JOURNALING Quotes

Keeping a thoughtful record of your spiritual journey can promote godliness. It can help us in our meditation and prayer. It can remind us of the Lord’s faithfulness and work. It can help us understand and evaluate ourselves. It can help us monitor our goals and priorities as well as maintain other spiritual disciplines. Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 1991

Here are some reasons for writing out our thoughts:

1. We more easily discipline our minds to sustain our thoughts without interruption.

2. If interrupted, because we have written our thoughts, we are able to return to them again for further contemplation and development.

3. We can also return to our reflections in the distant future, when otherwise they might have been totally forgotten.

4. Writing demands that we organize our thinking connectedly or cohesively on a subject.

5. We train our minds to express ourselves meaningfully and accurately.

6. We build a reserve of good thoughts for a time when our thinking is more vacuous, or our spirituality is in decline.

7. We teach ourselves the significance of learning by demonstrating to ourselves that cogent, biblical thinking is worth writing down.

8. We find that our developed thoughts sometimes emerge in our public speaking or private conversations, even though we did not prepare to use them.

9. We have a cache of mature thoughts to peruse as seed for public writing or speaking.

10. We leave our thoughts to future generations when normally the preponderance of them, if not every last one of them, would have vaporized upon our death or mental decline.

Jim Elliff
Writing Down Our Thoughts, Christian Communicators Worldwide

I am still spiritually ignorant.........

We have to remember that its not the scriptures that are corrupted so before we blame, we are to lay blame where it is deserved. This is where we should have a serious responsibility in this matter to search in our hearts about our motives when we try to glorify God. Paul said, "But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment" (1 Corinthians 11:31). We can learn from others who believe such doctrines and examine our own. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and convict us the truth. Often flesh's desires gets in the way of spirit-lead truth. Spiritual truth is so necessary to understand God as who He is, not the way we want to think. I have been thinking, like most Christians,I often question myself about my own spiritual issues and motives. Is the whole of my thinking governed by Scripture, or do I come with my reason and pick and choose out of Scripture? Thinking theologically is a tough thing to do. It works against my human (sinner) and horizontal perspective on life. I will never forget C.S. Lewis' quote: "You never know how much you really believe anything until truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you."

The more I know God's love letters to us (Bible), the more I struggle

with understanding my sins against Him.

Martin Luther's Quote: The great difference between doctrine and life is obvious, even as the difference between heaven and earth. Life may be unclean, sinful, and inconsistent; but doctrine must be pure, holy, sound, unchanging ... not a tittle or letter may be omitted, however much life may fail to meet the requirements of doctrine. This is so because doctrine is God's Word, and God's truth alone, whereas life is partly our own doing.... God will have patience with man's moral failings and imperfections and forgive them. But He cannot, will not, and shall not tolerate a man's altering or abolishing doctrine itself. For doctrine involves His exalted, divine Majesty itself (WA, 30 111, 343 f.)

We all are still sinners because we still make mistakes.It is just that people do not so willingly acknowledge that fact (for an example, Christians are divided by sin through errors). The sins of the godly are worse than others, because they bring a greater reproach upon Christianity. Sin is still here. It is just that people do not so willingly acknowledge that fact. A sin is two sins when it is defended.All sin, not least sexual sin, begins with the imagination. Therefore what feeds the imagination is of maximum importance in the pursuit of kingdom righteousness (Phil. 4:8). Though sinning itself is bad enough, denying sin is an additional sin, so that those who deny sin are actually double sinners.

The first degree (of temptation) relates to the mind – it is dragged away from its duties by the deceit of sin. The second aims at the affections – they are enticed and entangled. The third overcomes the will – the consent of the will is the conception of actual sin. The fourth degree disrupts our way of life as sin is born into it. The fifth is the flesh’s goal, a hardened life of sin, which leads to eternal death (James 1:14-15). Our life as a Christian is seemingly full of Christ and there is no room for self, but an aggressive sin comes in and wiggles his way in, crowding out Christ just a little bit. We give place to this sin and soon another does the same thing. Sin by sin, error by error, selfishness by selfishness, the backsliding continues until you are virtually empty of Christ and full of self. The root of our sinfulness is the desire for our own happiness apart from God and apart from the happiness of others in God. Especially when you desire something that is contrary to God's will. Sin dwells in hell, and holiness in heaven. Remember that every temptation is from the devil, to make you like himself. Remember when you sin, that you are learning and imitating of the devil. Sin is what you do when you are not satisfied in God. Sin arises when things that are a minor good are pursued as though they were the most important goals in life. If money or affection or power are sought in disproportionate, obsessive ways, then sin occurs. No matter where it ends, sin always begins when an evil thought is sown in the mind and heart. Sin in the mind goes to work in the emotions which incites the will, which yields the act.

