Challenge to what it is to have faith, part 6

Well here's to chapter five of Jesus>Religion titled With Religion, There Are Good And Bad People/With Jesus, There Are Only Bad People In Need Of Grace. 

Being able to find some way to express how to be a Jesus follower and not and religious person.  This has not been easy.  There's been so much that Jefferson has said in this chapter that has such resonated so deeply.  The discussion question of what is your relationship the Bible and why.  Is one that I don't know that I can fully answer.  And I don't know that it will ever be one that will ever have a final answer.  I have grown more in love with the living word.  

Challenge in what it is to have faith, part 5

Is it religion that I have been living by or is it friendship with Jesus?  Chapter four of Jesus>Religon titled Religion Makes/Jesus Makes Friends.  There has been such a battle that has been on going for some time.  How often have I been doing the religious life over that of a friendship with Jesus?  I am in such need of the love that friendship that can only be found with Jesus.  This has been what has been missing forma long time.  

So, it is a time for me to lay down what I've been hold to. Letting in the light and life giving love of Jesus Chirst.  Who has died in my place.  This is in letting go what the rule and walls that I've built in and around my heart.

Challenge in what it is to have faith, Part 4

Jesus>Religion I have found that the what chapter four was a large challenge.  It's been one that was needed and came at the right time.  Mr. Bethke talked about how there are different ways Christians aren't truly a follow of Jesus.  The last part of the chapter talked about the prodigal son. Which is found in Luke 5:11 to 32.  One of the discussion questions asked what son is the one I'm most like and why.  Lately, I have been much more like the older son.  Who doesn't want to celebrate to celebrate the return of his younger brother.  There's been a time when I was the younger son as while.  This has been more with myself and being willing to let God's grace to come into the darkest parts of my heart and soul.

Miracle Third Day

Miracle, song by Third Day. This speaks to the need for and miracles for our lives.  I love how Third Day lead sing, Mac Powell, tells the story this great song.

Facing the Music by Jennifer Knapp

 How often can you say that you have read a book that moves you?  A few days ago I finished Facing the Music: My Story by Jennifer Knapp.  What amazing honesty and openness that is written about.  Being able to find her way back to music.  Despite the great pain and fear.  Jennifer has been able to speak her truth.  A journey that took her from one part of the world to the other.  Along with many places in between.  Being able to finally come to a place where she can be at peace with who she is.  Even with those who have and possibly still are upset with who she is. 
I can't help but wonder what my story is and what it looks like.  Wondering what it is to be able to speak my truth. 
How can I find my way with all that is going through my hear, mind and soul.  
How can I stay true to who I am.
Yet, what about my faith and beliefs?
I have so many things that are spinning around in my mind.  That I don't know that I can put words to them.  Where that it would make sense.
So, here's a link for Facing the Music.
http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Knapp/e/B00JH11HJQ/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1438617151&sr=1-2-ent 

I have deciced to follow Jesus

Semicolon tattoos, faith and mental illness

There are many reasons for getting a tattoo.  Having several myself each has a different meaning and reason.  I have seen many post on Facebook about the Project Semicolon.  Amy Bleuel started Semicolon Project to honor her father who took his own life.  The semicolon is have a symbol to signify a new bring to those who have attempted suicide, those who live with depression,  addiction and self injury.  I find that the outcome of what could have been lead to a long path of darkness has lead to something great.  
Here are links to a few articles.  Along with links to the website for Project Semicolon and the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/07/07/project-semicolon-tattoos_n_7745358.html?utm_hp_ref=religion&ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000051
http://www.upworthy.com/have-you-seen-anyone-with-a-semicolon-tattoo-heres-what-its-about
http://www.projectsemicolon.com/
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

How will....

Seventeen suicides every ten minutes

Johnny Cash & June Carter: I'll Fly Away

How many times does one hear a song that moves them?  I have a handful of songs that do and this is one of them.

Remedy live at Red Clay Theatre Jennifer Knapp

Music....one of the greatest parts of any culture. For me, music is one of the greatest comforts for to me.  During so many times that it has carried me though. Remedy, song by Jennifer Knapp had been one of these songs for me lately.  Like so many other songs I am no t able to say what draws me to this song.  I hope that you enjoy.  

Challange in what it is to have faith part 3

  This video is what Jefferson Bathke is the bases for the book of the same title. 

