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More Than Head Knowledge

 

 



One can't possibly comprehend the essence of faith
by reading various books or listening to speakers...
On the contrary, faith is born in the heart, freely,
with total abandonment of mindsets and vices.

The Jesus of text seems to be stripped of His Deity
by too many scholars bound to Scripture's words,
every line, passage, chapter and book scrutinized
without consideration that He's still with us now.

Americana Christianity almost appears to be
a marketing ploy for red-faced preachers on TV,
scaring their viewers and live congregations
with stark visions of hellfire and brimstone.

While hell may lay waiting for some in the end,
Jesus taught God's love, showing by example.
Christ's sacrifice was for love, His love for us!
He suffered so that we'll be free, come judgement.

Faith comes in knowing Him on a personal level,
allowing yourself to forget scholastic gibberish,
quieting your spirit long enough to listen
to the still, small voice speaking to you from within.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author notes

 Across-the-Universe ~ Option 3 

 

 

Romans 10:9
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

    So many times we can get caught up in the study, researching, attending seminars, lectures, even listening to sermons,  that we forget that true Christianity is a living, breathing relationship with Jesus Christ and not merely knowing about Him and having a belief in His resurrection.  True Christianity is not hellfire and brimstone, God is not out to condemn you if you mess up...It's not wars, prejudices, hatred, finger-pointing...True Christianity is Jesus' love, personified.  Love your neighbor more than yourself, love your enemy, love one another.  True Christianity is God's forgiveness of our sins and our forgiveness of those who offend us.  It is when we live our faith on a personal level -- that is when it becomes alive.

    For a detailed account of Christ's sacrifice, please read "I Killed Jesus Christ," http://allpoetry.com/poem/4421063 

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Comments

1 - 21 of 21

  • OldBear34 silver member
    November 12, 2008

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    Very Good

    You have captured the essence of Christianity in a lovely and moving poem. May you sustain your personal relationship with Jesus! Your silver is well deserved.


  • Away From the Sun
    November 12, 2008

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    Congratulations! You earned it and thank you so much for your entry - although words such as yours drove me NUTS trying to decide! LOL Debbie


  • everyone1 gold member
    November 11, 2008

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    Lay down and let go!

    Allow the Lord to perfect your faith.

    Honestly ...

    One of the best poems, statements of faith that I have heard yet.

    Beautifully put ...

    I only have 6 point ...

    but I want to give you more, much more.

    ~ James ~


  • Rend the Veil gold member
    November 11, 2008

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    Moved By Passions

    for The Christ Came to serve and to Die.
    showed Love beyond Measured, Examples to all and gave His life!!! for me and you! what a Blessed Write

    Moved me! Truth be told!

    Rend The Veil




  • Away From the Sun
    November 7, 2008
    Edit | Reply
    Another very excellent expression of faith from the heart vs. science's and man's own seeming contradictions. Thank you for entering! Debbie


  • City-of-Angels
    September 2, 2008

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    Amazing, I most definately have to give kudos to you. You really sound like a true christian, and that's very hard to come by these days. I always get turned off by the close-minded religious people that tell you you're wrong and aren't accepting. But in all honesty, I don't believe them to be true Christians. You seem like a very accepting person, and you really got your thoughts across nicely in this write.
    The bit about people using it as a way to make money is sooo true and sad also. How can people play with people's faith like that? I really think that's why I'm not that religious, it's not because of Christianity itself, just the people inside it.
    I believe if more Christians were like you, there would be a lot more people turned onto Christianity. I believe some people just go about converting the wrong way. Thanks for the entry and good luck


  • apoetalone
    August 23, 2008

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    Beautifully said. And every word true. This piece reminded me of conversations and debates that my father and I used to have. Good times indeed. Thank you for this. =)


  • The Otep
    August 23, 2008

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    AMEN and AMEN!!! This is beautiful and so true. Amazing work with your pen...

    This is such a great witnessing poem, in so may ways. Your words speak God's Word to so many hurting people, and I just pray that each who do read this are greatly blessed!!

    Blessed Be


  • michellemybelle gold member
    August 22, 2008
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    AMEN! So well said Tim, I couldn't agree more. While church and the bible are very good tools in which to study and share our beliefs, our history, what Christianity is, is Christ within, walking with him, he the mentor, us the student. A friend of mine told me this was amazing and suggested I read this, I am so glad I did. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and beliefs.
    blessings,
    Michelle
    I would applaud for two if I could.


