Salvation brings Joy.

It will come if you draw near HIM, God. He will do that if you follow and believe in HIM.

The relationship is based in your following and believing. Allow me to give U my example:

Will I was at my mother's, I heard Elisha's voice. He is my second son and I was surprised, because he lives 100 km far away. I wanted to be sure and I stopped all the noise than could be disturbing to be sure HE WAS OUT THERE...

Within some minutes, I was sure HE WASN'T OUT THERE, in the street. I sharpened me ear, it was not Elisha.

After an hour, my daughter (Joy) called to tell me he was going there and, probably reaching my area...

What does this serve for? I haven't met Elisha, but my daughter told me he came to Caracas. He is somewhere OUT THERE, but I haven't met him yet, same way with God, but THERE IS AN SPIRITUAL CONNECTION. One I cannot explain nor tell about, that SOMETIMES supernatural things happens, telling you things that ARE GOING TO HAPPEN and you are saved and CAN TELL OTHERS TO BE SAVED.

I hope this true story serves you to understand the SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP Christians have with God.

I haven't seen my son, but there is a spiritual reason that tells me he is out there, same way God wants you to be HIS prodigal daughter...

Allow us to know about THAT DAY. Please! I beg HIM you to come, little JOY.

Divagaciones con la religión.

Estos días fui a una queilá mesiánica y, ayer, asistí a un salón de los Testigos de Jehová. En la reunión de los mesiánicos me impactó el énfasis transcultural, puesto que, no sólo insisten en la circuncisión, sino en “la necesidad” de cumplir en aspectos culturales judíos y, en ambos casos, la influencia foránea es bien marcada: Si la cultura religiosa heredada de los israelitas prevalece en los mesiánicos, la influencia foránea en los testigos también existe.

Admito estar aburrido del culto colectivo, del convencionalismo tradicional de la religión -como cultura- y, en verdad, no espero manifestaciones alocadas (al estilo pentecostal) ni la liturgia católica. Estoy aburrido del convencionalismo religioso que imita o sigue un patrón simple o elaborado que se ciñe a la tradición bautista, a la tradición de más de 50 años, y a la liturgia secularizada de más de 100 años.

Supongo que mi anhelo es, en primer lugar, conocer a Dios y Sus manifestaciones personales directas. Puede que ya desee verle del modo que Moisés y los suyos le oyeron y le vieron en el tabernáculo, con Sus manifestaciones en una columna de humo o de fuego. Confieso que deseo no procurar una relación de conveniencia, donde yo “me acerque” a Dios porque lo necesite y siempre tenga necesidad de pedirle algo, para pedir y no dar y, en ese sentido, el ritual de la religión me desagrada, me aburre y ya lo detesto.

Cuando viví en Colombia estuve entre los pentecostales y los bautistas. El grupo pentecostal que visitaba no era tan religioso o fanático como los que he conocido y visitado en Venezuela, pero era la misma sopa insípida pues, tanto allí como aquí, la religión les adorna y, esa clase de temas, como “quienes son los salvos y quiénes no” me abruman. Si todos estamos perdidos en pecados ¿para qué vamos a la iglesia? Y, si todos somos salvos ¿Qué hacemos aquí en la tierra?

¡Sí! Me parece bien injusto buscar a Dios por conveniencia, por interés, y no creo que Dios sea tonto para no percibir nuestra hipocresía, nuestra falsedad y todo lo que en nosotros no sea genuino.

Sé que Dios es un Ser real espiritual, Supremamente Genuino, pero no hallo el camino en medio de la religión y sus convencionalismos.

Asumo que Dios disfruta del culto humano. Supongo que aquello de “un corazón contrito y humillado” es cierto para Él; pero el énfasis que le dio Jesús a eso de “mi casa será llamada Casa de Oración para todas las naciones” me significa más importante. Creo que aquello de “buscarle o adorarle en Espíritu y en verdad” me significa más todavía.

Este viernes comenté a un par de mujeres, Testigos de Jehová, la opinión que tienen algunos de mis hermanos en Cristo:

-¡Ellos dicen que Uds no son salvos! -Les dije- Y, si eso fuera así, ¿Cómo y por qué ellos están tan seguros de su salvación? ¿Por el hecho de cumplir con un bautismo o cualquier acto requerido por el credo de su fe? En todo caso, los judíos se circuncidan, y eso no les da “salvación” (aunque se mutilen parte del pellejo). La verdad -proseguí- a mi me parece que la religión les engaña, pues, en la Biblia yo leo que Elías “fue llevado” al cielo (no subió al cielo solo). Más adelante, en el Antiguo Testamento, otro fue tomado y no vio muerte, como la mayoría de nosotros veremos y, en el caso de Jesús, Éste fue tomado y llevado al cielo (Juan 20:17; Lucas 24: 51; Hechos 1:9) ¿Dónde está la jactancia de ser salvos o el presumir que van al cielo? Hasta el mismo rico, en la parábola de Lázaro, tuvo que esperar a que vinieran a buscarlo los ángeles (Lucas 16:22): A uno lo llevaron “al cielo”, al seno de Abraham y, al rico, al Hades del Infierno. ¿Quién soy yo para contradecir al mismo Cristo, o a los que escribieron lo que Dios haya inspirado? Todo depende de Dios, en lo que Él crea y sepa de mí. No es por frutos de la fe ni por obras de mi conveniencia. Jesús dijo que, el final de los tiempos, la salvación es así, y nos vendrán a buscar, porque solos no subimos ni vamos (Mateo 24:31).

