#New Identity in Christ

[mindfulldsliving]

Embracing the Heredity of Holiness in Recovery

The journey of spiritual rebirth begins with acknowledging the need for change. The Holy Spirit guides this transformation by providing inner conviction, renewing the mind, and empowering individuals to adopt a new spiritual inheritance.

Heredity of Holiness: Finding Redemption and New Identity Galatians 1:15-16 A New Heredity – Sacred Sobriety: A Path for the Soul Imagine if our spiritual inheritance could shape the struggles we face with addiction. We believe the "Heredity of Holiness" isn't just a poetic concept, but a foundation for our journey in faith recovery. Our heredity in this sense implies that holiness, like any…

[blessedarethebinarybreakers]

I've been trying to become closer to God lately! One of the things is... can I still have an identity outside of my Christian faith? I know Jesus calls us to love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls, and I genuinely would love to! However, my brain tends to take things to the extreme (I have OCD, so this is a common theme for me even outside of my faith). I guess I'm just scared that if I love God wholeheartedly, will I lose different aspects of my life other than faith? And if I do have other aspects of my life other than my life, does that mean I'm not actually loving God with all my being as Christ calls me to do?

Hi there, so sorry for the delay! This is an excellent question, and here is my answer (yes, in meme form lol, I couldn't resist):

If a faith community or leader is telling you to let go of things that bring you joy, that nourish your God-gifted creativity and uniqueness, that help you connect to the larger world in your own distinct way...run, don't walk, to the nearest exit. That's not a faith community that is invested in Jesus's design for abundant life for all beings (John 10:10).

___

Loving God and following after Jesus doesn't mean relinquishing what makes us us — God makes us us, bestows unique gifts upon each of us, because God delights in diversity!

We can't have community without distinct parts that come together into the whole. We can't have relationships — with God, with other humans, with all Creation — without having a self out of which we relate to the other. So cultivate your identity — your true identity, liberated from a pressure to conform to capitalism and other evils; and seek ways to support others in achieving their truest selves.

Instead of seeing some parts of your life as "outside your Christian faith," learn to see even the most mundane elements of life as part of how you live out your love for God. Maybe you love making jewelry, or cute lil comics — take the time to feel gratitude towards the God who gifted you that creativity; or use your art to bring a smile to someone's face. Maybe there's a piece of fiction that you're really into — what lessons does it teach you about how to live in relationship with others, or how can you cultivate kindness in the fandom community? Maybe you have a really distinctive sense of humor; use it to cheer someone up who's having a bad day. And on and on.

I direct you to this post where I talk more about how we bring our individual identity into our relationship with God and God's community.

For instance, there's this quote from theologian Shirley Guthrie in Christian Doctrine:

In Christian Doctrine, Shirley Guthrie puts this idea of God’s plan for individuality within community very well:

“The doctrine of creation in the image of God preserves individuality just as strongly as it condemns individualism. A genuine relationship between ourselves and others is possible only when there is distinction between us in which we remain who we are and others remain who they are. To attempt to do away with our own or others’ unique individuality is to make a real relationship between us impossible, and just as inhuman as individualism.”

So be yourself, find others who delight in who you are, and seek to experience God in all things, not just the specific things that tend to get labeled "godly."

And know that there isn't One Right Way to love God and love neighbor — there are as many ways as there are living beings. You'll find your unique way organically, as you go. <3

[tvlipsandbread]

My take on church hurt as a Christian: there’s this guy on TikTok, and all his videos have #exchristian, and his bio states “agnostic- atheist” so you can guess what his videos are about. He posted something that I lowk agreed with and I went to the comments, someone said “bro’s entire personality is being an exchristian” as an insult which is crazy to me. Do we realize that when this happens we’re partially, if not fully at fault?. Imagine your entire being is used to hate something or someone that you don’t even believe in, there must be a lot of hurt for that to happen. We hurt him, we hurt them. “You worship God not the people in the church” I agree, but it’s obvious that the people in the church play a huge role, it’s obvious that if there’s a judgmental, toxic environment that person will pull away, if you disagree don’t even bother to say anything because you don’t have the level iq needed for basic reasoning. God literally sent Jesus (a human!!) to act as a bridge between Him and us. I’m really tired, like really sick and tired of seeing this happen. When was spreading the gospel ever meant to be discrediting someone’s beliefs in order enforce yours? Never! That’s not what we’re supposed to do, does that not sound like dictatorship??. All we can do is share our beliefs and faith, not aggressively shove it down a throat, live by example, whether someone decides to convert or accept our beliefs is not our problem, it’s theirs and God’s. I’ll forever remember the time a close friend of mine shared why they pulled away from the religion, and just religion in general, the way she was treated, treated like?? Like she was dirty and needed cleansing, treated like she committed the most heinous crime and needed the sin beat out of her, all because she just doesn’t like boys the way I do😐. Glad to say that she hasn’t seen anyone from that congregation in two years. Time for us to be better

[coptorthodox]

But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. Romans 7:6

[vilelittlecritter]

You ever sit in a fandom space for so long that now looking at it kind of makes you want to rip your nails off.

