fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Unholy: A review
By: Matthew Mccarty
Tags: Christian, Right, Trump, Unholy

The Trump presidency is winding down, with the end being just a few weeks away. The amazing road that America has traveled over the last four years has including dangerous curves, sheer drops, and blind spots that have almost caused the American experiment to crash and burn. A portion of this wild ride has been chronicled in Unholy: Why White Evangelicals Worship at the Altar of Donald Trump, by Sarah Posner (New York: Random House, 2020, vii, 352 pgs, $28 US, $35 Can). Posner, an experienced investigate journalist, has written the proverbial “road map” of how the Christian right subsumed the mainstream conservative climate and turned it dangerously and sharply further right. Unholy is a beginning chapter in the tumultuous and sad history of the Trump presidency.

Unholy discusses the last four years from a very interesting vantage point. Many of the “celebrities” of the Christian right have been active in molding the Republican party into a religious political party. This effort has been going on full force since the days following the Watergate scandal of the mid-1970s. Political operatives who have worked in the political shadows for decades, used the Trump presidency to push an agenda of repealing basic human rights for women, minorities, and LGBTQ individuals. They simply used the “pulpit” as their avenue of choice, and the fear and ignorance of rural American churchgoers as a platform to spread dangerous propaganda. Thankfully, books like Unholy are rolling off the presses at an increasing rate and can only be used to shed light on the motives of these political operatives and their minions and define the last four years as an awakening to the efforts of some to severely altar the American dream.

Sarah Posner has written an easily readable and highly engaging volume. Her use of the words of the Christian right as well as data gleaned from news outlets only underscores the importance of this book. Unholy: Why White Evangelicals Worship at the Altar of Donald Trump, should be a must read for anyone interested in the precarious position of civil rights in America. It should also be required reading for anyone concerned with the negative use of hope and trust by those eager to assume power on a federal level. It is a great book and assumes a much needed place of prominence on the shelf of American history and culture.

Matt
The Reluctant Christian
By: X A L P H A
Tags: Hopeless, Religion, Existence, Doubt, Christian

My struggles in believing

Photo by xA L P H A

God gave his son to this sinful world so he could die, so we could live.

So in short, he died and gifted us with a possibility for a new life and to come to heaven.

But I have one problem. How can I appreciate Gods gift, when in reality I don’t have any desire to live, and am afraid to die?

How can I then thank him, and love him for giving me a gift I never was asked if I wanted, and will never appreciate? How could life be for my own good if I’ll never learn to appreciate it?!

Every time I think, I question my existence. Why did he create me, when knowing all the pointless feelings and things I’ll do or think? To show the others how a poor excuse of a human lives? That’d be only cruel and would never agree with what the bible says.

Then does God have something for me to do? A task or a goal that I must reach? What happens if I reach that goal and complete the task? Eternal life?

Wouldn’t that be hell for someone like me? Does that mean I’m already corrupted and in the devils care?

Is my existence a danger to every Christian? Then what’s holding God back from taking me? Or my life? It didn’t stop him before, then Why not do it now? Does he need me?

Me and my worthless body, will and mind?
God’s Attention
By: Marvin Mckenzie
Tags: Devotion, Bible Study, Christian Living, Devotional, Christian

Nahum 1:7 (KJV)

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Whatever else was going on in the world of Abraham’s day, God knew Abraham and that he trusted in him. God knew Moses trusted in Him. God knew David trusted in Him. God knows what is happening in the world at any given time. He also knows who trusts in Him in those times. I do not mean to say that God ignores the events of history, but I do mean to say that, in them, God’s attention is on those that trust in Him.

All that happens in this world, we are told in the Bible, is moving mankind to an eventual reconciliation with God. As this movement occurs, it seems like terrible things happen. The concern of the Christian is to trust the Lord through those events. The confidence of that same Christian is to rest in the promise, “He knoweth them that trust in Him.”