Las mujeres me escucharon, algo sonreídas, y no me importa si piensan como yo o me creen.

Jesús mismo, conversando en relación al dinero y los bienes terrenales (Mateo 19: 21) le dijo a los discípulos “...para los hombres es imposible...” y, el comentario o pensamiento de algunos fue: “¡Señor! ¿Quién podrá ser salvo entonces?... Nosotros lo hemos dejado todo por seguirte...¿Qué recompensa tendremos?”. La respuesta de Jesucristo sigue siendo vigente: Para Dios nada es imposible, y la recompensa es proporcional a lo que dejemos (Mateo 19:29).

Cualquiera diría, a este punto, que yo “manipulo La Palabra” si la saco del contexto en que se la halla escrita (como pude ver ayer que hacen, también, en el salón de los Testigos de Jehová) pero no dudo que Jesús haya tenido que “esconder” algunos secretos de la simple vista de los que somos simples, cuando superficialmente le buscamos.

¿Ha notado alguien que algunos líderes religiosos consideraron a Jesús como un bastardo, como hijo de una relación sexual fuera del matrimonio? Justo en este momento acabo de entender esa porción de Juan que cita a los judíos que -indirectamente- le acusan haber nacido de una relación ilícita como la fornicación (Juan 8:41 b) y, más adelante, Jesús mismo comenta sobre acusación “la indirecta” (Juan 8:49 b) en la que procuraban deshonrarlo, como alguien no nacido de Dios y, en lugar de excusarse, les comenta: “Mi Padre es quien me glorifica”(Juan 8:54, 8:46) Y, acaso, a fin de cuentas ¿No es Dios quien da la honra y Le justifica? ¿Me interesa “la honra” que da la vanagloria humana?

En ese párrafo de Juan percibo que, la procedencia de Jesús fue investigada. Imagino que muchas personas fueron movidas en una investigación para determinar todo lo que pudiera averiguarse de Jesús pues, Su fama no era despreciable y, todo el sacerdocio judío se sentía amenazado por Su liderazgo espiritual (lastimosamente, lo vieron como una amenaza política que comprometía mucho de sus intereses económicos) (Juan 19:15 b).

Y, volviendo al tema de la salvación, me basta y creo a las palabras de Jesús: “El que persevere hasta el fin, ese será salvo” (Mateo 24:13) “¿Salvo de qué?” sería la siguiente pregunta. Creo en el registro del Diluvio anunciado por Noé. Creo en la visceralidad vivida aquellos días pre-diluvianos, tanto como a la de hoy; y Jesús la describió con otras palabras (Mateo 24:38) y ¿A quién no le gusta el contentamiento del sexo o del estómago? La diferencia (si la hay) es que -esos días- nadie puso atención al mensaje evangelístico de Noé y, consecuentemente, perecieron todos, tal cual lo indica Cristo (Mateo 24:39).

¿Cuál es la recompensa de vivir sirviendo y honrando a Dios? Algunos esperan una vida eterna. Otros, con pleno derecho, anhelan una vida pró$pera, libre de la humana miseria, y Cristo mismo les alienta en la Parábola de los Talentos (dándoles ciudades, sobre el trono de un nuevo gobierno) y, en Mateo, usando otra breve parábola, Jesucristo no personifica a quien les “pone sobre Sus bienes” (Mateo 24:47; 25:27) ¿Era mentira que los apóstoles deseaban un Israel libre del Imperio Romano? ¿No deseaban ellos una porción de beneficios por seguirle?

Una madre “apostólica” pidió que sus hijos se sentaran a la diestra y la siniestra (Mateo 20:21) porque, a fin de cuentas, Jesús de Nazareth vino a dar gloria a nuestro Padre y, confesándole, admitía que la salvación es potestad soberana de Dios y que, en Su reino, Dios ha decidido a quién colocará a las faldas del poder en Su sempiterno trono, cuando manifieste Su reino aquí en la tierra (Mateo 20:23 b). Sin embargo, como puede entenderse en esta disgregación de ideas, la madre de Santiago y de Juan no estuvo presente cuando Jesús les dijo: “Uds se sentarán sobre doce tronos para juzgar las 12 tribus de Israel” (Mateo 19:28 b). Esta es una promesa exclusiva para los apóstoles (Apocalipsis 21:14). Sin embargo, hay otras naciones que necesitan jueces y Su gobierno.