Jesus>Religion had been such a great challenge in what it is to have a true authentic faith.  Once, in causes people to ask what is it that brings peace and joy.  This has not been easy to work through while I was in the hospital. The post titled Tough few weeks talks about this in more detail.  The question that has been one I have been about Jesus' relationship with the law made new.  How this influences  my understanding of the expectations for the Christian faith communities and how my understating of the outward codes of these communities.  This is from the discussion questions at the end of chapter that is titled, Why I Still Think Jesus Hates Religion (and You Should Too).  I don't know that there's a concrete answer to this.  This has lead to questions about what it is to belong to a community of faith.  What it is to have a personal living faith and what it is my part within this local community.  That is part of the larger Christian community.  I am not sure really how this looks or that words can be used.  In a way that makes it seem small or cheapen it.

Tough few weeks

It has been a tough many weeks for me.  I have longed to be able to get back to posting here.  Yet, I've had to take a time out of sorts, to take care of myself.  I have bipolar disorder and is not always easy to live with.  I had a major in many ways a set back.  That will take a lot to explain and I feel that isn't what the heart of what I want for this blog.  Yet, at the same time want to share a small part of this journey.  That is very hard and much of the time draining.
So, in a nutshell I stared to have some pretty troubling symptoms of bipolar.  That I haven't ever had before. I stared to hear what seemed to be voices that where not there and could not be made out as to what was being said.  Seemingly, at the same time life lost its appeal and joy.  The desire and deep longing to live far out lasted the darkness.  I was in the hospital for about week and half.  This week I'm home and doing the outpatient program.  This has been my first week.
Here are a couple of YouTube videos that I hope that will be helpful.

Revolution Church

https://medium.com/52-churches-in-52-weeks/lgbt-wwjd-b13493f61db9
What is it to find a place that is truly safe to be fully who one is. Safe to say I don't know if God is real.   Jay Bakker as a pastor who has found a church that is such a place.  I find great comfort in his serous.  Which he prefers to,call talks.  The above above link is an article about Jay's church which he started in Altanta, Georgia.  Then was in New York, New York and know is in Minneapolis St. Paul, Minnesota. Here's Revolution's website http://revolutionchurch.tumblr.com.  Where Jay's talks are posted.   Something else that's worth a listen is This Radio Cast.  Which can be found on iTunes.

Challenge in what it is to have faith part 2

I had to take several days to chew on what I've read in Jesus>Religion chapter One Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up.  It has gotten me thinking.  The questions at the end have been such a great help.  Especially, the last one which basically asked why the focus for Christians are on what 'righteous' deeds rather then the needs of those who are in need.  This has been something I have to figure out who it is that are in need.  Are the one who are in need who are typically thought of or not?  I don't know how to really how to fully answer this fully. 

Challenged in what it is to have faith part 1

I started reading Jesus>Religion Why he is so much better than trying harder, doing more, and being good enough, by Jefferson Bethke.  Being only part way though chapter one so far.  From what I've read its been a great.  So, far it had been a challenge and I hope that it will continue to be.  It has been awhile since I have read a book that has caused me to question what faith is and what it is that I believe.
Here is Jefferson Behke's website:
http://jeffbethke.com/
He also has a podcast with his wife.  I yet to listened to it yet.   There is a link to this on his website.

Leaving the Evangaelical church for the Episcoplian Chruch

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/10/rachel-held-evans-episcopalian-evangelical_n_6842872.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

Here's a story of woman who has left on Christian faith tradition for another. 

This Is Radio Cast Jay Bakker and Hanry Rollins

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-radio-cast-jay-bakker/id972865347?mt=2&i=336756984
Enjoyed this greatly. Hope that all enjoy. 

Journaling a benfit

 I have found that the great comfort and a sense of relief in keeping a journal. It is more then just keeping a blog.  For, me it is in keeping a journal by putting a pen to paper.  Being able to have a way to put thoughts down.  By keeping them in has caused more harm then good.  I know that this is true for me.  I hope that the following article in the Hoffington Post helpful.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6648884?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living

Ones Story

There has to be a way knock down the walls that keep people apart.  What will this take?  Listening to someones story and loving them for who they are.  Taking your own prejudices to being able to see past that.  For, these are some of the most harmful to a group people.  Today, so many who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered experience this by those who profess to Christians.  Are we not called by Jesus to love are neighbors. In Mark 12:28 to 34 says;
One of the scribes approached.  When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, "Which command is the most important of all?" 
"This is the most important," Jesus answered:  
Listen, Israel!  The Lord your God, is One.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength.  
"The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other command greater then these."
Then the scribe said to Him, "You are right, Teacher!  You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one else except Him.  And to love Him with all your heart, with all your heart, with all our understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more important then all the burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And no one dared to question Him any longer.   
In the following video Jennifer Knapp tells her story.  She was at one time a Christian singer and when she came out as a lesbian.  She tells of her story.
 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/14/jennifer-knapp-tedx-talk_n_6681150.html