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The phoenix was supposedly a bird that, when it died, rose again from it's ashes, or a new phoenix was born from the ashes. This was used to symbolize Christ and the resurrection in early Christian art.
"The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible — a symbol of fire and divinity." Wikipedia This makes me think of the regeneration that God does in our lives, the healing of the hurts and wounds we suffer from the enemy of our souls. It also makes me think of the fact that through Him we have the promise of eternal life. That is not the same thing a immortality as immortality is of the flesh, not the spirit. But it does mean that we will live forever, with Him!
It also speaks to me of the verse Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Then too, it was supposedly a bird with gold and red plumes which goes right along with my current handle of redbird.
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Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
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Nov 8, 2006 3:01 pm
Mood: aggravated,
683 Views
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What is it with some of these men who come along thinking they can say all the right things for a while and coax a woman into believing that being a part of his harem is a wonderful idea?
How very ignorant do they think we really are?
I am so sick of people playing all these games with my life, with my heart.
I know that there are good men on this web-site but they all seem to have taken a vow to remain alone the rest of their lives. I know that many who come to my blog and whose blog I visit regularly are very high dove matches for me.
What is it with you guys? You all joke and carry on here on the blogs but are any of you really here to find a Godly women to share the rest of your life with? And if you are, what are you doing about it?
I have been tempted many times to approach some of you but I feel so uncomfortable doing that because I wasn't raised that way. I grew up believing that it is the man's place to approach the woman. And I know that some of you have gone and looked at my profile.
I am quite sure that there was something there that didn't meet your approval, probably the fact that I smoke, but if you are waiting for someone perfect then you may be waiting yourself right into the grave.
I realize that there are many people here who have been hurt, believe me I know about being hurt. But what ever happened to faith? What ever happened to believing that God really does have your best in mind for you?
Come on, my brothers!!! There are so many beautiful women of God here. You know they are wise in the ways of the Lord because you read their blogs and see the thoughts they have about His word. Some of you have been here for years. Do you think that God is going to drop your ideal mate into your lap?
Step out in faith, step up to the plate and take a swing. For all you know she has been watching you and waiting for you to speak up. Do not leave her for the wolves in sheeps clothing that lurk in the shadows of the profiles seeking nothing more than to rend her heart to pieces. The real men are here in the blogs or in the magazine, involved in the site, showing themselves, their thoughts, their feelings to us all. Now show your thoughts and feeling to the one the Lord is showing to you.
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More 3:16 Jewels
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Oct 31, 2006 7:46 pm
Mood: peaceful,
285 Views
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Da 3:16
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Once again we find wonderful words of wisdom. The king had put forth an edict saying that all people should worship his statue of gold and if they didn’t then they would be punished, by being thrown into a fiery furnace. These three Israelite children had refused to obey, vowing to worship only the Lord God. Brought before the King himself and questioned as to why they had disobeyed the edict this was pretty much what they said, “We have no need to defend ourselves to you concerning this matter.”
In other words they were telling him, “We know what you said and we know what you meant, and if you go through with it, then so be it, because we aren’t going to worship your idol.”
What faith and convection they had. If only we Christians today would stand up to the temptations that the world places before us and say the same things. We know what you want from us and we know what you will think of us, what names you will label us with, how you might ostracize us if we don’t comply with what you would have us do and be, but we don’t care. We don’t have to answer to you, we have to answer to God Almighty. And no matter what you might think, no matter what you might do, we are going to live and do and be according to how He leads.
Joe 3:16
The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
When I see this verse I see the duality of our God. Just look at it closely once more. When you think of the word roar what image comes to your mind? If you are anything like me you see a mighty lion, the Lion of Judah, perhaps. And to me the lion is the king of the jungle, the viscous ruler the rips and tears at its prey, whose roar sends waves of fear through all who hear it. I believe that The Lion of Judah is much the same, and as this verse describes, the LORD shall roar and the heavens and the earth will shake, with what I believe will be fear and trembling for His righteous judgement.
But then there is also reassurance as well, the reassurance that His people need have no fear. For they are in Him and He is in them and He is their hope and their strength.
Zep 3:16
In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
Here there has been prophecy of the return of favor to the people of Jerusalem, the remnant, and the return of the dispersed people. But we also see a message to His children today. We must not fear and be idle, because as ever, there is work to be done.
Mal 3:16
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Here, Duncan, is the one that you brought up on Bruce’s blog, the one which started this whole thing and also a wonderful word to us all. I would like to share this one in a couple of different versions of the Bible.
“Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.” NIV
“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them: So a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.” NKJV
“Those who had respect for the Lord talked with one another. The cheered each other up. And the Lord heard them. A list of people and what they did was written on a scroll in front of him. It included the names of those who respected the Lord and honored him.” NIRV
“Then those who feared and loved the Lord spoke often of him to each other. And he had a Book of Remembrance drawn up in which he recorded the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him.” TLB
How many of you have been in another room when family was gathered and not paying attention to a conversation going on in the next room at all you suddenly hear your name mentioned? All the rest of the conversation has been just so much garble but let someone speak your name and it rings clear as a bell. Or walking through a store have you ever heard a child calling for it’s parent or grandparent and turned to respond even though it wasn’t your child or grandchild. You just heard what you consider to be your name, something you are accustomed to being called.
Isn’t it wonderful to know that we are so much like our Father? We can be going about our daily business and all we have to do is mention His name and we immediately have His attention. He hearkens to us. The word hearken means 1. To give ear: listen 2. To listen with attention, sympathy, or acceptance of what is said: give respectful attention: to give heed to: hear
This does it for my choices in the Old Testament. Next time I will start on my choices for the New Testament.
Love ya, Cecilia.
This post is in reference to 316 Jewels
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My 3:16 Jewels
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Oct 30, 2006 8:56 am
Mood: contemplative,
272 Views
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Genesis 3:16
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
What a beautiful beginning to God’s word and a double blessing to those of us here at BC who are women. Here God is speaking to Eve, the mother of mankind, after the fall, speaking of the heartache and pain in which she is to play her part in bringing forth future generations. And yet despite these dire predictions, still she will desire the affection and attention of her husband and be submissive to him.
Here He speaks us, the daughters of Eve, who follow in her footsteps, seeking to fulfill the very purpose of our creation, to be the help-meet of the man of God that He has chosen just for us. And as His daughters we too seek to find the affection and attention that our heart desires. Longing to come to that place of submission, under the protective arm of the man from whom God has removed that precious rib and formed us.
Here He speaks as well to His bride the Church who labors in the pain of compassion and empathy for those of His lost children, striving to bring in the harvest out of our love and desire for our precious husband and groom of eternity, Jesus Christ. And as we stay submissive in Him, we remain in unspeakable blessings.
Le 3:16
And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the LORD'S.
Laugh at me or with me, whichever, you will, but God spoke to me through this one concerning my weight issues. If you have struggled with losing weight as I have then here is a promise that we can claim. ALL THE FAT IS THE LORD’S!!!! Hand it over to Him and allow Him to deal with it.
I know in my heart that He will do just that. He is faithful to keep all His promises and He has promised to meet all our needs. If excess weight is hindering your health, your self esteem, your ability to do those things that bring Him glory, then you have a need to lose it and He will meet that need. As in all other things, He has said that we must rely on Him, His strength and wisdom, not our own. Put it in His hands and leave it there and let us see what wonders He will bestow.
1Ki 3:16
Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
What a powerful verse this is!!!! Re-read it and really think on what it says. What a God and King we have that no matter the condition of our lives we are free to come and stand before Him. The door is open wide to receive us! No sentry stands guard to deter us! The way is clear for us to approach.
Even further glory awaits us when we read the context of this particular scripture. Just prior to this verse, God has asked Solomon what he would want God to gift him with. Solomon replies that he would have God give him and understanding heart in ruling the people that God has made him ruler over. God is pleased with Solomon’s reply and grants his request.
Here, too, is the first verse of one of the most famous stories in the Bible, of how Solomon uses this gift of wisdom and understanding. One women tells the story, that these two women, harlots, both living in the same household, give birth to children within 3 days of one another. Then one night, one of the children dies and the mother of that child trades her dead child for the living child of the other woman. Since both women claim the living child as their own and the dead child as being the others, Solomon calls for a sword to divide the living child between the two of them. Naturally, the real mother speaks up, preferring make a sacrifice herself, by giving her child up to the other woman, rather than to have her child lose it’s life.
Herein, lies a symbol of our Father’s love for us as well. Another, false god, lays claim to our souls and our eternal destiny. But His love is so abundant, so far-reaching, that He made the ultimate sacrifice of Himself, that we might have life everlasting.
I have only just begun, but will stop for now so this won’t be such a long entry. May God bless and keep you all.
Love ya, Cecilia.
