Equality and Me

As you all know I am a very passionate person and I support equality amongst the human race. I do not tolerate racism, sexism, or anything else that hampers the creation of a tolerant and accepting society.

This election has spoken volumes for those groups that certain parts of government are trying to silence or further discourage. Women were
out in large numbers to vote and in some new states same-sex couples can now legally marry and that is definitely a step in the right direction. 

Also, this election has proven that there are candidates that will do anything and say anything to try and sway the American people. However, if you desire my vote as an American citizen and a woman, cutting programs beneficial to ME as a woman is not the way to do it.

Back on topic, there has been am advancement in tolerance in this election with TWO states approving marriage equality. I know it is still a long way off in my state and many others but two more added to the list is better than none at all. Now internationally there is a country that is going to be facing this issue and it is controversial but it is one that is important in this day and age.
My support goes to the government in France and I hope that there will be tolerance and acceptance to marriage equality and those that hold incorrect stigmas of what "dangers" there will be if it is legalized soon learn the error of their thoughts. I am also sharing an article about the fight in France from the BBC.

French cabinet considers gay bill

I pray for strength and tolerance. For without these things true progress will never be made.

Namaste,
Martha

Upcoming Plans

In the next couple of days I will be starting a pair of series that I have found helpful to me and my own spiritual journey. One is finding strength in depression and the other deals with anger. There will be some meditation points in each of the days posted as well as Bible verses to meditate on.

I am also considering adding inspirational quotes from other sources as well but there will be a slightly more biblical focus to the posts.

I also have a slight backlog of posts to share with you including Samhein, All Saint's Day and Day of the Dead. I am passionate about these three occasions. So I shall be sharing information about them.

Until later,
Namaste
Martha

Musical Worship: Songs to Stir the Soul

Music is a big part of my life for those that know me.  I'm always listening to something and my tastes in music can be just about anything.  However, the focus of this blog post is songs that I turn to for spiritual comfort and to set fire to my soul.

This first song proves that my musical tastes vary widely.

Awesome God (Dubstep) by Robert Delong

Then we go to something softer from Burlap to Cashmere, Treasures in Heaven

One more Burlap to Cashmere song, because it is my absolute favorite, Eileen's Song:

The fourth and final song I'm going to share with you, is one of my favorite Steven Curtis Chapman songs titled Speechless.

These are just a few of my favorite spiritual songs that I absolutely always turn to when I need that uplifting beat to kick my worship into gear.  The music behind the lyrics is almost as important as the message shared within the lyrics because if it can get my heart pumping and my mind racing with the Grace and Glory of the world around me, I am all the more ready to worship and share myself with someone.

As you know, my religious and spiritual beliefs are filled with a wide variety of beliefs and I will be sharing more of them as time goes on but lately there has been a focus on some of the Christian basis of my beliefs, and that is why the music is Christian based, and it serves a purpose for my beliefs and what I am sharing with you.

Namaste

Martha

Today's Meditation: Healing

Today's meditation is not scriptural based, but it does focus in spiritual medtitation. We all need healing of some kind and it isn't always something we can go to a medical professional for a cure or treatment. We have to look in a spiritual direction, and seek the answers we need by putting our troubles before some higher power.

Each day I start my day and end it with a meditation and a prayer. Though the prayer may only be of Thanksgiving if there is no pressing need in my life at the moment.

Lately my meditations have been focused on healing because of a toothache and various other issues that I currently have at the moment.  Medical insurance is something that I have but not sure if I have dental or not and even if I did I wouldn't be able to afford the visit anyway. So I am hoping for an answer to my own issues as well as focusing on the healing of a good friend of mine who is still currently really recovering from knee surgery.

I also use an item to focus my meditation and lately I have been using a tiger's eye for focus in this situation because it is one that may not always be associated with healing, but has always worked for me.

I ask that you add your healing energy to mine and hopefully things will work out and settle down for me and others.

Namaste,
Martha

Slowdown In My Activity

Things will slow down for a little while due to the fact that I do not have a working computer of my own at the moment. My netbook died and my desktop has been dead for a while now. Until something can be worked out I will be posting limited posts and will still try and get a daily meditation up to let you know what I am focusing on at the current time. Bible studies will resume when I am stable again.

A verse that was shared with me today by Paula is Ephraim 3:20. Definitely a good one to meditate on when one is at work.

On that note have a blessed day!!!

Namaste,
Martha

Psalm 117

Praise the Lord, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord! (NRSV)

This verse is a call to worship.  It is a testimony to the love toward us from the Lord. We are are called in the Psalms and ultimately we are recalled to this worship, to this praise of God and to speak of His greatness and love in the New Testament in the book of Acts.

We as followers of Christ are called to always praise and worship Him. How we do this is by sharing faith and by using the three E's: Eagerly Examine Everyday. The way we do this is by reading the Bible everyday and meditating on the word of God. Your daily meditation fan be topic specific such as healing or strength to place all things in the hands of the Lord and not worry as much. Or you can simply open your Bible and read at random for your time with God's word. 

What are some of your favorite verses in Psalms?

