#RealTalk : Private Spirituality

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

We’re in the home stretch of Lent.

Easter is less than two weeks away. And if you’re anything like me, then maybe you’ve slipped up a time or two – or twenty – on what you’ve “given up” for Lent.

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So these last two weeks are the final push – the home stretch where you give it all you’ve got.

Every year during Lent, I try to watch The Passion of the Christ. And if you haven’t seen it, I highly suggest watching. Yes, it is difficult to watch at times. Yes, it is emotionally exhausting. Yes, it is long, and you will need to wear waterproof mascara, but trust me when I say, it will make you see your personal relationship with Jesus in an entirely new light. And make your faith come alive in such a personal, moving way.

And sidenote: Jim Caviezel did an amazing job portraying Jesus. And if you’ve never heard his personal testimony about his faith and what he went through to execute that role, I would highly suggest listening to his testimony on YouTube.

But one of the things that I take away from the movie, after witnessing the excruciating suffering He endured – the torture, the mockery and humiliation, the physical abuse – was how extreme His love is for me.

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Jesus took all of that, and atop Calvary, publicly stood up for me.

It was a public declaration of love. Defending my salvation – taking the nails literally, so I could be free and get to Heaven.

It is almost too much to comprehend.

One of the things about this time we’re living in, is how private people are about their faith.

We’ve become a society where people are no longer are “faithful,” but spiritual. God is now “The Universe.” Brunch has replaced church. And as a natural progression, any faith we do have left, has been hidden away into the privacy of our minds and homes, for fear of being seen as “weird,” “antiquated,” “close minded” or worse…”religious.”

I hate to admit it, but sometimes, when celebrities or people throw out the vanilla “My thoughts and prayers are with [insert tragedy victim]…” I know it’s horrible, but I sometimes will literally think with pleasant surprise…”Oh, you pray??” 

We have put any inkling of faith left into a little bubble that no one sees, no one talks about, and no one demonstrates, other than a banal tweet that lost its sincerity years ago.

We are a people of privacy.

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And I’m guilty of this too. I saw a friend at the grocery story the other day, and I told him I had just come from church, and I felt as though I had just admitted to still listening to Nickelback or something.

We’re afraid to share what should be the most important part of our lives.

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One of the comments I get a lot is how people are so surprised that I can share my faith so openly on my blog.

And honestly, I feel pretty convicted or even – phony – hearing that. Because there’s so much more I could be doing. And frankly, it’s a lot easier for me to write about on the Internet than in real life, but I am really trying to work on that.

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But why do I write about my faith?

It all goes back to The Passion.

Jesus defended me.Now, it is my turn to defend Jesus. 

If Jesus would have practiced our pathetic “2018 Christianity” and kept His faith private for fear of coming off as “religious“…then the crucifixion would have never happened. He would have never ruffled any feathers or caused a stir…Salvation as we know it would not be a thing. Because what He did was a public declaration of FAITH. Of TRUTH. Of love.

Jesus was not ashamed or embarrassed to show His love and defend me and my shortcoming and sins through a public display of action that literally landed Him on top of a hill for the entire world to see. The least I can do is to share that with others.

The least I can do is live a life in gratitude for that gift, and try to live a life that points to Him.

Watching The Passion this year with that new perspective, I felt completely convicted. Because it all boils down to one question: Do I believe this? And if that answer is yes, then what am I going to do about it.

I could be doing so much more. There’s such a need for His love out there in the world. And not just the world – but in our own backyards. In our communities, friend groups, families – in our own hearts!

Lent is our time to reflect on His public declaration. And question how we are living in response to that sacrifice.

So in these last two weeks, I’m really going to try to remember as I go through my day, the fact that Jesus stood up for me. He stood up for me all the way to the Cross. The least I can do is stand up for Him.

