She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

I was at Temple last night. Our leader for the evening made an interesting observation. Before our meeting started we were all complaining about the condition of this country. So the discussion for the evening became: Do you practice what you profess to believe or just complain about things?

Of course some members pointed out all the things we do to help our community. We are a small group of people and can only do so much or words to to that effect. Our discussions can become quite heated at times.

One of our Elders pointed out the simple fact that sometimes just being kind and understanding does more good than we realize. Most of the time one act of kindness can inspire that person to also repeat the process. Judging people or their circumstances is not our place.

We all agreed to greet everyone with a smile. When we feel we have given enough, we will give a little more. One of the basic principles of our faith is live simply. You'd be surprised how much of what we feel we can not live without is totally unnecessary. We care for our families first but our doors must be open to all who come in peace. We will really listen and try to come up with an answer when people reach out to us. Of course being human, we will make mistakes.

Our faith is the faith of our ancestors which of course means, you must either be born to it or have one of the families sponsor you. We don't seek out members. We respect all religions as we feel they are all paths to God. Faith by example is the primary rule.

I love our Elders one of which is 104 years old. That woman has a love of life and her fellow human beings. The things she has seen in her life is amazing. Her best advice to me was never give up when you believe you are right. Fight for what you believe in no matter what anyone else tells you or how hopeless others say a change is.

Sorry if I rambled a bit. New MS meds are making concentrating a little difficult. I just wanted to share what was an inspiration to me. .

Rufus Loc: Deep South

:thumbup: It is always inspiring when people gather in fellowship and desire to do things to help others and reach out in love. Thank you for sharing.

fiatlux

What a very very lovely thing you have.

iFrank Loc: San Antonio

And Moses the lawgiver said" Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of
The Lord. The lord is good, Amen.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Amen. He is so good and blesses us so much. Many times I just walk around thanking God. God is so awesome. :thumbup:

fiatlux

How utterly wonderful to have an elder of those advanced and wise years. Not even knowing her, I am somehow comforted.

iFrank Loc: San Antonio

I've been in my temple all my life but I didn't respect it until I gave my life to Christ. My morning "meeting" as I give thanks to Him for the new day, then say grace for the meals that I eat, I try to let him know my feelings about the problems that we have here in our "heritage" country, then the promises that God have made to us reminds me that all is well with my soul, ( it states that in the Bible of His promises, do you know where?)
We're not to judge others, but He gives us decernment, and righteous indignation as the Holy Spirit guides us on.
People's faith should be in Christ and only the Holy Spirit can be a sure sign that you're with the True God of our fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. "He's the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel", so how utterly wonderful to be on Gods side. But not knowing Christ will be a confusing discomfort.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

I am especially fond of Messianic Jews. I love to listen to Messianic Jewish Rabbis because they seem to have been gifted by God to share His word with much understanding. There is a Messianic Temple near my house. I have been wanting to go there for some time and plan to very soon. They meet on the Sabbath and observe the Holy Days and have song, etc. I have never been quite comfortable that most of us Christians do not observe the Sabbath. Anyway, I am looking forward to going and anxious to see what i can learn. Bless you my brother. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Crosswalk the Devotional


A Countercultural Christmas
by Sarah Phillips, Crosswalk.com Contributor

"Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh." -Romans 13:11-14

The first purple Advent candle is about to be lit. The once dark wreath will shine unevenly with one solitary light.

Advent is one of my favorite seasons in the Christian year. It's a special time where we reflect on the darkness and trials of this world in the light of our hope in Christ. We remember how, after centuries of waiting on the part of the faithful, God bridged the chasm between humanity and divinity through the humble birth of Jesus.

I've always loved Advent for its joyful anticipation of the Christ-child, but I also love it because it's a bit countercultural. Its sparse purple and pink decorations stand in stark contrast to the glitz the rest of our culture displays often weeks before Thanksgiving arrives. You see, Advent was not designed as a simple memorial of a past event, to bring us up to Christmas day and leave us there. Its purpose is to point the faithful towards a future event - Christ's second, glorious coming. This is why churches that celebrate this liturgical season read about the Lord's coming in both the Old and New Testament throughout the month of December.

The dramatic imagery found in these readings is far removed from the quaint Christmas decorations that currently surround us. They have a jolting effect as they remind us that our lives now should be lived in light of eternity, not in keeping with the current standards.

In this first Advent reading, Paul's words to the faithful carry a tone of urgency. He uses the image of awakening from a deep sleep. But notice he is not shaking his brothers and sisters out of their sleep at sunrise, but while "the night is advanced." In other words, it's not enough to simply wait for Christ to show up, but we must prepare beforehand. We need to seek God's grace now to help us eliminate sin from our lives

This is where the hard work of Advent comes in. This joyful season requires an examination of conscience. It's a time to reflect on the areas where we lack or on the recurrent sins in our lives, and to seek God's grace to help us to change.

Perhaps this seems like a real downer of an activity during the most wonderful time of the year. But let me share with you why, for me, it's never really been a downer. Have you ever failed to prepare for a big event (or had nightmares that you did?). Have you ever found yourself awake at night, panicking because you're envisioning yourself without a dress on your wedding day or lacking your PowerPoint slides for an important presentation? Needless to say, the joy and success of these events would seriously be compromised should these nightmares come true.

Surely, all good things in life require preparation. And God, in His mercy, has given us the gift of time to prepare for His arrival, which no doubt, will be the most important event we ever experience.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Take time this week to reflect on the joy of Jesus' first arrival and then, confident in His love for you, ask God to reveal to you the ways in which you need to prepare your heart to meet Him on Christmas Day.

Further Reading
Matthew 3:1-2
Psalm 139:23-24

fiatlux

fiatlux

Great testimony. Thank you.

iFrank Loc: San Antonio

You all are welcome. Fiatlux clan.