CJ Penn's Online Writing Hangout

The reason I write: To promote Christian truth and help Jesus get His Christianity back.


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Non-Christians in Heaven

I’ve been thinking about people who don’t believe in Jesus. What do they think of certain hot-button Bible verses, such as when Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)?

Well, there’s no way I can know what anyone else thinks. But I still remember some of my thoughts about such things, before I started believing in Jesus and when I thought I was an atheist.

First, if someone doesn’t believe in Jesus because they don’t trust the Bible, well… they won’t care about anything in the Bible. It’s all fiction to them. Oh, they might get annoyed by some verses – I did before I started believing. But something you don’t believe in isn’t going to have much power over you.

But I’m more interested in those people who get really upset by such verses as John 14:6. I’ve known many people, even Christians, who refuse to believe what Jesus says in that verse. And I’ve struggled with it myself. How will heaven possibly be joyful for me if people I love aren’t there with me? Though I don’t understand, I choose to just trust God. He’ll work things out somehow.

But back to non-Christians who get really upset at the Bible when it tells them they’re not going to heaven: what is it that gets their emotions stirred up? Well, maybe they hope everyone will go to heaven, no matter what they believe. Or at least “good” people will be let inside.

But wait… that would mean that they believe in heaven, even if they don’t believe in Jesus. That thought gets my mind churning a bit, and this is what has been spit out as what I believe…

I believe the Holy Spirit of Jesus speaks to our soul, deep down below the surface of our mind. It’s our soul that hears and believes the truth of Jesus, God, and heaven. And it’s our soul that feeds our heart and mind with the belief in and craving for heaven.

So I’m happy for those people who get really upset at certain Bible verses, for it tells me they are listening to their soul. And it also shows me that Jesus loves them, for He’s reaching out to their soul in His own special way.

What do you think?


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My Enemy My Mind

A quiet morning, a favorite time, sitting here alone with God.

Well, not really alone.

There’s my mind, not content with sitting still, often up and dancing away to other places.

My will is to still my mind and focus all my thoughts on the Holy Spirit of Jesus, here within me.

I try feeding my mind coffee, hoping that will help it gain control of itself.

But that doesn’t always work.

My mind will rest with Jesus for a few moments, and then jump up and chase after the next passing thought.

Random thoughts have more control over my mind than I do.

I often think my mind is my enemy, for it rarely goes where I want to go.

I want to rest my thoughts with you, dear Jesus, every waking moment.

I want to give You all of my mind.

For I trust your word…

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)


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The Spirit Speaks – of Living in the Future

The future is worry. The future is planning. When your mind lives in the future, you either worry about what might happen, or you plan for things you hope will happen.

But I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, am not in the future, not in a way you can understand. Oh yes, I am not constrained by the dimension of time, like you are. But my concern in my relationship with you is now. This instant is what matters. The present is what’s real – the future is imaginary.

So I ask you to live for the reality of now, to live in the present. When you worry about your future, you’re not trusting me. Please, let me take care of the future. Trust me with your future.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1)


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The Spirit Speaks – of Baptism by My Spirit

In speaking of me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist said, “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:7-8)

Many people, while on their journey of faith, immerse themselves in the river of John’s water baptism. Stepping into that river is a beautiful act of faith, and John intended it as a way to prepare you for my baptism.

Whether you have immersed yourself in John’s baptism or not, immerse yourself in me. Let my Spirit flow over you, surrounding you with my love, and filling you with my presence. And where you cannot live and breathe under water, not so with my Spirit. Submerge yourself in me, open up your self and breathe me in. With each breath, you fill yourself with my Holy Spirit. And together, we will live a new life, a truly full life.


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My letter of Thanks

Dear God,

Thank you for saving my father. Yesterday my dad had open heart surgery, where with your help the doctors performed a double bypass and replaced the faulty heart valve. And my dad is 88 years old! And he survived! And the surgery was without any complications!

As you know from my prayers yesterday, and as I’m sorry to say, I had my doubts at times. I doubted my dad would survive. But I hope my doubts were not because of my sometimes weak faith, but because I trust you. I trusted you to do your will, and I accept that your will may have been to bring my dad to be home with you, in heaven. But by your love for all who love my dad, you gave him back to us, to be with us a bit longer. Thank you.

I believe we witnessed your miracle yesterday. I believe when we looked into my dad’s eyes as he began to wake up again, that we saw the miracle of your love and presence and hand in the surgery. For in addition to whatever part you had in the surgery itself, you gave my dad the will to live. And you helped him see your love and the love of his family.

This is beginning to feel like a rambling letter. But I just wanted to publically thank you for your love in our lives, and the new life you’ve given my dad.

And dear Jesus, thank you for being there with all of us, in that waiting room. Some of us felt the presence of your Spirit. Waiting with you sure made the waiting easier.


