A “Christian “question?...

For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. ~2 Timothy 4:3-4 <3

I have a question to ask and it’s not a very good one. Why are there so many different dominations within Christianity? I call myself a Christian, yet I am often categorized as a Catholic or a Mormon. I am neither and I see it confuses people… it confuses me.

 I Goggled, How many Christian denominations are there? The answer floored me…

There are about 40,000 different ‘’Christian” denominations. It's not even something that can be counted and kept track of. However, they can be roughly split into five major groups:

The Catholic Church

The Eastern Churches (Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Church of the East)

"Mainline" Protestant and Anglican churches

Evangelical (non-Pentecostal)

Pentecostal churches

These later two categories include a number of "non-denominational" or independent congregations. The first wave of “non-denominational” churches is in fact the third wave of the Pentecostal movement. Other independent congregations tend to be evangelical, and while may not belong to a denomination per se, often do belong to various parachurch organizations or adhere to a common set of standards and beliefs with other similar evangelical churches. Some megachurches, by engaging in 'church planting' set themselves up as a sui iuris "of one's own right" denomination while maintaining the "non-denominational" title.

Here are some examples:

Aaronic Order

African Methodist

Amish

Ancient Apostolic

Anglican

Anglo-Israelism

Antiochian

Apostolic

Armenian

Baptist Convention

Beachy Amish

Belarusian Greek Catholic

Black Primitive Baptist

Brazilian Catholic

Brethren

British Methodist

Bulgarian Greek Catholic

Byzantine (Constantinopolitan)

Calvinist

Celtic Catholic

Chaldean

Chinese Methodist

Christian Methodist

Congregationalist

Conservative Baptist

Coptic Catholic

Croatian Greek Catholic

Dunker

Eastern Orthodox

Episcopal

Exclusive Brethren

Free Catholic

Georgian Byzantine Catholic

Greek Byzantine Catholic

Greek Orthodox

Hungarian Greek

Indian Brethren

Italo-Albanian Catholic

Kerala Brethren

Latin Catholic

Latter Day

Liberal Catholic

Lutheran

Lutheran Orthodox

Macedonian Greek Catholic

Maronite

Melkite Greek Catholic

Mennonite

Methodist

Mexican National Catholic

Moravian

National Baptist

Nebraska Amish

Nestorians

Old Order Amish

Open Brethren

Oriental Orthodox

Orthodox Catholic

Palmarian Catholic

Polish National Catholic

Presbyterian

Primitive Methodist

Quaker (Friends)

Remnant

River Brethren

Roman Catholic

Romanian

Russian Byzantine Catholic

Russian Orthodox

Ruthenian Catholic

Salvationist

Seventh-day Adventist

Slovak Greek Catholic

Social Brethren

Southern Baptist

Southern Conservative

Spiritus Christi

Swartzendruber Amish

Syriac

Syro-Malabar

Syro-Malankara

Taborites

True Catholic

Ukrainian Greek Catholic

Unitarian

Utaquists

Waldensians

Wycliffites

Many of those I have never heard of, yet there are over 40,000 different forms of ‘’Christianity”. Is that mind boggling to you too, because it sure is to me?

What have we done? We have turned aside from hearing the truth and wandered off into myths and man-made fiction. We are in a time where very few of us stand on solid ground. We have failed in so many ways. So many awful ways, yet we’re not left without hope. God doesn’t give up easily on us humans and His anger is slow coming. He is patient beyond words and loving beyond anyone else.

So who am I? Who are you? What religion do I follow and what religion do you follow? I am just a follower of Christ, a beloved child of the Creator of the Universe, and one that followers His Holy word and His Holy word alone. I surly don’t have everything figured out, but this I know to be true! I will not make my own religion, nor follow another’s. What He says is what it shall be… not what I want, and not want anyone else wants. Why would we want to step away from the very best thing we can ever be given and follow after some man’s tradition?

Be careful with what you hear and what you see. We have been bounded with false traditions and false teachings. The truth is easy to find, but hidden behind our own selfishness and laziness. Study the Holy Word yourself and do not be afraid to ask questions. Pray for guidance and wisdom and it will be given to you. Seek it, seek truth, and most importantly seek Him.

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

~Jeremiah 29:13

 

March Characters in Costume Challenge...

I joined the fun March Characters in Costume Challenge, that the talented Gillian Adams has lovingly put together.

