Matthew 26:39

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Life Lesson

Today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) begins with Jesus agonizing in the garden of Gethsemane. The bible says his crushed soul was filled with anguish, deep distress and “grief to the point of death.” He knew the impending physcial pain, separation from the Father and death before resurrection would soon be quickly upon him. Not very long after Jesus tells Peter, James and John to stay and watch with him. It is here Verse 39 begins wherein Jesus goes a little further and fell face down on the ground to pray.

In pondering over today’s passage several things spoke to me. First in profound awed respect, ultimate show of reverence & humbleness and most extreme demonstration of abject surrender imaginable, it says in the King James and NASB versions that Jesus “fell on his face and prayed”. While I’ve often prayed kneeling, to be quite honest, I don’t recall doing so in such a servile posture. Second despite understanding the magnitude of what was to happen and how much suffering he would endure, Jesus was more concerned with the Father’s will than his. In other words, he was totally obedient, faithful beyond human understanding and trusted God’s plan completely.

Hence, today my take away is to reflect on how the Son responded to the Father. Which was unimaginable reverence, total obedience and complete unwavering trust. And to thus apply it in my life as a guide to strive toward.

This is supposed to be a sonnet, but I don’t think I got the meter quite right.  I didn’t try too hard   In fact a lot of it doesn’t even technically rhyme, and its not amazingly and beautifully poetic….I even used a word that apparently doesn’t exist…but I just had stuff I wanted to say, so I did

I feel You calling, stirring, begging me

These things inside me ache and groan for You

I’m challenging all that I once called free

Cause what is freedom without knowing You?

At times I close my eyes and feel a stir

There’s so much more desire that I need

This life goes on; a feelingless big blur

I want to think of You just like I breathe

I feel You calling; “will you come away?”

I hate the way my head feels in this world

In my confusion, hear what I would say

I want to live in love with my good Lord

Behold something I don not want to fear

Just knowing You and growing ever near

“Our thoughts are what makes us.” I saw this quote in our office with a big mountain on the background of the quote, which in my opinion signifies great thoughts and dreams.

I’m a natural born negative thinker, and it’s ironic that I’m writing this now as this article should refer to somewhat positive thinking. My teenage years passed by without me realizing that I’m really a pessimist and depression without any reason always visit me. This really is a pain in the ass and have really bad effect on our body. Small happenings will drain a lot of energy because you’ll be worried on the results by making you think and think of negative things that might happen in the future which could be the result of your decision, also known as anxiety.

In my family, my mother is also somewhat a negative thinker and worry a lot of times. I think she’s the most dedicated person to our church, in our family. She also has heard lots of sermons and preachings about these thoughts, anxiety and worrying, but still she can’t apply it in our daily lives properly. Small ‘not-so-good’ happening or event, makes her become anxious and worry too much.

I always wanted to change that character of ours. Today, I’m still not a full-blown optimist, but I’m starting to get there, and I knew I’ll get there someday. Lots of factors have helped me, but the 2 main factors are as follows:

• I’ve read the verse Matthew 6:34, which is stated below.
• I’ve read a part of a very good article by Yogi Gupta which can be seen through this link http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/gupta2.htm

Our thoughts indeed is what makes us who we are now, and what we can do and achieve. By forming series of ‘healthy’ and positive thoughts, and erasing negative things in our mind, it will bring a boost of positive energy in our lives and makes us healthier each day. I knew and have proven this, because I’ve been there and did my best getting out of it. With the help of the Lord and using the article to change a part of myself, I feel like I’m a better person each day. A worry-free life indeed is a great life.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34

Is Timothy Conway Going To Hell? Tal Brooke Thinks So.

It is extremely perplexing why PhD Timothy Conway (a true-believer in Gurus, Enlightened Masters, Mystics, Hinduism and Eastern Philosophy) cited Tal Brooke (an Evangelical and Fundamentalist Christian) as an authority and reference against Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

In Tal Brooke’s book “Riders Of The Cosmic Circuit, The Dark Side of Superconsciousness”, he attacked Hinduism, claimed that enlightenment is an evil path and that God-Men and Gurus are in a state of perfect demon-possession. Therefore, Timothy Conway’s reference to Tal Brooke has amusing repercussions against him, his beliefs and his advocacy of Gurus, Enlightened Masters, Mystics, Hinduism and Eastern Philosophy.

