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

Godly, Christian Dating Dos and Don'ts

Responding to article: 

https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/why-arent-christian-singles-dating-2

1. "Unrealistic expectations" is subjective...But seriously, GODLY people, keep looking for your Ruth and Boaz. If it's God's will, you will find the one for you.

2. I agree.

3. I agree. Pastors: Create church groups for adult singles!

4. Women shouldn't make the first move, but should give off an "I'm interested in you" vibe: smiling and glancing back at the guy. Then the guy should approach. and introduce himself....

5. DATING SHOULD FEEL HEAVY. Christian dating isn't really dating, in the worldly sense. It should be always purposeful and intentional. Godly people don't date for hookups, or as if it's some kind of game. The purpose of CHRISTIAN dating is to see if one is meant for the other in marriage, otherwise no point in dating. Dating isn't some fun and frivolous matter. It's serious.

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

Your Brain IS Built for Much Information, but....

I agree for the most part with this article, Your Brain Isn't Built for this Much Information. But it's what kind of information that our brain isn't meant for. 

Our brain is capable of taking in a ton of information!, if it's godly. The Holy Spirit helps us to retain information that glorifies God. For instance, there are MANY passages of scripture that I had not read for many, many years, before I started back reading the bible regularly, and I am surprised--shocked even--that I still remember so much, so long ago!

It's the garbage that our brains can't handle--and we should not let it in!

For example, it's best to have only one social media to look at. Pick one. Your most favorite and delete the rest. And that one, keep the amount of who you follow under 100. Choose the people who gives you the most valuable information in life. Only people that inspire you in a positive way. 

As a Christian, I highly recommend, as I do, only watch films, TV shows, play games that are wholesome and godly. I have been doing this for several weeks now; only watching faith-based films and shows, and even faith-based news, like EWTN News, and my mind feels so much cleaner and purer! My recent past memories, when I think back to films and shows are only about God! It makes my soul very happy knowing I have no memories of secular garbage in the past few weeks. 

It's all about knowledge in glorifying God.

This is the information the brain needs. What the brain can hold on to. 

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

Called to Be Saints

Commenting on the article below, being a Christian isn't all about "feelings", but it is largely about doing, and God has called us to do many things in the bible, especially beginning with "Acts" (some say start reading the bible for the first time at Matthew, but starting at John--or Acts is great too!).

We also, like the saints, have received the Holy Spirit, and actually can do more than the saints! Because of better ways of getting around in life, in communicating with others in spreading the gospel. That alone should really spark the evangelizing in us, by way of the Holy Spirit. That would give good feelings. We, as Christians, are called to be saints too!

Sure, we are saved by God's grace, but we are called to bear good fruit, by way of actions glorifying God. That "flicker", the author has, is the beginning of producing good fruit.


"Confessions of a Burnt-Out Christian" 

https://relevantmagazine.com/current/oped19/confessions-of-a-burnt-out-christian/

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

Join Two Christian Online Book Clubs

Are you a voracious reader?

Well, I have the perfect two book clubs for you!

Both are online, and it doesn't require meeting up with others; you just get a book mailed to you every month. I suspect they are not very well-known book clubs, and especially in this day and age, book clubs aren't as popular, but these two are serious and very rewarding clubs in becoming more knowledgeable about God, saints, the Christian life, etc. So, here they are:

CATHOLIC ANSWERS BOOK CLUB

As a book club member, here is what you get (as of this writing, since, of course, it could change in the future):

A St. Thomas Aquinas bookmark 

• Submit questions to the club inbox for a segment on Catholic Answers Live with the author

• Invite-only livestream events with the author and others discussing the book

• Members-only sneak peeks at content from upcoming titles

• Exclusive coupon codes for club members to purchase additional copies of their favorite titles

• As of this writing, club monthly fee is $25.00.

SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS

As a book club member, here is what you get (as of this writing, since, of course, it could change in the future):

• One of the top new releases every month

• Spiritual treasures that will help you deepen your understanding of the faith

• As of this writing, club monthly fee is $15.00.

Both are Christian "Catholic" book clubs, but really, anyone can benefit from them, as many of the books are not directly related to Catholicism only. 

Enjoy!

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

Christian TV Show Resurrection

7th Heaven is Officially Getting Resurrected

The Christian soap, Another Life, should also be resurrected!

