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Post by nina2 on Apr 8, 2009 3:50:18 GMT -5
Choosing A Spiritual Path
"The vast majority of us are hugely in need of healing and hope in all areas of our being: mind, body, emotions and spirit. For many of those brought up in traditional religions, vast and seemingly impenetrable walls around our true selves need to be knocked down, sometimes stone by stone, before we can gut-wrenchingly see that the walls are only an illusion keeping us separate from each other and from Spirit.
Most religions, while they contain many truths, are fear-based and deny the miracle of the Divinity in our souls. By doing so, they limit the amount of love we can give to ourselves, and therefore naturally, the love that we can give each other. Instead, we judge, we fear, we hold back - and we don’t even recognize that we are doing so, and thereby we deny the utmost beauty of life itself. However, we must come to realize with our logical mind that religions were originally created to help mankind deal with the great fear of death and dying and mortality versus immortality. Once we understand this premise it is easier to move beyond irrational response to spirituality through fear and to move on to a higher expression of love and divine connection.
There is no one who can tell you how to find your personal truth or your blazing, undeniable truthful connection with the Great Spirit. (God/dess, the Creator, the Infinite, the One, (or the Many) or whatever represents the Divine to you. We are abundantly blessed in the Western world to live without fear of persecution for exploring and expressing our spiritual beliefs, and we should make the most of this freedom. In choosing the paths which best express our personal truths and innermost beliefs, we honor ourselves and each other, and most of all, we celebrate Spirit."
Just wondering:
Whether we like it or not, we have been almost ten years into the 21st century.
One "topic" that has been drawing a lot of attention in the past few years - at least it seems to me - is not religion, but spirituality. Because of that, we have also seen a lot of "spiritual leaders" emerging, and all of a sudden. along with those teachings, a lot of alternatives and solutions have been offered and tried, and accepted as a way of life, under the umbrella of "spirituality".
It seems also that this generation, "the millenials", are seeking and accepting of "spirituality", and less prone to stick with one set religion.
If the trends continue, could "religion" become a dinosaur, a thing of the past?
What is more relevant? Religion or spirituality?
Are they one and the same?
Will the day come where we will have to choose between one or the other?
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Post by giantsdodie on Apr 8, 2009 8:39:38 GMT -5
Spirituality or Religion  ? neither... Relationship with JESUS is the key... |
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Post by nina2 on Apr 8, 2009 9:57:00 GMT -5
No argument about that.
However, for the vast majority of people, there is a quest for spirituality, and it doesn't necessarily involve religion, or being religious, which is what is immediately associated first when hearing the name of Jesus.
So, are we still and only saying if they seek, then they shall find, and just go on our merry way?
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Post by Nikkol on Apr 8, 2009 11:42:31 GMT -5
One thing my husband says (and I'm a believer of) is if a person is really seeking for truth, they'll find Jesus for He is truth.
Our role is to be witnesses of Him....
We won't be picking between Religion or spirituality. Rather we'll be picking between Jesus or the enemy.
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Post by true on Apr 8, 2009 18:29:20 GMT -5
No argument about that. However, for the vast majority of people, there is a quest for spirituality, and it doesn't necessarily involve religion, or being religious, which is what is immediately associated first when hearing the name of Jesus. So, are we still and only saying if they seek, then they shall find, and just go on our merry way? I agree |
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Post by kitty on Apr 10, 2009 1:02:40 GMT -5
Hey Guys,
I think this is a good topic... I believe that in most cases what people are calling "spiriualism" is really those practing a form of divination. Most are "seeking" the universe for what they can get... U know the God is santa clause theory. LOL
Another thing that I have found... Those that are "spiritual" are those that like to acknowledge that there is a "supernatural world" that we can't see with our eyes. But aren't interested in acknowledging that there is a God who created it... I think there is a scripture that refers to this.... I'll papaphrase is... i think it is something like acknowledging the power of God but denying him... If anyone knows what scripture that I am refering to then please come back and post it.
I experienced this about a year ago when I was at clinical working with some nurses... They were busy talking about things spirits and "ghosts". They were talking about "coinidences" but when I brought up God I found that suddenly the conversation got really quiet. I was suruprised to see that a discussion about ghosts was ok... But talking about God was clearly making them "uncomfortable" . That was wild to me!
But ultimately... I think those who are spiritual want to avoid God because that requires that they follow His word and be obedient.
Kitty
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Post by true on Apr 10, 2009 17:24:45 GMT -5
Most of the people that I know who say they are spiritual still follow the bible they just don't want titles. They don't want to be lumped into any category.
They don't want to be Christian, jew, mus, etc.. Just people who follow Christ without titles.
I find that religious people are the ones who are so heavenly bound they are no earthly good. We all know that Jesus was spiritual but he didn't have a religion.
