"The difference between men and pigs is that, pigs don't get drunk and act like men." -David Vickery
Drunkenness
"People who drink to drown their sorrow should be told that sorrow knows how to swim." -Ann Landers
Labels:
Virtues
Brothers
"Do not worry on finding the right woman, concentrate on becoming the right man." -via Rocky Nguyen
"You don’t love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her." -via Monica Ponce
"If we are not strong enough to hold a door for a sister, or not strong enough to pick up a bag for her, then we are not strong at all." -Rovi Papa
"You don’t love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her." -via Monica Ponce
"If we are not strong enough to hold a door for a sister, or not strong enough to pick up a bag for her, then we are not strong at all." -Rovi Papa
Labels:
Virtues
Treasure
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." -Matthew 6:19-21
Labels:
Virtues
2010
2010 was an interesting year. And I cannot praise God enough for it.
Seeing as 2008-2009 were probably some of the best years of my life (those were the years that I first truly met Him), God made 2010 a year of tearing down.
Wow, wow, wow, stop! You must be thinking: “Gabe, why the negativity?!” But I’m not being negative at all. :) I’m being truthful and honest, and I don’t think 2010 could have been done in any other way in God’s grand plan for my life. Certain routines and connections in some of my closest friendships were “torn down” you could say, but in all honesty I see why God did that, and it took me a year and a half to figure that out haha!
But enough about all that, I just really praise God for 2010 as much as I have for 2009, 2008, and so on. The thing about losing something of yours, about why certain things like our best friends, our girlfriends/boyfriends, or our achievements and successes, are taken away from us is because we sometimes forget that we still need to grow and expand. Like a crop that has already been producing a certain fruit, sometimes it’s time that we start learning new things in life that God wants to show us. The crop is “uprooted”, “plowed”, and prepared for a new seed. And what kind of fruit this newly improved crop will produce and what kind of tastes and nutrients it will bring are a mystery that only God’s timing can tell. But for sure, that new fruit will be better than the last.
2010 has taught me so much in its process, and I can say that I have gained so many new closer friendships with people I never knew I would and I have strengthened so many other relationships that I had, unfortunately, never really taken the consideration to before.
2010 taught me what hate, jealousy and expectations really were and what they could do to a person and the relationships around them. What they could do to your relationship with God.
2010 taught me what it meant when they said that faith took more than just your emotions, but your reasons as well. It taught me what it really meant when God said, “offer ALL that you are to Me.”
2010 taught me a whole lot more about forgiveness. About how forgiveness is not forgetting, how forgiveness is not ceasing to feel the pain, and about how forgiveness is not a onetime event.
2010 taught me about God’s other most gracious F gift other than forgiveness: Freewill. It taught me what God meant when He said, “You have the choice.”
2010 taught me what “Let go and Let God” really meant.
And finally…
2010 taught me, and started me on this journey, of finding my true self.
I think 2011 will be a year for that, and maybe a couple more years for that as well. Who knows! But in the end, I know I’m still learning and growing, even with these “2010 taught me’s,” I’m still going to be learning more about them too. I feel like there’s a lot to keep up, but I know God has my back.
Anyway, Happy New Years everyone! God bless and take care!
Love your brother in Christ,
Gabriel
Promises.
PS. To future self: Ha, you read your old 2010 post. How different do you feel? ;)
Praise God.
Labels:
Hope
Confession
"Whatever you confess won't make Me love you less." -God
***THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION***
295. Why did Christ institute the sacraments of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick?
1420-1421
1426
Christ, the physician of our soul and body, instituted these sacraments because the new life that he gives us in the sacraments of Christian initiation can be weakened and even lost because of sin. Therefore, Christ willed that his Church should continue his work of healing and salvation by means of these two sacraments.
296. What is the name of this sacrament?
1422-1424
It is called the sacrament of Penance, the sacrament of Reconciliation, the sacrament of Forgiveness, the sacrament of Confession, and the sacrament of Conversion.
297. Why is there a sacrament of Reconciliation after Baptism?
1425-1426
1484
Since the new life of grace received in Baptism does not abolish the weakness of human nature nor the inclination to sin (that is, concupiscence), Christ instituted this sacrament for the conversion of the baptized who have been separated from him by sin.
