Easter marks the twelve-month point in what has been undoubtedly the toughest year that I've ever experienced. I woke early this morning, around 4:00 am, and wasn't able to return to sleep. I've been pondering the last twelve-months and marveling at God's love and mercy. . .entirely appropriate for the day that my Lord was risen.
What a difference a year makes. I reviewed my blog posts from a year ago to refresh my memory on where things were when things began to go so horribly wrong. With God's amazing love, restoration was possible.
If you've read this blog for the last year, you already know the complete and utter heartbreak that has befallen my family and I don't care to rehash the dark days surrounding the death of my brother or my baby. I commented to my husband the other day that it's nothing short of a miracle that the last six months haven't resulted in me experiencing a nervous breakdown. Knowing my own natural propensity toward simple melancholy and outright depression, I fully believe that supplication and intercessory prayer is what kept me together; God's love and mercy is what kept my family from suffering any further.
I've learned that God has further worked to heal another hurt in my heart. . .one that I don't care to discuss at this moment. I have so much that I really want to say, but I'm uncharacteristically going to hold my tongue. Instead I'll leave you with a simple:
Happy Easter. . .He is Risen.
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christianity. Show all posts
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Conviction is Good
I'm not all that well-versed in religious matters, but I'm forever amazed at God's timing and His love.
My church offers The Lord's Supper (Communion) only a few times each year. My pastor's feeling is that doing it rarely, like a quarterly basis, emphasizes that it is a sacred thing. I agree that it is sacred and should be treated as such. I think that, more important than treating the act with reverence, is the condition of the heart in those who choose to partake. That's where this blog post was born, but more on that later.
For those of you who don't know, The Lord's Supper (also called Communion) is the act in which the congregation mimics the final meal that Jesus shared with His disciples on the eve of His sacrifice. We share bread, crackers, or wafers (depends on the church) as a symbol of His body. . .the body that was broken for our sins. We also share wine or juice (again, depends on the church) as a symbol of his blood. . .the blood that was spilled as a once-and-forever sacrifice to lift away our sins and reconcile us to God.
I won't even begin to try to tackle whether the bread is the actual body of Christ or whether the wine is the actual blood of Christ because I don't want to start a Holy War. Different denominations believe different things on that matter. Let's just let that discussion lie while we move right along, shall we?
The Lord's Supper was offered at my church yesterday and I felt bothered when I noticed the platters of broken matzoh and the communion cups of grape juice. I was surprised at my negative response because that had never happened to me before. I actually wanted to leave the sanctuary and excuse myself from the entire service.
My pastor explained the history of this act and the reason why Christians do this in remembrance of Him. He also included some verses that helped enlighten me. Specifically, he spoke about unconfessed sin as it relates to the condition of the heart.
Then it hit me. I didn't want to cast a light on my heart. I didn't want to do any reflection or confession.
Why? Because I wanted to cling to the sins that had taken up residence in my heart and that's why I was bothered at the notion of participating in The Lord's Supper. I knew that I should not partake if I was still willfully holding those sins and I understand the importance of asking God's forgiveness for any and ALL unconfessed sins. It only hit me yesterday morning that I had a lot of unconfessed sin in my heart.
Sure, sins of the heart might seem like lesser sins than sins of the flesh, but the Bible is very clear on this: sin is sin is sin. Sins of the heart are weighted as heavily as sins of the flesh. Both are sins and both need to be confessed.
For various reasons (travel, illness, nursery duty), I've been away from church for a few weeks. It seems like an odd coincidence that my first week back to church is a service built around The Lord's Supper and the need to sweep sin from your heart. But is it all that odd? No, not really. . .it's just God's perfect timing at work.
I needed to be reminded that the smallest bit of sin in the heart can spread and grow if left unchecked. I needed to confess and turn away from that sin that had taken up residence in my heart. God, in His perfect love, gave me the conviction that I needed and I needed that conviction to get right with Him.
It's been a rough several months for me. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The other two are directly impacted by my spiritual health. When my spirit is nourished, my emotions are positive. And, when I feel good in my mind, my body follows.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I had been feeling spiritually barren for several weeks. Not neglected or unloved by God. . .almost the opposite. I felt more like a snotty teenager who doesn't want to do what their loving parents say is the right thing to do. My spiritual drought allowed me to ignore what I know was right and contemplate whatever the heck I wanted. Naturally, that lead to further feelings of separation and spiritual dryness. It quickly became a never-ending cycle that repeated over and over and over again.
Christians, is there something weighing heavily on your heart today? Don't try to deal with it alone or give in to spiritual chaos. Take it to God and feel at peace once again.
My church offers The Lord's Supper (Communion) only a few times each year. My pastor's feeling is that doing it rarely, like a quarterly basis, emphasizes that it is a sacred thing. I agree that it is sacred and should be treated as such. I think that, more important than treating the act with reverence, is the condition of the heart in those who choose to partake. That's where this blog post was born, but more on that later.
