True Grit Christian Low fat Christianity with no unnecessary fillers

The Real Christmas Story

Just over 2000 years ago in the land of Israel, lived a young girl named Mary….. Now that's what we would normally hear at the start of the Christmas story. What you may not know is that it really begins long before that day. Long ago indeed....

Imagine with me for a moment, a time before Christmas was even known. A time before man, tree, and Earth; nothing existed, only God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God created Heaven, the pure realm, safe from all things, where God would dwell among His perfect spiritual creations. Those creations know no darkness and suffered in no form because they are where sin cannot exist.  They know only the purest form of love and the undiluted power of God.

Then God then created Earth. Earth was different, with a different set of rules than those of Heaven. Man made by God on Earth with one unique difference, free Will that was challengeable. It would be our strength and it would be our weakness.  The sin of Satan's revolt cast down upon the Earth. This would be an eternal test for the bearers of free will. Would we following the Creator or the created?

Oh don't you see, long before Mary, long before the wise men, and long before Eve... Christmas was already beginning. When sin entered our hearts through Eve's actions we no longer could stand on our own merits before God. Something had to be done to purify us and to make us honorable guest in Heaven. Thus the Christmas seal was broken.

God promised no more destruction after the great flood of Noah. That means, the world, with no direct interaction from God, could very have well been lost to sin. There was a need and God has a desire to fill that need by sending Jesus Christ to us. The one and only perfect offering that could save the world. The understanding is this- it was our sin that brought movement from Father God. The wrapping is just as important as the present.

God's own Son that He loves with immeasurable love that knows no pain or anger. That knows no envy or hate. It’s a love that we as humans can’t begin to imagine or even dream of feeling.  It’s a love so incredibly pure that even death itself cowers from.  The gift given to us cannot be understood by those not seeking it. It wasn't the baby Mary birthed into the world. It wasn't the nails driven through flesh into a wooden cross.

The gift given holds a clear direction to the love that God has for all of us. In it was Jesus Christ, his will and his desire to come from Heaven to Earth to save us from our sins through Him in order to serve us unto the Father. So you see Christmas isn’t about trees, lights, snow, candy canes, cards, or presents. It’s in fact quite the opposite. We should be wearing sack cloth and covering our heads with ashes before God. For God sent His only Son to a world that was wicked in all ways to save it through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Today we should be humbled in that fact.

Do you really want to Honor Christ this Christmas Day? Then don’t rush to the Christmas tree. Don’t turn on the oven or open the fridge. Don’t pull a coffee cup from the cupboard. Don’t take a shower. Just put on your shoes walk outside before the sun rises and when the first ray of light comes over the horizon fall on your knees and raise your hands to heaven giving praise to Jesus Christ. He blesses those who truly love Him. Now accept the Gift that is given.

ὑπόκρισις – Hypocrite

ὑπόκρισις

ὑπόκρισις. What's that? Hmm that don't look like English does it.  Actually, that's a Greek root word that we need to talk about so let's translate that word into modern English. ὑπόκρισις is Hypocrisy.

For the longest time I lived as a Hypocrite. I'd make the effort to portray a Christian on Sunday mornings and talking to people I knew in Church. My life in my home wasn't Christian. Behind closed doors I'd look at pornography and lust after those things . My eyes wasn't only focused on my wife. When I went to work I tried to keep on the outside of "those types" of conversations. But sometimes I would bust in being funny in attempt to stay in the game. Nobody I worked with knew my Christian side just hints of it. I live as a Hypocrite on both sides.  As time drew on I fell away from Christ and into the world. I was just another one of the guys doing everything my coworkers and friends did.

When my wife and I went through some difficult times God pulled us through and I thought I was really doing what God wanted then. But no I was still a Hypocrite but a righteous one. I began living a life just like every other Christian. Church as much as I could and started cleaning up my life to their standards. I still fell to sin because I didn't understand Christ in plain truth.

This website is a map on pathway to finding God's truth for us. The more and more I've read and researched the more I can see that I am still a Hypocrite. I can't stand myself to be seen this way.