298. When did he institute this sacrament?
1485
The risen Lord instituted this sacrament on the evening of Easter when he showed himself to his apostles and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23).
299. Do the baptized have need of conversion?
1427-1429
The call of Christ to conversion continues to resound in the lives of the baptized. Conversion is a continuing obligation for the whole Church. She is holy but includes sinners in her midst.
300. What is interior penance?
1430-1433
1490
It is the movement of a “contrite heart” (Psalm 51:19) drawn by divine grace to respond to the merciful love of God. This entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed, a firm purpose not to sin again in the future and trust in the help of God. It is nourished by hope in divine mercy.
301. What forms does penance take in the Christian life?
1434-1439
Penance can be expressed in many and various ways but above all in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. These and many other forms of penance can be practiced in the daily life of a Christian, particularly during the time of Lent and on the penitential day of Friday.
302. What are the essential elements of the sacrament of Reconciliation?
1440-1449
The essential elements are two: the acts of the penitent who comes to repentance through the action of the Holy Spirit, and the absolution of the priest who in the name of Christ grants forgiveness and determines the ways of making satisfaction.
303. What are the acts of the penitent?
1450-1460
1487-1492
They are: a careful examination of conscience; contrition (or repentance), which is perfect when it is motivated by love of God and imperfect if it rests on other motives and which includes the determination not to sin again; confession, which consists in the telling of one’s sins to the priest; and satisfaction or the carrying out of certain acts of penance which the confessor imposes upon the penitent to repair the damage caused by sin.
304. Which sins must be confessed?
1456
All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.
305. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?
1457
Each of the faithful who has reached the age of discretion is bound to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion.
306. Why can venial sins also be the object of sacramental confession?
1458
The confession of venial sins is strongly recommended by the Church, even if this is not strictly necessary, because it helps us to form a correct conscience and to fight against evil tendencies. It allows us to be healed by Christ and to progress in the life of the Spirit.
307. Who is the minister of this sacrament?
1461-1466
1495
Christ has entrusted the ministry of Reconciliation to his apostles, to the bishops who are their successors and to the priests who are the collaborators of the bishops, all of whom become thereby instruments of the mercy and justice of God. They exercise their power of forgiving sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
308. To whom is the absolution of some sins reserved?
1463
The absolution of certain particularly grave sins (like those punished by excommunication) is reserved to the Apostolic See or to the local bishop or to priests who are authorized by them. Any priest, however, can absolve a person who is in danger of death from any sin and excommunication.
309. Is a confessor bound to secrecy?
1467
Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to people every confessor, without any exception and under very severe penalties, is bound to maintain “the sacramental seal” which means absolute secrecy about the sins revealed to him in confession.
310. What are the effects of this sacrament?
1468-1470
1496
The effects of the sacrament of Penance are: reconciliation with God and therefore the forgiveness of sins; reconciliation with the Church; recovery, if it has been lost, of the state of grace; remission of the eternal punishment merited by mortal sins, and remission, at least in part, of the temporal punishment which is the consequence of sin; peace, serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation; and an increase of spiritual strength for the struggle of Christian living.
311. Can this sacrament be celebrated in some cases with a general confession and general absolution?
1480-1484
In cases of serious necessity (as in imminent danger of death) recourse may be had to a communal celebration of Reconciliation with general confession and general absolution, as long as the norms of the Church are observed and there is the intention of individually confessing one’s grave sins in due time.
312. What are indulgences?
1471-1479
1498
Indulgences are the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. The faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains the indulgence under prescribed conditions for either himself or the departed. Indulgences are granted through the ministry of the Church which, as the dispenser of the grace of redemption, distributes the treasury of the merits of Christ and the Saints.
1420-1421
1426
Christ, the physician of our soul and body, instituted these sacraments because the new life that he gives us in the sacraments of Christian initiation can be weakened and even lost because of sin. Therefore, Christ willed that his Church should continue his work of healing and salvation by means of these two sacraments.
296. What is the name of this sacrament?
1422-1424
It is called the sacrament of Penance, the sacrament of Reconciliation, the sacrament of Forgiveness, the sacrament of Confession, and the sacrament of Conversion.
297. Why is there a sacrament of Reconciliation after Baptism?
1425-1426
1484
Since the new life of grace received in Baptism does not abolish the weakness of human nature nor the inclination to sin (that is, concupiscence), Christ instituted this sacrament for the conversion of the baptized who have been separated from him by sin.
