In Spirit and In Truth

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Maternity Leave
2008-05-02 22:55:00
Yes the time has come for me to focus on the upcoming birth of my little one!For the past week and and a half I have made an effort to type a post and have had plenty of topics in mind, but home preparation duties, as well as engery have taken a toll on my intentions to post, so I am officially on maternity leave.I am HOPE to continue posting on TheOliveParent up until birth for updates so feel free to check the blog periodically.I will be announcing the birth on both blogs, until then I wish you joy, peace and contentment in Jesus Christ of Nazareth.--Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®Subscribe to Confessions of an Unchurched Believer by Email
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Why Do You Believe?
2008-04-24 18:30:00
Too many times I have found people's interest in Jesus Christ to be what He can do for them. Indeed there are life-breathing elements He brings to a dead soul. Through your belief that He is the Son of the Living God, sent from God to be a propitiation for our sins, we are saved from eternal separation from God the Father. By this grace, we love Him because He first loved us.  Many of us seek Him or accept Him because of what He can do for us. He is sought for the means of financial and physical blessings as well as emotional and physical blessings. Many times people seek Him out as a self-help guru. They read and focus on the "good parts" of the Word of God to validate their emotions. What's wrong with that? You may ask. The problem arises when your relationship with Him is based on HOW you feel, which is a foundation that can break at the moment of hardship. People with "emotional" relationships with Christ really do not have a relationship with Christ for it does not come ...

Truth Be Told
2008-04-17 18:11:00
One thing that can be confusing is this Christian society are the holidays that are observed. There is a holiday that is celebrated that marks the very center of their belief system, the death of Jesus, who died, so that they may be saved from eternal separation from God, this holiday, according to them, is Easter.Easter was celebrated last month, so you may be wondering why I'm bringing it up now. Easter is a tradition, adopted by Christians that celebrates this theme with colored eggs, pastel colors and bunnies. However, there has always been confusion by many, even Christians, of how all of these elements represent their belief. I'm bringing up this holiday in light of another approaching holiday called Passover or Pesach. The truth is the Passover explains the central belief of true Christianity, not Easter. Pesach - The True Christian HolidayUnderstanding Passover can help understand the purpose of Christ's death. I truly believe that if the original day of Passover was not...

Not So Free Bible Offer Ending
2008-04-16 01:00:00
The quota for "The One Year Bible " has been met :) God Bless! Subscribe to Confessions of an Unchurched Believer by Email
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Not So Free Bibles
2008-04-15 18:13:00
I have six "The One Year Bible" that I am willing to give away. These Bibles are in the King James Version and is arranged in 365 daily readings. They were published by Tyndale House Publishers. Even though I've had them for a while, they are "brand new" in unopened plastic packaging. They are paper-back  Bibles. I do not like them for studying because they are not arranged in the original order of a typical Bible (Genesis to Revelation). However, they still contain the Word of God :) You can have them on two conditions: That you take full financial responsibility for shipping and handling. I would offer to send the Bibles for free, if it was in my budget. The Bibles are about a pound ( my best guess) and you can choose any method of delivery of course. After I access the cost of delivery, I will ask you to prepay the amount via PayPal (found on the left side bar on this site) The prices I found online for a brand new version of the One Year Bible rang...
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Where Can I Go For Answers?
2008-04-14 19:15:00
Anyone who watched the returning episode of "Desperate Housewives" last night, saw the interaction between Lynette, a cancer survivor and Bree, a housewife who strives for perfection in appearance in public and private. Naturally, I found this particular interaction interesting since it was about church and faith. I found it also very telling and truthful to large degree. Click on the link to view the whole episode. Quite generally church members are not prepared to answer profound questions that a seeker may have about "life", because generally many church members do not open their Bibles outside of church or Bible Study. They are reliant upon a pastor or leader to "tell" them then answers as opposed to understanding them for themselves. Another fact is that many church members are more motivated to recruit "members' for their church rather than promote Jesus as the way to peace, and joy and answers for life's hard questions. This brings me to ...
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Why I Do Not Call Myself Christian
2008-04-12 19:00:00
Since I've made the life transforming decision to lean not on the understanding of doctrines taught by pastors in churches. I've become more and more uncomfortable with the word "Christian". In so many ways,  today's Christianity seems to contradict the very principles taught by the Bible itself. It has come to represent an ideal and a view, that to be Christian, is to be arrogant, self-righteous and judgmental. I have found to be Christian, by today's standards, means deviating from the Bible in some way, shape or form. Who Can Be Today's Christian? There are many who call themselves by this precious name. They have varied beliefs. So who is a Christian? This becomes a question in the mind of those seeking Jesus. They may have a predetermined idea of who Christians are based upon what they have seen and heard in mainstream Christianity. This may mean to some a confession of some sort by one who claims to be one. Maybe it is consistent church attendance tha...
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A Redirect - Faith-Healing
2008-04-03 20:21:00
I wrote a post in regards to the news of the death of Ava Worthington, whose parents practiced "Faith-Healing " in TheOliveParent blog. Please take a moment to check it out as this blog continues it construction. :) God Bless! Links: Faith-Healing, A Question of Accountability Subscribe to Confessions of an Unchurched Believer by Email

