Dear Miss Stone. I was in Viet Nam. There are no atheists in combat. There are two names that are called out. God and Jesus Christ. Sometimes Mom. But, mom is 15,000 miles away. God and Jesus are always closer. I know that because I should have been dead , too many times for a 19 year old. He saved me.
This is awesome news from you, Sasha. Keep going, keep talking to people with faith, read the Bible. Get involved in a weekly Bible study. Better yet, listen to Josh Howerton's weekly podcast called "Live Free." He's the pastor of Lake Pointe Church in Dallas and he's terrific. Just try him out once.
Ooooh! Me likey like! Gonna finish cutting the grass with this playing.
Sasha...this might be a great topic to add to your rotation. You've been dancing around this since '24 by my reckoning. I hope this becomes a regular post!
Sasha, my father was a rabid atheist who disdained all religion even to his death bed. I started attending Episcopal services about 10 years ago. I like the people, from a number of churches I’ve attended, and the message is important. If it feels comfortable try it out. No obligation, pressure or commitment.
One church I attended after my move in January sent busses to a No Kings rally but the next church doesn’t touch politics. All good.
You might enjoy Justine Bateman's recent series "Bible Bites". That said, my return to The Church has led me down all kinds of new roads emotionally and mentally in good ways. Does it make me question things even more? Sometimes. But, Wow, has it helped me move forward in the knowledge of who I am and what I desire and how blessed and grateful I am.
The militant “New Atheists” of our age have cleverly conducted an army of strawmen to ridicule and depose organized religion: Superstition, Christian nationalism and irrational fundamentalists are their favorite targets. However, it’s important to transcend the religious institutions and agree with author and theologian Peter Rollins who notes the “Faith is the continual protest against all who say existence is meaningless.”
It was with great relief that I learned that the "God" of the Old Testament is NOT The Creator of All!!
Check out Hebrew Scholar Mauro Biglino's book "Gods of The Bible"!! We simply received an incorrect translation of the word "elohim" which happens to be plural!! Should have been "gods"; not "God"!!!
If God is responsible for what happened in Tibet, or my wife dying of cancer, the I don't like God much. On the other hand, if God is love, or acts through love, then I like God a lot.
I prefer to read text, if you have a transcript, because I am able to fully grasp all that is said. Most times I require being able to read and reread before fully understanding.
Our Creator and Father in Heaven created this beautiful Earth and filled it with us in His(Their) likeness; with animals, on the earth, birds that fly in the air and sing, for us to manage; and, fish in the waters for food for us He Created. Only, after our God given free will had gone astray did He flood the world.
Then, only as His Chosen People, the Jews, began seeking the riches of His Creation instead of Him, did he send His Son to show us His love; asking us to show and share His love and blessings in our lives, through the Holy Spirit, left to us through Jesus Christ to His disciples. He asked us to live in and with Him in “Spirit and in Truth”. So it was the beginning of the New Covenant—(do not demean the Jews; Christian’s have “little Faith” as well):
James 2: 14-26
Most of us know many Christians who truly believe that they have faith in Jesus Christ; and they feel that it will give them salvation after death. To truly be a Christian, you must prove your faith by committing to the whole Bible, not just chosen phrases that make you feel like a Christian.
There are many New Covenant Books that make you feel good, deep down inside: Luke, the good Physician, who brings the beauty of Christ born of a virgin, in a lowly manger—Matthew who gives up everything, all his money, goods and influence, in The Roman Empire, just to follow Jesus Christ; whom He had never heard of—Peter, who always wanted to[be with Him, walked on water and nearly drowned to be with Jesus—John, who Jesus loved; and, prophesied about the miracles of Revelation.
Then, there is James, who only seems less significant. Remember, Jesus telling the disciples: “those who would be first will be last; and, those who are last will be first.” In reading James this morning, a section of James 2:14-26 called in my Life Principles Bible: “Faith without Works is Dead”; verse 18 “you have Faith and I have Work’s. Show me your Faith without your Works, and I will show you my Faith by my Works.”verse 26 sums it up: “For as the body without spirit is dead, so faith without works Is dead.”
That in not to say that you can earn salvation by your works; but, Faith is not Faith without Works; and that is a true test in these times, when our lives in this, often deranged culture, unlike our founders lives, calls us to work and achieve success; it’s easy to forget the 2nd commitment to love one another; and the words of Jesus Chris: “What you do for these (poor, helpless), you do for Me.”
Let us never ‘trumpet’ our Faith, but avoiding our good Works; as you hear so many ‘Christian’s’ do at Sunday morning church services. “Abraham justified his Faith by his Works—offering his long awaited son, Isaac, up to be sacrificed as God called him to do. But, God, instead provided a nearby lamb to be sacrificed. His “Amazing Grace. How sweet the sound, that saves a wretch like me.”
Today, in our busyness, His ‘still small voice’ is hard to hear, while living in the fullness of our lives. Let’s each find a quiet place to hear His “still small voice”; and, commit to Him, to share our many blessings with those who have few. Our Creator and Father in Heaven created this beautiful Earth and filled it with us in His (Their) likeness; and animals, on the earth, birds that fly and sing, for us to manage; fish in the waters for food. Only, after our God given free will went astray did He flood the world.
