Last week, my mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law, and I painted my apartment! It is now blue in the living room and dinning room. The project continues as I search for artwork and decorative details to add to the rooms. I have the curtains but have not hung them. Pictures will be posted as soon as the project is complete. I'm so thankful for my in-laws. Our time together was edifying, and fun.
Next week, I begin my sitcom script writing series of classes taught by Mr. Paul Raley.
Due to change of shop hours during the summer time, all my afternoons will now be reserved for pursuit of my reading and writing endeavors. Meaning, my blog should be updated more regularly than it is now.
Last weekend, I went to the Women Discipling Women Conference in Woodland Hills with my mother-in-law, her sister, and a few women from her church. It was a time marked with worship and spiritual growth. I was mostly hit with the topic of justification vs. sanctification in Christ which will require a separate blog post in the future.
Lastly, I recently was asked to return working on the self-help business book. She also thanked me for the explanation of the gospel I sent her. Here was her response (rejection) to the gospel.
You will hear me reference God, The Universe Universal Source, your knowing self, your higher knowing and your soul self throughout the book. Please know that I use these terms to speak to that part of yourself that has a 'higher' knowing. An intuitive knowing. It is that small still voice inside of you that guides you.
I personally am a spiritual person. I believe in God. I believe in Jesus. I believe that Jesus was a man who showed us who we are all capable of becoming. He said, "you shall do this and more." I believe he showed us through example, who are capable of becoming and to what extent. I also believe that we create our own lives. I believe there is a " larger God" a universal think tank if you will and that we can all tap into that think tank and I believe that universal think tank is within all of us or God.
The focus of this book is to help you overcome and dissolve what is blocking you from moving forward in you life. Who God is to you is important to me. And I honor your belief - as it supports you in moving forward in your life. I do not believe in a punishing God. I believe we are meant to be abundant, prosperous and happy in all areas of our lives.
I believe your soul has an agenda here on earth. And whatever that agenda is that your soul has, will override the human blocks. As long as you tune in, listen and take action.
I will teach you how to tune in, listen and heal what is blocking you from hearing your Intuitive voice.
Here was my response to both her response and her request for me to return working with her.
(Warning: It is long so if you don't have time to read it in its completion, come back to a later time.)
Your comments are welcomed.
Jesus did not say, "you will do this and more" and leave it at at that. You're thinking about John 14: 12. He said, "Truly, Truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask IN MY NAME, this I will do, that THE FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED IN THE SON. If you ask me, anything in MY NAME, I will do it." So the actions are not done by ourselves. They are done BY God through us and as tools of evangelizing to unbelievers that God may get glory. Not for our own empowerment or sense of accomplishment. These are very specific gifts given by God, specifically performed by God, for the specific advancement of God and God alone. He just uses us as means for the display of His work to an unbelieving world after Christ's crucifiction and after he has returned to heaven and left the world. These are not for our comfort or wealth. The repetition of "I will do it," makes it clear that though it is outwardly shown through us, it is God's work not ours.
Based on your definition of God, I think it's safe to say that your god is not the God of the bible. And therefore, have no real basis to use the bible as any type of authority in your book when you don't consider it the authority on God, though that is the bible's ultimate purpose. Yes, it's true. God is love. But that isn't the same to say that Love is god. Because it isn't. When the bible says that God is love, it does so to give us a definition of Love. Not a definition of God. Love's validity, reality, and power, only exists because of who GOD is. The same is true when you say God is power. Or God is holy. Or God is righteous. Love, power, holiness, righteousness, all point to God. God doesn't point to anything because you've reached the end of the line when you look at Him. Everything exists to magnify God. "God is love" comes from 1 John 4: 7-21. But again, this passage is about the ability of believers to love one another because it is an expression of God's love that is perfected in us. Apart from God, love is superficial and shallow. It is only in the saving knowledge of God's sacrifice for his children that the full potential of love is understood. Any other understanding of love independent of this fact is just a tiny glimpse into the full potential of real love. That's why God gave us small insight into love and all of us are capable of some form of love. It is to eventually lead us to Him.
Everything exists to serve and point to HIM. God doesn't fit into the requirements of Love. God defines the requirements of Love. Apart from God, real love does not exist.
And yes, he wants the best for those who believe in him, yes. But that "best" is only one thing. Himself. Again, "best" is another pointer word pointing to him. Everything about the universe, cosmos, etc is about HIM. NOT about us. There is no complete happiness, no complete satisfaction, no complete joy apart from God. It doesn't exist because he defines them. God punished his chosen people countless times in the Old Testament. He punishes his children all the time now. Because, in addition to everything stated above, He is a perfect Father. Any good parent will punish their children. Not out of anger, but out of love. For reproof and building up maturity. He would be a bad Father if he DIDN'T punish. Proverbs 13:24 says, "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."
Punishment is not only for reproof (while we're on the earth) but also because sin, by its nature, warrants punishment. This is punishment experienced in the eternal judgment of hell if we reject Christ as the Savior and payment for sins. To say we aren't sinners is not a far cry from a point of view that does away with standards of right and wrong, good and evil. You have no authority to define these terms if there isn't a God who is "good." He is the ultimate authority over everything. Every definition. Every term. And the bible lets us know what his authority says. Punishing sin is what makes him righteous. Our court systems would not be considered "righteous" or "just" if they did not punish criminals for their actions.
Ultimately, when you pursue your best life now, with yourself as the focus, you're selling yourself short. There is no joy greater than loving, delighting, praising, serving, learning about, and living for God instead of yourself. It is an indescribable joy to know you have a personal relationship with the creator of the universe, the Savior of your soul, and the Sovereign Lord over all. No amount of self-driven "spiritual pursuit" will get you to a point where faithful Christians are. Self-driven "spiritual pursuit" doesn't get you there because no one searches for the real God. Everyone is looking for a God that serves man. God, in his faithfulness and love for us calls us to him.
