Sunday, 25 September 2016
Fr. Anthony de Mello Quote
“I was neurotic for years. I was anxious and depressed and selfish.
Everyone kept telling me to change. I resented them and I agreed with
them, and I wanted to change, but simply couldn’t, no matter how hard I
tried. Then one day someone said to me, Don’t change. I love you just as
you are. Those words were music to my ears: Don’t change, Don’t change.
Don’t change . . . I love you as you are. I relaxed. I came alive. And
suddenly I changed!” — Anthony De Mello
Love Has No Limits
I wrote this last Easter, but wanted to put it on this blog, I don't recall if I had posted it or not:
John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. (New Living Translation)Today’s scriptures were about Jesus going where the disciples could not go and to Love each other like Jesus loved us. The part of the reading that was not read told more details about Jesus and Judas Iscariot’s final parting. Jesus knew Judas would betray him to death; yet Jesus still offered him love and dignity. The priest pointed out that giving a person a special piece of food was a way to offer dignity and honor in a public setting; a custom that remained until the 15th century when a Lord would favor a subject with a choice bit of food from their plate. Jesus gave that to Judas…. knowing full well of his soon-coming betrayal and that the betrayer was Judas. That certainly means I have a long way to go to offer that same kind of compassion and dignity to others. To me it speaks not only of living in an attitude of forgiveness and restitution, but living with boldness and trust that I, with God’s help, can live in the now and realize I can and probably will have disappointment and hurts; but can live above that knowledge. I’m not saying live in denial; but live in recognition without letting it affect me.
Where's My Faith Now?
The Santa Clause God who rewards
and punishes and sees all and knows all and judges all. Bah Humbug. I like the
God my Dad presented who was encouraging, loving, humble… was like 1
Corinthians 13. After my conversion at 3:30 AM on Saturday, October 13, 1975, I
feared and tried to obey (at least not make angry) the God I was later presented with for
decades; I very much wanted to be good enough to be accepted by that harsh
taskmaster God. I couldn’t love him because he was too terrifying. But I lied
to myself and others that I did love him because it was the proper thing to
say.
One of my favorite quotes is by A. W. Tozer (an evangelical pastor of 40+ years) who wrote “The Knowledge of the Holy”, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Why is it important about us? Because we become what we perceive about God. We’re children and we want to grow up to be just like our Father. By the way, that book is about the attributes of God can be found free online. I read it about 12 years ago and loved it and the language was beautiful and required thought and wasn’t like reading a 6th grade primer but challenged me after having read Christian books for decades that had lowered my vocabulary to that level.
My 12-step sponsor was a powerful woman of God. Her ministry was to handicapped children. Even as a spinster in her 60s, she had adopted many children who were dying from AIDS, were Down’s syndrome, had physical deformities and had buried many when their disease and conditions took their life. She also had several foster children. She said going to church faithfully (She was Assembly of God), was a challenge as she had 1 blind child, 3 in wheelchairs, 1 on crutches and the Downs children would easily wander off if not watched closely. Yet, she found time to daily read my journal, make comments and suggestions. One suggestion she made was that my God was too stern. To find a chapter in the Psalms about a loving, caring, nurturing God and memorize it. I started with Psalms 23. Before I started finding my thoughts embracing the possibility of a loving God who was on my side as a generous, validating Father, I’d had to memorize over 40 chapters of the Bible. Only a few are still semi-memorized, but memorizing them got them deeper so they could erase the damage the presentation of the cruel God had done. As my perception of God changed, so did my personality and I found myself being more generous and validating to others – loving them in ways that didn’t exalt me and minimize them; or minimize me and exalt them. I kicked down the ladders and all people stand on level ground with God lifted higher.
I consider myself spiritual. Since most evangelical, fundamentalist or Pentecostal Christians would consider me a heretic; and I'm okay with that. It's not their opinion about me, but God's opinion about me that matter. I’m not much into labels, as labels not only define, they limit. I don’t want to limit God and I don’t want to limit my experience of God-in-me and me-in-God. (John 14:20)
Before joining Anglican, I was in Assembly of God or in churches pastored by graduates of Rhema Bible Training Center of Tulsa (my children’s dad was a Rhema grad). When God called me to the Anglican fellowship, I was quite sure He was directing me wrong. I’d walked knowing the Spirit’s movement in me for decades and knew I was being obedient. Next I thought maybe He was using me as a bridge between the right and left wing of modern Christianity. Then I discovered I was there because God was working on me and in me. The fellowship I attend, has no posted doctrines or rules as they trust God to direct us. The only unwritten “rule” is to walk lovingly supportive of others whether we agree with where they are in their walk or not – that God is in charge of their journey. So there are people who are everywhere from Fundamental to very liberal and we wash dishes together, eat together, talk together, question together. It sometimes makes me wonder if that’s why Judaism uses the debate and then changing sides and debate the other position as part of their learning style. It gives me a chance to walk in their shoes - or respectfully listen to their stories and better understand them, and better know myself.
