Sin Defined

In my post, Am I Safe in My Sin?, I talked about whether or not we as individual Christians ought to sin.

But that brought up the question "What is sin?"

This post was  originally posted on Keturah's Korner. 

According to the online dictionary sin is:

"An immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. 

'A sin in the eyes of God' 

Synonyms: immoral act, wrong, wrongdoing, act of evil/wickedness, transgression, crime, offense, misdeed, misdemeanor."

It's funny, that even though the Bible has set rules and examples of sin, it's hard to understand what sin really is.

That's because sin and evil aren't things or made-up rules. They are ideas - theological  and philosophical concepts.

Once you understand that sin is not a thing but an abstract reality, it's easier to answer the following questions;

1. "What is sin?"
2. "Who made sin?"
3. "Who decided what sin is?"
4. "Who punishes sin?"

1. As sin is not a thing, but a concept, what is the concept of sin?
Sin is not only the opposite of good, but the result of good missing.
Logically, we can come to the conclusion that sin only exists because of lack of a perfection or good-doing.

2. Who made sin? Or more like, how can one sin if it is an idea?
If sin is the result of taking away good - then sin is made by the offender and no one else is to blame.
Also, the idea of sin forces for there to be one to sin against. This is partly why those that do not believe in God can not believe in sin either.
This is why we punish the one committing the crime - never anyone else. And it's also the reason we are each responsible for our own actions and consequences - because WE are the ones that create our sin.
It's a choice matter.


3. Sin is of itself a "religious" thing.
It's rare that an unbeliever will actually admit to having "sinned" even if they happen to have that sense of guilt that means they have sinned
Sin is that which violates good, and in essence of His nature, God is good. Thus sin is that which violates God.
And what ever violates Him and the nature of good is sin.
So, it's not so much that God or the Bible has made up what is sin, but He has defined it for us.
God has revealed to us all that would disrupt or cause good to be gone.
And that process is called sin.


4. Only good can punish sin. Why?
Because evil punishing evil would only create more evil. But good can bring both justice and mercy to the offender.
When one is totally incorrupted it has the authority to continue pushing goodness onto sin, and vanquishing it.

The idea and concepts around sin are very important. They prove God's existence, and also demand our continual steadfastness to His goodness.

Even though sin is something we'd like to forget about, I believe that we should at least understand what it is so that when asked hard questions or facing temptations we will be prepared to say and do the right things. 

1 Peter 1:16: Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Matt 5:48: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect

Colorful Skirts That Dance

Hello! I just love full, brightly colored skirts. I love unique, I love color, I love soft fabrics that fly and dance about.

And sometimes I like matching them with crazy shirts ;)

I grew up knowing stripes and patterns DON'T go together. 

But every now and then I like to rebel against the rules ;) 

Because it was almost as funny as embarrassing... 

My new facebook profile :) 

This following skirt has been a favorite of mine for years. But it was time to say goodbye... the pull string at the waist broke, and it was covered in holes. 

I had to hold it up for these pictures... it was trying to fall down the whole time ;p 

Anyways... we had to get "last pictures" with this skirt before I finally had to throw it away. 

It looks like I'm holding my stomach... I'm really keeping the skirt up. ;D 

My little sister wanted to get in on the photography... she has a weird sense of humor. Like me :D 

Everything in these pictures was thrifted. The first skirt is actually a vintage skirt I found at a small thrift store in Washington spring of 2017. I was beyond thrilled :D

I just realized... I'm wearing the same necklace with both outfits. A lady I clean for gave it to me after I house-sat for her for a couple weeks. The cross is made from the Red Wood trees of California.

Shoes: Yeah, bare feet are the best... for pictures especially.

Do you ever love to wear full, crazy skirts? What is your opinion of stripes+patterns? Have you found any neat thrift stores finds recently? 

Am I Safe in My Sin?

Originally posted on my blog

"Once saved, always saved." 

 What a controversial statement. One that contains so much meaning - and causes so much arguing. 

 It mostly is based from the following passage, Romans 8:31-39 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Is this passage saying that we can not SIN against God? 

Is it saying that no matter what we do we shall go to heaven? 

Does it say God will forgive any evil we do with out repentance?

  Some believe so...but I think it more says that God always loves us and won't change His mind about us. 

 He loved us before we loved Him. 

How could He ever stop loving us if He loved us so much while we were still sinners?

 He loved us so much that He died for us in the the hope that we might love Him back.

 It says that evil things done to us aren't signs of His lack of love. No one else can change His mind towards us. It says all this. 

 But never does it say that "God loves us so much that even while we SIN we have our names written in God's book." 