298. When did he institute this sacrament?
1485
The risen Lord instituted this sacrament on the evening of Easter when he showed himself to his apostles and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23).
299. Do the baptized have need of conversion?
1427-1429
The call of Christ to conversion continues to resound in the lives of the baptized. Conversion is a continuing obligation for the whole Church. She is holy but includes sinners in her midst.
300. What is interior penance?
1430-1433
1490
It is the movement of a “contrite heart” (Psalm 51:19) drawn by divine grace to respond to the merciful love of God. This entails sorrow for and abhorrence of sins committed, a firm purpose not to sin again in the future and trust in the help of God. It is nourished by hope in divine mercy.
301. What forms does penance take in the Christian life?
1434-1439
Penance can be expressed in many and various ways but above all in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. These and many other forms of penance can be practiced in the daily life of a Christian, particularly during the time of Lent and on the penitential day of Friday.
302. What are the essential elements of the sacrament of Reconciliation?
1440-1449
The essential elements are two: the acts of the penitent who comes to repentance through the action of the Holy Spirit, and the absolution of the priest who in the name of Christ grants forgiveness and determines the ways of making satisfaction.
303. What are the acts of the penitent?
1450-1460
1487-1492
They are: a careful examination of conscience; contrition (or repentance), which is perfect when it is motivated by love of God and imperfect if it rests on other motives and which includes the determination not to sin again; confession, which consists in the telling of one’s sins to the priest; and satisfaction or the carrying out of certain acts of penance which the confessor imposes upon the penitent to repair the damage caused by sin.
304. Which sins must be confessed?
1456
All grave sins not yet confessed, which a careful examination of conscience brings to mind, must be brought to the sacrament of Penance. The confession of serious sins is the only ordinary way to obtain forgiveness.
305. When is a person obliged to confess mortal sins?
1457
Each of the faithful who has reached the age of discretion is bound to confess his or her mortal sins at least once a year and always before receiving Holy Communion.
306. Why can venial sins also be the object of sacramental confession?
1458
The confession of venial sins is strongly recommended by the Church, even if this is not strictly necessary, because it helps us to form a correct conscience and to fight against evil tendencies. It allows us to be healed by Christ and to progress in the life of the Spirit.
307. Who is the minister of this sacrament?
1461-1466
1495
Christ has entrusted the ministry of Reconciliation to his apostles, to the bishops who are their successors and to the priests who are the collaborators of the bishops, all of whom become thereby instruments of the mercy and justice of God. They exercise their power of forgiving sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
308. To whom is the absolution of some sins reserved?
1463
The absolution of certain particularly grave sins (like those punished by excommunication) is reserved to the Apostolic See or to the local bishop or to priests who are authorized by them. Any priest, however, can absolve a person who is in danger of death from any sin and excommunication.
309. Is a confessor bound to secrecy?
1467
Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to people every confessor, without any exception and under very severe penalties, is bound to maintain “the sacramental seal” which means absolute secrecy about the sins revealed to him in confession.
310. What are the effects of this sacrament?
1468-1470
1496
The effects of the sacrament of Penance are: reconciliation with God and therefore the forgiveness of sins; reconciliation with the Church; recovery, if it has been lost, of the state of grace; remission of the eternal punishment merited by mortal sins, and remission, at least in part, of the temporal punishment which is the consequence of sin; peace, serenity of conscience and spiritual consolation; and an increase of spiritual strength for the struggle of Christian living.
311. Can this sacrament be celebrated in some cases with a general confession and general absolution?
1480-1484
In cases of serious necessity (as in imminent danger of death) recourse may be had to a communal celebration of Reconciliation with general confession and general absolution, as long as the norms of the Church are observed and there is the intention of individually confessing one’s grave sins in due time.
312. What are indulgences?
1471-1479
1498
Indulgences are the remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven. The faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains the indulgence under prescribed conditions for either himself or the departed. Indulgences are granted through the ministry of the Church which, as the dispenser of the grace of redemption, distributes the treasury of the merits of Christ and the Saints.
Labels:
Love
The Seed of Choice
[Genesis 2:4 - 3:24]
He placed one scoop of clay upon another until a form lay lifeless on the ground….
