Christian? Yes, Perfect? NO!!
Yesterday I went to church and got a good scolding. I felt so bad and guilty that I found myself fighting back the tears the entire hour.
Your turn:
Why? What on Earth did your pastor say? This is why I don't go to church...they just make you feel so guilty!
Now me:
No, no...it's not like that. Pastor actually talked about how we are a nation of over scheduled families and how we need to drop a few things, even if they are good things, in order to focus on Christ again. He mentioned a small town (25 thousand) haha... that went as far as to form committees to plan a night off. No sports, no music lessons, no dance recitals...etc. Sounds GREAT! We are falling into the trap of doing too much. I even have a book at home called, The book for people who do too much. It certainly is a growing problem. But what pastor wanted to focus on was how should we spend that time when we finally get it?
Points of scripture- Exodus 18:1-27.
I fear God. I ask for His forgiveness. I seem to need it often.
I can count on my two hands the number of times I have sat in Church since the start of summer. I just haven't wanted to go. I tell myself- I'm really busy, I could go next week...and certainly I was busy. I told myself that God is still with me and that I don't have to be attending Church to worship Him...and certainly I don't.
So why the feelings of guilt?
Simple. I let God slip into the backseat of my life. Even though I prayed, praised and do love God with all my heart...it wasn't enough. It wasn't ALL of me. I can't explain very well what happens when I sit in that Church, but I need it. I miss it. I see things clearer. I wasn't putting God first. He was somewhere down the list...#3, I think.
That doesn't work.
I fall apart.
I slowly, so very slowly, begin to think I have a better plan for this house, my story, my life. I take it all back, piece by tiny piece. The weight is more than I can stand.
Right now Lord, I give it back to you. Forgive me for thinking it was my own. If you were a selfish God and only wanted us around to tell you how great you are, then you wouldn't have come. You wouldn't have suffered. You wouldn't have needed to know death and pain. You took my punishment, the death I earned, and I will glorify your name in the Heavens and on the Earth!!!
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes in all things, hopes in all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 14: 4-7 new revised standard version
posted by Kathy at 10:27 AM
7 Comments:
So, are you going to become a Pastor?
11:44 AM
No, why do you ask that?
If I thought God wanted me to become a pastor, then yes, I would do that. Right now I feel like a pin ball that sometimes gets stuck in the corner.
1:03 PM
I just ask because it sounds like you're willing to put everything else aside to pay some attention to ol' God.
Now, you know where I stand with the whole religion thing, but even so I don't think he (or she) is that big of an attention-seeker.
It sort of defeats the purpose. He creates all of us so that we just put everything else to worship and pay attention to him?
Sorry. Not trying to ruffle feathers. Just trying to understand. To me it seems strange to live in fear and complete obedience of something we never see or know much about.
1:29 PM
"He creates all of us so that we just put everything else to worship and pay attention to him?"
yes and no...uh, sort of. He doesn't ask us to give up everything in our lives. On the contrary He cares just as much about every little detail.
There is a perfect order to things. We messed that order up. When God is center, number 1, there is balance and peace that you will never know unless you are willing to trust Him.
Don't you know more about life than your son? If he would just listen to you, wouldn't he be able to avoid some heartaches or fears? (That's when he's old enough, of course). Someday he will be standing at the side of a pool and you will be in the water. You will say, "Jump little djs, daddy will catch you." But maybe he won't believe you. Maybe he won't trust you. Maybe he will think he can do it himself- without you. Fear = respect. Fear the water because it can kill you, but joyous too in summer and drink for survival.
If we follow Christ and do what he has commanded...there is so much joy. I know because when I'm right with God, it is there! When I become arrogent, I feel lost and wonder, where is He, where did he go? But he didn't move...I did.
DJ- I do know where you stand and that's fine. We are to glorify God, but not for the arrogent reasons you associate it with. God is Love (in the purest form)...I'm sure you've heard that before. It's repeated throughout the Bible. The greatest is love.
Read the scripture in my post again...
BTW- I'm glad your back. Nice to have you around again. *smile*
4:00 PM
Hi Kathy-don't be too hard on yourself-none of us 'measure up' but God has more use for a Christian who recognises their weakness and leans on Him than a proud one who thinks they are perfect. God humbles us, for our own good, and for His glory, and works in our lives to our betterment. Have a good day, Kathy-it's just one more Gift from our Father.
9:09 AM
So true Doug- SO*VERY*TRUE*
Thanks :)
9:37 AM
Hi Kathy:
Love this article. I used to be known as the lady who cries at every service. God really works on our hearts sometimes. Yours is pliable, and that is what God needs to change us.
God bless your day, Kathy.
le
And that is a funny pic!
1:23 PM
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