To my readers:

First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and more than 5100 earlier Daily Visits with God visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:

https://marvinmckenzie.org

Nahum 1:7 (KJV) God’s Attention

photos from pexels.com.
Divine Justice: Majesty in the Margins
By: Joann Rolle
Tags: Penitent Thief On Cross, Crucifixion, Christianity, Prison Reform, Christian

In full disclosure, this is not a book I would normally read; I rarely read popular religious titles nor do I read history and this book is both. Why did I buy both the Audible and Kindle versions of the book? The author asked me to read it, and he is a friend. I purchased the Audible version because I prefer to listen when I can, and I purchased a Kindle version because I wanted access to the 60 plus illustrations. I found the story of the “Wise Thief” intriguing and the storytelling by the author compelling.

After partially reading the book I queried the author on his reason for taking on such an arduous task as telling the story of the Penitent Thief. Mark’s response was, “I have long been fascinated by Dismas as I see him as a symbol of hope for those who have transgressed in diverse ways. I find it fascinating (and deeply moving) that he did not ask to be saved, merely to be remembered.” That put the story and storytelling in context. The author reaches back into history for a story of divine justice in a time when social justice is needed.

The orator in the Audible version shares with us the biblical and historical sources of the story of the “Good Thief” from diverse voices. The moment of redemption is told with an emphasis on grace and divine justice. During several moments in the book we almost feel the pain of the three on the cross; see the gruesome Crucifixion, and are asked where would we be in these mystical witnesses of Jews and Gentiles?

The author tells a compelling story of the relationship between St Dismas and worldwide prison ministries. Examples are cited of support for those who are in the margins of society needing grace and support to live rehabilitated lives. Perhaps the takeaway from this unique book is that in the “Paradise” of our own existence we can become believers in the “goodness” of humanity.

While I purchased both formats, it is in the Kindle version that I appreciated the many visual illustrations of the divine justice moment. This is a book that is worth time and reflection for all on our moments of grace and the life to come.

As 2020 comes to a close, and we globally have suffered many losses, reflection on books that remind us that we are all flawed, hurt, and have suffered pain in many ways help us to define, re-frame, and build a better future. As we look forward to 2021 we might learn from the patron saint of prisons to ask to be remembered for the moments that give us peace and tranquility as we cross over to the uncertainty of a new beginning.
The Problem with Rentiers
By: Gonzo Kawasaki
Tags: Christian, Rentier, Economics

Although many of us may have aspirations to be property tycoons the truth is that this kind of extraction of wealth is generally not good for society as a whole.

Rentiers are effectively sitting on healthy productive assets and extracting a rent from them in order for others to use these assets. This is most often property but it could be other productive assets too.

The big problem with rentiers is that they do not necessarily add any value to the assets that they extract wealth from. Also, they add little value to the economy as a whole. Rentiers are in contrast to say an investment in a company that manufacturers goods or provides services.

The goods or services generated buy a company are of value to the wider economy and can become the basis of further economic activity. A good example is a small good vehicle. It can be used productively to generate income buy the purchaser.

The same investment in a rentier business is often simply a passive extraction of a revenue stream.

Arguably many Western economies have become saturated with these kind of businesses. Everyone and his wife wants to be a property developer and generate passive income. It all seems very easy.

There are affordable loans to facilitate this and a whole host of TV shows that highlight the attractions of renovating and renting out properties.
Ten Thousand?
By: Marvin Mckenzie
Tags: Bible Study, Christianity, Christian Living, Faith and Life, Christian

1 Corinthians 4:15 (KJV)

For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

A common term among preachers today might be to jokingly say a statement was an “exaggeration for effect.” It used to be they would jokingly call it “just preaching.” The idea is to overstate a thing. It might be to grab attention. It might be to add color. It is intended that the hearer understand it to be an overstatement. It is sometimes criticized but it is also demonstrated right here to be in the pages of God’s Word.

There is almost no possibility that the Corinthians had ten thousand instructors in Christ. The implication of the statement is that they had more than they could count and even too many. No one was expected to go count them out and be sure there were actually ten thousand of them.

Some people look for things to criticize.

Some people have difficulty with hyperbole

Still, it is a valid tool in speech and used in the Word of God. It is likely it can be overused (though those who are given to it are known for it and therefore the hearer is less likely to think of it as more than it is.) But it is a useful tool in both speaking and writing.