¡Yo no querría eso! Preferiría un lugar tranquilo, lejos de la gente, con mi actual casa, pero con electricidad (o eterna luz) para no padecer la miseria de andar a oscuras sin tener el ruido incómodo de los que tengo por vecinos...

Con sinceridad, puedo decir que no me interesa la eternidad, ni la “salvación”, a menos que ésta sea la libertad de no tener que padecer la arbitrariedad e incomodidad de tener que convivir en un medio social con gente que no es gente, y estoy pensando en los motorizados de Petare, en los buhoneros de Petare, en las barbaridades que uno ha de tragarse ante docenas de desconocidos, incluso por el aspecto político que marca este último decenio venezolano: El chavismo es una abominación político-religiosa que ensucia la dignidad de miles.

“El que persevere, hasta el final, será salvo” (Mateo 24:13)

Espero no equivocarme y, si el Señor no ha llegado antes, confío en que las denominaciones desaparecerán al final de los tiempos. No sé qué piensen Uds, pero siento que, Sus palabras, no sólo aplican a la vida social, a la vida institucional de varias formas en que se ha manifestado la Cristiandad, así como a la vida de cada pareja, en las familia: “Una casa dividida, contra sí misma, no permanece.” (Mateo 12:25) o “Toda planta que no plantó mi Padre Celestial, será desarraigada” (Mateo 15:13) ¿Tienen cabida Sus dichos en el matrimonio o en la Iglesia? Cada día, según constato en la calle, la gente se aleja de la gente para no ser engañada, para no ser herida o manipulada, y Su advertencia tiene mucho valor: “Que nadie los engañe” (Mateo 24:4)

Esta semana, antes del 26 de mayo del 2013, conocí a un hombre que se apartó de la iglesia por un profundo desencanto y resentimiento. Estuvo asistiendo a una de esas que, pese a la religión aparente y externa, el pastor insistía en pedirle su auto, para que “lo sembrara en el ministerio”... Muchas cosas me dijo ese hombre y, obviamente, me identifico con mucho de su argumento contra lo externo de la religión (Mateo 23:28) y la hipocresía de nuestro corazón. ¿Por qué el “pastor” le pedía a un hombre y no le rogaba a Dios? Si tanto necesita un auto “para el ministerio”. Es una “conveniente” injusticia despojar a unos para acomodar a otros. No tengo idea de lo mucho que habrá parido ese hombre para comprarse el auto, pero “el pastor” manipulaba la Palabra de Dios para asirse de bienes ajenos (y esto es típico de las iglesias materialistas que se amparan en la “doctrina” de la prosperidad). ¿Será que no entienden lo que dice Apocalipsis 3:17-18?

De mi parte, me parece, quiero percibir la gloria del Señor, Su presencia Shekinah, y no dirigir mis palabras al vacío del aire ni al estrado de los que dirijen el servicio de culto, ni pensar en el muro de los lamentos, como ese trozo de Israel, que se supone fue parte del último templo (destruido el año 70 DC). Jesús profetizó que el templo sería destruido (Mateo 24:2) ¿Por qué la tradición de la religión debe “enseñarme” que debo orar en esa dirección, si Apocalipsis me muestra que debo DIRIGIRLAS a Dios arriba, allá en los cielos? (Apocalipsis 4:2, 9-11; Mateo 23:22)

Los apóstoles estaban maravillados del templo, de sus ornamentos exteriores (Mateo 24:1), pero Jesús manifestó que todo allí sería destruido (Mateo 24:2) y, la gloria presencial del Padre salió del lugar Santísimo cuando Jesús murió y Dios rasgó el velo interior del templo (Mateo 27:51; Marcos 15:38; Lucas 23:45). Y hago notar que, cuando los judíos condenaban a Jesús, muy claramente dijeron: “Sea Su sangre sobre nuestras cabezas y nuestros hijos” (Mateo 27:25) Así que todo Israel necesita ser santificado, para ser librado de esa maldición generacional (en nombre de la Autoridad de Jesucristo, declaro LIBRE al pueblo de Israel de semejante maldición generacional) (Mateo 16:19).

Sin embargo, al parecer, hay escritos que desmienten lo que allí está claramente descrito, puesto que los judíos no desean hacerse responsables de la muerte de Jesús y, por otro lado, esas palabras acrecientan el antisemitismo, y hay más de un movimiento que procura desmentir esa parte de los evangelios y, si tal cosa es verdad (que los judíos no mataron a Cristo por manos de los romanos) estamos ante una re-acomodación de sucesos y cosas, unas antisemitas y otras procurando culpar sólo a los romanos, mientras que otros siguen queriéndose librar del testimonio bíblico que NOS acusa pecadores y culpables, mientras que estos libros ya tienen más de 1500 años. ¿Dónde comenzaría la verdad, y dónde la elaboración de cuentos religiosos? ¡Caería en el Nihilismo!