One could similarly cite Tal Brooke as an authority and reference against Timothy Conway’s promotion of “demon-possessed” God-Men and Gurus and the evil paths of enlightenment they promote through sinful Eastern Philosophies.

Since Tal Brooke heavily relied on subjective, fanatic and religiously-based arguments (which all originated from Brooke’s LSD-induced hallucinations) to draw his conclusions that Gurus are in a state of perfect demon possession and that enlightenment is an evil path leading to Satan, what does this say about the integrity and objectivity of his claims against Sathya Sai Baba?

Why does Timothy Conway cite this type of person as a credible and reliable source for his disinformation campaigns against Sathya Sai Baba? Apparently, PhD Timothy Conway doesn’t mind compromising his own beliefs to further his smear campaigns against his former guru.

Books By Guru & Cult Promoter and self-described “sagely author” Tim Conway:

• Women of Power and Grace – Nine Astonishing, Inspiring Luminaries of Our Time by Timothy Conway, Ph.D. (April 1996 • 351 pg • soft • ISBN 1-882978-27-4)
• India’s Sages: Nondual Wisdom from the Heart of Freedom by Timothy Conway, Ph.D. (Winter 2009 • 400 pg • soft • $24 • ISBN 1-882978-32-3)
• India’s Sages Source Book: Nondual Wisdom from Hindus, Buddhists, Jainas, Tantrics, Sants, Sikhs and Sufis by Timothy Conway, Ph.D. (Winter 2009 • 700 pg • soft • $28 • ISBN 1-882978-35-8)

Furthermore, Tim Conway intends to publish:

1. Our Religions’ Future: Truths, Trends and Challenges for Old and New Spiritualities
2. Healing Our World: Crucial Solutions for Urgent Problems (A Call for EcoWisdom, Social Justice and Spiritual Liberation)
3. Spirit, Science and Deep Wonder: Discovering Consciousness, Cosmos, Life, Afterlife, & Other-Life.

Needless to say, all of these books would be labeled as “cultic”, “demonic”, “disinformative”, “occult” and “New Age” by fundamentalist Tal Brooke.

Tal Brooke believes that anyone who does not accept Jesus Christ as one’s only Lord and Savior is going to hell. This would include Timothy Conway.

Timothy Conway was so utterly desperate to smear Sathya Sai Baba, he blindly cited fundamentalist Tal Brooke. Timothy Conway not only shot himself in the foot, he also shot the feet of innumerable gurus, saints and sages that Tal Brooke believes to be demon possessed! If Tal Brooke is so worthy of being referenced against Sathya Sai Baba, surely Tal Brooke must be worthy of being referenced against other Gurus as well.

On thing is certain, Timothy Conway won’t be citing Tal Brooke in his two new books eulogizing and praising over 40+ gurus! If it impacts Timothy Conway’s money-driven bottom line, “suppress, distort and deny” seems to be the name of the game.

My Precious Children,

My love and devotion for you is as strong as my love and devotion to my father. In my word, I gave you many examples of my feelings for my father. My teachings such as my being the Vine and he the husbandman for one. I also taught you when you have seen me you‘ve seen the father. Many examples showed you the characteristics of the kingdom and the father. My devotion was further shown, when I taught you to pray by honoring him. My most important acts were when I left his side in obedience to come down to walk among you and go to the cross for you even when I asked him to take the cup from me – I said not my will but yours.

My greatest desire is to see you learn devotion to him and reflect it by your love for me. To learn this kind of devotion while here on earth is to pray, read your bible, worship and fellowship one with another. Nurture your Christian family relationship, as it is so important for your strength and growth. My father and I desire a close relationship with you and when that is accomplished, the effects will spill out to your natural family relationships. When you start treating them with love, dignity, and respect and are getting along in peace will you finally realize just how important your relationship is to us. This has to be set in place before you ever go out and try to win back my lost sheep, because they will see no difference if you don’t.

