Fiat

This entry was written on Dec 10, 2009 by our Christian Guru Amber Rollins

it's easy to think that Mary, the mother of God, had it easy. When the angel appeared to her and asked her to be the mother of the lord, it's easy to think, "Who would say no?" But she could have. We all have free will and Mary is no exception. Saying yes could have actually cost her a great deal. The punishment for sex outside of marriage was death, and who would believe her that the baby was conceived without it? At the very least, Joseph could have refused to marry her (and he did think about doing just this), and deeply shamed both her and her family. Everyone would know, and Mary's life, even if she had been allowed to live, would have been incredibly difficult.

But she didn't refuse. She had almost every reason in the world to do so, but she didn't. She knew it was a call from God, and she answered it affirmatively. What great things have we missed because got scared when we heard the call of God and said no? What things have we talked ourselves out of?

The Good Shepherd

What does it mean to say that Jesus is the Good Shepherd? What do shepherds do, really? Shepherds take care of the sheep. They feed them, watch over them, and protect them from danger. Shepherds guide, showing the flock where the good places are and leading them away from the bad. But the sheep have their responsibilities, too. They have to listen. The sheep have to obey. If the shepherd tries to lead them away from a cliff and they insist on running straight toward it, they will die. They chose to. In John 10:27, Jesus says "My sheep hear my voice...I know them and they follow me." Listen. Do you hear it?

Prayer for December

This entry was written on Dec 02, 2009 by our Christian Guru Amber Rollins

I got this from one of my Christian email groups. There was no author attribution, so if you know who originally wrote this, please let me know so I can give them credit.

A Prayer for December

Jesus, Light of the world .

When I am afraid and unsure,

comfort me with the light of Your presence .

When loneliness chills me,

warm me with the light of Your love .

When the road ahead seems dark,

guide me with the light of Your way .

When I don ' t understand and my

thoughts are unclear,

fill me with the light of Your wisdom .

When I seem spent like a candle consumed,

replenish me with the light of Your life .

Then, so filled with Your light, use me,

So that I, with You, may be light for the world !

Because He First Loved Us

Remember, in that you say and in all that you do, you are a child of God. This does not mean you can do whatever you like and get away with it, like some spoiled brat. This means that you are a member of the royal family and you are expected to act like it. What does your behavior, your dress, the way you talk to people tell others about Jesus and about Christianity? Ephesians 2:19 - " So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God."

Advent

This entry was written on Dec 02, 2009 by our Christian Guru Amber Rollins

Last Sunday marked the beginning of Advent. Advent means "the coming" , and signals the time of the year in which we begin awaiting the coming of the Lord Jesus. Even if you don't belong to a church which officially celebrates advent, it's good to remember the real meaning of Christmas. It becomes very easy to be stressed out, tired and depressed amid all the responsibilities common the Christmastime. Take time to think every day about just what Christmas is celebrating and what it means to you, and for all of us.

Online Bible Studies

Agape Bible Study offers a wonderful, in-depth Bible study, with documents, charts, maps and supplementary articles. There are several different studies there, from the Pentateuch to salvation History to the Gospel of John. www.agapebiblestudy.com

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What Is Christianity?

While there are several groups that call themselves "Christian," those who follow the true Christian faith have certain core beliefs that have never changed. They believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. They believe in Jesus Christ, God's Son, who is Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. On the 3rd day, he arose from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. Jesus died for all of us, for our sins, the things we willfully do which separate us from God. Through Jesus, we again go back to God. Jesus died and was risen for our salvation.

The Splendor of the Lord

Christmas and Advent and are meant to be times of waiting and watching and praying, not hurrying and buying. During the holidays, take time to be quiet. Go outside and have a walk, even in the cold. Look out your window. You are a living being, created by God, living among a million other creatures created by God, in an environment made by God. All around you is the splendor of the Lord. The sky, snow, rain, sunshine, leaves, trees, cold, fire, heat - all of it is a special part of God's world, all of it a jewel box waiting to be used a palace for the King.

Be Not afraid

Be not afraid to tell Jesus that you love Him; even though it be without feeling, this is the way to oblige Him to help you, and carry you like a little child too feeble to walk.

- St. Therese of Lisieux

God is Not Mocked

No one likes being made fun of, called names, and treated badly. But we do this every day to Jesus. People, even people who think of themselves as Christians, use his name as an epithet. They watch TV shows and regularly go to web sites which make jokes at his expense. Having a sense of humor does not mean standing idly by while someone innocent, someone you love and who loves you, is mocked and devalued. What do your choices in TV, movies, books, web sites, and speech say about the regard in which you hold Jesus? What do they say about what you find acceptable?

House of Prayer or Den of Thieves?

One of the few stories which appears in all four of the Gospels is Jesus removing the moneychangers from the temple. There are many reasons why this story is important, but one aspect many people overlook is that each of us us also a temple of God. Jesus wants us to keep our churches pure, true, but he also wants us to keep ourselves, individual temples of God, pure. What do you have going on in your temple? Is it a house of prayer or a den of thieves?

Faith and Works

Some Christians think all you need is faith to be saved . But that faith has to show itself in works as well . If you claim to be a Christian but do nothing which shows the love and influence of God in your life, then you are not only NOT living a Christian life, you are doing Jesus great harm in the eyes of others . If you lie, cheat others, hurt people, speak badly, and otherwise behave in cruel and immoral ways yet claim to be Christian, think about what kind of example you are showing the world about Jesus .

Zacchaeus the tax collector was a great sinner, but he decided that he wanted to see Jesus so much he climbed a tree to be better able to do so . Jesus rewarded him by recognition and by coming into his house, but Zacchaeus did not stop there . He also promised to give half of his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had cheated three times over . His new faith showed in works . And Jesus said to him, " Today salvation has come to this house ".

Temple of God

Everyone has heard of the idea that their bodies are temples of God. Many understand this in a narcissistic, vain way, devoting themselves to outward appearance. Some take this to mean they are better than others, and look down their noses at them. Both are wrong. Yes, you should take care of your body. Yes, Christians are the adopted children of the Lord and Creator of the universe, which is pretty special. 1 Corinthians says one cannot build a temple to God if the foundation, Jesus, is not there. It also says, " Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" The strength and beauty of the temple comes from God living in you. You don't have a temple if the foundation is not built on Jesus. You show that you are a temple of God by showering the love of God on others.

Will

Christ does not force our will, He only takes what we give Him. But He does not give Himself entirely until He sees that we yield ourselves entirely to Him.

-- St Teresa of Avila

I'm Not Good Enough

Sometimes Christians, or those thinking of becoming Christians, feel they are not good enough. They negin to avoid church or helping others because they feel like impostors. Who am I to talk about God? Who am I to help at the church? I'm not perfect.

True, you shouldn't pretend to be something you are not, and true, Christians should always be striving toward holiness. But to say you cannot go to church or become a Christian because you're not good enough is like saying you're not well enough to go to the doctor. That's what they're there for, to help you get better, to become perfect, to become a saint. Saints were not born perfect. Saints are sinners who just never gave up.

Sometimes It's OK to Say "No"

Christians are called to serve. They should serve each other, their families, their churches, the community, and the world. But too often Christians think that unless they are doing big things, they are not serving. They sign up for every activity at church and then neglect their work and their families. You can't do everything. Take stock of what you can honestly accomplish and still have time for your family and yourself. Burning yourself out will not help anyone. Volunteering for a good cause and then quitting after two weeks because you can't fit everything in is not serving. You don't have to accomplish huge things in your life. You just have to make everything you do, no matter how small, an act of love.