Tag: Jesus Christ

Spirituality, Teen Bible Study

Why Dance with Death?

I recently started a new book from my Pastor. It’s written by a Pastor Tim Baker, and it’s called DEWITCHED – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE DANGERS OF WICCA & WITCHCRAFT. It’s written from a Christian Perspective and compares Christianity, Wicca, and Satanism.

dewitched

I have teenagers. And I have worked in the school district. Have you been to a Scholastic Book Fair lately? How about the Young Adult Section at the library? Wicca and Witchcraft books abound. They are enticing our children, and this is one mom who says NO! So, I am arming myself – and preparing for battle. Our children’s lives are at sake, and their salvation. I admit, I used to be ignorant. No more. Our children are reading about it at school. Yeah, really. It’s time we wake up.

Here is an excerpt from GoodReads:

Wicca is the fastest-growing religion on today’s college campuses, and is even featured on the covers of popular teen magazines. Christian teens need to know what to believe when it comes to witchcraft. Dewitched equips teens to carry on intelligent conversation with someone from a Wiccan background, know how to defend their faith to a Wiccan, and notice signs of Wicca or witchcraft in their culture.

Dewitched is the must-have resource for any teen, youth pastor, or parent who wants good solid information and advice from a Christian perspective about this popular but dangerous religion.

(Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1957993.Dewitched#other_reviews0

We all worship something. Some of us worship God, some worship Mother Earth and other gods/godesses, some worship Satan – but we all worship. We all follow something/someone. We all have a ‘code’ we live by. And we all get to choose.  I am not here to dishonor your choice. Your choice is your choice. And my choice is my choice. I would ask you to honor that as well.

After my post about How To Recognize a Witch That Comes to Church I had a very good conversation with a member of Wicca. She was kind and helped me understand their beliefs. I am not her Holy Spirit, and she is not mine. Thank you Cat for your comments. But today, more than ever we need to know what we believe an why we believe it.

According to DEWITCHED,  in Wicca they believe there is more fight for joythan one God. They believe there may be many gods or goddesses.  This may be based in old Celtic religion. Wiccans do talk to dead spirits/family members. I don’t understand why someone would want to talk to a dead spirit. They are dead! To me that is dancing with death.

Also from the book, Wiccans usually meet outside and worship there with circles and pentagrams. There is a ceremony. They honor and worship the earth. They will use objects for their magic and create personal spell books.  They may take objects from someone who they are trying to convert. In the book there was a ceremony using a lock of hair, an object from another person,  and then they sealed it with their blood claiming that this person join their coven. Wiccans believe in magic (or magik) and harness this power/energy when they perform their rituals. This energy may be used for good, or for evil, it is up to the Witch.

In the book, Wiccans  may go to church, and then make friends with other teens there. Even attend youth group. But then they will ask their new friends to come to one of their services. Or maybe they will ask your teen if they could do a tarot card reading, read an ‘aura’, or practice exiting your body and going into another plane of existence. It may start as simply as giving your teen a pentagram necklace to peak their curiosity. But I am only on Chapter 11, so I’ll have to fill you in on the ending…

It’s real, and it’s time we talk about it church. Because our kids are.

holy spirit

Yes, we all get to make our own choice. And again, it is up to each of us. As a parent I want to train my child in the way to go so when he/she is older they will not depart from it.  It’s not about who goes to church on Sunday; it’s about who has a relationship with Jesus Christ, the ONE and only true God. He is the Author of LIFE and lives in them and through them. I want my kids to know Him, to love Him and follow Him. Let them be a witness and a prayer warrior/warrioress. Let  them to be the one their friends come to when they need prayer because they know that God hears their prayers and answers.

Children of the King, who have received the deposit on their inheritance already; children who have been adopted into the family of God, no longer orphans, no longer comfortless – but comforted and secure in who they are in Christ. Children who know that they have been redeemed and forgiven by the blood of Jesus; children who know that Jesus died on the Cross for their sins. That His death was a substitute for theirs – yes, the Passover Lamb. And now, there is no need to be afraid. The price was paid for our disobedience.

Children who have been baptized in the NAME OF JESUS, and who hold within them the Power of the Living God with the Holy Spirit. Children who talk in tongues and bring the Kingdom of Heaven to the Kingdom of Earth. Children who are led by Jesus Himself! And greater is the One who is in us that he who is in the world!

inspired man on beach in silhouette at sunset (XL)

(Photo Sources: todayschristianwoman.com, Pinterest, Amazon)

Activism, Spirituality, Uncategorized

How Do You Feel about Gay Marriage?