To my readers:

First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and more than 5100 earlier Daily Visits with God visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:

https://marvinmckenzie.org

1 Corinthians 4:15 (KJV) Ten Thousand?

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Why are you A theist?
Tags: Theist Or Atheist, Theism, Theist, Atheist, Christian

A theist is a person that believes there is a God or gods; an atheist does not believe; and an agnostic says, ehhhh there could be, maybe, why not?

Why are you a theist? Well, right now, I’m gonna be honest. I don’t know. I don’t know why I am, but I am and a strong believer at that. Unsurprisingly, I’m very personal with my faith, I don’t like to be forced into discussions about it, sometimes I even mute key words on Twitter for a period, that’s how personal I am.

Recently, there’s been an increase in the number of atheists and agnostics, but a lot of people don’t even know who agnostics are or that they exist. They don’t understand them, and you know humans, we fear otherness, what we don’t understand.

Theists say non-theists are forcing their irreligious views on them, they’re putting it everywhere, but are they really? Personally, I think theists talk about their religion way more, you brag about it, cry, sing, have numerous holidays centred around it, thank your God for every win. And nobody stops you, nobody bashes you or tells you you’re doing too much.

But if one atheist thread goes viral, theists suddenly develop a common voice saying atheists do too much, talk too much, worry too much about a god they don’t believe in; well, if you put something or someone out there, people are going to talk about it. And why are you the gatekeeper of the conversation? Isn’t it an open conversation? Why is there even a rift at all?

And in Nigeria, the increase in non-theistic views isn’t surprising, is it? We’ve been a prayerful country for a long while and simultaneously one of the most wretched and deplorable states in the world, so I don’t blame them. I don’t fault them. And I know every theist has thought about it before, once or twice. That little “what if? What if God doesn’t actually...” But you don’t even complete the thought, maybe because it’s blasphemous. But the truth is you’ve already thought about it like they have and these people just followed their natural thought process. So why? Why are you faulting them for their otherness? Why do you hate them for something you have personally, albeit quietly thought about?

Why do you bash them, corner them and question them all the time: “How can you be atheistic? After all God has done for you? After all Allah has given you? Explain the sky then, how did the sun form if not God, explain the seas”. Well, you explain the seas. You can’t, can you? And that’s okay.

The fact that they can't explain the origin of the sun is okay, because it's not even the main point of religion either. You're not going to heaven/paradise because you can explain the seas. The fact that they can't explain or give concrete reasons why they're non-conformist is okay. After all, salvation is personal and their faith or in this case, lack of, should be personal too.

And yes, as I write this, I'm lounging, eating jollof rice and enjoying in an air-conditioned room, I'm okay. I just came back from church even, I'm Christian.

So you tell me,

Why are you A theist?

Written by: Eliana
He Is A King
By: Marvin Mckenzie
Tags: Christmas, Bible Study, Christianity, Faith and Life, Christian

Micah 5:2 (KJV)

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Sometimes a verse becomes its own text simply because we have come to see it in just one context.

This passage has become a Christmas text. It is mentioned in connection with the birth of Christ and the wise men. Often we just leave it right there.

Jesus is more than merely born in Bethlehem. This location connects Him with David and assumes His royal lineage. It establishes Christ as a king of an entirely different character than men have come to expect:

He is a king of God’s own choosing

He is a king of eternal origin yet

He is a king of humble beginnings

He is a king who is ruler, deliverer, and also prophetic fulfillment.

He is a king. But, though His rule impacts the earth, His kingdom is not of this world

To my readers:

First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and more than 5100 earlier Daily Visits with God visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:

https://marvinmckenzie.org

Micah 5:2 (KJV) He Is A King

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John 3:16
By: Leadz On Demand Team
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Jesus, Jesus Christ

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

It’s 1:03am on Sunday morning

And I’m reflecting on Gods Grace and love.

He’s been patient and caring to me lately

I’ve been distant from my family. Rejected and far away from them

As I get closer to Christ

And speaking on the streets about the true faith..