I am 4 people.

One to my wife and family.

One to my friends and coworkers.

One to my Church.

One to my God.

No more. In the end all these things will fall away except for one. God. I have to live a transparent life. When God sees me standing in front of my wife. When God sees me standing in front of my parents. When God sees me standing in front of my children. When God sees me standing in front of my friends, coworkers, neighbors, strangers, enemies, and all alone. When God sees me standing at the gate of Heaven. I want that person to be the exact same person every moment that God seen me.

We all need to make this same commitment to live a transparent life and not as Hypocrites any longer. I know I've said a lot and tried to guide people to move in Christ way. What I've said isn't wrong it's all truth backed by Christ, I just wasn't living it myself. It is a learning process and I've found another big step to take for myself. From now on when people, no matter who, will not see anyone but the Christ in me.

Walk with me to fight against the lies that try to bind us. A new day comes and the Son rises now!

The Way – Part 1

Sitting in our previous church the pastor told us "I don't why we've made this so complicated. All you have to do is confess your sins and ask Jesus to forgive you to be saved."

Well...... that's not entirely true.

I'll tell you what the complicated part of this is. It's trying to live your old life while desiring to be a Christian. Now that's complicated. God gave us commandments to follow and Jesus did as well. A Christian isn't someone who ask for forgiveness and then leave church to watch ESPN and play video games all hours of the day avoiding sin. With that you're probably asking...Well what am I suppose to do?

Okay so let's get with the Basics -

Many of us don't understand the 10 commandments with all the "Thou Shalt's"  and old english dialect but I can break it down very simply. Love and Honor God and Love and Honor each other. That's all the 10 commandments ask of us, nothing more and nothing less.

Next Jesus gave us jobs that we need to be doing as Christians and it doesn't involve sitting on your butt watching TV or smoking with your co-workers talking about the new hottie during break. What you need is to reflect the love God has given you to others. Witness and tell your story of how Christ saves you so others can relate. Be a friend to those who need a friend.

That's the basics to get you started but that still isn't all God ask of you.  I found this excellent list online and instead of rebuilding the wheel I'm going to copy it for you. You can find it right here. Break out your Bible, read the chapters to see the truth in these things.

1."FORGIVE EVERYBODY OF ALL THEIR OFFENSES AGAINST YOU." Matthew 6:12
2."YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN." John 3:7
3."ABIDE IN ME, AND LET ME ABIDE IN YOU." John 15:4
4."LET PEOPLE SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS." Matthew 5:16
5."END DISPUTES QUICKLY." Matthew 5:25
6."WHATEVER CAUSES YOU TO SIN, GET RID OF IT." Matthew 5:29-30
7."DO NOT SWEAR OATHS AT ALL." Matthew 5:34-37
8."DO NOT RETURN OFFENSE FOR OFFENSE." Matthew 5:38-39
9."GIVE WHAT PEOPLE ASK OF YOU, AND GIVE MORE THAN IS REQUIRED." Matthew 5:40-42
10."LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND THOSE WHO WORK AGAINST YOU." Matthew 5:43-45
11."GIVE TO THE POOR TO PLEASE GOD, NOT TO GAIN APPROVAL FROM OTHER PEOPLE." Matthew 6:1
12."PRAY PRIVATELY AND SIMPLY, NOT TO IMPRESS OTHER PEOPLE." Matthew 6:5-7
13."MAKE YOUR PRAYERS BE LIKE THE LORD'S PRAYER." Matthew 6:9-15
14."WHEN YOU FAST, DO IT SECRETLY, NOT FOR SHOW." Matthew 6:16
15."STORE UP YOUR TREASURES IN HEAVEN, NOT ON EARTH." Matthew 6:19-21
16."DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR MATERIAL NEEDS." Matthew 6:25-26
17."DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE FUTURE." Matthew 6:34
18."MAKE GOD YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY, AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR NEEDS." Matthew 6:33
19."DO NOT JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE." Matthew 7:1-2
20."DO NOT GIVE HOLY THINGS TO DOGS OR CAST YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE." Matthew 7:6
21."ASK GOD FOR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO HAVE." Matthew 7:7
22."FEED THE HUNGRY, CLOTHE THE NAKED, SHELTER THE HOMELESS,COMFORT THOSE IN DISTRESS." Matthew 25:34-36
23."FOLLOW THE NARROW PATH TO LIFE." Matthew 7:13-14
24."BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS." Matthew 7:15
25."EXERCISE POWER OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS." Matthew 10:1, Matthew 10:8
26."LOVE LITTLE CHILDREN, DO NOT DESPISE THEM." Matthew 18:10
27."DO NOT TAKE THE TITLES 'MASTER' OR 'FATHER' FOR YOURSELF." Matthew 23:8-12
28."RESOLVE DISPUTES IN AN ORDERLY WAY, LIKE THIS . . . "Matthew 18:15-17
29."DO NOT OPPOSE OTHER BELIEVERS IN CHRIST WHO ARE NOT IN YOUR GROUP." Mark 9:38-40
30."HAVE TOTAL FAITH IN GOD FOR EVERYTHING." Mark 11:22-24
31."BE LIKE THE GOOD SAMARITAN." Luke 10:30-37
32."LOVE OTHER PEOPLE AS I HAVE LOVED YOU" John 15:12
33."EAT BREAD AND DRINK WINE IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME." Luke 22:19-20
34."WASH ONE ANOTHER'S FEET." John 13:14
35."BE MERCIFUL." Luke 6:35-36
36."GO AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM." Matthew 28:19-20
37."KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS." John 14:15
38."BE PREPARED FOR YOUR MASTER TO RETURN." Luke 12:40