Last night in Wisconsin a Supreme Court Justice decided to overturn the ban on gay marriage. I started a Facebook post and I have to say, I was amazed by something. You see supporters had no problems sharing how they feel. I like that. My sister in law and daughter both had freedom to express how they feel. I had a great conversation with both of them. And they could tell me why they feel the way they do. Whether I agreed with them or not, at least we were talking.

What surprised me the most however was the absolute silence of my fellow Christians. Not one said a word – absolute silence. Zilch – nada – nothing. (Wait…Ms. Cindy shared the Word too while I was typing this!)

This post is for the Christians. For those who say they believe in Jesus Christ and His teachings. I know that as a Nation we are as divided on this issue as we are on Abortion.  My question is:

What are you going to do with what you believe?

Stay in Church on Sunday and point fingers?

Gay or straight – we all need a Savior.

Gay or straight – we all sin.

Gay or straight – we all need to be born again, of the water and the Spirit.

Gay or straight – we all want fair treatment.

Gay or straight – we all want to be loved.

But who defines what love is?

Who defines what marriage is?

Do you see homosexuality as a sin?

Is it bigger than your sin?

Are you praying, helping, or just watching?

What do you base your definition of marriage upon – the Bible, the State, or the Feds?

 

Here are my thoughts…

As a Christian I am not going to measure sins. We all have sin. We are all guilty. That’s why Jesus died. God took out His anger and His wrath for our disobedience. Yes, God is love. But Jesus did not die for nothing. Either abortion is a sin or it is not. Either homosexuality is a sin or it is not. I have sinned. I have fallen short – many, many times. I am guilty. But I don’t get to pick and choose what sin is  – God does. And homosexuality is not greater than any sin I have done. Sin isn’t in degrees. It’s not a sin contest. There are no winners in the sin game…And that’s why I need a Savior – Jesus Christ.

Here is the basis of my belief:

Ignoring God Leads to a Downward Spiral

But God’s angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth. But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn’t treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand.

So God said, in effect, “If that’s what you want, that’s what you get.” It wasn’t long before they were living in a pigpen, smeared with filth, filthy inside and out. And all this because they traded the true God for a fake god, and worshiped the god they made instead of the God who made them—the God we bless, the God who blesses us. Oh, yes!

Worse followed. Refusing to know God, they soon didn’t know how to be human either—women didn’t know how to be women, men didn’t know how to be men. Sexually confused, they abused and defiled one another, women with women, men with men—all lust, no love. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it—emptied of God and love, godless and loveless wretches.

Since they didn’t bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. And then all hell broke loose: rampant evil, grabbing and grasping, vicious backstabbing. They made life hell on earth with their envy, wanton killing, bickering, and cheating. Look at them: mean-spirited, venomous, fork-tongued God-bashers. Bullies, swaggerers, insufferable windbags! They keep inventing new ways of wrecking lives. They ditch their parents when they get in the way. Stupid, slimy, cruel, cold-blooded. And it’s not as if they don’t know better. They know perfectly well they’re spitting in God’s face. And they don’t care—worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best! (Romans 1:18-32 MSG)

or perhaps you like this version…

God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32 NKJV)

I challenge my fellow Christians…

Why are you silent?

What are you going to do when a gay couple comes to your church and asks you to marry them?

What about a family member?

WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?

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Poetry, Spirituality, The Blood of Jesus

Unequal ~ Bittersweet – NaPoWriMo Day 19

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (The Message)

 But let me tell you something wonderful, a mystery I’ll probably never fully understand. We’re not all going to die—but we are all going to be changed. You hear a blast to end all blasts from a trumpet, and in the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over. On signal from that trumpet from heaven, the dead will be up and out of their graves, beyond the reach of death, never to die again. At the same moment and in the same way, we’ll all be changed. In the resurrection scheme of things, this has to happen: everything perishable taken off the shelves and replaced by the imperishable, this mortal replaced by the immortal. Then the saying will come true:

Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
Who got the last word, oh, Death?
Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?

