I read a comment on another blog that has finally pushed me to post this. I think that this is something that happens more often than we realize. I think when we are struggling with a verse in the bible we need to ask ourselves why we are struggling with it. Is it because the bible is unclear or because we want to make it say what we want it to.
I think that it is a VERY valuable thing to take an opportunity to worship and be a part of a work outside of the USA bubble. Why?? Because it is eye opening. It helps you to see all of the traditions that the church has taken on. When you worship with those who have built a church around the bible and without any preconceived notions of what a Church should be, it truly does shed a new light on things.
We can also learn from the lost. They can often shed a new and fresh light on things in the bible. It is amazing to me how influential traditions can be.
A few specifics:
I have a friend who is not a Christian but is right in alot of things when it comes to the bible. One of those things is prayer. As a church they are very devoted to prayer. When a person is struggling spiritually or physically they often will ask to meet with others to pray together. They fast and pray for one another because their love is that strong. It's not done to be seen, it's not something that they broadcast, it is something that they do because it is what they think that God wants from them. I know that I could sure do better in this area. As Christians are we afraid to take an hour out of our day to pray for someone who is struggling? Does it seem a bit extreem? Yeah, it does to me, but why?? In reality it's probably because it's not what I'm used to.
Another thing that I've been pondering as the holiday approach is Christmas. Alot of people who were converted from catholicism see this as a black and white issue. They feel that it is wrong to celebrate Christmas in any way. I keep asking myself is this an issue that is gray because it is not something that I really want to put my foot down about? I know in the Church in Belize Christmas is looked upon as something that is wrong to celebrate in any way. The biggest question I have is in the name, we use Christ's name so flippantly in that word. I would just love to hear some input on this topic because it is something that we go back and forth on alot.
I would also love to hear about some lessons that you have learned from those that do things differently.
Good post, Shanda. You are right that many things do come down to tradition. As for the Christmas issue, that one is very controversial. But Christ is not divided, and He does not want us to be controversial. Romans 14 describes how to handle this, the best. Be careful to understand the wording... it is not saying to accept the one who is weak in THE FAITH. It is saying, weak IN FAITH, which is talking about being weak in confidence (faith) that something is right before God. I found that when I worshiped with those coming out of Catholicism, they were convinced it was wrong, and many foreign countries ARE influenced by the one who brings the Word to them, so one can not assume that it is just "clear" that it is wrong, and that is why they don't. However, we need to look carefully at the Scriptures and the traditions of men before we condemn something. I do believe that the origin of Christmas had some wrong practices, and I respect those who hold the position that it is wrong. They must follow their consciences. However, Many things had a bad origin that are no longer bad. For instance, wearing cosmetics used to mean you were a harlot. Many young men wouldn't date a girl who wore makeup, because only the "loose girls" or movie actresses (who had bad reputations) wore it. We can clearly see that wearing cosmetics has come a long way from its origin. I think we would all agree that Christmas has done the same. Celebrating it as a religious holiday as Christ's birth WOULD be like offering strange fire before the Lord. However, if it is a day of tradion, of giving, of special time spent with family, which is all it is to MOST people, there is nothing wrong with that.
Whatever causes your brother to stumble, however, is NEVER worth it, so if doing so would cause your brother to stumble (not to be personally insulted - the Bible says STUMBLE) then you must not do it. (vs 15 of Romans 14 says "For if becasue of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.) Our brothers who believe it is wrong need to be careful as well. Vs. 16 shows the responsibility they must have... Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil." They need to respect your "freedom" in this as well. The one who is not sure, the Bible addresses in vs. 22 "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin."
vs 6 says "He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat and gives thanks to God. NASB
As for praying, your friend is right on that issue, and we as Christians definitely do not take enough time to pray. The problem with why many Christians don't, I believe, comes down to not really believing the words of Jesus, in passages like John 14:14,15:7,16,James 1:5. We always want to explain away these passages because it doesn't always happen. What about James 1:6 and 7? Or Matthew 17:20? I John 3:22 My guess is that the true problem is that our faith is too small. I John 5:14 and 15 are my favorite. We can KNOW that we have the requests. Then we are to pray as if we have already received it! Mark 11:23-24. We do have to watch our motive(James 4:3 - God will not grant us something evil), but other than that, we CAN have confidence!
I will give my point of view about Christmas: My family was Catholic until I was around 8 yrs. old then we left that and started worshipping with the bretheren in Lincoln and my parents were baptized like a year later so I have been around Christians since about 8 1/2 yrs. old. We stopped celebrating the holiday completely after a couple of years so say I was 10 when we stopped. So basically I say I grew up not celebrating it. When I got married I had a decision to make bc my husband's family very much so celebrates the holiday. I personally tried to and it bothers me way too much. I think sometimes we forget that a lot of people still do celebrate it as Jesus' birth and that is the reason for the holiday otherwise it would just be a regular day. Whether people personally celebrate it as his birth is not an issue for me bc I cannot seperate the reason for the day and why I might be celebrating it personally while I know others ARE celebrating it as Christs' birth. My husband has been very supportive with this decision so we do not celebrate it but his family still does so he feels bad not giving them gifts bc he wants to show his love for them that way so we give all of our family gifts on Thanksgiving which we see as way more appropriate anyway bc we are thankful for them. I just feel like when people say they do all of the tradition aspects of Christmas but say they are not celebrating it as Christ's birth is like going to someone's birthday party and saying I am just here to give gifts, eat food, and spend time with everyone but I will not acknowledge that it's so and so's birthday...that just seems impossible to me!