I'm going to break these down over the next few weeks then compile them into a single post for better understanding. I'm hoping this sets a foundation that will shine the light of Christ through you for all to bear witness to.  Please please please respond to this because we need to discuss these things openly. Not just read and let it go, but to learn it and live it. God Bless!

Walking Distance

Right now I am over 3000 miles away from home in support of the global war on terrorism. 9 years I have been part of this on going mission to free the world from oppression and persecution. The one thing that I have found is- it's all pointless, because we fight for nothing more than freedom. What good is this, if we give them all the tools to survive, but as a country... never give them the means to live?

Right now 95% of the world is suffering while we waste away behind a pixelated mask of denial.

What words can I say to move you?

There is nothing I can say but if you would only stop for a breathe and listen. Hear that suffering of those around you because they are within walking distance. We are so damn greedy and ungrateful for what we have. Everything that God has provided us with isn't for us alone but to be shared for His Glory.

My parents have a good size yard full of fruit and nut trees and many flowers. It's beautiful thing to see in full bloom much like a hidden sanctuary garden. Right there next to the drive way is a large bed of tulips that bloom up every spring. Come late fall the flowers are going into hibernation for winter and my mother will dig the tulip bulbs up and split them into two pieces. Now she has two tulip bulbs that when planted will bloom as two flowers. Next fall she can dig both those up and split them again and if she passes them to friends who need tulips they can do this as well and so forth.

But we are a greedy and ungrateful people. We don't  want someone to see our flowers much less give them a something that cost us nothing. We got our flowers. That's all that matters. Sometimes we even get so greedy we don't even give our family the ground to plant even a seedling.

The Word of God is not to be contained. The Holy Spirit will not be held behind walls with crosses nailed to them. The crosses in our churches are firmly nailed to those walls they will never move, be taken down, or given away and we are satisfied with that. Disregard all of what Christ told us to do because we are satisfied. Prove me wrong.

Read Luke. It's free right here and it's available on nearly all cell phones. Understand what Christ tells us. Don't pick and choose or pass over anything because you don't understand it when you read. You will see the joy and happiness in splitting the seed. Then give it away because those that need are all with in walking distance.

Bold

What should I tell you? Do you want to read a story of happiness and joy? Do I give you suspense and action? What would attract the most people to this website? Romance? How about a revealing.  I am not here to entertain people but I will try my best to keep it interesting because I want you to learn. When the crowds around Jesus were getting rather large, He dropped a truth bomb on them.