As a result of grace, we have been saved from sin’s penalty. One day we will be saved from sin’s presence. In the meantime we are being saved from sin’s power.When we sin as Christians, we do not sin as slaves, but as individuals with the freedom of choice. We sin because we choose to sin. When our flesh and mind wants to know God, the flesh imposes ignorance, darkness, error and trivial thoughts. The truth is, our evil desires are constantly searching out temptations to satisfy their insatiable lusts (James 1:14).The Believer’s Warfare are internal, with the flesh- Gal. 5:17; Not after the flesh- 2 Cor. 10:3; with the armor of light- Rom. 13:12; external, with the world- John 16:33; not by resistance but submission- James 4:7; with the armor of righteousness- 2 Cor. 6:7; infernal, with the devil- Eph.6:12; with the whole armor of God- Eph. 6:13

Jesus saves us from our sins. He saves us from the guilt of sin, by washing us in His own atoning blood. He saves us from the dominion of sin, by putting in our hearts the sanctifying Spirit. He saves us from the presence of sin, when He takes us out of this world to rest with Him. He will save us from all the consequences of sin (including future ones), when He shall give us a glorious body at the last day (resurrection day or eternal life). . When God’s grace changes our nature (from old to new), it doesn’t change the nature of the flesh. Once regenerated, we are delivered from the penalty of sin and from the authoritative power of sin, but not from the continued presence and influence of sin. Sin is no longer reigning, but it is remaining. The Christian life is a war, and the fiercest battles are those hat rage within the heart of every believer. Our new birth radically and permanently changes our sinful nature, but it does not immediately liberate that nature for all of the remnants of sin. Birth is followed by growth, and that growth involves warfare. We are in spiritual warfare. Anything that springs from self, however small it may be, is sin. We are not simply sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners. Indwelling sin remains in us even though it has been dethroned by Jesus Christ. And though it has been overthrown and weakened, its nature has not changed. Sin is still hostile to God and cannot submit to His law (Romans 8:7). Although sin no longer rules us, we still are naturally sinful. God considers us righteous and credits us with the spotless record of Christ, but we still do sin. In fact, the battle with our indwelling sin starts at our conversion. Through justification we are declared righteous, and it is at this point that our sanctification – our growing in sanctification (holiness) – begins.

The atonement is the work of God from beginning to end. God alone provides the means of salvation through the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ; through the call of God for all to repent and don't reject; and through the God-given restoration. God wants our hearts more than He wants us to follow rules. If we give our hearts to God, then we will know what is sinful and what is not sinful. One of the greatest examples I have learn is from Lot's wife. Lot's wife died when she looked back. Looking back means you rely on flesh's desires more than God's commands and desires.

When I became a Christian, I understand a spiritual process begins in my life in the process of sanctification in which Paul refers to it as "inner man being renewed day by day." The Bible explains the promise of God that when I am saved, the sanctification process begins. There is a continual working of the Holy Spirit in my life that renews that believer from one level to another level spiritually to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. During my sanctification over the years, I have faced groanings in my life, and longing to be delivered from sin and the debilitating power of temptations. I need to look into God’s gracious means of sanctification are revealed to us in Scripture. I understand that there is no sanctifying power in human intuition, there is no sanctifying power in insight and also there is no sanctifying power in experience. It is all in the Scripture with the help from Holy Spirit. Only the truth of God revealed in Scripture sanctifies through sound teaching accurately interpreted, understood, applied. And as I embrace the truth, I progress spiritually. By doing that, my Christian life is no longer defined by my theology because it is defined by my adoration and passion for God. All my biblical knowledge has introduced Him to me and now I’ve engaged in a communion with Him that has deepened. I don’t want to be ignorant about great truth. I don’t want to be ignorant about it because I want to be able to thanking God for everything He’s done.

Grace is we live in the Spirit AND also walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in us with all the power and gifts of God, necessary to enable us to walk the noble, spiritual, Son-like life with God. Many Christians seem to understand the concept of being saved by grace, but they have missed the concept of being sustained by grace.

Change

I need to focus another way to reflect on what I am facing and what I am learning. A blog is a great way to let people know my side of the story. Many times, I go back and read the my blogs to help me remember what I faced and how I am doing today than I was back then. Life's experiences encouraged me to examine my own beliefs. They help me think, explore and examine. It’s also a great step of becoming a better person, it is about learning from your failure. To learn, it’s not enough with a promise not to repeat only, we also need to make some actions to ensure that we really learn from our failure. Sometimes blogging and networking can cost me true relationships. I have made mistakes over the years. should "learn" from the past rather than "holding on to the past". It would be nice not to have any regrets. If I had no regrets, I would never grow.

Another reason why I blog. For years, I had to struggle with the conditions that affect the development of my communication skills within personality and intelligence. Bogging or networking are particularly useful for the introverts like me, that we know that we are not so good with words, especially when we have to speak. Writing is much more comfortable because we can think without pressure for the right words to say.

I enjoy having deep thoughts about God and put down what I actually think about so I can come back and look what I said. I am always learning about theologies and doctrines. I don't know everything biblically but in faith, I am willing to learn. Its easy to be a Christian but not easy to become a Disciple. For over 30 years, I had the passion to study the Bible and understanding God. I had the passion but I didn't have the commitment of what it means to be a disciple.

Time for a change.

Diligence and Procrastination

I have a weakness. I have a major flaw. My lack of diligence along with proper communication have been affecting my life and my ability to do what I needed to do for my family. The paradoxical character of the Christian is revealed through life and seen by many. Every Christian is a citizen of heaven and to that sacred citizenship even though each Christian lives in a sinful world and sin will happen.

One cure for procrastination is more diligence, regardless of the task. The dictionary defines PROCRASTINATE as "to put off intentionally and habitually the doing of something that should be done."