Next, spread my love out to the world showing them the love, peace, gentleness, goodness, meekness. The trick to thinking of others first is to get self and family matters out of the way because it take the focus off me and puts it right square on you. Be real and honest with them, as I want you to be with us. The world can spot a hypocrite a mile away. Help my hurting and needy lost children. Love them willingly with out judging because remember you were once that way when I found you. Do not be quick to judge, lest you be judged in the same manner.

Use all the armor and weapons I have taught you, and stand tall, and be ready for battle, as this is a war in the spirit and we are after souls. Use my scripture against him and he will flee form you. Call on me in your need or in any time and I will be there to assist you and the battle is not yours but mine. My angels stand ready to battle for you call on them and they will come. The rewards are few done here but when you get up here with me, is a different story.

Once your battle is over, and you have come home, you will find out just how worth it all it was to go through this process. I want all of you here with me- not just afew but all my children. I want heaven full and hell empty. I want to meet you and walk by your side for eternity. The rewards will be so great because I will get a chance to pour out my love in full to you continually for eternity. No human pain, tear or such will be there all will be new.

Stay the course my children, It is worth it all,

With greater love than you can Imagine,

Jesus Christ

I am thankful for:

• My loving wife
• My beautiful daughters
• My parents
• My sister
• My nephew
• My cousins
• My grandparents
• My aunts and uncles
• My in-laws
• My health
• My job
• Love
• Writing
• Books
• Friendship
• Laughter
• Happiness
• Joy
• Excitement
• The Yankees
• Sports
• Technology
• Music
• Musicals
• Movies
• My God

Happy Thanksgiving!

Matthew 25:29

To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

Life Lesson

Today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) is a parable wherein Jesus tells of a master loaning money to three of his servants. The master divides among them different sums of gold, commensurate with their abilities. Each to be responsible for their allotment, not an ounce more nor an ounce less. Most would agree the master’s expectation was fair and reasonable. Upon returning, the master then learns that of the three servants, the one who received the smallest portion earned nothing. The bible says in Verse 24 he “hid it in the earth” because he was afraid of consequence of failure, more concerned about self and less concerned about his master’s expectation.

In pondering over today’s passage what spoke to me loudest was “how well we use” what we have, “not how much” we have. Had the servant been less afraid and less concerned with self by investing the money to earn even interest, would have demonstrated to the master his willingness to obey and effectiveness to steward well what was given. What also spoke to me…”what” or “how much” doesn’t necessarily have to be in the form of money or gold but rather it could be anything such as time, serving or a spiritual gift even.

Hence, my take away today is to be a good steward of what the Lord has entrusted me with, whether much or whether little. To put Him first, self last and obey Him willingly. And further, to be mindful it is “not how much we have” but more so “how well we use what we have” that matters most.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Shepard family!  What are you thankful for this year?

I am thankful for finding the Lord, feeling his love and acceptance.  I am thankful for my family–for my husband who I am so in love with, for my two beautiful daughters who are such beautiful, precious gifts God.  I am thankful for the large extended family my husband and I share they are all wonderful.  I am thankful that there will be an abundance of food on our table and I am thankful that we want for nothing.  We have all that we need.

We won’t be having our Thanksgiving dinner today because of my husband’s work schedule, but we’ll be making our turkey tomorrow instead.  I hope that all of you out there enjoy the day with your family and friends, have safe travels, and immerse yourselves in love.

1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. 7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever: 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercyendureth for ever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

-Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26

I am smiling.

Why?  When there is so much topsy-turvy situations my life.

It’s like sitting in the eye of the storm; chaos on the left, chaos on the right, in front and at the back.

With calmness in me I know that God is with me. God is in me. God is everywhere. He is keeping me so calm and in everything, He keeps revealing himself to me.

This journey hasn’t been easy. Finding God again and standing up and continuing the fight when the devil knocks me down. There have been times, in these few weeks, where I have had to really push to keep my eyes focused on Him. When it felt like it’s all too much.

I have realised in these last few days that even though things don’t  go my way, it does not mean He does not love me. It does not mean He has given up! It simply means He is preparing me for something better! Something greater! His way is so indescribably magnificent that if I allow myself to wait, He reveals Himself to me in the most wonderful ways.

