What Are You Hiding? | Francis Chan

My guest speaker of the week, Francis Chan.

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

The Cost of Following Christ | Francis Chan

My "guest speaker", Francis Chan,  is a tremendous inspiration for the Christian community!

I will post a week-long "series" of sermons from Francis to help you identify the people who will really inspire you, help you grow in Christ, and stay strong in Him as  a group!

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

Don't Expect to Find Your "Philadelphia" Church

I agree with this article....It's too easy to act spiritually high and mighty, judging churches. However, when there are SO MANY issues within a church, to the point where you are not growing--or worse--it causes you to stumble in your walk with Christ, don't just complain, abandon it! I recently left a church parish a few months ago, mainly because it was so liberal....

Look for a church where you are fed spiritually, however don't expect to find your "Philadelphia Church", like I admittedly had started doing; although it's possible to find such a church parish, try to help improve on the parish you attend now, if the issues aren't major and many.

The church I attend presently is still very new to me, but I do see myself growing there spiritually. It definitely doesn't make me stumble, like my past church could have.

If time allows, join a group or volunteer at your church to get to know your parish better, and help them in a positive way. 

Know the issues of your church parish so you can help be a problem-solver, and not just a problem-judger.

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

Sacred Writings and Sacred Ways to God

How do we know the Bible is true? The title of this article asks.

Well, because it works! The best way to know the Bible is true is to follow it's teachings and then you know the Truth in it.

But that's not the only sacred writings from God. 

I'm not one of those people who believe there is only one sacred book from God. I believe there are other writings from Him too. Proof could be there are books that almost made it in the Bible, but for some reason was decided to be left out. For instance, Protestant Bibles leave some books out. Catholic Bibles have more books than Protestant Bibles (seven) because of the way they define the Old Testament. Catholic Bibles include seven additional books known as the Deuterocanon or Apocrypha, which Protestants do not include in their Old Testament. 

I definitely believe there are even more sacred writings that should have been added to the Catholic Bible that is not. This is why I read other faith-based writings and not just the Bible. Writings that are in sync with the Bible.

To believe there is only one book and only one way to God is very cultish. How we all even find our way to God is different! We all have different life stories, so that proves there ARE different ways to God.

I REALLY started finding my way to God via Yoga philosophy! I had accepted Christ in my life decades ago, before I began studying yoga philosophy, but it was more love by way of head knowledge, not heart felt, sincere love for God. It was until listening to a Yoga teacher online that I began to truly seek God in wanting a deep, genuine relationship with Him. This was in 2016. After that, I was truly a new creation, with old things passing away and new ways now in me. I really changed. 

And Yoga philosophy was the catalyst for me eventually becoming a Roman Catholic Christian. I still embrace a lot of the Yoga philosophy teachings, because I realize there is not just one way to God. You will know them by their fruits. See the fruits within yourself. And see your relationship with God, and its growth. See if it goes with according to the Bible....This is how you know it's God's Word--and other sacred writings as well. 

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

The Forge (2024) -- A Must-See Film!

This film, The Forge, came out in 2024, so it's available now, possibly where you watch films.

It's a WONDERFUL, Bible-based movie! The production, directing and acting is superb. 

The Forge is a very inspiring film on becoming a disciple of Christ. Not just being a believer in Christ, but actually being a PRO-ACTIVE disciple of Christ. It's a story about the journey of a young man from being an unbeliever to a disciple, with the help of a brilliant mentor. 

The film really inspired me and mentored me a bit, as I paused the film to think about what was said in scenes...cried at times while watching some scenes...prayed and reflected on my own strengths and weaknesses as a disciple of Christ.

So check the film out. You won't be disappointed!

Meaning of Discipleship:

Luke 9:23-24

"23 And He said to all, 'If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it.'"

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I Answer the Most Googled Faith Questions!

