The Burden of Truth

Confession Made Easy

2010-01-19T20:32:00.001-05:00

Greetings to my sisters and brothers in Christ!

Our Loving Holy Father desires for us above all that we let Him into our hearts and our lives, for His Love is immeasurable and He wants us to build a close relationship with Him and His Blessed Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ.

Most people know that God requires us to repent and confess our sins, and for this He will grace us with His Holy Forgiveness. Only then are we free of sin and can build a close and abundant relationship with God, Our Holy Father.

It is this repentance and confession that stops many of us from taking that critically important step to allow God into our hearts. Perhaps we are ashamed of our sins, or maybe we don't know how to repent or confess. Maybe some think they can't confess the right way because they have been discouraged by the image of detailed confessions followed by agonizing penance fabled of Catholicism.

Well, be heartened to know that confession doesn't have to be painful or embarrassing, and even today's Catholics know that its not the words of a confession that matter, but rather the act in a true spirit in admitting to God our sins and seeking to repent, and to have God in our lives that is the key.

9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (1 John 1:9 NLV)

The simple process of confession is one of the best aspects of the Anglican and Episcopal Eucharist. It is an overall statement of acknowledgment of our sins without detail, and a humble request for God's Mercy. No skulking into a confessional, no embarrassing admissions, no guilt trips. Just an honest statement of our desire to repent and seek God's Blessed Forgiveness.

Here is the Confession Prayer:

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in Your Will, and walk in Your Ways, to the Glory of Your Name. Amen.

Here's an even shorter Confession Prayer (which I recite on my own):

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

The Celebrant (Bishop, Priest, Minister, Deacon or lay person) then gives ascent for absolution** by saying a blessing such as:

The Almighty and merciful Lord grant you absolution and remission of all your sins, true repentance, amendment of life and the grace and consolation of His Holy Spirit. Amen (Book of Common Prayer, 1789)

THAT'S IT! Nuff' said!

Of course, we must mean what we say, and to make our very best effort to live as a loyal Child of God, with a true desire within our heart to follow Christ.

Now I know, following Christ will all our heart doesn't seem to be an easy task, but if you talk to God and ask Him to help you, He will. He has given us instructions in the Bible, He has shown us an example in Christ, and He has a world of mentors available in His churches and fellowships to assist you.

Also, an added benefit to speaking your confession, and hearing the Celebrant's request to God for forgiveness, you will feel ~ relief, lightness, and joy!

This is God's Forgiveness! Thanks be to God!

This elation will pave the way for your repentance, and just like any new skill, the more you practice, the easier it will come to you. This is proof of God's Grace. This is God loving us, and guiding us to become ever nearer a part of His Holy Kingdom.

So my beloved sisters and brothers in Christ, I beseech and encourage you to start and strengthen your relationship with God by confessing to let Him know that:

You want His forgiveness

You want Him in your heart, and that

You want Him in your life.

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16 NLV)

A simple prayer of confession given with a true and sincere heart is a sure way to create and fortify a Holy relationship with Our Holy Father. That's a guarantee I can make with confidence.

(**Note: I say "ascent for absolution" to clearly specify that the Celebrant is not the one who is forgiving you: but is stating, as a trained intermediary to God, that you have confessed your sins, and is asking God to grace you with His Mercy and Forgiveness.)

May the Peace of the Lord be with You Always.
cwhp

God Spoke Again

2010-01-17T21:38:00.029-05:00

I am The Lord Thy God

God spoke loud & clear this time.

It was 24 hours later, exactly. December 29, 2009 8:00 am.

Once again, I awakened, not by the sun flooding my eyelids, but by His Voice!

I sat bolt upright, my voice speechless, my mind chiming "I am here!" I found my voice to Praise God in wonderment and excitement.

Alleluia. The Lord has shown forth His Glory!

A lyrical whisper passed through me ...I am I...I am

It has stayed with me since, it is a part of my breathing. It has become a part of me, an innate core of my consciousness.

I am I...I am

Always in my awareness like a light on the edge of my field of vision.

It keeps my attention with a constancy I have known before as a mother ever vigilant in care of her child, ever listening for her child's cry.

As a woman ever tuned to her lover's voice.

This... is....Intimacy

Just as He promised - but not of my sight, nor my hearing. It is deep within. Of my very breath.

Breathe in...I am I   Breathe out...I am

Each morning I wake     Breathe in...I am I   Breathe out...I am
I workout on my gym     Breathe in...I am I   Breathe out...I am
I walk my treadmill        Breathe in...I am I   Breathe out...I am
As I fall asleep              Breathe in...I am I   Breathe out...I am

Lord, open our lips. And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever, Amen.

I have to admit that since then I have been quite startled and more than a little dismayed. I should not be. It is not really a surprise.

God has spoken to me before.

As an infant, angels took me flying down our staircase in my dreams and I lived in a bubble of pure love. The first time I remember hearing His Voice was when I was age 12.

