Father is in spirit as well in truth. With that said let me say this...in all truth Passover IS the ordained TESTIMONY (past and present) of the fulfillment of the promised Messiah and His deliverance our souls. It does this in three ways (That I'm aware of...I'm pretty sure there are mor

"Today is Good Friday!"

"Today is Good Friday!" She announced to me excitedly "I just wanted to share the joy that I've found in Christ with you." While I love heartfelt expressions of the Lord, I couldn't help but wonder, why she choose to share her testimony with me in a store filled with people. I had all, but one of my children with me. And being African-American mother, we are typically perceived as single-parents who have multiple children by many men. Granted, she could have another perception, but I couldn't help but notice, that she never spoke to anyone else in the store. In any event, I waited patiently and respectfully while she finished her testimony, and proceeded to firmly proclaimed my love, my walk for the Lord, and His unquestioned divinity as God's Son. I shared with her the names and the Hebrew meanings of the names of my sons. "Wow, what beautiful children." she said thoughtfully. "Yes" I responded, "We are blessed." By now