| |
| |
|
Spirituality Information |
|
|
|
Negative Disturbances
Whenever we have the opportunity to make human assessments, the assessments we make will always betray our doctrine of man. We can always glean from what one person has to say about another, their doctrine or philosophy concerning man in general. When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3. The comments made here in Matthew focus on the negative because there is something negative that is disturbing Herod and something negative brewing within him. He hears about Jesus being born and the magi looking to locate Him so that they could worship Him. Herod immediately begins to feel threatened; so much so that his behavior becomes pathological and results in the death of thousands of innocent children. Well, this negative something is in all of us and we need to deal with it. We must come to terms with the fact that there are some negative qualities that are common to all human beings. We know this because we realize how difficult it is to honestly say what we will or will not do in any given situation. Peter, you recall, was one of the closest disciples to Jesus. He loved Jesus and Jesus loved him. But he lied, cursed, and betrayed Jesus to save his own skin. He walked and talked and dined with Jesus for three years. He had seen miracles performed and heard sermons preached and claimed he was willing to die, yet denied even being acquainted with Jesus. Now, we have never seen Jesus, never walked with Him, or talked with Him in the same sense that Peter had. So we have to come to a consensus on human nature. Man was born in sin and shaped in iniquity. We possess the capacity to do all kinds of negative things. We see it in others and we see it in ourselves, do we not? Yet, through the power and might of Jesus Christ, we are enabled and empowered to overcome the negative and the stronghold of sin. Jesus bore our sins on His shoulders at Calvary, thus releasing us from their yoke. When we view life and live life consistent with the will of God, old negative thoughts and behaviors pass away. Behold! All things become new. Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Water: A Grief Healing Workbook, will be available soon.
MORE RESOURCES:
Spirituality - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Chakras 101 The chakras are different coloured energy centres that originate from seven different points in our body. Chakra is a Sanskrit (East Indian) word that means "Wheel". Spiritual Clarity Who is the more spiritual person? The woman out on a Sunday morning excursion for coffee and a newspaper who swerves to avoid hitting a dog, or is it, the man who hits the dog in his haste to get to church on time? Who knows? My point is that going to church has absolutely nothing to do with being a good person.Questions about religion have always troubled me. Universal Thought Systems The Mind in an Advanced Thought System:The center of our Thought System, today, is believed to reside in our brain. The brain is thought to be synonymous with our mind. The Flow Of Money The more we worry about money, and who's asking for it, and why their asking, and should they be asking, and should I be listening, and judging others, then judging their ideas and their work and their very existence.. Spirituality: Enlightening Cinema "Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. Drifting Like a Summer Breeze He knew it was going to happen. He wasn't really surprised. The Mirror of Truth James 1:23-24Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like?Standing, gazing ahead An image of Truth has been placed before me There, a reflection of myself.So vivid, and so clear Every detail has been meticulously captured It sickens me to think it must be me. How To Fall With Style - The Art Of Sin Adam had it right when he covered himself with fig leaves. It's not that he thought it would cover his sin. Resisting Temptation - The JESUS Way One thing that Jesus was NOT - was flashy. When He cured someone, it was with a touch. Spirituality: Blues for Buddha Being critical of Buddhism isn't easy.Buddhism is the most likable of the major religions, and Buddhists are the perennial good guys of modern spirituality. Angels on Assignment Recently it has come to my attention people are noticing Angels popping up in the strangest places. Several years ago you would only hear about Angels at Christmas time 'Peace on Earth' that kind of thing. Importance and Necessity of Special Revelation - Part One This article is a reply that deals with certain criticisms concerning views expressed in my article titled Pagan Philosophy, Unbelief, and Irrationalism.1 This article briefly exposed the bankruptcy of materialistic and empirical philosophy in particular and the worldview of non-belief in general. New Century; Same Old Story In His graciousness, God has blessed us to enter a new century. When you look back on the years and experiences you had in the last century, you probably wonder why you did not lose your mind. What Does Jesus Expect? While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. --ROMANS 5:8Expectations create conditional love. Footprints and Monuments - Slow Down Every month I usually sit down and write an article around the topics of leadership, teamwork, vision, or self-improvement. However, this month I am only passing on something that came across my desk a few days ago. Law Vs. Grace At first glance it does seem that law and grace are opposed. Even the Bible seems to be divided into two sections the Old Testament (law) and New Testament (grace). Path to Healing It is within us to explore and draw upon our inner resources to heal. Some wounds are embedded so deeply that no amount of professional expertise can cure, much less heal. A People in Exile (Part 2) Mother Nature has this uncanny tendency to turn upon herself - undoing with her left hand what she has made with her right. She sends hailstorms to the destruction of her own blossoms. When We See Jesus As He Is You know that the Bible tells us a lot about Jesus, who he was, who he is, what he did and what he said.. Selling Spiritual Stuff Spiritual stuff is a hard sell Roy and one of the reasons for that is spirituality was turned into religion a long time ago. Spirit is natural and it is who you are naturally.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