God does want us to delight in life. He gives us this by allowing us to delight in HIM. Not in our accomplishments, our belongings, or even our spirituality. I am beyond thankful for the financial instability I'm in because right now, that is my best good. And in my thankfulness, he is honored. I don't fear death because I know that to live is Christ and to die is GAIN to be in a state of perfect sinlessness in heaven with the Lord. Sergio and I have more sincere joy, happiness, thankfulness, and PEACE than most of the individuals we know. And it's all because my life, Sergio's life, and our marriage, is about God. Not ourselves.
With all that said, I'm sorry, I can no longer work with you. I do pray that you come to a saving knowledge of the living God of the bible. Because I can guarantee you it is more enjoyable, more splendid, and more lovely than anything this world or your own understanding can offer.
Here was my response to both her response and her request for me to return working with her.
(Warning: It is long so if you don't have time to read it in its completion, come back to a later time.)
Your comments are welcomed.
Jesus did not say, "you will do this and more" and leave it at at that. You're thinking about John 14: 12. He said, "Truly, Truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask IN MY NAME, this I will do, that THE FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED IN THE SON. If you ask me, anything in MY NAME, I will do it." So the actions are not done by ourselves. They are done BY God through us and as tools of evangelizing to unbelievers that God may get glory. Not for our own empowerment or sense of accomplishment. These are very specific gifts given by God, specifically performed by God, for the specific advancement of God and God alone. He just uses us as means for the display of His work to an unbelieving world after Christ's crucifiction and after he has returned to heaven and left the world. These are not for our comfort or wealth. The repetition of "I will do it," makes it clear that though it is outwardly shown through us, it is God's work not ours.
Based on your definition of God, I think it's safe to say that your god is not the God of the bible. And therefore, have no real basis to use the bible as any type of authority in your book when you don't consider it the authority on God, though that is the bible's ultimate purpose. Yes, it's true. God is love. But that isn't the same to say that Love is god. Because it isn't. When the bible says that God is love, it does so to give us a definition of Love. Not a definition of God. Love's validity, reality, and power, only exists because of who GOD is. The same is true when you say God is power. Or God is holy. Or God is righteous. Love, power, holiness, righteousness, all point to God. God doesn't point to anything because you've reached the end of the line when you look at Him. Everything exists to magnify God. "God is love" comes from 1 John 4: 7-21. But again, this passage is about the ability of believers to love one another because it is an expression of God's love that is perfected in us. Apart from God, love is superficial and shallow. It is only in the saving knowledge of God's sacrifice for his children that the full potential of love is understood. Any other understanding of love independent of this fact is just a tiny glimpse into the full potential of real love. That's why God gave us small insight into love and all of us are capable of some form of love. It is to eventually lead us to Him.
Everything exists to serve and point to HIM. God doesn't fit into the requirements of Love. God defines the requirements of Love. Apart from God, real love does not exist.
And yes, he wants the best for those who believe in him, yes. But that "best" is only one thing. Himself. Again, "best" is another pointer word pointing to him. Everything about the universe, cosmos, etc is about HIM. NOT about us. There is no complete happiness, no complete satisfaction, no complete joy apart from God. It doesn't exist because he defines them. God punished his chosen people countless times in the Old Testament. He punishes his children all the time now. Because, in addition to everything stated above, He is a perfect Father. Any good parent will punish their children. Not out of anger, but out of love. For reproof and building up maturity. He would be a bad Father if he DIDN'T punish. Proverbs 13:24 says, "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him."
Punishment is not only for reproof (while we're on the earth) but also because sin, by its nature, warrants punishment. This is punishment experienced in the eternal judgment of hell if we reject Christ as the Savior and payment for sins. To say we aren't sinners is not a far cry from a point of view that does away with standards of right and wrong, good and evil. You have no authority to define these terms if there isn't a God who is "good." He is the ultimate authority over everything. Every definition. Every term. And the bible lets us know what his authority says. Punishing sin is what makes him righteous. Our court systems would not be considered "righteous" or "just" if they did not punish criminals for their actions.
Ultimately, when you pursue your best life now, with yourself as the focus, you're selling yourself short. There is no joy greater than loving, delighting, praising, serving, learning about, and living for God instead of yourself. It is an indescribable joy to know you have a personal relationship with the creator of the universe, the Savior of your soul, and the Sovereign Lord over all. No amount of self-driven "spiritual pursuit" will get you to a point where faithful Christians are. Self-driven "spiritual pursuit" doesn't get you there because no one searches for the real God. Everyone is looking for a God that serves man. God, in his faithfulness and love for us calls us to him.
God does want us to delight in life. He gives us this by allowing us to delight in HIM. Not in our accomplishments, our belongings, or even our spirituality. I am beyond thankful for the financial instability I'm in because right now, that is my best good. And in my thankfulness, he is honored. I don't fear death because I know that to live is Christ and to die is GAIN to be in a state of perfect sinlessness in heaven with the Lord. Sergio and I have more sincere joy, happiness, thankfulness, and PEACE than most of the individuals we know. And it's all because my life, Sergio's life, and our marriage, is about God. Not ourselves.
With all that said, I'm sorry, I can no longer work with you. I do pray that you come to a saving knowledge of the living God of the bible. Because I can guarantee you it is more enjoyable, more splendid, and more lovely than anything this world or your own understanding can offer.
Praise God for giving you such eloquence and the ability to respond with such calmness and without the slightest hint of condemnation. I hope that seed you planted is watered and grows even though you are no longer working for her. :]
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