Month: March 2012

Jesus Candle…evil?

/ bethanyanneholland / 11 Comments

Someone just told me that my ‘Sagrado Corazon de Jesus’ candle on my desk was pagan because of the picture of Jesus, which supposedly represents some pagan/demonic thing.

I didn’t get it.  I always thought Jesus was just pointing because he was giving some great wisdom or something, not because of some pagan explanation that I don’t understand.

OK, this is me getting on my soapbox:  I don’t care about the stupid devil.

I believe that it is beneficial and essential to be aware of spiritual warfare.  But really, what do we need to know?  I know that the devil sucks and that he is a liar.  Absolutely no truth comes from him.  But most importantly, I know that we have a GOD who is bigger, FULL of truth.  In whom, all good and perfect things are found.  Not to mention, our God has already defeated and conquered our enemies.

I used to be all about knowing all there is to know about spiritual warfare so that I could be wise and not be deceived.  You know, make sure that I didn’t have a dreamcatcher over my bed and that all the Kachina dolls in my parent’s southwestern home were anointed with oil.

If I would have known about this Dollar Store Jesus candle back then, I probably would have thrown it out and make sure everyone knew it was evil!  I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I’m somewhat zealous.

…I have to give myself grace to where I have been at in my process. 

But when I thought like this,what ended up happening was that I gave more attention and more glory to my enemy, then to the one who delivers me and crushes this enemy under my feet.

Now, I’ve decided that I couldn’t care less about the devil.  His goal is to invoke fear, and to exalt himself.  I’m not going to do him any more favors.

And so I am not so worried about having a picture hanging up that might have been used in pagan rituals.  I’m not concerned with people talking about karma or energy or other types of spirituality.

Too often we take other religions and beliefs, and for whatever reason we become afraid.             […afraid of not being in control, afraid of not being right, afraid of being tormented by evil…]

Then we demonize the people practicing these things.  And this causes us to forget that in fact they are human beings.  We turn them into objects of deception rather than sons and daughters who have been led astray.  The truth of the matter is that I am secure in the light.  I don’t have to be afraid of the darkness or those who find themselves in midst of the darkness.  And actually, the light always wins over the darkness.

I am not at all saying that I am not susceptible to lies or that I cannot be deceived.  By no means do I have the strength in myself to overcome darkness.  Every day is a battle.  But I am seated in heavenly places, with authority and inheritance that the darkness cannot touch.  Because the one who lives in unapproachable light and who is greater has brought me into that kingdom of light.  And not only that, but he has called me a child of light.  his child.

I guess my point in all of this is that I am going to turn my focus to the only one worth my attention.  To the one who has written and finished my faith.  Not to the evil symbol on my Sagrado Corazon de Jesus candle.  It’s not worth my energy.  I’d rather think about, dwell on and praise God for his goodness and sovereignty.  And I’d rather love and value people for who they are and not for where they find themselves within spirituality.

And if they ever find themselves trapped, confused, tormented…I know someone who delivers.  And I know someone who sets people free by the power of truth.  I know a LIGHT that can expel the darkness that seems to be too difficult to bear.

But for now, I am going to love.

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what the FLOP?!

/ bethanyanneholland / 3 Comments

So, I have a confession.  The purchase project has been an epic FLOP.

Don’t get me wrong, I still think it’s a great idea…just not for me.  I could go into all different sorts of justifications and maybe even try to sound profound or super spiritual, but the truth is, it’s just not my thing.

Now, I did put some thought into this before I decided to 86 the project.

1.  I’m not bailing on a commitment to God – he never actually told me to do this…I restricted myself for some masochistic reason.

2.  I hardly ever buy things for myself anyway, so who cares if I buy two things one month and one thing another?

3.  I believe that I need to learn the art of discipline, clearly…but I should probably start smaller.  Why I chose to start with a whole year of discipline is beyond me!

4.  I am still passionate about discovering that which is most valuable in life…and I have already seen that materials are not really my issue.  More often, relationships or lack thereof, take up more of my God-deserved energy and attention than any materialistic thing.

So maybe I need a man project

…where I stop creating, designing,

and looking for the perfect man.  Eh.

 

 

 

I am however, always finding creative ways to continue giving.  And this past month I gave to an incredible woman, Joy Robertson.  I have had the incredible privilege to watch her grow and blossom into a fiery, stunning, godly woman and now she is heading to Sudan.  So I could barely help myself when I had the opportunity to support her and give to the calling that God has put before her.

As for the purchases…I’m not going crazy and throwing my money around.  Promise.  But didn’t think that many people care what I buy, it’s really not that exciting.

So let’s drink a toast to all those New Year’s resolutions that have turned out to be FLOPS!  …that is, unless your resolution was to stop drinking.  In that case, raise your glass of grape juice.

Cheers!