A Gift for Jesus

This is a beautiful post written by a wonderful woman of God 🙂

Karina Lam's avatarKarina's Thought

A GIFT FOR JESUS -Karina's Thought

Yesterday was our 1st wedding anniversary.  In accordance with our agreement, we were not celebrated with a romantic candle light dinner or something, yet we have decided to celebrate our wedding anniversary at the orphanage and held a Christmas celebration together with the orphans. Why we had an idea like that?  Because we just want to celebrate our wedding anniversary with a slightly different way and coincides with Christmas day. We just want to share blessings and happiness to those who in need. For both of us, had a lunch with the orphans, played around and sang together with them was the most romantic moment. However, here I don’t want to talk about our celebration but I want to talk about something important that I got from it.

When the orphans made Christmas decoration contest, I found something that made me moved. I saw a little girl put a manger…

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I Am Nobody Else But Me

I Am Nobody Else But Me (Originally written December 8, 2014)

I am nobody else,

and everyone else is not me.

I am who I was created to be,

unique in essence and beauty.

 

I am not you,

and you are not me.

There’s no need to be like each other.

We each have a different purpose, you see.

 

There is no standard of who I should be

except Christ alone.

There is no mold

for me.

 

There is no logic comparing myself

with someone

who is not

me.

 

I am only one,

and this one is enough.

I am enough for the One who has called me

to be me.

 

There is one me.

There is one you.

Let us rejoice in how we are created,

and live life anew.

 

©Lauren Heiligenthal

Peace

Peace (Originally written December 5, 2014)

Whispering down the dark alleys of my heart,

the voice of my flesh cries out to me,

“Set me free. This is your true desire.”

The words gnaw at me,

reaching the corners of my mind,

permeating my spirit.

Instead, I reach out for a light

and one is provided.

Carrying this torch I see the truth.

My way to freedom was always at hand,

right in front of me,

waiting for me to enter

peace.

 

©Lauren Heiligenthal

A Question To Ponder

I want to start with a caveat. This post is not directed towards anyone in particular, but rather towards leaders and scholars (self-proclaimed Christians) who have questioned the validity of Scripture and confirmed in their own hearts that the presentation of Scripture (especially the Old Testament) is, indeed, invalid. They do not necessarily question salvation, but rather the historicity of the Bible (which, in my opinion, questions salvation).

Some of these people question whether or not the Israel of the OT existed. Some question that God would have Israel (for those who do believe in ancient Israel) slaughter men, women, and children in His name. Some question the creation account with the intention of promoting evolution (apparently forgetting or ignoring Jesus’ own assertion of creation in Matt. 19:4-6). Some question the accuracy of every historical account, advocating that these accounts are exaggerated. Some question the validity of these historical accounts because they seem close to other Ancient Near Eastern texts. Rather than believe that all people were knowledgeable about certain worldwide events (like the flood, for instance, since everyone born after the flood came from Noah’s family), they choose to believe that Israel actually borrowed this information. They were just like any other nation, and their God (or rather, god) was like any other god. Some question the validity of miracles because they are not scientifically proven.

These somebodies aren’t just somebodies (note that I write “some” not “all” leaders and scholars). They are professors with multiple degrees. They are preachers over congregations of all sizes. They are authors of popular books. It is to these somebodies that I propose this simple question:

“If you question the validity of the Scriptures, and it is these same Scriptures that you rely upon for your knowledge and hope of salvation, are you not, indeed, questioning the validity of your own salvation?”

To all other believers, I want to remind us all of Paul’s words to the Ephesians:

“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors (or ministers) and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:11-16 NASB; italics added for an alternate translation)

 

©Lauren Heiligenthal

My Book is on Amazon

Well I have another book update for you. If you’re interested in checking out my book Evaluating Western Christianity’s Interpretation of Biblical Polygamy you can now do so on Amazon. Here’s the link: http://www.amazon.com/Evaluating-Christianitys-Interpretation-Biblical-Polygamy/dp/1629045217/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1417471247&sr=1-1.

There are plans in the works for creating an e-book version, and I’ll be sure to update you when that’s complete 🙂

For anyone who hasn’t read about my book yet, Finally Published and The Story Behind the Book are posts that provide some explanation.

Also, if you’re interested in other works about biblical polygamy please check out www.patriarchpublishinghouse.com.

Steps for Interpreting Scripture

I hope to write more on biblical interpretation in the near future, but for now I wanted to share this link to Jason Upham’s blog. He shares 10 steps to interpreting Scripture that I think are quite helpful. These also go hand-in-hand with my blog posts Cutting the Context and Critiquing “The Message” Bible. Check these posts out if you’re interested.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Thankfulness

Today is a day to celebrate the survival of this nation, but Thanksgiving has become more than that. There is the tradition of sharing what we’re thankful for in the present, not just the past. I couldn’t write my thanks better than Paul’s eloquent words to the Ephesians:

“(3) Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (4) just as He Himself chose us in Him before the foundation of the world in order that we may be holy and blameless before Him in love, (5) having predestined us into adoption through Jesus Christ to Him, according to the good pleasure of His will, (6) to the praise of the glory of His grace that He bestowed on us, in the beloved One. (7) In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the wealth of His (God the Father’s) grace (8) which He abounded to us, in all wisdom and understanding, (9) having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He Himself planned in Him (Christ) (10) in the administration of the fullness of the times, to bring together all things in Christ, things in heaven and things upon the earth in Him. (11) In Him we also were appointed [as God’s heritage/possession], having been predestined according to the purpose of the one who is working all things according to the counsel of His will (12) in order that we, the ones who have already hoped in Christ, may be to the praise of His glory. (13) In Him, you also having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom you also having believed, were sealed by the Holy Spirit of the promise, (14) who is the first installment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the (God’s) possession to the praise of His glory.” (Eph. 1:3-14; my translation from the Greek )

Rolling Hills of Tuscany

Edith Levy takes the most incredible photographs of breathtaking scenery from around the world. I highly recommend checking out her work and maybe even purchasing some photographs for yourself 🙂

edithlevyphotography's avatarEdith Levy Photography

The beauty of Tuscany never ceases to amaze me. As you drive through Tuscany these scenes are all around you forcing you to pull over and just marvel at its beauty.

I entered this image in my clubs Print Competition and I found out last week that it came in second. I’m very proud that it was recognized but I have to say it was one point less then the winning image so I was a little disappointed.

Click on the image to see a higher resolution version (it really does look better) or to Purchase a Print.

Tuscany, hills, countryside, Montepulciano, travel photography

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Travel Plans for the New Year

This is just hilarious! It’s good to laugh 🙂

morningstoryanddilbert's avatarMorning Story and Dilbert

Morning Story and Dilbert Vintage Dilbert
November 24, 2004

I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my children, friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go and I try not to visit there too often.

I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older.

One of my favorite places…

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