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284 thoughts on “#RealTalk : Private Spirituality”

  2. What a perfect post for today! I found myself nodding “yes” over and over. We ARE so blessed and I find myself overflowing with grattitude for His gift-especially this time of year. I applaud you for contintuing to speak of your faith through your blog-even as it grows. I strongly believe He is behind your growth. People are longing to hear this even if some are quietly taking it in. You are a great light!

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      1. It’s easy to lose site of who we are and what we stand for the more “popular” we get. Your blog, book, game has just blown up! I’m so excited for you! Just keep it up and don’t let “the world” alter what you right about too much! I love to follow you. You’re so inspiring!

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  3. When we know what Jesus did on the cross and the devil challenges our identity we can declare – I am a daughter or a son of a living King, I am unique in the eyes of my Father. We are made for more than what we are busy with. STEP UP for Jesus,He is worth it. Be blessed

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  5. Christ Jesus-Yeshua is the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE!! ❤

    May our ONE TRUE GOD THE FATHER who art in Heaven Above Bless all my Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and my Messianic Jewish Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Families and Friends who STAND with the Holy Land of Israel-Yisrael and our Judeo-Christian Nation United States of America and our Christian Earth!!

    Praise Jesus-Yeshua Christ for Today and Everyday, HE is KING of kings and LORD ( ADONAI ) of lords, HE is the ALPHA and OMEGA, HE is the BEGINNING and the END!! Sing Glory Glory Hallelujah and Maranatha EVERYONE!!

    Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💜💕 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Jesus-Yeshua Christ for Today and Everyday Forevermore Everyone!!

    I Love 💕💜 you all Everyone through Jesus-Yeshua Christ, because HE LOVED 💜💕 EVERYONE FIRST Forevermore!!

    Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ) Everyone, YSIC \o/

    Kristi Ann

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  7. As I have moved to Norway, I find myself being pushed to be private. I am surrounded by atheists. I haven’t really observed lent. . . . I knew moving here I would be distant from the Catholic church and things would be harder. Many parts of me are completely foreign to them and Catholicism is one. I am a joke, an annoyance or even something stupid to them. Yet, I try and defend myself ever so politely. I am making an impression of the Church. I fight being private and the fight is real. ❤

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    1. Thank you Stiina for sharing your story. that’s got to be so hard. I will definitely keep you in my prayers. I hope you can find a faith community there!! Hugs and love xox

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  8. Very well said, Caralyn! Be bold and wear your faith in love — the one commandment that Jesus gave us before being nailed to the cross for all of us. Your wisdom is beyond your age, this dad says. Your parents must be very proud of you! Have a wonderful day!

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  9. Good for you!! And I agree about The Passion of the Christ. A powerful film that everyone should see. Had a great impact on me at a critical time in my life. Thank you Mel Gibson (and God for inspiring him)!

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  10. Hey there! I’m glad you wrote this one (well I’m glad you write, period). Because the public vs private thing is a long term area of debate and frankly, spiritual malpractice on both sides of the coin. There are definitely things we are instructed – by Jesus – to do in private, and they bring reward (see Matthew 6). And we are to be witnesses to God’s grace as well (Acts 1:8) – where the word for “witness” is the martyr (though a martyr in this sense doesn’t necessarily die for his/her faith).

    We mess it up, as you pointed out. We make private with is supposed to be public. But frankly, we make public what should be private too. Too often, a witness is forced or robotic (hand raised here). Too often it’s a political or tribal account we give and not one aimed at sharing all that we have in Christ as a free gift.

    So, how do we do it? Please don’t dismiss him because he’s Protestant, but the recent passing of Billy Graham has brought a lot of vignettes and recorded accounts from his life to light. Below is an interview by Woody Allen. They (the audience and Woody Allen) try to make him seem judgmental, too restrictive, etc., but he stays right on. THAT is being a witness. He never stops loving, never stops doing reconciliation. May we all learn.