Although a voting “member” of that Anglican community, my thoughts about my faith walk would be more in line with unstructured, liberal Quakerism. There is no active Quaker church in this area, so I feel lead to stay Anglican. In case you wonder what I currently believe, I won’t reinvent the wheel (or the words), where this very long article defines both the similarities and differences of Christian Fundamentalism and unstructured, liberal Quakerism.
https://universalistfriends.org/library/a-quaker-s-response-to-christian-fundamentalism
I found the article very informative – just found it today. I like how it validates each side and gives people dignity.
Since I have a living faith, it means it grows, changes, adapts, sheds, expands, shrinks and is not static. The only thing that remains static is God-in-me and me-in-God and my ministry scripture of 2 Corinthians 1:4: “God comes along side us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings someone along side so we can be there for that person just like God was there for you.” (paraphrase of the Message Bible – since I was too lazy to look it up to make sure it was exact.) I had self-debated if I was called to pulpit ministry. I’ve spent years behind a piano and microphone leading praise and worship and I still fill-in as alternate at my current church (where we have a praise band and use modern choruses and a few old-time gospel songs). When God lead me to 2 Cor. 1-4 about 15 years ago, it was like coming home to my true calling.... being there for others, like God is there for me.
I don’t see that age is an issue of finding our calling and following it. As long as we can still suck air, God isn’t done with us.
What can bring us closer to God then experiencing Him? Nature was the first Bible (1 Cor 15:46). For me, when I can’t experience God in nature, then I’m not experiencing God in anything but I’m back in my ego-ism (sin) and living for me – often intellectualizing God in my head instead of enjoying my relationship with Him.
One of my favorite quotes is by A. W. Tozer (an evangelical pastor of 40+ years) who wrote “The Knowledge of the Holy”, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Why is it important about us? Because we become what we perceive about God. We’re children and we want to grow up to be just like our Father. By the way, that book is about the attributes of God can be found free online. I read it about 12 years ago and loved it and the language was beautiful and required thought and wasn’t like reading a 6th grade primer but challenged me after having read Christian books for decades that had lowered my vocabulary to that level.
My 12-step sponsor was a powerful woman of God. Her ministry was to handicapped children. Even as a spinster in her 60s, she had adopted many children who were dying from AIDS, were Down’s syndrome, had physical deformities and had buried many when their disease and conditions took their life. She also had several foster children. She said going to church faithfully (She was Assembly of God), was a challenge as she had 1 blind child, 3 in wheelchairs, 1 on crutches and the Downs children would easily wander off if not watched closely. Yet, she found time to daily read my journal, make comments and suggestions. One suggestion she made was that my God was too stern. To find a chapter in the Psalms about a loving, caring, nurturing God and memorize it. I started with Psalms 23. Before I started finding my thoughts embracing the possibility of a loving God who was on my side as a generous, validating Father, I’d had to memorize over 40 chapters of the Bible. Only a few are still semi-memorized, but memorizing them got them deeper so they could erase the damage the presentation of the cruel God had done. As my perception of God changed, so did my personality and I found myself being more generous and validating to others – loving them in ways that didn’t exalt me and minimize them; or minimize me and exalt them. I kicked down the ladders and all people stand on level ground with God lifted higher.
I consider myself spiritual. Since most evangelical, fundamentalist or Pentecostal Christians would consider me a heretic; and I'm okay with that. It's not their opinion about me, but God's opinion about me that matter. I’m not much into labels, as labels not only define, they limit. I don’t want to limit God and I don’t want to limit my experience of God-in-me and me-in-God. (John 14:20)
Before joining Anglican, I was in Assembly of God or in churches pastored by graduates of Rhema Bible Training Center of Tulsa (my children’s dad was a Rhema grad). When God called me to the Anglican fellowship, I was quite sure He was directing me wrong. I’d walked knowing the Spirit’s movement in me for decades and knew I was being obedient. Next I thought maybe He was using me as a bridge between the right and left wing of modern Christianity. Then I discovered I was there because God was working on me and in me. The fellowship I attend, has no posted doctrines or rules as they trust God to direct us. The only unwritten “rule” is to walk lovingly supportive of others whether we agree with where they are in their walk or not – that God is in charge of their journey. So there are people who are everywhere from Fundamental to very liberal and we wash dishes together, eat together, talk together, question together. It sometimes makes me wonder if that’s why Judaism uses the debate and then changing sides and debate the other position as part of their learning style. It gives me a chance to walk in their shoes - or respectfully listen to their stories and better understand them, and better know myself.
