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Spiritual Sounding Board – This is our place to gather and share in an open format. Feel free to join in the discussion.
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This is your place to share your church struggles and concerns.
Let’s also use it as a time to encourage one another spiritually.
What have you found spiritually encouraging lately?
Do you have any special Bible verses to share, any YouTube songs that you have found uplifting?
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For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Romans 8:14-17
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Be sure to listen to these great lyrics.
Spiritual Sounding Board 
How blesssed is the man who does not walk in the
counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of The Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.
Praise God, each individual has been given the ability to understand Truth because it is HIs law we choose to meditate on, day and night. Praise God this day for all who continue to come out from the counsel of the wicked. May we never forget how blessed we are!
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Pondering,
“each individual has been given the ability to understand Truth because it is HIs law we choose to meditate on, day and night. ”
The key word is “ability”. That doesn’t mean that they understand Truth.
In addition, what is the law for Christians?
Ed
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Pondering,
I like your comment, just as it is. it fills my heart with joy.
Ed,
We are not under law, we are under grace. Amen.
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Brenda,
Correct, but:
Law of Faith
Law of Liberty
Law of the Spirit of Life
Law of Christ
Those laws are encompassed in Grace, and there is only one commandment, Love thy neighbor as yourself.
Romans 3:27
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
The Law of Moses made nothing perfect. Hebrews 7:19.
James 2:12
So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Ed
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Praise our LORD this morning, Praise Him in His sanctuary! Oh thank-you Pondering for posting Psalm 1 as it is music to my soul. The edification from God’s Word is rich and life eternal.
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Did anyone listen to the lyrics of the YouTube? I can’t believe I’ve heard this song for so long without paying attention to the lyrics.
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Julie Anne
Yes – Great Lyrics – Thanks for this. 🙂
Matthew West – Hello, My Name Is
Hello, my name is regret
I’m pretty sure we have met
Every single day of your life
I’m the whisper inside
That won’t let you forget
Hello, my name is defeat
I know you recognize me
Just when you think you can win
I’ll drag you right back down again
‘Til you’ve lost all belief
These are the voices, these are the lies
And I have believed them, for the very last time
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, and I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind
The one who makes all things new
Has proven it’s true
Just take a look at my life
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, and I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
What love the Father has lavished upon us
That we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King
What love the Father has lavished upon us
That we should be called His children
I am a child of the one true King
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
I’ve been saved, I’ve been changed, and I have been set free
“Amazing Grace” is the song I sing
Hello, my name is child of the one true King
Hello, I am a child of the one true King
_______
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Thank you, Amos!
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Julie Anne
Hmmm?
“These are the voices, these are *The Lies*
And I have believed them, for the very last time”
“I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind”
Who’s “Voice,” will WE, His Sheep, His Ekklesia, listen to?
Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3
Seems, when WE, His Bride, know Jesus for ourselves…
WE, His Beloved, become a NEW Creature – And the Old is gone…
And God Remembers our sin NO more. Jer 31:34, Heb 10:17,
Why do WE?
2 Cor 5:17-19
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW Creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become NEW.
And all things are of God,
who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,
and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself,
“NOT imputing” their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
And, God gives us permission to forget the past…
At least put it aside, till it will produce fruit, and NOT despair…
Because, the past, that ain’t me – I’s-a-gonna-belive God…
I’m a NEW creature… Made in the image of God… And God is Love…
Isa 43:18-19
Remember ye NOT the “former things,”
neither consider “the things of old.”
Behold, I will do a NEW thing;
NOW it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
How good could you feel if you knew you did NOT have to change NOW?
————–
When WE, believe the LIE, WE, start to die…
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Julie Anne,
I have tinnitus, so words are not always clear. Whenever I hear a new song on the radio I print the words out until I learn them. I love this song. It is so uplifting and has a powerful message. Learn the words to this song and lies that get in the brain can be rewritten.
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Brenda R
Yes…
“lies that get in the brain can be rewritten.”
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I had a cool experience that just happened and I’m going to share it real quick. I’m cramming right now with homework deadlines and finals this week. I posted that on my Facebook status and a friend said, “You go girl, you can do this.” It must be the stress I’m in, but I just burst into tears (at the coffee shop, no less), but at the same time, I had this amazing boost of confidence knowing people are cheering me on.