Under a Bit of Construction
2008-04-03 17:35:00
Please bear with me as I make changes to my blog. I am currently experimenting with colors and pictures as well as adding and removing page elements, so things may look "funny" for a while.God Bless!Subscribe to Confessions of an Unchurched Believer by Email
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Returning From the Midst of Carnality
2008-03-31 19:35:00
I must admit that I have been "hiding" out the last few days, despite the fact that I have had the time to sit and write a post. I have been evaluating my blog's purpose, my blog's audience and which direction the Lord wants me to take. Originally, when I started this blog, 9 months ago, it was to promote the concept to the seeking unbelieving society that one does not need church to find God. It was to protect, proclaim and hold dear the name of Christ that has been abused and misused by so many, so that those who DO seek Him KNOW Him as He is to BE known. It was to be a source of simplicity, in this confusing time of doctrines of  men. For that reason, the original name of this blog was "Confessions of an Unchurched Believer". However, naturally, my blog attracted those who claim Christianity as a belief, and in this church-soaked society, my claims (which ARE the promises of God) to walk in Faith, in trust in Christ alone, as He makes me stand, outside...

Perseverance Award
2008-03-31 18:12:00
I was awarded a Perseverance Award from my brother in Christ Isaiah, owner of Joie de Vivre. My thanks to you for considering me and my humble blog! The award is to “… acknowledge those bloggers who have invested their very life in their blogs so as to encourage, build and warn others.” Many awards get passed from blogger to blogger, unfortunately all those who I would have considered granting this award to have already been awarded. So what I will do instead is acknowledge those who have demonstrated brotherly/sisterly love in communication, and respect when dialoguing about the Word of God with others. A subject that is typically tense and can be used to attack others, these people have stood out above and beyond the rest: BrotherMark at Grow and Know Isaiah at Joie de Vivre Carol at The Bible Thumper's Soapbox The War Analyst at The Warfare Journal (Congratulations to him and his wife on the birth of their new baby!) May the fruit of the Spirit contin...

Invisible Worship
2008-03-19 19:33:00
I was asked once, "What worshipping God looks like in my life". It was a question that I welcomed as an opportunity to testify and share, but it also identified a perception that worshipping God is largely limited to being visible and in a group (gathering) setting. This perception is supported by the many claims by Christians of "falling away" if one is not in a physical church or group. My worship of the Father is by the  fellowship of  His Son. My worship is not limited to a day of the week, but minutely as I am His Temple in where He resides. My worship of the Father is my love for Him and His truth. My worship of the Father is in serving my husband. My worship of the Father is in the ministry of my children. My worship of the Father is in the hospitality of my home towards others. My worship of the Father is listening to that gentle voice in my heart. My worship of the Father manifests in being still in Him and waiting on Him. My worship...
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For the Love of Ritualistic Traditions
2008-03-17 20:02:00
As a child I absolutely loved "Sesame Street"! Every morning I would settle down  with my pillow and immerse myself in an hour of colorful, monster puppets and dancing letters. My most favorite part of the program was when the game "Guess Which Thing Doesn't belong Here" came on. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this game, it was a game in which four things, people etc, would be portrayed and three of those things were similar leaving one thing that didn't "belong". It's around major Christian holidays such as Easter I feel as if I'm once again, piecing together the things that don't belong. Take a look at the pictures I have selected below. Can you tell me which thing/person doesn't belong here?     If you choose the cross of Christ as the "object" that doesn't belong in this group, then you are correct! If feel they are all related...(sigh) what can I say? Traditions Verses Faith For those of you w...