Although a voting “member” of that Anglican community, my thoughts about my faith walk would be more in line with unstructured, liberal Quakerism. There is no active Quaker church in this area, so I feel lead to stay Anglican. In case you wonder what I currently believe, I won’t reinvent the wheel (or the words), where this very long article defines both the similarities and differences of Christian Fundamentalism and unstructured, liberal Quakerism.
https://universalistfriends.org/library/a-quaker-s-response-to-christian-fundamentalism
I found the article very informative – just found it today. I like how it validates each side and gives people dignity.
Since I have a living faith, it means it grows, changes, adapts, sheds, expands, shrinks and is not static. The only thing that remains static is God-in-me and me-in-God and my ministry scripture of 2 Corinthians 1:4: “God comes along side us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings someone along side so we can be there for that person just like God was there for you.” (paraphrase of the Message Bible – since I was too lazy to look it up to make sure it was exact.) I had self-debated if I was called to pulpit ministry. I’ve spent years behind a piano and microphone leading praise and worship and I still fill-in as alternate at my current church (where we have a praise band and use modern choruses and a few old-time gospel songs). When God lead me to 2 Cor. 1-4 about 15 years ago, it was like coming home to my true calling.... being there for others, like God is there for me.
I don’t see that age is an issue of finding our calling and following it. As long as we can still suck air, God isn’t done with us.
What can bring us closer to God then experiencing Him? Nature was the first Bible (1 Cor 15:46). For me, when I can’t experience God in nature, then I’m not experiencing God in anything but I’m back in my ego-ism (sin) and living for me – often intellectualizing God in my head instead of enjoying my relationship with Him.
Monday, 25 April 2016
Still Around
I'm still around, still growing spiritually and loving my God and my life. Just haven't had much I wanted to write publicly about.
"Institutional Christianity will die of boredom long before it dies of controversy. Controversy is indeed a sign of life." - Bishop John Shelby Spong
Sunday, 31 January 2016
Extra-Marital and Non-Marital Sexual Love
Modern dictionaries define words as they are currently used. In
using a modern dictionary to define an old or ancient word can lead to error or
confusion. Examples in the King James Bible. the word amazement meant terror;
bowels meant heart or emotions; and careful meant anxious. Today's meaning is
quite different for those words and many others. The Bible seems to be very
specific in the use of adultery and fornication. I wanted to delve deeper into
the definitions and determine if they are or are not interchangeable.
In the Old Testament, the word "adultery" comes from
the Hebrew word "niaph" and my Bible dictionaries gave several
meanings: a person who had (a) sex with a married woman; (b) a married woman
who had sex with a man other than her husband, (c) idolatrous worship or (d) to
apostatize.
The New
Testament Greek words "pornea"
is often translated "fornication;" and akatharsia is
often translated "uncleanness." According to B. A. Robinson, " By simply
defining the words in a narrow or wide sense, religious liberals and
conservatives can totally change the meaning of the Bible." Whoa!
That's a weighty thought as I want to properly understand the Word of
God without making it too wide or too narrow but accurate.
Although the Victorians told us fornication means premarital
sex, it does NOT specifically or exclusively mean that. According to several
Bible dictionaries, the Greek word,
"pornea" can be translated to mean (a) pornography, (b) fornication, (c)
idolatry, (d) whoredom; (e) harlotry and comes from the root word "pernaō,"
that means to "sell off" something. It can also mean having sex with
a temple prostitute. (1 Cor. 10.8)
Originally, the term fornication
was derived from the Indo-European word gwher. It means "To heat, warm."
Derivatives include brand,
brandy, forceps, furnace and fornicate. I was curious how forceps made it into the
list; the simple answer is forceps were originally used to carry hot coals. In Roman
times, brothels were called "fornices." In 1303 the word came to mean
a person who paid a prostitute for sexual services; the prostitute was not a
fornicator but a prostitute.
