@KObregonWriter This post makes me so HAPPY! No pesticides used on my property either. I let the majority of my land return to its natural state. It is lush and green, with many birds, rabbits, lizards, frogs, wildflowers, native bushes n trees occupying.๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฆ๐ฆโโฌ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐๐๐ป
I donโt know who needs to hear this, but if you ever find yourself wondering whether you matter to anyone, remember that you do matter to God and that has always been true. ๐ค
Who are you? Who are you beyond all temporal identifying markers, after your race, profession, degree, nation, after your relationships, beyond even the language you speak. What is left of you when you dissolve away all earthly experiences, when this tabernacle dies?
@DanielvsBabylon Bookmarking this to re-read many times! This perspective is powerful and re-orders and re-organizes all things rightly. Thank you, Daniel, for such a thought provoking post. God bless you and guide you, always.๐๐ป
I used to think that Christianity meant you followed the teachings of Jesus, get baptized, go to church on Sundays, get married in a church and tried to be a good person and if you checked off enough boxes at the end of your life if you made Godโs nice list you would be let into a heaven that was sky and clouds. This is what I thought being a Christian meant.
I couldnโt have been anymore wrong. This is not what the Bible teaches about salvation or sin (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Bible emphatically declares all of us under sin (Romans 3:23), and rightfully deserving of hell and death (Romans 6:23). But that God in his great mercy and love for us has provided a way out, the Gospel (John 3:16). That if we believe Jesus, the Son of God (John 20:31), lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), served as the atoning sacrifice for our sins by His crucifixion (1 Peter 2:24), and that God has raised him up from the dead (Romans 10:9), that we would be saved (Acts 16:31). God has promised us this in His Word (1 John 5:11-13) and God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Plainly stated in the most available book in the history of mankind for all to see the Way of salvation (Romans 1:16).
No amount of works, or baptisms, or holy communions could afford us this benefit (Galatians 2:16). It is completely a free gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). It cannot be earned or merited in any way (Romans 4:4-5). And it is this precious blood of Christ that we must rely on completely to be saved (1 Peter 1:18-19). Not our own efforts, not being a โgood personโ, not anything we do at all! (Isaiah 64:6) But Godโs grace (Titus 2:11).
Repent and receive the Good News Today! (Mark 1:15)
In the Orthodox Church, we don't believe children need to be entertained or removed from worship, we believe they belong in the liturgy from the very beginning.
We let them kiss the icons, smell the incense, hear the chanting, listen to the priestโs homily, taste the Eucharist... Even when they wiggle, even when they make noise. We're not waiting for them to grow up to teach them the faith, we're raising them in it, because this isn't just for adults. This is for them too.
Let them come.
Let them stay.
Let them worship.
This is the formation of their soul.
This is how we raise saints. ๐ค
I'm not interested in being around people who aren't trying to grow closer to God everyday. Who are ok with mediocre, who don't strive for excellence, who blackpill on life, who make excuses for their surroundings instead of realizing its their own reflection staring back. I wish to help them, and I will, but I will not allow that into my headspace, its poison to sanctification.
@KObregonWriter You did! Lol Don't know whether to say "congratulations", or "I'm so sorry". Congratulations!!!๐ฅณ๐โจ๏ธ Thank God she has a great mom and Jesus as best role models & guides. God bless you both.๐๐ป
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;ย Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139 8-10
@DanielvsBabylon Forget transhumanism. Jesus has arranged the most awesome eternal upload ever. Heard that one from John Lennox! Trust, believe, accept the most generous invitation.๐
@KObregonWriter All of it. Angry, confused, lost, panicked, so scared, desperate, grief stricken, and feeling isolated and alone in all of it. My daughter was my reason to keep going. Without her, I would not have even cared to live.
@KObregonWriter *hugs* I'm sorry you're going through this. The pressure is unbearably awful. He WILL deliver. I was delivered, in a way I couldn't have imagined or expected. Juskeepgoing...