Saturday, March 17, 2007

More About My Spiritual Vlog

35 comments:

Oscar Chacon said...

There is a type of group of religious (?) people who call themselves Unitarians, they say that they are of all and of none of the religions or their beliefs. Is that what you are similar to?
I am an atheist but a strong believer in human reason as our guide so I am thrilled to see more people who gently reject dependence on faith if reason already have answers (sciences [natural and social] and humanities [philosophy, literature, etc etc].
You are doing a cool job!

Jana Bielfeldt said...

All religious or no religious? Interesting statement. No God in your life? Jesus said "I hate religious." Do you believe we are all good? Me wondering.

Anonymous said...

I just adore your husband and you. There is a lot of light in both of you and its shows through your love for your children. Ilook forward to more of your vlogs!

Julie Rems-Smario

Anonymous said...

Hi again, thanks for answering my question :-). Recently my koda son and his friends have been talking about "Bloody Mary", a spirit that goes around and probably scaring many children. I wonder if you know anything about Bloody Mary, I have never heard of this before and wonder how I could help my son see that Bloody Mary is not to be feared of. If you don't know anything about Bloody Mary, that is fine. I thought maybe since you know about spirituality, that issue may come up, I absolutely know nothing about spirituality so forgive me if this question may be not related or whatever.

Anonymous said...

I agreed with you. Everyone is God therefore we have own unique individuals their beliefs. We know whats different between wrong and right. Therefore we are good people.

Jana:
Jesus is human beging nothing special only leadership of new religious. He is not son of God. Thats is Lamest.

Julie:
No comment about your religious LOL!!

Anonymous said...

Bloody Mary was HOAX. They investigate and BUSTED they did a illegal thing to put fake blood in body thur pumps. Thats lamest.

Anonymous said...

I look forward to seeing you more on vlogs about spirituality. I stayed in Tibet for one month and I learned so much how to be a spiritual person. I am a bible believer (I just can't deny Christ) but I also love buddhism teaching. They have helped me to learn to become a better listener, harmony, and be sensitive to others too. Tibetans often bow down to show harmony. It was very hard for me to accept when they did this to me but then I grew to love them and had a hard time leaving their country. I try to buy buddhism books from time to time to make sure I did not get off from spiritual path. Ok...I will stop here and please keep up with vlogging!

Anonymous said...

I was curious what ACIM is all about, so I checked out your website and the ACIM website. But, then, in order to get a full view, I decided to check history and see what other people say about ACIM. I see a lot of reference to it being part of a brainwashing scheme. Sounds kind of scarey to me. I mean, Love and forgiveness is great. True not many people are able to forgive. But forgiveness is the answer to one's happiness. however, this ACIM seems to be brainwashing. The courses that I reviewed, immediately my first reaction is this is brainwashing!

Your input please

Anonymous said...

Interesting discussion here about spiritual issue.

Toby Welch said...

Are you born-again Christian? Just wondering. Since you said you are open mind to all religions and all religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim, etc.) are same. I think different. I am not here to have a debate. I am born-again Christian, Reformer and theologian.

Anonymous said...

I am born again christian. I am here not to debate with you. Jesus said he loves you. John 3:16

Anonymous said...

Wow, you really inspired me alot as I've been searching for a spiritual path as I do read some buddhism.. BRAVO!!! Looking forward to see more of you Vlog and your Website is Awesome!!! Your love for each other shows alot... Bless your heart!!

Anonymous said...

Your spiritual vlog got my attention today. Let me first say that you had a pleasant disposition in your vlog on the 17th of this month. I am very concerned by your saying that all religions were about the same. I am sorry to disagree with your concept of spiritual issue. Click on http://www.carm.org/seek/denominations.htm.
Today or later on, many people are and will be confused about the different religions. See a quote from the Scripture: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires," (2 Tim. 4:3).

You said that you are a Reverend. How do you respond to the quote of the Scripture: "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression" (1 Tim. 2:12-14)? Please read an article of CARM: http://www.carm.org/questions/womenpastors.htm
The other article of http://www.carm.org/questions/onlytrue.htm is self-explanatory. Jesus Christ is the only way and I would love to see all of the people believe in Jesus Christ, nothing else.