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    1. Thank you so much 🙂 that’s so true – it’s a balance of public and private. And i love Billy Graham! I can’t wait to check out that clip. Thanks for passing it along. What a warrior for Christ. Hugs and love xox

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  13. So well said. I am embarrassed that, at my age, this is still difficult. You are right. It’s so hard to talk about our faith! I was recently talking to a friend about this. When people ask me what I write, it’s sometimes hard to say, “Christian romance.” It’s even harder to say the truth: “I write Catholic romantic fiction.” And why? I’m not ashamed by it. But am I? By saying it out loud, I feel so judged. I wish I had your confidence when it comes to publicly talking about my faith and how deeply it affects what I do.

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    1. Thank you so much Amy. Yeah it is so hard – I feel ya there! Keeping you in my prayers! And own that job title! — it’s freaking awesome!!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  15. Great piece Caralyn. The privatization of faith is the first step towards persecution. It is important to remember that our faith is essential to who we are. Privatization of our beliefs removes the essentiality and corners what we belief and Who we worship to the darkened coroners of isolation. That is what the Enemy wants of us. Reading Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis) reminds me of how effective the demonic tool of privatization is – it depletes us of the essential quality of what makes us believers. I love your tie in to the Passion – also one of my annual Lenten traditions. It is a great movie that reminds us of the sacrifice that was endured by Jesus.

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  16. I’m with you on feeling more at ease writing about Christ and my faith, than in a one-on-one conversation about it, but I am getting better. The first time you talk to someone about Christ, it can feel a little awkward, but the more and more you do it, the easier it gets. Yesterday I was sitting with a young woman at a baseball game here at Spring Training and somehow me telling her about Christ just came pouring out of my mouth. It was so refreshing that I could find myself doing this. One of our pastors at our church in Chattanooga, always asks someone to pray after the service, usually a male in the crowd. Two years ago around Christmas he asked me. Oh my goodness, pray in front of a couple of hundred people?! I kind of fumbled through it , but did okay. After that, I always expect to be chosen again…and yes, this past Christmas it happened again. The prayer came much easier to me this time. So, that pastor did me a favor. God used him to help break me out of my timidity to speak to others. We have a weekly Bible Study here at Spring Training and this year’s subject was on being disciples. I think this was an excellent subject because we travel so much and have lots of opportunities to share our faith with others. The first step is to ask someone how they are and try to learn more about them. We can usually tell if someone is going through something rough and just maybe they will spill their guts about it. Then ask if you can pray with them. If they say okay, the Holy Spirit will help you. iI they say no and think you’re odd, then move along. Maybe they will think about it and later on they will come to you, but don’t pressure them. We also need to live like we have Christ in our hearts and maybe a person will become curious about it and ask us. If you think about the Woman at the Well whom Jesus spoke to, think about how she changed, ran into town to tell others, and they actually followed her back to see Jesus. Why in the world would they follow such a despised woman? Because they saw a change in her, the change that Christ made in her. That’s how Christians need to live, changed. People notice and will ask. God opens a door for us to bring someone to Him, we need to recognize it and step through. It’s just that first step that can be so hard. Thanks again for a lovely post!

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    1. Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. Wow – what a powerful experience! Thank you for sharing that. And what a powerful gift you have to share with those at Spring Training. You are a gift!! Hugs and love xox

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  19. <3<3<3 I love this. Thank you. And you hit the nail on the head. What is surprising about our private faith, is that practically nothing else in this world people leave private. Between social media and the clothes people wear, I know more than I ever wised to and definitely not what I want to.

    I have yet to watch that movie. I am kind of ashamed to admit I was scared to. I don't really know why. I have heard great things about it. I am going to watch it this week I think.

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  20. Thank you for this powerful, compelling post. When The Passion came out in theaters, our church and youth leaders wanted to take a group of us to see it. I specifically remember the permission slips that all parents had to read and sign. I was 15 at the time, and I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to see it in theaters. It was life-changing. I don’t think I’ve ever cried that much in a movie. I physically felt my life view shift during the movie, and again immediately afterward. I could barely speak for the rest of the day. It was that powerful, that mind-blowing. Another movie my mom typically watches around Easter is The Ten Commandments – Another powerful movie. I think of Caviezel’s epic portrayal every year, and I’m grateful our church gave us that chance to see it together.