It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!

the Cross

 

UNEQUAL ~ BITTERSWEET

©2014 Diana Rasmussen

 

You died on Calvary

a cross of agony

†

The price we could not pay

Redeemer made a way

†

Paid for our sin and guilt

New Testament was built

†

Resurrection complete

Unequal ~ Bittersweet

NaPoWriMo – Day 19

 

And now for today’s (optional) prmpt. This is a bit silly, but it’s Saturday. I recently got a large illustrated guide to sea shells. There are some pretty wild names for sea shells. Today I challenge you to take a look at the list of actual sea shell names below, and to use one or more of them to write a poem. You poem doesn’t have to be about sea shells at all — just inspired by one or more of the names.

Peruvian Hat
Snout Otter Clam
Strawberry Top
Incised Moon
Sparse Dove
False Cup-and-Saucer
Leather Donax
Shuttlecock Volva
Striped Engina
Tricolor Niso
Triangular Nutmeg
Shoulderblade Sea Cat
Woody Canoebubble
Ghastly Miter
Heavy Bonnet
Tuberculate Emarginula
Lazarus Jewel Box
Unequal Bittersweet
Atlantic Turkey Wing

Happy writing!

 

Image Credits: PINTEREST

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Poetry, Spirituality

Remember When – NaPoWriMo Day 18

The King on a Cross

And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

(John 19:17-19 NKJV)

 

Isaiah 53:3

REMEMBER WHEN

Copyright 2014 Diana Rasmussen

Lord I remember when You came to earth
such a humble birth
You turned water into wine
made us fishers of men

Lord I remember when You turned the tables
and brought the Truth to men
The day the lame man walked
and all your signs

Lord I remember when you found lost sheep
and taught us about seeds
The night in the garden
when You taught us how to pray

Your perfect sinless offering
at the cross of Calvary
All to provide a sacrifice
for the fall of man

Your blood brought forgiveness
grace and mercy was poured out
Man was restored to Gods favor
But mostly I remember
the Love in Your Eyes
Lord I remember You

Lord, I remember the day You died
and the veil was torn
You drank the cup of fury
that was meant for me

Lord, I remember, the empty grave
And the day You rose again
Your resurrection victory
over death, Devil, and the grave

Music, Poetry, Spirituality

Under My Branches – NaPoWriMo Day 17

Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, “Stay here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, “This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me.”

Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?”

When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, “Can’t you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”

 He then left them a second time. Again he prayed, “My Father, if there is no other way than this, drinking this cup to the dregs, I’m ready. Do it your way.”

When he came back, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn’t keep their eyes open. This time he let them sleep on, and went back a third time to pray, going over the same ground one last time.

When he came back the next time, he said, “Are you going to sleep on and make a night of it? My time is up, the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the hands of sinners. Get up! Let’s get going! My betrayer is here.” (Matthew 26-26 MSG)

Under My Branches

© 2013 Diana Rasmussen

 

In the corner of the Garden, He falls under the shining stars
Letting go of tears and fears. Under my branches
He falls under my canopy. Watching Him is pure agony
Crushed by sorrow, suffering, Under my branches

“Father let this cup, pass from me
Yet not my will, but Yours be done
I’ll finish what You have begun.”
Jesus prays, under my branches
He asks his friends to stay awake. Spirit’s willing, the flesh is weak
Nevertheless He still prays, Under my branches

“Father let this cup, pass from me
Yet not my will, but Yours be done
I’ll finish what You have begun.”
Jesus prays, under my branches

My branches were not meant to hold Him
He would hang on another tree
From my garden I could see Him
As He died on Calvary

“Father let this cup, pass from me
Yet not my will, but Yours be done
I’ll finish what You have begun.”
Jesus prays, under my branches

 

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Christmas Peace by Diana Rasmussen
Depression, Healing, Music, Spirituality, Uncategorized

Christmas Peace

Christmas Peace by Diana Rasmussen

http://www.prayersandpromises.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Christmas-Peace.mp3

Christmas Peace is a jazz song I wrote last year.  It was only 2 1/2 months after my mom passed away, and 10 1/2 months since my mother in law passed away.  2012 was a very stressful year for our family.  And yet, despite my pain, I wanted peace.  I was seeking peace in the storm.  Have you ever had a day, week, month, year like that? When all you wanted was peace?  It’s funny how it’s when the storm hits that we look for Peace.  Not when things are quiet.  Honestly, I think that is when I forget how awesome peace is.