Matthew 8:18-22

When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."Jesus replied,  "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."

But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

The people didn't cross that lake with Jesus because the cost was just too much for them and the 12 remained 12. I'm not here for money or to build a Church to hold hundreds. That's not my purpose or my calling. I'm here to show the truth in Christ. From my own observations 90% of all professing Christians don't know the basics of Christ. They know His words but never heard His message. I'm going to push you to face things in a way that will hurt just as cleaning a wound hurts. A clean wound heals clean.  Hold strong here because here are a few things I do know that will hurt you.

When you watch so called "Christian" TV and they have that phone number on the screen, just change the channel they are only there to steal. They don't love you.

When you see a book offering you "Prosperity Now" turn it backwards hiding the cover and find yourself a Bible. Prosperity in knowing God is our goal. Jesus told us to sell our possessions and give the money to the poor. God would provide our needs.

If anyone tells you "(subject) is the Key", they are only giving you half truth ignore them because they really don't know. Read up for yourself and you will find that Christ is the Key and anything else is just a component.

When a preacher yells out "By His stripes we are Healed!" while praying for the sick, you gather your family and leave, they don't know the Word of God. They are lying to you only trying to keep you in that seat. Read this - We are Healed. Don't tell me they are filled with good intentions. Good intentions will not open the gates of Heaven.

Come to church seeking guidance and to give praise to God. Don't come for healing. Don't come to pray for finances. Don't come seeking a new house or relationship. Don't come just for God to give you things.

The altar wasn't built to be taken from. It was built for offerings to be given.

When people tell you God hates the sin not the sinner they do not know God at all. God hates sinners because sinners willingly ignore Him and continue to sin.

Psalms 5:4-6

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;
with you the wicked cannot dwell.

The arrogant cannot stand in your presence;
you hate all who do wrong.

You destroy those who tell lies;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men
the LORD abhors.

This is a song from the book of Psalms of King David. Don't think this isn't God or King David's idea of God. This is God and it's right there in the Bible. The only chance you have as a sinner is the saving grace of Christ. I recently read in a book where a pastor described the gift of Jesus and I love it. It's went something like this:

Before you and me stands a giant dam 10,000 miles tall and 10,000 miles wide holding all the anger of our pure hearted God for us. A giant crack forms and all the wrath of God comes crashing towards us. Just then a gulf in the ground forms and  takes in all that was intended for us. As Christ prepared for the cross He asked God for this cup to be passed from Him. That cup was filled with God's punishment for man. Jesus took all that upon Himself and while on the cross, as the last of God's wrath came onto Jesus He said; "It is Finished."

God does not unconditionally love. Jesus unconditionally forgives. This makes it possible for you to get to Heaven, because of the Grace of Jesus Christ- our only Savior.

Do you want to know what Jesus teaches us? Are you willing to do what Jesus asks us? I don't speak to the wind because the wind does not regard what I say. I do speak to you.

Bunny Slippers

Christian do not expect the road that Christ walks will accommodate your bunny slippers, you'll need combat boots.

Jesus came for the lost.

He comes for the one that runs away.

He comes for the one fighting against belief.

He comes for the one lost in a field of depression.

He comes for the one stuck in the muck of helplessness.

He comes for the one mislead into lies disguised as truths.

He fights for righteousness on your behalf.

He is calling out your name.

Now Reply.

The death of…

There is a day coming when all you know is going to change and tears will fall upon the Earth.

A son will pass away and a daughter will be placed into the ground.

A father will have went to work one last time never to come home.

A mother will have kissed her kids moments before fading into eternity.

The day that many fear will finally catch us and with no remorse...swallow us whole.

Who's Tears will then fall onto the Earth?

Walk up to those people in your life that you love so dearly and tell them goodbye. For when death comes... you will not have time.

Inevitable, Unavoidable, No Escape, No Hiding, and No Running. Certain. No living thing on this planet is spared. No creature great or small.