We so need each other. The power of an encouraging word is amazing. That is why this place is so cool. We can isolate ourselves in our fears, in our personal difficulties, but hearing an encouraging word is so important.
We can do this. We can get over whatever obstacle we are facing. We’ve got a great group of people here to support us in prayer. I was thinking of how pastoral Amos was (he might not like that) in his comments this morning. I can picture him at his coffee shop each week as he looks for ways of encouraging us with scripture, speaking God’s truths to us. I love that.
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JA & everybody else,
I was thinking of how pastoral Amos was (he might not like that) in his comments this morning.
I have thought that often of different people on this blog and others. You may not like the position of pastor, but we are all his disciples. We encourage one another and pray for one another. What Amos wrote this morning, would have been a great sermon. Preach on!!
JA, Be encouraged. There is an old song that I dearly love. “Tears are a Language God Understands”. No matter at home, a coffee shop or driving down the road. Cry for happy, sad, grief……God understands them all.
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” I was thinking of how pastoral Amos was (he might not like that) in his comments this morning.”
Yep. I dare say Amos would prefer something like “shepherding” in place of “pastoral” (at least you didn’t use a capital “p”). Then Amos might like to point out that we have but one Shepherd (John 10:16). My theory is that the One True Shepherd shepherds through His Body, the ekklesia, the called out assembly of the faithful. And Jesus is Shepherd, Teacher, and likely Prophet (as in Truth teller and correcter of error), through Amos.
Now we will see if Amos comes back to correct my error.
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Plus, JA, if anybody here has doubts how you will do, I don’t expect it’s any of us who have watched you maintain this blog with what can only be described as great brilliance. If you put the same thought and effort into your academic pursuits as you invest here, you will do quite well.
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Ed,
I believe there is another love commandment that goes with the one you quoted 😉
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We are the hands and feet of Christ. JA, you, Brenda and others here are amazing people. Some of us were told the truth since childhood. Others have been told lies. Those who have been lied to believe they are stupid, ugly, incompetent or just a total waste of space. Lies from parents, teachers, pastors, the culture shape our self-image. Here we can speak truth to each other. Here we can continue to refute the lies that were spoken to us (and are an endless loop in our head). Each one of you is loved and has value. We are now free to love and be loved! We are free to express our individual gifts that God values. I thank God for each one of you and how you add to the conversation. Happy Sunday! And good luck on your test-JA!
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We are now free to love and be loved!
Ann, It took me a lot of years to record over the lies in my head. Praise God, He never gave up on me. He won’t give up on anyone that believes in Him. He’s ready and waiting with His arms wide open. This has been a most wonderful Lord’s Day!! Thank you, Jesus.
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Thank you, Gary.
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Happy Sabbath day! I’ve been thinking of the story behind a favorite hymn, “It is Well With My Soul” and wrote about the story behind the story today.
http://brendafindingelysium.blogspot.com/2014/08/is-it-well-with-my-soul.html
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I have read that story before, but did not realize that the church would have concluded that there must have been something wrong in their lives to have lost their children that way. It goes to show that people aren’t getting any wiser. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Back in those times it was far more rare for a family to have all of their children survive even past infancy. Yet even with that fact there were those that past judgment.
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The link in Brenda’s comment at 1:18 PM is well worth following. Can the true Body of Christ, His Ekklesia, be found within organized Christianity? I must constantly remind myself that the answer is yes, though increasingly I am convinced that true Christianity within organized forms is the exception rather than the rule.
Increasingly “pastors” of organized “churches are malignant narcissists and predators. Congregants are their targets. Well, not necessarily all congregants. Sometimes it is only the broken and despairing who become the targets of these predatory wolves.
Though I need not say it, mark and avoid these synagogues of Satan, these synagogue of Satan which may now constitute the great majority of organized churches. How to identify them? Apparently, just seek them out in time of need, in those times when you are most vulnerable and unable to fend for yourself.
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thank you, Brenda R and Katy2 for your lovely comments and encouragement!
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Bridget,
You had said: “I believe there is another love commandment that goes with the one you quoted ;)”
My response: You are right…but…
In the book of 1 John, it states just one, but he expounds that, in that how we prove to God that we love him, is by loving people, hence just the one. If we are doing just the one, the other is a given.