I think Peace is more than our feelings.  I think peace is more than our circumstances and more than what we are doing.  I think Peace is a Person – Jesus Christ.  Have you met Him?  Not the church thing, I’m talking about Him.  He may or may not even be at Church – seriously.  Don’t let that stop you.  He is waiting for YOU this Christmas. Waiting to take your hand and help you. Waiting to comfort you in your loneliness. Waiting to hold you as you cry in His arms.  Can i introduce you? Meet the Prince of Peace, Jesus, today…

 

God’s Promise to You:

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV)

 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” (Luke 2:13-14 NKJV)

 

 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NKJV)

 

John 16 33 buildings 1280x800
John 16 33 buildings 1280×800 (Photo credit: Peej’s Photos)

 

My Prayer For You:

Dear Lord,

You are our Peace this year and always.  Thank you for reminding us that we can have peace, even in this season, because we have You.  You are our Prince of Peace.  Today,  we lay down our packages, our expectations, our disappointments, and our pain to take Your hand.  Lead us Lord, and let us rest in the peace that surpasses all understanding, in Jesus Name.

 

 

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Daily Post, Photo Challenge, Spirituality

Light of the World

Light of the World

 Once more Jesus addressed the crowd.

He said, I am the Light of the world.

He who follows Me will not be walking in the dark,

but will have the Light which is Life

(John 8:12 AMP)

Weekly Photo Challenge: Let There Be Light!

IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO THAT FEATURES A LIGHT SOURCE.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/11/29/photo-challenge-lights/

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Spirituality

A Wing and A Prayer

A Wing and a Prayer

trials, tests, suffering…how could this possibly help me? Have you ever wondered what is the purpose of this season? What good could possibly come from this?

The trying of our faith can be exasperating. It can even drive us to tears.  I am in such a season this month. How about you?  It has been a month of delays. yeah, the check  is the mail sort of month.  My husband is working his butt off, and this seems to be the month that our buyers have all decided to pay late.  15 day notices become 30 days, etc. And the ex is behind on his child support too, as usual. Gotta love it. I am out of work, still doing the PT thing.

From : Pinterest
From : Pinterest

So I ask, God, what is the point of this? Should we see how high the checkbook can fly? Yep there it goes, up on a wing and a prayer!  Yeah right. So, I pray. And look for a desk job.  They have told me I can’t stand on my leg for longer than 30 minutes at a time. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to run or jog again. So I sit, and wait, and pray.  Now I know this is only temporary. God has always made a way, He has always been faithful.  Yet, I can’t help but wonder, why am I here in this valley again?

I have to say I have grown.  In the old days I would be freaking out. Locking myself in the bathroom, rocking, crying – I was kind of a mess back then. Yet today, it is different.  I know that God has it. He promised to provide the ram in the bush. So I wait.  I still can’t say I like it, but I am not a basket case.  I guess today I don’t measure my worth by what is in my checkbook.

So, ok back to my question – what is the purpose of a trial.  Let me share a story.  a few weeks ago we had a Bible Study and the topic of Divorce came up. Now hey, I am a little too experienced in that department! So I shared the “how and why” of my story. Anyway, afterwards a friend came up to me and said, “Hey, I was married and divorced before too. What do you think the point of that was?”  Now I didn’t really have an answer, but I opened up and said, “You know what, I don’t know. But I do know that if my first marriage had worked out I wouldn’t be here – in church, playing piano on a Sunday morning.”  The truth is that what I had spoken didn’t hit me until today.  If not for my trials, my sufferings, my tests,  I would have never sought out God.  And I would have never needed Jesus for a Savior.  If I had no needs would I pray?    If I didn’t go through a “drought” season would I have compassion on my brothers/sisters when they go through it?  If I didn’t know what it felt like would I have even seen it in someone else?

So, like that song BLESSINGS by Laura’s Story,

What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?

GOD’S WORD FOR YOU:

1 Peter 1:3-9
New Living Translation (NLT)
The Hope of Eternal Life

 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.  And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.  The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

From: Pinterest
From: Pinterest

MY PRAYER FOR YOU

Dear Lord,

Thank you, for anything you needed to use to build our faith, and draw us closer to You.  No, it may not have been the path we would have chosen, but we are your kids, and we love and trust you Daddy. We know you love us and you always provide for us. Thank you for helping us see. We trust you Daddy, in Jesus Name.

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12 steps, Activism, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Spirituality, Uncategorized

Do Twelve Step Meetings open doors to sexual predators?

