Saturday, April 17, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
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Sunday, April 11, 2010
Religion vs. Spirituality
What is the difference between Religion and Spirituality?
Before the difference between religion and spirituality is explored, we must first define the two terms. Religion can be defined as “belief in God or gods to be worshipped, usually expressed in conduct and ritual” or “any specific system of belief, worship, etc., often involving a code of ethics.” Spirituality can be defined as “the quality or fact of being spiritual, non-physical” or “predominantly spiritual character as shown in thought, life, etc.; spiritual tendency or tone.” To put it briefly, religion is a set of beliefs and rituals that claim to get a person in a right relationship with God, and spirituality is a focus on spiritual things and the spiritual world instead of physical / earthly things.
The most common misconception about religion is that Christianity is just another religion like Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, etc. Sadly, many who claim to be adherents of Christianity do practice Christianity as if it were a religion. To many, Christianity is nothing more than a set of rules and rituals that a person has to observe in order to go to heaven after death. That is not true Christianity. True Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ. True Christianity is not a religion, but rather it is having a right relationship with God by receiving Jesus Christ as the Savior-Messiah, by grace through faith. Yes, Christianity does have “rituals” to observe (e.g. baptism and communion). Yes, Christianity does have “rules” to follow (e.g. do not murder, love one another, etc.). However, these rituals and rules are not the essence of Christianity. The rituals and rules of Christianity are the result of the salvation of the Christian. When we receive salvation through Jesus Christ, we are baptized as a proclamation of that faith. We observe communion in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. We follow a list of do’s and don’ts out of love for God and gratitude for what He has done and as a result of the influence of the indwelling Holy Spirit in our lives.
The most common misconception about spirituality is that there are many forms of spirituality, and all are equally valid. Meditating in unusual physical positions, communing with nature, seeking conversation with the spirit world, etc. may seem to be “spiritual,” but they are in fact false spirituality. True spirituality is possessing the Holy Spirit of God as a result of receiving salvation through Jesus Christ. True spirituality is the fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in a person’s life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Spirituality is all about becoming more like God, who is spirit (John 4:24), and having our character conformed to His image (Romans 12:1-2).
What religion and spirituality have in common is that they both can be false methods of having a relationship with God. Religion tends to substitute the heartless observance of rituals for a genuine relationship with God. Spirituality tends to substitute connection with the spirit world for a genuine relationship with God. Both can be, and often are, false paths to God. At the same time, religion can be valuable in the sense that it points to the fact that there is a God, and we are somehow accountable to Him. The only true value of religion is its ability to point out that we have all fallen short and are in need of a Savior. Spirituality can be valuable in that it points out that the physical world is not all there is. Human beings are not only material, but also are comprised of a soul-spirit. There is a spiritual world around us of which we should be aware. The true value of spirituality is that it points to the fact that there is something and someone beyond this physical world, to which we need to connect.
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of both religion and spirituality. Jesus is the One to whom we are accountable – which true religion points to. Jesus is the One to whom we need to connect – which true spirituality points to.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
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Monday, March 29, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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Today's Crossword
ACROSS
1 the best of ___ and the finest of wines (Isa 25:6)
5 the idolaters and everyone who loves and ___ falsehood (Rev 22:15)
10 I had rebuilt the wall and not a ___ was left in it (Neh 6:1)
11 who is praised by all the churches for his ___ to the gospel. (2 Cor 8:18)
14 After an ___ of several years I came toJerusalem
16 know that you have no authority to impose ___ , tribute or duty on any Ezra 7:24
18 Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the ___ of the world! (John 1:29)
19 the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to ___ out the land (Josh 14:7) KJV
20 Adam and Eve probably did not have one
22 "Teacher, what good thing ___ I do to get eternal life?" (Matt 19:16)
23 to another faith by the ___ Spirit, to another gifts of healing (1 Cor 12:9)
24 they consult a wooden ___ and are answered by a stick (Hos 4:12)
26 The ___ of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you (1 Thess 5:28)
28 But the meek will ___ the land and enjoy great peace (Ps 37:11)
31 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and ___ not on your own (Prov 3:5)
33 Do not touch my anointed ___ (Ps 105:15)
34 such as I never saw in all theland of Egypt
36 Those who see you ___ at you, they ponder your fate (Isa 14:16)
38 No widow may be put on the ___ of widows unless she is over sixty (1 Tim 5:9)
39 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the ___ (Gen 48:16) KJV
41 the ephod, close to the ___ just above the waistband (Ex 39:20)
43 His face ___ like the sun, and his clothes became as white (Matt 17:2)
45 cups shaped like almond flowers with ___ and blossoms (Ex 37:19)
46 seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and ___ mate (Gen 7:2)
48 If the ___ wishes to redeem the animal, he must add a fifth to its value (Lev 27:13)
