Defining Religion

A couple of words that get thrown around a lot are love and religion. They almost seem to have a different meaning for every person, and for some they seem to have multiple meanings.
We say "I love you" to our soulmate but then say "I love Doritos" or "I love Tony Stark." Unless of course...
We say "I'm not religious," but then we say we believe in God. Or perhaps we call ourselves 'religious,' but it's only on Sundays and it's not personal; it's just a moral code or an upbringing.
How can we know the true definition of these words?
Since God is the ultimate source for truth, and in fact is the Truth, let's see how he defines them.
Let's look at religion.

Religion
(v) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Well! There we have it. Glad to have that knocked out of the way; you can all put away your religious debate papers now.

If anyone knows of another instance where the word religion us used in the Bible, let me know in the comments and please provide the verse and what version of the Bible you're using. Thanks!

Heh.

I'm pretty sure my soulmate is a cross between Doritos and Tony Stark.

Defining Love

A couple of words that get thrown around a lot are love and religion. They almost seem to have a different definition for every person, and for some they seem to have multiple definitions.
We say "I love you" to our spouse, but then say "I love Doritos" or "I love Tony Stark."
We say "I'm not religious," but then we say we believe in God. Or perhaps we call ourselves "religious," but it's only on Sundays and it's not personal, it's just a moral code.
How can we know the true definition of these words?
Since God is the ultimate source for truth, and in fact is the Truth, let's see how he defines them.
Let's look at love.

Love
(v) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not rude or proud. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at evil but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things; in other words, it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Whoever does not know love does not know God, because God is love.

That's the short definition, anyway. If you want the full one, go read the Bible. ;)

Quote on Stress

Stress is like an ache, something that gnaws at the depth of your soul. It’s that pit in your stomach that manifests itself when you’re lying in bed and you remember all the things you need to accomplish. It consumes every thought, and every decision is made with whatever is wrong in the back of your mind.

It is so painful, so often unbearable, but many times, it seems inescapable.

And that’s what’s the worst of it.

But we are not without hope.

-Amanda Beguerie

(The rest of her article is equally beautiful if you're interested.)

3 Day Quote Challenge: Day 3

Day 1
Day 2

Well, I was looking at the lyrics of Day by Day by Andrew Peterson, trying to pick just one quote from it, but I couldn't; it's all too good. He's such a wordsmith, and his songs are so inspired. The tune is equally beautiful.

Well, we took a train to Kensington
And listened to the children run
Just beyond the garden gate
Where Peter and Wendy played

There was a sign that said we weren't allowed
To duck inside and join the crowd
Without a son or daughter's hand
To lead us into Neverland

And it hurt so bad
But it's so good to be young
And I don't want to go back
I just want to go on and on and on
Day by day, day by day

And everybody's so surprised
When right before your very eyes
Your baby's in the second grade
You blink and it's her wedding day

And we just can't get used to being here
Where the ticking clock is loud and clear
Children of eternity
On the run from entropy

And it hurts so bad
But it's so good to be young
And I don't want to go back
I just want to go on and on and on

Day by day, day by day

So don't lose heart
Though your body's wasting away
Your soul is not
It's being remade
Day by day by day

Well, you have never met a single soul
Who didn't feel the curse's toll
Who didn't wish that death would die
Maybe that's the reason why

And it hurts so bad
But it's so good to be young
And I don't want to go back
I just want to go on and on and on

So don't lose heart
Though your body's wasting away
Your soul is not
It's being remade
So don't lose heart
Don't lose heart
Your body will rise and never decay
Day by day by day

Again I have no choice but to tag fictional characters. Poor me. :D

Zack Somethingsomething at I Like Things That Go 'Boom'
Hurrykat at How to Fly
Spanner at I Have Competitive Issues

3 Day Quote Challenge: Day 2

Day 1

Here's the quote of the day!

This one is from what's possibly my third favorite fantasy book series, the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. :D

I'm supposed to nominate three people per day. Am out of people. :P Will tag fictional characters.

Nathan at Help I Am Trapped and Have No Internet Access Also I Can't Stop Living and It's Killing Me
Hiccup Haddock at I Was a Failure at Life But Hey Now Everyone Loves Me and I Think I'm Pretty Cool
Karl at I Do Not Sleep

3 Day Quote Challenge: Day 1

The superfluously lovely Chloë Womble at A Fangirl's Fantasy. Thanks for thinking of me! :D

Rules:
-Thank the person who nominated you
-Nominate 3 new bloggers everyday
-Post a new quote everyday for 3 consecutive days

Today's quote: 

Happy National Day of Prayer, by the way! *rejoycing* 

God, thank you for using Reagan to bring us this national holiday. Forgive us for not praying constantly. Set our hearts on fire again, and let us be in communion with you all the time.

Nominating: 

My dear friend at The Wandering Narnian

Maggie at Traveling Home

Elizabeth at Confessions of a Teenage Writer