Si yo fuera judío, trataría de limpiar el nombre de mi raza, el nombre de mi pueblo, y diría que ningún judío culpó ni condenó a Jesucristo (pero todo el Nuevo Testamento narra el antagonismo que había contra la tradición enseñada como doctrina) ¡De hecho! Acabo de comprender que, el libro de Esther, es un libro HISTÓRICO; pero que narra cómo la tradición judía instauró las fiestas del Purim. ¿Es algo que les pidió Dios celebrar? (He allí una de las pruebas contra la enseñanza de las tradiciones judías, pues, no dice allí que Dios haya pedido a Israel tal celebración).

No puedo hablar en contra ni a favor del canon judío versus al canon católico. Son cosas que existen antes de que yo naciera y cada religión, creyente o secta, toma lo que quiere o cree y, la verdad debe estar plena en quien es la verdad o la vida.

A.T.

(Oh, God! Remember me! I´m seeking after you.)

My notes on the book of Esther

Yesterday I bought a new Bible . This version is easy to read, to be understood, and naively I asked God to direct me into something I have anything to learn. I don't hear His voice (I wish) but at sort, shutting my eyes, I opened my new book and Esther appeared. It was an act of faith, I wish my fingers were used ant taught, but this way started to read and these are some ideas I got.

This is anything I would call HISTORY. Inspired or not, I see traditions rather than God's commands, and I see how the Purim feast came to be as it is.

This helped me to understand Persian culture. At certain points, it looks like Jewish, but it is not the same (according to my few previous readings on Jewish culture).

If it were possible to live this Persian way, I don't mind that change of mind, because Christianism is Jewish, in many ways. But I will be like Mardoqueo, not worshiping any man. Here there is a foreign background mingled with the Jewish, abroad.

I believed Nehemiah, and others (Nehemías 13: 25-30) were sad that their people chose to marry unbelievers, and Esther knew that king was to divorce Vasti, having previous marital intercourses with more virgin girls. The thing I would not like for my daughter, is allowing a man with several women at hand (Ester 2:14-15).

These notes are not exhaustive, but I haven't seen Jesus partaking in the Purim (so I have to check this later on).

It is a pity I haven't read, nor understood, all the written sources Jewish and Catholic people had for their actual traditions; but I'm happy that Jesus came to make us to be one (John 11:51-52) and my concern is aimed to acknowledging God in His teachings.

Esther is both, History and Jewish tradition and there, the book itself, insists on telling me what this is and I'm thankful that this serves me to see Persians and Jewish people, as culture.

Esther “married” a rich king for convenience, not love. Vasti was right in avoiding her boastful husband (Esther 1:11) and she was forced to be “divorced” (Esther 1:19) while that king -same way as David- had more women (Esther 2:14-15).

If I were to compare today's Christianity, I see people unequally yoked, same way Samson or king David (i.e., rich with poor, Christians with unbelievers). I don't expect my view acknowledged, but I rather like God's approval, because I have failed more than I thought it could be possible for my human good intention (one divorce, and a couple of failures).

The religious background could warn me that that king was an adulterer. He played “the showy” when being drunk, so he would not be the best choice for my daughter, it I were the one to give her an advice (I don't care how rich he is). This reminded me 2 Kings 20:13, 15, 17. If I had anything, I don't want to be like that man who swanked and got lost...

As a man, I will not lie telling that Persian standards are bad for men. I wish both, men and women show respect for one another, so I would agree with the rule that king approved (I'm not too feminist). I like Mardoqueo's attitude and the end result. And that reminded me Joseph's account and his hardships to be the second after the Egyptian Pharaoh, but I don't like the predicament to marry my daughter with an unbeliever and, wealth is a great temptation to avoid, as well as convenience.

I don't find arguments for beauty. I married my ex because I thought she was nice looking, but time has proved we both need more than oil treatments to remarry any. Ha! Ha! That fashion -for make up- won't make a little on people like me (Ha! Ha!) but I have an idea on Esther and the others (2:12). I need several years of intense beauty treatment! He! He!

Struggling prayers

Some people are struggling like many of us... But there are answers and, on a chat for prayers, I met someone who was largely expecting for a friend to pray...

I offered myself to pray for the person she missed.

I asked her to lead me in the prayer time, since I'm not her friend and I don't know what her name is, but we both enjoyed the short time.

I felt like if I had my hand holding hers, and I had to confess I shed some tears and I felt I had my nose running for a new joy, because WE PRAYED TOGETHER and felt my hunger to keep on praying.

