"All Animals Are Equal, But Some Are More Equal Than Others"

I'm sorry that I don't post that much on here. It usually takes a large chunk of my day to write a thorough post and 3hrs + school work + student organizations + stress = no time to blog.
First i would like to formally say hi to everyone who started following me! one day i have 3 followers, the next day it's up to 10- that's a ptL to me :). Please don't be afraid to leave a comment- i love hearing other ppl's views and it really is a blessing to me.

Currently i'm reading through psalms and i'm just loving every minute of it. I've put reading this book off for the longest time and i'm glad I did. I don't think that I have been able to truly praise God up until this point of my walk with Christ so reading psalm any time before then just didn't mean that much to me. I could go on about how beautiful and passionate each chapter is but i'll stop before this post gets too long.

I've been coming across a few verses that really jump out at me:

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.Those who know me will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."- Psalm 9:9&10

"But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless."- Psalm 10:14

"You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more."- Psalm 10:17-18

God has such a sense of humor. If you read my homosexuality post, at the end i stated that even though I identify myself with several worldly things, i first find my identity in Christ. It did not take God too long to test that statement. Recently i have been struggling with my identity as a human rights activist (and an environmental activist though both go together in my eyes) and i have had a hard time distinguishing this identity with my Christian identity- that's because i do not make a stand or associate myself with anything unless i feel like its biblically backed it up. Honestly i'm not completely out of this trial, but God is opening my eyes.

God hates injustice. He hates wickedness and he hates evil. It has taken me this long to understand that injustice does include the injustice that we see happening around the world. The people dying from starvation because their governments are withholding food from them, God hates. The people who are dying from polluted water and who cannot afford to buy fresh clean water because large water companies are asking too high of rates, God hates. The people in places like Iran, who are killed every day because they are publicly demanding that their governments play fair, God hates. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict- God hates that too (as in the countless injustice that happens on both sides).
All injustice, God hates.

But what do we do? What can be done?

Being in school, learning about International Relations 'stuff' like global governments, theories, systems, economics, etc- that is a major question that we try to answer. How do we bring justice to ALL injustice? How do we do this without creating more injustice? How do we bring justice and after that peace? How do we evolve into a society that can bring justice and peace for eternity?
How we yearn for peace. A time where there is no pain, there is no suffering, there is no hunger and there is no poverty. But no matter how much we may try, we cannot bring it. There will always be evil in the world as long as there is sin.

However, God- a being that is all good, all powerful, all knowing, and all holy- can bring that justice. I take the example that nature gives us. From far away- everything seems simple, primitive, even chaotic. But if you look closely- you see that all things are interconnected. There is a system that keeps everything working as it should.
It is the same with our lives. I believe that everyone's death happens for a reason. I believe that even though God is a God of justice, he is also a God of grace. Therefore, we may wonder where God is when ppl are victims of another persons wickedness, but I think we have to realize that it might be because God is giving them a chance to turn around- He did that with St. Paul after all. God hates evil, but he loves so much, that he will give evil-doers as much of a chance as everyone else change and do good.

That is the kind of love and grace that we could never show- and that is why we can never bring justice by ourselves. We may try to fool ourselves into believing that 'all men are equal' but the reality is that we also believe '...some are more equal than others' (to take a line from Animal Farm).
There are some people who you would rather see drop dead, than walk away free with no consequence. There are some people who you may be able to forgive but God help you if you ever forget. There are some people who you know have done such evil that if you saw them today, you know you would go on a righteous kill. It's that attitude that makes us human, and it's the ability to separate that feeling and giving grace anyway that makes God, God.

However, God is still a just God, and even though he brings grace, he is holy and cannot dwell with wickedness. Therefore. If a wicked man dies a wicked man- refusing to turn back to God, there will be justice that takes place. And it will be justly deserved, and it will be followed by peace.

Revelation Song:



Peace Be with You,
Tabby

To My Father that Deserves Praise

O LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!

Many are saying of me,
"God will not deliver him."
Selah

But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
Selah

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.

Arise, O LORD!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.