For those of you who don't know, The Lord's Supper (also called Communion) is the act in which the congregation mimics the final meal that Jesus shared with His disciples on the eve of His sacrifice. We share bread, crackers, or wafers (depends on the church) as a symbol of His body. . .the body that was broken for our sins. We also share wine or juice (again, depends on the church) as a symbol of his blood. . .the blood that was spilled as a once-and-forever sacrifice to lift away our sins and reconcile us to God.
I won't even begin to try to tackle whether the bread is the actual body of Christ or whether the wine is the actual blood of Christ because I don't want to start a Holy War. Different denominations believe different things on that matter. Let's just let that discussion lie while we move right along, shall we?
The Lord's Supper was offered at my church yesterday and I felt bothered when I noticed the platters of broken matzoh and the communion cups of grape juice. I was surprised at my negative response because that had never happened to me before. I actually wanted to leave the sanctuary and excuse myself from the entire service.
My pastor explained the history of this act and the reason why Christians do this in remembrance of Him. He also included some verses that helped enlighten me. Specifically, he spoke about unconfessed sin as it relates to the condition of the heart.
Then it hit me. I didn't want to cast a light on my heart. I didn't want to do any reflection or confession.
Why? Because I wanted to cling to the sins that had taken up residence in my heart and that's why I was bothered at the notion of participating in The Lord's Supper. I knew that I should not partake if I was still willfully holding those sins and I understand the importance of asking God's forgiveness for any and ALL unconfessed sins. It only hit me yesterday morning that I had a lot of unconfessed sin in my heart.
Sure, sins of the heart might seem like lesser sins than sins of the flesh, but the Bible is very clear on this: sin is sin is sin. Sins of the heart are weighted as heavily as sins of the flesh. Both are sins and both need to be confessed.
For various reasons (travel, illness, nursery duty), I've been away from church for a few weeks. It seems like an odd coincidence that my first week back to church is a service built around The Lord's Supper and the need to sweep sin from your heart. But is it all that odd? No, not really. . .it's just God's perfect timing at work.
I needed to be reminded that the smallest bit of sin in the heart can spread and grow if left unchecked. I needed to confess and turn away from that sin that had taken up residence in my heart. God, in His perfect love, gave me the conviction that I needed and I needed that conviction to get right with Him.
It's been a rough several months for me. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. The other two are directly impacted by my spiritual health. When my spirit is nourished, my emotions are positive. And, when I feel good in my mind, my body follows.
I'm embarrassed to admit that I had been feeling spiritually barren for several weeks. Not neglected or unloved by God. . .almost the opposite. I felt more like a snotty teenager who doesn't want to do what their loving parents say is the right thing to do. My spiritual drought allowed me to ignore what I know was right and contemplate whatever the heck I wanted. Naturally, that lead to further feelings of separation and spiritual dryness. It quickly became a never-ending cycle that repeated over and over and over again.
Christians, is there something weighing heavily on your heart today? Don't try to deal with it alone or give in to spiritual chaos. Take it to God and feel at peace once again.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
My Favorite Religious Christmas Carols
As is typical on days that my energy is drained, here's a list of favorites. This time it's my favorite religious Christmas Carols. Did your favorite make my list?
O Holy Night - This might sound pretentious, but I like Luciano Pavarotti's rendition above all others.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen -I'm partial to Nat King Cole's version.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - I really like the way my church's praise band does this song; it actually gives me chills.
What Child Is This? - The melody is "Greensleeves" and it's very recognizable.
Angels We Have Heard On High - Don't think you know this song? Here, let me refresh your memory with the most well-known part of the song: Glororororororororororororia In excelsis Deo (repeat)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! - What Christian can possibly argue with this part: "Born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth."
Go Tell It On the Mountain - Every gospel choir I've ever heard just knocks this one out of the park.
O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) - Yes, I like it in either English or Latin.
Do You Hear What I Hear - At the risk of sounding like a total puss, I usually tear up at not one, but two parts of this song.
Joy to the World - An unabashedly upbeat and happy song proclaiming the Savior's birth.
Silent Night - The peaceful image of a mother snuggling with her tiny infant. . .every mother can relate to this touching thought.
O Holy Night - This might sound pretentious, but I like Luciano Pavarotti's rendition above all others.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen -I'm partial to Nat King Cole's version.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - I really like the way my church's praise band does this song; it actually gives me chills.
What Child Is This? - The melody is "Greensleeves" and it's very recognizable.
Angels We Have Heard On High - Don't think you know this song? Here, let me refresh your memory with the most well-known part of the song: Glororororororororororororia In excelsis Deo (repeat)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! - What Christian can possibly argue with this part: "Born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth."
