When one is going to write something that she suspects may offend or agitate someone, is it better to warn them ahead of time or let the chips fall where they may?
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I have a confession. I struggle with the Bible. Don't get me wrong; I appreciate and value this word of God immensely, but I also wrestle with it. A lot. I struggle with knowing that it appears Lot offered his daughters up for gang rape. I struggle with hearing that David is a man after God's own heart knowing that he was a rapist (though many describe David and Bathsheba as committing adultery, what transpires is abuse of power, lust, and rape by King David) and a murderer. Did bears really maul children because the kids teased Elisha for his baldness? The list goes on and on.
But even more than some of those old stories, I struggle with our use, abuse, and understanding of God's word today. I struggle with how we have elevated these God inspired words written by men to be equal with God, our Creator; to be equal with Jesus, the Christ; to be equal with the Holy Spirit, our Advocate. I struggle with the way we pick and choose what we think is important. I struggle with the way we use the Bible to promote our own viewpoints and agendas. (guilty) I struggle with the way we have turned God's word into a book of do's and don'ts. I struggle with the way we want to knock people upside the head with God's book instead of inviting them to enter this Kingdom of Love and Grace which Jesus revealed to us.
A phrase I hear quoted frequently when a difficult situation or issue arises is, "Well, what does the Bible say?" or "The Bible says...." This is a great starting place.
Yet additionally, when issues and moral questions come up, is it unreasonable, inappropriate, and unChrist-like to ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit as well as look at the scriptures? Shouldn't we be asking how the greatest command of 'loving God and loving neighbor' fits into situations? Isn't "what would Jesus do?" trite though it sounds, the ultimate question? Shouldn't we be engaging with our brothers and sisters in conversation about what the Holy Spirit is saying? Aren't we to leave judgment to the Divine?
Yet additionally, when issues and moral questions come up, is it unreasonable, inappropriate, and unChrist-like to ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit as well as look at the scriptures? Shouldn't we be asking how the greatest command of 'loving God and loving neighbor' fits into situations? Isn't "what would Jesus do?" trite though it sounds, the ultimate question? Shouldn't we be engaging with our brothers and sisters in conversation about what the Holy Spirit is saying? Aren't we to leave judgment to the Divine?
We like things spelled out and clear. Messiness creates a desire to break out the Lysol and scrub brush. Here's a messy chart that is incomplete but since we like charts and graphs, I thought I would include one.
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Perhaps issues aren't black and white; they may not even be grey. If we have to choose a color, perhaps its just white because isn't the book ultimately about the good news of GRACE? Isn't that what Jesus was about?
I will keep wrestling and probably finding more questions than answers. Let's keep talking. Yep, messy.
On the church calendar, this Sunday is deemed, "Christ the King Sunday," and Brother Mick's message from Colossians 1:11-20 is entitled, "The Linchpin." Mick says in his pre-sermon notes, "Rejoicing in the primacy of Christ will be the overarching theme of my comments for this week." AMEN!
This week I finally got over to meet Adelyn Shay. :) She's so beautiful! Having the opportunity to burp her, I recalled how Grandma Moser instructed the holding up of the left arm for more effective eructation. :) Young parents, take note! ha!
Blessings to Rachel and Marcus as they get married this weekend! Whoo Hoo!
So many people around the world are suffering from natural disasters, war, and disease.Please join me in continuing to pray for the hurting and for those who are offering assistance. Nate's marine unit is involved with bringing relief to the Philippines. I suspect many of my friends and relatives in Central Illinois are involved in efforts to bring relief to those whose lives have been seriously affected by tornadoes. Praying for strength, courage, and hope whether you're in Illinois, Sardinia, Syria, the Philippines, Egypt, or Pennsylvania.
Be sure to check out the bulletin for the many goings on and announcements! http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/current.pdf
Next week there will be no communique. Happy Thanksgiving!
Prayer for today: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. Be still, and know that I am God.
Thank you, Gentle God, for your love that is ever present. Thank you, Gracious God, that you care more about us than "issues." Some of us are grieving loss; some of us are in pain; some of us are caught up in our studies; some of us are struggling to survive--whatever our life situation is, Lord, reveal yourself to us that we may not lose hope. Grant us strength and courage for the facing of this day. Fill us with joy that is from you in spite of challenging circumstances. Come Kingdom of God. Be done, will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN.
Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!
On the church calendar, this Sunday is deemed, "Christ the King Sunday," and Brother Mick's message from Colossians 1:11-20 is entitled, "The Linchpin." Mick says in his pre-sermon notes, "Rejoicing in the primacy of Christ will be the overarching theme of my comments for this week." AMEN!
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| Grandma M with my niece |
Blessings to Rachel and Marcus as they get married this weekend! Whoo Hoo!
So many people around the world are suffering from natural disasters, war, and disease.Please join me in continuing to pray for the hurting and for those who are offering assistance. Nate's marine unit is involved with bringing relief to the Philippines. I suspect many of my friends and relatives in Central Illinois are involved in efforts to bring relief to those whose lives have been seriously affected by tornadoes. Praying for strength, courage, and hope whether you're in Illinois, Sardinia, Syria, the Philippines, Egypt, or Pennsylvania.
Be sure to check out the bulletin for the many goings on and announcements! http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/bulletins/current.pdf
Next week there will be no communique. Happy Thanksgiving!
Prayer for today: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. Be still, and know that I am God.
Thank you, Gentle God, for your love that is ever present. Thank you, Gracious God, that you care more about us than "issues." Some of us are grieving loss; some of us are in pain; some of us are caught up in our studies; some of us are struggling to survive--whatever our life situation is, Lord, reveal yourself to us that we may not lose hope. Grant us strength and courage for the facing of this day. Fill us with joy that is from you in spite of challenging circumstances. Come Kingdom of God. Be done, will of God, here on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN.
Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!
Love and Light,
Carol
Carol
"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd
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