No one writes like this anymore, do they? Any suggestions for me?!!
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
“That a greater fool than Jane Eyer had never breathed the breath of life: that a more fantastic idiot had never surfeited herself on sweet lies, and swallowed poison as if it were nectar.”
Filed under: Artsy, quotes | Tags: agnes, art, artist, passion, poem, poetry, quote, restless
Just one of my most favorite quotes, ever:
Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille:
“There is vitality, a life force, a quickening
that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all
time, this expression is unique. If you block
it, it will never exist through any other
medium and be lost. The world will not
have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how
valuable it is; nor how it compares with
other expressions. It is your business to
keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep
the channel open. You do not have to
believe in yourself or your work. You have
to keep open and aware directly to the
urges that motivate you. Keep the
channel open. No artist is pleased. There
is no satisfaction whatsoever at any time.
There is only a queer, divine
dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps
us marching and makes us more alive
than the others.”
Filed under: Christian Beliefs & Culture | Tags: being saved, Christ, God, Jesus, save, savior, Sin, why
However, the thing is…God is good. (1 John 1:5) Sinless. I’ve heard sin described as, “Missing the Mark”. If God is the mark, then there is no person here that can say they’ve reached it.
God just IS good. I’m a size 8 1/2 shoe on an ideal day. These are both things that won’t change just because we will them to.
Sin is pretty much where God is NOT. But, it’d be a load off my back if he’d just resign himself to living with my sin for all eternity. But, then again…He doesn’t have to…he’s kinda God, and I’m kinda not. Which is why with all my wonderfulness, with all the goodness that I do have, I can in no way earn my way into heaven. That’s good news, or rather, that leads to the good news that we hear so much about.
I don’t have to earn my way. I’m free to be a decent, sinful person trying to live up to standards I’ve placed on myself or that Oprah and Dr. Phil promote. I’m free to seek my own pathways to God and heaven.
On the other hand, I’m free to choose to accept the fact that not one of us can rid ourselves of sin and earn a place in heaven (even if it’s just the dusty corner of heaven behind the soup cans).
I mean, even Mother Theresa sinned, folks. (1 Samuel 1:2, Romans 3:12) You didn’t know? All of which would be a sad realization unless there is a God who is better than all of us put together and yet sees us individually and loves us unconditionally
Jesus was a man that existed, lived thirty-three years and the last three years of his life preached a word that pretty much shocked the mainstream way of thinking at the time…and now. His words are echoed, amended, adjusted, re-worded and repeated by our favorite gurus (pick up a Bible and compare). This man who claimed to be the son of God (Luke 22:70), said he was one with God (John 10:30) and even utilized God’s given name (John 8:58, Exodus 3:14). This man openly welcomed those that others condemned, forgiving sins and telling them to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11). Who talked about forgiving your enemies and even going out of your way for them (do what?!!) (Matthew 5:39-41).
This man vehemently weeped at the funeral of a friend he knew he’d be resurrecting (John 11:33-43). This man tossed tables in the synagogue in indignation (Mark 11:15-17).
This man seems crazy!
And, yet he healed, not killed. He ran from his pursuers, and yet spoke truth in the face of those who openly laughed at him and questioned his sanity (John 8:48-52). He did a lot of stuff that most of us would be way to self-conscious to do. He changed the world.
And, STILL, without raising a sword even in his own defense he allowed himself to be taken, tortured, murdered in a completely public and gruesomely humiliating form. That kinda disintigrates the excuse that he just doesn’t understand what we’re going through.
If I believed he was a man incapable of miracles and such then this is the end to his story…and to mine. I’m on on my own, then, it seems, with maybe a God above that watches me with sheer amusement as I blindly fumble around.
But, for me, it’s just the beginning.
If I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and believe in my heart that he was raised from the dead, I will be saved. (Romans 10:9; Acts 4:12) Saved from being some leaf in the wind, saved from being my own God, saved from hell and eternal unpeaceful death. (Did I mention that I left the sugar-coating in the kitchen?)
I confess that Jesus Christ is God and that the reward he was able to earn for living a sinless life is now mY reward in exchange for the horrifying one that I have earned. I confess that God’s love for me extends even that far that he would go to such extreme extents for me. And, I believe that God is God, and able to do and has, indeed, willingly done all of these things.
The way it makes sense to me, (and if anyone has other interpretations, please let me know!)…The way it makes sense to me is that Jesus Christ is the lense through which God sees those that love him.
But, when we try to approach God through the backdoor or through some other direction, God still loves us to pieces, but that love alone does not change the fact that we approach him with our goodness, aNd with sin, aNd with our decision to come at him the way wE deem fit. (John 14:6) And, when we stand before Him, all our mess is out in the ugly open, with nothing to shield it. I’ve chosen hell, then. Chosen to be where God is absolutely not. Hell is an ugly word. But, sin is an unfathomably ugly thing.
