Spirit Dimension

I think I can boldly generalize that Christian America as a whole is largely unaware of the spirit world. A bird's eye view of cultures around the world reveal a deep and broad sense of awareness of the spirit world and demons, etc. But most christians in america are clueless.

I did most of my growing up outside of these shores and my enviroment didn't have to educate me on the spirit realm, I saw it very clearly myself; but this flow ceased when i made Boston my home. Why is America unaware about this dimension? the bible talks about the spirit realm so much. And all over the globe, the spirit realm is so evident, you can literally see it in things that happen, and people, even non-christians openly accept the fact there's spiritual forces in the world.

Are many christians unaware becos
-preachas and pastors don't like to teach about it? it's too scary?
-the devil has suceeded in pulling a shade over american eyes?
-we've become insensitive to spiritual occurences and try to rationalize everything with science and psychology?

I dunno the answer, but i do know we war against forces in high places and are charged to stand and battle, but how can christians battle at all if they're not recognizing their enemy? i'd love to know what ya'll think of this, those here and those not living here, light can be shed from different angles.

“Zalolat”

means disaster. It was the topic of a documentary filmed about christians in uzbekistan. It was of course to slander them and give christians a bad name in a mostly muslim country. Reported by CompassDirect.org, a christian global news site reporting persecution in places the rest of us have no clue about.

Urban persecution is alive and kicking and we christians have a responsibility to "pray for the saints everywhere" (Eph 6:18), cos they're going thru things we couldn't imagine.We all need to be aware of and praying about these things.

www.compassdirect.org

I regularly check in on the site and I'm amazed by the things dat happen in todays free world. Below are some brief descrips from their top 10 persecutions christians faced in '05. Read the site, the full stories are there, all in shocking detail.

1."Eritrea dramatically accelerated its imprisonment and torture of Christians...Christians confirmed to be jailed for their religious beliefs had shot up to a total of 1,778...Since May 2002, the Eritrean government has outlawed all Christian meetings for worship except those of the officially registered Orthodox

2. "...authorities in Quang Ngai Province incited a mob to burn down the home of evangelist Dinh Van Hoang on August 21 because he would not sign a paper denying his Christian faith.

3. "on November 22, an Iranian convert to Christianity was arrested from his home in Gonbad-e-Kavus and stabbed to death, his bleeding body thrown in front of his home a few hours later.

4. "In Pakistan, some 2,000 Muslims armed with iron rods, axes and tins of kerosene ransacked and looted four churches, a convent, a mission-run school and several Christian homes in Sangla Hill on November 12 after the burning of the Quran (by a muslim who accused a christian) led local mosques to appeal for Muslims to “teach the Christians a lesson.”
*all quotes from compassdirect.org

BeanTown Sports Baby!

So I've been resisting the urge to yap about my PATRIOTS but I could resist no more. Even if their season ended now, i'm proud of all my boyfriendz. Lemme hear ya say Brady, Willie Mcginest, Asante Samuel, Bruschi, Deion, Harrison...
Yes its true, i love football.
Yes its true, i hate hockey. The league shoulda never come back.
No, i won't mention the RedSox. but then i just did.

and Paul Pierce is my other secret boyfriend...but uhm he just doesn't know it yet. I support every guy wearing the green celtics jersey but i won't lie I'm hoping a few get traded for better players cos we needs to fill in the win category.

Good Lucks Pats...lets make it 4 in 5years and i promise I'll come watch the parade this time.

CeCe Winans--Purified

I Love Cece Winans! Yep she's my favorite artist of all the many out there. She's original and so simple, no drama like many other gospel musicians, in appearance and on wax. You never have to guess 'what' she's tryn to say on a song or who she's saying it to, and when she speaks, honest, i can feel the sincerity and power of God's spirit in her voice and demeanor. She has a certain glow that is unmistakable; and don't even get me started on that heavenly voice that seems to sound better with every album. You won't hear me talk about any other artist like this.

None of her cds have disappointed me and this one (Purified) is no exception. If you don't have it...you know what 2 do. As i listened to Purified for the 1st time i wondered how anyone couldn't feel this woman's heart for God; and so many times I've been encouraged by her songs in my toughest moments. Right now Purified is helping to get me thru the toughest and hardest time of my life. And in the midst of all the watered gospel, weak-unannointed music, I'm soo encouraged when i hear cds like this one. I guess we still have hundreds of annointed music ministers out there still staying true.

the problem of the sex thing...

I haven't met any christian who has fully understood and gotten the 'right' grasp on sex and the unmarried christian, single or in a relationship.

If you're reading to get some answers, I apologize cos I ain't got none; just a couple experiences and my humble point of view. I'm in a beautiful relationship. I admit i was sumthin of a 'playa' gurl until i met D almost 2yrs ago and everything changed for the better. While i had had a couple 'escapades and adventures', I've always stayed true to my temple, anything beyond the 'games' and 'flirting' was a no-no. but i wasn't anticipating how incredibly hard it would be 1nce i was with someone i loved so deeply, it makes me wanna give all of myself to him.

But myself is not mine to give, until i walk the aisle 'n' tie the knot. 1Cor 6:20 "you were bought with a price, therefore honor God with your body".

Yeah, easier said than done. But ya'll would really be suprised that it's not a "big deal" for a lot of christians 2day to do "that thing", "we love each other, so whatz the problem?". I've heard that so many times. But I write not to those, the bible is loud n clear on what the problem is.

It's just that its hard, very hard to fight and overcome the temptation time after time. And the church i don't think can give us any real solution, only consolation its worth it to obey God than enjoy 10-minutes of lust and then feel horrible. Cos sin is sooo sweet while you tasting it, but so bitter afterwards.

And college/career/young adult grps I'm in have tried and failed to gimme any solid, real and especially relevant answer. I just hate to hear the lame, politically correct answers like:
-"only do things you can do if your dad was there"---nasty! I don't wan be thinking about my dad when I'm with my boyfriend! that's just wrong.
-"don't date, wait until God reveals ur husband/wife to you"--- how realistic is that? we r christians and separate but we r still human! so we should sit on our ___ in the church pews and wait for God to drop a partner in our lap? Sorry I'm not a believer in that. While I understand God does prepare and reveal our future partners to us, I disagree we should sit passively and wait for the world to come to us and make no moves. That's how a lotta people miss out on amazing things. I don't think it works like that (feel free 2 disagree with me).
-" don't be alone together, stay in places where nuthin can happen or double-date" --- yeah a nice 'easy' answer, but very unrealistic. Uhm, don't people who date do that to spend some quality time together, ALONE? so i should hang out @ starbucks and the movies and the restaurant and never ever be alone with him? and like any couple would double-date everytime.

I could go on but i think ya'll catch my flow. My only advice is just keep reminding urself (when those times/situations arise, and they will no matter how many times you avoid them) that God repays every1 of us for what we do and that obedience (even though we can't understand why) is always better than sacrifice. It'll probably get harder to resist and fight but I thank God His mercies r new every morning and just enuff to survive the days temptations. And if or when u fall, stand back up, being comforted in the fact the strong men of God like David fell, but were restored cos they knew they were only human and will make mistakes.