Every now and then you run across a post that just opens up a new revelation for you, right? Well last night I read this and it immediately spoke to me. You may or may not agree with me on this post – and that is ok.  I am sharing my experiences and my thoughts here.

Here is the post that helped me see last night:
NO FEAR HERE

You see, in my past I have attended about 10+ years of 12 Step Meetings. I went to everything from Al-Anon, CODA, ACOA, AA, NA, and more looking for answers.  I did not know GOD then. And I bought into the lie – that I could just make one up.  That the “God of my understanding” was it.  There were even those who prayed to doorknobs and squirrels. Really. A room full of people looking for answers, and using a Blue Book instead of the Bible.  Yeah, I made up my own image of God ( my very own idol) and I refused the God of the Bible.  At that time in my life I memorized that Blue Book.  After all we read those 12 steps and 12 traditions at every meeting.  And we share old war stories. And we measure ourselves by what we do or don’t do – drink or don’t drink, drug or don’t drug, etc.  Wow, talk about deceived.  Talk about a form of Godliness and denying it’s power.

Anyway, let’s just take the 1st Step:

1. We admitted we were POWERLESS OVER _____, and that our lives had become unmanageable.

Ok, what does the Word of God say about this?

 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

(2 TIMOTHY 1:7 NKJV)

 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. (Romans 8:11 NKJV)

 

So, here is my dilemma:

In 12 step groups you are powerless and will never recover. You have no power.  The drink or the drug is your GOD. You measure yourself by that.  You believe you are sick forever.  And the thing that you want relief from has now become your GOD.  I worshiped my recovery.  I thought about it day and night, I went to multiple meetings, and I even defined myself with a ‘label’ when I attended.  I became my ‘disease’. My name is _____ and I am a __________. What a lie. Talk about being deceived.

vs

In the Body of Christ – you have the power of God in you, the same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead, and you can be healed and made whole and well.  The power of the Holy Spirit resides in you.  Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord.  God gets to be God, and deliver you, and free you – from whatever.  It is not based on our works, what we do or don’t do, but on the Grace of God.  Our worth is not based on what we drink or eat or do. And we are not a disease.  We are children of the King. And we have POWER! We are not POWERLESS!

I have even read that these groups are cults.  Really. Wow, talk about a revelation.  Exploring more, I came across these two blogs.

EXPOSE AA AT http://www.expaa.org/

STOP 13 STEP IN AA at http://stop13stepinaa.wordpress.com/

Now I get it.  These meetings are court ordered for many criminals including sex offenders and pedophiles  I have been 13th stepped.  I have met some very, very sick people in 12 step groups. Like JM, who thought he was an expert in Al-Anon, was the leader in many groups, but was a Predator in disguise.  Had all the toys – the corvette, the plane, the house, made lots of money, yet drank himself to oblivion every night after a meeting.  He later was fired from his cushy job for keeping inappropriate photos at work.  He had guns in his closet and wasn’t afraid to use them.  He had photo album upon album of his S&M ‘hobby’ of demeaning and beating women – I saw them.  He thought he was fine and recovered.  And this is the person who led the meetings.  Yeah.  And I’m sure he is not the only sicko in charge. And no, I do not go to meetings anymore – too many psychos! Thank you Jesus, for truth and light.

From: www.orange-papers.org
From: http://www.orange-papers.org
Here are some of the articles I read:

The 13th Step – the film

A Documentary about sexual predatory behavior in AA and it’s culture. This is about changing laws at a Federal level around criminals being plea bargained into 12 step meetings. This film is about changing policy in AA and making AA safer with Workshops, Literature, Posters, Sexual harassment training at every level within its structure and warning the public of its current polices and who is really sitting in a meeting with the public at large and current AA members.

Photo Challenge, Spirituality

LOOK UP – Weekly Photo Challenge

UP - Weekly Photo Challenge

Weekly Photo Challenge – UP

Up. Up can be a direction, an orientation, or even a movement.  In a new post specifically created for this challenge, share a picture which means UP to you!

 

 Jesus Will Come Again in His Shining-Greatness

“There will be special things to look for in the sun and moon and stars.
The nations of the earth will be troubled and will not know what to do.
They will be troubled at the angry sea and waves. 
The hearts of men will give up because of being afraid of what is coming on the earth.
The powers of the heavens will be shaken. 
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and much greatness. 
When these things begin to happen, lift up your heads because you have been bought by the
blood of Christ and will soon be free.” (Luke 21: 25-29 NLV)