That said, I still sin occassionally (only daily). Among other things which I will not name I can still be judgemental and choose to share what’s in my heart with less tact and compassion than that situation warrants. But, I am also learning patience, compassion and to look outward more and more. I’m learning the value of healthy relationships and their priority. I’m actually learning to take care of some things which I had previously left for others to do. And, I’m still learning…oy.
Though a sinner, I am also a daughter of God who wants what He wants. And, I know that that other stuff is not what he wants. I know that ‘cuz he’s inspired a Bible which he purposely put here showing the good, bad, ugly and beautiful, stories that show his character…by comparing his character to what comes naturally to us.
I can’t change on my own, but once I truly decided to take Him up on his offer God poured His Spirit into me to help me along. That must sound very mystical and fantastic given the logic and knowledge gained from thousands of years of human experience… experience yielding knowledge that is consistently amended, adjusted, re-worded, reconsidered and refuted.
God is love (1 John 4:16). He’s held that title for–oh my gosh, like, forever. And, “love” is the only way I can describe God’s Holy Spirit. Somehow, God managed to share some of His Holy Spirit with me, sharing pure, undefiled love (Romans 5:5). That love compels me to love him back.
It compels me to let him lead me into the life and the lessons that he knows is best for me as an individual; (even though it may not necessarily be what is expected for me, nor compare to others’ experiences.) That love can compel us beyond our own self-consciousness, if we let it.
That love can change our world, if we let it.. If we allow ourselves the freedom to seek out who he created us to be.
Then our experiences, our hurts, our joys, our successes, our struggles, and the sin that we sincerely repent of can actually be used to change this world, or at least SOMEbody’s world for the better.
Why would I want to do that? Cuz God loves you, silly!! And, how can I honestly claim to love God, because he loves me…and then not have compassion for the love of his life…you.
The key to that is love, which is what I, too, am still being taught. Oy! oh! Oy! But, what it comes down to is that God knows the plans he has for each one of us, plans for good and not for harm. But plans for future and, for a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
=)
I’m going off of what I’ve learned from the Bible that has been reinforced in my own life. These are all the Bible verses I’m working off of: (1 John 1:5;1 Samuel 1:2, Romans 3:12; Luke 22:70, John 10:30, John 8:58, Exodus 3:14, John 8:11, Matthew 5:39-41, John 11:33-43, John 8:48-52;Romans 10:9, Acts 4:12; John 14:6; 1 John 4:16; Romans 5:5; Jeremiah 29:11)
So, I felt compelled to write this, and although it’s not the standard kind of thing for me (I’m more of a journalistic, “deep thoughts by Jack Handy” kind of writer), I’m very glad I did do it. I don’t have all the answers, so if someone has questions, just know that I’m more than happy to gain clarification for myself by asking and researching questions I have absolutely no real clue about.
God bless ya’ll!
Q.
Lots to do on the weekend and am having fun learning vid editing while I’m at it:
Filed under: Uncategorized
And, you know, it made me realize that i need to be thankful for some things. Not only the awesomness of nature, the unbelieveable goodness of some people, the honor found in those who always seem to know what is right…and do it (!) even when it seems easier to do what’s wrong. But, one thing in particular I can be thankful for, personally, is my mom, and the big heart that I got from her.
Because of her, I have learned how to be willing to help others that come to me in need (in what way that I am able, that is); whether they have done or will do anything for me or not. I’m not nearly as good about thinking of others as she is, but considering other factors in my life, I know for a fact that God placed me under her care so that I could gain the level of compassion and selflessness I have today.
I know that for me, when I’m being true with myself, I realize that my resentment results in negative things I say, or don’t say, do or don’t do. And, when I’m being honest with myself, I realize that alot of time that resentment is a result of my own insecurities being brushed or needled by somoeone whose insecurities are being brushed or needled, too.
And, sometimes thinking on what is good and pure outside of myself (nature, good people, noble acts, etc.) can snap me out of my own hurtful funky-ness. But, I know, too, that when I feel secure about who God has made me to be on the inside, and who he is making me to be, there’s little that anyone can do to make me feel bad about myself, or allow me to treat or think of others badly or with condescension (sp?).
Man, that’s the place to be. For sure!
So, sure, there’s tons of ways I could improve, but I’m thankful for for what’s good and excellent about this little chica that God is rebuilding. I’m thankful for a loving heart that’s willing to give everyone a chance, not expecting a return on any favors, or expecting anyone to extend themselves beyond what they are capable…I do, however, expect to be treated with the same level of respect (…and maybe even compassion) that I offer.
That’s all gOOd stuff to start with. With the Lord’s help, I can continually return my focus on His building on those good qualities, rather than focus on things that only seem to tear me and others down.
God bless you!
Q.
Filed under: Uncategorized
This is my first attempt at vid editing. So endure silently or loudly praise, your choice! Used Windows Movie Maker for editing.