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    1. Thank you so much Laura Beth! Yeah, what a life changing film indeed. thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  22. Great post and I love the movie the Passion of the Christ. Jim was an amazing actor and that movie gives me chills and tears each time. It’s like you can see Christ’s sacrifice for us on the cross.

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    1. Thanks T! He really is an incredible actor. Definitely check out his testimony on YouTube. Powerful stuff. Hugs and love xox

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  23. I know I almost always say I’ve ranted, but this one’s a doozy 😂

    You know, I think it all comes back on identity again; Jesus didn’t live his faith secretly because he was too much Love and Truth to; time and again he’s tired and hungry but there is a crowd and he knows and loves them. If we really knew and embraced our identities and understood the full implication of ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’, we would be no more able to live secretly. But that’s a journey for everyone–it certainly is for me!

    I’ve shared before that I believe the shift away from religion and even church culture we’re seeing in so many instances, is a good thing–and also inevitable as the older generation in some instances refuses to relinquish to the up-and-comings–because faith isn’t a formula. It isn’t something you go to church to do. Faith flows out of relationship and here’s something to ponder: Jesus was often in wonder at how little faith his disciples had while he was walking right among them day in day out – so what might that say about our faith now when observance and service is favoured over simply knowing Jesus and the reality of God incarnate? ‘You search the scriptures because you think it makes you ________________, but you completely miss that they are speaking of Me….’

    And so many people have been taught God wrong; western religion has not done us any favors there – it’s no wonder faith is at a low when the God so many of us have been taught is not the real God. It’s no wonder America is so torn up by religious backlash from holier-than-thou types when their God is so untouchably distant, and angry at everyone who doesn’t do things just so–so angry that he had to take out his ‘holy anger’ on his own son and kill him so that he wouldn’t actualize his anger on us. That is not God.

    Buuuuuutttt now I’ve wound myself into a rant – so sorry 😶

    I think you can take comfort that the true God and Father of us all refuses to go unknown – the incarnation was for this reason in the first place, not for something as trivial to Father as sin, but so that all of humanity could be wrapped up in Jesus Christ ( you really gotta get Baxter Kruger’s book The Great Dance – don’t worry, it’s short and oh so sweet (: )

    He refuses to go unknown and grace and truth are coming back to the church. The false God erected by western religion is being debunked and with so many people fed up with religion and starving for the real thing, it only takes a pebble to start a landslide! So yes! Now more than ever we need people firmly rooted in their identity in Jesus and well aware of his identity in them to not live it out secretly, to live the reality so many people know they are missing but can’t place the origin of. Relationship with the One whose love brought him to live and die here in our skin baptized into humanity, so that we could live in his skin, baptized in his love ❤

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    1. Hey Carson! I love how passionate you are on The Passion! hah see what I did there 🙂 but seriously thank you for sharing your heart of this. Amen to everything you’ve so eloquently said here! Hugs and love xox

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      1. Heh, good one 🙄 My mom the other day said she wonders how it would have changed things to have grown up with a proper view of God, the incarnation, the Passion… I’m so excited to see what Father will do in the next generations with western Christianity on the decline and children growing up outside of the limitations and unrealities it fed us about who God is 😀 I know I can’t wait to tell my kids all about it!

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  27. Amen!!!
    Two quotes from scripture come to mind…
    “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—…” Revelation 3:16-17
    And…
    “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” 2 Timothy 4:3
    I think we’ve been warned… We just need to heed…

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  28. I sometimes feel embarrased about sharing my faith because I used to one of those who hate religious people but now I am one of them. I commend your bravery in sharing. But what really got to me is how no matter what ive done Jesus forgives me, loves me and will never give up on me. Thank you for the post, friend and I will try to be more open about my faith as I continue this journey.