Yeah.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

You Remain Worldly

For you are still carnal (fleshly), for where there is among you jealousy (to boil, zealous/boiling rivalry) and contentious strife, are you not fleshly and are you not walking full circle according to man? — 1 Corinthians 3:3 | Literal Emphasis Translation (LET) The Literal Emphasis Bible is in the public domain. Cross References: Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 3:4; 1 Corinthians 11:18; 2 Corinthians 12:20

[dino--draws]

"I'm adding it to my reading list" I say about any SCP thing I hear.

<- fir ass does NOT have a reading list. it's in fir brain and fi has the memory of a squirrel on ketamine. Half are forgotten. The other half is shit fi's already read but would read again in a heartbeat

[mr-thundercloud]

OM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM... Mmmmm GOOD SOUP! (Check the other re-blogs their real tasty)

Prompt fill from the Discord server. This one is courtesy of @tourettesdog

Prompt where Danny keeps showing up like a stray cat at various hero's houses. He just comes and goes and they never know when he'll show up next. He's just this like pseudo-adopted child who will come over for dinner, crash on the couch, and he's gone by morning. No amount of research will tell them who he is past the limited information he's given them

The various heroes are unaware that his stray cat range wanders so far until someone mentions him at a JL meeting and all hell breaks loose.

There's eventually an intervention

Stray Cat Danny

Clark had just got home when he noticed the heartbeat on the fire escape two floors above him. As far as he knew, that apartment was empty, so it couldn't be the residents going out for a smoke. It was weird, very strange, and not his business.

He tried to leave it alone, but the heartbeat stayed on the fire escape for a few hours. Every now and again Clark would hear whoever it was shift, but other than that they stayed quiet. Again, weird, but not his business.

Until it started to snow right when Clark was about to start dinner.

He was just going to make sure whoever it was had somewhere warm to stay. Maybe direct them to a shelter. Clark opened the window and looked up, there was a dark bundle, worryingly still, on the fire escape.

"Excuse me?" Clark called. The bundle shifted but whoever it is didn't respond. Clark grumbled and made his way up to them, squatting down a few feet away.

"Are you alright?"

The bundle shifted, revealing one blue eye and a tuft of back hair.

"''m fine" a young male voice answered. The blue eye closed.

"You know it's going to snow tonight. I'm sure you'd be more comfortable in a shelter than on a fire escape."

"They're full." The boy answered. "All both of them."

Only two shelters for all of Metropolis? That can't be right. Clark looked up to the sky, the snow was starting to come down and he could swear it had gotten colder since he'd been out here. He couldn't leave the kid out here to freeze.

"How about you stay the night at my place? My couch is pretty comfortable, and I'm making beef stew for dinner, Ma's recipe." He let a bit of his Kansas accent show through. Hoping the country accent would put the boy more at ease. He was watching him now with both eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Did your Ma ever teach you about stranger danger?" The kid asked.

"Not exactly. She taught me to help people out if they need it. Did your Ma teach you stranger danger?"

"No," the boy said, "my mom taught me to put a full-grown man on the ground if I needed to."

That surprised Clark into laughing. "Well, you won't need to with me. What do you say you come inside?"

The boy watched him for another second before shivering violently and glaring at the sky.

"Yeah, alright. Just one night."

"I'm Clark, by the way," Clark said as he closed the window behind the kid.

"Danny." The kid said. He was rooted to the spot just a few steps into the apartment, eyes scanning the room.

"It's nice to meet you, Danny." Clark held out his hand to shake, but Danny didn't take it. After an awkward second Clark cleared his throat. "Uh. The stew is going to be a little while. You're welcome to the laundry and shower if you need it." Danny was pretty clean, but there was visible dirt on his face and clothes. "I might have some clothes my nephew forgot that you're welcome to." Dick was bigger than Danny for sure, but he was closer to Danny's size than Clark was.

Danny gave him a long look, before shrugging off his backpack. "Sure. Might as well."

Clark left to go get the clothes while Danny loaded some of his clothes and blankets in the washer. Once he presented the tee shirt and sweatpants Danny disappeared into the bathroom. When he reappeared he was scrubbed clean, his cheeks rosy either from the hot water or scrubbing.