Go Tell It On the Mountain - Every gospel choir I've ever heard just knocks this one out of the park.
O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) - Yes, I like it in either English or Latin.
Do You Hear What I Hear - At the risk of sounding like a total puss, I usually tear up at not one, but two parts of this song.
Joy to the World - An unabashedly upbeat and happy song proclaiming the Savior's birth.
Silent Night - The peaceful image of a mother snuggling with her tiny infant. . .every mother can relate to this touching thought.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
How Do You Know That You're Going to Heaven?
Here's a fitting post for a Sunday. You may not have attended a sermon this morning, but I'm preachin' it tonight!
Though I realize that they don't truly depict an accurate picture, I like reading statistics. I know that data can be manipulated to support nearly anything. I know that questions can be worded in such a way to yield the desired outcome. And I know what Mark Twain thought about them. But, whatever, I like statistics.
I read one that surprised me today. I don't recall the exact number, but the stat basically stated that an overwhelming majority (well over 70%) of Americans consider themselves Christians. I marvel at this information and I'm nearly certain that this number is ridiculously high. Call my a cynic, but I don't think that most people even know what being a "Christian" means. In my experience, most people can't even explain the basics of the religion.
Think I'm kidding? Ask a self-professed Christian how they know that they're going to Heaven and see for yourself. When I've done so, I've received some shocking answers. These answers are particularly found in non-churched Christians, but I've heard the same from active church members as well.
How do they answer that they know they'll go to Heaven?
- "I've lived a good life."
- "I'm a good person."
- "I try to be a good Christian."
- "I tithe to the church."
Interestingly enough, I have rarely heard anyone mention Jesus. I've rarely heard anyone mention His work on the cross. I've rarely heard anyone just say they're going to Heaven because of their faith in Christ.
I'm going to state this plainly: Your salvation has absolutely nothing to do with you! It's not about you! You cannot buy your way into Heaven through your good deeds, your kind heart, your nice intentions, or your abundant money supply.
If you think your entrance to Heaven has anything to do with anything besides your faith and trust in Jesus, you don't understand the message of the Gospel. Salvation is the easiest thing in the world to attain because it's already done. It is finished - Jesus said it Himself. John 3:16 boils it all down in one sentence that is so simple that even a child can understand. All you have to do is accept Christ in your heart.
Prior to becoming a Christian, I would have given two of the four answers found above. I didn't convert to Christianity until I was in my mid-20s and, even after my conversion, I struggled with plain faith. I know that it's difficult for an adult to have the faith of a child, but that's really and truly all that's required. Salvation is a free gift. . .one that cost one man everything he had - his life.
So, if you identify yourself as a Christian, how do you know that you're going to Heaven???
Though I realize that they don't truly depict an accurate picture, I like reading statistics. I know that data can be manipulated to support nearly anything. I know that questions can be worded in such a way to yield the desired outcome. And I know what Mark Twain thought about them. But, whatever, I like statistics.
I read one that surprised me today. I don't recall the exact number, but the stat basically stated that an overwhelming majority (well over 70%) of Americans consider themselves Christians. I marvel at this information and I'm nearly certain that this number is ridiculously high. Call my a cynic, but I don't think that most people even know what being a "Christian" means. In my experience, most people can't even explain the basics of the religion.
Think I'm kidding? Ask a self-professed Christian how they know that they're going to Heaven and see for yourself. When I've done so, I've received some shocking answers. These answers are particularly found in non-churched Christians, but I've heard the same from active church members as well.
How do they answer that they know they'll go to Heaven?
- "I've lived a good life."
- "I'm a good person."
- "I try to be a good Christian."
- "I tithe to the church."
Interestingly enough, I have rarely heard anyone mention Jesus. I've rarely heard anyone mention His work on the cross. I've rarely heard anyone just say they're going to Heaven because of their faith in Christ.
I'm going to state this plainly: Your salvation has absolutely nothing to do with you! It's not about you! You cannot buy your way into Heaven through your good deeds, your kind heart, your nice intentions, or your abundant money supply.
If you think your entrance to Heaven has anything to do with anything besides your faith and trust in Jesus, you don't understand the message of the Gospel. Salvation is the easiest thing in the world to attain because it's already done. It is finished - Jesus said it Himself. John 3:16 boils it all down in one sentence that is so simple that even a child can understand. All you have to do is accept Christ in your heart.
Prior to becoming a Christian, I would have given two of the four answers found above. I didn't convert to Christianity until I was in my mid-20s and, even after my conversion, I struggled with plain faith. I know that it's difficult for an adult to have the faith of a child, but that's really and truly all that's required. Salvation is a free gift. . .one that cost one man everything he had - his life.
So, if you identify yourself as a Christian, how do you know that you're going to Heaven???
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