This post is in reference to 316 Jewels
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I Met A Man
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Oct 30, 2006 1:00 am
Mood: beautiful,
328 Views
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I met a man
In whose loving eyes I’ve seen
A reflection
Of a new and wondrous thing
A royal beauty
Cherished, worthy and desired
A blessed daughter
Treasured, Valued and admired
An honored vessel
Chosen, renewed and sanctified
Attired in virtue
To become one as the bride
Oh, the glory
That engulfs me ever since
I’ve been favored
Belonging to this stately prince
Under his shelter
Daily I am safely dwelling
In his wisdom
Forward he my minds impelling
May I ever
Lie within his warm embrace
And be worthy
To seek out his lovely face.
October 30, 2006
© Cecilia D. Redman 2006
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Something Great Is Happening Here At B.C.
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Oct 29, 2006 5:54 pm
Mood: giddy,
261 Views
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I am literally sitting here and shivering, Helene, as I read what you have commented. Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him! We have hit a vein of glory here folks that is just unbelievable!!! Confimation of His word coming from everywhere. We are doing something right, and the blessings are flowing!!!!!!
FILL UP, my brothers and sisters, Fill Up with this wonderful outflowing of the Holy Spirit!!!!!
This is my response to ForEwe's comment on my post What Are You Really Worth.
Please go and read it and all the comments that have been made by our family and any links to other posts that they have included. If you are not overwhelmed by the movement of the Holy Spirit that is going on here then I will be deeply surprised. If you have already been there, GO BACK to see what has been added since your last visit.
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3:16 Jewels
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Oct 29, 2006 2:40 am
Mood: curious,
313 Views
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In a discussion on Bruce (Freeman81's) blog he had the following to say, "Hey what is it about those 3:16 verses???? There all fantastic" after a discussion in which Duncan (duncan54) spoke about a verse he remembered which it turns out was probably Mal. 3:16.
So I decided to do a post on the 3:16 verses in the Bible just to see what I came up with. I thought at first to edit them, deciding which I thought were the best, but then thought better of that. After all doesn't the word tell us that ALL scripture is profitable and given by the inspiration of God? You will find that in 2 Timothy 3:16, by the way!!!!!!!
I'll reserve my comments till later.
So, here they are, the 3:16's of the Bible. Have a look see and tell us which ones speak a special message to you.
Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.
Ex 3:16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
Le 3:16 And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the LORD'S.
Nu 3:16 And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
De 3:16 And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon half the valley, and the border even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;
Jos 3:16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
Jg 3:16 But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.
Ru 3:16 And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her.
1Sa 3:16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
2Sa 3:16 And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned.
1Ki 3:16 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.
2Ki 3:16 And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
1Ch 3:16 And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.
2Ch 3:16 And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
Ne 3:16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.
Job 3:16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.
Pr 3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. (speaking of wisdom)
Ec 3:16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
Isa 3:16 Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
Jer 3:16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
La 3:16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.
Eze 3:16 And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Da 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Joe 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
Na 3:16 Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away
Hab 3:16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
Zep 3:16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
Mt 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Mr 3:16 And Simon he surnamed Peter;
Lu 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Ac 3:16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Ro 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
2Co 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
Ga 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
2Th 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Heb 3:16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
1Pe 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
1Jo 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Re 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
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What Are You Really Worth?
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Oct 28, 2006 3:09 pm
310 Views
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After reading some of Bruce's posts I thought about some of the wonderful things I have garnered from various books that I have read over the years. The following comes from the book "The Secret Of Loving" by Josh McDowell. It speaks to me a great deal because of some of the circumstances in my life. It is my hope that it will speak to some of you as well.
What Are You Really Worth?
Have you ever said, "I really don't count. I could disappear and no one would notice or care"? Most people think those thoughts at one time or another. Yet the Bible reveals that God looks at us quite differently. In the Bible, God tells you that He sees you as very special because God created you in His image.
Right at the start of the Old Testament, Genesis 1, we read that God said, "Let Us make man in Our image." So He did it. This accounts for our ability to love, to exercise our will, to choose and make moral decisions. Most of us have not really stopped to think about how special that is.
Suppose you went outside and stood next to a tree. You could say that in many ways you are equal in value to the tree, since both you and the tree were specially created by God. But there is one critical difference -- God created you in His image. God did not give HIs image to any other part of His creation.
You are special also because you are of great value and worth to God. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul said that we have been purchased with a great price. The value or worth of an object is usually determined by the price one is willing to pay to purchase or redeem it. It couldn't be more true for you and me. When someone asks what I am worth, I can factually say that I am worth the price God paid for me, which was "Jesus."
Before I became a Christian, this realization really humbled me. If I had been the only person alive, Jesus Christ still would have died for me. He would have died for you if you had been the only one who needed it. A young lady in Dallas, Texas, said, "Josh, I believe that's true. But that means that I would have been the only one there to drive the spikes through His hands to crucify Him."