He said "I am your Father."

I understood and became aware of many things then, but mostly that we are all Children of God. I bore an overwhelming love for my fellow man. In contrast to this love, I also recognized the presence of evil. I have suffered the knowledge of evil gaining a foothold on this earth.
I have known deep within my soul that the culmination of the battle between good and evil was coming. I have despaired in the knowledge that this final conflict was fast approaching.

Discouragement rose as my concerns fell on apathetic ears. Even faithful Christians, who joyfully seek Christ's return, have looked askance at me as being too dramatic. "Trust in God," they would say, "don't worry. Let go and let God."

My Father has graced me with the gifts of intellect and resourcefulness. I relish in study and the systematic identification of a problem, and am relentless in my efforts to make corrections. Am I being weak in my faith by seeking to raise awareness of imminent disasters? I took many routes in seeking an outlet for my message.

I was 'Chicken Little', a social pariah. Not exactly a happy life for a young woman. I let go of my crusade, my compromise was to minister through example. The pathways that led to this change, and the years since make up most of life. I have had many trials and triumphs, and I have grown into a woman of wisdom and strength.

Maybe now because I am strong of spirit and courage, because my children have their own lives now. Maybe now because I have nothing to distract me.

"Their's not to reason why, Their's but to do and die." (Tennyson, 1854)

I am shaken that after all these years I am being called to the service of my Lord. I am startled because of what I do know now. It is the actuality of my own previous awareness of the inevitable avalanche of disaster we humans have been bringing on ourselves.

I am The Lord Thy God

Everyone knows this statement from the Old Testament. I opened my New Living Translation Bible, but the words were not exact. Online research revealed that the exact wording of "I am the Lord Thy God" is in the original Kings James Version (KJV), not the American KJV. God is Great! This was the bible I studied for my confirmation at an Anglican Church in a British Colony. It was a challenge for me because of the archaic wording, but I have quoted this version ever since.

This statement is Exodus 20:2; it is God's declaration just before His instructions to Moses and the Israelites, The Ten Commandments.

1. And God spake all these words, saying,

2. I am the LORD Thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. (Exodus 20:12 KJV)

Alleluia, my Lord has spoken to me - saying the words that are the foundation of my Christianity, the core of my spirit, the creator of my life and my world, my Father.

Next it is written, "3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3 KLV)"

I am now astounded. It is clear now what God is commanding of me. Likened unto Nehemiah ~ I am now "sore afraid". (Nehemiah 2:2)

The sleeping dog has been woken.

+ One day I discovered and realized the immenseness of humanity's greatest deception.
+ The next day God spoke to me and told me to prepare for battle.
+ The following day God commanded that He is my Lord and he gave me the battle plan.

The initial posts are to present myself and give foundation to my cause. I am going to continue to relate my personal thoughts; however, this blog is my effort to inform and gather strength for the task that has been given me.

The tool being used to make evil a part of our daily life is entertainment media. This is not a new concept to Christians, and I am not the first to bring this to light. However, I have been commanded to embark upon this campaign using my gifts to further propel this conflict into the forefront of society's awareness.

I am humbled that I am chosen; I am honored as well. This is now my life.

Since the best means of communicating this message is also the very means by which our enemy is leading its charge, this is a momentous challenge. Our children and our society are being systematically bombarded with evil messages and being desensitized to their horrors.

Evil personages in the form of witches, psychics and vampires are being idolized and promoted as desirable role models. Images of blood, murder, and torture are already accepted as normal viewing entertainment. Sexual deviations and perversions are celebrated as diverse and acceptable.

I have posted a link to Good Fight Ministries, who have been spreading the word about these abominations. This site opened my eyes to many entertainment personages who have not only actively promoted evil through their music or movies, but are also aware and seek to undermine the good of mankind.

I call for you to join us in this crusade. I am skilled in organization and am working to form communicative channels and access information outlets. My goal is to get this message out and gain the support of everyone who seek to destroy evil. This is the fight entrusted to all Christians, but it is not just a Christian battle, it is a battle for all humanity.

14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ...(Eph. 4:14-15)

The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Let us pray:

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior
Jesus Christ is the Light of the World:
Grant that your people, illumined by your Word
and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory,
that He may be known, worshiped, and obeyed
to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
Who with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
One God, now and for ever. Amen.