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The Spirit Speaks – of My Love for You

My love for you has brought me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, all the way from heaven to earth, to live with you. I’ve always loved you. Long ago, my love for you held me fast to the cross – it’s wasn’t nails that kept me there. And now, my love holds me tightly to you.

Please, think about what my love means to you. Look inside yourself. If you can’t feel my presence, then imagine me there, within you. See and accept my presence as fact. Now focus on the fact of my love; my love that loves you from the inside. See me in your minds eye; see my face, my eyes, my smile – all an overflowing expression of my love. Relax your mind and spirit and let my love flow through you, enveloping you in my warm caress of true love. How does the fact of my love make you feel?


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The Spirit Speaks – of Resolutions

The New Year has begun and I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, would like to ask you to make a decision today. I ask you to resolve to know me better.

Resolve to spend more time each day looking for me within you. Today, give yourself five extra minutes, alone with me, isolated from the distractions of life. Next week, add five more minutes on top of that.

My point is not to add a specific amount of minutes to our one-on-one time. I’m asking you to gradually, as this year progresses, give yourself more time with me, as much time as you can. The more time you spend with me, the better you will know me, and the more you will have my peace in your life.

And that will make for a truly Happy New Year.


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The Spirit Speaks – of Looking for Christmas, Inside of You

Are you looking for the meaning of Christmas? Are you looking for a feeling and a true sense of the presence of the meaning of Christmas in your life? Well, as you may know, all you need do is look inside of you. Look deep inside, to your soul, your spirit; that’s where I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, live.

Find a quiet place, tune out the world’s noise about Christmas, and look inside to me within you. And we will have a Merry Christmas together. And the joy and peace that comes from finding Christmas (that is, me) inside of you, will bubble to the surface and begin to splash out on the people around you. And in this way, we – you and me – can share the true meaning of Christmas with others.

May we all have a very Merry Christmas together.


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The Spirit Speaks – Give Yourself a Christmas Gift

Give yourself a present this Christmas, the most precious present of all. Give yourself time … quiet time … with me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the true Spirit of Christmas. Fill your mind with me, and I will fill your heart with the peace and joy of Christmas.


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The Spirit Speaks – of Love at Christmas

Does Christmas stir up feelings of excitement, anticipation, generosity, and love? Does Christmas give you a chance to show people in your life how much you care for them? And as you get closer to Christmas day, are you looking forward to being with friends and family, to eat good food, share gifts, and celebrate? Even with the usual family dynamics? Hey, maybe Christmas can be a chance to forgive unresolved grievances.

I hope so. I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, hope that my children come together this Christmas and share their love for each other. Maybe with a plate of cookies. Or a colorfully wrapped gift. Or a card with a sincere note inside. Or a hug. Or a “sorry.”

Of course I hope you include me in your time with friends and family. But my desire goes beyond me, to others. Please, make the most of this Christmas by looking beyond yourself, looking beyond me, and look to each other. And love each other. It’s love that makes a Merry Christmas.

“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19)


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The Spirit Speaks – of Being Churchless at Christmas

Are you newly dechurched? Have you decided that the institutional church isn’t for you, at least for now? And will this Christmas be the first one in a long time where you will not be celebrating with a church? Or is this just one more year of a churchless Christmas?

However your answers make you feel, I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, wish no guilt be upon you. I know what you’re going through. And it’s okay.

If you can’t bring yourself to enter a church during this annual time of celebration, then bring yourself to enter into me. If you can’t walk through the doors of the church sanctuary, then walk through the door of the sanctuary of your heart. That’s where I worship. Join me within the depths of your heart this Christmas, and we will worship and celebrate together.


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The Spirit Speaks – of Being Alone This Christmas

All those people filling the stores, shopping for Christmas presents. Movie theaters packed with fans excitedly watching the new Star Wars movie. Families and friends coming together to feast and celebrate Christmas.

Yet, do you feel alone? Are you surrounded by people, yet still by yourself? Do you have no one to buy a gift for? Is there no one who will give you a gift?

Well, you have me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ. You always have me, right here below the surface of you. You may not feel my presence, but I’m here.

If you have no one else to celebrate Christmas with, please celebrate with me. If you have no one else to exchange gifts with, please exchange a gift with me. Let’s give each other our time, and our love. Let’s have a Merry Christmas together, you and me.


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The Spirit Speaks – of THE Christmas Gift

Christmas gift - Jesus

Long ago I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, gave the first Christmas gift – I gave myself for you. And now, about 2000 years later, with every moment of every day, I give myself to you. I give you salvation, love, peace, and myself – my Spirit.

I offer my gift to everyone. My love and generosity have no conditions. The only conditions live within those who don’t accept my gift.

Please, look inside yourself to me, and accept my gift given to you. And Merry Christmas.


