Romans 2:24

For it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

This reminded me so much of something Mahatma Gandhi said: "I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” and again of what St. John Chrysostom urges us on with:

Live in a way that won’t blaspheme the name of God. On the one hand, don’t care about human reputation. On the other hand, don’t give reason for others to speak poorly of you. But be moderate on both issues. As Scripture says, “Among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” For Christ left us here to be lights. We are here to teach others and be like leaven in dough. We should go about as angels among people, as adults among children, as spiritual people among those who are natural. In this way they can profit as we become seeds bearing copious fruit. There is no need to speak if we shine through our lives. There is no need for teachers if we only demonstrate through our works. There would be no unbelievers if we were the Christians we should be. Everyone would convert to godliness if we generally kept the commandments of Christ, suffered through insults, allowed others to take advantage of us, blessed when we were cursed and did good when treated poorly. For example, Paul was only one man, yet how many followed him? If we were all like him, how many worlds could we have following us?

Do you know real Egypt?

Watch these videos and spread the awareness...

Copts Under Seige Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r2NnLZBEzk
Copts Under Seige Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmIuqgMrUFo

Genesis 15:1

Some time after these events, this word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great."


Replace "Abram" with your name, repeat
"Fear not, (your name)! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great"
constantly to yourself, and you will always have God in front of you.
-God is telling us never to fear and that He is our shield, therefore if we keep this mind we will always trust in Him, always be calm and tranquil, and place our worries upon him.
-He is telling us He will make our reward very great, reminding us of our salvation and eternal life with Him, which should always be the goal in front of us in everything we do.
-Trust in God + reminder of ultimate goal = stronger will power

Mark 2:4

And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and when they had made an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic lay.


This is one of my favorite miracles. In my mind it has always been called "against all odds" because it shows that even when people are in the way between you and God, trying to discourage you or distract you from the goal, or making the goal harder for you, there is always a means that God provides for us...even if it means breaking open the roof. People don't understand God--and therefore will try to rationalize and discourage us from whatever we are asking for, deeming it absurd--and neither do we, but as long as we have faith in Him, He will show us a way out. It shows how strong of faith we should have, and the many different, mysterious means that God uses to care for us.