From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
Selah

Psalm 3

How Great and Wonderful is our God. Our savior, our protector, our refuge, our rock. He is a God of Justice and of peace. A God that created all things and all that is to come. He holds power and time in his just and good hands- yet he loves us, the insignificant and sinful ant compared to time, so dearly. He has promised that he will raise us higher than the angels, and that we will dwell with him for eternity. And we know his word is good because all that he speaks is truth.

Hallelujah- Blessings be on the most High- and his son Jesus Christ!

Peace be with you.

A Violent Change of Identity

Homosexuality.

This is the topic i have decided to write on, and it's a topic that i'm least excited to talk about. That is not because it isn't interesting or important, but because it's definitely a church breaker. This has been something that i have struggled with, not sexual orientation wise, but faith wise. Where does God stand on homosexuality?
A few months back i prayed for God to put my spirit at rest about this subject, and i believe that He has. Before i tackle the subject I will let you in on the nature of my struggle.

I have many friends in the Church who are uncomfortable around homosexual people and who may use derogatory comments like 'that's Gay'- which is not ok with me. I believe that the best way to allow God to move is to show love to those outside of the church so i do my best to not offend. I also am uncomfortable with advocates against things like gay marriage, the homosexual culture, etc. in the church. I believe that

1. the way the church changes the society that we live in is through prayer and demonstrating Christ-like love
2. Hate is not something of God (however, i also do not believe in hindering an individual's duty as a citizen to vote for things that he or she believes in- that's what democracy is)
3. The thing that we as Christians are fighting against is not man, but Satan. we are part of a spiritual battle, not a physical one- fight accordingly, and
4. Focusing on just one sin- and not even, a majority of homosexual people don't get up and choose to be the way they are- is wrong. homosexuality is not any worse than murder, lying, stealing, greed, etc. everyone- saved or not- are sinners. The only difference is that we recognize our sinfulness and repent from it, constantly.

Because of these beliefs, i put the 'fight' against homosexuality in the same boat as the 'fight' against abortion- a worldly distraction from what God called us to do. the Great Commission wasn't to preserve the faith, but to spread the faith (and to continuously purify in the process).

Unfortunately, we are in a situation now where we need to spread the faith but the faith does not match up with what society deems as 'right'- and that is where my dilemma comes in. Personally, I really wish it did. As a black woman and a Christian I am against the discrimination of any group of people. However, my faith frames what that equality looks like and, therefore, my equality is different from the world's equality.

Where does God stand on Homosexuality.
So what's my Answer?

I could spend a load of time putting up scripture, talking theology, and interpreting certain verses but i'm not going to. Because even though, i believe, the bible is clear on it's stance on homosexuality, people still find things to argue about within those scriptures.

Instead, i will say this:
Christianity is different from other belief systems because in order to practice it properly, you cannot look at as a religion- or even a lifestyle. It is not something that helps me deal with the reality i find myself in. It is not a tradition that has been practiced in my family or in my community for many years. What it is, is an invitation. It is the understanding of the reality that we all live in: God created man to love, man fell away from God- entered sin, God loved us so much anyway that he gave up his son- a part of himself- to save us from our sin, this human manifestation of God died for our sins and rose again, and this process of shedding blood and resurrection created a bridge that connected us, sinful humans, to the holy God. The invitation is for us to Join God's family- Jesus Christ being our older brother and us adopted children of God. The byproduct of taking that invitation is the peace and joy that we have now that we are in God's family but the real prize is, even though we deserve it, salvation from the eternal fire and all that comes from being part of the family that has rule over all things- in short, Grace.

Knowing now, the nature of Christianity, we need to recognize what it means to take that invitation. I take the example of the Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19. He asked Jesus what it is that he needs to do in order to gain eternal life- as he has already kept the law:

"Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." (Matthew 19: 21&22)

Jesus knew this young man was rich and he knew that he kept the commandments. However, he made it clear to this rich young man that keeping the commandments were not enough- in order to receive eternal life (the invitation into God's family), one must give up all that he has in this life, for it. People usually look at this scripture to mean physical possessions but i would just bring up that possessions for a rich man is not just things, but an identity. His riches is what makes him, him. That is why he was sad on hearing this, because he knew he would have to give up what came with his riches- maybe a title, respect, certain responsibilities he enjoyed having, in order to have the eternal life God has for him.

