Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Jas 1:27
If there is a religion to be had, it is that I religiously help others in need. I am sure God wants nothing of any superstitions I have but He is always telling us to be our brother's keeper. If there is any way to bring God into our day, I am sure it has everything to do with serving those around us. After all these centuries under the influence of Christ, just about everyone sees the nobility of helping widows and orphans. Interestingly, the hardest people to serve are generally those closest to us. Surely I should go out of my way to serve the orphan and widow but by all means let me also find the nobility in serving my own family, my wife and children. 6/11/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
Just me trying to be honest with God.
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label religion. Show all posts
“Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair.” G.K. Chesterton
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Jas 1:27
If there is a religion to be had, it is that I religiously help others in need. I am sure God wants nothing of any superstitions I have but He is always telling us to be our brother's keeper. If there is any way to bring God into our day, I am sure it has everything to do with serving those around us. After all these centuries under the influence of Christ, just about everyone sees the nobility of helping widows and orphans. Interestingly, the hardest people to serve are generally those closest to us. Surely I should go out of my way to serve the orphan and widow but by all means let me also find the nobility in serving my own family, my wife and children. 6/11/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
If there is a religion to be had, it is that I religiously help others in need. I am sure God wants nothing of any superstitions I have but He is always telling us to be our brother's keeper. If there is any way to bring God into our day, I am sure it has everything to do with serving those around us. After all these centuries under the influence of Christ, just about everyone sees the nobility of helping widows and orphans. Interestingly, the hardest people to serve are generally those closest to us. Surely I should go out of my way to serve the orphan and widow but by all means let me also find the nobility in serving my own family, my wife and children. 6/11/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
“The churches must learn humility as well as teach it.” George Bernard Shaw
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.” James 1.26
I can usually tell when I am being religious and that is when any semblance of a gentile and quiet spirit is drowned out by the propagation of personal platitudes. I diminish my relationship with the Father to a doctrinal position ,not that doctrine is bad, just something less . It is so much better when I cease pontificating my religion and simply share the joys of my relationship with God. 6/10/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
I can usually tell when I am being religious and that is when any semblance of a gentile and quiet spirit is drowned out by the propagation of personal platitudes. I diminish my relationship with the Father to a doctrinal position ,not that doctrine is bad, just something less . It is so much better when I cease pontificating my religion and simply share the joys of my relationship with God. 6/10/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
“The churches must learn humility as well as teach it.” George Bernard Shaw
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.” James 1.26
I can usually tell when I am being religious and that is when any semblance of a gentile and quiet spirit is drowned out by the propagation of personal platitudes. I diminish my relationship with the Father to a doctrinal position ,not that doctrine is bad, just something less . It is so much better when I cease pontificating my religion and simply share the joys of my relationship with God. 6/10/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
I can usually tell when I am being religious and that is when any semblance of a gentile and quiet spirit is drowned out by the propagation of personal platitudes. I diminish my relationship with the Father to a doctrinal position ,not that doctrine is bad, just something less . It is so much better when I cease pontificating my religion and simply share the joys of my relationship with God. 6/10/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
"People don't come to church for preachments, of course, but to daydream about God.” Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
"...and he was called God's friend.” James 2
Most of the people I meet are not searching for religion if they are searching at all. I think people want meaningful friendship or at least the benefits of it. God offers us friendship but in order to have a friend or at least a real friend one must not only be open to it but also be open. This is why people settle for some self made religion. It is easier to keep God at a safe distance tucked away behind the cloak of religious practice rather than let Him too close. To know friendship with God, like any friendship, we must open up to Him and that means being vulnerable. Most of us find that hard to do. It is not easy to trust your life to another, especially when He has the reputation of hurting people in order to heal them. But what would you expect from a friend who also happens to be a surgeon and who knows you need surgery. 6/9/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
Most of the people I meet are not searching for religion if they are searching at all. I think people want meaningful friendship or at least the benefits of it. God offers us friendship but in order to have a friend or at least a real friend one must not only be open to it but also be open. This is why people settle for some self made religion. It is easier to keep God at a safe distance tucked away behind the cloak of religious practice rather than let Him too close. To know friendship with God, like any friendship, we must open up to Him and that means being vulnerable. Most of us find that hard to do. It is not easy to trust your life to another, especially when He has the reputation of hurting people in order to heal them. But what would you expect from a friend who also happens to be a surgeon and who knows you need surgery. 6/9/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
"People don't come to church for preachments, of course, but to daydream about God.” Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
"...and he was called God's friend.” James 2
Most of the people I meet are not searching for religion if they are searching at all. I think people want meaningful friendship or at least the benefits of it. God offers us friendship but in order to have a friend or at least a real friend one must not only be open to it but also be open. This is why people settle for some self made religion. It is easier to keep God at a safe distance tucked away behind the cloak of religious practice rather than let Him too close. To know friendship with God, like any friendship, we must open up to Him and that means being vulnerable. Most of us find that hard to do. It is not easy to trust your life to another, especially when He has the reputation of hurting people in order to heal them. But what would you expect from a friend who also happens to be a surgeon and who knows you need surgery. 6/9/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
Most of the people I meet are not searching for religion if they are searching at all. I think people want meaningful friendship or at least the benefits of it. God offers us friendship but in order to have a friend or at least a real friend one must not only be open to it but also be open. This is why people settle for some self made religion. It is easier to keep God at a safe distance tucked away behind the cloak of religious practice rather than let Him too close. To know friendship with God, like any friendship, we must open up to Him and that means being vulnerable. Most of us find that hard to do. It is not easy to trust your life to another, especially when He has the reputation of hurting people in order to heal them. But what would you expect from a friend who also happens to be a surgeon and who knows you need surgery. 6/9/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
“Most sermons sound to me like commercials - but I can't make out whether God is the Sponsor or the Product.” Mignon McLaughlin
“...your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” Rom.1
We would expect any self made religion that reduces a real relationship with God into mere ritual to lack any real depth. This is why religious people spouting their religion often sound like a salesman peddling their wares. And, lest I be too hard on others let me examine all the shallow expressions of my own witness. If I sound like a commercial it is probably I'm being one. My efforts to put in a good word about “Jesus” can be shared more for my benefit than truly seeking the benefit of another.
