Now that it’s December, I feel as though it’s the proper time to make a Christmas post. This will be the first Christmas post on this blog so I really want to make it special. I can’t believe the blog is almost a year old in February. Anyways, back to Christmas. I have such a great idea for how we can celebrate the true season of Christmas.

Gifts are great, time with family and being around our friends and those we love is nice, but this Christmas, while we’re sipping our hot cocoa and opening presents, reminiscing over family time, let’s take the time to cherish and honor the true meaning of Christmas. Far too often, many people get caught up in the media’s portrayal of Christmas. The media tells us that we need to be a materialistic society caught up in the season of giving and spending. Presents are great, time with family is nice, but as I said before, while we’re doing this, why not take the time to think of the true meaning of the season?

Christmas is often referred to as the season of giving, and rightly so. However, it’s not about the material possessions that we can give each other, but rather it’s about God’s gift of salvation to the entire world on that very first Christmas night. He sent his only son, Jesus Christ, into the world on that very day so that we would no longer have to die for our sins. Christ was the atoning sacrifice for us. It pains me to see how often we neglect the truth of this matter, and many people don’t even take the time to honor God on the day of our Savior’s birth. What is the matter with us? Have we gone soft? Are we greedy, selfish, materialistic, self-centered, all of the above? Whatever the case, we need to learn to take a step back and honor the true meaning of Christmas this season.

I challenge all of you to hold the true meaning of Christmas dear in your hearts and to honor it as best as you can starting this year and for many years to come. Pass on the TRUE story of Christmas to your children and grandchildren. They deserve to know that they have a Savior, a beautiful, wonderful, blessed redeemer who came into the world that very first Christmas to save all humanity from death as a result of their sins.

Bible Verse of the day: “For God so loved the world, he sent his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”—John 3:16

tiny rose growing in my garden

In the course of spiritual evolution, the quality of one’s emotional life naturally changes, and the process of purification, initiated by the infusion of greater light, accelerates this change.  Purification begins to transform the function of emotionality from a karmically-based foundation to one that is soul-based. Instead of the personality-self operating according to its own tastes and preferences, this outer expression of selfhood begins to reflect the wishes, intentions and attitudes of the higher self or soul.  As this shift in identity takes place, emotions that are ‘lower’ in vibration – namely, those that partake of negative energies more than positive – are replaced by ones that have at their root, the experience of love.  This transition occurs because it is the soul’s essential nature to exist in a continual state of love, and as the personality adapts more and more to the soul’s essence, it, too, becomes infused with the deeper attributes of the soul.

-Julie Redstone

A pathway in verse toward harmony and tranquility.

To arrive at harmony we must travel toward our natural spiritual energy and allow it to meet us, our mind, our body our surroundings, our lives.

Once tranquility has been reached there will no longer be a divorce from your inner energy, and your daily life.

Those who find tranquility are gentle, non-violent, and respectful of the gift they possess.

Everyone makes mistakes but tranquility comes to those who consistently educate themselves with spiritual nature.

Die verse. Diverse. And welcome the curse. Conquered. Divide. Divided are conquered. Die verse. Diverse. Assume now your worse. Bound in the bounty of a raven’s purse.

“Some of the early missionaries, on returning home, were reproved by the Lord in section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants because they had treated lightly the Book of Mormon. As a result, their minds had been darkened. The Lord said that this kind of treatment of the Book of Mormon brought the whole Church under condemnation, even all of the children of Zion. And then the Lord said, ‘And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon.’ (See D&C 84:54–57.) Are we still under that condemnation?”Reading the Book of Mormon is one of the greatest persuaders to get men on missions. We need more missionaries. But we also need better-prepared missionaries coming out of the wards and branches and homes where they know and love the Book of Mormon. A great challenge and day of preparation is at hand for missionaries to meet and teach with the Book of Mormon. We need missionaries to match our message.”

Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon Is the Word of God,” Ensign, May 1975, 65

James 4:7-11

11. Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.  12. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

This place is so crowed
Music is the only sound I here
As I take my seat
Our eyes meet

With a warm smile
As we continue to stare
I want to turn my head
Hoping my looks
Aren’t miss-read

It only takes a minute
After I am fully seated
For you to come by
And say Hi

This is not the place
But it’s where we met face to face
Man I hope this guy
Is not on the chase
If that’s not case
Then it’s ok
For him to take a seat
And be in my space

Many have walked by
Trying to catch my eye
While never turning my head
And talking with you
Should hopefully
Give them a clue

On a chance meeting
In this place
You would be the first
I must admit
To keep a smile
On my face

Eight months have passed
You’re still complimenting me on having class
It is true
All men aren’t just looking
For a piece of ass

There are many misconceptions
Of people who attend these places
Clustered and crowed with so many faces

On that one night a year
I decide to go out dance
I met a gentleman
With my first glance

 © 2005-2009 YouRtheReason

Romans 2:7-11

7. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10. but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11. For God does not show favoritism.

 the cover of my assignment book

The verse for tonight is Hebrews 10:32-39.

32. Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37. For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” 39. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Hasan Abdul Hakim | Language: English | Format: PDF | Pages: 14 | Size: 1 MB
The Concept of God in Islam: There is no God but Allah (SWT). The first part of the Muslim confession of faith (the Shahada) is the basis for the concept of God in Islam. The Muslim bears witness that: “There is no god but God”. or “no divinity but the (one) Divinity”. The revealed Scripture of Islam, the Qur’an, is like a vast commentary on this simple statement, drawing from it all its implications for human life and thought.  This book higlights Islams conception of diety through a concise look at Qur’anic verses and our everyday surroundings. Overall this brief book provides a good introductory guide to a muslims primary belief in God.

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¹² Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
       He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

¹³ He will spend his days in prosperity,
       and his descendants will inherit the land.

¹⁴ The LORD confides in those who fear him;
       he makes his covenant known to them.

 Each Tuesday, I’m sharing a part of Psalm 25 and making some reflections for those of us who are going through sexual addiction recovery.  Psalm 25 is one of those psalms worthy of memorizing.  Spend some time in this psalm and let God teach you and encourage you. 

 This section revolves around “fear the Lord”.  Recapturing a fear of the Lord is important for our recovery and our healing. 

FEAR THE LORD – 2 THINGS TO REMEMBER

Accountability to God

We are accountable to the Lord.  But we forget that when we are in the middle of our sexual behaviors.  We harden our hearts to the Lord.  We don’t think it matters. 

Have you ever sinned big, and nothing happened?  No lightening… you weren’t struck dead… you didn’t get caught…  These types of experiences make us feel like it doesn’t matter.  Don’t be deceived.  When we disregard the Lord, we fall out of His shadow, His protection, His provision.  We will quickly feel the consequences.

Plunging into recovery brings a heightened sense of accountability.  We are reminded that God knows our hearts and our actions.  We start to fear the Lord again.

Respect

Another aspect of fearing the Lord is respect.  Honoring Him.  Yielding to Him.  Considering Him.  Giving Him the rightful place. 

Sexual addiction erodes our respect for the Lord.  We only think about ourselves.  We become so self-absorbed with our lust and desires. 

You can tell you are on the way to healing and recovery when your respect for the Lord comes back.  God does this deep in our hearts.  When we get humble again and repent, it opens the pathway to being in the Lord’s presence again. 

GOOD THINGS TO COME
The passage reminds us of the things that will come our way when we come back to the “fear of the Lord”.  

1. Instruction in God’s way
2. Prosperous days
3. Legacy / inheritance
4. The Lord’s counsel.  He will confide in them. 

 Work on getting back to “fearing the Lord” in your recovery process.

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2 Corinthians 10:17-18

17. But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
-NIV

Psalm 14:1

The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works; there is none that does good.

I have only been a Christian for about 5 years, so the Bible is still fairly new to me.  I’m currently in the midst of reading it front to back, but I’m not out of the Old Testament yet.  I’m in Ezekiel right now, but I’m moving along and our pastor is going to challenge us to read the entire New Testament from January to June 2010.    This fits perfectly with my plan, since I’m almost finished with the Old Testament.  I will have to get going so I can get through the rest by the end of December.  I love deadlines, they definitely motivate me.

In addition to reading the Bible from front to back, I have also been involved in a quite a few Bible studies.   Bible studies, of course, send you all through the Bible reading verses throughout the Old and New Testament.  About 4 years ago I started writing down my favorite verses in a little journal.  It has definitely come in handy.  On days I  need a good verse to give me hope, or send to a friend, or to give to my husband I flip through this journal.  I try to add to it every time I run across a verse that stands out.  However, I haven’t been adding them as frequently as I’ve been finding them lately. 

In addition to writing them down, I am now working towards memorizing these verses.  I’m in the middle of a Bible study right now that encourages us to memorize a Bible verse each week.  We then have to repeat it in front of the group before we begin our weekly study.  I’ve been doing good so far, in fact last week I memorized Ezekiel 36: 25-27.  It was one of the longest so far, but so worth it. 

The purpose of doing this is so that you can recall these verses at any time.  Whether you need them when helping others, or just for yourself.  Scripture is so powerful for fighting off negative and anxious thoughts.  If you can recall and recite scripture on a moments notice you will begin to see the positive effect this will have on you.  You should give it a try.  Maybe start with one a month, then move to one every two weeks and then to one weekly. 