But you are right.
Ed
________________________________
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Julie Anne
❤ Thank you for your precious comment…
“I was thinking of how pastoral Amos was (he might not like that)
in his comments this morning.”
What a lovely way to start this Monday morning… 🙂
And, I have to say, I agree with Gary W, when he writes…
“I don’t expect it’s any of us who have watched you maintain this blog with what can only be described as great brilliance.”
I truly am thankful for how you, Julie Anne, maintain this blog…
And, “I was thinking of how pastoral” Julie Anne has been these years…
You have taught me, WE, His Ekklesia, His Church, by example, how to set a high standard for fairness, grace, and Free Speech. As you have steadfastly continued to “Defend the Sheep.” Even those, errr… sheepies who do NOT act so nice all the time… 😉
And, “I was thinking of how pastoral” ALL the many commenters here at SSB have been over the years. I have learned, and appreciated, so much from so many. Even with dis-agreements. There is certainly a fine crowd that gathers here at SSB and puts into action a most favorite verse.
1 Cor 14:26 KJV
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together,
**Every One Of You* hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, (Teaching)
hath a tongue,hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.
Let all things be done unto edifying.
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Barely related comment: I spent much of yesterday purchasing bunch of music, downloading all the songs, syncing her ipod to a new computer and then creating a playlist for it. Matthew West’s “Hello My Name Is” was one of the songs.
Totally worth it, because she is totally worth it.
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Tim,
Is it safe to assume that “she”, is your wife?
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GaryW said:
“Increasingly “pastors” of organized “churches are malignant narcissists and predators. Congregants are their targets. Well, not necessarily all congregants. Sometimes it is only the broken and despairing who become the targets of these predatory wolves.”
I am shaken by a recent conversation with one of our teens, whose insightful and incisive comments lead me to believe that the pastor of the church we left might well be one of these.
“Though I need not say it, mark and avoid these synagogues of Satan, these synagogue of Satan which may now constitute the great majority of organized churches. How to identify them? Apparently, just seek them out in time of need, in those times when you are most vulnerable and unable to fend for yourself”
I don’t understand your last sentence. Is it meant to be sarcasm? It doesn’t go with the beginning of the paragraph, the admonition to “mark and avoid” where “How to identify them?” is a natural follow-on question, that serious seekers would be asking.
In our case, I have been researching on the internet for over a year, reading all that I can find on various churches and “name-brand” preachers and survivors’ accounts of what to look for. Some of us long for fellowship. Some of us may never darken a church doorway again.
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Absolutely, Brenda. Can’t believe I left that out!
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I love the song in the link. I just wish I could believe it, deep down, and not just on a surface level.
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Absolutely, Brenda. Can’t believe I left that out!
Tim,
She is a lucky lady.
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All I know is that I married up, Brenda.
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Gary W
Much agreement…
“My theory is that the One True Shepherd shepherds through His Body, the ekklesia, the called out assembly of the faithful.”
I NO longer see “the Pastor in a Pulpit” model as a benefit to His Body, His Ekklesia, His Church. That model prevents participation. Prevents folks from seeing the gifts of the Holy Spirit flowing thru them. Prevents folks from looking to Jesus, The “ONE” Teacher, for Revelation, for Teaching.
Believers now look to Man as their shepherd, teacher. And NOT to Jesus. 😦
And, “The “ONE” Shepherd,” Jesus, lives in, and through, ALL His Kids.
The Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in WE, His Kids. Rom 8:11.
And those led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:14.
NOT those “led” by Mere Fallible Humans… 😉
And WE, His Bride, His Ambassadors, need NO man teach us. 1 John 2:27.
It is “Christ in WE, His Sheep, His Ekklesia, the Hope Of Glory. Col 1:27.
NOT a capital “p” in a pulpit… 😉
I can NOT find one of those in the Bible… 😉
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All I know is that I married up
That statement proved my point. God bless you both.
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Gary W
It does take a step of faith to believe and trust
that Jesus “can speak to WE, ” and teach WE, His Kids, ALL truth.
WE, His Disciples, do have some examples; Jesus, Peter, Paul.
1 – Jesus, as man, gave WE, His Disciples, His Kids, and example…
Jesus declared, as man, “He” could do nothing of Himself.
