As someone who enjoys cold weather and winter, I woke up this morning trying to think of reasons I should be grateful for the summertime heat and humidity. I honestly couldn't think of many. I realize some people would rather sweat profusely under the unrelenting sun instead of warding off the chill of an overcast January day by bundling up in warm clothes. While I am happy for them, that group does not include me. We're all designed with different likes and dislikes, and I have a preference for cool temperatures.
However, even though I may not have specific reasons to be thankful for the heat, the idea of giving thanks in everything does come to mind. I know it is better to choose to be grateful for the sweltering weather, because a thankful attitude is always more productive than complaining (even when the heat index is well over a hundred degrees and my hair refuses to cooperate). Regardless of the weather, no matter what my circumstances are, I certainly do have every reason to be grateful.
I Thessalonians 16-18 urges us to, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I know that complaining and looking for the worst in every situation is not God's will for us; gratitude is. (This does not only apply to weather-related issues, obviously. Less complaining all around is definitely called for.)
So, on this hot, sticky, bug-infested, dusty day, I am thankful for a roof over my head, dependable transportation and an automatic washing machine. (I'm always grateful when I do a load of laundry because I remember the wringer washer my mother used when I was a child and how happy she was when we finally got an automatic machine.) I am grateful for jobs I enjoy, wildflowers and ice cubes. I am happy I have a healthy, fun-loving family, including a husband who is hard-working and has a good sense of humor.
Most of all, I am grateful for a God who loves us, who created each of us to be individuals, who gives us the capacity to find enjoyment in our circumstances and who blesses us with contentment and peace when we seek him. Okay, summertime, I've talked myself into it, and I'm going to try my best to love you.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Blessing America
I have, in recent times, given up participating in the political arena, as I believe solutions to society's problems will most successfully be addressed by individuals, by believers, by the Church. (For those of you who have read my recent book, you will understand my position on those issues.) This is not the stand the two major political parties have taken, so I choose not to be a part of either one. But I am concerned about the politicizing of the phrase "God bless America."
Clearly, we all should hope that God does bless America -- what other real hope do we have? -- but why not propose God bless America, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, China, Uganda, Mexico and every other nation on earth? Whether or not governments are properly functioning or we agree with their methods, people every where are hurting, many are living in daily squalor and danger, and they need to be blessed (happy, content, safe).
I Timothy 2:1-2 says, "...I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." The route to blessing is paved with prayer for leaders, and this does not mean only those who share our opinions.
And to truly ask for God's blessing, we must stop "cursing," (which is to wish that misfortune or evil would befall someone). No matter what we think of our leaders, saying awful things and wishing anyone anything other than well, obviously goes against scripture. In the book of James, chapter 3, we read of the importance of what we say, "...we bless our Lord and Father, and...we curse men, who have been made in the likenss of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way."
Everyone is certainly entitled to his or her own political view, but whatever view that is, the time has come to stop the hateful, hurtful sniping and insults. Do we really believe a holy God is in a position to bless a country which has fallen into the habit of cursing others so freely? Civility must reign. Love must prevail. Fresh water and bitter water don't come from the same fountain.
Clearly, we all should hope that God does bless America -- what other real hope do we have? -- but why not propose God bless America, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, China, Uganda, Mexico and every other nation on earth? Whether or not governments are properly functioning or we agree with their methods, people every where are hurting, many are living in daily squalor and danger, and they need to be blessed (happy, content, safe).
I Timothy 2:1-2 says, "...I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." The route to blessing is paved with prayer for leaders, and this does not mean only those who share our opinions.
And to truly ask for God's blessing, we must stop "cursing," (which is to wish that misfortune or evil would befall someone). No matter what we think of our leaders, saying awful things and wishing anyone anything other than well, obviously goes against scripture. In the book of James, chapter 3, we read of the importance of what we say, "...we bless our Lord and Father, and...we curse men, who have been made in the likenss of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way."
Everyone is certainly entitled to his or her own political view, but whatever view that is, the time has come to stop the hateful, hurtful sniping and insults. Do we really believe a holy God is in a position to bless a country which has fallen into the habit of cursing others so freely? Civility must reign. Love must prevail. Fresh water and bitter water don't come from the same fountain.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Being the Church
If you had never been to church before, and only had New Testament scripture to study to determine what a worship service should look like, do you suppose your idea of going to church might be different? (I use the term "going to church" because we all know what this means, even though in the New Testament the word church is not used to mean a building, a place or a denomination; it describes us, believers, the Body of Christ.) There are many ways to honor God and worship him, and no particular system is necessarily right or wrong, but when early followers of Christ met for fellowship, it must have looked different, for the most part, from what many of us have experienced over the years.