This Christmas one of the presents I want to give  my family are little laminated cards with special verses that I know they can use throughout the year.  I will update these each year as situations change, but I hope they will find them helpful.  I will make them the size of a credit card and they can keep them in their wallets or in their backpacks, etc.  My hope is they will read them often, but more importantly have those verses memorized by the end of the year.

This week the verse I memorized was Psalm 139:23-24 which reads “Search me, O God, and know my heart.  Test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way, everlasting.”   (I typed that from my memory I promise, I did not look it up so if it’s a word or two off you understand)  I will use this one a lot.  So often I get caught up in so many other things and forget to stop and ask God to help me with my anxious and negative thoughts.  I also want him to continually search my heart and help me get rid of anything that isn’t pleasing to Him.  These verses speak that to God and I intend on praying that to Him on regular (maybe even daily) basis.

How many verses do you have memorized and do you recall them on a daily basis?

I am exited to explore in depth the doctrine of Charity, which is the pure love of Christ or the way Christ loves us.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Verses 1-3 tell me how important Charity (Love) is. If we spoke with the tongue of angels or had the gift of prophecy or understood all mysteries, if we don’t have charity then we are as nothing. We need to have charity more than all knowledge or all faith. We can give away everything we have to feed the poor or sacrifice our bodies to be burned but if we don’t live with charity then it is for nothing. If we have all kinds of great gifts bestowed upon us or do any number of great things we are “nothing without charity”. We can’t base our salvation on just one or two things we have to include Charity or it is all in vain.

What is charity? Charity in verse four is broken down in specific attributes so that we may fully understand what charity is.4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Verses 8-13 further illustrate how important Charity is in our lives by comparing it to other important aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Moroni 10:46-47

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail — 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.This additional Christian Scripture passage adds to the importance of charity and teaches us more about Charity. All things must fail but Charity will never fail. This would indicate to me that we should invest much effort and prayer into obtaining the gift of charity so that it fills our sould and heart to overflowing. Verse 47 tells us that we must pray with all the energy of hear to be filled with this love.

This passage also teaches us that Charity is the pure love of Christ and when He comes again the second time if we are filled with Charity we shall be like Him. Charity is a purifying force as well.

So what exactly is Charity that it is so important? Charity is the “Pure Love Of Christ”. So when you read the word “Charity” substitute the phrase “pure love of Christ”.

Suffereth Long
The “pure love of Christ” suffereth long.

What does “Suffereth long” mean? In short “suffereth long” means patience. Consider the verse 1 Peter 3:20 In part that verse says “when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah…” We also know that mankind was extraordinarily wicked in the days of Noah. God was very patient having Noah call them to repentance before the destruction of the flood. One of the online dictionaries defines “long-suffering” as: “patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship”. There again is the word “patience”. Part of the pure love of Christ (Charity) is patience.

This means that we need to have patience. Patience toward who? We are told to have Charity like Christ does and Christ is patient towards all mankind so that implies that we should also have patience towards all mankind and especially those close to us in our own life like our spouse and children and those people we interact with on a daily basis but not to exclude all others.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord exerts all the patience He can toward us so that we may have as much time possible to repent and turn to Him.

Is Kind

“The pure love of Christ” is kind.

The one of the online dictionaries suggest that “Kind” means: Affectionate, loving. Of a sympathetic or helpful nature. Of a forbearing nature. Gentle. Arising from or characterized by sympathy or forbearance (a kind act). To give pleasure or relief.

A good or benevolent nature or disposition. A loving person. Having, showing or proceeding from benevolence. Considerate, helpful, humane, mild, gentle, loving or affectionate.

Forbearance means “To be tolerant or patient in the face of provocation.” An abstaining from the enforcement of a right. “A creditor’s giving of indulgence after the day originally fixed for payment.” This descriptions of the word “Kind” certainly sound Christ-like. This kind of kindess is what we should be striving for, even praying for.

Envieth Not

“The pure love of Christ” envieth not.

Envy means a painful or resentful awareness of something enjoyed by someone else as well as a desire to possess the same thing the other person has. So if Charity Envieth not then we should not be resentful toward others but rather we should be happy for the things others possess and share their joy. We cannot envy someone if we have the pure love of Christ in our hearts. We need to have joy in others successes and achievements. If everyone “envieth not” think of the drop in the crime rates.

Vaunteth Not Itself

“The pure love of Christ” vaunteth not itself.

“Vaunt” means to brag or to make a vain display of one self? We should not draw undue attention to ourselves. When we brag about ourselves we are setting ourselves up to appear to be better than others. God loves us all the same. He doesn’t love whatever sin or misdeed we may be involved in but He loves us all the same. We should not seek to make ourselves appear to be better than each other.