 No one else can make God stop loving us, but is it possible for us to stop loving God? I believe the answer is "Yes." 

 And for those that don't love God anymore? God will still love them - but the God of love is still a God of justice and those that WON'T BE with Him must go where He has said those that don't love Him go. 

 Hebrews 10:26-31 NIV "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." 

 Yes, God loves us. And He proves His love to us in actions. And if we truly love Him back we will prove our love  in actions - doing that which doesn't hurt Him or go against him. 

 Imagine two best friends. 

 Basil and Joey are best friends. 

They do everything together. But Joey is changing. 

He no longer treats Basil with respect. He talks bad about Basil. Lies, steals from him. Basil soon discovers that Joey is no longer a true friend. 

He believes that they once were - but now? People tell him to just get on with life. Forgive Joey and be friends, but how can he when Joey is constantly using and abusing him? 

What would you do? 

What should God do? 

 What happens when we turn against God? Disrespect Him? Misplace our love and devotion? His righteous judgment is released upon us. 

 What happens when we confess yet do not prove our words with actions?  

Romans 1:18-23 NIV "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things." 

 And on a side-note - yes we all sin (Romans 3:23). 

But never should we use accidents or mistakes as an excuse to continue hurting others and God. Even in friendships, one or the other will make mistakes at times. 

But do we continue to hurt the other? 

Or do we apologize and start afresh careful to be the best friend ever? 

 I believe it is very important to realize that sinning is not good nor acceptable. Repentance exists for a reason, yes, but never should we make up reasons to repent. 

 For we all should run from all appearance of evil, avoid sinning, strive to love God above all (2 Timothy 2:22). 

  1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Henna

At our local fair this last summer, one of my good friends did some henna for me... I was pretty excited about it.

And enjoyed it while it lasted - as I clean houses, plus didn't take care of it like I should, it lasted almost a week.

Jerushah thought this was a weird picture - but I loved it just for that reason. 

Still very new ;p 

Setting in :) 

You really can't see it.. but still an earthy picture :D 

Let's be green!!!!

Classy - yet not? Kinda trying to figure this style out ;p
And this is a blouse I knitted last year. Haven't worn it much, but really love it. 

Henna is darker :) 

Selfie with my photographer (sister). I think I was singing, even though it looks like I'm crazy.

Favorite watch of mine - have had it for years, but it's been broken awhile. Finally fixed it - thought it looked nice with the henna.

I like this picture, because I think I look like my Aunt Mary (a little). 

Outfit #1: 

Shirt - Ross's

Outfit #2:

Skirt - some dollar store ;p

Necklace - I made it 

Outfit #3:

Lace blouse - I made it

Everything else was thrifted :D 

I really enjoyed the henna - it was pretty and unique and classy. And didn't last forever - why I would never get a tattoo. I know how finicky the human mind is. And doing something that drastic that's permanent and trivial to our bodies just seems foolish to me.

But I do enjoy art :D 

What do you think of henna? 

Flowing On The Go

"What should I do? What am I SUPPOSE to do?"

Originally posted here

"Just go with the flow." 

"Trust God. Just see what happens." 

"No need to worry about it. Everything WILL work out."

Now this is all good advice. But it's all missing something. It's lacking the solution to the real question. 

  ACTION 

 There's no action in any of those answers. 

 "It'll happen." 

 How? 

 Yes, it's good to just wait and have patience.

 Worry never helps. 

Trust is very good. 

And it is very, very good to rely on God. 

 But after that? 

 We have to move. 

Take action. 

 Along with doing that we have to still have patience and trust God. 

We still need to go with the flow... but we need to make sure we are on the go. 

 We should be passively active. 

 So, keep moving towards more than inactivity.

Let's flow towards purposeful outcomes. Never go with the flow - but let's be flowing on the go!!

Blowing Bubbles Because That's What They Are For

Sometimes it's fun to dress up - especially when there is a wedding ;)

My brother and I accidentally matched. 

Blowing Bubbles Because That's What They Are For 

The skirt is a gift from an aunt - 100% silk :D 

Everything else is thrifted :) 

I must say - why buy clothes new, if you can find them both cheaper and nicer at thrift stores???

The Testimony of A Liar

This is not my testimony... but one I made up ;) the sole purpose of this is to show two things:

1. Testimonies aren't always true nor worthy of sympathy -  the sort of sympathy that makes you consider changing your views.

2. You have to be very careful when people use verses to back up their claims. Because more likely than not, they may be using this verse to fit their testimony instead of molding their life to fit God's word.