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  34. Hi Caralyn,

    That was a very well written and honest post. Thank you for that.

    Before I say anything else I want to be very clear that I’m not disagreeing with any of what you said or trying to be controversial. I’m a Christian and have always been very open about that. But these days there are so many people who claim to be Christian but live their lives in complete opposition to the meaning of that word. Christian means ‘Christ-like’ so being a Christian is to be as much like Christ as possible in our daily lives. Jesus taught forgiveness, lack of judgement, and loving people. He taught to give, to serve, and to put others ahead of ourselves.

    People seem to think that as long as you go to church when you’re supposed to and say you’re a Christian, the way you live your life doesn’t matter.

    I am a VERY long way from where I want to be as a Christian, but I try my best to be an example of the teachings and life of Jesus. I’m sad to say that when I say I’m a Christian these days,I follow it up with, ‘but not like those self righteous, judgemental ones.

    I thought about whether or not to say this. I don’t want to offend anyone and I don’t want to stir up controversy commenting on what was a beautiful and honest post. But in the end that’s what made me decide to write it. Your obviously heartfelt honesty inspired me to be honest as well.

    Thanks for an awesome post!
    Lynnette

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    1. Thanks for sharing your perspective on this Lynnette. Lots of powerful things to mull over here. I appreciate your honesty! Hugs and love xox

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  35. Hugs You!! I remember when that film came out and I was ecstatic about how it became such a national phenom at the time (with all the lines and more lines, for weeks at theaters). It became the talk of national news and talk shows everywhere. It needed to be. Now of course as well as the lovers, you had the haters who were trying to accuse Mel Gibson of this/that. The best statement, to me was St. Pope John Paul II’s statement about it (in the closing of his life then). He said plainly “It was what it was”. In other words, countering all the shouts that Gibson had made it too graphic and to much trying to make The Jews look bad. That film to me was “The Jesus Movie of this era”. There needed to be one. My childhood era had one, that was a tv based work, the 1977 Franco Zefferelli produced epic miniseries “Jesus of Narareth” that aired for a number of Easter times on NBC. Until Passion, THAT was the most “realistic” Jesus work of the time. Now grant you, I like the “classics” (that USED to be shown on Indy channels every Easter Sunday, but aren’t anymore), such as The Greatest Story Ever Told, and King of Kings (both from the 50s/60s) but when you look at those, they play right along with everybody’s “perceptions” of The Crucifixion which of course comes from where, stained glass windows and famous paintings. Everything in them was too “squeaky clean” but that goes with how films were then. When I taught at a Catholic School in SC for 6 years, we had a priest who taught our 7th Grade Religion Class, and he basically told the kids that The Crucifixion was much more awful than how we had come to know it (this was the 90s before Passion), that the true means of death was suffocation, that there was no “foot plank” that they typically have on crucifixes of all kinds, and unlike most crucifixes, movies etc.. they had NO clothing on. No loin cloth. Jesus being nailed was really an exception to worsen His suffering. Most were tied (like the criminals on His sides) and it was the constant “pushing themselves up” with their feet flat to the cross and not on a foot beam, and suffocating in gasping for breath, that killed them. The one part of Gibson’s film that I though was MINT, as well as his death, is how simple and to the point The Resurrection was. After all that happened, that ending leaves you speechless. Jesus of Nazareth had a good Easter section too. What makes it MINT is how they have the character Zerah (a very negative scribe who I was told later represented “man’s skepticism of Jesus) react when he sees Jesus’ body gone from the tomb’. He says in a very storm struck voice “Now it begins. It all begins”. Then they segue to Jesus with The 11, in the upper room. It was one of those scenes that after the hours of watching (in this case the 12 hours of the miniseries) that in one stroke, sums up thw whole thing). Now if you want an all out pulling out all the stops “Easter scene”, catch The Greatest Story Ever Told. It goes from Peter weeping alone in some isolated room, in the middle of a hard rain (supposedly on “Saturday”) then it segues to a dramatic classic movie sunrise (on Sunday morning) and a big trumpet fanfair then what do you hear?? The Hallelujah Chorus!! And then it all starts; Mary Magdalene and co. at the tomb with the 2 angels (one digging with a shovel) and the other one played by Pat Boone telling them that Jesus’ body isn’t there, then she runs and tell The Apostles, then you have Apostles running back and forth from the tomb and the upper room (all of course with The Hallelujah Chorus building and building in its musical glory the way it does “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS…..) and then Jesus appears to them and it goes from there. The only problem with the Easter scenes of most Jesus flicks is that they lump together all the things he said at various times into one time. The addressing of Thomas etc..WAS on Easter but then you have the “Go Like Lambs Among Wolves” that those things, that He actually said at some of His other appearances before His Ascension. Oh well they have to make it good. Passion is and always will be a great film!! I agree with your friend above that we have to put Christ into our actions. We have to have compassion, forgiveness, and giving as part of our lives, as well as the church celebration of Him. A Blessed rest of Lent and Holy Week next week!! x0x0x0x0 Love