My Answers to Most Googled Faith Questions

Which I answer here:

1. Is there a God? 

Yes. There has to be something that has always existed, and that is God, who then created everything else. For example, try to eliminate everything that exists. It's impossible. There will always be SOME THING. Take away everything, there is, what? Darkness? Or just whiteness? Those are some thing. There's even some thing that occupies "emptiness". Things scientifically that can't be seen. There is no such thing as "nothing". So it's not difficult to imagine there has always been a being here, that never had a beginning...the Creator, who gave everything else a beginning.

2. Why does God allow suffering?

There are many reasons. One is free will for all, so people have the free will to be cruel to others, but in the end, justice always prevails, in this life or on Judgement Day. Also, God sometimes allows us to suffer to teach us lessons in life, or to make us stronger in faith, or to make us rely on Him when we get too proud and believe we don't need God. 

For other examples, read the story of Job in the Bible, also remember the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:6-10, when he mentioned an affliction in his body, and he asked God 3 times to heal him, but God never did. Here are the verses: 

"6 For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.  7 And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.  8 For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me.  9 And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  10 For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful." ~ Douay Rheims Bible

Now, why do innocent babies suffer is a tough one, and I don't really know the answer. But I must say, this would be a strong case for reincarnation, as the answer would be the baby's past life was someone who rejected God and was cruel to others...so after they died, they came back having to suffer, sometimes very, very early in their life. But who knows? I have read theories from Catholic greats, but I have never been satisfied with the answers.

3. Is the Bible reliable? 

Yes, and so are other sacred writings. If you notice, in the major religions, there are many common themes, similar to each one, life instructions which validates reliability in these writings, which includes the Bible. Although, in Revelation, Apostle John DID warn those who may add or subtract from the Bible, the consequences that would come if one did that, so alluding to the possibility of errors in the Bible. It's in John 22;18-19, and it says:

"18 For I testify to every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues written in this book.  19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from these things that are written in this book." ~ Douay Rheims bible

However, there needs to be some kind of instruction for us to live. I seriously doubt if the Creator simply plopped us on this planet to figure out how to be good, kind, civil to each other all on our own. Why isn't there helter-skelter everywhere, where you can't go to sleep because people are breaking into homes everywhere stealing, killing, etc. others? We have free will, so why not everyone just take from others. Why be good? It's the sacred writings, like the Bible, that is instilled in us as well as showing good morals, ethics...a conscience...to do good. 

4. Is Jesus really God?

Yes. First, there are a lot of science backing up that there was a man named Jesus on earth. And we have the sacred writings of the Bible backing up who this man named Jesus was, and how the story of Jesus parallels with ancient to modern history to current events. Mind you, God can come to this earth in many forms, and possibly not only Jesus. God can do ANYTHING. There have been many who have witnessed seeing mysterious persons throughout history, and even to the present, persons who have helped them, then disappear. Yes, they could be angels, but maybe God too, as flesh in different forms. I believe God goes beyond the Bible, and can enter out lives in the flesh at all sorts of times to help us to believe in Him and keep the faith, but mainly, normally as the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. 

5. Can I know God personally?

Yes. And that comes by way of reading sacred writings, like the Bible, prayer, simply being open to believing in a Supreme Being, God, and talking to Him. God normally doesn't audibly talk back to us, but responds via the impressions we get inside us, signs in the world, experiences that happens to us. The more you get to know God, the more you change to becoming a better, more productive person in life, and wanting to give God all the glory and praise for your good works in actions.

6. Is Christianity too narrow?

Absolutely not. If anything, Christians have the most freedom, because we are not in the slave bandage of sin....And as far as other devoutly religious faiths go, I personally don't believe there is "only one way", in the sense of worshipping different gods, because there is only one God, regardless of what one wants to call Him.

7. What does the Bible say about homosexuality? 

This is what most Christians don't understand. Of course, the Bible talks against homosexuality, but for the SAME REASON heterosexual couples should not be engaging in recreational sex. It's wrong! Sex is for procreation ONLY. It's not for playing around, fun and games, recreation. 

The reason why sex feels good is because that way, people would be more likely to reproduce to populate the world, as God said to do in the Bible. 

Some people say having sex is to show love for your spouse. 

Sex is not love.