50 Men of all ___ came to listen to Solomon's wisdom (1 Kings 4:34)
51 from merchants and traders and from all the ___ kings (1 Kings 10:15)
53 others asked, "How ___ a sinner do such miraculous signs?" (John 9:16)
54 When the disciples saw this, they were ___ . "Why this waste?" (Matt 26:8)
55 The Danites answered, Don't ___ with us (Judg 18:25)
DOWN
1 See, I will send my ___, who will prepare the way before me (Mal 3:1)
2 A few days later King ___ and Bernice arrived atCaesarea (Acts 25:13)
3 last letter in Hebrew
4 Then they ___ in his face and struck him with their fists (Matt 26:67)
6 exalt him that is low, and ___ him that is high (Ezek 21:26) (KJV)
7 chore, job
8 A mocker resents correction; he will not ___ the wise (Prov 15:12)
9 yet at the ___ of water it will bud and put forth shoots (Job 14:9)
12 a wedding took place at ___ inGalilee . Jesus' mother was there (John 2:1)
13 I the LORD search the heart and ___ the mind (Jer 17:10)
15 God gave unto them Saul the son of ___ (Acts 13:21) KJV
17 ___ though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23:4)
21 unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been ___ with (Jer 3:2) KJV
22 neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat ___ grapes, or dried (Num 6:3) KJV
23 remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many ___ (John 12:24)
25 I also want women to ___ modestly, with decency (1 Tim 2:9)
27 who ___ to be Jews though they are not (Rev 3:9)
29 took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ___"!" (John 12:13)
30 Bathsheba bowed, and did ___ unto the king (1 Kings 1:16) KJV
32 Picnic pests (Prov 30:25)
34 seven thin ears and ___ with the east wind sprung up after them (Gen 41:6) KJV
35 The LORD is ___ to anger, abounding in love (Num 14:18)
37 they that use this world, as not ___ it (1 Cor 7:31) KJV
40 Then will the lame leap like a ___ (Isa 35:6)
41 The LORD descended to the top ofMount ___
42 the 8th letter of the Greek alphabet
44 The word of the LORD that came to ___ son of Beeri (Hos 1:1)
47 He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of ___ ago (Mark 6:15)
49 anyone who says to his brother, ___ ,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin (Matt 5:22)
52 have them shut the doors and ___ them (Neh 7:3)
1 the best of ___ and the finest of wines (Isa 25:6)
5 the idolaters and everyone who loves and ___ falsehood (Rev 22:15)
10 I had rebuilt the wall and not a ___ was left in it (Neh 6:1)
11 who is praised by all the churches for his ___ to the gospel. (2 Cor 8:18)
14 After an ___ of several years I came to
16 know that you have no authority to impose ___ , tribute or duty on any Ezra 7:24
18 Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the ___ of the world! (John 1:29)
19 the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to ___ out the land (Josh 14:7) KJV
20 Adam and Eve probably did not have one
22 "Teacher, what good thing ___ I do to get eternal life?" (Matt 19:16)
23 to another faith by the ___ Spirit, to another gifts of healing (1 Cor 12:9)
24 they consult a wooden ___ and are answered by a stick (Hos 4:12)
26 The ___ of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you (1 Thess 5:28)
28 But the meek will ___ the land and enjoy great peace (Ps 37:11)
31 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and ___ not on your own (Prov 3:5)
33 Do not touch my anointed ___ (Ps 105:15)
34 such as I never saw in all the
36 Those who see you ___ at you, they ponder your fate (Isa 14:16)
38 No widow may be put on the ___ of widows unless she is over sixty (1 Tim 5:9)
39 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the ___ (Gen 48:16) KJV
41 the ephod, close to the ___ just above the waistband (Ex 39:20)
43 His face ___ like the sun, and his clothes became as white (Matt 17:2)
45 cups shaped like almond flowers with ___ and blossoms (Ex 37:19)
46 seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and ___ mate (Gen 7:2)
48 If the ___ wishes to redeem the animal, he must add a fifth to its value (Lev 27:13)
50 Men of all ___ came to listen to Solomon's wisdom (1 Kings 4:34)
51 from merchants and traders and from all the ___ kings (1 Kings 10:15)
53 others asked, "How ___ a sinner do such miraculous signs?" (John 9:16)
54 When the disciples saw this, they were ___ . "Why this waste?" (Matt 26:8)
55 The Danites answered, Don't ___ with us (Judg 18:25)
DOWN
1 See, I will send my ___, who will prepare the way before me (Mal 3:1)
2 A few days later King ___ and Bernice arrived at
3 last letter in Hebrew
4 Then they ___ in his face and struck him with their fists (Matt 26:67)
6 exalt him that is low, and ___ him that is high (Ezek 21:26) (KJV)
7 chore, job
8 A mocker resents correction; he will not ___ the wise (Prov 15:12)
9 yet at the ___ of water it will bud and put forth shoots (Job 14:9)
12 a wedding took place at ___ in
13 I the LORD search the heart and ___ the mind (Jer 17:10)
15 God gave unto them Saul the son of ___ (Acts 13:21) KJV
17 ___ though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23:4)
21 unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been ___ with (Jer 3:2) KJV
22 neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat ___ grapes, or dried (Num 6:3) KJV
23 remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many ___ (John 12:24)
25 I also want women to ___ modestly, with decency (1 Tim 2:9)
27 who ___ to be Jews though they are not (Rev 3:9)
29 took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ___"!" (John 12:13)
30 Bathsheba bowed, and did ___ unto the king (1 Kings 1:16) KJV
32 Picnic pests (Prov 30:25)
34 seven thin ears and ___ with the east wind sprung up after them (Gen 41:6) KJV
35 The LORD is ___ to anger, abounding in love (Num 14:18)
37 they that use this world, as not ___ it (1 Cor 7:31) KJV
40 Then will the lame leap like a ___ (Isa 35:6)
41 The LORD descended to the top of
42 the 8th letter of the Greek alphabet
44 The word of the LORD that came to ___ son of Beeri (Hos 1:1)
47 He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of ___ ago (Mark 6:15)
49 anyone who says to his brother, ___ ,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin (Matt 5:22)
52 have them shut the doors and ___ them (Neh 7:3)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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