I have no interest in buying an I-Pad because of some salesman trying to sale me one. My interest comes from all my friends who have one and love it. The value they assign to it is witnessed by the value it brings to their life. The best witness to any faith is likewise the value it brings to us, to the quality of our relationships our responsibilities and even our recreations. It is sad that many people have no interest in God because of all the cheap ways He is advertised to the world. 6/8/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
We would expect any self made religion that reduces a real relationship with God into mere ritual to lack any real depth. This is why religious people spouting their religion often sound like a salesman peddling their wares. And, lest I be too hard on others let me examine all the shallow expressions of my own witness. If I sound like a commercial it is probably I'm being one. My efforts to put in a good word about “Jesus” can be shared more for my benefit than truly seeking the benefit of another.
I have no interest in buying an I-Pad because of some salesman trying to sale me one. My interest comes from all my friends who have one and love it. The value they assign to it is witnessed by the value it brings to their life. The best witness to any faith is likewise the value it brings to us, to the quality of our relationships our responsibilities and even our recreations. It is sad that many people have no interest in God because of all the cheap ways He is advertised to the world. 6/8/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
“Most sermons sound to me like commercials - but I can't make out whether God is the Sponsor or the Product.” Mignon McLaughlin
“...your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” Rom.1
We would expect any self made religion that reduces a real relationship with God into mere ritual to lack any real depth. This is why religious people spouting their religion often sound like a salesman peddling their wares. And, lest I be too hard on others let me examine all the shallow expressions of my own witness. If I sound like a commercial it is probably I'm being one. My efforts to put in a good word about “Jesus” can be shared more for my benefit than truly seeking the benefit of another.
I have no interest in buying an I-Pad because of some salesman trying to sale me one. My interest comes from all my friends who have one and love it. The value they assign to it is witnessed by the value it brings to their life. The best witness to any faith is likewise the value it brings to us, to the quality of our relationships our responsibilities and even our recreations. It is sad that many people have no interest in God because of all the cheap ways He is advertised to the world. 6/8/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
We would expect any self made religion that reduces a real relationship with God into mere ritual to lack any real depth. This is why religious people spouting their religion often sound like a salesman peddling their wares. And, lest I be too hard on others let me examine all the shallow expressions of my own witness. If I sound like a commercial it is probably I'm being one. My efforts to put in a good word about “Jesus” can be shared more for my benefit than truly seeking the benefit of another.