Now that we know a bit of the word history, let's dig back
into the Bible and see what it says about sexual immorality. Leviticus 18 gives a long list of what is
considered sexually immoral. Premarital sex is not on the list. That chapter
might be worth reading in case you're curious. The word nakedness comes from
the word "pudendum." The
medical term pudendum is defined as "elating
to, occurring in, or lying in the region of the external genital organ."
In the Old Testament (Leviticus 20:10), adultery (sex between
two people where one or both were married or engaged to another) was treated as
a capital crime - a stoning to death offense. Since God often compares
faithfulness to Him with faithfulness to a mate; and compares loving God with
loving our partner - it's not surprising that adultery is considered a sin with
capital punishment. God's law makes strong boundaries to help people see how
important faithfulness to Him and to a marital partner is.
Pre-marital sex on the other hand, required the male lover to
give the father the "bride price" since he had robbed the father of the
value of a virgin and shamed the family; plus, at the father's choice, was
required to irrevocably marry the girl. (Exodus 22.16-17) While the man in this
situation, could not divorce the woman, the Old Testament law allowed her to divorce
him if he did not provide adequate, pleasurable lovemaking, clothing or food.
(Exodus 21.7-11) Thus, non-marital sex (neither partner was married) was
treated as a civil matter based on devaluing the father's "property",
NOT as a criminal offense.
Thus, am I stating that promiscuity is Biblical? Absolutely not! To follow Jesus's Great Commandment of Loving
God and Loving Others (Matthew 22.36-38); sharing a loving, sexual bond is not
a sin. A Biblical test for a loving relationship
follows 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a: "Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't
jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant. It isn't rude. It
doesn't think about itself. It isn't irritable. It doesn't keep track of
wrongs. It isn't happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth.
Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping,
never gives up. Love never comes to an end." If an unmarried couple can have an intimate
relationship that is based on that loving scripture, then I don't see it as anti-Biblical.
In summary, Adultery was treated as a "sin"
resulting in death by stoning. The Bible didn't state "Yes, non-marital
sex is okay" but the law treated it as a human situation, not as a crime.
Rather surprising since the law was given about 3,400 years ago! Comments by
other Bible writers about fornication can't change the fact of what God said.
In the Bible, God comes as a fire or is compared to a fire
that burns away the chaff. Since the root word for fornication has many
derivates meaning fire or burn. And since Paul says it is better to marry than
to burn. Could that be interpreted that a couple who has pre-marital or non-marital
sex, rather than just satisfying their sexual desire should marry or at least
live together so their intimate relationship causes them to burn away some of
the chaff in their life and learn to be less egocentric and more giving and
compassionate and to be more like Jesus. That would fit with what my priest
alluded to on the Maundy Thursday sermon.
I interpret the Bible as explaining non-marital sex is
permissible and holy when shared in a loving, committed relationship with the
goal of being more Christlike; however, sex to "scratch an itch"
without love, commitment or a goal for greater holiness could be emotionally or
spiritually damaging to the individuals. Persons who still hold the sex until
marriage is the only Biblical way to enjoy the delights of sexual intimacy,
would do best to follow Paul's teaching in 1 Timothy 1:19 " Cling to your
faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have
deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been
shipwrecked."
Sunday, 6 December 2015
Second Sunday of Advent
Gospel Reading: Luke 3.1-6. I chose vs.
As I start to type, I'm concerned my thoughts are either very egocentric or possibly they do bring glory to God. I hope they bring glory to God and hope to my few readers.
I'll start with my definition of the wilderness. A place I go to get away from it all: the busy-ness of life, the telephone, the dishes in the sink that beg "wash me!", the routine that binds me, my own unrealistic expectations. Sometimes I go to the wilderness of my own free will because I know it's good for me and I desire that; and sometimes I'm (as some versions translate in Matthew 4) that Jesus was driven by the spirit. Tonight I don't think it's as important how I get there but that I use my wilderness time to connect with The Holy One. For me, that means dying to self, dying to self-talk, letting go of expectations, just resting in God.... so much easier typed than done. I'm addicted to thinking and often over-thinking and re-thinking and pre-thinking and post-thinking (words to explain fear, hope and worry). So, meditating and contemplating on God - the nothingness packed full of Everything.... my all in all.
So what's the "preparing the way of the Lord" stuff? He made the earth, so it seems He can do whatever He wants without my approval or help. But the Bible reminding me to "prepare the way of the Lord" is a reminder I was designed to have free will. The choice I can make to prepare a place inside my life and schedule to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalms 46.10) is up to me.