This month we're focusing on character accessories and answering the following question:

What is one item/object/accessory that your character is likely to have on or about them at all times?

 

 

Most of you that have followed my blog know that my main book I talk about is called The Realm of Hearts, but did you know that it is part of a series called The Chronicles of the Key Holders?

Today's Character for this challenge is my main Character in TROH a young man named Leb Dawn. He holds the most important key in the series... there are a total of five keys that unlock a dangerous box. A box that holds a spellbound locket that can destroy everything good.

This key once belonged to his brother who he swore to keep safe. Leb never leaves without this key around his neck and tucked safely under his shirt. Nor has he told anyone, but his best friend that he holds it.

Leb treads on a dangerous path when someone he thought was a friend finds out his secret and seeks it for himself.

I don't want to give too much away so I'll stop there. Be sure to check out the other participants in this fun challenge. Thank you Gillian for letting me join in on the fun and for putting it together. I hope to join in on your next character challenge in April. I'll be sure to give more teasers on TROH.



CSFF Blog Tour: The Orphan King by Sigmund Brouwer

I’m two days late on this tour. With a heavy, fast snow storm and a new job, time flew away from me. I hate being late on things, especially when you are trying to support another author. So here is my small review. Forgive me, my fellow CSFF blog tour for my tardiness.

About the Book:

Series: Merlin’s Immortals

Book One: The Orphan King

Author: Sigmund Brouwer

Reader Age Range: 14+ (In my opinion)

Page Count: 220

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Genre: Speculative Fiction/Fantasy/Christian/ Medieval/Young Adult

The future of the Immortals is in the hands of an orphan

My greatest fear was that they would find us and make of us a sacrifice beneath a full moon. Now you, Thomas, must help us destroy the circle of evil.

The last words of a dying woman would change the life of young Thomas. Raised behind monastery walls, he knows nothing of his mysterious past or imminent destiny. But now, in the heart of medieval England, a darkness threatens to strangle truth. An ancient order tightens their ghostly grip on power, creating fear and exiling those who would oppose them. Thomas is determined fulfill his calling and bring light into the mysterious world of the Druids and leaves the monastery on an important quest.

Thomas quickly finds himself in unfamiliar territory, as he must put his faith in unusual companions—a cryptic knight, a child thief, and the beautiful, silent woman whom may not be all she seems. From the solitary life of an orphan, Thomas now finds himself tangled in the roots of both comradery and suspicion.

Can he trust those who would join his battle…or will his fears force him to go on alone?

My Review:
I must admit I wasn’t really into this book right away. It was sort of boring and had no depth or should I say heart to the story. The characters were loveable, but I was slightly confused and felt there was another story that I should have known within the stories story. In the beginning of the book there is a page called Author’s Note and he mentions some neat history on writing this story, but he also mentions about Thomas (the main character) having a quest many years ago in another tale of his. I felt like I was missing something. Now I did not dislike this book. Many of my favorite books have a bad beginning with me, but I felt I should mention it with this, in case you too felt the same way. Continue on, you’ll enjoy the final tale.

It seems like the tale of Arthur and Merlin is very popular right now. How many times can you change up this famous story? Many times!

Sigmund Brouwer writes lovely and is great at teasing you to continue onto the next chapter. I enjoy teasing cliff hangers at the end of a chapter and he truly does a grand job at it. The final sentence in each chapter was always great!

I felt this story wasn’t going to have a message in it. Many complain on how they hate a book that seems preachy. If you are writing Christian fiction it should have some purpose, some message woven within it. One-hundred pages in I felt there was going to be none, but I was quite wrong…  yet again. Sigmund Brouwer has woven a very touching message on God’s love. One that will break your heart. I loved Katherine.

All in all, in the end I enjoyed this different tale on the legend of Arthur and Merlin. I would also recommend it to others especially fans of Arthur/Merlin and those who enjoy Medieval set tales.