Being Wise as a Serpent II
2008-03-17 17:20:00
(continued from part 1) a child's father I have had the pleasure of watching my husband father our children. Truly, it is the most beautiful thing I've seen. While I have had a father until the age of 17, I was emotionally, fatherless. this is not to say that my father was a horrible parent. Oddly, he was very generous of his time and in his compassion to others, it just wasn't directed towards his family as we needed him to be. As an adult, I see the deliberate direction from the Lord in my childhood. One in which I can rejoice in, looking back. My physical father wasn't there in the way I needed him to be, but my Father in heaven was. It made it much easier for me to"look to Him" as I was searching for someone to look to.  My children, absorb every word from their father's mouth. They lap it up as truth, and I can see the process of integrity, character and understanding budding in their very young years. While they are very normal as children, they are quite...

Being Wise as a Serpent
2008-03-11 01:48:00
We  live in an age where the wisdom of man has reached new heights. Where technology spurs forth with gaining speed each passing year (month). There is no question that the "tree of  knowledge of good and evil" (Genesis 2:9) has been manifested in the 21st Century. There is no question that mankind has become enamored with their own intellect. There is also no question, that the Christian Culture has become enamored by the intellect of man as well.   a serpent's wisdom Genesis 3:1 "Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" Looking at the Hebrew lexicon of subtil it says: Result of search for "subtil": 2450 chakam khaw-kawm' from 2449; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful):--cunning (man), subtil, ((un-)), wise((hearted), man). 5341 natsar naw-tsar' a primitive root;...

A "Worship Renewal" of Apostasy
2008-03-08 18:20:00
As of late, there has been quite a bit of talk on my blog about church today. Where it is in the history of "time". The need for physical fellowship. Apostasy from sound doctrine. So naturally this article immediately grabbed my attention. Read this article and tell me if we do not need to reevaluate everything that is considered "Christian" in today's society. Please pay special attention to what pastors and reverends are saying as well. My comments are in blue. Underlined texts are the sentiments I am responding to.The following article is: By Jacqueline L. Salmon Evangelicals' new twist on LentCatholic traditions adopted as 'worship renewal' Evangelicals observing Lent?Fasting, and giving up chocolate and favorite pastimes like watching TV during the 40 days before Easter are practices many evangelical Protestants have long rejected as too Catholic and unbiblical.But Lent -- a time of inner cleansing and reflection upon Jesus Christ's sufferings before his resurrection -- i...
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Oops! Can I get a Do-Over?
2008-03-04 05:54:00
As time moves along in this climate of "windy doctrines", Ephesians 4:14 it never fails to amaze me what sort of "new" doctrine comes along by the whim of one's creative imagination. Here's one for the books: "revirginization" apparently is making a comeback from the early 1990's.Here's an excerpt from the article:"She was the granddaughter of a Pentecostalist pastor and the daughter ofan assistant pastor, and she believed sex outside marriage was wrong. "I feltreally bad from a religious standpoint," she recalls of the experience. "Mythoughts were really clouded because I was so emotionally bonded with myboyfriend. That overshadowed my religious world."Though the relationshiplasted for seven years and produced two beautiful children, a part of Wattsalways felt guilty. She wished she could step back in time and recapture herlost virginity. Thinking of how "I could have ruined one of greatestfulfillments of my life," the first time having sex with a husband, she wantedto "have th...

A Comment to Share
2008-03-01 17:10:00
Yes. Exactly. I do have to bring this up since so many church-goers, insist on my being in a modern church environment, for the sake of my spiritual growth. In other words, I simply cannot "walk" without interaction from "like-minded" believers, whether single or married. As I mentioned it's been a long journey prior to the arrival of my "peace with God, by the justification of my Faith" Romans 5:1, what I have discovered during this journey was that my faith was tentatively placed with God, and wholly placed in "gatherings of ourselves". I simply had to have "church". As someone who grew up in a unloving family environment, I desired the physical/spiritual support of a "real" family. I was extremely disappointed and let down by many attitudes I encountered in various churches. I wasn't being fed as I needed to be. So, I took my questions, that ministers found such discomfort with, upon the Lord. Boy, did I discover something precious! My point in sharing this with you is that m...
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A Redirect
2008-02-28 18:46:00
I would like to redirect my readers of this blog to my other blog TheOliveParent for a post that may not necessarily be relevant to you in subject, but in principle is relevant to all. The post is about the use of ultrasounds in pregnancy. What many may be unaware of is the potential dangers to the fetus with this very common procedure. The principle I'm focusing on is the fact that so many of us easily accept another "qualified" person's "truth" or "belief"  as our own, simply because they wave a degree around stating such qualifications. We cannot put the safety of ourselves and our loved ones on this reasoning. The same way, we simply cannot place our salvation on the "beliefs" and "truths" of others on their simple say so. How much more do we have to risk in this fashion??? I daresay, an eternity's worth!!!   "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways...