Without question you are special and of great value. In Matthew 6:26 Jesus emphasized this. His followers were having a problem. They were concerned with what they should wear, what they were going to eat and drink, and where they were going to sleep. And Jesus selected the birds to illustrate His point. He explained that birds don't reap; they don't gather into barns. He said, "Your heavenly Father feeds them." Have you ever seen a sparrow starve? Then Jesus drove the obvious point home; "Are you not worth much more than they?"
I am amazed at how many people seem to think they are not worth even the value of a sparrow. God has made you of great value. And the real basis for a healthy self-image is to understand and accept the value God has placed on you.
As you ponder this truth, be careful to recognize that it is not because of any merit on your part. Your value and worth is based not upon what you have done, but upon who Jesus is and what He has done for you. Christ's loving actions on your behalf have demonstrated and documented forever the great value you have to God.
Josh McDowell, "The Secret Of Loving: How a lasting intimate relationship can be yours." (Wheaton, Illinois, Living Books,Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., July 1987) 35-37
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Wal-Mart Rolls Out Red Carpet For Homosexual Marriage
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Oct 26, 2006 10:34 pm
291 Views
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October 23, 2006
Please help us get this information into the hands of as many people as possible by forwarding it to your entire email list of family and friends.
Wal-Mart Rolls Out Red Carpet For Homosexual Marriage
Dear Cecilia,
When Wal-Mart announced their support for the homosexual agenda a few weeks ago, they meant what they said. You will remember that Wal-Mart asked for, and received, permission to join the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The company announced they were giving two large grants to NGLCC. The world's largest retailer was rewarded with a position on the board of NGLCC. Wal-Mart also announced they would give preference to homosexual-owned businesses in purchasing products.
Justin Nelson, president of NGLCC, said he expects Wal-Mart to use its influence to pressure suppliers like P&G, Johnson & Johnson, and Gillette to give homosexual businesses preferential treatment. Wal-Mart is also working on a plan to provide domestic-partnership benefits to homsexual employee "partners." The NGLCC is a leading promoter of homosexual marriage.
A quick search for books sold by Wal-Mart found the following related to the promotion of homosexual marriage:
What God Has Joined Together: The Christian Case for Gay Marriage
Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gay, Good for Straights, and Good for America
Legalizing Gay Marriage
Why You Should Give a -amn about Gay Marriage
Civil Wars: A Battle for Gay Marriage
Gay Marriage and Democracy: Equality for All
Defending Same-\bsexo?\b Marriage
Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry
Gay Marriage, Real Life: Ten Stories of Love and Family
A quick search of Wal-Mart's website turned up the following number of items for sale:
Gay - 1148
Lesbian - 468
Transgender - 40
Bisexual - 38
Gay Marriage - 26
From "American Family Association Action Alert"
The American Family Association, One Million Moms, One Million Dads and One Million Youth are several web sites which are helping folks such as ourselves to have a voice in the things that concern us as Christians. These sites are supporters of the traditional family values that this nation was founded on. I encourage each of you, if you are not already active in one or more of these or other such organizations to get involved. Join us in raising our voices against the things that are destroying everything that we believe in and on which our country was built. We, as Christians, have sat idly by for too long, our silence and passiveness has been a part of the problem, it is time to rise up and stand strong for what we believe in.
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Religious Boundary Violations
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Oct 25, 2006 8:48 am
266 Views
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DISCLAIMER: This blogger does not necessarily agree with all of the following information but it is included here as part of the original manuscript.