 To purchase,The Orphan King - http://www.amazon.com/Orphan-King-Book-Merlins-Immortals/dp/1400071542/

To Purchase book two, Fortress Of Mist - http://www.amazon.com/Fortress-Mist-Book-Merlins-Immortals/dp/1400071550/

Check out the Author's Website - http://www.sigmundbrouwer.com/

Be sure to see what the other tour members said about The Orphan King by Sigmund Brouwer. :-)
 
<a href="http://ofbattlesdragonsandswordsofadamant.blogspot.com/"> Gillian Adams</a>
<a href="http://kinynchronicles.blogspot.com/"> Julie Bihn</a>
<a href="http:/tulipdrivenlife.blogspot.com/"> Thomas Fletcher Booher</a>
<a href="http://rbclibrary.wordpress.com/"> Beckie Burnham</a>
<a href="http://janey-demeo.blogspot.com/"> Janey DeMeo</a>
<a href="http://tweezlereads.blogspot.com/"> Theresa Dunlap</a>
<a href="http://vicsmediaroom.wordpress.com/"> Victor Gentile</a>
<a href="http://www.thehahnhuntinglodge.com/"> Nikole Hahn</a>
<a href="http://christianfictionaddiction.blogspot.com/"> Jeremy Harder</a>
<a href="http://realmofhearts.blogspot.com/"> Ryan Heart</a>
<a href="http://thequietpen.wordpress.com/"> Janeen Ippolito</a>
<a href="http://jessebecky.wordpress.com/"> Becky Jesse</a>
<a href="http://www.spoiledfortheordinary.blogspot.com/"> Jason Joyner</a>
<a href="http://carolkeen.blogspot.com/"> Carol Keen</a>
<a href="http://emileightherebuilder.blogspot.com/"> Emileigh Latham</a>
<a href="http://blackanddarknight.wordpress.com/"> Rebekah Loper</a>
<a href="http://www.shannonmcdermott.com/"> Shannon McDermott</a>
<a href="http://www.bloomingwithbooks.blogspot.com/"> Meagan @ Blooming with Books</a>
<a href="http://hardcoverfeedback.blogspot.com/"</a> Megan @ Hardcover Feedback
<a href="http://rebeccaluellamiller.wordpress.com/"> Rebecca LuElla Miller</a>
<a href="http://annamittower.blogspot.com//"> Anna Mittower</a>
<a href="http://www.questwriter.blogspot.com/"> Eve Nielsen</a>
<a href="http://dadscancooktoo.com/"> Nathan Reimer</a>
<a href="http://www.jamessomers.blogspot.com/"> James Somers</a>
<a href="http://christiansf.blogspot.com/"> Steve Trower</a>
<a href="http://christian-fantasy-book-reviews.com/blog/"> Phyllis Wheeler</a>

In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  I was not required to write a positive review. Thank you, WaterBrook Press! I was also given book two of this series and I look forward to reading it.

2012 I Made It! Welcome 2013…

Wow… I made it through the year. A post everyday making a total of 366 post (remember this was a leap year). I want to thank you all for following me. Thank you for the kind comments and thank you for the new friendships. It was a fun adventure, but I couldn’t have done it on my own.

2012 was a challenging year. One I was grateful for and yet I look forward to leaving it behind me. A new year always brings new hope, yet this year seems to start off a bit bleak. Not to be a downer and I’m not depressed, just sharing what I see.

Our world, our nation, is getting crazier every day. I have a feeling times might get a bit tougher in the coming years. One thing I know for sure though is that God is constant. His love never fails and we need to remember that. No matter what happens we are in His hands and we are here for a purpose.

Just because some crazy stuff is happening around us, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look forward to next year. I look forward to a lot of things in the coming year.

One is something that is dear to my heart. I want to take a whole new look at “Love”… I plan on starting a series of post here on what I want to call a Love Revolution. It won’t be a post every day, but I was thinking a post once a week on a certain day like Wednesday. What do you think? Also, you can be a part of this! Actually I WANT you to be a part of this.

Another is my book The Realm of Hearts. I really need to crack down on it. It’s been a while and I think people are starting to give up on me. Haha I can’t blame ya. Writing a novel really isn’t easy and does take time, yet I have had plenty of time.  If I really follow the recent timeline I’ve made, perhaps I’ll have good news by the end of the year. Feel free to push me on it.

Those are just two things I look forward to… there is more, but I won’t bore you. What are some good things you are looking forward to? Please share with me!

So, to all my blogging friends, thank you again and may you have a blessed New Year. Remember who you are and who is beside you. We are not alone. No not one bit. See you all on a new adventure next year.

One Day More...

I saw the new Les Miserables today. What a beautiful story! I highly recommend seeing it. This wasn't my favorite song from Les Miserables, but I thought it was fitting... only One Day More for this year. Enjoy~