Purposefully Unchurched Part II
2008-02-27 19:42:00
In the very wee days of my blogging, I wrote a post regarding my personal testimony and decision to remove myself from the vast arena of church selections we have at our own choosing. Purposefully Unchurched I've decided to expound on what I wrote in that post and delve into further details as to why I've decided to remove myself from the churching frenzy.My decision was a personal one. A decision that was led of the Spirit, for my own edification and not necessarily anyone else's. I do not promote "church leaving" as some new found doctrine for righteousness or faith. I am not a "religious fanatic". As a matter of fact, I abhor the term "religious", and the connotation that comes with it. I'm not trying to convey my own righteousness, or prove myself "better than" by withdrawing in this fashion. Quite simply, I am a nonconformist as the Spirit of the Lord calls me to be one.Designated for nonconformityAs you might imagine, many Christians are simply offended my decision. They...
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Stuff Debates Are Made Of
2008-02-23 16:57:00
I must begin this post by truly apologizing to readers of this blog for the confusing thread of "dialogue" on my last post "Stuff False Doctrines Are Made Of". While I try to be fair, as not to immediately dismiss another's perception, I absolutely must commit this blog to clarity and as the keeper of this blog, there will be times when I will shut down all dialogue to preserve the integrity of this blog. This is not to say that I will delete or moderate comments I simply don't like, if that was true, a lot of comments posted here wouldn't be posted. :) I welcome all to comment as they wish, with respect of course, and I expect all those commenting to extend the same courtesy to me as well.God is NOT the Author of confusion, and I cannot allow the devil to use inconsequential issues or subjects to divert from the Glory of the Living God IN or WITH this blog... for such is the stuff debates are created.With that said, we must recognize some (for he has many) of his (devil's) tact...

Stuff False Doctrines Are Made Of
2008-02-18 17:14:00
The prosperity gospel is no doubt a hot topic that has many Christians divided amongst themselves. I, based on years of studying, am totally and irrevocably against such preaching of health and wealth based upon misconstrued, out-of-context, man-made doctrine that so many of these prosperity teachers promote.If there is one thing I've learned over my years of studying is this, NEVER read/take/use scripture out of context of it's original content, for such is the stuff man-made doctrines are created of.One scripture I consistently hear being used in prosperity teaching is this:"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." -- Matthew. 13:23The 13th chapter of Matthew is also known as "The Parable of the Sower". If you read this chapter in WHOLE you get a completely different outlook other than how it is being used by those to "prove" their...
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Sidetracked
2008-02-15 17:54:00
Yesterday, while visiting a friend's blog, I read a post was written in regards to false teachers that promote the prosperity gospel. This post provoked a statement from one individual and a debate ensued. I admit it has been on my mind, not the post, but the debate, and how it originated. What I realized after a long thought process, was my focus was diverted to the debate as opposed to the post and the point of it. It had a valid point worthy of further research, and consieration. What I found was equaling disturbing. The prosperity gospel being promoted in Uganda, a very poor African country, by "preachers" from America.The sad thing about the whole thing was while we fussed amongst ourselves, the TRUTH was completely and utterly ignored. Because of that I am posting an article that I found through the post of debate, that is worthy of consideration and time. Here is an African Christian's perspective:www.yesumulugi.comOur Faith More Precious than Gold, Tested for God’s Glory...

A Meme of Personal Quirky Facts of Me!
2008-02-13 23:35:00
Personally, I don't like Memes, (does that count as a quirky fact?) for no reason in particular (Quirky fact #2?) Because my friend, Fishawk at AsTheCrackerHeadCrubles, tagged me, for him I will oblige. Because I don't like Memes, I won't be naming six blogs to tag. (What do you expect from a nonconformist? :) In any event. Here are the rules, in case you want to "tag" some one else!The rules for this MeMe are: (1) Link to the person that tagged you. (2) Post the rules on your blog. (3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.Quirky Fact 1I have low tolerance for whiny children. Yes, I do have five and expecting my sixth this spring. How do I survive on a day-to-day basis?? Simple. I have a "No Whining" policy that even my three year old adheres to! I encourage them to talk, or to use words to...