The road for a Christian is not an easy one

I will continue to walk in Christ

Letting go of flesh and trusting that Gods love for me is enough

He loves the world so much

Amen
Strength of Grass
By: Paul H. Harder Ii
Tags: Faith, Wonder, Christian, Poetry

Stalk of green,

what does it mean,

your standing,

notwithstanding

storming gales

and pounding hails

that try to

abrogate you?

Can I too

be strong like you,

surviving

life’s conniving?

God of grass,

help me amass

strength you grant

to that brave plant.

____________

Copyright ©2018, Paul H. Harder II

This poem is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 License.

On July 4th, 2018, while waiting for my niece, Kim, and her girls to arrive for a visit, I set myself a writing exercise. I looked around outdoors, saw a leaf, and wondered, “Can I write a poem around the topic of a green leaf?” This poem is the result.
The Essence of Christmas
By: Indrani Cosmetics
Tags: Christmas, Merry Christmas Greetings, Christianity, Christian Living, Christian

Having studied in a convent school, I’m quite acquainted with the hustle and bustle Christmas brings in!

The whole school would be lighted up and charmingly decorated in red and green.

There would be a huge Christmas tree in a corner all shiny and decorated with baubles, angels and stars. It would be the prettiest sight of all.

The song ‘Jingle Bells’ would be playing in the background all this while.

The most important thing about Christmas is that it invites us to reflect on the most important things in our life — our faith, our family, and our freedom. Our faith gives us hope, our family gives us love, and our freedom gives us the opportunity to practice our faith and to love each other.

But I think that Christmas has become less about Jesus and more about materialism, which is saddening.

Nonetheless there’s nothing quite like the warm feeling of magic you get at Christmas. It’s that one perfect time of year dedicated to relaxing, spending time with loved ones and creating memories that last a lifetime.

A festive home just invites you to unwind in comfort with friends and family at the heart of it all.

It’s a time of homecoming when we get to reunite with people who fly across the world just to celebrate the season with us.

One of the greatest parts of Christmas is the chance to relax with the people we love and rejuvenate after the stresses of every-day life.

It’s a rare time where everyone can enjoy simple things together like a homemade roast, favourite movies and even family games. It’s a chance to curl up on the sofa under a comfy throw and finally let our bodies and minds relax in front of a roaring fire.

Because while the hustle and bustle of relations coming together is a treat, the real joy is found in quieter family moments.

Every parent knows there’s nothing quite like tucking little ones into bed under toasty quilts on Christmas Eve as they vow to stay awake to see Santa Claus.

Then on Christmas morning, after duvets are cast aside, there’s the joy of rushing as a family to see what surprises have been left under the tree.

And when relatives leave and the chaos subsides, there’s the warm satisfaction of knowing you’ve created an amazing Christmas for your loved ones.

You sit back in comfort with a tin of sweets and a cup of mulled wine, taking in the smell of cinnamon and the sight of a beautiful Christmas tree. In that moment, there’s nowhere else in the world you’d rather be.
The Year That Nearly Broke Us…And Showed Us Our Strength
By: Michelle Renee Kidwell
Tags: Pandemic, Spirituality, Religion, Faith, Christian

The Year That Nearly Broke Us … And Showed Us Our Strength

2020 has been a year of contradictions. We’ve learned the importance of knowing what to say in order to show someone that we love them, while being isolated at the same time due to the coronavirus. We’ve learned that technology really does have it place, but it’s up to us to decide how to use it.

2020 has taught us that anger and confusion can lead to mistakes that cannot be wiped away and treated like they didn’t happen. For many of us, we have learned that the greatest strength is found when we learn to admit that we don’t always have the answers.

It’s not always easy dealing with the lessons life teaches us, but when you throw a pandemic into the midst, things accelerate to a whole new level, one never seen before. We’ve become so quick to judge others. We get mad at others because they are unequipped to educate their own children … but in reality, not all of us have the capacity to teach.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet amazing people throughout the pandemic, through social media and through my writing, people I may not have met otherwise, people whose stories was far more powerful than mine.