Please be careful of what you said about the truth. Truth is not a feeling. Truth is not an idea. The truth is found in the Bible. The cults are wrong because they do not have the truth. That is, they have a false understanding of God the Father, of God the Son, of the Holy Spirit, and the work of Christ on the Cross. Because they are in error of these things, they are in error concerning the doctrine of salvation.
Religion is not about love. All religions are not the same. It is about the relationship between a person and God.
True Christian doctrine is that there is only one God who has ever existed anywhere, anyplace, anytime. There is no God formed before God; there will be no God formed after God (Isaiah 43:10). God doesn't even know of any other Gods (Isaiah 44:8). There is only one God in existence in the entire universe. Just one. This is called monotheism.

Hope you will reconsider your position/belief and have a right relationship with the greatest God we’ll ever have. God commanded us, the Christians, to go out and tell the world about Jesus Christ.

Humble servant of Jesus Christ

Anonymous said...

Where will you go when you die? And why do you believe you will go there?

That is what comes to mind for you.

Anonymous said...

I'm wondering too. Where does Jesus comes in your teachings?
What about the Bible?

Is A course in miracles a "self-help" in bettering yourself and your life?

Nice V log You're a natural

:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Jill,

I do believe in God and I do not go to church.

We have Jesus and his 12 disciples or apostles that are all men.

We have Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, King David, King Solomon, and Jesus...all of them are men.

We have Heavenly Father, Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ....them are men.

How come you are a woman minister?

Help me.

Anonymous said...

Hi Again,

This is pretty much personal preferences what you want to believe in or not it basically to help yourself. I don't think it was Jill's intention to tell you what you should believe in as she mentioned that she welcomed and respect all religion. I think it's time to have hope, faith, love and world peace. I respect all religion and colour to make a better world than hatred.

Keep it up Jill, in spirits...

S. from Canada

Karen Mayes said...

Ahhhh... looks like you got a lot of hardballs coming to your way... I am curious to see how you'd be able to answer the hard questions (these questions are time-old, I know.)

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Jill, welcome! I am always happy to see more women here in deaf vblogland!

I will tell you upfront that I am a Christian. The Bible states that you are either "for" or "against" God. If you are lukewarm (refer to your statement of "either" and "neutral"), then you will be chewed up and spit out, as God desires a decision.

I only wish you the very best in your personal search for God and I hope that you will find the answers that you seek. The Bible states, roughly, "knock, and it will be answered. seek, and ye shall find."

Again, I know that we all have to have time to find the right thing, but I believe and will announce that I am a Christian and believe only in Jesus as my personal savior. If someone disagrees, that is fine. Take a look at Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" if you do not wish to read the Bible. This text lays out factual proof for Jesus' divinity and death for our sins.

I know that I had a hard time finding the answers when I was younger and I certainly can identify with your search. The light that you have may not be from God. The devil masquerades as the angel of light.

I wish you the very best and I look forward to more vlogs and discussing spirituality and religion with you.

Only the Best to you,

SkyBlue

Anonymous said...

Here I am again. (Humble servant of Jesus Christ) Let me respond to some responders as well as you in the comments of your vlog. There is no such as being neutral in your life. See a quote from the Scripture: Matt 6: 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

One of the responders in your vlog said he/she believed in God but not go to church. Just let you know that Satan believes in God too. Wanted to share with you all that there are two important words in the real life. They are faith and obedience that can’t be separated when you believe in God. Here is a quote from Hebrew: 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching”. It is God’s command that we should go to a good church where God’s words are being taught.

For any atheist like one of your responders in your comments, there is no such word like being an atheist. Please read an article of http://www.carm.org/dialogues/knowsthereisnogod.htm.

It will be an everlasting suffering if you are wrong in your belief or rejecting God while you are on this planet. Yes, God has given us countless chances to know Him but there will be the end. I do not know when but according to the Scripture, there will be the end.

I am very much aware that there will never be the end of debates in your comments. I feel that those responders need to be careful of what they say or believe. It is my ultimate desire to show and encourage those people to know Jesus Christ because I do not want to see them perish without Him eternally. It is obvious that all of us do not deserve the free gift from Jesus Christ. The simple condition is to confess your sins and believe in Him. Jesus Christ loves all of us. We will never understand His deepest love for us all. Praise to the Lord.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous at 8:34 am:

Going to church does not save you.