Make his paths straight. It seems like in the desert and all that sand that it wouldn't be hard to walk straight paths. But when I'm in the mountains or beach (and I have both here), roads are crooked (designed prior to the Louisiana Purchase with one-mile grid organizing the landscape and roads). So there are crooked roads, narrow roads, hidden curves, hidden driveways, going up the hills, down the mountains, along the edge of the ocean, guard rails to stop from driving off cliffs into the ocean. Toto, I'm not in Kansas any more. I understand the geography of paths, valleys, mountains and rough ways. I could interpret that as terrain; but it's also the terrain of my mind and heart at times. Yet, it seems when I'm consistent in doing my part - going into the silence of the wilderness, ignoring the fear of going deeper within myself, and holding onto what I know of a loving God, then the valleys and mountains and crooked and rough even out. No more drama mama; few fears, minimal stress about the valleys and mountains of life, and I don't think I get crooked (grumpy) very often and life and relationships seem to go smoother. Not saying I don't have room for improvement - but it's easier to behave in line with the inner me, the Christ-in-me (Colosians 1.27) and I feel God is going to continue developing that in my life. When I realize at the depth of me is God; and I access that through silence and/or stillness, life just works better when I practice that discipline of quiet.
"And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Of course, my knee jerk reaction is universal salvation; but need to study more to come to that conclusion. But hopefully those who have a relationship with me see God and/or salvation by the changes that occur as I mature. Or maybe I just serve as a bad example and warning to others. ;-)
Off topic: I've been thinking the right way for me to read my Bible is through the lens of John 3:16 and/or the Great Commandment. See it through eyes of Love. Since I've often heard God is a gentleman and won't shame, guilt or bully us; then His Word, would be the same: show us His love and not bully, shame or guilt us.I'm grateful to serve such a loving and wonderful Father God.
Shalom.
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
As I start to type, I'm concerned my thoughts are either very egocentric or possibly they do bring glory to God. I hope they bring glory to God and hope to my few readers.
I'll start with my definition of the wilderness. A place I go to get away from it all: the busy-ness of life, the telephone, the dishes in the sink that beg "wash me!", the routine that binds me, my own unrealistic expectations. Sometimes I go to the wilderness of my own free will because I know it's good for me and I desire that; and sometimes I'm (as some versions translate in Matthew 4) that Jesus was driven by the spirit. Tonight I don't think it's as important how I get there but that I use my wilderness time to connect with The Holy One. For me, that means dying to self, dying to self-talk, letting go of expectations, just resting in God.... so much easier typed than done. I'm addicted to thinking and often over-thinking and re-thinking and pre-thinking and post-thinking (words to explain fear, hope and worry). So, meditating and contemplating on God - the nothingness packed full of Everything.... my all in all.
So what's the "preparing the way of the Lord" stuff? He made the earth, so it seems He can do whatever He wants without my approval or help. But the Bible reminding me to "prepare the way of the Lord" is a reminder I was designed to have free will. The choice I can make to prepare a place inside my life and schedule to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalms 46.10) is up to me.
Make his paths straight. It seems like in the desert and all that sand that it wouldn't be hard to walk straight paths. But when I'm in the mountains or beach (and I have both here), roads are crooked (designed prior to the Louisiana Purchase with one-mile grid organizing the landscape and roads). So there are crooked roads, narrow roads, hidden curves, hidden driveways, going up the hills, down the mountains, along the edge of the ocean, guard rails to stop from driving off cliffs into the ocean. Toto, I'm not in Kansas any more. I understand the geography of paths, valleys, mountains and rough ways. I could interpret that as terrain; but it's also the terrain of my mind and heart at times. Yet, it seems when I'm consistent in doing my part - going into the silence of the wilderness, ignoring the fear of going deeper within myself, and holding onto what I know of a loving God, then the valleys and mountains and crooked and rough even out. No more drama mama; few fears, minimal stress about the valleys and mountains of life, and I don't think I get crooked (grumpy) very often and life and relationships seem to go smoother. Not saying I don't have room for improvement - but it's easier to behave in line with the inner me, the Christ-in-me (Colosians 1.27) and I feel God is going to continue developing that in my life. When I realize at the depth of me is God; and I access that through silence and/or stillness, life just works better when I practice that discipline of quiet.
"And all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Of course, my knee jerk reaction is universal salvation; but need to study more to come to that conclusion. But hopefully those who have a relationship with me see God and/or salvation by the changes that occur as I mature. Or maybe I just serve as a bad example and warning to others. ;-)
Off topic: I've been thinking the right way for me to read my Bible is through the lens of John 3:16 and/or the Great Commandment. See it through eyes of Love. Since I've often heard God is a gentleman and won't shame, guilt or bully us; then His Word, would be the same: show us His love and not bully, shame or guilt us.I'm grateful to serve such a loving and wonderful Father God.