All were silent as the Creator reached in Himself and removed something yet unseen. “It’s called ‘choice’. The seed of choice.”
Creation stood in silence and gazed upon the lifeless form.
An angel spoke, “But what if he…”
“What if he chooses not to love?” the Creator finished. “Come, I will show you.”
Unbound by today, God and the angel walked into the realm of tomorrow…
The angel gasped at what he saw. Spontaneous love. Voluntary devotion. Never had he seen anything like these… The angel stood speechless as they passed through the centuries of repugnance. Never had he seen such filth. Rotten hearts. Ruptured promises. Forgotten loyalties…
The Creator walked on in time, further and further into the future, until He stood by a tree. A tree that would be fashioned into a cradle. Even then He could smell the hay that would surround Him…
“Wouldn’t it be easier to not plant the seed? Wouldn’t it be easier to not give the choice?”
“It would,” the Creator spoke slowly. “But to remove the choice is to remove the love.”
They stepped into the Garden again. The Maker looked earnestly at the clay creation. A monsoon of love swelled up within Him. He had died for the creation before He had made him. God’s form bent over the sculptured face and breathed. Dust stirred on the lips of the new one. The chest rose, cracking the red mud. The cheeks fleshened. A finger move. And an eye opened.
But more incredible than the moving of the flesh was the stirring of the spirit. Those who could see the unseen gasped.
Perhaps it was the wind who said it first. Perhaps what the star saw that moment is what has made it blink ever since. Maybe it was left to an angel to whisper it:
“It looks like…it appears so much like…it is Him!”
The angel wasn’t speaking of the face, the features, or the body. He was looking inside—at the soul.
“It’s eternal!” gasped another.
Within man, God had placed a divine seed. A seed of His Self. The God of might had created earth’s mightiest. The Creator had created, not a creature, but another creator. And the One who had chosen to love had created one who could love in return.
Now it’s our choice.
(From In The Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado)
Labels:
Love
Fearless
Joshua De Gracia
Part I of the “Fearless” series
Feel free to answer and e-mail us your answer to this question: “what do you fear?” –KnowGodknowlove808@gmail.com
A phobia, (from Greek “fear”), is an abnormal, persistent fear of situations, objects, activities, of persons. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject.
The term phobia is also used in a non-medical sense for aversions of all sorts and types of fobias and fears. A number of neologisms have appeared with the suffix -phobia, which are not phobias in the clinical sense, but rather describe a negative attitude towards something.
There are well over 1,000 different types of fears in the world. Let’s take a look at a few: Angrophobia is the fear of anger, Gamophobia is the fear of marriage, Tropophobia is the fear of moving or making changes, Scolionophobia is the fear of school and Anuptaphobia is the fear of being/staying single.
In the definition of “phobia,” its main symptom was an obsessive desire to avoid the feared object. In a spiritual sense, this is the goal of the devil as he brings fear into our lives. F.E.A.R. means “False Evidence Appearing Real.” Like it says in Jeremiah 29:11, God has a plan and a purpose for our lives and Satan will do whatever it takes for us to fall out of that purpose, no matter what it may be.
Suicide is a major tragedy that is happening in our world as we speak. Last year, statistics showed that an individual took their life in the United States every 30 minutes. You do the math and it comes out to 48 people a day. The sad reality of it is suicide is a sin and the Bible says that if we sin without repenting, we will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
On the topic of suicides, what would cause someone to take their own life? It could be lost purpose, gave up on living, different stresses amounted and the list could go on and on.
We weren’t made to be alone, however, there are times in which the enemy makes us feel like we have nothing to live for and no one to turn to but death itself.
God’s answer:
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
For those of you who feel like you have no sense of purpose in life. Let me be the first to tell you that God has a plan for your life, no matter how much you think your are dealing with. Don’t give into the lies of the enemy who wants to oppress your life. You were made in God’s image and be assured that no matter where you go and what you do in life, God is always right there by your side. Fight that fear with faith.
----------
Krinda Joy Carlson
Part II of the “Fearless” series
The English dictionary is too small! In our modern language, we lose the depth of meaning which so many words were meant to impart, and the word “fear” suffers the same misunderstanding. When speaking of fear and the fear of the Lord in Biblical terms, we must consider the origin of this word to fully comprehend this concept.