Today we are obsessed with protecting and strengthening our physical hearts while forgetting that the truly important issue is the state of our spiritual hearts. "Heart" is used a number of different ways in Scripture. Paul told the Colossians: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:23-24). Someone has said, "Today was tomorrow yesterday." Indeed it was. And it is just as true too that today will be yesterday tomorrow. Yesterday is past; we cannot change that. Tomorrow is not yet here. We cannot yet live in that. Today is all we have as the day to live in.

Philippians 1:7 ESV: It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

The dictionary defines being diligent as "characterized by steady, earnest and energetic application and EFFORT" and DILIGENCE as "persevering application." The word "diligence" basically means "speed" or "haste." Philippians 1:7 is similar to Proverbs 4:23: "Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Both verses speak of the heart as the center of thought and feeling.

Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains. Prefer diligence before idleness. Diligence makes the rough places plain and easy. Jesus said "Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

Procrastination is “the act of willfully delaying the doing of something that should be done,” and in some people it is a habitual way of handling any task. We CAN have the faith to activate the power of God through God's GRACE in diligence in our hearts to be proactive in our lives. Faith and Grace are at the foundations of all Christian living, and because faith has to do with the character of God, not on Christian's faith. God gives us, one by one, the gifts and the graces of the Holy Spirit sufficiently.

What you may not be aware is grace is working in your life.

2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

2 Corinthians 12:9
God said: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Romans 5:15 "......how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!"

Romans 5:17 ".......how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ."

Grace is a wonderful gift that God has given us. I thank God that gives me faith on my behalf which is through GRACE. According to His grace, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit that being justified by His grace I might be made heir according to the hope of eternal life. In God's Grace that I have great spiritual and eternal freedom to grow.

Spiritual training which is forming spiritual fruits. In 2 Peter 1:5-9: make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Words versus FACTS

I can see that there are more women bloggers out there than men. I can't win with words but I can win with facts. However, those with words will try to win more than those with facts. You can see that in media and everywhere else.

My work has cut my pay for the next two years and my wife is not getting paid this summer so my reality of paying the bills builds on my heart, mind and soul.

In this world, we all need more affirmation and less confrontation that if you can’t say something nice, keep your mouth shut. Often, I see flaws and often keep my mouth shut because I have flaws of my own.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven….a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak….” Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 7

Financial disagreements are a normal and necessary part of any marriage. In any discussion between two people who are, financially speaking, there will always be a certain amount of tension. Tension that, over time, leads to even more disagreements over petty issues.

I know that God doesn't always drop money into our hands because His provisions come in ways to cope with the situations we face. More times than not, the answer to my financial provision hasn't been cold hard cash, rather it's been a way to save, the courage to sacrifice something that isn't necessary, or simply a calm peace.

Remember that God cares for the birds of the air, He cares for me. We need not worry. He'll help us get our bucks in a row. So, I have to learn to share the financial responsibilities of the family as couple by “talking”. Talk about these things, work together that the phrase “Two heads are better than one” rings true. The expenses we make are discussed in advance and our dollars are weighed against priorities. There is no mine and yours—it’s ours. Our financial situations are not always caused from bad choices - sometimes the unexpected happens. Learning to manage the family finances consists of more than how much money is in the account. Money management begins with a partnership. Sharing the decisions and sharing the responsibility and more so, learning to give.

Talking: When it comes to talking men are at a serious disadvantage. Experts tell us that women speak, on average, 20,000 words a day. Men might utter 20. We process information, calculate our response and carefully weigh the impact of our words. Men always put foot in their mouth so men, in general do not speak much. Speaking less is better than being in trouble whenever they say something wrong when they are thinking directly from the minds.

I can see that there are more women bloggers out there than men. I can't win with words but I can win with facts. However, those with words will try to win more than those with facts. You can see that in media and everywhere else.

Thoughts about PROCRASTINATION and when not to speak

Procrastination: An “F” for Promptness and Effort

Jesus said "Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

Many of us are behind in today's tasks because we are catching up with what we should have done yesterday. Some of us are hampered from doing our best today because we are worried about what might happen tomorrow. Procrastination is the word for it. Most of us are inclined to do what we like to do and postpone what we don't like. Today can easily slip by without our having brought to it our very best.

It is a part of the Christian life that we do with vigor the task set before us. Paul told the Colossians: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Colossians 3:23-24). Someone has said, "Today was tomorrow yesterday." Indeed it was. And it is just as true too that today will be yesterday tomorrow. Yesterday is past; we cannot change that. Tomorrow is not yet here. We cannot yet live in that. Today is all we have as the day to live in.

In this world, we all need more affirmation and less confrontation that if you can’t say something nice, keep your mouth shut. Often, I see flaws and often keep my mouth shut because I have flaws of my own.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven….a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak….” Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 7

Remember that God cares for the birds of the air, He cares for me. We need not worry. He'll help us get our bucks in a row. So, I have to learn to share the financial responsibilities of the family as couple by “talking”. Talk about these things, work together that the phrase “Two heads are better than one” rings true. The expenses we make are discussed in advance and our dollars are weighed against priorities. There is no mine and yours—it’s ours. Our financial situations are not always caused from bad choices - sometimes the unexpected happens. Learning to manage the family finances consists of more than how much money is in the account. Money management begins with a partnership. Sharing the decisions and sharing the responsibility and more so, learning to give.

Talking: When it comes to talking men are at a serious disadvantage. Experts tell us that women speak, on average, 20,000 words a day. Men might utter 20. We process information, calculate our response and carefully weigh the impact of our words. Men always put foot in their mouth so men, in general do not speak much. Speaking less is better than being in trouble whenever they say something wrong when they are thinking directly from the minds.

