Do any of you learn by experience, also known as experiential learning (EXL) according to my quick google search? When asked how I learn, I’ve always just said, “I learn hands-on”. Click “hands-on learner” to see more about experiential education.
So apparently ‘hands-on learning‘ is a form of ‘experiential learning‘, but there is so much more information to delve deeper through the links provided above. Check’em out!
I was talking with a guy here recently about life. A military man. This guy has quite the story, a lot I can relate and not relate to, been through more than most in a short period of time being in his early thirties. It’s no wonder the reason he questions his relationship to God. He believes there is something, a higher power; but the God of the Bible and Christianity, not buying it or any other gods/god of the many facets to other religions.
Did you know that anger can be a religion?
How about a sport like soccer?
Even the military?
I resonate especially with the first two “anger” and “soccer”. But now, my religion, is my grandma. That might seem weird, but I’m telling you, only if you knew my grandma would you understand. This woman believes in visiting the orphans and widows in their †distress, that is literally her job as a caregiver at 77 (nearly 78) years old. I’ve seen my small but strong and wise grandma lift and guide an older gentlemen from his seat to the wheelchair and help people in their distress over and over again.
I’ve witnessed how this woman (my grandma) has loved a family that has rejected her time and time again. My grandma has slept outside in her cold car because she was unwelcome by family only to come back and love again and again. How… do… you… do… that? I’ve heard and seen the treatment, the abuse, she’s endured for the sake of Who she believes in and yet with humility sharing only her mistakes without blaming anyone else. She was told where to sit and what to do if she wanted to see her grand kids and guess what…she did. Writing this infuriates me, yet remembering, “Nathan, Nathan, how I was treated doesn’t matter…” are you kidding me!
My grandma is the type that might scold me for this praise but you’re reading a result of her labor in the Lord her God and I’ll scream aloud “Jesus Christ is Lord!” Because no navy seal can compare to my grandma, bring it! Just kidding, don’t hurt me. The point is religion is a religious practice of what you believe. And my grandma practiced hard with her Bible not only in hand or by word, but her actions. It’s true there are a lot of religions that provoke a lot of questions and demand certain practices, but that is the reason I labor for the preaching of the gospel to all nations.
Because religion to the gospel is defined by visiting the orphans and widows in their distress while being unstained by the world. It is not putting yourself in chains as though you can’t have fun or enjoy life. But it is respecting the true God of your soul and having a relationship with Him every moment of every day. I’m not saying you can’t have a drink of alcohol unless it’s to your destruction (abuse it—then don’t drink it). I’m not saying don’t have a cigarette or cigar, maybe even marijuana depending on where you live, but not to your destruction (addicted—then don’t smoke it).
You might be convinced you’re unable to break a bad habit, but respectfully, you’re wrong. That is like saying, “I won’t stop cheating on my wife because I’m unable, I’ll get cranky, so wheres my porn at!” We all have the ability but lack the discipline because we’re given over to not caring, “who cares”. The One Who created us cares, God didn’t create an experience (sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll) to be abused or take control of you. Have an experience in moderation and respect of wisdom and honor. Now that … is quite a thrill!
Don’t make a religion your excuse not to believe in this gospel being preached to you. We need more Christians speaking, writing, videoing the essential of the gospel of Jesus Christ; Not speaking, writing, videoing my/their personal preference, expectation, or standard of life change—the Holy Spirit of God that convicts every believer will do that work of salvation, justification, and sanctification. We are just providential agents.
I love you Grandma,
Nathan Dooley
†(James 1:27)
It’s sad to reach a point in life when the thought of hell seems much more appealing than to remain in the skin of your flesh. When the thought of escape is your only option, but are petrified. When a call for help is not meant for saving.
I don’t hate my life. But that unreliable feeling of hate sure is poking and prodding. What I hate is being divided by the questions and doubts of people that presume to know me when they don’t have a clue; there is just not enough time in the world to be completely free with people that choose not to believe they can trust you unless you adhere to their “divine” perception for you, then they might believe. As long as you stay within their realm of interpretation and perception.
It’s incredible the amount of attention you will draw to demons when living for your faith “Jesus as Lord” by recognizing sin for what it is and how I’m in desperate need of salvation. It’s incredible the sirens and temptations in place just for you. It’s a constant crouching (Genesis 4:7):
“Those people see you as a tyrant. That woman wants you. That man desires you. Do this to get rich. Say that to make a difference. You’re a sexy beast, well endowed, who can resist. It feels good to be right. It feels good to have power. You’re a liar. You’re a fraud, poser, fake, and the list goes on because you’re unworthy. Don’t waste my time. You have our undivided attention. Look at him, he is better than you in every way. You’re smart and beautiful, but ugly and stupid too. I feel depressed. You’re unstable, unfit, unqualified. Here is your kingdom of heaven! No, there it is!”
I ask myself, “why is this happening?” But it only makes sense. Because…demons are taking the time the world does not have to get to know you and me. Whether the world or I want to believe that or not, the truth sets us free. I hate this spiritual war that divides my soul and blood into pieces as bread for demons and wine for their minions. If you are a believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ, you’ll understand this war, but if not then I hope this will prick at your conscience because you’re held captive thinking you’re free.
They are clever. The devil and his demons … but I see them. And they know that I see them. “It’s a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). I’m in hell learning the tips and tricks of insanity navigating my way through the crowd in hope to save some if not all, “have you heard…“.
It’s sad…
Nathan Dooley
Join me on Mt. Sinai with God and Moses to discover the beginning of our beginning. This is a very exhausting study but well worth the time and effort. In my Bible I learn that Moses is the author of the first five books also known as the Pentateuch. These books were more than likely written during the 40-year period of Israel’s wanderings in the desert: 1446—1406 BC
Note: the “BC” given after the calendar year (1446—1406 BC) means “Before Christ” but if you see “BCE” (nowadays), don’t be alarmed, it just means “Before Common Era“. (According to my research). The reasons surround appeasing those not Christian and an arguably inaccurate calculation of Jesus’ birth. It’s believed that Jesus Christ was born around 6—4 BC, which is why these labels (BCE/CE) “CE” for “Common Era” are being used today by many publications rather than (BC/AD) “AD” meaning “the year of the Lord” as it references a Latin phrase: anno domini (“the year of the Lord”—after Jesus was born.)
So why Moses? “God… Why Moses?”—A prayer guiding me through a lot of scripture to uncover the context of that time. Moses was beautiful in the sight of his mother and lovely in the sight of God. God heard the outcry of the sons of Israel at the time of their oppression in Egypt and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It’s time to organize the sons of Israel as God’s covenant people and Moses is the man God will be with to do it. It all points to Jesus Christ.
Featured photo: Ben Jacobi www.bdjphoto.com
Soon the season will change and with it its’ colors. As the weather turns cold, the leaves of the trees fall to the ground with a message from heaven. One leaf says, “This is what it’s like to fly.” How can this leaf bring a message of flying having never flown? The leaf says, “If you knew the tree of which I fell, you would know what it’s like to fly.” There are many trees and leaves and every leaf comes from one tree. Of all the trees and leaves, why is it that this leaf seems to know what it’s like to fly and not the others? The leaf says, “Because those leaves came from only trees of which know what it’s like to fall.”
Search the menu to learn the game. Without any research or bible, guess the book and chapter to the scripture verses above; comment below, shoot a text or email. I’ll be in touch.