John 8:28
…I do nothing of myself;
but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
John 5:30
I can of mine own self do nothing:
as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just;
because I seek not mine own will,
but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
John 5:19
…The Son can do nothing of himself,
but what he seeth the Father do:
for what things soever he doeth,
these also doeth the Son likewise.
2 – Peter understood that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God.
Jesus, a pretty good teacher, Yes?, declared that Peter was blessed because;
1 – Flesh and blood “Did NOT” reveal that to him.
2 – The Father, from the realm of Spirit, “did” reveal it.
Mt 16:17
Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona:
for flesh and blood hath NOT revealed it unto thee,
but my Father which is in heaven.
3 – Paul declared that “his gospel” was NOT of man,
he received it by the *Revelation* of Jesus Christ
and he conferred NOT with flesh and blood.
Gal 1:11-16
…the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it,
but by the revelation of Jesus Christ
16-To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen;
immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Hmmm? Learning Directly from Jesus? NO middle man…
What a concept…
The “ONE” Teacher – The “ONE” Leader” – The “ONE” Shepherd…
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}
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You are not alone. This is one of my battles, too. When I am weak, I believe the lies, the old tapes (I’m 50, I had tapes – lol) that play in my head.
You asked about Gary’s comment:
Gary is saying that synagogues of Satan can be identified by the way they treat people when they are vulnerable. Sadly, when you are most weak and vulnerable is also when you are so weak that perhaps not all critical thinking is engaged – you’re in survival mode – you’re wanting help. Abusers take advantage of vulnerabilitly.
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Refugee – Julie Anne
Seems to me youse folks are “Perfect” in His sight…
Heb 10:14
For by one offering he hath “Perfected” for ever them that are sanctified.
For by “one” offering He has “Perfected,” FOR EVER, Refugee, Julie Anne.
Yeah, that BLOOD of Jesus, shed for you, is pretty neat stuff… Yes? 😉
And His opinion, your Saviors opinion, is the only one that counts… 😉
NOT what you think. And certainly NOT what other people think…
Col 1:21-22
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies *in your mind*
by wicked works, yet now hath “HE reconciled”
In the body of his flesh through death, to present you
*holy and *unblameable and *unreproveable in “His Sight”:
*Holy, Strongs #40 hagios, sacred, consecrated, set apart to God.
Thayers – most holy thing, a saint
*Unblameable, Strongs #299, amomos, without blame, faultless.
Thayers, 1) without blemish 1a) as a sacrifice without spot or blemish.
*Unreproveable, Strongs #410 anegkletos, blameless.
Thayers, that cannot be called into account, unaccused, blameless.
My name is Holy…
Refugee’s name is Holy, Sacred, Set apart to God, most holy thing, saint.
Julie anne’s name is Holy, Sacred, Set apart to God, most holy thing, saint.
My name is Unblameable…
Refugee’s name is without blame, faultless, without blemish.
Julie anne’s name is without blame, faultless, without blemish.
My name is Unreproveable…
Refugee’s name is blameless, unaccused…
Julie anne’s name is blameless, unaccused…
Hmmm? Will WE, His Kids, walk in agreement with…
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
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Refugee – Julie Anne
It’s just amazing what His B.L.O.O.D. can accomplish…
B.ountiful L.ove O.vercomes O.ur D.efects
by the precious BLOOD of Jesus.
B.ountiful L.ove O.vercomes O.ur D.isobedience
by the precious BLOOD of Christ.
B.ountiful L.ove O.vercomes O.ur D.eceitfulness
by the precious BLOOD of Jesus.
B.ountiful L.ove O.vercomes
Our Doubts – Our Dark Deed’s – Our Demons – Our Damnation – Our Defiance – Our Demands – Our Darkness – Our Delusions – Our Desires
by the precious BLOOD of Jesus.
B.ountiful L.ove O.vercomes O.ur
Delusions – Distrust – Despair – Derision – Despising – Desolation – Difficulties – Disappointments – Deadness – Doublemindedness – Dryness – Distresses – Divisions
by the precious BLOOD of Jesus.
O the Blood of Jesus
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Amos,
It sounds like good preaching to me! I’m just sayin’!!