She told me how she felt. She said she felt peace and joy. So I had to confess what I thought it was only mine (but she told me that first).

It was a good spiritual exercise to be done and a new experience I treasure (that day at 11am). She was in Asia, at 11 pm. Ja! Ja! It was her bedtime to pray, and I had the privilege of being “at hand” the very moment when she was tired of a long day, but willing to praised God. 

We had an international communion online. It was a need we enjoyed, and nurtured me both, in the mood and spiritually, since this meeting was for common goals that led us to new things on spiritual matters.

There are some things I'm not being answered in some prayers, but THIS pleased me more.

What it is meant for?

Sometimes I see "the trial" stupid. 
We know some weakness in me and others, and often I fail sinning with things I don´t want to. Of course, the testing may serve TO DEVELOPE a character, but I´m loosing the scope of this. 

Will I surrender to evil? 
Will I keep serving God or following the lost world where I got nothing utterly pleasing?

Mrs or Mr Right, and the missing piece.

I belonged to the Hispano culture and its ways of thinking. I thought I would be eternally rooted to it and its traditions, but I'm doing my best to change, and I know it's too late at the age 50; but holy wisdom is backing me up to leave some things behind, and I want to print my square toe on the sand of these passing sheets.

I believed like you and I cannot deny the being of my humanity. I had my dreams and I decided to be contend with those I have at bedtime or daydreaming, and these notes are those dreams bringing me chances I have to daydream: May my words SERVE one to help (and I know two people thanked my writings, and I expected nothing in turn).

My life, like everyone else, has been a quest. I tried to live the best way and, in many aspects, I failed, and I'm happy I forgave myself (If you plan to be a Christian, do you that favor). God keeps on forgiving me when I repent, when I try to change and amend, so why do I have to be the one who wants to cut my life off, when trying to be better?

Life is a long term lesson. I've seen how we can learn from others and these people are giving us free college lessons. Your life also keeps on teaching someone, up to the last day in this human body.

Yesterday I enjoyed a “naive” thread at CC. Someone came giving shouts to find out his “missing piece” (as I said). I lied when I told him I would keep an eye over him, up to the moment he finds that woman he tries to get... Is he the one on that quest?

Recently I told my friend MS that she was wrong. She still prays to find her Mr Right and insists on asking God for the man who has what she lacks, same way Adam acknowledged Eve to be his “missing part”.

Do we really lack a rib, or a bone easy to bite?

I asked her is she had problems with her ADN molecules. I used to think all men had their Eve to be found, but that idea is wrongly taken from the Bible: Adam was directly made by Gods hands, and I came to be “a body” because of my parents. I'll be born again when God gives me from His Spirit, same way Jesus told Nicodemus (John 3: 5-7). So the real missing part is His Spirit, because I used to live on the human flesh.

I tried to tell MS that Eve was a reverse creative process, half a clone, where Adam “really” lost anything within him (the missing rib).

I'd say “reverse” because God worked from an opposite extreme, from a missing spare part, the rest of the world was not heard of; so women is an invention above the invention, and that's why I cannot say: “Flesh of my flesh...” as Adam did. (He was lucky! He had no inlaws) He! He!

Perhaps -that very day- he saw a perfect mirror of what any man (or woman) looked at, while stepping into the uncertain grass of body fitness or beauty; but we were not told how she was mentally and what she would feel she lacked (same way as him).

Both tried to find out the appropriate information to build up that relationship. We are not told the time when God set apart that couple, so they started to walk alone out of Paradise, and here is where we ended up to meet and learn, same way they did, while we try to look deep in our minds what is the correct answer to give.

Jesus told two important things:

a) Love your God... and

b) Love your neighbor.

Somewhere else He taught about FAITH, Justice and Mercy.

Do these mental attitudes really matter in mate selection?

How are they connected as bonding things?

Experience tells me I would not marry godless people (I know who I was and who I could be: That's why I avoid those who acted like me).

I do not marry those who shows little respect or consideration for people. A very demanding man (or woman) shows more respect for his or her own concerns and things. The more we ask, the less we give.

Perhaps my kids won't pay attention to what I wrote today, to what I said anyday, but they will learn the hard way.

I don't care being heard and don't need being thanked, but I owe many who brought me here (specially GOD and life).  :P

I invite the reader to learn from others, I like to share what I got from wikipedia these last days, and it is connected to your Mr or Mrs Right (once you find her, call me back) :D

“From the standpoint of anthropology and sociology, dating is linked with other institutions such as marriage and the family which have also been changing rapidly...”

From the standpoint of Adam, was he concerned of a family or a relationship with himself and his fe-male (his missing part)?

From God's side, was He concerned on the development of a society or in those hum@n's needs? (No doubt He thought of both missing parts).