How do you see that life you are leaving behind? Perhaps it's a good life, one to be proud of. You made many friends and you helped many people. You worked hard in the church and made nearly every Sunday service. You swayed with the music and raised your hand to the words.  But did you do what God wanted you to do? All those times you felt the urge to jump, did you jump? Every time you felt the movement of God's Holy Spirit on your soul did you listen? How do you see the life, of those that love you, carry on? Did you provide them with a solid foundation for life beyond your death?

Romans 8:38

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christ is the foundation of life and it's by His grace and forgiveness we will find peace. Don't be afraid of death for yourself or someone for with a solid foundation of Christ they are secure. If you know that you or someone else is lacking the faith then death is something to fear. Don't think that you need to be in a church to find the love that is so freely offered to you. He is there with you and has always been there holding back the tides from swallowing you. Confess your sins, confess your weakness, adore Him and accept what He offers you and acknowledge His death and resurrection . Come with arms wide open for that is the only way to embrace Christ.

…Echo…

If you listen to Christian radio or many of the songs we sing in church you may find that often we sings songs to lift "our" spirits to God. Singing songs of God bring us out troubled times and tunes of us being carried by Christ. Beautiful songs that let us know that we are so blessed to have a Father with such indescribable compassion for us. What concerns me is that there are very few songs that portray our love for Jesus Christ and our passion for God. Perhaps it's because that the people that could write such a song are just extremely busy spreading the truth of Christ.

Be an echo to Christ.

When you feel the love of God in your life ECHO your love back.

When you have the grace of Christ ECHO it to others.

When you feel the weight of life lifting off you ECHO glory to God.

When you understand that you are not what you once was ECHO in praise.

Christ I love you with more than I am. When I am in the mud I'll be the one standing for you. When I am in the fire I will be running with your fire in with me.  When I come against a wall I will be pushing and I know when I look up you will be pushing too.  I will race into the dark places because I know you are lighting my path.  When a shadow falls watch the sword you have given me pierce the dark. My passion for you Christ is only echoed by you.

Don't stop with one echo because the best Echos are those that strong and powerful and carry on forever and ever.

for love.

It's because of Christ love, that we have His grace.

His love.

LOVE

I sit here staring into my keyboard thinking about this word...Love. It's many text book definitions that can go from extreme passion to a mere... like.  There aren't enough keys in front of me to begin to label the definitions of love.  Millions of trees cut down and shredded up to make paper for all those love notes passed around in 6th grade. Love. What any parent would go through to keep their child in peace from pain. What mountains are dominated and deserts crossed under foot of man. Fortunes given away and fortunes amassed in its name. Love. Screaming into the sky proclaiming it unto all the earth when we find it. Love. Wars waged and damsels in distress saved.

Love, true love, is akin to 2 person on a boat out in the sea. In the sun, rain, sleet , fog, wind, thunder and lightning, hurricanes, depressions... they would stay in that boat together no matter what comes against them.

You know how it was when you first fell in love as a teenager. Nothing else mattered to you except that other person and not even the gates of hell could keep you from them.

We have all been there at least once and if you haven't been there just yet let me tell you...it's the only time everything seems to be going right in your life.

In the Bible Paul defines love as this:

1 Corinthians 13 (God's Word Translation)

Love

I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don’t have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don’t have love, I am nothing. I may even give away all that I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don’t have love, none of these things will help me.

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs. It isn’t happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.

Love never comes to an end. There is the gift of speaking what God has revealed, but it will no longer be used. There is the gift of speaking in other languages, but it will stop by itself. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will no longer be used. Our knowledge is incomplete and our ability to speak what God has revealed is incomplete. But when what is complete comes, then what is incomplete will no longer be used. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I no longer used childish ways. Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete. Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me.

So these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the best one of these is love.

When you find that bond with Christ, and you truly love Him with that passion, you will know all things are in fact going right and no matter the storm you will have the strength to make it through. If we love each other as He loves us, lust will die and half the worlds problems will fall away.