Shalom.
Sunday, 29 November 2015
First Sunday of Advent
My Understanding of Advent:
In the 5-6th century, Advent was a 4-week time of self-reflection, penitenance and prayer that converts went through before they were baptised on Epiphany. By the 6th century, the definition changed and it was the 4 week period to prepare our hearts for the return of Christ, which has connotations of appeasing a stern judge and us preparing for the trial. It was also the time to recognize our need for a Saviour and to come to unity at our Jewish roots who were looking for their Messiah's coming. In the middle ages, it switched once again to remembering the incarnation; I wonder if Saint Francis had an impact on that since many perceive him as the first advocate for Christmas as celebrating Jesus coming as incarnate diety? Jesus coming in human flesh does so much to offer us dignity as human beings.
The advent wreath has the outer circle of 3 purple/lavendar candles, 1 pink candle and the center is a white candle. The purple symbolizes the advent colour; the pink represents Mary (who humbly said 'yes' to God) and the white is lighted on Christmas.
Advent concludes on December 24 when Christmas begins. Christmas ends at Epiphany; thus 12 days of Christmas. The song came from that doctrine and not the doctrine from the song. As Anglican, we celebrate several weeks of Christmas Sundays with a break for Epiphany; and at Easter we celebrate Easter each Sunday until Pentecost. I accept that as what we do, but it still makes me want to giggle but I accept Incarnation and Resurrection are to magnificnt to try to corral into one day or even into words - they have to be lived out in daily life so the weekly reminder is a way to remind me, "Debbie, pay attention - this is important stuff for your spiritual growth."
So what does Advent mean to me at the start of this season? I am asking God to open my heart to accept more of His love and with that love to love myself with greater authenticity and to love others with more of the fruit and gifts of the spirit, with less of my egocentricity. He's a big God, I can ask Big miracles from Him.
First Reading:
Jeremiah 33: 12-14.
The portion that spoke to me is, "In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live securely. Jerusalem will be called The LORD Our Righteousness."
This is part of a prophecy of the root of Jesse or talking about when Jesus will come to earth. When read in context of the "fire and brimstone" of the rest of the reading, my first thought was Jesus missed the right time because Israel and Judah were under Roman occupation and crucfixion was a common practice, taxation was atrocious and that scripture couldn't have been talking about the time my Saviour walked on earth. No way. My next thought was it couldn't be talking about the time since 1949 and the restoration of Israel as a nation because they haven't had peace. So, I thought about extrapolating that to when we get to heaven; but I don't see us landing in heaven as citizens of various countries (although the 12 tribes names are inscribed over the 12 gates of Revelation 21.) Nations are mentioned 12 times, but that depicts where we are from historically - from earth. The Kingdom of God is not an Empire of various nations; but one Kingdom under God's sovereignity. Thus, to me, this is talking about a spiritual happening and not a current events, historical or future happening. It's an inner work of living in Christ and recognizing Him living in us; when we live there we lived saved and securily.... as branches grafted into the Vine.
Psalm:
Psalm 25. 5, 8 and 10.
The portion that spoke to me is, "Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long."
When my oldest son started working about age 14, he was on wait-staff of a large buffet restaurant; by age 18, he was assistant manager of this establishment with 75 employees that seated 325. I remember we were eating family supper and were talking about "waiting on the Lord." I thought wait meant twiddling my thumbs while God taught me patience and tarried or was outright tardy. My son looked at me in puzzlement and said (paraphrased), "When I wait on people at work, I may stand silently and inobtrusively nearby, but I'm standing there alert, observing, mentally involved and can be there to tend their needs at the first sign I can be useful." What an eye opener. I've kept that definition as I like it better then bored patience. I decided to look deeper and found Strong's dictionary gives this definition of wait, "A primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), that is, collect; (figuratively) to expect: - gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)." I was very excited to read the "bind together". It seems that definition fits well in this text. As I wait on God, I am bound together and that is what empowers me to let His love flow through me. Unitive Love of God for me and me towards all - even those who don't agree with me, or maybe that's especially those who don't see eye to eye.