Is Not Puffed Up

“The pure love of Christ” is not puffed up.

Puffed up means to speak or act in a scornful, conceited, or exaggerated manner. We should just be ourselves or we should be the person we are trying to be as we seek for Charity in our lives. We need to be humble (teachable) and sincere. If we are locked into Charity as a way of life then we would have no insecurities and have no need to be conceited.

Doth Not Behave Itself Unseemly

“The pure love of Christ” doth not behave itself unseemly.

Unseemly means not according with established standards of good form or taste. In other words we should be vulgar or crude.

Seeketh Not Her Own

“The pure love of Christ” seeketh not her own.
To “seek not her own” means being selfish. Anyone who has Charity or seeking Charity is not selfish. We should repent for any selfish behavior and strive to not be selfish.

Is Not Easily Provoked

“The pure love of Christ” is not easily provoked.

Is not easily made mad or one who is slow to anger. Not resentful. If we considered the life of Christ he was very slow to wrath. The only time he showed wrath was when the money changers we disrespecting the Temple. Even when Christ was be unjustly tried for made up crimes he was not provoked. When He hung from the cross, rather than be mad he ask Heavenly Father to forgive the soldiers who were torturing Him.

Thinketh No Evil

“The pure love of Christ” thinketh no evil.

Evil is the opposite of righteousness. Charity does not think of things contrary to righteousness. Ask yourself what is evil and think the opposite. Think of virtuous thoughts. Ask yourself what would Jesus think about and think likewise.

Rejoiceth Not In Iniquity But Rejoiceth In The Truth

“The pure love of Christ” rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth.

Iniquity is both sin and behavior directly in opposition to righteousness. Charity finds happiness in the truth or rejoices in the truth. Thinketh no evil and Rejoiceth Not in iniquity go hand in hand or are companion virtues. Don’t think evil thoughts and do not rejoice in inquity. Do we watch movies or read books where we find ourselves rooting for the bad guy? Is that Charity?

Beareth All Things

“The pure love of Christ” beareth all things.

What does it mean to “Bear”? Looking up the word “bear” on several online dictionaries came to the following conclusions:

To make one’s way steadily especially against resistance. Continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

To put up with something trying or painful.

The terms Suffereth (Suffer) and Beareth (Bear) are synonyms in parts of their meanings but they also have some differences in their definitions. From what I can ascertain The phrase “Suffereth Long” is more to do with patience. The phrase “Beareth All Things” deals mainly with faithfully overcoming trials and adversity.

Believeth All Things

“The pure love of Christ” believeth all things

This phrase “believeth all things” has to do with faith. Charity, the pure love of Christ wouldn’t teach to believe all things regardless. For instance. Do we believe the God created the earth or do we believe in junk science that the earth was created from a big bang?

Do we believe God created Man in His own image or than man evolved from apes? We don’t believe all things spiritual and worldly but rather “believeth all things” is to have firm religious faith. To accept the gospel as true, genuine or real. Furthermore it means to have assurance or faith in righteousness. Trust in God. To have a firm conviction as to the goodness, efficacy, or ability of something. If that thing doesn’t have goodness of efficacy then it is evil and not to be trifled with.

Other definitions of “Believeth all things”: To have confidence in the truth,

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

2 Corinthians 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Hopeth All Things

“The pure love of Christ” hopeth all things.

To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence. For instance, to look to Christ for ones salvation. To place trust in or rely in. We need to trust in Christ that He will do what He says he will do. To look to the Gospel of Jesus Christ with confidence.

Endureth All Things

“The pure love of Christ” endureth all things. Here is what some online dictionaries defined Endure as.

To undergo a hardship without giving in. To suffer or endure a great pain. To remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding. To bear without resistance or with patience.

To support adverse force or influence of any kind; suffer without yielding; suffer patiently. The life of Christ is a perfect example of enduring all things.

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Ephesians 3:17-19
“17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. “

Love that far surpasses what we can understand.
This is a true beauty. We are to live in a fact that surpasses our limitations.
There are very distinct differences between living in a fact, in limitations and living in a fact that surpasses our limitations.
Faith has the power to breakthrough, has the power to surpass limitations, it makes us live not only under our limitations, but to see things surpassing our limitations, any possibilities in which we’ve been bounded by our experiences.
We always say: “According to what we know, this and that is hard, it’s difficult, it can’t be done, there’s no way for it”
Why let your limitations be your God, the limit of your faith?
We’re not the slave of history, we’re slave for God.
We should see the possibility under God’s plan, God’s leading, God’s promise and God’s power.
This is a spirit that will cause revival and reformation in churches.
Experience is precious, but it’s much less precious than God’s promise.

- Rev. Dr. Stephen Tong