Bible Study: Word of God

1. 2 Tim 3: 16-17
• All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work
1. This tells us that all scripture is from God, it is inspired by Him.
2. This also tells us that it needs to be applied to every aspect of our lives so that we are properly equipped for the performing of good works.
2. Heb 4: 12-13
• Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.
1. This tells us that the word is relevant, constant and part of daily life.
2. The word hurts/cuts
3. The hurt is necessary and without the hurt we cannot heal.
3. 2 Ptr 1:20-21
• First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women move by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
1. The interpretation of scripture is ultimately given from God
2. Prophecy comes from God and not from human will.
4. John 8: 31-32
• Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will kno wthe truth, and the truth will make you free." 
1. Follow Jesus' teachings and you are a disciple.
2. Can't rely on intellectual beliefs
3. Sincerity does not equal truth
4. Religious people can be wrong.
5. Matt 15: 1-9
• The Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders?  For they do not wash their hands before they eat."  He answered them, "And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?  For God said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.' But you say that whoever tells father or mother, 'Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,' then that person need not honor the father.  So, for the sake of your tradition you make void the word of God.  You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'" 
1. This tells us that we should not be living by traditions or creeds that pull us away from God's word.
2. Worship by traditions (if those traditions contradict the word of God) - is worshiping in vain.
6. 1 Tim 4:16
• Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1. This tells us to watch our life and our doctrine, these two things are inseparable.
2. Neither life or doctrine is more important than the other.
3. It will save you and others
7. Acts 17: 10-12
• That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea; and when they arrived, they went to the Jewish synagogue.  These Jews were more receptive than those in Thessalonica, for they welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so.  Many of them therefore believed, including not a few Greek women and men of high standing.
1. Read and examine the scripture daily
2. God sees you and is pleased when you do this
3. Check what is said by religious leaders
4. Three 3's: Eagerly Examine Everyday
8. James 1: 22-25
• But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.  For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like.  But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act - they will be blessed in their doing.
1. The word of God is like a mirror, it shows us who we are and how we are supposed to be.
2. Don't forget what you see - Do what it says. 
9. John 12: 48
• The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge.
1. The word of God is judge and will on the last day be what we are judged by.

What are your thoughts on the verses presented in this study?  

Romans 5:1-2

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. (NRSV)

This is a verse I've been meditating on for the past few days, simply because it is something that has made me think.  I apologize in advance if my thoughts seem muddled, I am finding it difficult to find the correct way to express what I'm thinking for this particular verse.  We are justified by our faith in Christ, and through that faith we find our peace with God.  What exactly does this mean? Why is it important? 


How does this impact one's spiritual journey? How does this impact my spiritual journey? What does this say about my relationship with Christ and the path that I walk? 

These two verses provide the justification that my faith is in truth the path to peace with God through Christ.  This allows me to stand within his grace, receive his grace and ultimately share it with others.  It also allows me to speak of the glory of God that will be given unto those that believe in Him when their time comes to enter the next life.  Many would not think that I am saved, but I am, have I fallen off the 'traditional' path perhaps.

Am I a Christian/Disciple...perhaps not as much as I should be, but then again, that can also be a matter of interpretation.  No, my life is not perfect by any means, but I am willing to share my faith with others (and truthfully that is one of the purposes of this blog), and I am not one who will judge you for disagreeing with me, nor will I judge you for having differing beliefs than I have.  I do not subscribe to a strict Christian way of thinking, simply because I have been burnt too many times in the past.  I am willing to fight for my beliefs and will not now or ever accept anyone telling me that the way that I practice my faith is WRONG simply because it differs from someone else's doctrine.  

I am who I am, and this verse in so many ways assures me of the fact that I am pleasing to God and I will find my place in the next life, when my time here is done.  Eventually, I will be discussing the after life, and that is perhaps one of the things that will get a bit tricky because of the influence of Hindu/Buddhist beliefs in my faith structure. But, that is a topic for another post. 

What are some of your thoughts on this particular verse? 

Namaste, 
Martha

Welcome to my Sanctuary

Hello and welcome to my Sanctuary.  This is a place for me to share the thoughts and musings that fill my head and are part of my own personal spiritual journey.  The things in here will range from light, fun topics to more serious topics that have an impact on how my life is lived and how the decisions in my life are made, and yes there may be some political hot topics that are discussed because I will share my opinions on those as well because again, the current political environment impacts my daily life. 

Here are some things that you need to know about me: 

1. I am very opinionated.  If you can be easily offended, then some of these posts may not be for you.
2. I will be sharing scripture verses from the bible in some of these posts.  
3. My religious background is Catholic, however, I do not at this point in time subscribe to any form of organized religion.
4. My religious beliefs hold some roots the Catholic/Christian faith, however, I also have and hold some of the beliefs from other world religions: Wiccan/Pagan, Hindu, and Buddhist.
5. I will not compromise my own beliefs for the sake of your feelings.
6. It has taken me quite some time to finally find the path that works for me, and while I will share information with you, I will not preach, that is not my intention.  

There are also a few basic rules, because I will discuss some political hot topics on occasion:

1. Feel free to share your opinion, but do it in a grown up fashion.  
2. Do not insult me or my beliefs just because yours might be different.
3. Do not try and convert me to -your- particular religion, it will not happen.
4. I am open to a good debate, feel free to start one if you do not agree with something that I've said. 

I think that's about it.  I will be sharing more about myself and my own personal spiritual journey as time goes on.  

Namaste, 

Martha