Second Reading:
1 Thesselonians 3:12-4.2
The portion that spoke to me is, "May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you. In this way he will strengthen you, and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father"
The first part is a reminder of the Great Commandment to "Love God and Love others." Yet, this rendering comes with a promise. We do the Great Commandment and we will be strengthened to be found perfect and holy before God. Whoa! Of course, I have to caution myself not to add this to a list of do's and don'ts; as it is easy for me to fall into that type of legalism where I can feel "holier then thou" instead of realizing my holiness is in Him alone. I also like that it shows it's the LORD who makes our love for one another and for all people to grow. It's not something I can achieve, but something I surrender and participate with.
Gospel Reading:
Luke 21. 25-28 and 34-36.
The portion that spoke to me is, "when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near."
I use to listen to hours of teachings on the end times and what current events and battle strategies were going on that would fulfill the militant interpreted scriptures. How can I be so egotistical that I think God is talking about me or my generation? To me, that is the height of pride. I no longer follow that - God showed us He is not violent by sending His Son who showed us what God is like - peace, joy and love. The fruit of the spirit lived fully in one incarnate being, my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Until I find a different way to understand those scriptures, I'll read them and 'wait" on God to show me. I know some scholars say these scriptures were fulfilled in 70AD at the fall of Jerusalem.
I can accept the Kingdom of God is something to come when we die; but I also accept the Kingdom of God is already in my heart and life. Jesus says, "The kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17.21) He doesn't say it will be in believers in the sweet by and by; but that it is there NOW. Hallelujah!
Paul elaborates in Romans 14. 17, "For the kingdom of God is ...... righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." That I can chose to have now, even if watching the news looks like the rest of the gospel reading for today full of fire and brimstone. I can live above it and ride on eagle's wings and not get bogged down in fear of the future that paralyzes my now. I repent for having been bogged down in current events recently - although after years of not knowing or not caring what is going on in the world, the atrocities and anti-Christlikeness both appalled and intrigued me.
____________________________
Update from yesterday's entry of being hurt but not dwelling there but forgiving and moving deeper into God. I decided not to detach but not to push for a resolution. To stay close to God and continue to trust Him to find the correct resolution or for me to be content without resolution. I reread my blog on the cruciform cross and nail one side of the issue to Christ's left hand and the other nailed to His right hand - and I can hang in the balance like He did and accept and possibly embrace the dissonance. I'm not saying I may not need to guard my heart so I don't react out of the pain and anger stages of grieving the losses; but that is more to protect them from me; than to protect me from them. Yeah, that's do-able for me.
Thank you for reading my blog. ;-) May God bless you today.
In the 5-6th century, Advent was a 4-week time of self-reflection, penitenance and prayer that converts went through before they were baptised on Epiphany. By the 6th century, the definition changed and it was the 4 week period to prepare our hearts for the return of Christ, which has connotations of appeasing a stern judge and us preparing for the trial. It was also the time to recognize our need for a Saviour and to come to unity at our Jewish roots who were looking for their Messiah's coming. In the middle ages, it switched once again to remembering the incarnation; I wonder if Saint Francis had an impact on that since many perceive him as the first advocate for Christmas as celebrating Jesus coming as incarnate diety? Jesus coming in human flesh does so much to offer us dignity as human beings.
The advent wreath has the outer circle of 3 purple/lavendar candles, 1 pink candle and the center is a white candle. The purple symbolizes the advent colour; the pink represents Mary (who humbly said 'yes' to God) and the white is lighted on Christmas.
Advent concludes on December 24 when Christmas begins. Christmas ends at Epiphany; thus 12 days of Christmas. The song came from that doctrine and not the doctrine from the song. As Anglican, we celebrate several weeks of Christmas Sundays with a break for Epiphany; and at Easter we celebrate Easter each Sunday until Pentecost. I accept that as what we do, but it still makes me want to giggle but I accept Incarnation and Resurrection are to magnificnt to try to corral into one day or even into words - they have to be lived out in daily life so the weekly reminder is a way to remind me, "Debbie, pay attention - this is important stuff for your spiritual growth."
So what does Advent mean to me at the start of this season? I am asking God to open my heart to accept more of His love and with that love to love myself with greater authenticity and to love others with more of the fruit and gifts of the spirit, with less of my egocentricity. He's a big God, I can ask Big miracles from Him.
First Reading:
Jeremiah 33: 12-14.
The portion that spoke to me is, "In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live securely. Jerusalem will be called The LORD Our Righteousness."