Christmas is so Romans 14-applicable it's not even funny. If you celebrate, fine. If you do not for conscience's sake, fine. I see a problem when either side begins to condemn the other as being wrong.
We could all just celebrate Hannukah like Jesus did (John 10:22ff)! :)
The word is definitly unfortunate (CHristmas), but do you throw the baby out with the bathwater? In other words, consider your heart. I love the holidays for giving to others especially those less fortunate. Out daughter-in-law in Mexico is using the holiday spirit as a time to give to those in need there. Different families are taking a needy family and helping them. Of course, we should be in the habit of using any and every opportunity for doing good, any day or any tim...so why exclude the holidays. That doesn't seem right. BUT we are to be good stewards of what we have and if we overindulge our children or ourselves, then that is wrong. We use to have our boys help us deliver gifts to the needy, even help prepare them. It is a fond memory of our family. For some, we were the only ones who thought of them. It is important to seek out those who need a bit of cheer and happy thoughtfulness. It can be an opportunity to do good.....so I agree with Curlie in the blog above.
Shanda, I really appreciate your thoughts on prayer and fasting. One of my childhood memories is of my Dad fasting when elders were appointed or there was a serious decision to be made. Once I asked a group of women to fast for a sister in Scotland who had cancer. NO ONE was willing to do it with me. That hurt me so much to see people who supposedly were considered strong and spiritually-minded so unwilling to give up eating for just a day or two. I remember the awkward silence when I suggested the idea. We've lived abroad and visited Mexico to see our kids and I love seeing how others worship. It is eye-opening and I always feel uplifted. In the scriptues Jesus talks so much about giving to the poor. That is another scripture I feel we neglect. Thanks for the good blog. Love to you.
I am not trying to be controversial here, because it is very true what curlie said about neither side should condemn the other. However, I would like to point out that while Christmas is still celebrated as Jesus' birth by some, so are cosmetic worn by some harlots and movie actresses. However, in the case of both, that is not all it means anymore. Both of these things mean different things to different people, and so we need to be careful when saying that just because some people that do certain things do them the wrong way or for the wrong motives, etc., it is across the board wrong for all. That is all I was trying to say with that. BOTH sides of the argument, obeying Romans 14 in loving the brother who takes the opposite view, realizing that both are right in God's eyes, is an important thing to grasp
Wednesday I took the boys rollerskating, it was great because we practically had the rink to ourselves. Seth made considerable proggress, and we all had fun.
The boys had a blast yesterday, and had plenty to eat. My brother brought his WII dance game so we could all work off our turkey. It was really pretty comical to watch. They were amazed at how well Seth did. Seth always enjoys playing with my little cousins and Josiah's favorite part was the turkey :)
I got up this morning and went shopping, grabbed a few good deals and then came home. Now I'm off to clean my house.
Hard to believe that 2008 is almost over. The older the boys get the faster time seems to go.
I'm feeling like a bit of a grinch this year. Honestly, I'm dreading the holidays. Trying to come up with food that the boys can eat for thanksgiving is totally stressing me. I'm really ready to tell my family that we are going to have our own Thanksgiving at our house, and our home is open to anyone that wishes to visit. Hey, that idea is sounding better and better.
I'm in a big crunch to get our guest room painted and the flooring done, because Seth and I's allergies are driving us batty (quite litterally I fear :) I have to finish the guest room so I can move the boys in there and paint and redo the flooring in their room, then Kyle and I will move to the guest room so we can do our room. UGH!!! It makes me tired just thinking about it all.
So, I was laying in my pathetic allergy ridden, PJ donning, state, on the couch, when I get a knock at the door. It always seems to happen that way. The sink is full of dishes, I'm in my Pjs being outright lazy, and somebody stops. Oh well, thankfully it was a friend that has seen my house messy many times before. Nothing like a good chat to motivate me to productivity :) I'm so thankful for friends that stop by for a chat, and don't care what I or my house looks like!!
Do you get paint suitable for people with allergies? Home Depot and Sherman Williams and others have paints that are much safer and non toxic. Check them out if you haven't. Local honey also provides pollen from your local plants andhelps provide an immunity. Talk to someone at your best health food store. They give great advice--better than Drs. in my opinion. We have Thanksgiving here and invite anyone who doesn't have a place to go or who is alone. It makes for a wonderful Thanksgiving...but alot of work! :)
Where are you going for Thanksgiving? We will, Lord willing, be oing to Kris and Greg's. Rice and Beans, corn bread stuffing, fruit salad, your famous boneless chicken breasts cooked in butter... Their own special turkey shaped cake. I have a delicious cinnamon cake recipe if you want it. Dad likes it better than their flour cake. It has apples in it. Getting hungry.... Remember its the people not the food.... the memories the children are creating
A few days ago Josiah came home and said, "Mama, would you please not call me baby anymore." So of course I reluctantly agreed.
Then yesterday he says, "Mama, I decided that if you want to call me baby, it's okay."
Later that day I overhear Josiah talking to Seth and he says, "Seth, you can call me baby, Mama calls me baby cause I'm CUTE."
Yikes!!!
I really don't remember ever telling him that but it is possible
With a whole lot of help. We are moved in, and can finally manuever easily around the boxes.
The boys are enjoying their huge "sandbox" in our new yard(it's actually a spot where there used to be a swimming pool). What a mess! I don't know why anybody would want a sandbox in their yard. The boys come in covered in sand, you would think that they were rolling in the stuff.
I must say that I am enjoying the convenience of living in town alot more than I thought I would.
I must cut this short.
I hope all of you local people are enjoying the last few warm days of the year :)