Wikipedia, on its good article of Dating keeps on saying:

“ ...there have been substantial changes in the relationship between men and women, with perhaps the only biological constant being that both adult women and men must have sexual intercourse for human procreation to happen.^[3] ”

In my book of life, since I was a child, I wasn't thinking of sex. I believed my functioning program was not having such an intercourse before being a teen; but at that time came a new thing that wasn't a rib, and it changed my known drives and gave my life an additional task that gave me new troubles.

I knew it was a nice looking face what helped me to cling easily to some little girls. I was fat, so I seldom looked to those like me; no matter how beautiful they were outside, because I knew who I wanted to be and what I dislike from me.

When being a teenager, I never dated those who reminded me whom I was. I wasn't handsome, so I never got a lovely poem for me. Let's say I tried! But poetry looks after itself. And life gives you much more interesting things to read on...

Wikipedia says:

“Humans have been compared to other species in terms of sexual behavior. Neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky constructed a reproductive spectrum with opposite poles being tournament species, in which males compete fiercely for reproductive privileges with females, and pair bond arrangements, in which a male and female will bond for life.^[4]”

Does a simple Christian compete for REAL LOVE or sex?

I agree that that drive took much of my life to be changed. I “knew” a good nice looking face was related to a body and its beauty, but it took me years to understand that beauty wasn't well associated with companionship, deep love and loyal concern: Beauty makes some men to compete, but it doesn't match long-term companionship but rivalry. Beauty may draw many, but seldom keeps deep bonds of love (for it tends to be selfish, both male and female sides).

Christians are learning to deal above the externals and its appearance. Long-term relationships last more that external beauty and its “fitness”, but I must admit what I'm dealing with, what I thought it was important and what I believed those days moved my loyal feelings: The Bible is a good guide for the subject. Look a Samson's life! Delilah wasn't the best choice he chose. He looked at the outside, and he failed same way I am...

Christians -sooner or later- will change other things beneath our human nature, but our character tends to last at last.

There are many secular writers who have given you the information of their witnessing; but you are the better book  to read on your likes, your needs, and those dreams you try to find out “the missing piece”.

I won't say “we're naturally inspired to built societies”, but relationships.

I do say God made us so perfectly we cling to those we belong, especially when He gave us His Spirit to live His life.  (Thank you, God, for bringing us to a new life).

Dating could be unnecessary if we had God's advice clearly heard. I like to read Isaac's love story and that gave me tips worth noticing: a) Isaac's dad prayed in advance. b) The messenger prayed and did what his lord asked him to do. c) “Mates” pay attention to social status and economy, same way men and women look for beauty.  d) Messengers (or penpals) must to look at good attitudes, such as humble service, chastity and fear of God.

Today I wouldn't say my daughter: “Marry him! He is rich, and of noble family”. That's awful and sinful (I'd be selling her to a man). If I'm asked, I'll give some words; but I should be praying same way Job did for his children.

Today Mrs and Mr Right is not my business arrangement, as it used to be. I rather back off, unless my sons plan to bring her mates home, to live under my roof: Go find your own place! :P

Todays dating is better than clandestine meetings. There is a reasonably risk in these, but public dating serve to help us develop the safe character we lack when being pagans and cheaters. It gives us chances to grow well and there's no need to push for intimacy or privacy.

Your Mr Right is not at the corner drinking, smoking or dancing. Your Mrs Right is not embraced in the darkness of a discoclub, doing things I cannot say.

The missing piece of a man (or a woman) is what we would like to do, to care for and endlessly nurture. I'm not sure if I lack a rib; but I'm sure it's a part of me I haven't lost somewhere that someone will unveil in similarities, likeness, I would like to share, to back up and care of.

God is marvelous! He gave us a code we know when meeting certain people. It's a kind of software that immediately runs or freeze the fashion we know we are or used to be. There's a secret hunch that tells us she is and some aren't, and the Bible teaches well to see what's good or wrong.

The world teaches us to fail, to hurt, to lie, to be lost of success. We expend decades loosing and seldom winning. How long these college lesson will be to suffer pains and to loose?

I wish I could heard God's warns. Sometimes I prayed and the things I thought were His answers misguided me to fail. Sometimes we here voices and those, too often, are our mingled voices, the confusion of the world within our selfish human will: Thank you God, for giving us a second chance.

Who's Mrs Right and Mr right?

It could be any who shows respect for others. One whose life tends to be centered of God's warnings and deeds. Anyone of good character who has what you like and wished to share and enjoy.

Sometimes you find someone you don't like and don't feel forced to accept what you do not like, on demands: The girl who came to marry Isaac liked him at distance. She was “enticed” for reason$ and had a commission to carry on: Marriage! (The essentials were “secured” when she saw the economic status of the one who asked her for his son and, getting home, she knew her mate was handsome, so she felt encouraged from the heart because of her eyes and those "rich" camels a servant brought).