Winter Blessings
2007-12-13 18:57:00
Hello everyone! May God be praised and glorified! I am healthy and well as is my family. The Lord continues to be a buckler and shield, a help in time of need. His provision is timely and His trials are like an oven to my faith, ripening it unto perfection! By His Will and Grace, He has given us a vehicle in which we can further our service to Him. Not only are we transporting our family to work and school with His provision, but are helping those who lack transportation. We fully recognize the purpose of His timely provision, is for His Kingdom and Glory! All things He has given us are His and should be used accordingly! Yes, He has increased my quiver that is full of arrows to one more! We are expecting our 6th child! That is to be due in the spring of next year. After a hard round of morning sickness, my pregnancy is in full swing. Thanks to all of those who have prayed for us, you know who you are :) May the Lord bless and use you to glorify Him and His precious Son!My sister re...
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Still Alive and Highly Favored!
2007-10-26 05:18:00
Dearest Readers,Please accept my sincerest apologies for my very silent blog. While I may be absent from the blog community, I'm most assuredly, not absent from my fight in defense of THE faith!! I cannot begin to express how dramatic these last two months have been for us. It seems as if everything is being thrown at us, one event after another. It is very CLEAR that Satan is doing everything in his power to shut us down! GOD BE PRAISED! For I am seen as a threat to the one who lies and deceives! Maybe some of you may call me crazy, but I cannot help but be honored, however tough these hardships are. The 11th chapter of Hebrews is such a bolster to me. Biblical greats such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, Peter, Paul, and John all sacrificed their lives (and desires to live a certain way) BECAUSE of their faith, which is to truly be defined as their LOVE for HIM. Yet, WE ALL have NOT "resisted unto blood, striving against sin" (Hebrews 12:4) My hardships are minuscule in light of this.Jes...
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The Law of Sin and Death
2007-09-07 21:42:00
A relative and I were having a fascinating discussion about sin. He made a statement that rang very true to me. "So many Christians are obsessed with sin". For a long while, since reading other posts and forums about sin, I've been dwelling upon and studying about that matter. Although I've been compelled to analyze the subject by post, I haven't felt prepared to do so. As you all know, I'm experiencing a trial that proves to be a continuous battle for my faith. It has been a trial which continues to manifest the truth of Scripture, the Word of God, to my soul. It is during hard times such as these when the Glory of God is a sight to behold. And His goodness, a pleasant taste!"O taste and see that the LORD is good..." Psalm 34:8Why do we obsess with sin? Either of our own or those of fellow Christians? Has Christ not set us free from the law of sin and death?"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" -- Romans 8:2What is t...
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I'm Back...For Now
2007-08-30 05:53:00
Hello Everyone! It has been a while since I last posted. I want to apologize for not being able to post as of late, and I assure you it's not because of my new schedule! I've found myself without Internet connection, at least, for the moment without broadband! So I'm working off of dial up which is really (if you ask me) a step above having no Internet connection! I mentioned a month ago that my family and I are experiencing a financial crisis. We are still treading water. It continues to be a daily spiritual battle for my husband and I. We have our ups and downs as we continue to paddle towards dry land. Naturally Satan would have us drowning just when school starts! However, I'm counting it all joy! James 1:2 That the trying of my faith worketh patience, that I may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing! James 1:3-4 Oh How good it feels to be able to write a post! I've certainly missed my blog like an old, close friend! Without a doubt, to be able to write and share about the...
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Unconformity
2007-08-23 18:51:00
New schedules and routines have wrecked havoc upon my time. While spiritual I remain well and healthy, physically I'm exhausted. I'm currently trying to come up with a schedule that works for all that I've committed to. In approximately a week and half, my oldest son, will be starting pre-school, so I dare not get used to a certain routine. Instead I'm attempting to plan a schedule that will accommodate a new routine in the near future.Doing all this, reminds me of one of my favorite passages:"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans" 12:3How easy is it to be conformed to the routine of life? The easy, lazy routine of summer is now past. Now, I'm conditioning my mind to transform to the new "knowledge" I've aquired.The easy part is to renew, the hard part is to transform. The transformation is the application of the renewing process.But, renewing...

The Spirit of Fear
2007-08-21 11:16:00
SPIRIT OF FEARThere was a time in my youth when I was undoubtedly plagued with bouts of insecurities. The church I was a member of then, was divided into groups of the "haves" and the "have nots". As an orphan, I was most definitely a member of the "have nots". Being around my two-parented/one-parented friends I quietly developed a case inadequacy. As I matured in age (not necessarily in spirit), I carried that inadequacy with me, and it developed into an insecurity. My insecurity played with my vain imaginations, thus, assumptions and defensiveness was born. I became a person who would assume a particular behavior/conversation was geared towards me in a negative light, and when truth was presented to me, I became defensive of my assumptions and resulted behavior. It was a deadly mind game I played so long ago. Deadly in the fact that, spiritually I was inhibited by the insecurities that plagued me. My insecurities prevented me from seeing and then receiving what was true. My insecu...
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