Then, as His Chosen People, the Jews, began seeking the riches of His Creation ahead of Him, did he send His Son to show us His love; and asked us to show and share it in our lives through the Holy Spirit left to us through Jesus Christ to His disciples. He asked us to live in and with Him in “Spirit and in Truth”. So, it heralded the beginning of the New Covenant—do not demean those Jews, as Christian’s can have just as ‘littleFaith:
James 2: 14-26
Most of us know many Christians who truly believe that they have great faith in Jesus Christ; and, they feel that it will give them salvation after death. To truly be a Christian, you must prove your faith by committing to the whole Bible, not just chosen phrases that make you feel like a Christian.
There are many New Covenant Books that make you feel good, deep down inside: Luke, the good Physician, who brings the beauty of Christ born of a virgin, in a lowly manger—Matthew who gives up everything, all his money, goods and influence, in The Roman Empire, just to follow Jesus Christ; who He had never heard of—Peter, who always wanted to be with Him, walked on water and nearly drowned to be with Jesus—John, “the disciple Jesus loved”; who prophesied of future ‘miracles’ in Revelation.
Then, there is James, who only seems less significant. Remember, Jesus telling the disciples: “those who would be first will be last; and, those who are last will be first.” In reading James this morning, a section of James 2:14-26, called in my Life Principles Bible: “Faith without Works is Dead”; verse 18 “you have Faith and I have Work’s. Show me your Faith without your Works, and I will show you my Faith by my Works.”verse 26 sums it up: “For as the body without spirit is dead, so faith without works Is dead.
That in not to say that you can earn salvation by your works; but, Faith is not Faith without Works; and that is a true test in these times, when our lives in this, often deranged culture, different from our founders lives, call us to work and achieve success; it’s easy to forget the 2nd commitment to love one another; and the words of Jesus Chris: “What you do for these (poor, helpless), you do for Me.”
Today, in our busyness, His ‘still small voice’ is hard to hear, while living in the fullness of our lives. Let’s each find a quiet place to hear His “still small voice”; and, commit to Him, to share our many blessings with those who have few. It is so necessary not to look at our church services as what they can do for you or me—how they make us feel; but, how they can teach us to live and share it with others✝️🛐❤️
Dear Miss Stone. I was in Viet Nam. There are no atheists in combat. There are two names that are called out. God and Jesus Christ. Sometimes Mom. But, mom is 15,000 miles away. God and Jesus are always closer. I know that because I should have been dead , too many times for a 19 year old. He saved me.
🙏🏼♥️
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus”.
1 Timothy 2:5
This is awesome news from you, Sasha. Keep going, keep talking to people with faith, read the Bible. Get involved in a weekly Bible study. Better yet, listen to Josh Howerton's weekly podcast called "Live Free." He's the pastor of Lake Pointe Church in Dallas and he's terrific. Just try him out once.
Ooooh! Me likey like! Gonna finish cutting the grass with this playing.
Sasha...this might be a great topic to add to your rotation. You've been dancing around this since '24 by my reckoning. I hope this becomes a regular post!
Perfect timing!
Sasha, my father was a rabid atheist who disdained all religion even to his death bed. I started attending Episcopal services about 10 years ago. I like the people, from a number of churches I’ve attended, and the message is important. If it feels comfortable try it out. No obligation, pressure or commitment.
One church I attended after my move in January sent busses to a No Kings rally but the next church doesn’t touch politics. All good.
If you are an atheist looking for something to believe in I would suggest the Convergence Matrix.
Learn to read the Language of God
https://adlerpfingsten.substack.com/p/learn-to-read-the-language-of-god
You might enjoy Justine Bateman's recent series "Bible Bites". That said, my return to The Church has led me down all kinds of new roads emotionally and mentally in good ways. Does it make me question things even more? Sometimes. But, Wow, has it helped me move forward in the knowledge of who I am and what I desire and how blessed and grateful I am.
The militant “New Atheists” of our age have cleverly conducted an army of strawmen to ridicule and depose organized religion: Superstition, Christian nationalism and irrational fundamentalists are their favorite targets. However, it’s important to transcend the religious institutions and agree with author and theologian Peter Rollins who notes the “Faith is the continual protest against all who say existence is meaningless.”
Great conversation. Thanks for being transparent and vulnerable. It is a great strength. Qualifies you to be REAL🤩.
It was with great relief that I learned that the "God" of the Old Testament is NOT The Creator of All!!
Check out Hebrew Scholar Mauro Biglino's book "Gods of The Bible"!! We simply received an incorrect translation of the word "elohim" which happens to be plural!! Should have been "gods"; not "God"!!!
If God is responsible for what happened in Tibet, or my wife dying of cancer, the I don't like God much. On the other hand, if God is love, or acts through love, then I like God a lot.
Does that make me an atheist?
I prefer to read text, if you have a transcript, because I am able to fully grasp all that is said. Most times I require being able to read and reread before fully understanding.