You know what you need to do to be saved. The problem with me (although I can't speak for that person who said she does not go to church), but for me...I have yet to find any church that provides services where I can understand (no terp, no signing) and the church that provides terp or signs tends to be very judgemental of those (criticize or put down others). I can't tolerate people who think they are better than others by judging others. He who is without sin may throw the first stone. There is no one that is without sin except Jesus. So...this is my beef. I have my own personal relationship with Jesus. I have my own faith. I consider myself to be born again, yet I know there is a long way for me to reach that realm where I am perfect in the LORDS eye, that time will come when I leave this earth.

Anonymous said...

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” Quoted from 1 John 2:17 It means that whoever gets immersed in different religions, it will be nothing at the end or whenever that person dies.

Isaiah 33:6 says “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”

The greatest treasure is knowing Jesus as Savior! “You shall have no other gods before me.” Quoted from Exodus 20:3

Anonymous said...

Hi Jill!

I was out of town for the weekend and have just returned. I could hardly wait to view you vlog!

I am enjoying the LOVE you show in your vlogs. You are so comfortable with yourself and I know it has a lot to do with your study in ACIM. I have the book and have read through most of it. I find it very comforting at times. It's one of my favorites.

I went over to your ACIM TV website and surfed all around it. Very nicely done. Very clear. I'm sure I will visit more.

I even went to the other links on that website and I see there will be a retreat coming up soon in Colorado. It looks so good. I wish I could go! I don't know if the timing will work out for me though. Do you plan to speak at any more retreats in the summer? I'm interested! :)

Thank you for sending out the message of LOVE.

Namaste.

~ LaRonda
www.earofmyheart.com

Anonymous said...

It is easy to say that all religions promote peace and love. What about the afterlife? All religions have different beliefs. Most believe that good works get you into heaven. Why do you have to work to get into heaven? Which one religion is right? Only one religion offers one way to heaven, not by works but by faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ. One simple prayer to accept Christ as your savior and you are in God's Book of Life forever! Isn't that awesome?

Unknown said...

A true Christian cannot accept all religions because there's many religions do conflict with the Bible as I mention it below:

Jhn 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Really in my opinion, you cannot accept this verse because other religions or no religion will not accept Jesus as the only way to the Father.

Buddhaism, Hinduism, etc cannot be accepted because of violation in Ten Commandments (Thou shalt not bow down before gods)

Exd 23:24 - Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

It is one way or other, period.

Thank you.

Jill Lestina said...

Thank you, commenters, for sharing your thoughts.

Each of us is perfect wherever we are on our spiritual paths. I honor your path.

Paths may be many and there is only one Truth. One God. One Law of Love. For the Law of Love is already written in our hearts. Many paths lead to One God for all religions are like stepping-stones leading back to God.

We are being blessed by every beneficent thought of any of our brothers and sisters anywhere. We should want to bless them in return, out of gratitude.

With respect, understanding and open mindedness, we act upon the Law of Love. We are all ONE for we are brothers and sisters regardless of our differences in religions, beliefs, races, disabilities, sexes, ages, etc… We are not our bodies. We are Spiritual Beings having human experience. We are all holy children of God (of all the different names we may know God, Allah, Jehovah, etc.) We are worthy channels of His beautiful joy. And to love/forgive our brothers and sisters is how we know God.

That is the Spirit of Life.

We may lead different lives and have different beliefs. We can choose to see through our differences by means of forgiveness and know that only love is real.

In hatred and judgment, we divide among ourselves. We think in terms of righteousness and judge others. We turn against each other and do not know one another. How may we know God if we are against each other? This is truly a call for love, a call for healing.

Love is true forgiveness that sees right through you. Forgiveness sees no differences. It is when we look at how much we are alike that our differences disappear.

Forgiveness is a healing miracle that occurs naturally as expressions of love. The miracle is a maximal service we can render to one another. It is a way of loving your neighbor as yourself. It is impossible for a child of God to love his neighbor and not himself.

Forgiveness is a gift given us to remember God’s complete joy and love. It leads us back to Christ thinking or right-minded thinking and creates miracles for healing purposes which bring harmony and peace.

May you go about your way with loving thoughts, peaceful words and smiles on your faces! May you bring blessings to all you meet on b/vlogsphere! May you know your brothers/sisters as you know yourself.

