Sometimes it's hard to give thanks...

... so here are some verses to get you started.

Remember, we can and should give thanks even when we don't feel like it - even when circumstances don't seem ideal - because God has a plan, and He's in control.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:33-35

Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Your name. 2 Samuel 22:50

I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Psalms 7:17

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. Psalms 9:1

That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalms 30:12

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. Psalms 118:1

...and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples {gave them} to the people. Matthew 15:36

And when He had taken {some} bread {and} given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Luke 22:19

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 17:25a

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

Whatever you do in word or deed, {do} all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

… the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever. Revelation 4:9

"We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.” Revelation 11:17

Gee, if I didn't know better, I'd think there was some sort of theme running through the Bible!

Peace, love & thanks

You don't believe in Creationism????

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Acts 16:30-32

Need I say more?

Peace, Love & Jesus

Christians are such Hypocrites!

Why do Christians get accused of hypocrisy so much?

Merriam-Webster:
1 : a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially : the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion.

Well? Is it true? Lots of times it is. The important word here seems to be false. Other people might say, "Hey, I'm greedy, selfish and obnoxious. Get outta my way." Greedy, selfish, obnoxious Christians pretend God wants them to be greedy, selfish and obnoxious.
I know for a fact that I’m a hypocrite. Not all the time, mind you, and not in a big way, (I hope) but at times I say one thing and do another. I’m a hypocrite. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve met a person who isn’t one. It’s not just Christians – it’s human nature.

The big difference between Christians and others is that we’re supposed to at least try to be better. After all, we’re supposed to be salt and light! But for the most part we act like everyone else. Are we Christians in words AND actions? Do we follow Jesus’ example? Or do we talk a good talk, criticize everyone else, then go home to our expensive houses, turn on our big-screen T.V. and watch “American idol?” (I’m not against houses or televisions, but I think the amassment of excessive stuff is not a Christian value, and if you say it is, you’re justifying greed.)

If you spent time with several strangers, could you tell - by their actions - which ones were Christians? (Political opinions, cross jewelry and bumper stickers on cars are not actions.) Not often, I bet. I wouldn’t have ever guessed Carrie Prejean was a Christian based on her actions. (If you’ve been living under a rock, Google it.)

What should we do? First read the Bible – actually read it – and think about what it says. Especially focus on Jesus’ attitude towards the Pharisees, because they were hypocrisy-in-action. Then, admit when you are wrong, go to the Lord in prayer, and - this is the hard part - follow his example.

Matthew 23:13
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to."
(Realize that he was talking to the great religious leaders when he said this!)

"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God."
1 Peter 2:15-16

Peace, Love, & Grace

The Bible: Literal, or True?

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" 2 Timothy 3:16

“I believe the Bible is inerrant; I believe in creationism.” I’ve heard this numerous times. In fact, the two sentences seem to go together.
Wait! Back up. You’re saying I believe the Bible is errant? (aimless, irregular, wrong.) But I don’t. I believe parts of it are poetry, (Song of Solomon,) some parts are parable (the parable of the sower, Matthew 13:1-23) and some parts are literal. So what you’re saying is not that you believe the Bible is true—so do I, after all—but you are saying that you believe the Bible is literal. But do you? How many clean animals were on Noah’s ark; two of each, seven of each, or fourteen of each? (Genesis 6:19, Genesis 7:2-3) This is important now... There will be a quiz at the pearly gates!
There is also an assumption—stated or implied—that if I don’t believe in the Bible exactly as you say I should, that I don’t read it. Well, I do. I read it every day, and I find many confusing paradoxes within it. Even going to church, even hearing other people’s confident explanations, I find the Bible difficult to understand. That must mean one of two things: the bible actually is difficult to understand, and you are oversimplifying, or I’m not a Christian because I don’t have faith in the confusing parts.
Wait—don’t say anything—I’m sure you’re thinking I’m not a Christian. It’s simple for you. If only you can convince me that the earth was created in six days, and dinosaur bones were put on earth to test my faith, you’ll make me a Christian. Well, you can be smug, knowing you have the answers. You’re right, I’m wrong, you win.
But here’s the problem: many people do believe evolution, and do believe in Jesus. You’ll just have to live with that.

Peace, love & respect.

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Halloween has deep roots in many pagan traditions. An example is the jack-o-lantern. It was first developed to ward off evil spirits. Samhain was originally a harvest festival, marking the time when days were getting shorter. But people have a tendency to attach superstition where they can, and it became known as a "festival of the dead." Christians tried to take it back by marking "All Saints Day" (November 1st) and "All Saints -or Hallows- Eve" (October 31st). That became our Hallowe'en.
Nowadays, the worst thing about Halloween is the frightening and gory images, exacerbated by movies and modern culture. I prefer the concept of children, dressed as princesses and pirates, asking for candy at people's doors.

Halloween is mostly a dress-up day, but it's also celebrated by neopagans, wiccans and satanists. If you don't feel comfortable celebrating what is for others an "unholy day," don't do it.
But remember also that God is in charge. If you're a Christian, you have nothing to be afraid of on Halloween or any other day.
O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 2 Chronicles 20:6

Peace, love & free candy.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I’ve been told – by a Christian – that I’m not a Christian because I believe in evolution. I’ve been told – by an Atheist – that I’m not a Christian because I believe our earth is in danger and is worth taking care of.

Hmmm… It’s good that they’re not my judges.

I think I am a Christian, because I love Christ – God incarnate – and I try to emulate Him. (I'm far from perfect, I admit it.) I bet He thinks I’m a Christian too.

Peace, love & go green.

Christian = Love. Right?

I’m interested in causes that seem (to me) to be “loving.” One such issue is healthcare reform. It pains me no end that Christians seem to be anti-love. Why are some Christians more concerned with keeping their money from “freeloaders” than in taking care of those in need? Christians should be at the forefront of these causes!
I can find many, many verses that tell us to be generous with our money.
Luke 12:33: Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
Matthew 19:21: Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
James 1:27: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Especially, read Matthew 25:31-46 and try to interpret it another way.
I’ve experienced first-hand what it’s like to have inadequate healthcare. When I was a college student, I had no insurance at all. Don’t tell me I was a freeloader. I was living on my own, I was a student, and I had two part-time jobs. Now I have decent healthcare, and I am not so prideful to think I’m any better than those who don’t. Everyone deserves decent healthcare.

(If only this were the only issue in which Christians seem to be so selfish.)

Am I a minority of one? If it’s just the “Christian Right” making us appear this way, and if they’re a minority, then Christians left and center should speak up loudly enough to drown them out. The word “Christian” should be synonymous with love, caring and generosity. Instead, we appear to the world as stingy, selfish, prideful, hypocritical money-grubbers.

Pecae, love & grace.