"This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." Matthew 8:17

In terms of disability, how does one handle having limitations? Jesus has authority over all earthly diseases and illness, and does heal according to His will. The words, "there are many more people worse off than you, so just get a grip and move on," were not what I wanted to hear. I was focused on what I didn't have or couldn't do, not on who I am in Christ and what He wanted to do through me.

No one really likes any kind of limitation or disability, but God has a plan and purpose for it. I saw that I had not really noticed or paid attention to those with limitations until I became one of them. God showed me I would have to learn to be a good member of the "Disabilities Crowd" so I could help others see past their limitations and become what God meant for them to become and do, even with their limitations.

One day when all sickness and disease are no more in our heavenly home we will see the total healing of our Lord. But until then, as Joni Eareckson Tada shares, "my wheelchair has shown me the way HOME by heart." I, too, know that my heavenly HOME will be much better than here, but on the way there God has shown me His heart, so I can share it with you!

Rights versus Privileges

In the Bible, the Corinthians were busy defending their rights. Today, in America as well as many parts of the world, we are still doing it. God has designed all of human life to revolve around relationships. Everyone is involved in a relationship, and within those relationships are differing roles. However in our society the emphasis is not on relationships, but on individuality. People focus on their rights and seek to satisfy themselves. I don't think God think we all have any "rights" but rather "privileges".

During our sanctification as Christians in this sinful world, we are go grow in spirit and truth. We are to continuing being spirit-filled and spirit-lead by allowing His grace to transform us what He wants us to be. Our task is to faithfully pursue His will. God’s lessons have taught me what Spirit-filled really means and how to practice Spirit-filled virtues. Being filled with the Holy Spirit means I am to refrain from using my rights and privileges I am entitled to by God's grace because I desire to do God's will out of love and obedience as if I am after God's own heart. Great faiths in the Bible were willing to let go of their rights, privileges and lives in the interests of doing God's will. Faith in Jesus has replaced my temporal doubts and fears with eternal hope when I present my body "as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God" (see Romans 12:1-2).

Helping and learning from it

We've all struggled in our lives in some way or in many ways. We help others financially as well as physically (i.e. a place to live). Trials come to us to teach us to value the blessing of God from His perspective to enable us to help others in their suffering and to make us better able to assist others in their own suffering.

However, there are some concern when you try to help someone and they are taking advantage of the kindness and it is hard sometimes maybe to say no to family, but it must be done to keep the peace. The main issue when helping others is empathy. Even when someone used something without their knowledge (asking me directly) and lost it. It was a sentimental item that is irreplaceable.

There's self-preoccupation, that don't pay attention to those who are helping them. Lack of courtesy means more than simple lack of manners. Free room, electric, internet, volunteer their time and their vehicle's wear/tear by driving them around. There's little observation on their part, listening, and understanding. There's lack of self-awareness by those who are helping. If they understand their emotions, they will more easily be able to understand another. There are those who understand them and helped them in a big way. There are those who don't and often don't chip in to help those who is struggling while they are helping them. Helping others can put a family in jeopardy. Helping others can cause friction. Helping others can effect a family's future. Helping others takes over a family's home, their privacy and their whole being. Helping others can cause many things. Kindness can turns their financial upside down.

Sometime, people are going to learn from this and not do this again. Now that some have lost money and will lose more money down the road. Will they help again? THAT remains the question.

Actual Benefits from Life's Trials

As Christmas came and gone. We are heading to a NEW YEAR and that people will start thinking of their own "resolutions" that often fail every year. Any self-efforts kind of resolution in your life, you will find it more easy to be entangled by the world's sin. In this world, we are to arm ourselves spiritually to wrestle against the world, the devil and the flesh. God is asking Christians to surrender their own selfish little kingdom and look on His eternal Kingdom. No matter "what" a person have, the key is knowing "WHO" you are "inside" as Christ see you as you are eternally (spiritually).

This sinful earth is characterized by what is temporal as people can "see" that fulfills their desires, but what is for time only, what is physical, what is passing, what ultimately will be destroyed. I have learned to understand that while God wants me to be Spirit-filled that God's desire that I should reflect His own holiness and goodness (not my own flesh's efforts). My own effort is connected with the flesh, while spiritual effort is connected with the Spirit. As the Spirit moves and leads, we are to respond moment by moment, step by step, and day by day, relying on His power and direction by faith through His grace.

We can answer like Joseph to his brothers who sold him into slavery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Even though I was legally disabled (deaf since birth by nerve damage in the inner ear),and I also have Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) (Diagnosed in April 2002). The trials that the Lord allows into our lives to strengthen us can also become temptations, which, rather than being a means to spiritual growth. Every act of giving on God's part and every gift He gives is sufficient, lacking nothing, beneficial, and complete.

Trials come to us to teach us to value the blessing of God from His perspective to enable us to help others in their suffering and to make us better able to assist others in their own suffering. In the book of James, the entire letter is about living faith during trials and list the tests intended to reveal the legitimacy of someone's faith. The VERY first test is the test of severe trials which means that we need to understand the strength or the genuineness of our own faith. Trials cannot destroy true faith; they only put it to the test and strengthen it as in spiritual training. True "sanctification" is only through the Holy Spirit who produce the evidence of my own true spiritual condition, humility and intimacy with God that my flesh CANNOT DO. You only can get true sanctification through God's GRACE. Jesus said in John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. Christian faith is inward, not outward because we are in the spirit and not in the flesh. I don't have anything to spell the "entail" of my spiritual effort except grace. God uses suffering to perfect His "Power is perfected (grace) in weakness". Grace of heart is a gift from God and this has nothing to do with the thorns because God is changing me internally so that He to lift me above my present thorns and He will lead me into His will.