Therefore, understand that taking God's invitation shouldn't be done lightly- there is a requirement from us. It is a violent change of who we are- nothing should come before the identity we find in Christ.

It is more than possible to be homosexual and Christian. It is also very possible to, for a time, have no sense of guilt for holding on to this identity and holding on to the Faith. However, if God's word and truth convicts the heart- and that goes for everyone- remember that God does not change for our own glory, we change for God's glory. That is the exchange that we willingly make when we accept God's invitation. If we are going to be part of the Father's family, we have to follow the rules of the house- and His rule is that we leave everything that we are and that we have at the door.

My name is Tabitha. I am a Jamaican, an American, a black woman, a global citizen, an environmentalist, a photographer, a college student, a human rights activist, a heterosexual, but first and foremost I am a follower of Christ. And i would give up all those other things if God wanted me to because his Love is much more worth it.

I do not wish to offend anyone, But i also know that sometimes speaking Truth doesn't come sugarcoated. I encourage all my brothers and sisters to ask God to reveal to them what identity or possession they may have a hard time giving up. Then pray for strength to overcome it.
I'm sorry it was such a long entry, I promise to shorten it next time.

A song before I finish- He loves Us


David Crowder also sings this song in his new album.

Peace be With You,
Tabby <3

The Covers

I just downloaded David Crowder's new album Church Music and i really like his cover of "All Around Me" by flyleaf. I will share with you now:



You can find the original flyleaf version Here.

While i was on youtube, i found another cover, but it was flyleaf doing "you are my joy/Inside out." I'm not that into christian hardrock- no offense, but i find it kind of tasteless but i do respect it- the more ways people worship God the better.



Here are the links to You are my Joy and From the Inside Out...and no i don't know what's up with the dress and pants combo, but it looks like she does it a lot (whatever the sister wants to do tho :P)

I'll probably make another post tomorrow b/c i have a good topic to talk about ^_^

Peace Be With You,
Tabby <3

"For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with the inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you." Acts 17:23

Speaking Boldly For The Lord

"At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There the spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders."

This morning's Scripture is Acts 14:1-3 but it's what verse 3 says that I want to focus on.

Many times, when i feel troubled by an issue going on around me, or if i feel concerned about the sinfulness society has come to, a well meaning sister or brother in Christ may say 'Well you need to speak out, be Bold for the Lord!'- however, i think that when the Church (especially here in the US) talks about being bold, we really mean being loud, noisy, and in the worst of cases, combative.

When speaking about being bold for the Lord, we should use the example of Paul and Barnabas:

1. They Came into the City doing what God called them to d0
This is important, because it shows that Paul and Barnabas did not go out 'looking for a fight'. This conflict came up after they found themselves in a position where all they were doing was following God's plan. They were called to spread the Good News, so they did.

2. When things started to turn sour, they continued to follow God's will
Here we see another key point. The act of boldness was continuing to do that which they were called to do. To be bold in the Lord is to continue to walk in His word and to walk in His will when the currents of the World tries harder to push you in every which direction.

3. God gave them the 'Stamp of Approval'
Finally, and maybe the most important lesson from the scripture, is the fact that God himself confirmed their actions by exposing his power and glory in their favor. If you are doing what God wills for you to do, he will ALWAYS give you his blessing- a signal that what you have done in His name was good.

God may call us to be his body, but he does not call us to be his soldier- He may give us his Holy armor to fight the spiritual battle that we face everyday, but it's for self-defense. We do not go looking for conflict, we stand firm in conflict. The only offensive move we make is speaking truth and acting in love.


Peace be with you,
Tabby <3

Back to the Basics: Love

I have come back home for Christmas break- hopefully this means i can blog more. I'm probably going to go back to doing my personal devotions and blogging about it, sharing scripture that popped out at me.