Our Creator and Father in Heaven created this beautiful Earth and filled it with us in His(Their) likeness; with animals, on the earth, birds that fly in the air and sing, for us to manage; and, fish in the waters for food for us He Created. Only, after our God given free will had gone astray did He flood the world.
Then, only as His Chosen People, the Jews, began seeking the riches of His Creation instead of Him, did he send His Son to show us His love; asking us to show and share His love and blessings in our lives, through the Holy Spirit, left to us through Jesus Christ to His disciples. He asked us to live in and with Him in “Spirit and in Truth”. So it was the beginning of the New Covenant—(do not demean the Jews; Christian’s have “little Faith” as well):
James 2: 14-26
Most of us know many Christians who truly believe that they have faith in Jesus Christ; and they feel that it will give them salvation after death. To truly be a Christian, you must prove your faith by committing to the whole Bible, not just chosen phrases that make you feel like a Christian.
There are many New Covenant Books that make you feel good, deep down inside: Luke, the good Physician, who brings the beauty of Christ born of a virgin, in a lowly manger—Matthew who gives up everything, all his money, goods and influence, in The Roman Empire, just to follow Jesus Christ; whom He had never heard of—Peter, who always wanted to[be with Him, walked on water and nearly drowned to be with Jesus—John, who Jesus loved; and, prophesied about the miracles of Revelation.
Then, there is James, who only seems less significant. Remember, Jesus telling the disciples: “those who would be first will be last; and, those who are last will be first.” In reading James this morning, a section of James 2:14-26 called in my Life Principles Bible: “Faith without Works is Dead”; verse 18 “you have Faith and I have Work’s. Show me your Faith without your Works, and I will show you my Faith by my Works.”verse 26 sums it up: “For as the body without spirit is dead, so faith without works Is dead.”
That in not to say that you can earn salvation by your works; but, Faith is not Faith without Works; and that is a true test in these times, when our lives in this, often deranged culture, unlike our founders lives, calls us to work and achieve success; it’s easy to forget the 2nd commitment to love one another; and the words of Jesus Chris: “What you do for these (poor, helpless), you do for Me.”
Let us never ‘trumpet’ our Faith, but avoiding our good Works; as you hear so many ‘Christian’s’ do at Sunday morning church services. “Abraham justified his Faith by his Works—offering his long awaited son, Isaac, up to be sacrificed as God called him to do. But, God, instead provided a nearby lamb to be sacrificed. His “Amazing Grace. How sweet the sound, that saves a wretch like me.”
Today, in our busyness, His ‘still small voice’ is hard to hear, while living in the fullness of our lives. Let’s each find a quiet place to hear His “still small voice”; and, commit to Him, to share our many blessings with those who have few. Our Creator and Father in Heaven created this beautiful Earth and filled it with us in His (Their) likeness; and animals, on the earth, birds that fly and sing, for us to manage; fish in the waters for food. Only, after our God given free will went astray did He flood the world.
Then, as His Chosen People, the Jews, began seeking the riches of His Creation ahead of Him, did he send His Son to show us His love; and asked us to show and share it in our lives through the Holy Spirit left to us through Jesus Christ to His disciples. He asked us to live in and with Him in “Spirit and in Truth”. So, it heralded the beginning of the New Covenant—do not demean those Jews, as Christian’s can have just as ‘littleFaith:
James 2: 14-26
Most of us know many Christians who truly believe that they have great faith in Jesus Christ; and, they feel that it will give them salvation after death. To truly be a Christian, you must prove your faith by committing to the whole Bible, not just chosen phrases that make you feel like a Christian.
There are many New Covenant Books that make you feel good, deep down inside: Luke, the good Physician, who brings the beauty of Christ born of a virgin, in a lowly manger—Matthew who gives up everything, all his money, goods and influence, in The Roman Empire, just to follow Jesus Christ; who He had never heard of—Peter, who always wanted to be with Him, walked on water and nearly drowned to be with Jesus—John, “the disciple Jesus loved”; who prophesied of future ‘miracles’ in Revelation.
Then, there is James, who only seems less significant. Remember, Jesus telling the disciples: “those who would be first will be last; and, those who are last will be first.” In reading James this morning, a section of James 2:14-26, called in my Life Principles Bible: “Faith without Works is Dead”; verse 18 “you have Faith and I have Work’s. Show me your Faith without your Works, and I will show you my Faith by my Works.”verse 26 sums it up: “For as the body without spirit is dead, so faith without works Is dead.
That in not to say that you can earn salvation by your works; but, Faith is not Faith without Works; and that is a true test in these times, when our lives in this, often deranged culture, different from our founders lives, call us to work and achieve success; it’s easy to forget the 2nd commitment to love one another; and the words of Jesus Chris: “What you do for these (poor, helpless), you do for Me.”
Today, in our busyness, His ‘still small voice’ is hard to hear, while living in the fullness of our lives. Let’s each find a quiet place to hear His “still small voice”; and, commit to Him, to share our many blessings with those who have few. It is so necessary not to look at our church services as what they can do for you or me—how they make us feel; but, how they can teach us to live and share it with others✝️🛐❤️
Just go where this leads you.
Thanks for recording this. I couldn’t help but listen.