Original Origin of Biblical “Fear”
Since the Old Testament’s original text was Hebrew, let’s embark on a mini Hebraic lesson. First off, when looking up the word “fear” in Hebrew, you will not find one word, but about a million! (Ok, so it seems like a million). However, the one most commonly used in the Bible, especially in reference to the Lord, is yir’ah, or ya’re in verb form. Psalm 33:8 gives an example: “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him.” This verse actually defines for us what fear meant for the Jewish community – it meant actual fear, combined with “awe” or fear at the awesomeness of someone/something!
I have heard many times that the “fear of the Lord” simply means respect, but in actuality, one who fears the Lord really does possess a form of dread. For to have true respect and awe for God means we contain some form of understanding that His judgment is to be feared if we turn against Him. After all, even our Webster’s Dictionary defines “awe” as “an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime.” Thus, we must understand that He is THE ONE whom we should concern ourselves with, for His authority deserves both our honor and our dread; we are to live in fearful awe of Him simply because He is God – the sacred and sublime not for His actions, but because He is Alpha and Omega. This is true fear of the Lord.
Re-Defining Fear in English
Now! Unless we compare the Hebrew definition of fear with our modern definition, the above paragraph could hinder the intimate relationship we are meant to have with the Lord. Our, understanding of “fear” and “dread” is misconstrued because the origin for our word comes from the old English word synonymous with “calamity, disaster”; and, the Germanic verb meaning, “to terrify, take by surprise.” Thus, today when we think of fear, it involves an event which inspires the emotion of fear. It is the exterior world working upon our mind and body in a way that causes disaster to us either physically or emotionally. This is the type of fear God commands us NOT to have, when He says, “fear not.” And, THIS IS NOT THE WAY WE ARE TO FEAR GOD.
The fear of the Lord must be understood from the Hebraic origin so that we can truly have life, and life abundant as God promises. To ya’re God is to have an inherent awe, dread, and wonder in who He is, and realizes He is supreme over all things! It’s not about events, actions, or “punishment” He can invoke, for that misrepresents God’s heart and causes us to run from Him, not to Him. For example, when we have a healthy fear of our parents, we understand that they have the power to affect our lives so we obey and honor them, but we know they act only out of love to ensure good flows into our lives. This is a relationship mixed with respect. (I understand that, sadly, all parents do not posses this type of love intended by God, but it is the model).
We are to approach God with this same attitude! “I will give them singleness of heart and action so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me” (Jeremiah 32:39-40). Living fearless is to not have fear by modern day definition, it is to have a “ya’re-fear” of the Lord, because with it, we understand that He will “never stop doing good” to us! This releases us to love and live in confidence, and no longer tremble at the disasters and calamities of the world!
Part I of the “Fearless” series
Feel free to answer and e-mail us your answer to this question: “what do you fear?” –KnowGodknowlove808@gmail.com
A phobia, (from Greek “fear”), is an abnormal, persistent fear of situations, objects, activities, of persons. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject.
The term phobia is also used in a non-medical sense for aversions of all sorts and types of fobias and fears. A number of neologisms have appeared with the suffix -phobia, which are not phobias in the clinical sense, but rather describe a negative attitude towards something.
There are well over 1,000 different types of fears in the world. Let’s take a look at a few: Angrophobia is the fear of anger, Gamophobia is the fear of marriage, Tropophobia is the fear of moving or making changes, Scolionophobia is the fear of school and Anuptaphobia is the fear of being/staying single.
In the definition of “phobia,” its main symptom was an obsessive desire to avoid the feared object. In a spiritual sense, this is the goal of the devil as he brings fear into our lives. F.E.A.R. means “False Evidence Appearing Real.” Like it says in Jeremiah 29:11, God has a plan and a purpose for our lives and Satan will do whatever it takes for us to fall out of that purpose, no matter what it may be.
Suicide is a major tragedy that is happening in our world as we speak. Last year, statistics showed that an individual took their life in the United States every 30 minutes. You do the math and it comes out to 48 people a day. The sad reality of it is suicide is a sin and the Bible says that if we sin without repenting, we will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
On the topic of suicides, what would cause someone to take their own life? It could be lost purpose, gave up on living, different stresses amounted and the list could go on and on.