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The Spirit Speaks – of Spiritual Attention Deficit Disorder (SADD)

Do you suffer from Spiritual Attention Deficit Disorder? Is it hard for you to rip your mind from the world and focus your gaze upon me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ? I know how hard it is to see me when the world is constantly in your face, trying to devour all of your attention.

Yet I see your gaze frequently pass over me, like a lighthouse beam skimming the water and briefly illuminating a boat floating on the surface. And I know how hard it is to slow the random and constant motion of your mind, and bring it to a halt on me, illuminating me, just below the surface of you.

Please, keep trying. And be patient – I am. I’m not going anywhere. I’m always right here within you, waiting for your mind to land on me.


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The Spirit Speaks – of Celebrating Christmas

I’m the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the true Spirit of Christmas. Sadly, many of my children find little to celebrate during this season of my birth. The burdens of their lives darken their thoughts – it’s hard to see the light of Christmas when your mind and heart are dark with suffering. Christmas only reminds them of what they no longer have: loved ones who are gone, relationships that are wounded beyond healing, comforting traditions far in the past and no longer reachable. The list goes on.

If Christmas is a hard time for you, then please, don’t face it alone. Let me in. Let me be with you this Christmas. And together, we’ll find something to celebrate. You have me, and I have you… friends to the end of the age, and beyond. No one can take that away from us. Now that’s something to celebrate.


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The Spirit Speaks – Heaven is Near… Merry Christmas

heaven on earth

When I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, walked the earth as man, I tried convincing people that the kingdom of heaven is near. My hearts desire was to give my children a sense of urgency, a real feeling that heaven is coming and they should be prepared.

Well, I now wish to tell you that the kingdom of heaven is here, within your very soul, if you believe. For I am heaven returned to earth. And my hearts desire today is to live within you, sharing your soul and life with you. This is the gift I offer you. And like any gift, it becomes real only when you believe in it and accept it. So please, accept my gift, my presence given to you. It’s my Christmas gift to you. And then we can celebrate this Christmas together.


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The Spirit Speaks – of the One Greater than the Church

I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, see the turmoil in my Church. I see the division and the politics. I see the dysfunctional collection of dissimilar churches. I see those children who are pushed out. And I see those who run away.

My children abandon churches for many reasons. Some are escaping behaviors that don’t make sense to them; things that don’t seem “Christian.” Yet this is the nature of church, for the church family members are all typical broken and flawed people. As sin is a part of human nature, you will find the fruits of sin wherever there are people.

This may seem like a dilemma; how can you have a Christ-filled church when it’s full of sin-filled people? As in everything in life, the answer to this question is to look away from the manmade weaknesses of church, and look to me. For I am greater than the church. Problems flourish when people forget it’s not church traditions that rule, but that I am Lord of the Sabbath.

To those who leave and those who stay, look to me, the One greater than the Church. As I said, “I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:6,8)


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The Spirit Speaks – of Unconditional Friendship

Please, no matter what path you have followed in life, no matter what injuries you may have inflicted upon your soul, no matter what sins fill your past, know this truth: I want to be your friend. I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, want to give to you my unconditional friendship.

I know some people have a problem with this image of me being friends with the likes of sinners. Some people can’t visualize God hanging out with sinners. But that’s why I came to earth over 2000 years ago! And that’s why I come to you now… to hang out with you, to live with you, to be your best friend, to love you.

“The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.” (Matthew 11:19)


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Merry xxxxxxmas

Merry Christmas - not

Jesus said, “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)

Of course his prediction was true. Christians are persecuted. But why? Why do so many people attack Christianity and Christians? Why do so many people attack Christmas, and try to take “Christ” out of Christmas? You can’t call it Christmas anymore; instead call it the holidays. Can’t call it a Christmas tree; instead call it a holiday tree. It all seems silly to me, and I don’t understand what’s going on.

Yet, people usually attack something because they feel threatened by it. Could that be why Christianity is under attack, because some people feel threatened by Jesus? But if that’s the case, what’s so threatening about Jesus? If he’s a legend, as a lot of people claim, where’s the threat in a legend? Something that’s false can’t hurt you.

Maybe, and this is where I’m really using my imagination, people attack Christianity because deep inside themselves, something is telling them that Jesus is real and true.

What do you think is going on?


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The Spirit Speaks – of Love verses Money

Where money is the currency of the world, love is the currency of heaven. I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ desire love, not money. I’m not impressed by what you give; I just want you to know me, to love me.
But if you are blessed with those things that other people dearly need, such as money and your time, please, don’t give out of a feeling of obligation. For this is not true giving, this is not true generosity.
Again, what I want from you is for you to know me, for you to let me into your life. And my presence will fill your heart with my generosity. And your giving will come from a desire more powerful than obligation. Your giving will come from love. Love must come first; generosity is an outcome. And true love comes from knowing me.
“I don’t want your sacrifices – I want your love; I don’t want your offerings – I want you to know me.” (Hosea 6:6, Living Bible)