Sometimes we have such a strong desire not to do something or not to go somewhere and once we give in and go or do that very thing, we can find it was exactly what we needed all along. I came so close to not going to Ichthus, a Christian music festival, last week. I had myself convinced that it would be too stressful, that too many things had happened and I wouldn't enjoy myself but would dwell on all that had happened to hurt me. Less than an hour before I needed to leave I was packing my bag and walking to my car, not really sure if I would actually go or just stay with a friend for a few days. As soon as I pulled onto the grounds I felt such a peace and could truly feel God's presence.
There were Jesus freaks everywhere and throughout the four days I would catch people's conversations around me and they were all talking about God! It was a refreshing experience, to see and hear all of these people who love God. Seeing so many people come together as believers and put aside our differences of denomination or what church we go to or who our pastor is; it was awe inspiring.
We have a tendency to get so caught up in the religious aspect of being a believer and caring so much about where we go or who is preaching the gospel. As long as we are receiving the true gospel and seeking God with our whole hearts, what does it matter who we hear it from? Yes some people find it harder to see God in a Baptist church or a Methodist church or a Pentecostal church, but I believe we should be able to see God everywhere. Even if its when you're driving around in your car without any music on.
In different parts of the Bible, it refers to the church and each member as a part of the church. If we could come together as believers in Christ as THE church, nothing could stop us. I had a thought the other day about denominations. That very word, denominations. It's pretty close to the word denominator. Which, in a math sense, is what divides another number. Denominations are what divide us as believers.
Food for thought.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
Bedazzling the Temple
A recent debate has got me researching. In our culture, it is a common practice to get piercings or tattoos. It is more and more socially acceptable, and if you go to a public pool, more often than not most people who seem to be over the age of 16 have some ink or a piercing that isn't just their ears whether it be lips, nose, or belly button. For believers this presents an issue: is it biblically acceptable to get a piercing or tattoo?
Leviticus 19:28 says "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord". Pretty straightforward. However, this is in the laws that were given to the Jews, which also including sacrificing animals, something no longer practiced today. In Matthew 5:17, Christ speaks about fulfilling the Law. We no longer have to follow all of these standards to reach righteousness. We have righteousness through the blood of Christ. I haven't found a verse in the New Testament that speaks purely against either piercings or tattoos. Some people choose to interpret the verses about our bodies being the temple of God means we shouldn't get them. This is an interpretation which is one of the beautiful things about the Bible. It is open to interpretation. I can look at a verse today and see one thing and go back a year from now and see something entirely different. Revelation 19:16 states that "He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS." Sounds to me like when Christ comes back, He'll have a tattoo Himself.
As I can see, there is no harm in getting a tattoo or a piercing. Other than the obvious possible future dislike and desire to lose a tattoo. This is my interpretation and I'm open to discussion.
Leviticus 19:28 says "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord". Pretty straightforward. However, this is in the laws that were given to the Jews, which also including sacrificing animals, something no longer practiced today. In Matthew 5:17, Christ speaks about fulfilling the Law. We no longer have to follow all of these standards to reach righteousness. We have righteousness through the blood of Christ. I haven't found a verse in the New Testament that speaks purely against either piercings or tattoos. Some people choose to interpret the verses about our bodies being the temple of God means we shouldn't get them. This is an interpretation which is one of the beautiful things about the Bible. It is open to interpretation. I can look at a verse today and see one thing and go back a year from now and see something entirely different. Revelation 19:16 states that "He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KING AND LORD OF LORDS." Sounds to me like when Christ comes back, He'll have a tattoo Himself.
As I can see, there is no harm in getting a tattoo or a piercing. Other than the obvious possible future dislike and desire to lose a tattoo. This is my interpretation and I'm open to discussion.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Mortgage Advice
It's been awhile. How to start? I suppose at the start of this change. God has a canny way of bringing the best people and placing them in my path. He rescued me from myself and set me on a whole new path. Once I was established on that path, I closed my eyes and walked; easily without thought or hesitation. God finally placed someone in my path that opened my eyes to a whole new light; shook my whole world upside down. It's not an easy thing to face. Change is always met with resistance. And, as the old saying goes, You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink; so it is with people. You can lead a person to truth, but it doesn't make that pill any easier to swallow. It lodges in the throat and has to be coaxed down. Here I stand.
You wouldn't take mortgage advice from a homeless person. So God puts people in our path who have wisdom and experiences to share with us and help guide us. However, every person is different. Sharing the knowledge and wisdom and then being supportive are our roles as the 'mortgage consultants'. Cling to the wisdom and the knowledge given by others. When it is a divine appointment, those words are rarely given lightly. They are meant to be eye openers and directors to what is and what should or shouldn't be. Which is also not something that is easy to swallow when you are so comfortable with how everything is. Comfort can lead to contempt.
You wouldn't take mortgage advice from a homeless person. So God puts people in our path who have wisdom and experiences to share with us and help guide us. However, every person is different. Sharing the knowledge and wisdom and then being supportive are our roles as the 'mortgage consultants'. Cling to the wisdom and the knowledge given by others. When it is a divine appointment, those words are rarely given lightly. They are meant to be eye openers and directors to what is and what should or shouldn't be. Which is also not something that is easy to swallow when you are so comfortable with how everything is. Comfort can lead to contempt.
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