- ...that this is not all there is. Isaiah 65:17-25
- ...for trials that keep me dependent upon the LORD. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
- ...for a Savior who searches and knows me for what I really am...and loves me anyway. Psalm 139:23; Romans 5:8
- ...that He is slow to anger. Psalm 103:8
- ...that He is beyond my highest thought. Job 37:5
- ...that He gave up everything, so that I could have eternity with Him. Philippians 2:6-8; John 3:16
- ...that He does not need anything from me, and even my service (pathetic as it may be) is a grace from Him. Acts 17:24, 25; John1:16
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thankful...
Monday, November 23, 2009
Communion Confession
Like I have nearly a dozen times before, I sit here struggling with the dilemma of whether to write this post or not. It relates to a thought that even I find offensive, and I'm the one thinking it. Which means that others will certainly view it that way as well. I'm going to write it anyway.
From the time I was nine years old I have been participating in the Lord's Supper with other followers of Christ. For better, or worse, I have always attended a Baptist church. I tell you this not because I think that Baptists are more "right" or better than other Protestant religions, but because it colors my understanding of Communion in a certain way.
While some churches celebrate the Lord's Supper on the first Sunday of each month (or some other variation), the congregation that I am part of now makes it part of the worship service each week; a practice which, incidentally, I enjoy.
Except that this continual practice keeps this uncomfortable thought in my mind almost constantly. However, it was only recently that I came to realize that, unpleasant as it may be, it is true.
Each time we take the bread, or the cup and read the words "This is my body" or "This is my blood" and are commanded to eat or drink, I cannot help but think that it smacks of cannibalism.
Did I say that out loud? I warned you that it was offensive. But please don't stop reading now. If you do, you'll leave with the same terrible thought on your mind that I had for years.
When any human being consumes another human being, there is nothing else to call it but cannibalism. But there is more than one reason for such a practice. The one that jumps to the forefront is the cultural participation of a spiritistic or animistic society. Cannibalism as part of a pagan religion is horrifying. Mental or social deviancy would be another, equally repulsive reason.
The third reason for such an act is absolute desperation. Impending death can make even the mildest person do unbelievable things. The rugby team on flight 571 back in the early 70's comes to mind. Faced with such a dire circumstance, we look on them not in disgust but with pity.
And is that not the exact situation we find ourselves in? We are all dying in trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1) with no hope of saving ourselves. Actually, according to the verse, we are already dead; not just dying. A dead man can do nothing for himself. The blood of Christ, shed in our place, is our only hope of rescue. Faced with impending eternal death, we come in absolute desperation and accept what he freely offers. There is no way around it.
The Communion table itself is not what saves. It is merely the reminder of what has already taken place. We come each week and remember how utterly without hope we were and fling ourselves anew on the grace of the Cross. We relish the memory of Christ's sacrifice because it means life for us.
Being humbled in such a way is offensive to our human pride. It is insulting to think that we could not have come up with a better way to secure our salvation. Romans 9:33 describes Christ as " a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense" but goes on to say "and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." Partaking of the new covenant in his blood will not be what condemns us. It is what saves us. Even if that is a tough bit to swallow.
From the time I was nine years old I have been participating in the Lord's Supper with other followers of Christ. For better, or worse, I have always attended a Baptist church. I tell you this not because I think that Baptists are more "right" or better than other Protestant religions, but because it colors my understanding of Communion in a certain way.While some churches celebrate the Lord's Supper on the first Sunday of each month (or some other variation), the congregation that I am part of now makes it part of the worship service each week; a practice which, incidentally, I enjoy.
Except that this continual practice keeps this uncomfortable thought in my mind almost constantly. However, it was only recently that I came to realize that, unpleasant as it may be, it is true.
Each time we take the bread, or the cup and read the words "This is my body" or "This is my blood" and are commanded to eat or drink, I cannot help but think that it smacks of cannibalism.
Did I say that out loud? I warned you that it was offensive. But please don't stop reading now. If you do, you'll leave with the same terrible thought on your mind that I had for years.
When any human being consumes another human being, there is nothing else to call it but cannibalism. But there is more than one reason for such a practice. The one that jumps to the forefront is the cultural participation of a spiritistic or animistic society. Cannibalism as part of a pagan religion is horrifying. Mental or social deviancy would be another, equally repulsive reason.
The third reason for such an act is absolute desperation. Impending death can make even the mildest person do unbelievable things. The rugby team on flight 571 back in the early 70's comes to mind. Faced with such a dire circumstance, we look on them not in disgust but with pity.
And is that not the exact situation we find ourselves in? We are all dying in trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1) with no hope of saving ourselves. Actually, according to the verse, we are already dead; not just dying. A dead man can do nothing for himself. The blood of Christ, shed in our place, is our only hope of rescue. Faced with impending eternal death, we come in absolute desperation and accept what he freely offers. There is no way around it.
The Communion table itself is not what saves. It is merely the reminder of what has already taken place. We come each week and remember how utterly without hope we were and fling ourselves anew on the grace of the Cross. We relish the memory of Christ's sacrifice because it means life for us.
Being humbled in such a way is offensive to our human pride. It is insulting to think that we could not have come up with a better way to secure our salvation. Romans 9:33 describes Christ as " a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense" but goes on to say "and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." Partaking of the new covenant in his blood will not be what condemns us. It is what saves us. Even if that is a tough bit to swallow.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Head Slap
There is a new movie set to be released on Friday. Maybe you've heard of it. 2012.
I have just one thing to say about this film. It's Fiction, Folks. Some of you are getting way to worked up about this.
Seriously, we're supposed to believe that the Mayans foretold of some global disaster in our time, but couldn't predict the obliteration of their own culture?
And for those of you who are trying to cram this Mayan prophecy into the book of Revelations, shame on you. When has the Sovereign Creator ever been bound by something that ancient pagans scratched into a rock?
So by all means, go and enjoy the movie. Get chills at the special effects. Eat your popcorn and come home and sleep soundly. But don't make me come slap you.
I have just one thing to say about this film. It's Fiction, Folks. Some of you are getting way to worked up about this.
Seriously, we're supposed to believe that the Mayans foretold of some global disaster in our time, but couldn't predict the obliteration of their own culture?
And for those of you who are trying to cram this Mayan prophecy into the book of Revelations, shame on you. When has the Sovereign Creator ever been bound by something that ancient pagans scratched into a rock?
So by all means, go and enjoy the movie. Get chills at the special effects. Eat your popcorn and come home and sleep soundly. But don't make me come slap you.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thirteen Years
Over the last thirteen years of marriage, we have experienced a little of everything represented in our wedding vows: better, worse, richer, poorer, sickness (lots of sickness) and health. Of course everyone enjoys the pleasurable seasons of life, but I can honestly say that it is because of the hard times that I feel secure in my relationship with my husband. If he can love me when the money isn't there, or we are separated for months by an agonizing hospital vigil, or when both of us are snarky because of never ending pain, then I'm pretty sure that he will love me when life is comfortable. That is only possible because of the Grace of our loving Savior. I married a sinner. And let me tell you, Chad married a willful, stubborn, prideful (ad infinitum) creature. We have been redeemed by grace. We live together by grace. And we look forward to the hope of perfect fellowship through our LORD...by grace.
Listen to Our Song.
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