I smile because I know my Lord is helping me. He is guiding me. I am not alone. This journey will take where He wants me to be. All I have to do is believe, to trust!

When it gets tough I will be still and know that The Joy of the Lord is my strength!

I Will Rejoice Greatly

Whether it be Thanksgiving Day or any other day of the year, we have great reason to rejoice.     We are to be thankful for much more than food, clothing, jobs, etc.     Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 61:10,

I will rejoice greatly in the LORD,    
My soul will exult in my God;    
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation.    
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness.

The greatest gift we have from God is salvation in Christ Jesus.     And, we see here that it is God who “clothes” us with salvation.     It is nothing we can ever do for ourselves —- it is a gift from God.     In love, God Himself “clothes” us — like a Servant dresses his master — only, it is God who has humbly made Himself  our Servant.

And it is our LORD and Creator who condescends to wrap us with an awesome  ”robe” of true righteousness.     It is not a righteousness of our own that we can buy or create, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ.     As we grasp the depths of these truths, we will truly “rejoice greatly in the LORD”.      We haven’t done anything to deserve the eternal wealth of all these gracious gifts of love, but yet, He has chosen to so love us.    He has so chosen — while we were lying helpless in the mire of our sins.     Such love and care are incomprehensible — far beyond our wildest imagination.

Can you imagine God Almighty tenderly wrapping us with a robe of true righteousness?     With this robe of honest righteousness, we will no longer be looked upon as despicably disgusting sinners.     All of our sins will be washed away.     In actual purity and holiness, we can now enjoy a true fellowship with our LORD.

Realizing the wonder of this utter cleanness, we greatly desire to stay clean forever and always enjoy this relief and peace with our Savior.

With hearts rejoicing in our LORD, we say,  “Hallelujah!     My Lord, You have done all things for me.     What has been impossible for me, You have made possible.     Thank You.”

Love,  
Margaret

A devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and King of kings…

**************

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me,
all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD,

Forever.

Help raise money for sex education by supporting Scarleteen at their web site:

http://www.scarleteen.com/

“Want the basics of sex and gender? It’s a Genderpalooza. You can find out what you might not already know about puberty, then get educated on about male sexual anatomy with extras on foreskins and the the prostate gland. You can get the lowdown on female anatomy, and check out some additions on labia, breasts and vaginal discharges.”

“Do you have your prereqs on sexual orientation? We’ve got The Bees and…the Bees: A Homosexuality and Bisexuality Primer for you. Thinking about coming out this year? Here’s a guide on How to Come Out of the Closet Without Tripping Over Your Laundry.”

If you are from a Christian family you are likely taught to not have sex which is proven to not work.  Maybe you are taught to do side hugs instead of “front” hugs because that will cause you to not sin. …haha.

Well, the site is one of the best places for our teens to visit and learn about sex.  Being educated is far better than believing in magic.

If you haven’t noticed, believing in magic is what lead to the war in Iraq and the practice of torture, in the name of God which magically makes it moral….so they seem to think.

^{The only verse in the bible that mentions the name of a street.}

¹¹And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

Visible you can see an Angel in the cloud, as well as a dove to the right, taken on 10/26/2009. Thank you Lord!

Visible you can see an Angel in the cloud, as well as a dove to the right, taken on 10/26/2009. Thank you Lord!

Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Luke 12:37-40

Friday, November 27th, 2009

The following statement is an example of what many Christians have stated to me regarding Atheist:

“Christian faith allows us to believe in God in the same way Atheists faith allows them to not believe in God.  It takes more faith to not believe than it does to believe. “

Recently someone commented to additionally to this by stating:

“Hating on one disproportionately only shows your tainted bias.”

Lets apply some logic and common sense to these two statements:

There is a difference between having a faith or a belief  in a supernatural being (in this case God) and NOT believing in a supernatural being.  The onus of proof is on those that make a claim.  If their claim is extraordinary, then it is reasonable to provide extraordinary evidence to prove your claim is fact.