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    1. “It was what it was” — what powerful words. Thank you so much for this thoughtful response, Migueltio. Compassion, forgiveness and giving. AMEN to that! that is how we should try to live our lives everyday! Same to you my dear friend. Have a wonderful week! Hugs and love xox

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      3. Had you seen any of the older films I talked about? I mean there were other “minor” Jesus based films over the years, like the one “Jesus” that came out in the late 70s and was based on Luke’s Gospel, but those I mentioned , were the biggest of the eras, and I think Passion is/has been the biggest of this most recent era. I know Roma Downey and friends made a big presence a few years back with that epic The Bible that was was a miniseries on I don’t know what cable network. We own the DVD set of it, but my problem with that one is that while most of The Old Testament seems to done as we mostly know it, things regarding Jesus seemed to have been tweeked a little from how we have come to understand the way things went. xoxoxo

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      4. I actually haven’t. I really need to expand my repertoire. I really want to see The Bible miniseries!!

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      5. I actually don’t know what Cable channel it aired on (which I don’t have very much cable at all) but I remember friends on FB going nuts over it the year it came out, the way people did when Passion came out. I mean they tell basically the story of Jesus as we pretty much know it, but some of the details are a little different, quirky things mainly. Now when I was a child up through just out of college, (70s through early 1990s) Easter weekend used to be lined up with the old classics, year in and year out. If it wasn’t “Greatest Story Ever Told” or “King of Kings’ then it was others like the famous Ben Hur with Charlton Heston, Quo Vadis (all about the rise of Christianity), Barrabas (all about the man Pilate freed and how it effected him after that), or The Robe (a novel turned movie all about how Jesus’ Robe, taken at his crucifixion, ended up in the hands of a roman soldier, who changed his ways as a result of possessing it. Another one that used to be thrown in was Spartacus, about the slave of Rome who turned hero in leading a whole band of them against roman forces in a quest for freedom. Now I heard that that “Risen” of a couple years back was good, but I never got to see it when it was out.

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  36. This year I decided to do a 40 day devotional on my phone for lent. I didn’t give anything up but I am more in tune this year to Easter and what these days leading up to Easter truly mean. I appreciate the reminder that especially this time of year we should be focused not on what we will wear or where we will eat but on Jesus’s sacrifice for us. That can get lost not only in society but in our hearts.

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  37. I honestly don’t understand how you watch The Passion every year. I balled my eyes out in the theaters 15 or so years ago and haven’t been able to watch it since. Such an amazingly powerful depiction of the events, though, perhaps I will try again this year. Thanks for honest talk!! ☺️

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    1. Yeah it is definitely difficult to watch. But then it really deepens my understands for just how much He sacrificed. Thanks for stopping by! Gg

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  39. Can’t say I’ve ever compared sharing our faith with sharing that you’ve been listening to Nickelback. That was funny! At the same time pretty sad. I just got done listening to this sermon, I hope it blesses you.