I am going to have to start with King David, learning from King David's experiences, God met David in his heart. So, we need to focus on the "heart of the matter". "David son of Jesse is a man after my own heart, for he will do everything I want him to do." Acts 13:22 & 1 Samuel 13:14 (NLT).

Sunday Thoughts: Getting closer to Christmas and 2009

Now that I am 50 years old. Its like starting over for me. What I did was that I kept going to remember my mistakes in my thoughts, learned from them and do my best not to them again in the future. Scriptures states that my own interests before God is sin, in God's point of view. I have to be careful of my own desires that are often contradicts with God's desires. We all can be "theologically knowing while at the same time spiritually ignorant". I can have GREAT knowledge but if I don't have spiritual wisdom, my knowledge is worthless. Reality basically means "the state of things as they actually exist" and often to many people, reality means perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes toward reality. We do have problems with our own weaknesses.

I have learned that I never stop the process of spiritual maturity. The process of spiritual growth is an ascension toward the goal of knowing God. The process of sanctification goes on all our life long and it will never be completed until the day we die. Progressing in our sanctification and our spiritual growth and it only happens as we live in the environment of the truth and respond to that truth.

Growing up in a Christian family, I have learned that I possessed an intellectual understanding and knowledge of the truth and yet not be saved. I was able to live "morally" right but still a sinner and was unable to acknowledge God. Until later once I understand with the help from God. I have learned through many denominations that confused me about salvation. I have learned that through them, they took credit for salvation which includes "membership" (born in church), infant baptism, and other means. Church's Tradition and doctrines often gets in the way of the doctrine of salvation. I cannot say a particular Church/denomination's theology is truth because the Bible is truth while doctrines are taught by man.

We all can claim to be a Christian, and we all believe that the root of the matter is in us and the seed of God is in our hearts. Doctrines are not God: they are only a kind of map. But that map is based on the experience of hundreds of people who really were in touch with God. To understand reality is not the same as to know about outward events. It is to perceive the essential nature of things. The best-informed man is not necessarily the wisest. Indeed there is a danger that precisely in the multiplicity of his knowledge he will lose sight of what is essential.

Life is:

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. -- Proverbs 3:5-6

I am still learning to be careful how I read and need to look from doctrinal perspective rather than my own flesh-desire satisfaction. In the Christian life, thinking is crucial, emotions are crucial and doctrines are crucial. Our flesh search for pleasure, pride, passions and selfish motives. The heart is the source of our emotions, thoughts and motives.

One of the greatest and most essential attributes of God is His sovereignty; God rules over all things and controls all things. 'Providence" means God’s faithful, moment-by-moment control over everything He has made to ensure that everything He has created are going according to His will. He is active in every detail of it. He’s active at every moment. He doesn’t stand back and let things happen because He decides to intervene if something or someone is not going according to His will. He governs the world moment-by-moment through providence, so that everything that happens, every detail of our life occurs by God's divine providence or by God’s express permission. He is in control of everything. Even the bad things that happen to us are circumscribed by a loving providence and God promises to use them all for our ultimate good. There is a verse in the Bible that God promises that there won’t be anything so bad happen to us that we’re not able to bear it. God does everything--He governs everything.” God doesn’t just sit back and wait until He wants to act and then do it through a miracle.” God constantly intervenes in our lives through providence.

One day soon, I will find a NEW HOME CHURCH in or near Upper Arlington, Ohio.

What is the REAL Christmas?

I guess the spirit of Christmas is giving presents and family gatherings. There's nothing wrong with them if our hearts are in the right place. Over the years, I have seen shallow observance of the birth of Christ and
superficial worship finds no place of acceptance with Him. We live in a fallen world, and that much of what is around us is pagan, or of pagan origin. The Bible did not commanded to honor or celebrate His birth. Think of the Christmas carols,they're filled with invitations. "Come let us adore Him." "Then let us all with one accord sing praises to our heavenly Lord." What ever your response is to Jesus Christ determines your destiny.

In the United States, there is a "money monopoly" which defines that we "free" to earn as much "money" as we want. Excessive greed have driven United States to the lowest level. There are those who have this blind desire to accumulate wealth that can never be satisfied. Gandhi was correct when he said "Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed". There are those who do not accept moral laws in their hearts: you will not steal; you will not bear false witness (lie, deceive, defraud); and you will not covet. Lately, when you hear and read the news, that's all you see.

In the New Testament, Judas was an ungodly, ambitious, selfish man. He could have come to Jesus, but he didn’t. Judas is an example and the greatest story of lost opportunity the world has ever, ever heard. Someone said this quote: “Man as of old by himself is priced. For thirty pieces Judas sold himself, not Christ.”

You see greed everywhere, including on TV where you see Word of Faith preachers who are using "prosperity" to attract people with itching ears so they will be motivated by greed for themselves rather than sound spiritual doctrine. I am reminded of this verse: For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. — 2 Timothy 4:3. Such teachers only want your money. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money 2 Peter 2:3 (NLT). A.W. Tozer: We are against this world's greed and sinful ambitions. We are against this world's vices and its carnal habits.