I came to realize that it’s not how we measure our impact, because our stories may be reaching others in ways that we do not know. Perhaps we were able to say the right thing at the right moment.

There’s no denying we live in a confusing and frustrating time. Kids who were once encouraged to give grandparents hugs and kisses find themselves confused when they are told that can be very dangerous to their elders. The things they have learned have been thrown out the window. As they try to grasp something they don’t understand, add the pressure of Zoom classes and virtual schooling. It only magnifies and intensifies the pain and confusion.

Some families find themselves closer to one another than they ever have been, but sometimes that can lead to issues within themselves. There used to be an escape, a buffer that gave them space, whether from school or work, but now they’re together all of the time.

Everything has been turned on its head as we try to adapt to this while wondering what the ‘new normal’ is going to look like.

There’s a whole new level of discomfort and loneliness to those with disabilities, when active lives are reduced to therapy sessions and counseling sessions over Zoom calls and video chats. Programs for those with disabilities have had to close due to the pandemic, leaving many lost and confused and feeling even more isolated.

When we originally released this book in 2005, we were at war with Iraq. We were less than four years post 9/11.

In 2020, we find ourselves in the midst of an entirely different war, one where the enemy is unseen but just as deadly the world over.

© Michelle R Kidwell

December.18.2020
Not always, but at times.. might get kinda hard. “Listen carefully: I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be wise as serpents, and innocent as doves have no self-serving agenda.” ~ Jesus (M
Tags: Dove, Christian, Holy Spirit, Peace, Gentle

Watch, pray, obey, be as wary as serpents are and yet harmless as doves. “Do not let unwholesome foul, profane, worthless, vulgar words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear you speak. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God but seek to please Him, by whom you were sealed and marked branded as God’s own for the day of redemption the final deliverance from the consequences of sin. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence. Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted compassionate, understanding, forgiving one another readily and freely, just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Ephesians 4:29–32

Come alive in the Spirit. Come breathe of God..on me.
The man in the white clothing
By: Grace Polite
Tags: Christian, Christian Leadership, Christ

Imagine being in a casino. Imagine hearing all the sounds of the machines, the traditional spinning sounds that ca-chings at the release of pulling the levers. Chips being collected after a sweet rambunctious win! Screams of joy being thrown around in the frequency of our hearing. Sounds normal right? Not really too much to notice; just people being people at a casino. Okay give me one more shot, let me tweak your vision a little bit.

Think of a man who is clothed in all white clothing. He is wearing a ring on his ring finger. He has spunk in his step, almost as if he was dancing every step he took. He’s looking around passing tables but he stops at some, few actually. While stopping he places rings on people’s fingers. They are willingly receiving the rings, simply by opening their hands. It’s superbly peculiar actually. Theses few persons didn’t even realize they were given it physically, because it wasn’t there physically.. not in this reality anyways.

The man in this envisioned story is one called by the name Jesus.

I was laying in my bed thinking about how I could possibly pay my debt off and how a casino could be an option. While being there in this vision, Jesus appears and in retrospect I believe Jesus looks the way I envision him to be. You may have your different views. We all do. But he was definitely the Lord, the Jesus Christ who died for our sins. I say this all to say that one day He will return for a bride with no spot, blemish, or wrinkle. Despite what you may be doing it will happen. So I ask:

Would you receive a ring?

“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Christ has prepared a place for you. However, will you receive it?
In Christ Jesus
By: Marvin Mckenzie
Tags: Bible Study, Christianity, Christian Living, Faith and Life, Christian

1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV)

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

It is the doing of God that we are in Christ Jesus.

Jesus Christ is made unto us or on our behalf,

Wisdom

Righteousness

Sanctification and

Redemption.

Everything that is ours and has been applied to us, all that God has pronounced of us, and all that God is now accomplishing in us; it is all because we are in Christ.

And we are in Christ because of Him.

