The raw truth of our matters aren’t always what we desire to confront. I sat in front of a pulpit today and listened to our old church pastor lay it out for us: the familiar talk about the love of Jesus accompanied by pastor’s personal bashing of how sinful everyone is. We were at a relative’s funeral service in a church, having to sit through … Continue reading Not Knowing How
The following is a personal testimony. This testimony is intentionally being placed within categories that Christians frequently post, with the intent of many of them realizing how I personally view many of the writings found within. I will start by saying that I will be direct and blunt within my testimony. Honesty is the best policy. With that, I will not be pointing fingers directly … Continue reading Beatdown
I woke up. It was enough for me this morning to just be grateful for waking. Taken for granted, most days. Yesterday had its own worries and blessings, and I am assured today will be the same. She has a new diagnosis. She read about the devastating effects the shit could very well have on her. At worst, fatal. Watching her lock herself in the … Continue reading Diary Entry
Looking at all that had been, he stared into the shadows of years gone awry. Like the meeting of silhouette on sunlit grass, his life swayed with unpredictable certainty. His lingering sorrows of a love lost, blown somewhere into the abyss of airy blue, above the shades of regret he knew. The cool of downing light–a temporary peace. The man was only human– as fragile … Continue reading When We Are There
A man sat on the floor with his head in his hands trying to avoid the one who wouldn’t be still His paranoia was getting the best of him as the other danced before receiving his pill The mental ward was next to silent that morning but the voices in his head were screaming He just wanted those people to leave him alone Auditory hallucinations … Continue reading Forgotten
The bleeding heart: never void of the coming and going. Taking in–thrusting forward. The life-blood faithfully jaunts, replenishing; renewing. A carrier of our drive; a river of nourishing fare. Vital. Not critical. Tolerant. Here we are: bias and unfair… Nothing like the blood that we all share; unlike the blood sent abroad by the bleeding heart. Continue reading Our Rivers
Her need for excitement has no bounds–no limitations. Each night, the liquor provides for her… Tantalizing sensations. Painted face, powdered nose. Fragrance of flower. She hits the city for a night of needs. For the moment, empowered. Dancing around, drowning in the cocktails of apathy. Her prophecy, fulfilled. She scans the room for the body — masculine and thrilled. Darkness and desire. The guilt … Continue reading Carried
There has been a running focal point of frustration within the writings that I choose to post, and I thought I would take the opportunity to explain why this morning. I’ve been upset with the “church” experience, many times over. Yes, one can tell me the usual, “No one is perfect.”, or the standard, “You must go to church. God commands it!” Although I agree … Continue reading A Little Insight…
The innocence we portray, as though we are not guilty in any way, is the lie that we rise to greet each day, and it’s colorful demise is brightest on Sunday. Even as some gather between the mortar and brick the lie returns tomorrow, and there, they will pick to ignore all that was claimed in the pious clique under the steeple where deception made … Continue reading The Son of Today
If God is love, then why do they judge? If they are of Him, then why the unyielding grudge? Beaten with verses–the tattered man’s already in pain. They don’t understand why men of God are so vain. Love them with discernment, but is it this way? Do they show them His love with the words that they say? The hurt man needs Jesus, not … Continue reading Good Teacher
The biggest problem I have with my own faith is seeing and knowing absolutely great and loving people, and being forced to believe they are going to hell because they don’t necessarily believe what I do. It’s not limited to those outside of Christians, but within the confessing community. It bewilders me when I think about how the Lord blesses the world with so many … Continue reading Keeping My Love Unlimited
They dress up for occasion. They decorate their hearts. Ugly souls full of evil playing their parts. Mockers and scoffers. Holders of contempt. Perfect reasons to believe that they are exempt. Hateful love. A word of insight. Leaving those already broken with strengthening plight. Eyes of judgment. Tongue of arrogance. Pity the fool with intelligence. Christ is your Savior. IS HE MINE??? Tell me … Continue reading Modeling for Church
His stones were getting heavy. He placed them on the ground. A little relief from the intensity. He stood and studied what was found. He took a seat next to them. He rummaged through the stones of time. Some were smooth and full of character. Others were roughened by his crime. One was stained with blood of an enemy. Another, riddled with diamond trace. … Continue reading Eventual Sands