I understand this verse much better than I did when I was younger: Ephesians 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Greed surrounds us. A person's heart is always found running in the direction of his/her desires. The heart that desires often leads a person towards the wrong direction. Our hearts are like a garden and will always have weeds and insects. To expect the fruits and flowers bloom in an untended heart by following flesh's desires that leads to downfall. Worst, unsaved. The condition of the heart determines how receptive we are to God. We may know a lot about God but we don't want to follow God. God's divine circumstances can turn or don't turn people to God. People may despise it instead of embracing it. Romans 9:18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to Garden.

During Christmas and Easter, we seize this opportunity afforded us by Divine providence to tell people who Christ is, why He came into this world, what He did, and they may be convicted by the Holy Spirit to be understand His salvation. It is no accident that once every year every human being in the world is confronted with the fact that the Son of God assumed human flesh and came into the world to save men. The heart of Christmas is this, Christ came into the world to save sinners.

So, what do we really think about during Christmas?

Solitude

I enjoy my time alone. Solitude is probably what my family and friends noticed about me. This is probably why I like to swim. I like to swim alone. I love to have my own swim lane.

I like being alone but I don't like feeling lonely. Loneliness is a terrible feeling.

In the last 8 years, I have used my solitude time to understand myself better and learned to get rid of "me" and "I" attitude. I have learned to be more understanding and able to give myself more freely to others. Love is important when you are with your family and friends. We all desire to share joys and happiness together.

It has been a good pause in my pursuit of happiness and learned to just be happy and content. True happiness is when a person accepts as "who" and "what" he/she is.

"Adversity often produces an unexpected opportunity. Look for it ! Appreciate and utilize it! This is difficult to do if you're feeling sorry for yourself because you're faced with adversity." John Wooden

My pass is my pass. My future is my future. I can make my future better. I have a "new" life with "new" friends. It was like I was starting all over with new relationships and new friends. Finding friends who truly accepts you will take time. Old friends became new friends again.

Mistakes & successes of the past often teaches us of what's likely to happen in the future....

Often my mistakes have revealed for who I am and people will remember them. That's the saddest position of all. To be loved and accepted in spite of my weaknesses often will be difficult due to our human nature. The word "fret" comes to us from the Anglo-Saxon that fret often expose our true self and bring us out from behind our disguises. Reading Ecclesiastes have reminded me that people have been taking "life" for granted. I know that God's divine intervention (i.e. trials) goes BOTH WAYS. The fact of the matter is the visible providence of God has no respect of persons.

All circumstances can turn people to God. Scriptures reveals that no trial, no disease or illness, no accident or injury reaches us apart from God's permission. We can answer like Joseph to his brothers who sold him into slavery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” There are some who seem to look on the gloomy side and never able to do respond in faith to life's problems, instead, they grumble about the trials that they forget God's powerful grace. One of my favorite singers, Twila Paris came out with this song: The Warrior is a Child. I prefer the Original 1984 Version. This video includes lyrics.

My life just seems to get better and better each day.

I like these two quotes by John Calhoun:

* In looking back, I see nothing to regret and little to correct.

* Learn from your mistakes and build on your successes.

John Caldwell Calhoun (March 18, 1782 – March 31, 1850) was a prominent United States politician from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. He served as the seventh Vice President of the United States, first under John Quincy Adams (1825-1829) and then under Andrew Jackson (1829-1832).

Oh yes... I am thinking about turning 50 tomorrow.

Judge me all you want, just keep the verdict to yourself

My wake-up call about my life, my marriage and my future occurred in between 2002 and 2003 during the time I was struggling and dealing my life-changing illness. I always love "history". What is "true maturity"? Maturity means acting responsibly; it means learning from my mistakes and trying not to make the same ones over again. Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way.

Learning the hard way. Is there a difference between a rumor and a piece of gossip? A rumor is a piece of information or a story that has not been verified, meaning that the person telling it doesn’t know if it’s true or false. A rumor might be true, it might be partially true and partially made up, or it might be totally made up. Unless somebody can definitely say that a story is real or fake, it will stay a rumor.

Never make a defense or an apology until you are accused. ~King Charles I

If I wronged a special friend and I want to fix it but unable due to avoidance. Obviously, my human heart is very selfish. My heart is the source of my emotions, thoughts and motives. My heart is the place of conscience. My heart is the part of my being where I desire, deliberate, and decide. I have faults like everyone else. When confronted, I will repent and ask for forgiveness. When I am not confronted and rumors are going around, then I am unable to defend myself from exaggerations (false rumors).

I have learned over the years that Christ's definition of Beatitudes (Matthew 5) contradicts Flesh's (the world’s) definition of happiness.

There are people so addicted to exaggeration they can't tell the truth without lying. ~Josh Billings

Man is inclined to exaggerate almost everything - except his own mistakes. ~Author Unknown

Private matters from someone who knows the details of one person's situation, and then speaking those things to others when a person should not do so. If there are past hurts, or unresolved conflicts, keep them to yourselves unless you confront the accused and have your story verified.

