Religious Freedom

Recently on Facebook I reposted to my timeline a saying from a Buddhist page. This saying was something that I liked and thought was worthy of being shared. In 24 hours it started a controversy on Religious beliefs. Mostly that I was told it was walking a thin line of faith posting it to my timeline. 

I am on that respects all different faiths and different denominations of the Christian Faith. I feel that it is my right to be able to post whatever I want of religious subject matter to my timeline of Facebook. 

Jesus was a man that respected and loved everyone regardless of religious faith. He was non discriminative. We all need to take a page out of his book. 

Rev. Billy Graham was like Jesus. He was non discriminative. He loved everyone and wanted then to know about the love of Jesus. He showed the world how everyone should treat others. He was a true man of God. 

I just believe that some people have a problem sticking their noes in where it does not belong. They insert their opinions in sometime without being asked for. That really gets me when it comes to religion. They think that they know everything and will not listen to what you have to say. They get mad when you tell them that how you think or feel.

When it comes to religion I am a Christian who embraces all faiths. I feel that we all need to get along. We all need to respect each other. 

I respect people's opinions, but when they infringe on my personal beliefs then their is a problem. That is when I have to draw the line. I don't want to have to stop being friends with a person just because they have disrespected me and what I believe. 

So the next time you want to stick your nose in where it does not belong thing twice. You may offend someone. You may hurt their feelings. Respect others and how they feel. It will save you in the long run. 

Gratitude 2018 Day 85

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 85

#AttitudeOfGratitude2018

#grateful #thankful

I am grateful for rules. Rules are made to keep honest people honest. Rules are made so that children obey their parents or the adults in charge of them. Rules serve a purpose in life.

Quiet Mornings

I have never been a morning person. I am usually one that likes to sleep in cause if I am awake too early I am grumpy. In the last two years of work I have been getting up early to take advantage of the quiet of the house. That is right. On the mornings that I work I get up early. I spend time in prayer and bible study. It is the same on Sunday Mornings too.

This gives me a time to hear the Lord and what he has to say to me. It gives me time to just relax and get myself together before I start my day. It is so nice to just enjoy the quiet.

Everyone should take advantage of this time of day. You will find that you will really like it.

Legalism is not Holiness

I have been going to church since I was kids. I grew up in the Presbyterian denomination. I had ties to the Brethren, Baptist, United Methodist, Lutheran, Mennonite,  and Assembly of God. So I have a well versed background in lots of denominations.

As a kid I was indoctrinated to believe certain things. One thing I was taught is that there was a dress code for church. You had certain clothes that you only wore for Sunday. Most of the time it was a dress or a skirt and top. It was not appropriate for ladies to wear pants to church.

I was taught that the King James Bible was the only version to read no matter how hard it was to understand. That there was a certain routine that we did in Worship. That the only way to support your church was to get a huge amount of money in the offering plate. This list goes on.

I realize now that this is all legalism. Legalism is not holiness. Legalism has no place in the Christian Religion or the Church. God did not put rules on religion.

As far as dress goes God said that you need to wear what is pleasing to him. That means that if I want to wear jeans. I can. However, it does mean that you should wear something modest and not dress like you are working the street corner.

Also when it comes to giving to the church you don’t have to give of your money. Some people like myself don’t have the money to give. So it is ok to instead of giving money that you give of your time and talents.

There are other versions of the bible other than King James. It is so hard to read. I do own King James along with several other versions. I find the New International Version is the easiest to read. I believe that everyone should pick a bible that is right for them. My favorite versions to read are the Amplified, Message, and Voice.

My theory is that those who rely on the legalism and making sure that people follow it are not at church for the right reasons. They are not holy. They don’t have God in their hearts.

Legalism is the downfall of a lot of churches today. Pushing the legalism turns people away from church. In turn it will cause the church to close. Legalism is why the church is dying. We need to get away from legalism and back to what the Word of God really says.

When we get back to the biblical teachings of the Word of God then churches will grow again. We will see a revival like never before.

Gratitude 2018 Day 84

Attitude of Gratitude - Day 84

#AttitudeOfGratitude2018

#grateful #thankful

I am grateful for Hannah and Austin. I am grateful that they are a part of my life. I would not trade them for the world. They may get on my nerves a bit sometimes, but I still love them. They are not bad kids. They have been through a lot of stuff and need someone in their lives who loves them.

Sometimes they think we don't love them and that is when we have had to show them tuff love. We love them no matter what. We only want what is best for them.

I love it when Austin sings his Excuses song or quotes VeggieTales by saying: God Made You Special and He loves you very much. I love it when Hannah volunteers to help around the house.