To my readers:

First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and more than 5100 earlier Daily Visits with God visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:

https://marvinmckenzie.org

1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV) In Christ Jesus

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Hi! I am just going to document what I’ve been learning since quarantine and hopefully I will gain…
Tags: Christian, I Am New Here, Live, Hey

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Tags: Gospel, Christian Music, Christian, Video Marketing, Musicpromotion

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God’s Interest
By: Marvin Mckenzie
Tags: Bible Study, Christianity, Christian Living, Faith and Life, Christian

Jonah 4:11 (KJV)

And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

I view the book of Jonah from the perspective of about three thousand years of history. If we were to simply consider the negative impact of Assyria upon future generations of the children of God, then Jonah’s attitude seems like it would have been better in the long haul.

God, not Jonah, knew the future. Jonah’s grudge was with the current generation of Ninevites. He could not have known that these people would be the enemies of his own for thousands of years.

He didn’t but God did.

God’s interest was in the saving of the current generation. Having the advantage of perfect knowledge, God chose to save those who would be saved rather than to condemn them for what their fathers, themselves, or the progeny would do.

God is interested in saving the souls of individuals right now. He knows the future and has it handled. He is interested in what we are doing to reach people right now.

We should be too.

To my readers:

First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and more than 5100 earlier Daily Visits with God visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:

https://marvinmckenzie.org

Jonah 4:11 (KJV) God’s Interest

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BREATHE (these limbs)
By: M V R K
Tags: Poetry, Christmas, Jesus, Spoken Word, Christian

I need your breath more than this world meets gravity

I need your breath like the melody needs harmony

I need your breath like the chest needs a cavity

I need your breath like the stars need the sky and I need your breath, the wings on which the cosmos fly

Intertwine our desires until yours are mine

I need your breath to revive and revitalize what I’ve killed inside

I need your breath without I don’t want to take another step

So please, breathe.

Consume me until you’re all that I see

Penetrate every inch of these bones and set my skeleton free of me

Take my rib take whatever you need I’ll break my spirit if that’s what you seek just please don’t hold your breath from me

Spirit of the living God have your way with me

Just please, breathe.
What makes me so Sexual?
By: Georgie'S Blog
Tags: God, Sexual, Christianity, Sex, Christian

And it's another one😄, welcome back my dear friend to Georgie's Blog (whoop whoop🎉), I trust that you are doing well and you're here because you enjoy reading this, we are down to the last episodes of The Sexual Christian, and trust me, better things are coming!

Alright, what makes me so Sexual, what makes me so Sexual? What makes me so Sexual! Well if you've read all the episodes from 1-8, you'd already figure out this answer, and that is GOD, God is behind your sexual 😂, he created you just like that, with your private parts, the sensations, everything is God's design, it's his work (a perfect one if I must say😌). Now I talked about this in the episode of God and Sex and I will still talk further in the episode after this but right now let's see what we can do here and now.

We've established what our sexuality should be and that is Christ, God's structure is for every man to have his wife and every woman her own husband. Now being sexual like I said earlier is normal for a believer, it's our nature actually, there's no sin in having sexual urges, we all do actually, you know most times I wake up from the bed and unconsciously I'm feeling sexual all around me, it's normal, women feel it too, especially when they're ovulating and all, you being sexual is as much as you being human, it's God's design.

The reason why is because Sex is meant to be a part of our lives, a great part infact, there are so many benefits that sex brings, both physical, mental, financial and even spiritual, sex is good, like really good, but you already know the bummer, lol.

Sex can only be a good part of your life when you share it with the bone of your bone(just like Adam said), with your spouse, with your partner, one person for life! Isn’t that great? Sex is meant for marriage, it’s meant for a couple joined together, that’s how it flourishes, that’s how it brings benefits! Now wait, stop picturing what the world calls sex, blank out the Telemundo, the adult movies you’ve watched, and even the porn that might be in your head, remove everything because Sex is something you discover, it’s special and personal for you and your partner like sex is a whole lot, you have no idea! Trust me if you have sex before marriage or outside marriage, you won’t enjoy it, because you would mix sex with sin(something the world has practically joined together) and that’s bad because where sin is, death isn’t too far away, let’s take a look at Hebrews 13:4,

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Always keep this in mind, never mix sex and sin, the outcome will not be good.

