Thursday, September 19, 2013

Euphoric Epiphany

Euphoric Epiphany

I can feel the chill as the wind blows across my shoulders,
As the hair raises along my arms and perks my spine I,
Close my eyes and take a deep breath,
Spinning in circles towards the sound,
The sound that succumbed to death. 

Inhaling I fill my lungs, I,
Exhale and find that it's not oxygen but the spirit that's filled my body,
A resurgence runs through me, and the soul is free, 
Pain no longer controls the decisions the heart makes,
Walking in grace, I see the vision of that face, as I feel the embrace.

Submerged in love, 
The past is buried,
Your blessings pour down from above,
I vowed to live my life for you, this commitment I marry.

Following in footsteps that graced the Earth,
I walk with purpose, to go beyond the surface,
To sights unseen, shining the way, that lights the day.

Sacrifice made, that paved the way, 
To Share the news of an empty tomb,
Blessed are those who hear and loved are those who fear.

Bowed in your presence, I'm raised as righteous,
Reminiscing in your words I, 
Am called to another time, reminding me that I am yours,
And you are mine.

Beyond a Memory, your body rose,
Blessed am I the one you chose,
Your promises kept, this fact I have come to accept,
As my soul rejoices in truth it wept.

Lives have been saved, Your purpose served ,
Mistakes have been forgiven, 
For my life I owe you everything,
but above all things for this... is Eternity...

The pain you bared, pleading to God to leave you spared,
For me you would suffer, In this life you would even have to die,
But because of your Love and Grace, I will forever be your bride.

~D

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Jesus > Religion Review



        I was selected to receive an advanced copy of  "Jesus > Religion: Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough" by famed spoken word poet Jefferson Bethke, who is famously known for his video "Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus",  in order to write a review on my opinion of the book.  I have to say I had a very biased opinion going in, I was pre-ordering my copy on Amazon anticipating its arrival October 7th, but I am also very critical when it comes to this subject so I also went in with a very intense eye on how Jesus would be portrayed, and once I start to read it I found that it was very different to how I imagined. Jefferson dives in on many issues that people are afraid to speak on. Sins such as lust, greed, homosexuality, he even touched on gluttony and I can't think of the last time anyone even considered that as a sin. He speaks a lot about the fundamentalist, he breaks down different era's of Christians or religions if you will, and though some may not love his interpretation of them it's very interesting to see the younger generation's view on those who have carried this torch for so long.  I am a young adult who was raised by a woman who taught me the bible, I did not grow up in church but WITH it, and I found myself lumped into the fundamentalist group. I was in no way offended by this, matter of fact it made me look at my view how I am living with Jesus. I found myself disagreeing with his views at times, but in that I found myself reflecting on where my views are and how I can improve them in Jesus. 

    Jefferson talks about the church quite often although the title and his videos may lead you to believe otherwise, "We can't say we love Jesus and not the church because that's like cutting off someone's body and saying you love a decapitated head. That's gross. And it'ts weird.To love someone and know that person fully, you must know their entire self." The church is a part of Jesus, and we are the church. I have long believed that a church while it is important to have somewhere you can worship, it is us his children who make up the church. We are his vessel and if we are not speaking for him there is nowhere for him to go, Jefferson has done a fine job at getting this point across. 

       Many may feel he goes back and forth on certain subjects, us fundamentalists who hold certain topics with a little more high regard may find his opinions offensive but I think that's the point. We all come from different walks of life, different areas of Christianity, and when reading I found myself saying, "I'm fascinated by his view and where he came from, and how Jesus brought him to where he is now." It's a fascinating testimony of sin, morals, idolatry and love. 

      We were created to love each other, Jesus while mighty in his power came to us with love in his heart, and mercy on our souls, this is the message that Jefferson is trying to send to the masses, the message that Jesus has called us all to share. We are called to do so much more than to be beaten down by rules. He is right, once you have began your relationship with him, he calls your life out of despair and into marvelous things, and soon those rules are no longer something to be beat down by they are love. 

      I would hope while reading the average person picks up his message, the message of Love. The bible is God's love letter to us, and this is Jefferson's love letter to not just God, but God's children as well. I myself have identified with many if not ninety-seven percent of Jefferson's walk and though some of my outcomes have been a bit different, the end result has been the same. As he says, If just one person reads this book and it opens them up to Jesus then it would be worth it, Jefferson, I commend you because, with that one book you may feed millions just  as Jesus did with his few little fish and his seven loaves of bread to the 4,000. 

-D

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Update - Jesus > Religion Street Team!

Hello everyone!!

It's been forever I know, between the baptism, what I've been through the last few months, and my book I've had no time to give you anything.. My many apologies!

I am here to announce....
I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO BE A PART OF JEFFERSON BETHKE'S STREET TEAM TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT HIS NEW BOOK "Jesus > Religion Why He Is So Much Better Than Trying Harder, Doing More, and Being Good Enough"

I am more than excited to spread the word on this. As you all know, I have had a strong stand point on focusing on relationships and how our relationship with Jesus is the point of Christianity, not "Religion." This man went and took it to another level, with 25,686,039 views on Youtube. Following his videos and social media, I believe in this man because of his message. I stand behind it 100%!

If you don't know who he is .... WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!  He was introduced to the world when his spoken word video "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" hit social media. And now the companion to this video, an in depth book is ready for release! Do yourself a favor AND GET THIS BOOK! It is set for release on October 7th, 2013, you can pre order on Amazon and on Jefferson's website now! See video below.






Please help me in spreading the word! I will be updating soon with my review of the book! GOD IS WORKING IN AMAZING WAYS!

See my new update video below