May I know you as my brother/sister so that I may know God.

Peace, my friend.
Blessed be!

Anonymous said...

Curious.....if your spiritual journey is part of Wicca or Pagan? You end your comments with Blessed Be....that is what wiccans or pagans use...just wondering. :)

curious me....

Anonymous said...

What is the link to Risa's site? Pls? I would like to see it. Thanks!

Smile!

Noah Buchholz said...

Rev. Jill Lestina-

Here's my reponse:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1101311086491760274&hl=en

I also published it on my blog. Just to let you know, if you want to see some comments.

I look forward to discussing this with you more! As your husband always says, ABC!

-Noah

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful blog. I think you 'hit the "spiritual" nail on the head.' you are a very wise and full of love. it is obvious in your smile :)! peace be with you and may the light guide you!

Hilda Richey said...

Hello Jill,

I'm delighted that you now have a vlog focusing on spiritual matters!! And it's so nice to "see" you again! I look forward to participating in discussions with you and others. Thank you so much for providing this space for us to share our thoughts and comments. Blessings!

I would like to respond to those who are concerned that ACIM might be a brainwasher. It really is not -- actually it is the opposite. ACIM is a spiritual path, not affiliated with any one religion but is beneficial to include because its aim is at removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence which is inherent in every one of us. It is an inner awakening to who we really are. As you may recall, the Bible said God is love -- and also we're created in God's image -- meaning that we're made like God. Thus, we are also love. Love is our essence.

The workbook in ACIM trains us to change our thoughts about what we see and the meaning things have -- to let go of our illusions and be in the present moment. It helps us to move from unconscious living to conscious living. Living consciously is to be in the present moment -- not in the past or in the future. We've been conditioned by the society to believe that we're separated from God and everyone else (God is out there -- not within us). Because of this belief in separation, we live in fear instead of love. It is the reason for the existence of jealousy, wars, hatred, judgments, competitions, etc. Every moment -- every decision we make -- is based on our choice of either love or fear. Living unconsciously, we bring suffering upon ourselves with our fear-based thoughts (this is our creation of hell on earth). We're not aware of our identity: we're immortal spiritual beings, one with God. We've never been separated from God because we're part of God. We're like the water molecules in the ocean -- many but still all one. We live, move, and have our being in the Divine Creator, our Source. Studying ACIM is an empowering journey -- a very positive experience.
In Oneness,
Hilda
PS "You are the Self, created from the same spirit that in infinite form is called God. You are one grain of gold, compared to which God is all gold that exists, and yet you can rightfully say, "I am gold." --- Deepak Chopra

Jimmymac210 said...

Way to go, Jill and congrats - what you said in vlog and your answer to other comments - I agreed with you!
We need to forgive ourselves or love ourselves before forgive or love others as God is within us all.

All comments about verses in bible and they do not realize bible is written by man not God otherwise how come there are more than one bible...

Jimmymac210 said...

Also I agreed with Hilda Richey in P.S. quote which is quoted:
"You are the Self, created from the same spirit that in infinite form is called God. You are one grain of gold, compared to which God is all gold that exists, and yet you can rightfully say, "I am gold." --- Deepak Chopra

Sheri said...

Jill, Beautiful Love,
Thank you for your unconditional love Service.
I am taking ACIMTV.com lessons to increase my spiritual growth.
All religions or no religions is a way of saying "Let Live, Let Love". We honor people of all different religions as well as people with no religions. This Belief will lead us to Peace and accept them as who they are and what they believe in.
We as Human Beings are struggling with Fears and Hatred from Society that we live in, we easily become confused and daily chaos.
When we practice with "One for All and All for One" we came to see our Spiritual Beings that is ALREADY there, Love and Light that shines always. When people find the Truth, we will be less judgemental and increase respect for each other thus making the world better to live in.

"Be the change you want to see the world" -Gandhi

Blessings,
Sheri Hostovsky

Karen Mayes said...

Hello... I am waiting for your next vlog. I hope that some of the comments did not scare you away from v/blogland.

You have a lot to offer. I could sense a fun-loving, joyful spirit in you, from watching your vlogs.

Blessings,
Karen Mayes (formerly Deaf Niches)