Now people get things confused and mix up Sex in the way God created it and Sex with sin, the way the world has rebranded it, they are not the same and I’ll dive deeper into that direction in the next episode, so whenever you feel sexual, embrace it as normal but do not engage it with sin because that’s being carnal(oops, spoiler alert!😳). Stay tuned for the eleventh episode of this amazing series, God bless you.

Shalom❤️
Receive One Another
By: Marvin Mckenzie
Tags: Chrsitianity, Bible Study, Christian Living, Faith and Life, Christian

Romans 15:7 (KJV)

Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

I contend that, first of all, this passage must be kept in the local church setting. We cannot, we must not, receive any and everyone regardless of doctrine, practice, or attitude. Separation is a biblical value.

On the other hand, within the local church, when one is received there because of like faith and baptism, it is essential that the entire body receives the one who has been received.

Notice how we are to receive them, “as Christ also received us.” Just as we are to forgive as God has forgiven us, so we are to receive as Christ has received us.

We learn how to receive,

We learn the means to receive, and

We learn why to receive

all in this simple verse.

To my readers:

First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and more than 5100 earlier Daily Visits with God visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:

https://marvinmckenzie.org

Romans 15:7 (KJV) Receive One Another

photos from pexels.com.
Day 429 — Being of one accord unto creation…
By: Stephen Leslie France
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Bible

Day 429 — Being of one accord unto creation…Imagine if innovation and creation were conceived out of a pure desire to “love one’s neighbour” and care for the planet instead of profit, competition, comparison, and personal accomplishment. Technological advancement would look so different…



WHAT DO YOU THINK? COMMENT BELOW. I’D LOVE TO DISCUSS!
Book Review: Mistletoe Movie Star
By: Michelle Renee Kidwell
Tags: Christian, Christmas, Fiction, Book Review

Mistletoe Movie Star

Christmas Extravaganza

by Stacey Weeks

Pelican Book Group

Christian | Romance

Pub Date 01 Dec 2020

I am reviewing a copy of Mistetoe Movie through Pelican Book Group and Netgalley:

The town of Mistletoe Meadows is a place built around the magic of Christmas. As jingling sleighs cart rosy cheeked lovers around the Mistletoe Mile, Charlene’s holiday dream is more complicated than photo-edited perfection. After proposing compassion ministry initiative called the Gingerbread House, but she struggles to convince the town that their need for a homeless shelter is real.

Jonas, famous for his made for his made for T.V holiday movies, is longing for his own happily ever after, one that isn’t as neat and tidy as his scripted films. He decides to partner with Char to champion her ministry invigorates him with a new purpose and provides an excuse to spend time with the girl he never forgot. But after they embrace three young sisters fighting to stay together while living on the streets, their project becomes deeply personal.

Jonas and Charlene must prove to a town reluctant to see anything other than holiday perfection that the greatest gift of the season isn’t found under a tree.

If you are looking for a heartwarming Christmas read, I recommend Mistletoe Movie Star.

I give Mistletoe Movie Star five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!
Righteousness, Peace and Joy
By: Marvin Mckenzie
Tags: Bible Study, Christianity, Christian Living, Faith and Life, Christian

Romans 14:17 (KJV)

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

It would be completely inappropriate to take this passage to mean that doctrine does not matter. A careful reading of this chapter, together with a survey of the general teaching of Scripture, tells us otherwise.

We are to separate from those with whom we have doubtful disputations.

We are to be fully persuaded in our own minds

We are to have faith and whatsoever is not of faith is sin

What we do learn in this passage is to allow each one to be fully persuaded in their own mind. If one does not agree, it is not ours to go to war with them. But neither is it ours to compromise for them. There are plenty of souls with whom our faith agrees. Receive those into fellowship with whom we can fellowship. Remove from fellowship those with whom we cannot.

And then, live in righteousness, peace, and joy of the Holy Ghost.

To my readers:

First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and more than 5100 earlier Daily Visits with God visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:

https://marvinmckenzie.org

Romans 14:17 (KJV) Righteousness, Peace and Joy

photos from pexels.com.
Don’t Tell Me You’re A Christian
By: Kathleen Hussey
Tags: God, Christianity, Faith and Life, Christian, Character

There’s one in most every online chat,

(it’s your attention that they seek.)