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  40. I agree that we all need to be our authentic selves, be that Christians, Buddhists or whatever we believe. And embodying those beliefs, for me, is more important than talking about them. People don’t always respond to what you are saying, but certainly notice your actions. So if watching the Passion inspires you to be who you truly are, to be kind and compassionate towards others and honor them for who they are, then you have found your muse. We all have so much for which to be grateful, especially for the love which surrounds us all. Keep on keeping on and love unconditionally. You have a great blog!

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    1. thank you friend, what a kind reflection. You’re right – we need to embody what we believe! so glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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      1. If I might add one more thing. Words are just semantics. They are our limited way of often trying to describe the indescribable. How can you describe the power of the unseen world, of God, with our human words? We cannot, though we try. Whether I say God or Universe, whether you say religious or spiritual, it doesn’t matter. What matters is what comes from our hearts. How often have you been so overwhelmed with emotion that words failed you? I don’t pay attention so much to words, for they often fall flat. If we all come from our hearts, rather than from our heads, that’s what will join us all together. Blessings to you!

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  41. Beautifully written, thank you! I appreciate your boldness. To stand apart is difficult as it always has been, and to do with grace is equally so. Maintain the faith! Look forward to reading more.

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  42. Why is admitting any love so hard? I take your point here. Sorry I’ve been neglecting you I have a bit to catch up on. I hope you’re well 🙂

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  43. Amen! Not just during certain times either, all the time! Keep being you my friend. We need so much more of this not afraid to speak the Good News!! Hugs!

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  45. One thing in your well-done post that stayed with me was your comment that the love of Christ was so needed in today’s world. That same realization drew me into blogging (mine isn’t near as nicely-done as yours :)) . We have to be the “voice crying out in the wilderness.” I’m grateful for your efforts, and wish you well.

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  46. Great job… as usual. I will be praying for you. Always remember… everything we do is by His grace. He is always with you and will lead you to be what He is convicting you to be. Thanks for your continued willingness to just be His. M. A.

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  48. I have to admit talking to a stranger is easier than explaining my Faith to my own flesh-and-blood family. It just is that way. Possibly, I am more afraid of rejection. And to my Christian “mates” I can be the same way. . . .don’t want to burst their bubble, seem judgmental, God will make the changes He wants (so why should I risk my neck).

    Learning how to relate and not cause another to want to retaliate. ?

    Also, many times we come to God in order to get something. God is willing to give us stuff — even giving us more that what we are conscience of. But the other side is that God is unfolding His plan on this planet; unfolding His “Story” and we are to become part of it.

    At the moment I would ask, “Is doing His “Story” more important than receiving back from God?
    Jeff

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    1. Thanks Jeff for this thoughtful response. Lots of powerful thoughts here. We definitely have received so many blessings from God! Hugs and love xox

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  49. Love the authenticity here. I appreciate how you acknowledge how much easier it is for you to talk openly about your faith on your blog than you do in person and in public. Weather it’s a blog or other social media platform, I think the same (to varying degrees) is true for most of us who claim to be followers of Jesus. In the past 5 months, however, I have witnessed the extreme difference in lasting fruit and relationship that comes from sharing our faith walk with others in person. Now I’m addicted, and my social media presence has decreased simply because God has asked me to pour into those in my community. Keep up the powerful work on your blog, and God Bless!

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    1. Thank you Brent for sharing your experience. Yeah, there is something so freeing about sharing that faith. So glad you stopped by and keep up the great work! Hugs and love xox

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  50. Yes! Yes! We should never be ashamed or afraid to stand up for Jesus for remember if we are, He would also deny us (Matthew 10:33).

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