Danny was even smaller than Clark was expecting. He was downright scrawny. Dick's shirt hung off Danny's shoulders, and Clark could clearly see his collarbones. This kid was not getting nearly enough to eat. Well, he was going to tonight if Clark had anything to say about it.

"The stew should be ready in about half an hour. Feel free to make yourself at home." Clark said. He expected Danny to sit on the couch and watch TV, but instead, Danny found his home office. it wasn't more than a desk with his work laptop on it and some of Clark's better pieces and awards framed and tacked to the wall above it.

"You're Clark Kent, the reporter?" Danny asked, eyes switching between the wall and Clark.

"That's me," Clark said. "You know my work?"

"I read your piece on metahuman and alien rights last year. It was good."

"Thanks. I really liked working on that piece."

"Did you always want to be a writer?"

"uh. No. When I was a kid I wanted to be an astronaut." Clark said, stirring the stew. Danny snorted. "What's funny?"

"Nothing," Danny said, taking a seat at the little kitchen table. "I wanted to be an astronaut, too."

"Yeah? You still could." Clark said.

"Nah. It's hard to be an astronaut without a high school diploma. What made you change to writing?"

"I went through a few different career paths before I landed on journalism."

"Do you like it?"

"I do. I like uncovering the truths people try to hide." Clark said. "You'd make a decent journalist, I'd think. Half of it is just asking the right questions."

Clark served up the stew into two bowls and brought them over to the table with some rolls and butter. "I don't have much in the way of drinks, is water okay?"

"Water would be great, thanks."

They ate in relative silence, Danny was too focused on his food to ask more questions. After they ate Danny nodded off on the couch almost as soon as he sat down. Clark couldn't bring himself to wake him up, so he just covered him with a blanket from the linen closet and headed to his own room.

Maybe in the morning he could make Danny pancakes or waffles and get him some new gloves and a jacket. The question was what to do after that? He didn't want to drop Danny off at a shelter, and taking him to the police would only destroy whatever trust he had gained with the boy. At the same time, he only had a one-bedroom apartment. He couldn't keep Danny here. Clark sighed. He'd have to talk to Danny in the morning and see what he wanted to do.

When Clark woke up he was greeted by the silence of the apartment and it took him a few minutes to figure out why that was wrong. There should be another heartbeat. Fearing the worst, Clark rushed into the living room to find it empty.

The blanket and clothes Danny had used had been neatly folded and placed on the back of the couch, along with a handwritten thank you note.

How did Danny leave without him hearing? Moreover, how'd he leave with the doors and windows still locked?

[preacherpollard]

Crucified With Christ

Carl Pollard In Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul states, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” This concept speaks to the core of what it means to follow Jesus and to experience a true relationship with the Father. Identity To be “crucified with Christ” is identification with Jesus in His death on the cross. This concept is not merely…

[letspraynow]

Understanding The Biblical Significance Of Grace And Peace

Join us for our study on Grace and Peace. God wants to open a whole world of blessings in our lives.

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ( 2 Cor 1:2 ) Let’s dive into the topic of Grace and Peace. The Apostle Paul often included the words Grace and Peace in his letters to the church. What does this imply? Let’s explore some important points: ( 1 ) Grace comes from the Greek word Charis. Among its many meanings, it implies bounty, benefits, joy, and…

[markmcole]

The Good News and Its Blessings

The Apostle Paul’s words to the Corinthians, “I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:23, NLT), encapsulate a mission that has echoed throughout the centuries—a mission that has become the heartbeat of Christian faith. The Good News, or the Gospel, is more than a message; it is the transformative power of God’s love, grace, and truth. It is the…

[smelly-fozzy]

I think as a treat we should get to flick an irs agent in the nostrils

[lookingotthefuture]

Work as an Identity in the New Year

As we move into yet another year, the first question we should contemplate is where work as an identity fits into my New Year’s resolutions.  Keep in mind that the first act in human history is God working.  God was working before creation.  Genesis One describes a God that is continually working.  God is always moving; He is always doing something.  Work is a declaration of God’s identity.  Our…

[yeslordmyking]

1 Corinthians 6:11 — Today's Verse for Wednesday, October 4, 2023

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Live Up to Your New Identities in Christ

Because you are still in the flesh: for when there is envy and division among you, are you not still walking after the way of the flesh, even as natural men? — 1 Corinthians 3:3 | Bible in Basic English (BBE) The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain Cross References: Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 3:4; 1 Corinthians 11:18; 2 Corinthians 12:20

[purplecreatorpirate]

Benefits of Prayer Life (Part 3)

The Christian life is not about following religious rules but it is about  following after Jesus Christ. It is about believing His Word to experience  the abundant life spoken about in John 10:10.  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” God has great plans for us but there must be an alignment with the Holy Spirit to…