I have been binge-watching this old series for about a week now. It's very good, although it would be nice if they mentioned God more, but as characters in the show become Christians, they are to talking about Him more frequently.

Unfortunately, Another Life episodes 1-69 were not released on syndication, but an introduction in episode 70 does give background information.

I LOVE the opening scene of Another Life, where it shows the sun in the background of an ocean. It's such a soothing comfort for me...I have always loved watching (and hearing) the Pacific Ocean, so no surprise there.

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

Cohabitating

Well, if both were adamant about sex being for procreation only, Christian couples living together before marriage would be so much easier. 

Plus, it's also about habits; people let their guard down when they live together. Example: Can a person honestly live with someone who has this staunch very filthy habit of _______? As the person didn't know about it when just dating. Not living together, you tend to just see mostly other's best side only; a person can't keep that up 24/7 when living together. Eventually, the worst comes out. If you can live with that person being that way for the rest of your life--FINE! But now you know about it before marriage. If not, maybe time to have a talk, and possibly each make different (separate) plans for their future....

Also, what I want to emphasis what is said in this article "No, cohabitation isn't automatically sinful." 

Right.

But I totally agree living together before marriage is a bad idea, IF either one isn't very strong in faith, doesn't really fear God (I mean in the honoring, worshipful way) and doesn't make 1 Corinthians their life mantra: "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God", then yes--DON'T COHABITATE. 

Also, there are many married couples who don't have sex, but live like roommates. Even sleeping in the same bed, but don't have sex (not that I would encourage this--I would not...too inappropriate before marriage, in my opinion), and I'm not just talking about Christians; non-Christian married couples not having sex exist, too.

So not all of us are weak in that area. 

Sex isn't about love... 

It's about the act of procreating, period.

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

Here I Am --Send Me!

"Here I am. Send me!" is what us faith-based believers should be saying to any call we get from our Lord when it comes to telling others about EVERYONE'S God. It's a strong expression of being ready to serve God. A willingness to accept a mission or task, even if it's difficult or unclear at that moment, and even if it means surrendering one's own plans, but trusting a higher purpose or calling from God.

God has been calling me recently to speak out more about Him. I talk about God at work; all my leadership knows I'm Christian, and this is the reason why I have this blog...to talk about the Word to others.

And as I listen for any other calling from God to do His Will, His tasks, I will continue to say, "Here I am, Lord. Send me!"

For more on mission work, check out this beginning of a 6-part new weekly series called:

The Future of the Great Commission

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

On the Job Christian

I seem to be the only one that talks about my faith at work. 

I have no problem talking about being Catholic; it just comes naturally, in the way secular people talk about who they are, or what they love in life. So anyone who has spent even a short time around me at work know that I'm Catholic, including my boss and his assistants.

This article talks more on the subject:

What To Do When You Are the Only Christian at Your Job

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

How Serious Devout Christians "Date"

In one of the latest Relevant articles, Where Have All the Decent Christian Guys (and Women) Gone?, near the end of the article, they say: "Stop treating every date like a marriage interview." 

Oh yes! Every date should be treated like a marriage interview,  because Christians date with intention, with purpose. 

Christians don't date just to fool around. The whole point of dating--from a Christian's perspective--is to get married. Worldly people are the ones who sometimes date with no intention...well usually the "intention" to have sex without marriage commitment. 

So, yes, date as if this is a person who may be the one you spend the rest of your life with in marriage. This type of dating should take a couple dates to notice the potential of marriage; listen to the Holy Spirit for direction, and tell each other your story to get to know each other quicker so to decide whether or not you both are compatible). And with dating, comes lots of prayer to find the right person. 

God will help you find someone if and when you are ready for marriage. The engagement could be long (not too long), but at least there is now a commitment of marriage. 

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

The Saints and Their Feast Days

"During the first 1,000 years of the Christian Church, there were many saints who loved animals. They lived with them, rescued them, nursed them and saved them from hunters. In turn, many saints were helped by animals." 

From the website: Catholic Concern for Animals:

The Saints and Their Feast Days

Religious Animal Liberation Quotes

“The greatest progress of righteousness among men comes from exhortation in favour of non-injury to life and abstention from killing living beings.” 

(Asoka, 3^rd century Buddhist emperor, as quoted in Steven Rosen, "Food for the Spirit-Vegetarianism and the World’s Religions" – New York: Bala Books, 1987). P. 80)

“We, the Christian leaders, practice abstinence from the flesh of animals to subdue our bodies......the unnatural eating of flesh-meat is polluting.” 