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. ~Mahatma Gandhi

Forgiveness is a funny thing. It warms the heart and cools the sting. ~William Arthur Ward

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. ~Paul Boese
It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend. ~William Blake, Jerusalem

Without forgiveness life is governed by... an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation. ~Roberto Assagioli

World of Ignorance

What does it really mean? World of ignorance. We know we can maintain our integrity only by admitting our ignorance; and that very ignorance will encourage us to search for better understanding carefully.

The author who wrote about Hellen Keller explained Hellen's struggled in this world for her as a deaf and blind individual who was trying to live her life in this world. In this world, Judgemental is one of many obstacles that many with Disabled have faced over the years such as discrimination, attitudes and especially, ignorance.

Another issue is bias. Bias is a term used to describe a tendency or preference towards a particular perspective and ideology. A bias could lead one to accept or deny the truth that is often very "one-sided" while ignoring the other.

What is this thing called knowledge anyway? What is this thing called ignorance? Can we know anything with one hundred percent certainty?

This quote come to mind:

The pleasures of ignorance are as great, in their way, as the pleasures of knowledge. ~Aldous Huxley

And this quote:

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument. ~William G. McAdoo

Our society is saturated with ignorance. I like this quote, It is a mistake always to contemplate the good and ignore the evil, because by making people neglectful it lets in disaster. There is a dangerous optimism of ignorance and indifference. Helen Keller

Helen Keller was a pioneer of education for the deaf and blind and an open advocate for women's rights. She is best known for overcoming her own challenges with being deaf and blind and advocating better educational and working conditions for the seeing and hearing disabled. She even received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work on educational and working rights for the deaf and blind around the world. Her name and likeness repeatedly crop up in everything from children's picture books to episodes of South Park. Banal jokes about Keller and her disabilities are common among schoolchildren and on the Internet.

With ALL disabilities, the world is full of ignorance and only handful of the world truly understands what people with disabilities really go through in their lives.

Job

Hi, I have been busy purchasing a house, working many hours at work and of course, deep personal thoughts. I have been studying "Job" for a long time and learned about my own sufferings and learned patience through them.

Job reads like history. It talks about a man named Job. He lived in the land of Uz. It relates details about his family, his life, and his suffering. It communicates to us his friends' interest in his suffering, and the spiritual struggling with which Job dealt. What's interesting is that other biblical writers refer to Job as a real person. Ezekiel refers to Job along with Noah and Daniel (Ezekiel 14:14,20). And James draws upon the example of Job to comfort the suffering, proving the point that God is merciful. He commends the endurance of Job (Jas. 5:11). From the Book of Job, we see that God is in complete control. Satan had neither the power nor the authority to do anything without the permission of God. It was consistent with God's nature and will for him to have allowed those things to happen to Job. The Lord's point to Job, at the end of the book, is that he is the all-powerful Creator. He is the loving Sustainer. And he is the perfect Ruler. He created the Universe, and he knows how to govern it as well.

Through the book of Job, I have learned about Job's example of Faith. God made a point to the devil and to the whole world of people who have ever read that account. And the point is this, that true saving faith is not dependent on positive circumstances. God is making a point with Satan and to make the point He uses Job and the point is to show the strength and the continuity and the unwavering character of true saving faith, true love for God. The person who really loves God is not the person who loves God because of what he gets, but the person who loves God because of who He is.

There is a verse in the Bible that God promises that there won’t be anything so bad happen to me that I am not able to bear it. God does everything--He governs everything. Faith is accepting God's Will. There is confusion between the determined Will of God and a Christian's responsibility as a Christian.

From the Book of Job, we see that God is in complete control. Satan had neither the power nor the authority to do anything without the permission of God. It was consistent with God's nature and will for him to have allowed those things to happen to Job. The point of the story of Job is about God's Sovereign. Not really about Job. People always focus on Job more than God's sovereign. Jesus said clearly about a penny's worth of sparrows compare to us. Matthew 10:29: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. If God can control with those two sparrows, then He will do the same for His children as well. In reality, the blessings are from God, the Holy Spirit-and using that person as an instrument to do God's will and plan.

God's divine intervention (i.e. trials) goes BOTH WAYS. All circumstances can turn people to God. Scriptures reveals that no trial, no disease or illness, no accident or injury reaches us apart from God's permission. Christians can answer like Joseph to his brothers who sold him into slavery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” There are some who seem to look on the gloomy side and never able to do respond in faith to life's problems, instead, they grumble about the trials that they forget God's powerful grace.

Remember the story of Joseph in the Old Testament (Genesis 50:20), Joseph told his brothers who sold him into slavery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” God will take advantage of Satan's evil desires and motives to accomplish His will. The Bible clearly teaches that God knows beforehand what we will need and He will provide beforehand according to His will. God is absolutely powerful, that God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, that God is immutable, never changes, that God is all wise, perfectly just, holy, righteous. God is ruling all things to work together for our good and His purpose.

The fact of the matter is the visible providence of God has no respect of persons. It doesn't discriminate between believers and unbelievers. Plane crashes, boat sinkings, train accidents, car collisions, heart disease, cancer doesn't discriminate between a sinner and a saint, or between a sinner and a sinner.

Happiness, Contentment and Grace

I have learned that contentment is excitement in the midst of struggles, gracefully compassion over the needs of someone who is worse off than I am , joy in the midst of pain. I have learned that true happiness and contentment comes from the Holy Spirit through God's Grace. As one of my favorite theologians said "Happy are they who know that discipleship simply means life which springs from grace". It is God's will that we submit to the Holy Spirit and keep on filling (Ephesians 5:18). Like an athlete when training, we should always keep drinking water so that we won't be dehydrated and feeling weak. With that thought in mind, we should always keep filling the Holy Spirit so that we are able to act and react any given situations. "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9).