Also, I hope you may find many opportunities to laugh in this. :D After reading the article check out the following verses: Proverbs 12:22, John 8:44, Exodus 23:1, and Colossians 3:9.

Originally posted here. 

Growing up was very hard for me, because I was living a lie - not who I was at heart, a liar. 

 I had a decent family, yes. I even grew up in a great church family, and was saved at an early age. If it wasn't for my faith in God I don't know how I could have lived through my childhood. Because even though my family and church was great they were more of legalistic judgers rather than lovers.

 Lying is just who I am...even back when I was a small child. 

I crave and need the attention I receive from my lies. 

But people, mostly adults including my parents, would not accept this from me. They said I was being naughty. Childish. 

 They said it wasn't right. That God forbade lying.

 I was devastated that I could be so evil. I tried so hard to stop lying - but it was a part of my nature - 

I was born to lie. 

 I felt so terrible during the last few years of my childhood, and even during my teens. I tried hard to conform to what my family and peers wanted. But sometimes my true self would slip out. I would question my place in life. 

Why did God create such a person as I? Why would he put a nature in me that was one He hated? On top of doubting my own worth I began to even doubt God's existence and love. 

 It was after I had left home. Living on my own hasn't changed anything. Others still judged me.  I always felt so broken and alone. 

Belittled and abandoned. People would spread falsehoods about my lying. 

 One day I could take it no more. I closed my door to the world, sat myself down and took only my Bible. "Father," I cried. "I am tired of living this life you have forced upon me. Why should I be this way if it's wrong? Show me what to do - or end my life." 

 Immediately I opened my bible to the ten commandments. It was because of these commandments, people told me, my life was condemned. 

 My eyes at once saw Exodus 20:16. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." But I did not feel ugly. I never felt ugly when reading scripture, because God does not use it to judge us, but guide us. On top of that, for the first time I read this verse with sincerity. 

Wow. I had never before seen this. It does not say "Thou shalt not lie"....but that "Thou shalt not TELL LIES ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS TO HARM THEM." 

 And even though my nature is a lying nature I have never said something untrue to hurt someone. Never. You have no idea how fulfilled this verse made me feel. 

I started looking up other verses, and all seemed to be calling out to me to embrace the person God had created me to be - a Liar. 

 It was hard at first to show others who God wanted me to be, and even though God is with me, certain individuals still aren't. But this being hard has proved to me even more that lying is right for me - for nothing easy can be right or satisfying. 

 Almost as much as I love living out who I am I love sharing my testimony. The only thing that saddens me is when people don't believe it. But what encourages me more then that is God knows that it is true. 

 And so I live happy and free! 

  ~ The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Confident Fashion {Hike your style}

Photos from when my sister and I went hiking. She likes taking pictures, I like being in them. So we make a great team ;)

But still have to have pictures of her!

Enjoy our different styles ;)

Large dandelion (I think)

Selfie with mountains :D 

Top of Table Mountain 

The sky is bigger some places ;) 

I don't poke my eyes - just my sunglasses. 

My tough sister, prepared for bears or rattle snakes. 

Pretty Montana flowers 

I'm pretty sure everything we were wearing was gifted or thrifted. The sunglasses I bought from Amazon. And the skirt I'm wearing was tie dyed by this lady we call Tie Dye Mary. 


Whether we like to admit it or not, the way we dress matters a lot to us girls.

It's a part of who we are.

And for that reason we are always stressing out over it.

But to be able to be free - just dress how you want and be happy? It's something that takes a special state of mind. And once you achieve it you feel amazing - and realize no matter what you wear you feel that you look amazing.

Which I believe is the true secret to making fashion work - just wear what you wear with confidence!

As you can see my sister and I wear different sort of things - but we have our own confidence that fits those outfits perfectly.


Have you achieved confidence in your style? What helped you/ is helping you in this process? 

Doing What's True

Originally posted 

Do you sometimes base what you do as right because of a feeling you get, or because of others' reactions?

Or because it's hard?

I have a little secret:

Just because something is hard to do doesn't mean you should do it.

A lot of times these factors are important in our decision making (feelings, others' opinions, and even level of hardship).

 But they aren't the most important factors, or even the ruling factors.

Something is always either right or wrong, true or false, no matter how others may applaud or even persecute you or even the feelings of satisfaction you may receive from what you do.

Feelings change.

People's opinions change.

Hardships change according to culture and times.

  But facts never change. 

Hard may be good, but it's not ultimate.

Do what's right not because of others words. Not because of what is considered worthy (or unworthy. But do what is true and perfect according to God's standards.

We aren't to pursue persecution, but perfection (God's).