Are they concerned, or do they only speak for themselves? Do the teachers and preachers look in the mirror of the morning and shine; finding a splendid way to stroke their own ego until night falls, where the mirror then smiles back at them in that evening hour of contentment?? “Good job, master. You’ve done so much for yourself.” Looking back at your failures, you … Continue reading Supreme Concern
I struggle with sin. Yes, I admit. So, throw your stones — do what you see fit. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard how I’m not like Christ from a “brother”, whose correction is always precise. I’m sickened by the man whose sole intention is to berate. Teaching the world, “that, of God” making himself look oh, so great. Battering the addict … Continue reading Preach It, Brother…
In the morning, I usually sit at our kitchen island, on a bar stool. Throughout the island are little remnants of our lives: various papers, pencils and pens, bills, keys, wires for devices, magazines, and this laptop that I use to write. Although we have five here, I find myself alone in this early hour. The kids are asleep, one is away. My wife is … Continue reading Morning Meditations
This seems to be a good way of putting the atonement in a way that can be understood. The saying “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross” gives the impact of it but without the explanation to accompany it. “He bore our sins” by becoming one of us ‘in the flesh’ […] via JESUS DESTROYED OUR SIN IN HIS BODY [1330b] — … Continue reading JESUS DESTROYED OUR SIN IN HIS BODY [1330b] — CROSSROMAN
Writing about what is real is often accompanied by the ruffling of feathers. People seem to want validation, acknowledgement, agreements and a “like”: the newer form of appreciation we find. The great thing called social media — impersonal and unclear, many times — is the hip way of the world. We don’t have to sit with anyone and converse… Just give it a like!! Anyway, … Continue reading What??
I am exhausted. Not physically, but mentally. It is just before 5 a.m., and I am already there. It didn’t take long for me to arrive here. I tend to avoid social media in the morning, as I have found that it is getting to be less about sharing the personal joys of family and friends and more about slandering, with some really distasteful content … Continue reading The Public Announcements
What is the good Christian? I legitimately ask. Is it the one who goes to church? The one who completes a fast? Maybe it is the devout on their knees, with Holy Rosary beads. Or, the one that flogs themseves because the guilt inside impedes. Is it the guy in the same pew each week? The gal translating in Greek? Perhaps it’s the finely dressed … Continue reading Greater Is He?
I didn’t go to church yesterday. I didn’t dress for a part to play. I didn’t have a dime for the plate. I didn’t proclaim the speaker was great. I didn’t eat more than I can hold. I didn’t join in with the stories told. I didn’t act as if life is fine. I didn’t correct what isn’t mine. I didn’t quote a verse, bringing … Continue reading I Must Not Be
A true, short message. Be blessed! Continue reading Watch “Word Study: Agape – “Love”” on YouTube
The following is a writing from Alyson Kieda, via Our Daily Bread website Today’s Scripture & Insight: Matthew 9:27-38 When Jeff was a new believer in Jesus and fresh out of college, he worked for a major oil company. In his role as a salesman, he traveled; and in his travels he heard people’s stories—many of them heartbreaking. He realized that what his customers most … Continue reading We, As Shepherds, Are Sometimes Bias
We worry about the day — our choice and our way — questioning ourselves, anyway. We look through our own eyes — we judge ourselves; we chastise — and we find things we despise. We take a closer look — into the heart the world took — and see that we are far from our good book. We hate ourselves as we … Continue reading Cynically Sinless
Christmas time is upon us, and I have been reading the usual Christian posts: the real reason for the season, the Pagan roots of the holiday, the reasons why we should or shouldn’t celebrate, Scripture quotes. The usual. I have been thinking about what the true meaning of Christmas has become to me while being up at this very unusual hour of the morning. I … Continue reading What We Give
How selfish can one be to think that we are only what can be seen? To think that I’m so very blind to the things that you identify? To think that you are so astute… Is their no error in what you construe? I don’t agree that you and me have irrefutable consciousness when we see. When we view another — a sister or … Continue reading Greater Is He
Why do some strive to fix others when they can’t even fix themselves? They’d rather avoid their own mess and tidy up someone else. They kick and scream about the failures of men, pushing aside their own mirror image of sin. It must be pleasing to avoid such decay — no focus on the inner, just how others will pay. Way up high, looking down … Continue reading Cleaning House
As I was sitting in on a sermon at the church my family and I were attending several years ago, which just happened to be right before I was deciding to become what the institutionalized church refers to as, “a member”, I was finished with the nourishment provided. After a several-course meal of the spiritual foods I had never tasted before, throughout a run of … Continue reading ‘Check, Please.’