Peace Be With You
cwhp

Proverbs 29:25

2010-01-16T19:42:00.008-05:00

Proverbs 29:25 Christian Wallpapers Free

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God Spoke

2010-01-16T18:16:00.002-05:00

On Monday, December 28, 2009, 8:00 am Eastern Standard Time:

God spoke to me.
It was not the first time, so I know it when I hear Him. He spoke to me clearly and regularly when I was very young, but although I have had known His Will and intuition as an adult, I have not heard His Voice very much since childhood; and had but a cursory relationship with Him over the last ten years.
Yet, it was God’s Voice that spoke to me on Monday and told me what I had to do. He compelled me to tell all, and since I’m pretty much a loner ~ I’m creating this blog. I hope I reach many, and hope that by putting this on the web it will be read by as many as possible. I am to share the truth I found with everyone, so here it is.
At 8:00 am Eastern Standard Time, in the very southeastern region of the US; the sun shone brightly through screen glass door and opened my eyes. I often sleep on the daybed in my living room, falling asleep watching tv. I often wake to the sunlight, living in Florida…but usually my eyes are already open. Usually the sun just is there when I sleepily crack open my eyes. I’ve been unemployed for a year. I live alone. My children are grown. I have no husband. I rarely have to wake up at any certain time. I’m enjoying the luxury of sleeping late whenever I please. It is another one of those pleasures that I secretly dreamed of when I had a hectic family life.
You get what you ask for. . . . . . I did.

I can even get by fairly well without work, at least until unemployment runs out. I have no children to herd to school, no man to brew coffee for, no job to rush to, just what I had asked for…that turned into an empty life alone.
So I admit I wanted this, except for being so alone.
Solitude is good for spiritual growth. I like myself and am not even very lonely. I pray every morning, thanking God for my life, my children, my family, my friends, and this glorious world. I haven’t been going to church lately, (a discussion to be blogged later), but I study theology and new biblical discoveries. I talk to God everyday, and thank Him for blessings small and large. I share with Him the little joys, and seek His comfort when saddened. I talk to Him and ask Lord Jesus’ blessings all the time with an enduring faith that I am a cherished child of His Kingdom. My faith is immense.
And God spoke to me on Monday. He sent the sunlight through my curtains to blare through my eyelids and wake me. God is Great. He woke me, He spoke my name and said “Get into top physical condition, and be ready for battle in one year.” No kidding. Word for word. Praise God.
I used to be in top physical condition, before and after my children. Just ten years ago I was cycling five miles a day a fast 15-mph clip. I could outdance girls my daughter’s age for hours. I have always been in great shape, until a few years ago, but I am not now.
So, it’s a little bit of a challenge, not impossible, but definitely will take some work. The thing is, I have been telling myself for the last five years that I’m overweight and need to shape up, but I didn’t listen. I listen now. God told me.
Hearing His Voice has given me Almighty adrenaline! I’m doing it too. It has only been three days and I have worked out on my home gym first thing in the mornings, and walked the treadmill or yoga at least a couple times. I have even recruited a friend to walk the beach with me daily. I am really motivated and know that this is not a brief fling. God is watching me, and I can ask Him to strengthen me when I am feeling weak of will. I am joyful to be making this effort and knowing He is seeing me work to follow His command.
Believe me that’s a lot, because I don’t like to be told to do anything by anyone. However, I am in complete reverence and worship of God the Holy Father and my Lord Jesus Christ. No one else, I stand alone with little regard for societal considerations. I bow to no man, only for my Holy Father and His Son. God spoke to me and gave me specific directions. I am motivated. I am ecstatic. I have been blessed.
It has been a long time since I have heard His Voice. Everyday I speak to Him. I see and celebrate the wonders of His creation. I marvel at the gifts He has bestowed upon me and those around me. I revel in the miracles around me.
I have kept a vigilant faith which has grown massively without bounds in the face of obstacles, disappointments, and loss. I have known very much loss. My family is nearly all gone now. The only people who loved me for my strange, odd self. Too much loss. My faith is boundless and true, but I have needed to hear from my Lord. I have needed my Father.
Monday, He spoke to me. In my heart I have known that He loves me and that my grief has been casualty of the workings of His Will. I am but His child; and although in His Grace I have grown powerful of will and strong of heart, I really needed to hear from Him. Glory Hallelujah, He spoke to me.
Alleluia to My Lord God! I rejoice to hear Your Voice. I hurry to follow Your Word.
The day before God spoke to me, on Sunday, I had asked a question online that troubled my mind. I researched and found some things out, the truth of which I had long suspected. Truths that are eroding the very core of our society. I asked one resource if I could help, if I could spread the word of these disturbing truths. I was asking from a position of strength and faith in My Holy Father and My Lord Jesus Christ.
I was finding the answer to my fears and suspicions. I knew I had to let others know of the things that were happening right before our eyes. These things that have been troubling me more and more I have found to be a real and valid concern, more than that, a disaster, an undoing of human decency and goodness.
I decided to share this realization and demonstrate to my human family the great deception permeating throughout our lives. On Sunday night, I resolved to shoulder the burden of truth.
The next morning, God spoke to me. He knew what I had learned the day before. He knows my heart and my resolve to spread this terrible truth. He knows I have longed to hear from Him for so long.
The next morning He told me – To prepare. For battle. In one year.
Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him all Ye Heavenly Host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. +
Peace be With You Always
cwhp