I am currently reading a book by Brennan Manning called "The Furious Longing of God." I am only about two chapters into it, but I have to tell you I am really liking it.
My relationship with the Father has been tumultuous to say the least. It has been a roller coaster that no one would want to ride. I am currently trying to get a true understanding of God. I know hte scriptures. I was a pro at Bible trivia back in the day. I know what it says. I just have a lack of understanding.
Anyone can read the Bible and interpret it. The Bible has been interpretated many times by people of the same religions. Many Christian groups read the same Bible, but have many different ways of saying the same thing.
As a Baptist I was raised that when you die, if you take the Father into your heart and ask for forgivness, you are assured a place in heaven. It is where your soul goes as soon as it leaves the body. You all know John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." But if you actually read the passage before it states, "No one has ever gone into heaven except one man who came from heaven- the Son of Man." John 3:13. Now I take this to mean that no one has ever actually been to Heaven except Jesus. That would mean that when you die you get put in a grave and there you sit waiting on the Son to return and take you to Heaven.
I kind of have an easier time believing this anyway. Jehovah's Witness' believe that you do not go to heaven when you die. They believe that during the Rapture all the souls of the Christians will inherit the earth (excpet for those that were invited into heaven.).
I have learned that in my upbringing, I was told that there was a certain way of doing things. Unfortunatly, I have decided that just because one person says it, in the name of Christ of course, does not actually make it so. I believe that you have to try to interpret things on your own. If Christ lives in you, He will show you the way. I am working on listening to the Spirit within myself to make my self a better person. I am reading some things that hopefully will lead me in the way of the Lord and not stray as I have the past decade.
I believe I have a long journey ahead of me. I will stand couragious in my Christian ways. Even though I will faulter, I will stand strong in believing that God has a plan for me. I am going to try harder to listen to it.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Different Strokes
Today I was once again bombarded with questions about faith. I was questioning myself. I feel very strongly about my views as a Christian, but I am also open to listening to other views. You never know when someone might strike something in you that makes you think.
Today I was thinking alot about deception. Most ministers will preach that deception is a sin. I believe this to be true. I also believe many people that hold themselves to be Christ-like are among to biggest deceivers. In the church they are good, wholesome Christians. They come off as perfect. But when the service is over, they return to their sinnin' ways. I always call them Sunday Morning Christians. The one's I always say have God at the dinner table, but don't invite him out with thier friends. Anyway, when the preacher says deception is a sin and the people that allow it will burn in hell, it always gets a big AMEN! But when someone calls these same people out for sinning they say they are being picked on.
I'm not saying that they shouldn't be called out. I believe that in order to repent, first one must know what they are repenting. You can't pray for someone to be freed of their sins. You have to pray with that person and help them in asking for God's forgiveness to free them. You can't pray other people into heaven. I wish you could. That would be a lot easier.
I was saved when I was about 7 and again when I was in high school. I didn't feel as though it was my idea the first time. I was raised that once you were saved you were always saved. I have asked God's forgiveness for my sins, so in his eyes I am forgiven. Whether anyone else believes it or not.
I know we are to be Christ-like and in all honesty, I think I am. I am a good person. I help those in need. I am a good mother. I don't lie. I don't cheat and I don't steal. I am respectful and I am gratful. But I am also a sinner. I sometimes let my mouth override my mind and I have days as a mother that I would really like to sell my children. But at the end of everyday, I pray for God's everlasting forgiveness again. I pray to have patience with my co-workers and children. I pray to be a better wife and a better mother. I pray for God to help me to be a better person.
I have to believe that the Sunday Morning Christians do the same thing. None of us are perfect, not even for an hour. We must all strive to be more like Christ in our actions and thoughts. Everyone has their own beliefs. As a Christian, we must try to respect each other more and share our beliefs with each other. Otherwise we are just decieving ourselves.
Today I was thinking alot about deception. Most ministers will preach that deception is a sin. I believe this to be true. I also believe many people that hold themselves to be Christ-like are among to biggest deceivers. In the church they are good, wholesome Christians. They come off as perfect. But when the service is over, they return to their sinnin' ways. I always call them Sunday Morning Christians. The one's I always say have God at the dinner table, but don't invite him out with thier friends. Anyway, when the preacher says deception is a sin and the people that allow it will burn in hell, it always gets a big AMEN! But when someone calls these same people out for sinning they say they are being picked on.
I'm not saying that they shouldn't be called out. I believe that in order to repent, first one must know what they are repenting. You can't pray for someone to be freed of their sins. You have to pray with that person and help them in asking for God's forgiveness to free them. You can't pray other people into heaven. I wish you could. That would be a lot easier.
I was saved when I was about 7 and again when I was in high school. I didn't feel as though it was my idea the first time. I was raised that once you were saved you were always saved. I have asked God's forgiveness for my sins, so in his eyes I am forgiven. Whether anyone else believes it or not.
I know we are to be Christ-like and in all honesty, I think I am. I am a good person. I help those in need. I am a good mother. I don't lie. I don't cheat and I don't steal. I am respectful and I am gratful. But I am also a sinner. I sometimes let my mouth override my mind and I have days as a mother that I would really like to sell my children. But at the end of everyday, I pray for God's everlasting forgiveness again. I pray to have patience with my co-workers and children. I pray to be a better wife and a better mother. I pray for God to help me to be a better person.
I have to believe that the Sunday Morning Christians do the same thing. None of us are perfect, not even for an hour. We must all strive to be more like Christ in our actions and thoughts. Everyone has their own beliefs. As a Christian, we must try to respect each other more and share our beliefs with each other. Otherwise we are just decieving ourselves.
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