The peace one can find when not bombarded and worried When the body is easy When the mind is not hurried A quiet eve by the fire A glass in hand Beautiful music on low so moving and grand A day with a friend catching up on what has come Two separate lives in the moment as one A hug from your … Continue reading Placidity
What if there were no boundaries? No dividing lines between? No two points of reference? No obscurities to be seen? What if we never lived in emotion? No driving force of fear? Not clouded by the worried mind that impairs what we see and hear? What if we were simply a part of His space? The space we fill with this and that? … Continue reading Unknowns
I find myself walking away, pretty often these days, from the madness others create in my personal malaise. Sometimes, the ways of others pulls me down to a familiar land. A place where I once walked in ways I can no longer stand. They call me to come along with them; to embark in ways of old. They say, “for old times’ sake,” but misery … Continue reading Through The Thorn
A guest post with important truths… NEGATIVE CHRISTIANITY http://diaryofabrokenman.home.blog/ Continue reading Diary of a Broken Man
It has been humbling in recent weeks to recognize how so many individuals are incredibly self-absorbed. My wife and I sometimes watch a television show about couples who are married at first sight. They have no knowledge of each other preceding the union of marriage. Throughout the period of several weeks, the couples go through the processes of getting to know each other, while three … Continue reading Lacerations
Why do His children fool themselves by believing the obvious lies? Pulling wool over their own faces; blinding prideful eyes. Point to Scripture — and if they don’t like — they talk and talk some more. They talk around the sin at hand, while tiptoeing for the door. If in error, or if doctrine corrected, the proud man makes excuse. If you back it up … Continue reading Soapbox Sabotage
A shared piece of wisdom… https://wp.me/p8g0eM-93e Continue reading DEATH IS AT WORK INSIDE YOU IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE [1257]
A fear that is always constant as they read the pages of old. The God of wrath and anger. The believer loves to scold. They see how God destroyed and despised the child He’d made as they carried on rebelling– following the course the serpent laid. They tell others to obey, not seeing how they fall short in the exact same manner as … Continue reading The Accused
Some of God’s children are condemning those who fail– gloating and showing off, as they boastfully prevail. “Look at how their faith is of little use, as they welcome their underlying issues and the mask them with abuse! They are so dumb–can you believe what they do? They need to read their Bibles, and be like me and you! Just look at us; we are … Continue reading A Table For One
People search for love in an attempt to feel completed. When the thrill of love fades, they are left alone–defeated. They give their all to another, and expect the same from them, but when they fail to exceed the standard, they berate, point fingers and condemn. People want things their way. No other option will do. They wonder why they are lonely as … Continue reading Scorned
Insightful article. Click on the following link. Blessings to you! Did Jesus Die In Vain? (The Text) Continue reading Did Christ Die In Vain?
