CJ Penn's Online Writing Hangout

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

Tag Archives: Religion


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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 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)


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The Spirit Speaks – of Heaven

Heaven is closer than you may think. It’s not up in the sky, somewhere above you. Yet it is in another dimension of space and time. But there is a doorway between your world and heaven, a portal where your world and my world meet. And that portal is within you.

Look inside yourself, where I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, long to live. I’m knocking on the door between heaven and your heart. Please, open the door and let me in. Close your eyes and look inside yourself, to your soul, to the doorway, to beyond the doorway to God in heaven, and to me.

Do you long to see heaven? Does a part of you want to escape the chaos of your world? Then open the door and let me into your life. And I will be heaven within you. Heaven on earth.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20)


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The Spirit Speaks – of The Last Guilty Man

Guilt - leave it behind

I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, am the last guilty man. For I became guilty of the sins of all humanity. I carried the burden of all sins through the streets of old Jerusalem and up that hill, where I paid the final penalty… the death sentence for my guilt.

Guilt died with me. There is no more guilt. It was my guilt that set you free of your guilt. I am the last guilty man. This is the truth.

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)


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We Are The Church!

church

I belong to several Facebook groups for Christians who no longer attend a church. We each have our own reasons for leaving what some call the “Institutional Church.” But this morning I was thinking about what we do in these groups. We share experiences, we share inspiration, we share our struggles, and we share support and encouragement. But what I think most of it boils down to is this – as a group, we praise and worship God and Jesus.
And then it struck me: We Are The Church! Each Facebook group is a type of church. And by “church” I mean God’s definition of church, which I believe is the collection of Spirit-filled believers. So though we’ve left the institutional church, I think we’re still in the true church.
What do you think?


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The Spirit Speaks – of Bringing Peace to a Messed-up World

San Bernidino shootings

The less there is of me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the more there is of evil in this messed-up world. Do you long for peace and freedom from the evil? Then look to me. I will be peace within you. I will be peace flowing from you.

As I fill the world, evil will be pushed out. As more people let me into their lives and let me live through them, the more there will be peace in the world. This is where peace comes from: me, the Spirit of God, living in and through you. Please, fight against the evil by surrendering to me – let me fight the evil for you. Let me spread my peace, through you. And try not to be afraid, for I’m much more powerful than the evil. Evil has no chance against me.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)


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The Spirit Speaks – What do I Mean to You?

bicycle for two 2

What does it mean to you to have me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, living within you? How can this reality affect how you experience today? What would your day look like if you took my hand and followed me, instead of trying to lead?

Envision you and me on a bicycle for two, with me in the front seat, steering our way around life’s obstacles. How would this feel, to be able to just sit back and watch me steer our way through today, instead of trying to steer yourself?

Please, find some quiet time, empty your mind of the distractions of life, and think about these questions. And if you like, leave a comment here, sharing what answers come into your mind. And then, sit back, relax, and let me steer.


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The Spirit Speaks – Dive In

Dive in

How do you see your relationship with me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ? Am I familiar, or foreign? Am I unclear to you, more of an idea than a reality? Please, don’t feel bad if your answers seem weak. I know I don’t easily fit into the puzzle of your material world.

But today I want to ask you to take that leap of faith, and dive into me. Many of my children timidly just stick a toe into the water of life… that is me. But I’m asking you to remove the robe of timidity, walk to the edge, and bravely dive on in. Let me wash over you, and cleanse you with all that is me. Close your eyes, take a breath, and feel my love and peace enveloping you.


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The Spirit Speaks – of Monday Blues

Monday blues

Are you feeling the Monday-back-to-work blues? Is there something in the depth of your stomach dreading to go back to work? Yet do you also believe there is no good reason for this Monday dread?

Please, look to me, the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Look inside, and talk with me. Tell me what it is you dread. For some of you, it may be difficult to put your dread into words. But please try. For when you are able to find the words and give them to me, in a real way you are giving the dread to me. Let me worry about it. You can just sit back, relax, and follow me through your Monday. I will take what stresses you and lead the way. Just give your Monday to me. And I will lift you up.

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)


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The Spirit Speaks – An Early Christmas Wish

Christmas wish

I am the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and Christmas is coming soon – the celebration of my human birth. Would you like to give me a present this year? I have only one present on my wish list. And it’s a simple thing really. What I want more than anything is quiet time with you… just the two of us. There is no greater gift that you could give to me.


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The Spirit Speaks – Why Judge Others? I don’t

mercy over judgment

Judging others is a natural part of human weakness, a symptom of the plague of pride. Pride craves to be better than others, and so it judges. As all humans suffer from the scars of pride, so they also suffer from being judgmental; some more or less than others. It’s not something to be ashamed of; it just is.

But as humanity naturally judges, I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, don’t. The final judgment for the sins of humanity was made long ago. All were found guilty. And I accepted the punishment. I paid the penalty with my life. Judgment is finished. All that remains, the only thing that counts, is faith. Do you believe me?

And as your faith in the triumph of the final judgment grows, your own judging behavior will diminish. For as faith grows, so grows humility. And as humility grows, pride withers. It’s so wonderful, how uncomplicated it all is. It may not be easy, but it’s simple. Just believe.

Now let’s go have a good day, together.


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Thank You to all TSS Followers

I’ve been writing about thankfulness recently. And I have been struck with a wave of gratitude for all of you who follow this blog. And today, I feel especially grateful for all who have been following “The Spirit Speaks…” series of posts.

I feel incredibly grateful for two things: first, that Jesus is writing these with me (I couldn’t do this alone); and second, that many of you seem to be benefiting from these posts in some way. I write these for you.

So again, thank you so much for following these posts. I recognize your names when you comment on or Like a post. You feel like a friend to me, every time I see your name on my computer screen. Thank you friend.

CJ

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The Spirit Speaks – Thank You

thank you

Thank you. I, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, know the world hungrily competes for your attention – yet you still look my way. I know life is hard and it takes great effort to survive – yet you still look my way. I know that people depend on you and you give them all you can – yet you still look my way.

Thank you for looking my way. Thank you for every shared moment we’ve had together. Thank you for your desire for quiet time with me, and know that I crave that time with you too. Every moment you give me is a gift; not only for you, but for me too.

Let’s read this prayer together. As you read it, please try to see me in your mind, reading it with you, for I really am.

Dear Father, thank you for giving yourself. Thank you for leaving your heavenly home and stepping down into this messy pit of humanity. Thank you for sharing your Spirit with me. Thank you for being here within me, by my side as I go through life. Thank you for our quiet times together, the most precious times. And please help me to feel as grateful for you, as you are for me. Dear Jesus, in your name I pray, amen.