    • Xianaria gold member
      August 23, 2008
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      Hi Michelle~

      Thank you for your comments, thank you ~ they are greatly appreciated! Please note, I was not trying to lessen the importance of the Bible, the Word, after all it is our foundation:

      John 1:1
      The Deity of Jesus Christ
      In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (New American Standard Bible)

      Genesis 1:1
      The Creation
      In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
      (New American Standard Bible)

      Again, thank you.
      Have a great weekend & be blessed~
      Tim

      • michellemybelle gold member
        August 23, 2008

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        Good morning Tim, I didn't think you were lessening the importance of the word. If a man reads the Bible and goes to church, that doesn't make him a Christain, although good to do, unless it is done all for show. You said it all so perfectly and sum it up in your ending.
        Thanks for the verses.
        blessings,
        Michelle


  • hitthispuppy
    August 22, 2008

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    It is not for me to judge

    I read your work, and honestly, i left without saying anything, the first time, but i was drawn back. Not that your words did not move me,they did. It is so hard to get people, in this day and age, to truly accept the innocence of truth. The hand held out in friendship is taken hesitantly, always waiting for the other hand to blind-side you. It is sad to see how pulled, and twisted man has taken the words of a man, and I say a man, Jesus felt our pain, our sadness, our lonliness, and our self preservation, and yet still saw the good, and the god-like nature of man. He did not jump up with joy at the thought of going through the process of death anymore than any of us would. He gave of himself, and gave us the gift of life because he saw the greatness inside of us. In today's world, it is rare to find anyone who will give up any pleasure for themselves for the mere reason to make someone else happy. There is a line from a song sung by Dianne Reeves that says,
    "Think of the times that were best.
    Don't you find that the
    happiness comes from the
    days you were kind.
    Love is the key..."

  • Many Sparrows
    August 22, 2008

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    Intense Sentiment

    I feel your intensity, your love for God and others. I sense your frustration with hypocrisy and scholarly, intellectual foolishness. However, how does one get to know Him except through His words. That's how I'm getting to know you. He is His Word. I agree however, that often His Word is ignored under a pile of religious garbage.

    • Xianaria gold member
      August 22, 2008
      Edit | Reply
      I agree, as stated in Romans 10:17 (New International Version)

      "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."

      ~ my thoughts were directed more at the external studying, where the Word is so broken down that it loses its impact.

      Churches that seem to put way too much emphasis on tithing and not equal or more time on the love, that also works against our faith and unfortunately turns people away.

      Thank you for your comments.
      ~ Tim


  • sgking123
    August 22, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    excellent

    Americana Christianity almost appears to be
    a marketing ploy for red-faced preachers on TV,
    scaring their viewers and live congregations
    with stark visions of hellfire and brimstone.

    While hell may lay waiting for some in the end,
    Jesus taught God's love, showing by example.
    Christ's sacrifice was for love, His love for us!
    He suffered so that we'll be free, come judgement.

    clear views on religion....you do not seem to waiver in what you beleive to be right..that was the baeuty of this poem.I liked it a lot. Please vist my poetry and offer some comments.


  • il terzo fratello
    August 22, 2008

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    Very well done to express your opinions like so. I agree, I think Christianity in America has just been so full of drama and issues, Catholic priests, that i think people forget the real meaning of the bible, and ignore the lovely touch of god that happens every day.

    Good write.


  • storiesuntold gold member
    August 21, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Amen to this write so true

    I have believed in him all my life and as does my family yet we displayed such beliefe buy loving people about us and helping those in need and being there for anyone in pain and need of a friend .To never stop trying to help those who has given up on themselves for they in their minds cant imagine anyone careing enough to sticjk it out .Love brings the light to the soul and then it is meant to be shared in all ways


  • retribusive
    August 21, 2008
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    Epic dude. Great job, and awesome choice with the background.


  • Carolina Moon gold member
    August 20, 2008

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    Your words touched me my friend. Beautifully said and with much truth.
    Love the background as well. As a whole, it is awesome.
    Bless you!
    Linda


  • Soft-Rain
    August 20, 2008

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    In Awe!

    I am totally in awe of this truth, if everyone just would understand his love. How personal He becomes to each of us and that yes Jesus is concerned with the smallest to the biggest thing in each of our lives.
    He's my best friend,because i have experianced such love he showed a girl who was raised up in a hell fire brimstone church. Got saved out of fear, but something was missing and i left God and the church.
    Later He showed me love not fear that i was taught, and i fell in love with my Lord!


  • Michael H.
    August 20, 2008
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    Nicely done. I really enjoyed this. Thanks.

1 - 21 of 21