You see my Spirit, my Lord. You see what you have placed within me the moment I opened my heart to you. In this imperfect man, your perfection lies. I tell the world that my faith in you sometimes wavers, and yet, your mercy remains… and the mercy of others doesn’t… and I’m frowned upon by these, “holy people”. They divide your people. They put … Continue reading Alone with Him
You fret in your worry over something you’d done. The choice you had made wins the race that you run. You hate yourself now. “I’m no longer worthy”, you claim. “Look at what I’ve caused…” Each day is the same. Time for the tasks, but you wallow in despair. Self-pity is the norm in the life you prepare. Children to raise, shopping to do, but … Continue reading The Weight
So many of us hear the knock at the door, but never answer it. It sometimes amazes me to recognize how we refuse to believe in God–or to do what the Lord would have us do–because of the accountability it entails. We simply would rather do what we want. Everyone has a different thing that they cling to that goes directly against the will of … Continue reading Our Devouring Ways
I watched a young man and his little boy play around a shopping cart as they waited at the bus stop. I wondered, as I watched the little boy, if we return to the same sort of innocence when we move on from this life. I wondered if the life to come will hold the same childlike innocence the boy was exploring. While watching him, … Continue reading Departure
As I finish the final part of the four part series on love and forgiveness, I reflect this morning on how far I’ve come with both. Just within these last few weeks, it seems as though my heart has been freed from a tremendous weight. The millstone of resistance the was hanging around my neck has been replaced by the tenderness of His fruitful provision. … Continue reading A Kindred Friend
As I have been writing this series about love and forgiveness, I have been learning more about myself. Many people do not wish to know some of the hard truths about themselves, because that requires a choice. That choice is to either acknowledge those hard truths and change them, or remain the same. Throughout the past few weeks, I have been listening to what the … Continue reading Spiritual Vertigo
It took me a while to reach an understanding of how love leads to forgiveness. As I continue this series that is focused on my personal experience with love and forgiveness–both recent, and throughout the journey up until recently–I am realizing just how much the two coincide. A series of events within the last several months had really put my will to love and forgive … Continue reading Who’s To Blame?
Some people remain bitter They cannot move past the pains The wounds drag the person down each day as the suffering remains Something to numb that discomfort Each day they find a way Maybe a needle full of poison Or a hateful word to say Perhaps a shaking fist at God for allowing such things to exist Such a powerful God should be able to … Continue reading Downtrodden
Have you ever wondered if God has really forgiven you? I will be focusing on two things in the weeks ahead: the love of God and His forgiveness. The series will be what I have personally gathered from my experience with the Lord, and it is not to be viewed as preachy or self-righteous. I am learning about these two things with a deeper passion … Continue reading Pardon Me?
My mother and I have been through our share of ups and downs. Anyone who follows this blog of mine can gather how rocky our relationship has been, and just how difficult we both have found each other to be. Our headstrong ways, hurtful words and reasons–most of which I have no excuse for–have caused us both to carry things along with us, resulting in … Continue reading Our Resistance
A friend I used to hang with had a beautiful way about him He was the best a person could ask for He went by the name of Sin He and I used to laugh together all hours of the day He’d bring me gifts of pleasure and show me splendid ways When night came, we’d celebrate under cover of darkened skies He was the … Continue reading A Good Friend
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Sharing joy, truth, and reality through words & shared experiences
Becoming exactly the woman I want to be.
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Everything is Black and White
Words and Pictures from the Middle East & Balkans
"The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, says the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, says the LORD of hosts." (Hag 2:9)
on being here now
Say what you mean, not what you wish
Scribbles when I feel lost
Something Real
poetry
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Thoughts About Mental Illness From My Mind To Yours
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Welcome to my infinitesimal corner on the web.
How to prevent & cure
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"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
My reflections on the week past accompanied by music and memories
Never feel alone on your journey with mental health.
A Christian's Journey through Anxiety
Inspiring To be faithful, Believe In One's Self, and Love Life.
"The Lord Our Banner" (Exodus 17:15)
To justify the ways of schizophrenia to man
a nomads thoughts on faith and life
fan into flame the gift of faith
A Weekly Journal of Faith
THE SPIRIT OF LITTLE PAWS TREKKING THROUHG OUR HEARTS
Wrestling with Faith and Mental Health
All goes onward and outward. . . .and nothing collapses, And to die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier. - Walt Whitman
We're all made of stardust and love
Talking about my books, themes and ideas about life
by Brian Starie
exploring the intersection of the monstrous and the sacred
Just your average PhD student using the internet to enhance their CV