They’ll proudly profess they are “a Christian”.

but then lie every time they type or speak.

They’ll say they read the Bible and yet,

their Bible’s pages appear pristine.

They’re in church every time it’s open

but behind closed doors they’re being mean,

to their wary spouse and nervous children

who rarely give them any reason why.

Don’t tell me you’re a Christian,sir, ma’am,

don’t bother, don’t even try.

If a car in front of them moves too slow,

they’ll loudly cuss the elderly out.

Somewhere down the line they forgot,

what being a Christian is all about.

If they can’t love and cherish their family,

who look up to them each day to lead,

what kind of harvest will they one day reap

scattering all that rotted seed ?

If they can’t be kind to their own spouse,

they fail in the role Christ gave them to do.

How will they ever pray for their enemies,

or forgive from the heart as we’re told to ?

I judge no one, for there is ONLY One,

wise and loving enough to fill those shoes,

but I know being a Christian has never been,

some meaningless label we claim or choose.

We must use the manual God gave mankind,

to instruct Christians how they should behave,

including Christ’s words there, who loved us

so much,

he faced being tortured into the grave.

God sent His only begotten Son here,

because of His love for you and I.

Don’t tell me you’re a Christian,

show me you are -

each day we each must try,

to fully love God, Jesus and others,

just as God and Jesus loved us, first.

Don’t tell me you’re a Christian,

do your best to show it, each day,

I pray,

and not your worst.

Kathleen Hussey December 15, 2020
he LORD is His Name
By: Marvin Mckenzie
Tags: Bible Study, Christianity, Christian Living, Faith and Life, Christian

Amos 9:6 (KJV)

It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name.

The gist of this passage is that God has designed the means of salvation.

He built the stories or the steps to God.

Fallen man, like Nimrod, have always sought their own way to heaven. Instinctively we know we come short of the glory of God. In the flesh, we want to prove we may attain that glory on our own.

He founded his troop in the earth.

The term encompasses all animate beings. The beasts of the field, the birds of the air, the creatures of the sea, the believer, and the unbeliever; are all the creation of God and will ultimately bow before Him.

He poured the waters upon the face of the earth.

It is a reference to the Flood. Barnes calls this, “that signal instance of its exercise on the ungodly, the flood, the pattern and type of judgments which no sinner escapes.”

I get the impression our world is nearing a “showdown” between the forces of men and the Almighty God.

I sure wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side when it comes.

To my readers:

First of all, thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. Secondly, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and more than 5100 earlier Daily Visits with God visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:

https://marvinmckenzie.org

Amos 9:6 (KJV) The LORD is His Name

photos from pexels.com.
Day 427 — Being of benefit to others…
By: Stephen Leslie France
Tags: Christian, Christianity, Bible

Day 427 — Being of benefit to others…It is a far greater universal benefit to sincerely confess of weakness and be made stronger, admit brokenness and be healed, reveal mistakes and be corrected, resist self-exaltation and conceive humility, and retain a quiet positivity over life’s good and bad times.



WHAT DO YOU THINK? COMMENT BELOW. I’D LOVE TO DISCUSS!
Bible do’er not a Bible study!
By: Courtney Flowers
Tags: Christian, Read, Follow Me, 2020

So many people in this world are so quick to join a bible study and sit around to read and study the Bible,during the Bible study though they ask questions about thoughts on what you read,and what you think that verse would mean to your life today,they ask things such as what do you think the character in this story is feeling and so much more.

During a bible study we are forgetting the true meaning of how God wants us to read the Bible with others and live it out.

We need less bible study’s and more Bible do’ers which means we need to read the Bible together. ask questions about how that could apply to our life today,what it’s speaking in our lives today and contuine to live it out throughout each day we live. It is time we stop studying the word of God to find out what he wrote thousands of years ago,it’s time we read the word and learn how to apply it to our life,we need to learn what those verses mean for the chapter were in today. The world is going crazy and now is the time more than ever to dive deeper into word and develop a deeper relationship with Christ like never before.