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And Brenda R
Is a NEW creature… Made in the image of God… And God is Love…
And Love never fails – Brenda never fails…
If love never fails, God never fails, because God is love. Let’s see what happens when we replace the word love in 1 Corinthians 13 with God. Hopefully we can start to see and understand something of the nature of God. 😉
God suffers long, and is kind; God does not envy;
God does not boast, God is not puffed up,
God does not behave unseemly,
God keeps no record of wrongs,
God is not easily provoked, God thinks no evil;
God rejoices NOT in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
God bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
God never fails:
Then look at what God does. God creates WE, His Kids, in his own image.
Don’t you just wonder sometimes?
And God said, Let us make Brenda in our image,
after our likeness: and let Brenda have dominion
over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air,
and over the cattle, and over all the earth,
and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.
So God created Brenda in his own image,
in the image of God created he Brenda;
male and female created he Brenda. Genesis 1:26,27
Psalm 139:14
I will praise thee; for *I am fearfully and wonderfully made:*
marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
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Brenda R
So, now you’re created in the image of God. That’s right, little ol’ you. In the image of God. Not your mother, not your father, but in the image of God. Did you ever think about that side of your history. That does seem difficult to comprehend seeing how some people behave. But, hopefully you can start to see and understand something of the nature of God that is really in you. As an exercise you can reread, 1 Corinthians 13, and replace the word love with your name. Here you have an opportunity to believe that God knew what he was doing when He made you. When He created Brenda in his image.
In the image of LOVE created He Brenda.
Brenda suffers long, and is kind; Brenda does not envy;
Brenda does not boast, Brenda is not puffed up,
Brenda does not behave unseemly,
Brenda keeps no record of wrongs,
Brenda is not easily provoked, Brenda thinks no evil;
Brenda rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
Brenda bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Brenda never fails:
Are we smarter than God?
How can we understand his ways?
Yes, that’s you. Please, don’t argue with me, God is the one who said it. He made you in His image. All of what you just read is in you, whether you see it or not. Will you come as a little child, believing? You don’t have to have all the answers now. Trust and obey, not think and decide. Just read it, again and again. Then pray it, for you, for your friends, even for your enemies. Pray it till you believe it. Pray it till you believe God.
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And Refugee
Is a NEW creature… Made in the image of God… And God is Love…
So, now you’re created in the image of God. That’s right, little ol’ you. In the image of God. Not your mother, not your father, but in the image of God. Did you ever think about that side of your history? That does seem difficult to comprehend seeing how some people behave. But, hopefully you can start to see and understand something of the nature of God that is really in you. As an exercise you can reread, 1 Corinthians 13, and replace the word love with your name. Here you have an opportunity to believe that God knew what he was doing when He made Refugee. When He created Refugee in his image.
In the image of LOVE created He Refugee.
Refugee suffers long, and is kind; Refugee does not envy;
Refugee does not boast, Refugee is not puffed up,
Refugee does not behave unseemly,
Refugee keeps no record of wrongs,
Refugee is not easily provoked, Refugee thinks no evil;
Refugee rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
Refugee bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Refugee never fails:
Are we smarter than God?
How can we understand his ways?
Yes, that’s you. Please, don’t argue with me, God is the one who said it. He made you in His image. All of what you just read is in you, whether you see it or not. Will you come as a little child, believing? You don’t have to have all the answers now. Trust and obey, not think and decide. Just read it, again and again. Then pray it, for you, for your friends, even for your enemies. Pray it till you believe it. Pray it till you believe God.
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And Julie Anne
Is a NEW creature… Made in the image of God… And God is Love…
So, now you’re created in the image of God. That’s right, little ol’ you. In the image of God. Not your mother, not your father, but in the image of God. Did you ever think about that side of your history? That does seem difficult to comprehend seeing how some people behave. But, hopefully you can start to see and understand something of the nature of God that is really in you. As an exercise you can reread, 1 Corinthians 13, and replace the word love with your name. Here you have an opportunity to believe that God knew what he was doing when He made Julie Anne. When He created Julie Anne in His image.
In the image of LOVE created He Julie Anne.
Julie Anne suffers long, and is kind; Julie Anne does not envy;
Julie Anne does not boast, Julie Anne is not puffed up,
Julie Anne does not behave unseemly,
Julie Anne keeps no record of wrongs,
Julie Anne is not easily provoked, Julie Anne thinks no evil;
Julie Anne rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
Julie Anne bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Julie Anne never fails:
Are we smarter than God?