A strict schedule of meeting in the same building every Sunday morning and evening and on Wednesday is absent from scripture. As the New Testament church evolved, Christians seemed to have settled into gathering for their main time of group worship "on the first day of the week," Sunday. But there are other examples, too. We read of one occasion (Acts 16:13) where there was a riverside prayer meeting on the Sabbath, which is Saturday. In their enthusiasm, the very first followers of Christ were, "Day to day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house..." (Acts 2:46). Meeting in homes was quite typical; in fact, it was the norm.
The New Testament does give guidelines for Church leadership and how those leaders are to function, but it does not seem to imply the same person was the sole speaker or teacher each time believers assembled -- there was participation by many, which provided diversity and spontaneity. "When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation." (I Cor.14:26) We all have spiritual gifts and perspectives which are meant to be shared with others.
Since there is no specific outline mandating methods for assembling together, there are certainly many ways which must be acceptable. However, settling into a rut where nothing is fresh and new is the main danger in following the same formula week after week. We shouldn't be afraid to break the chains of tradition and find freedom, but more importantly, no matter how we choose to fellowship with one another, we need to remember that "going to church" is secondary to being the church each and every day.
A strict schedule of meeting in the same building every Sunday morning and evening and on Wednesday is absent from scripture. As the New Testament church evolved, Christians seemed to have settled into gathering for their main time of group worship "on the first day of the week," Sunday. But there are other examples, too. We read of one occasion (Acts 16:13) where there was a riverside prayer meeting on the Sabbath, which is Saturday. In their enthusiasm, the very first followers of Christ were, "Day to day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house..." (Acts 2:46). Meeting in homes was quite typical; in fact, it was the norm.
The New Testament does give guidelines for Church leadership and how those leaders are to function, but it does not seem to imply the same person was the sole speaker or teacher each time believers assembled -- there was participation by many, which provided diversity and spontaneity. "When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation." (I Cor.14:26) We all have spiritual gifts and perspectives which are meant to be shared with others.
Since there is no specific outline mandating methods for assembling together, there are certainly many ways which must be acceptable. However, settling into a rut where nothing is fresh and new is the main danger in following the same formula week after week. We shouldn't be afraid to break the chains of tradition and find freedom, but more importantly, no matter how we choose to fellowship with one another, we need to remember that "going to church" is secondary to being the church each and every day.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Trying Not to Miss the Point
While we all miss the mark from time to time, it seems especially important to not miss the point. All of us have opinions and views which might not be exactly on target, and we all make mistakes and poor choices from time to time. As followers of Christ, we should make it our goal to be familiar enough with his teachings to realize when we have errored, and then turn aside from that error (or sin), and change our way of thinking.
But consistently choosing behaviors and attitudes that are in direct conflict with what Jesus taught, especially the "big picture" view of scripture, and not making an effort to get beyond those behaviors, seems to be missing the point of being a believer.
Recently, I read several verses in Matthew chapter 12 that illustrate what I mean. Jesus had been healing many of those who were following him, and then warning them not to tell who he was. Verses 17-19 say, "This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 'Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel, nor cry out; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.'"
This image of Jesus is in sharp contrast to many of the extremely vocal, political pundits operating today. These folks have mixed religion and politics and come up with a toxic brew which somehow combines the Gospel's message of love, peace, kindness and harmony with their own doctrine of hate, war, anger and discord. That's disheartening enough, but that they shout their views so loudly and attract such large audiences is the most grievous part.
Yelling and posturing is not an image I can connect with our great example Jesus, who, for the most part, worked quietly behind the scenes, ministering healing and love. I can't help but feel that those who do all of that screaming and who work so intently to rile up, rather than promote unity, are missing the point, entirely. But beyond that, it's one more reminder that when I see others operating in ways I question, I have to turn that questioning toward myself and my struggles, and make sure I'm not missing the point in my own life.
But consistently choosing behaviors and attitudes that are in direct conflict with what Jesus taught, especially the "big picture" view of scripture, and not making an effort to get beyond those behaviors, seems to be missing the point of being a believer.
Recently, I read several verses in Matthew chapter 12 that illustrate what I mean. Jesus had been healing many of those who were following him, and then warning them not to tell who he was. Verses 17-19 say, "This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 'Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen; My Beloved in whom My soul is well-pleased; I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel, nor cry out; nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.'"
This image of Jesus is in sharp contrast to many of the extremely vocal, political pundits operating today. These folks have mixed religion and politics and come up with a toxic brew which somehow combines the Gospel's message of love, peace, kindness and harmony with their own doctrine of hate, war, anger and discord. That's disheartening enough, but that they shout their views so loudly and attract such large audiences is the most grievous part.
Yelling and posturing is not an image I can connect with our great example Jesus, who, for the most part, worked quietly behind the scenes, ministering healing and love. I can't help but feel that those who do all of that screaming and who work so intently to rile up, rather than promote unity, are missing the point, entirely. But beyond that, it's one more reminder that when I see others operating in ways I question, I have to turn that questioning toward myself and my struggles, and make sure I'm not missing the point in my own life.
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