Do not marry unequally yoked. Do not date pagans and be safe from troubles. Your Mr Right is one you like, but pay attention to some warns received.

Let's say something “good” happened when certain king wanted to divorce and the Roman Holy Church said “No”. We naively can say “yes” to anything that can give us a 2nd chance to find out Mrs or Mr Right.

Was that king really interested in finding his Mrs Right? If so, why not trying FRIENDSHIP first and a long-term DATING, before being married?

In Colombia, you cannot be divorced to re-marry in a Catholic church. Legally you can divorce, but you cannot attend your church wedding twice, unless one of the spouse die... Who wants a widow? If divorce or separation hurts, what about that loss?

History is partial and defective to be complete. I could say it because there were more than spiritual reasons for the “Restoration Movement”. Beneath all those superficial waves, there was a powerful economic reason; because Roman Church owned too much land and power in Europe, and it was receiving a big deal on tithing each year; so England needed to get rid of its transnational economic influence. Such that “religious” change (and the rising of a new secular state control) gave England political cohesion and many Catholic believers were won as “Protestants” by the Anglican church; while Rome became weak during the slow process that also influenced other countries in Europe (i.e.: Germany, France...)

Kings in Europe were landowners and the Roman Church had its share as landlord. Some kingdoms were not strong enough; so portions were sold or handed over as pieces of land to some noble men who became crusade champions and free lancers, but time proved them to be rivals (The Reformation Movement has an economic background we're not clearly told as a reason, same way Crusaders wanted to get land outside their own countries to have more economic power: The land was a means of production) and more land everywhere served to get food, new trades, while poor were enslaved to work for landowners... Isn't it easy to remember why the whole America was conquered?

What about Mrs and Mr Right those days “land belonged to kings and noble men”?

(is it the same today?)

This might look sad and nasty: Too often people needed landowner's approval to get married. I watched a movie (with Mel Gibson) that showed me a thing hard to believe, and that's why many used to sin instead of allowing the landlord were first to approve... (That too reminded me those days of slavery in South and North America).

There were civil and political rights for privileged races of light colors; while other human beings were physically abused and enslaved.

What was the attitude of the Catholic Church? Was it “saving” people, or taking advantage in that business?

Have a look at the States who blessed nations to set men free...

Those times were a mess in Europe and America. Marriage needed same race approvals and “the traditional” church was mainly concerned in its decreased economic status. Indulgences were sold “to built” new churches and people needed to pay for their landowner's permission to get marry in Europe. What a sad thing! Today marriage is “free”, and divorce costs you double the inversion... :P

Historically we've seen how families lost control on us, as children, and let us lead our life the way we were pleased. Fathers left their kids made their choice same way Samson did, receiving no tip of parental advice; while others let church leaders misled them into errors when selecting faulty male or females. Some believers did well when their parents were unwilling (or missing) to help them into marriage.

Who's helping you to find out your Mrs or Mr Right?

Jesus said “those seeking will find, those asking will receive...”; but let us be warned that He also said this life would bring us trouble... (John 16:33).

Sometimes I relied on new technologies to find out my Mrs Right (perhaps that surname does not exist) Ha! Ha! :D

I never paid for the social service “matching pairs” promised. I wanted to believe what was often offered, but no one would give me what I would be hindered to receive or see from God's hand. These sites are making their deal acting like virtual “chaperons”, love promoters or real counselors for Jews, Christians... an atheist people.

Where is my Mrs Right?   (Knock! Knock! May I come in?)   Ja! Ja! Ja!

I made my decision and I hope I can accomplish what I liked... I cannot run and hide pretending I like to be an urban hermit, but I'll try to remove this tired secularism from my life.

What if something turns my life around? That will be welcome; but I faced vasectomy to avoid more children and I enjoyed fatherhood already.

What would be my missing piece? Complete peace?

I told my daughter: “Yo no quiero ser abuelo...” and I don't want to be a runaway twice.

Most people I knew wanted to succeed. They tried to do their best, and often shortcomings came where each hidden corner appeared. Some of us failed unintentionally and some lately regret, but God still gives us a 2nd chance.

The world has broaden its ways to cheat, to be double minded and play new game.

How could I risk myself to hurt, since I knew the pains of being hurt?

Will I forget Jesus' teaching, when I'm already told about the broad scope of earthly and heavenly love?

Jesus married no one... I don't know how His mind is and I guess the full nature of His LOVE is above and beyond my own limits (while God's is much more than that).

Todays dating might be changing your Mrs and Mr Right. He (or she) might be endangered to lose or miss you while running too fast on BB chats, SMSs, IMs or FaKeBook.

There are so many ways of exploring, that I confess I'm old fashioned and not updated. What if I admit publicly I liked perfumed snail mail?

           

Your Mrs and Mr Right live at the corner, same city you are in... or abroad!