How can we understand his ways?
Yes, that’s you. Please, don’t argue with me, God is the one who said it. He made you in His image. All of what you just read is in you, whether you see it or not. Will you come as a little child, believing? You don’t have to have all the answers now. Trust and obey, not think and decide. Just read it, again and again. Then pray it, for you, for your friends, even for your enemies. Pray it till you believe it. Pray it till you believe God.
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Thank you, Amos. Good stuff.
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Thank you, Amos. You are very kind.
Trust and obey, not think and decide.
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Julie Anne
Yup – I gots some tapes also…
“You are not alone. This is one of my battles, too. When I am weak, I believe the lies, the old tapes (I’m 50, I had tapes – lol) that play in my head.”
Yes – WE, His Kids, believe the lies. Yukkey
I’m-a-learnin to rewrite those tapes – HeHeHe…. 😉
I moved a comma – Is that allowed?
But, if it’s true the Hebrew does NOT use commas then I’m safe… 😉
Notice the comma after flood – ,
Isa 59:19
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
Here’s how I see it now…
Isa 59:19
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west,
and his glory from the rising of the sun.
When the enemy shall come in…
like a flood the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
NOW, when the tapes start to play, I smile and give thanks, And recognise…
“like a flood the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against the tapes.”
And I see the benefits of those tapes starting up.
I have to turn to the “ONE” who offers lovingkindness and tender mercies…
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
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refugee @ 8:38 AM,
You are correct. I did not really mean one should test whether pastors and churches are predatory by approaching them while one is distressed, in need, wounded, vulnerable, etc. Yes, I was making a point by being facetious or sarcastic. Contemptuously so. With the help of a thesaurus the words mocking and ridicule come to mind. To tell you the truth, I think I sometimes cross the line between discernment and judgment.
But I’m not bitter (I don’t think). Just angry. Though I don’t suppose my anger is so righteous as when Jesus was angry.
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But Gary, your point is spot on. I was a faithful servant, an over-tither, and “member” of my church for years. It was at the point of desperate need that I reluctantly approached the elders…I already knew I was unworthy to approach them despite my history. Their response? My years of service represented a “Martha spirit” and not a finger was lifted nor was the congregation advised of my need. I’m beginning to think anyone considering attending a “church” check out online reviews as crazy as that sounds. JA has set the painful yet hopeful precedent for our right to publicize our experiences. When many voices echo the same experiences, they can’t all be considered “crazy,” can they? My point is that rather than test for ourselves, we can learn from others’ experiences.
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jkpvarin,
How can one ever be unworthy to approach the elders of your church? That is just down right wrong!! That whole “Martha spirit” thing is beyond any words that I can come up with at that point. I don’t believe for one minute that you would have been a “faithful servant” if there wasn’t a “Mary heart” somewhere along the line. Not allowing the congregation to hear your need and them being allowed to hear the Lord’s leading for themselves is craziness.
There are going to be those who have good experiences in a church and others who don’t. I think we all have to decide for ourselves and if we see someone being treated like an outsider, it is up to set that right. I am so sorry you were treated in this ungodly way.
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Oh boy, I don’t know that I’d ever recommend putting up a negative Google review about their church. Yet, if you were to ask me if I’d do it again if I had to do it all over, I’d probably say yes. And here’s the thing – how can you trust the Google reviewer? There are some church members who are chronic complainers and who really are divisive. I’ve seen them – they complain about everything: the music, the color of the carpet, the brand of coffee, the sermon too long, not enough older people, wrong Bible translation.
I think probably the best thing to do is to learn what a healthy church looks like, Look for a balance of truth and grace. Look for red flags: legalism, signing documents, heavy on authority, etc.
jkpvarin, if elders make you feel that you are unworthy to approach them, you are at the wrong church.
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Bwahahahahaha (breath) hahahahaha
http://www.elizabethesther.com/2010/09/tweeting-for-the-glory-of-god-a-handy-guide-to-biblical-tweeting.html
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wftt2,
Thank you for that biblical tweeting guide, It was both edifying and terribly funny. A great way to start the morning.
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