When our religious boundaries are violated we are set up for religiosity, vulnerability to religious offenders or wall ourselves off from the community support of religion. Our spirituality is difficult to enjoy when we've been abused spiritually or religiously. Religious boundary violations include:
Living in a family that's overly religious,
Excess rituals in religion,
No spirituality,
Empty shell religion,
No sense of prayer or gratitude,
Excess religious rules, anti-intimacy*, anti-pleasure, posture,
A fearful god image,
No spiritual guidance,
No sense of right and wrong,
Not having our own or differing beliefs allowed,
Being punished for rebelling against the family religious practices,
Being punished for having the wrong religion or the wrong beliefs,
Not being allowed to choose our friends because of their religious beliefs,
Overzealousness,
Obsessiveness,
Fanaticism,
Being involved in religious hate, religious wars,
Overly mystical,
Being involved with cults,
Anti-religious sentiments,
Satanism,
Living with no beliefs,
Religious cynicism,
Women-hate in religion,
Religion as a form of pro-family activity that is actually anti-woman and anti-child,
Image of a punishing God,
Too much focus on a father/God image or having a father who acts as God in the system and our image of God is affected by the behavior of our father,
A gendered deity - male or female,
Religious wars within family,
Excess religious cliches,
Over emphasis on evil,
Seeing children as evil, possessed and bad,
Religious intolerance,
Puritanism, we are pure, chosen - evil must come from outside forces,
Not seeing the duality of humankind as good with a potential for doing harm,
Religious restrictions regarding gender or race,
Fear-based religion,
Legalistic religious practices and inconsistent enforcement,
No exposure to religious beliefs,
Narrow and rigid interpretation of religious tenets of the Bible,
Religious extortion,
Religious exploitation,
Being taught to believe in a meddlesome God of power and miracles rather than a creator of harmony and balance,
Isolation because of rigid, weird or different religious practices,
Religious leaders acting out,
Denying the reality of the real people issues by religious leaders,
Unapproachable ministers,
Arrogant ministry,
Seduction by religious leaders,
Over emotionalized religion,
Religious terrorism,
Excess religious fantasy,
Focus on the devil and
Prayer only offered in mindless repetition of forced prayer.
In recovery for religious boundary violations we need to:
Experiment with different support systems,
Accept religion as community worship, the support of our spirituality,
Find a community which will support our spirituality, one we can disagree with in some areas and still be accepted by the community,
Find a community that is tolerant, not over ritualized, open, affirming, and generous, a community that also sees social action as spirituality, that see that protecting creation, finding balance in life, the spirituality of our guardianship of the earth, of each other, and ourselves is supported and taught and preached.
Religiosity stems from the absence of spirituality. Religion becomes insatiable when it doesn't rest on a spiritual foundation. In our spiritual religious recovery, we need to recognize and accept religion and spirituality as different entities. Religion is supposed to be a support system for spirituality so where there is no spirituality, religion becomes an empty shell. We need to understand spirituality more fully.
Spirituality embraces:
The meaningfulness of life,
The process of creation itself,
Our relationship with this creative process,
Our guardianship and protection of creation,
Our participation in the process of creation and the creation itself . . .
Spirituality is a higher order value system.
Spirituality is a lifestyle that gives life.
Spirituality is a sense of noticing, of awe, of gratitude.
*Word changed by this blogger from the original in order to meet the standards of this site.
Author Unknown.
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Intimacy* Bounday Violations, Intimacy* Abuse
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Oct 24, 2006 2:41 pm
273 Views
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Intimacy* violence is common in our culture. There has been no taboo on incest in our culture, the taboo has been on tlking about incest. Forty percent of women and possibly over 20% of men have been intimately* abused.
The following list are intimate* boundary violations for children or non-consenting adults including:
Being touched or massaged in an intimate* manner,
Intimate back rubs or hand holding,
Uncomfortable hugs (too close, too long, hands reach too far or no choice),
Wet or lingering kiss,
Seductive dancing,
Discomfort sitting on a lap,
Being exposed to mast.rbation,
Genital touching or fondling,
Breasts rubbed or fondled,
Intimate* games,
oral intimacy*, anal intimacy* or intercourse,
Mutual mast.rbation or being used for mast.rbation,
Penetration with finger or objects,
Intimate* torture,
Rape by stranger, friend, acquaintance, date or spouse (marital rape) or
Emotional rape.
In recovery for intimate* boundary violations we need to:
Love ourselves as men and women,
Find same gender nurturing and trust of the same gender*,
Feel safe and comfortable with the other gender*, find healthy other gender* friends and nurturing,
Get information about intimate functioning,
Become intimately* aware,
Practice safe intimacy*,
Recognize abusive intimacy*, addictive intimacy* and healthy intimacy*,
Deal with being intimatly intruded on, being around people who use intimate innuendo or become intimately* aggressive and
Recognize other people don't make us intimate, that our intimacy* is an aspect of our relationship with ourselves.
Also in recovery we need to give ourselves permission to:
Express our intimacy in healthy ways,
Be spontaneous and careful,
Know that we have the right to change our mind about anything intimate at any time that we are doing or that someone eles is doing with us or to us,
Be seductive and enjoy that in appropriate settings with appropriate people,
Debrief the way we've been intimately* abused and understand and connect the responses to that abuse back to the violence,
To enjoy being the gender* we are and
To be able to talk about intimacy*, ask questions and find information about intimacy*.
* Word changed by this blogger in order to conform to the requirements of this site.
Author Unknown
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