I have no interest in buying an I-Pad because of some salesman trying to sale me one. My interest comes from all my friends who have one and love it. The value they assign to it is witnessed by the value it brings to their life. The best witness to any faith is likewise the value it brings to us, to the quality of our relationships our responsibilities and even our recreations. It is sad that many people have no interest in God because of all the cheap ways He is advertised to the world. 6/8/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
“All religions are the same: religion is basically guilt, with different holidays.” Cathy Ladman
“These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” Col 2:23
I have a number of atheistic friends who regard religion as one means to control the masses and even believe that there were times in history when it was necessary for the survival of the human species. There is no doubt that religion has been used in such a manner. I have been on both ends, trying to control others and experienced others trying to control me--usually by flinging guilt trips. I have long since given up both. In my own experience the practice of man made religion, especially the guilt stuff, does nothing to promote self control. Here is one big difference between man made religion and a relationship with God. God doesn't fling guilt trips at all. He enlightens us to what is true which means he often convicts people of things which are false. He encourages us as a Father. And, like a coach He enables people to escape the prison of our selfishness. God does not want to control us. The fruit of His presence is “self control,” voluntary love and the joy of one's life overflowing in goodness. 6/7/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
I have a number of atheistic friends who regard religion as one means to control the masses and even believe that there were times in history when it was necessary for the survival of the human species. There is no doubt that religion has been used in such a manner. I have been on both ends, trying to control others and experienced others trying to control me--usually by flinging guilt trips. I have long since given up both. In my own experience the practice of man made religion, especially the guilt stuff, does nothing to promote self control. Here is one big difference between man made religion and a relationship with God. God doesn't fling guilt trips at all. He enlightens us to what is true which means he often convicts people of things which are false. He encourages us as a Father. And, like a coach He enables people to escape the prison of our selfishness. God does not want to control us. The fruit of His presence is “self control,” voluntary love and the joy of one's life overflowing in goodness. 6/7/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
“All religions are the same: religion is basically guilt, with different holidays.” Cathy Ladman
“These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” Col 2:23
I have a number of atheistic friends who regard religion as one means to control the masses and even believe that there were times in history when it was necessary for the survival of the human species. There is no doubt that religion has been used in such a manner. I have been on both ends, trying to control others and experienced others trying to control me--usually by flinging guilt trips. I have long since given up both. In my own experience the practice of man made religion, especially the guilt stuff, does nothing to promote self control. Here is one big difference between man made religion and a relationship with God. God doesn't fling guilt trips at all. He enlightens us to what is true which means he often convicts people of things which are false. He encourages us as a Father. And, like a coach He enables people to escape the prison of our selfishness. God does not want to control us. The fruit of His presence is “self control,” voluntary love and the joy of one's life overflowing in goodness. 6/7/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
I have a number of atheistic friends who regard religion as one means to control the masses and even believe that there were times in history when it was necessary for the survival of the human species. There is no doubt that religion has been used in such a manner. I have been on both ends, trying to control others and experienced others trying to control me--usually by flinging guilt trips. I have long since given up both. In my own experience the practice of man made religion, especially the guilt stuff, does nothing to promote self control. Here is one big difference between man made religion and a relationship with God. God doesn't fling guilt trips at all. He enlightens us to what is true which means he often convicts people of things which are false. He encourages us as a Father. And, like a coach He enables people to escape the prison of our selfishness. God does not want to control us. The fruit of His presence is “self control,” voluntary love and the joy of one's life overflowing in goodness. 6/7/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
“Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion - several of them.” Mark Twain
“Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion - several of them.” Mark Twain
“So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.” Acts 17
Religious life permeates our planet. I have always believed religion to be a poor substitute for a relationship with God. Don't get me wrong, one can religiously practice habits of a healthy relationship such as spending quality time with the one you love. But, we can also substitute any relationship, especially one with God with religious rote or ritual. I have spent time reading sacred literature instead of listening to God or gone to some meeting without really meeting with Him. Religion can kill you, in more ways than one. People have killed in the name of religion but our own religion can be just as dangerous. Jesus has made it abundantly clear that God doesn't want fanatical religious followers. He desires sons and daughters. Forget religion. 6/6/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
“So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.” Acts 17
Religious life permeates our planet. I have always believed religion to be a poor substitute for a relationship with God. Don't get me wrong, one can religiously practice habits of a healthy relationship such as spending quality time with the one you love. But, we can also substitute any relationship, especially one with God with religious rote or ritual. I have spent time reading sacred literature instead of listening to God or gone to some meeting without really meeting with Him. Religion can kill you, in more ways than one. People have killed in the name of religion but our own religion can be just as dangerous. Jesus has made it abundantly clear that God doesn't want fanatical religious followers. He desires sons and daughters. Forget religion. 6/6/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
“Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion - several of them.” Mark Twain
“Man is a Religious Animal. He is the only Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion - several of them.” Mark Twain
“So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.” Acts 17
Religious life permeates our planet. I have always believed religion to be a poor substitute for a relationship with God. Don't get me wrong, one can religiously practice habits of a healthy relationship such as spending quality time with the one you love. But, we can also substitute any relationship, especially one with God with religious rote or ritual. I have spent time reading sacred literature instead of listening to God or gone to some meeting without really meeting with Him. Religion can kill you, in more ways than one. People have killed in the name of religion but our own religion can be just as dangerous. Jesus has made it abundantly clear that God doesn't want fanatical religious followers. He desires sons and daughters. Forget religion. 6/6/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
“So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.” Acts 17
Religious life permeates our planet. I have always believed religion to be a poor substitute for a relationship with God. Don't get me wrong, one can religiously practice habits of a healthy relationship such as spending quality time with the one you love. But, we can also substitute any relationship, especially one with God with religious rote or ritual. I have spent time reading sacred literature instead of listening to God or gone to some meeting without really meeting with Him. Religion can kill you, in more ways than one. People have killed in the name of religion but our own religion can be just as dangerous. Jesus has made it abundantly clear that God doesn't want fanatical religious followers. He desires sons and daughters. Forget religion. 6/6/2011 Conversations Within ts (Jacksonville, FL)
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