These past few weeks I have been confronted by the idea of God and love. Including myself, many Christians find love to be the focus of God- God is love. However it has become clear to me that the definition of love for a lot of Christ followers has become watered down. More specifically, because God is love and because i am to strive to become like God, I must not judge; judging does not come from love. I do not know where this idea of a separation between Love and Judge came to be (i mean i have some theories but i won't get into that here).

There is a type of judging that is unhealthy and comes from a heart of malice- this is the one that people dislike and the one that many today try to stay away from (you are in the wrong with this kind of judging). However, to judge is not something that is wrong in itself. When an individual has a problem with heroin, isn't it out of love that their family and friends come to him to speak truth about his addiction? That is judgment being made and it is out of love.
If we look at the relationship between parents and their children, do not good parents put boundaries around their children and have consequences for crossing those boundaries? Do not good parents punish their children for doing wrong? And isn't all those things done out of love lest the child finds out the hard way what consequences and punishment does follow out of wrong doing. That is judgment and it is done out of love- I'd rather learn what consequences mean by my loving parents than by the state prison.

Many Christians forget that it is possible, and sometimes necessary, to judge and punish someone out of love. Of course the next question would be how do we know a punishment is coming out of love?

^"4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Unlike what we may hear at weddings, this description of love was intended for the brothers and sisters of the church. This is what love looks like to each other. And when we judge one another this is the heart that it must come from.

But how do i know that we are called to judge one another? after all Matthew 7:1 says 'Do not judge, or you too will be judged.' however if you take time to look at the context that scripture comes from, you get this:

" Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'let me take the speck out of your eye when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the lank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Matthew 7:1-5

The command isn't to never judge under any circumstance, but to warn the brothers that the measure that we judge each other is the measure that we God will judge us. How do we make sure that we do not judge in hypocrisy? we make sure we judge in love.

A point that i want to make clear- I do not say that judging includes people outside of the church- even in the scripture above it refers to the other person as being your brother. Again, in 1 Corinthians:

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside of the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you."

1 Corinth 5:12-13

This is where the Christians who focus on love are right. outside of the church, or outside of the family, our job is to love- Love like Christ loves. We do not condemn those that our not yet our own. However, inside the church it is a family- we are all part of God's family and we are all part of God's house. God is as holy as he is love, therefore anything that is not holy in the body must be confronted- but confronted out of love (the last scripture here is taken out of context- read all of chp. 5 to understand what Paul is speaking about). A family that truly loves one another will confront a member when they are participating in acts that are harmful to themselves (like the intervention with the heroin) and to do things that are not holy is something that affects our spiritual walk, let alone our spiritual peace, with God. Therefore, if i care for my sister or brother in christ, i will love him or her, yes, but i am responsible for judging her as well.

Therefore, as a final note; when you are being judged, if it is from a loved one, do not get defensive. Instead, trust the character of the person talking to you- wouldn't him or her have your own best interest in mind if they are confronting you? Wouldn't they say something to you if they thought it was in your own self-interest to listen? If that is the case, examine the speck in your eye because they probably have already examined the plank in their own eyes.

My pastor back at school said this in a sermon not to long ago: It is wrong to say God is Loving and Just. No, because God is love, he is also just.

I'll leave with a hymm performed by Sufjan Stevens:

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing



Lyrics:

Come Thou Fount of every blessing; Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above. Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it, Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I'm come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be! Let that grace now like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here's my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above

Peace be with you,
Tabby <3

...oh hai... >.>

I know it's been a while and i apologize still.
on the bright side- i think i've got myself back on track, though i'm no less busy. Hopefully i'll be able to blog more this thanksgiving weekend/christmas.

I have decided to take some time out of my busy sched. to introduce to you a blog i stumbled upon thanks to stumbleupon.com (which is the best thing EVER)

it's Skeptical Christian (link going on the side bar). I haven't read through all of it but from what i have read, i do agree with the points given.
check it out when you get a chance to!

and to leave you, i've been listening to Sufjan's music recently and just falling in love with this song:

All the trees of the field will clap their hands




Tabby

"Then peter said, 'silver or gold i do not have, but what i have i give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.'"
Acts 3:6