This is part of a prophecy of the root of Jesse or talking about when Jesus will come to earth. When read in context of the "fire and brimstone" of the rest of the reading, my first thought was Jesus missed the right time because Israel and Judah were under Roman occupation and crucfixion was a common practice, taxation was atrocious and that scripture couldn't have been talking about the time my Saviour walked on earth. No way. My next thought was it couldn't be talking about the time since 1949 and the restoration of Israel as a nation because they haven't had peace. So, I thought about extrapolating that to when we get to heaven; but I don't see us landing in heaven as citizens of various countries (although the 12 tribes names are inscribed over the 12 gates of Revelation 21.) Nations are mentioned 12 times, but that depicts where we are from historically - from earth. The Kingdom of God is not an Empire of various nations; but one Kingdom under God's sovereignity. Thus, to me, this is talking about a spiritual happening and not a current events, historical or future happening. It's an inner work of living in Christ and recognizing Him living in us; when we live there we lived saved and securily.... as branches grafted into the Vine.
Psalm:
Psalm 25. 5, 8 and 10.
The portion that spoke to me is, "Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; I wait for You all day long."
When my oldest son started working about age 14, he was on wait-staff of a large buffet restaurant; by age 18, he was assistant manager of this establishment with 75 employees that seated 325. I remember we were eating family supper and were talking about "waiting on the Lord." I thought wait meant twiddling my thumbs while God taught me patience and tarried or was outright tardy. My son looked at me in puzzlement and said (paraphrased), "When I wait on people at work, I may stand silently and inobtrusively nearby, but I'm standing there alert, observing, mentally involved and can be there to tend their needs at the first sign I can be useful." What an eye opener. I've kept that definition as I like it better then bored patience. I decided to look deeper and found Strong's dictionary gives this definition of wait, "A primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), that is, collect; (figuratively) to expect: - gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon)." I was very excited to read the "bind together". It seems that definition fits well in this text. As I wait on God, I am bound together and that is what empowers me to let His love flow through me. Unitive Love of God for me and me towards all - even those who don't agree with me, or maybe that's especially those who don't see eye to eye.
Second Reading:
1 Thesselonians 3:12-4.2
The portion that spoke to me is, "May the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you. In this way he will strengthen you, and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father"
The first part is a reminder of the Great Commandment to "Love God and Love others." Yet, this rendering comes with a promise. We do the Great Commandment and we will be strengthened to be found perfect and holy before God. Whoa! Of course, I have to caution myself not to add this to a list of do's and don'ts; as it is easy for me to fall into that type of legalism where I can feel "holier then thou" instead of realizing my holiness is in Him alone. I also like that it shows it's the LORD who makes our love for one another and for all people to grow. It's not something I can achieve, but something I surrender and participate with.
Gospel Reading:
Luke 21. 25-28 and 34-36.
The portion that spoke to me is, "when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near."
I use to listen to hours of teachings on the end times and what current events and battle strategies were going on that would fulfill the militant interpreted scriptures. How can I be so egotistical that I think God is talking about me or my generation? To me, that is the height of pride. I no longer follow that - God showed us He is not violent by sending His Son who showed us what God is like - peace, joy and love. The fruit of the spirit lived fully in one incarnate being, my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Until I find a different way to understand those scriptures, I'll read them and 'wait" on God to show me. I know some scholars say these scriptures were fulfilled in 70AD at the fall of Jerusalem.
I can accept the Kingdom of God is something to come when we die; but I also accept the Kingdom of God is already in my heart and life. Jesus says, "The kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17.21) He doesn't say it will be in believers in the sweet by and by; but that it is there NOW. Hallelujah!
Paul elaborates in Romans 14. 17, "For the kingdom of God is ...... righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." That I can chose to have now, even if watching the news looks like the rest of the gospel reading for today full of fire and brimstone. I can live above it and ride on eagle's wings and not get bogged down in fear of the future that paralyzes my now. I repent for having been bogged down in current events recently - although after years of not knowing or not caring what is going on in the world, the atrocities and anti-Christlikeness both appalled and intrigued me.
____________________________
Update from yesterday's entry of being hurt but not dwelling there but forgiving and moving deeper into God. I decided not to detach but not to push for a resolution. To stay close to God and continue to trust Him to find the correct resolution or for me to be content without resolution. I reread my blog on the cruciform cross and nail one side of the issue to Christ's left hand and the other nailed to His right hand - and I can hang in the balance like He did and accept and possibly embrace the dissonance. I'm not saying I may not need to guard my heart so I don't react out of the pain and anger stages of grieving the losses; but that is more to protect them from me; than to protect me from them. Yeah, that's do-able for me.
Thank you for reading my blog. ;-) May God bless you today.
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