I think people need to get away from religion and get more in tune with the spirit. JMO
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Post by giantsdodie on Apr 11, 2009 7:54:27 GMT -5
The problem with " Spirituality " is that it simply acknowledges the reality of a spirt realm. New Agers consider themselves spiritual. So do Buddhists. And Hindu's. So do people who practice many eastern religions.
And unfortunately many people call themselves Christians who are not Christians. They are simply not Muslim or not Jewish so they classify themselves as Christian yet they are no closer to Jesus than the socks in my dresser drawer.
The only wau you can become more in tune with the Spirit of God is through a relationsjip with Jesus Christ and that only comes one way. By accepting him as Lord and Savior.
This is the message we as the saints of God need to adhere to, preach and teach.
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Post by giantsdodie on Apr 11, 2009 7:58:10 GMT -5
One thing my husband says (and I'm a believer of) is if a person is really seeking for truth, they'll find Jesus for He is truth. Our role is to be witnesses of Him.... We won't be picking between Religion or spirituality. Rather we'll be picking between Jesus or the enemy. I dont believe we can assume this. Its easy to say.. well if they are really seeking truth then they will find Jesus because he is Truth... Not necessarily so. There is an enemy who is a deceiver and who appears as an angel of light. I know a great many people who were seeking truth and got caught up in Mormonism or Islam or other things because they accepted a certain thing AS truth.. then it became THEIR truth... It just wasnt THE truth... I do agree that it is our responsibility to share THE TRUTH who is Jesus. |
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Post by true on Apr 11, 2009 15:21:31 GMT -5
The problem with " Spirituality " is that it simply acknowledges the reality of a spirt realm. New Agers consider themselves spiritual. So do Buddhists. And Hindu's. So do people who practice many eastern religions. And unfortunately many people call themselves Christians who are not Christians. They are simply not Muslim or not Jewish so they classify themselves as Christian yet they are no closer to Jesus than the socks in my dresser drawer. The only wau you can become more in tune with the Spirit of God is through a relationsjip with Jesus Christ and that only comes one way. By accepting him as Lord and Savior. This is the message we as the saints of God need to adhere to, preach and teach. Love it... Because we all know it doesn't matter what religion you are. All that matters is your personal relationship with Christ.. |
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Post by giantsdodie on Apr 11, 2009 19:47:50 GMT -5
The problem with " Spirituality " is that it simply acknowledges the reality of a spirt realm. New Agers consider themselves spiritual. So do Buddhists. And Hindu's. So do people who practice many eastern religions. And unfortunately many people call themselves Christians who are not Christians. They are simply not Muslim or not Jewish so they classify themselves as Christian yet they are no closer to Jesus than the socks in my dresser drawer. The only wau you can become more in tune with the Spirit of God is through a relationsjip with Jesus Christ and that only comes one way. By accepting him as Lord and Savior. This is the message we as the saints of God need to adhere to, preach and teach. Love it... Because we all know it doesn't matter what religion you are. All that matters is your personal relationship with Christ.. Well i you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the acceptance of HIM as your Lord and Your Savior then you are a Christian.... We have to be aware that other religions and cultures as well as false religions use certain Christian lingo to deceive and in some cases infilrate... 1 Cor 12:3 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. This why we must confess Jesus as LORD... not simply as Savior... Romans 10 tells us that we most confess Him as LORD and believe in our heart and then you shall be saved.... There are many who say they have a relationship with Jesus. There are many say that they know Jesus... but do they confess him as Lord In these latter days there we will see more false teachers, prophets etc.. and we will see many witches and warlocks to infiltrate the church and we will see many deceived believers. |
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Post by true on Apr 11, 2009 20:56:30 GMT -5
[quote Well i you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the acceptance of HIM as your Lord and Your Savior then you are a Christian.... |
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Post by kitty on Apr 11, 2009 22:46:04 GMT -5
True,
Let me get this straight... is your last post saying that you believe that there are non-christians that accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? if so... then that confuses me because those that accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is what the definiton of a Christian is to me...
Secondly... Are you saying that Muslims and Jews are saved? How so? Esepcially hindus... cuz those folks a way, way off base... Thy praying to folks with many arms and one god withthe head of an elephant.
Kitty
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Post by kitty on Apr 11, 2009 22:57:06 GMT -5
Giants,
When you said that many witches and warlocks will join the church you are so right! A few years back on the web site called cross walk I recall a post where a young man was asking for help for his wife. He said that she either dreamed or heard the phrase "Christian Witch" in her sleep or while praying... then decided that she believed that was what God wanted her to be... a Christian witch...
the spirit world is vast like an ocean.... it is filled with good and evil... and like you mentioned before... the devil can appear like an angel of light...
Kitty
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Post by krazeeboi on Apr 11, 2009 23:10:14 GMT -5
No... There are plenty none Christians that accept him as their Lord and savior and are saved. Christians are not the only saved people although most of us would love to think that. If that were the case then why would the Lord say he has sheep in other pastures. Mus, hindu, jew etc... There is no one door religion to the Christ. This is not biblical. |
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? neither...