Since Christians claim their form of superstition is real and that it has amazing supernatural powers then it is only fair to expect them to provide the evidence in support of such a claim.  Just as most Christians expect and even demand that scientist provide evidence to prove their claims of evolution.  I believe this is reasonable to apply to anyone that is making a supernatural claim.

I don’t believe crossing the path of a black cat for the same reasons that I don’t believe in any of the Gods.  There is NO evidence to demonstrate it is true.

Atheism is a faith? If Christian wish to claim Atheism is a faith then they must accept that they too are Atheist.  They are an Atheist with respect to all other Gods except their own.  I am an Atheist with respect to all Gods, plus one more…their God.

They don’t believe in the other Gods the same reasons I don’t believe in their God.  In their reasoning, they are justified for not believing in other Gods, but I am not justified in not believing in their God?

Any child can reason through the failure in their logic.

In fact, it is far more reasonable to not believe in their God or any version of man made Gods.

Their claim that I am biased or not objective is another attempt to deflect the truth:

As I am an Agnostic, I don’t believe in any of the man made Gods.  I am an Atheist with respect to Man Made Gods just like the Christian is an Atheist with respect to all the same Gods as me, except one.

As an Agnostic, I am not threatened with unfathomable pain through the application of fire on my flesh in a place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth for an eternity as punishment for not believing.  I have free will to believe without some constraint of fear of what will happen if I don’t believe.  As an Agnostic or Atheist, we have this freedom.  Christians don’t fear that they will lose their virgins in heaven for not believing.  They have free will to not believe in Allah, in this sense.

Additionally, as an Agnostic, I am not promised some great rewards of eternal life, health, happiness, peace, love for believing in what I believe.  Therefore, some future event doesn’t guide my decision.

I ask, which person is more likely to be objective?  A person that is promised great magical rewards to believe and promised the most horrible punishment if they don’t?

Or, someone that is not constrained by such belief?

They often make another claim as if it validates their God as being real:

“You can’t prove God is NOT real”

This is of course an excuse or an attempt to deflect from the facts.  I can’t claim that they are not able to prove my invisible healing Dod is not real and therefore, he MUST be true.  That is absurd!!!  A pathetic attempt to demonstrate their God is any more relevant or true.

Because they have no evidence, they are forced to make excuses and additional claims that are not supported by facts.  If they cannot provide evidence to demonstrate it is a fact, then it is not true, … it is a LIE.

From www.verseoftheday.com comes today’s bible verse:

The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid?

–Psalm 27:1 (New Internation Version)

What this verse represents to me at this point my journey:

To me, it means that as long as I place my trust in the Lord that there is nothing on this Earth that I should fear.  He is with me, and I know that when the Lord calls me home it will be in His time, not mine–so what should I fear?  When my time here is done, I’ll go, and there is nothing that can be done to avoid that.

Matthew 20:20

Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor.

Life Lesson

Today’s word (Word Of Reflection Daily) begins after Jesus predicts his death a third time and as he starts to teach about serving others. At this moment James and John’s mother comes to Jesus to ask a favor. In reading today’s passage it says their mother “knelt respectfully”, which to me implies worship. That by kneeling she acknowledged Jesus’ worthiness and expressed reverence. However, the passage then goes further to say “to ask a favor”. In other words, while appearing to offer reverence, she did so but with a concealed agenda and an ulterior motive. Which, was to let her sons sit in place of honor next to Jesus in his Kingdom.

All of us including myself are guilty of this. It could be in the little things. Maybe as small as buttering up your spouse before asking if you can go golfing with the guys or shopping with the gals. Or it might be something more substantial. Something kingdom related, such as going to church or serving in church ministry for the wrong reason. For instance, attending church not to worship and praise the Lord but, more so to gain His blessings and things you want. Or maybe it could be for example serving in ministry to bring focus on self…not out of love, respect, thankfulness, gratitude and obedience to Him.

Hence, my take away today is to continue to do a heart check by asking the Lord to reveal all things not pleasing to Him and then make corrections as necessary. Also, to reflect often on this passage to make sure worship and reverence is first, foremost and always to adore, praise, honor and glorify Him.