My mom is above 70. She still saying “I expect a rich man to take me out to be married”. There´s an expectancy of wealth and joy, in everyone´s dreams.

Jesus told us “a man speaks from the treasure of his heart”. The mouth speaks from what we've got. So that's an useful tool to keep at hand to find out our Mrs or Mr Right (I better be shut)  :D  Who wants to be shot?  Ja! Ja!

I hope I finish an article I have published separately, under the named of: “Manual de Supervivencia” (in Spanish). There I shared some tips I've learnt and heard of, and I hope to serve others who see the Internet as a means to find that special someone.

Wikipedia gave me more interesting information on Dating:

“ Social rules regarding dating vary considerably according to variables such as country, social class, religion, age, sexual orientation and gender. Behavior patterns are generally unwritten and constantly changing. There are considerable differences between social and personal values. Each culture has particular patterns which determine such choices as whether the man asks the woman out, where people might meet, whether kissing is acceptable on a first date, the substance of conversation, who should pay for meals or entertainment,^[6][17] or whether splitting expenses is allowed. ”

But what about this next? I should check and confirm:

“Among the Karen people in Burma and Thailand, women are expected to write love poetry and give gifts to win over the man.^[18]”

I hope they never take my poems... I wouldn't like mine were used to draw a man. All of mine were written for women! (I had better to hide my nickname) Ha! Ha!  :P

And, on the other side, I would feel disappointed if a woman copies someone's else poetry to woo me or another. That's a fake feeling! (I'd be misguided, at least).

Dating seems to an evaluation process before being married, but I must admit the “hidden” backsliding this could bring on us. Does friendship serve on meeting your Mr Right?

We too often let dating drifted from  friendship. We did some things wrong before marriage, and I know how my life ended up to be alone. What's wrong to befriend?

There are nice love stories to learn from. These could be endless, and I'll try to find out how (next life).

Wikipedia keeps on saying: “Since there is uncertainty about how to behave on a date, there are numerous sources of advice available.^[21][22][23]”

We had better saving time when learning from others. Some Christians lack the habit to read and learn from safe and holy places, and I don't dare to read too long on a Cosmopolitan magazine, unless I want to know how pagans do and think. Isn't it a battle field we ought to know the enemy?

Children are threat, written violence appears. Am I really armored to this weaponry?

“Sources of advice include magazine articles,^[20]self-help books, dating coaches, friends, and many other sources.^{[26][27][28][29}”

Good! I myself feel challenged...

“And the advice given can pertain to all facets of dating, including such aspects as where to go, what to say, what not to say, what to wear, how to end a date, how to flirt,^[30 and differing approaches regarding first dates versus subsequent dates.^[31] In addition, advice can apply to periods before a date, such as how to meet prospective partners,^[25][31] as well as after a date, such as how to break off a relationship.^{[32][33][34][35][36][37][38}”

The Bible is plenty of ideas, but these may serve to spare time (if these come from Christians).

I like some friend I had. 
Some of them were like they were and some are like they are; and we couldn't cope well to change what is deep inside, out of control.

I cannot change what it's under my skin. It´s not our fault, there is no one to blame. 

My software, my program, is built-in. And I bet God will lead me to the place I need to be...

The missing piece, in fact, does not exist.

The head in our spiritual warfare

Our head in spiritual warfare...

Walking down the street I saw two GNBs. They were riding in a motorcycle and the one driving looked like a turtle, with a short neck, and I thought to myself: “It is a enough that green bullet proof jacket?”.

Since I have some experience in shooting, I know we tend to believe a thick bullet proof jacket serves  to be saved but, what about THE HEAD?

As Christians, we need to be reminded that the head is all about in this spiritual warfare. We can be shot, cheated, hurt or wounded; but the most important part of the body to take care of is not the head, but the mind itself, the thoughts we usually think or nurture.

That man was funny. It reminded me those days I had my guns, I knew to shoot well, but seldom wore a safe bullet proof jacket (the one I used was blue, and made in Israel).

What about the spiritual helmet?

Most of us walk this life wearing the uniform of a lie, an empty name of a religious belief, and lacking God's full armour. Let's say Saul Paul was right when reminding Christians to wear God's spiritual armour, but Jesus is more profound than Paul's speech...

This week I watched “Jesus the revolutionary”. It's a movie made by 1996, in Israel, with Jewish, Italian and Russian people... When Jesus was in front of Pilate, He told him: “You would not have authority OVER me unless God has given you that power...” (not literally).

How many times have we been hurt, cut to pieces?

How many times we gave permission to be hurt or killed?

I guess I can be walking shielded like a military tank, but some bullets and spiritual issues would hit me if I'm not well sit on the rock of His truth. No matter how many bullet proof jackets I imagine I wear, my head would be the soft piece of my hardware I need to watch and take care of...

Let's pray for His firewalls!