We weren’t made to be alone, however, there are times in which the enemy makes us feel like we have nothing to live for and no one to turn to but death itself.
God’s answer:
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
For those of you who feel like you have no sense of purpose in life. Let me be the first to tell you that God has a plan for your life, no matter how much you think your are dealing with. Don’t give into the lies of the enemy who wants to oppress your life. You were made in God’s image and be assured that no matter where you go and what you do in life, God is always right there by your side. Fight that fear with faith.
----------
Krinda Joy Carlson
Part II of the “Fearless” series
The English dictionary is too small! In our modern language, we lose the depth of meaning which so many words were meant to impart, and the word “fear” suffers the same misunderstanding. When speaking of fear and the fear of the Lord in Biblical terms, we must consider the origin of this word to fully comprehend this concept.
Original Origin of Biblical “Fear”
Since the Old Testament’s original text was Hebrew, let’s embark on a mini Hebraic lesson. First off, when looking up the word “fear” in Hebrew, you will not find one word, but about a million! (Ok, so it seems like a million). However, the one most commonly used in the Bible, especially in reference to the Lord, is yir’ah, or ya’re in verb form. Psalm 33:8 gives an example: “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him.” This verse actually defines for us what fear meant for the Jewish community – it meant actual fear, combined with “awe” or fear at the awesomeness of someone/something!
I have heard many times that the “fear of the Lord” simply means respect, but in actuality, one who fears the Lord really does possess a form of dread. For to have true respect and awe for God means we contain some form of understanding that His judgment is to be feared if we turn against Him. After all, even our Webster’s Dictionary defines “awe” as “an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime.” Thus, we must understand that He is THE ONE whom we should concern ourselves with, for His authority deserves both our honor and our dread; we are to live in fearful awe of Him simply because He is God – the sacred and sublime not for His actions, but because He is Alpha and Omega. This is true fear of the Lord.
Re-Defining Fear in English
Now! Unless we compare the Hebrew definition of fear with our modern definition, the above paragraph could hinder the intimate relationship we are meant to have with the Lord. Our, understanding of “fear” and “dread” is misconstrued because the origin for our word comes from the old English word synonymous with “calamity, disaster”; and, the Germanic verb meaning, “to terrify, take by surprise.” Thus, today when we think of fear, it involves an event which inspires the emotion of fear. It is the exterior world working upon our mind and body in a way that causes disaster to us either physically or emotionally. This is the type of fear God commands us NOT to have, when He says, “fear not.” And, THIS IS NOT THE WAY WE ARE TO FEAR GOD.
The fear of the Lord must be understood from the Hebraic origin so that we can truly have life, and life abundant as God promises. To ya’re God is to have an inherent awe, dread, and wonder in who He is, and realizes He is supreme over all things! It’s not about events, actions, or “punishment” He can invoke, for that misrepresents God’s heart and causes us to run from Him, not to Him. For example, when we have a healthy fear of our parents, we understand that they have the power to affect our lives so we obey and honor them, but we know they act only out of love to ensure good flows into our lives. This is a relationship mixed with respect. (I understand that, sadly, all parents do not posses this type of love intended by God, but it is the model).
We are to approach God with this same attitude! “I will give them singleness of heart and action so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me” (Jeremiah 32:39-40). Living fearless is to not have fear by modern day definition, it is to have a “ya’re-fear” of the Lord, because with it, we understand that He will “never stop doing good” to us! This releases us to love and live in confidence, and no longer tremble at the disasters and calamities of the world!
Labels:
Faith
Dinner
“Some of the most Important conversations in your life,
Will happen at the table in which you share food at.”
The stories that you share with those who care after a long wait,
The most exciting thing that you may do the whole day.
All of which are spent in a place that is designed to talk at.
Extensive work goes into what to serve and who to invite,
So much goes into what happens at the place we see so often.
It would only make sense that amazing things tend to happen.
Amazing joy, great sadness, future success, great failure,
Huge fights, understandable compromise, bitter silence, unbearable noise,
Morbid break-ups and beautiful engagements to name a few.
Even one of the greatest events in our Faith occurred at a dinner table.
For some reason I always relate everything with food and music.
What could be better than food and music you ask?
Friends, Family and Loved Ones. (and great conversation)Eat Wisely.
Labels:
Virtues
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