(St. John Chrysostam, 4^thcentury Father of Eastern Church, as quoted in Steven Rosen, "Food for the Spirit-Vegetarianism and the World’s Religions" – New York: Bala Books, 1987). P. 18)

“And remember; when you hunt and kill,

Your punishment will depend

on where [on the scale of evolution]

you have struck your blade-high or low!...

You are not a vulture, to stoop on carcasses,

And do not, like a crow,

Dip your feet in others’ blood.

Even if your hunger has reduced you to a mere skeleton-

Bloodless like a picture image-

You will, at least, be spared the punishments

Of a carcass eater.” 

(Nizaami Ganjavee, 12^th century Sufi poet, Original translation by Shiv Singh Dhatt of Nizam Ganjavi, Makhzan-i Azrar (Kanpur, India, Munshi Naval Kishore Press, 1872, p. 123, 185)

“You violently slaughter animals

And claim it to be in keeping

with the cannons of your creed.

But when God places before you

The record of your cruel deeds,

What will your fate be?” 

(Kabir, 15^th century Indian mystic)

The Lord Christ Jesus Was a Vegan

 

 

Book description (From Amazon):

 

"This book raises many interrelated important issues in life and tries to clarify the spiritual facts and to tie the loose ends, according to the wisdom of Divine Love. The good news about Lord Christ Jesus being a vegan (a strict vegetarian), for Biblical reasons is expounded in this book. This book discuss in detail the interests, the well-beings and the freedom of all creatures. The main points discussed in here, from the Christian vegan perspectives are: why mankind should live to honor God, about the universally abiding laws given us by the supreme Creator, the Christian justice, the importance of Church unity, nutrition, balanced diet and related issues. The pages loudly echo the spirituality of animals and the normal feelings of all that live; encouraging mankind to choose environmentally friendly products and services instead of animal products or animal services. Every violent sport and entertainment that involves animals is denounced together with the modern day idolatry and animal slavery; urging God fearing people to actively love and defend all animals and the universe in the Holy Name of Christ Jesus now and always."

Familiar Strangers

Familiar Strangers: The Church and the Vegetarian Movement in Britain (1809-2009) is a book about the history of the relationship between the Churches and organized vegetarianism in Britain over two centuries.

Within the name, Familiar Strangers, author John Gilheany captures the essence of the struggle that has existed between the church and the vegetarian movements for the past 2,000 years, and his study of the last 200 years in Britain highlights the continued struggle, as well as the advances that have occurred.

For far too many years the majority of churches and church leaders have turned a blind eye and heart toward the suffering of animals, and the health problems to human beings that an animal product based diet causes. In Familiar Strangers, John Gilheany brings to light the historical documentation and the need for all of us to become vegetarian/vegan, for it is God's heavenly will for our lives, and the best thing for the animals and the environment.

In Familiar Strangers, we also see how the animal rights movement was a natural progression of the vegetarian influence with it's concern for the suffering of animals.

In 1809, the origins of the vegetarian movement were set in place with the foundation of the Bible Christian Church of Salford. The radical sect, whose congregation included local Civic leaders and the first M.P. for Salford, Joseph Brotherton (1783 - 1857) was instrumental in the formation of the Vegetarian Society, in 1847. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the wider Food Reform movement had developed both secular and spiritual ideals which attracted a notable proportion of Christians.

Among the more prominent religious figures to have shared an association with Christian vegetarianism have been John and Charles Wesley; General William Booth, C.H Spurgeon, Leo Tolstoy, Lord Soper, and even Mahatma Gandhi.

The reluctance of the Vegetarian Society to adopt an overtly theological stance led to the formation of related but distinctly religious organizations. The Order of the Golden Age became particularly influential during the Edwardian period whilst operating from prestigious offices in London's Knightsbridge. The most remarkable achievement of the forgotten organization occurred in 1907, when their propaganda was met with a change in diet on the part of Pope Pius X.

The vegetarian movement entered into a decline after the Second World War from which it was unable to recover until the Counter Culture of the 1960s eventually gave rise to the modern animal rights movement.

Animals--God's Faithful Servants

Animals--God's Faithful Servants is written from a Christian perspective about the sacred relationship between God, man and animals. It deals with animal theology, pet loss euthanasia, dealing with grief, funeral services and includes biblical references to animals.