The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves. Victor Hugo

When you accept rather than fight your circumstances ---even though you don't understand them --- you open your heart's gate to God's love, peace, joy and contentment. Amy Carmichael

The Dangers of Political Parties

Political extremist refers to a person or group that holds a set of beliefs that diverge from society's norm to a great degree. They show disdain for the rights and liberties of others, but resent the limitations of their own activities. They favor censorship of their enemies but use intimidation and manipulation to spread their own assertions and claims. We Americans should unite for the good of our country and not get caught up in divisive partisan political warfare that causes that solves nothing but rather creates more problems and delaying crucial important decisions that will affect all Americans.

United States government is a democracy which every citizen within the country gets to have a say in what decisions are made. The sovereignty which democracy grants to law (higher than custom or the whim of individuals or the rights of groups) creates a moral problem like must we logically accept a decision of the people to make a law which approves abortion? How to handle people with disabilities? Like for an example, recently, a federal appeals court ruled that the U.S. discriminates against blind people by printing paper money that makes it impossible for them to distinguish the "bills' value". How do we handle this?

The America people are seen as the ultimate source of legitimacy in democracy and while making laws, many cannot all agree to propose legislation. Democracy is very complexed and its not that simple. Democracy is popularly associated with the principle of majority rule and it is the expression of the sovereign will of the people, however there is no easy method by which that "will" is deemed to be defined must consist of majority rule.

Rule by a extremist may easily constitute a tyranny of its own by political parties. In today's Columbus Dispatch, a national columnist named Rowland Nethaway wrote about this very issue. George Washington's warning against political parties and the divisive partisanship that inevitably accompanies party politics.

Here are George Washington's quotes:"the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it."

"agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection."

I am very nuetural when it comes to politics. I don't like telling other people what to do with their lives. I hold conservative positions on most issues but have an underlying worldview of what is happening and make decisions based on them. I am against abortion but in relation to my fellow citizens, who am I telling them what to do? I have come to conclusion that being a moderate reminds me that I have no control of what is going on in this world. Christianity will always be running against the prevailing society of individualistic views. Lack of balance is often the direct consequence of over-emphasis on certain topics while ignoring others that are related. There is a fine balance between legalism and liberalism. Both are wrong. Everything is allowable but not everything is allowable. People are really confused the balance between what the world ought to be.

Grace is about loving other people that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, respect how they practice their beliefs. I just let God handle their beliefs that I disagree with. Christianity seriously while at the same time, understand sins in this world. Sins are discord, disunity, and chaos will always produce great insecurity that leads people to feel destabilize in their lives. I am one Republican who wants to see a return to traditional values that must come from the people, not the government. "We the People" are the true government. Politically, to me idealism is freedom without people telling me what to do or how should I live my life. One of my favorite Presidents of all time was Abraham Lincoln, he had one idealism that lead to civil war. Do you remember what that was? I truly believe this kind of idealism is truth. He wanted to abolish slavery.

Today, political parties have unrealistic expectations and an ignorance of the way things really work in politics which is why they are losing. Idealism basically means holding on to a set of beliefs which are a rigid system of the way life is "supposed to be" or "should be". Belief system you have adopted about how things "should be done" which often gets challenged by the way things are in reality. I also noticed that many idealists find it difficult to fully accept anyone the way they really are and chronically attempt to control them so that they can become the way they "should ideally be" which often leads to become fatalistic, hostile, pessimistic, and negativistic attitudes. I truly believe that "over-idealism" is a control issue and that it is at the root of our need to overcontrol situations, people, places, or things in order to ensure that they come into compliance with our ideal image of the way reality is supposed to be. Adolf Hitler was one example of "over-idealism".

Famous Quote
"Where a constitution, like ours, wears a mixed aspect of monarchy and republicanism, its citizens will naturally divide into two classes of sentiment, according as their tone of body or mind, their habits, connections and callings, induce them to wish to strengthen either the monarchical or the republican features of the constitution. Some will consider it as an elective monarchy, which had better be made hereditary, and therefore endeavor to lead towards that all the forms and principles of its administration. Others will view it as an energetic republic, turning in all its points on the pivot of free and frequent elections." --Thomas Jefferson to James Sullivan, 1797. ME 9:377

Are we corrupting our thoughts with our wishful images of God?

After time away from blogging, I have had good quiet moments and plenty of deep thoughts without getting involved with blogging. When I am facing my chronic pains or facing whatever issues at hand, I often focus on something to keep my mind busy such getting online (i.e. my Blog). I often retread to read books or get into deep thoughts about certain topics.

There are many people who have their own image of God and they believe that God have good life planned for them but there are so few who want to put themselves in a place where they can really hear Him. C.S. Lewis once said "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain; it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world".

I am finally understanding that God don't want me to live in a easy life, but rather make me a stronger Christian. I have to keep in mind that God may be withholding what I ask in order to do special work that He have placed me according to His plan and will (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

We live in an apartment and lately, my wife and I have been searching information about buying a home. This is what we have been doing lately and the process is slow due to unsure of what to do.

I am slowly coming back as we figure out what we should be doing.