Tag: God

Your relationship with God outweighs your religion.

Is Any Religious Group 100% Correct?

Andrey

The main focus of John 3:16 is God’s love for people. He loves ALL the people, all over the world, in all eras, ages, ethnic groups, and countries. So God loves everyone, EVERYONE? No matter when they lived, where they lived, what skin color or creed? Even, those _______ (you fill in that blank with someone that you just KNOW God can’t possibly love)? If, as some religions say, all of us are God’s children, which religion is the “right one”? Or is there a “right one”? Most zealots of many major religions would answer that question with a resounding “Yes, MY religion is the right one!” Well … 

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I Am Addicted

Andrey

In my time in the Navy, I was taught that problems needed to be named in such a way that the name pointed toward the solution. For example, when someone did not know how to do their job, it was called a “training” problem. If they did not have the tools or parts they needed to fix something, it was a “supply” problem. When we did not have enough people to do the job, it was a “personnel” problem. If someone misbehaved, it was a “discipline” problem. Yes, when morale was down, it was a “leadership” problem.

So, when we say that something is “addictive”, we are blaming the substance and not looking at the real solution to the problem.

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Does Jesus Judge You?

Andrey

I am sad that so many Christians “dis” non-Christians. It’s also sad that non-Christians “dis” others. It’s like we forget what we were, and think that we somehow “fixed” ourselves. Yes, I have personally met Jesus, so I have no choice but to believe He exists and did what is claimed. But why should I look down on someone that has not yet met Jesus? How do you truly KNOW that someone exists unless you meet them in person? That these posts appear on my blog only proves that this blog has an author, but not that it’s me! I want to share the attitude Jesus has towards people!

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Faith, Hope, and Love

Andrey

Many people don’t like using “old” words from previous generations. Who uses “groovy” anymore? We are more comfortable using words that are contemporary, or at least with their “current” meaning. “Gay” once meant happy, joyous and having a positive attitude. That’s not what it means here in the 21st century. Despite this, the church holds tightly to words that no longer have meaning in today’s world, or are even used outside the church. “Faith” is one such word, and I am convinced it is misunderstood and misused.

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Names of God

Andrey

Many of us have heard the phrase “names of God”. I have even heard of Bible Studies looking at that long list of names for God found in scripture. Someone compiled that list by going through the Bible and finding every single name someone either gave to God or used to address God. One such list can be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Christianity. Some of these lists go beyond just the name and look at the name’s meaning. One day as I was thinking about this, I realized something that none of these lists talked about: I also have had a lot of names throughout my life. The same goes for everyone in my family, and everyone I have ever met. What do all these names mean?

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Dating and Loving God

Andrey

I remember when I first started dating. I was both excited and scared, especially at first. I had no idea what I was doing and learned along the way. I would make sure I showered, shaved, combed my hair, put on good, clean clothes. I would think about where we would be going and doing. I made sure I had cash in my pocket and a credit card as backup. Oh, my car! Cleaned it and gassed it up. I was determined to make a good impression because I wanted her to enjoy time with me. I wanted her to want to be with me. I wanted another date after this one! The time together got to be more precious as we grew closer. I started to become dependent on that time together, I was addicted!

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I stopped believing!

Andrey

My favorite radio station, K-Love recently had a poll in response to a study that showed most people believe later in life what they believed when they were 13. They asked people to call in and share their experiences. Well, I could not get through on the phone, and even if I could have, it would have taken a very long time for me to give my side of the story. So, here I am, explaining why I am not like most people, and how many if my beliefs have changed since then.

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Serenity Prayer(s), for You!

Andrey

Most people have heard of the Serenity Prayer. It was written by Reinhold Niebuhr and is extensively used by 12-step programs. It is powerful for those that let it help and guide them. It paints life with a very broad brush, which is why so many people have used it and love it. Not only am I going to share it with you, but I will also share some additional niche versions that many have found even more helpful. You will also learn how you can share a version with someone you love by putting their name into it, and then give it to them by email or text. I am very excited to share this with you!

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Overseas Deployments and Heaven

Andrey

As I look at the title of this post, I wonder how those two could have anything in common at all. Deploying overseas was hard, dangerous work. We were far away from loved ones and often felt isolated from “real life”. Well, this is about a revelation I was given years after the deployments I made, long after I retired from the Navy.

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Who’s the High Priest?

Andrey

Many of us know the story of how Jesus was called to defend himself before the High Priest and the rest of the council.

Matthew 26:62-65: Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

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What Scientists can’t see!

Andrey

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and others who study space today are convinced that there are planets circling other stars. They have already named over 350 of these “exoplanets”. Interestingly enough, not one scientist has actually seen one, not even through the best telescopes we have! They have never shown up in any picture! These same scientists also believe in dark matter, dark energy, and black holes. They have never seen any of them, either! Since there is no direct evidence that these things exist, how can scientists say with absolute certainty that they do?

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A Creation Story

Andrey

As it says in the title, this is a story. Sure, it’s based on a true story, the one in the Bible, but like Hollywood, I have taken liberties to … fill in the blanks. So, let’s start at the beginning. No really, at the beginning. History, time, and space all began at the “Big Bang”. That’s what science tells us, however, science leaves out a few things:

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Was Jesus Only a Great Teacher?

Andrey

Several people have told me that Jesus was “only a great teacher”, and He was not the Son of God. He was, at best, maybe a prophet.

Well, at least they do admit He existed in history, so that’s closer to the truth than those who deny Him completely! I almost never challenge those people, because I feel God is working on them and a confrontation will not do anyone any good. So, I will address the issue here.

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If Jesus was walking today

Andrey

It is easy to hear about the churches that focus on judging people, especially because when they do, the media loves repeating it. Churches condemning homosexuals, prostitutes, criminals, politicians, and even members of the “wrong” political spectrum. They have no idea about forgiving “low lives”, it seems far beyond their consideration.

I don’t condemn someone for being like that, it’s just the human thing to do. Suspecting those that are not “like us” is part of the survival skills developed long ago. Parents properly tell their young children “don’t talk with strangers”.

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Abide / Remain

Andrey

Does it make sense to make planes out of something that doesn’t fly or to make ships out of something that doesn’t float? Metal doesn’t fly or float! Yet jet planes are made of metal, as are ocean-going ships. Many times I have used both to go on long journeys covering distances I could not cover on my own. I could well use my relationship with God in the same way!

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