It's simply an action to procreate to populate the earth. 

If everyone adhered to this, contraceptives would not exist, because the birth control would be abstinence, so there would be far less unwanted children--including with married couples. 

There are SO MANY activities one can enjoy doing without sex being involved. It's the secular world that keeps making sex into something to be obsessed over. When people, gays or straight, indulge in recreational sex, it makes people want to have more of it, to addiction. Also, it can make people curious about what it would be like to have sex with someone else, perhaps to compare, or for variety. 

If a couple, man and woman, just have sex to have children, the odds are they will not become obsessed with sex, and having problems like one wanting sex more than the other. 

Actually, thinking of sex a lot is a form of idolatry...Yes, you can idolize sex!

Also, science prove this is right! There is a reason why after childbirth age, a woman's body changes to where sex becomes painful....Men and women buying all these sex performance products when they get older...The reason you would "need" those things is because your body isn't supposed to be engaging in sex beyond having the ability to have children! It's your body telling you NO. 

So, the issue goes beyond homosexuals having sex. Yes, the Bible says it's an abomination, but so is recreational sex for heterosexuals as well. 

The Bible in 1 Corinthians 10:31 says:

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God."

Having sex to procreate is not only giving glory to God, but also obeying God's instruction to multiply and populate the world. But recreational sex without wanting to have children is just hedonistic, selfishness without giving any glory to God.

Also, I want to add, for Catholics, there is this frustration where although having recreational sex within the marriage is OK, the couple may get to the point where they don't want any more children, but according to the Catholic tenets, we are not to use contraceptives, so the only thing to do is the rhythm method, and we all know how statistical reliable that is! Hahaha! So there is this problem. However, if the couple only have sex for pro-creation, there is no problem! Because there would be no recreational sex, therefore no issue with the possibility of having children because the couple would be now living a celibate life.

8. Does life have purpose?

Life certainly does! We all have a purpose. 

What's the meaning of life? 

It's simple: to get as close of a relationship to God as you can, which in one main way is fulfilling one's purpose. Because our purpose isn't just about us. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says in everything give glory to God, so everyone's purpose must be used to give glory to our Creator, God.

One possible way to know one's purpose is something that you have been interested in, or good at since you were a child. Or maybe a pattern of common experiences God has led you to, could be a hint to your purpose in life. A "calling"--a strong urge to want to do something really positive. 

Whatever it is, if it's not obvious, like to enter the religious life, look at how to give glory to God as you do your purpose, because that's who it's for...It's ALWAYS all about God. 

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com

You Know Scripture, But Are You REALLY Growing in Christ?

To answer my title of this blog post, I would say no when I became a Born-Again Christian decades ago. I was a "good person", and as the article mentions below; I knew scripture very well, but looking back, I was not growing in Christ. 

I don't care how good a person is, there is a difference when you accept Christ in your heart and not just in your mind. I was book smart, but not heart smart. But in 2016, while watching a very inspiring spiritual message on Youtube, that's when the Holy Spirit really changed me! I had this real, emotional experience, cried and then the days moving forward I could see a change in me, and now that I'm Catholic, whatever I do, I want to do ALL for the glory of God.

Examples of change in my life: I've gone beyond good--enjoying entertainment that is just good and wholesome. For me now, it has to have something in it to do with Christ. I even have an authentic WWJD game! With other games, like Scrabble, I prefer (and to make it more challenging) only using words from the Bible. Even though wholesome films and music are nice, I only seek out faith-based films and music (unless it's classical). There are plenty of good quality, faith-based films and music on the market, so I'm not feeling deprived of my enjoyment.

I'm not forcing myself to do these things. I want to do it. I didn't feel that way decades ago, because I wasn't changing. 

So no matter how good a person you are, when you genuinely, truly receive Christ, allowing God to take control of you, you will see yourself becoming more than just good, but like Jesus.

For more discussion on this topic, check out:

https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/are-you-growing-spiritually-or-just-learning-more-about-the-bible/

Email me for FREE spiritual or nutritional advice at: LoraJET@rocketmail.com