Write Words

I am a creature of habit. I love to have a routine. It doesn't have to be the same one (in fact it's better if it's different) but I do like the feel of a good rhythm. This morning, however, my rhythm has been broken. Hormones, bad dreams, being too hot, then being too cold forced me to the couch. Then, as the alarm spoke it's ungodly message of morning, I politely dismissed it's request, passed the morning routine off to my Chris, and went back to bed.

Waking up at 8:30 a.m. instead of 6:30 a.m. my schedule is "off". I went ahead and fixed my coffee, my yogurt and grains, brought my journal and Bible to my table in my room ... and began to let my mind wander.

I read some blogs of other writers I both like and am challenged by ... turned on the "Simon Burch" soundtrack that sends me into reflective thinking ... and here I am. No Bible reading ... no journaling ... just me at the computer.

More. Ask. These two words have not been a part of my normal spiritual routine. I've asked God to bless others with more ... I've asked God to bring peace ... I've asked God to remove pain ... I've asked God to change me ... I've asked a lot ... but I haven't ... in the past .. asked God for MORE. More of what?

More of Him ... of who HE is ...
More of His Holy Spirit ... and the truth of the "secret weapon" we have in knowing Him ...
More of His provision ... and really believing that God is a loving Father who gives His kids bread - not stones!
More of Freedom ... truth brings freedom ...
More of Joy ... being giddy over what He speaks to me in my innermost parts and trusting what He says ...
More miracles ... of all kinds! ... haven't seen a bunch of fish in my fridge being used to feed 5.000 but I have seen my share of God doing the miraculous in our lives!!

So ... I'm learning to ask MORE. It is a learning curve. I have had to set aside my religious upbringing and tradition and dive right smack in the middle of the Bible to see what God wants me to ask Him for ... and it's a mind blower! I like asking for more. The more I ask ... I ask for more! I'm breaking a rhythm that has settled in my spiritual routine ... and I LIKE IT!

listening to my soundtrack ... and doing a lot of asking,
christina

Well ... I'm sitting in the same spot again this morning ... coffee ... Bible ... pen. I picked up reading where my "moment" yesterday left me ... in Joshua. And wouldn't you know it, another "moment" happened.

Joshua urges a member of his followers to fess up to a crime. It's breaking Joshua's heart ... because he knows the penalty. "My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don't hide it from me." (Joshua 7:19)

I use the New Living Translation Study Bible. In my notes (page 386-387) I read this sobering end note: "To trifle with the things belonging to God signifies rebellion against God, and such sin always bring trouble upon God's people."

Once again, my pen did some talking ... has "the church" trifled too long with things that belong to God? And if so, what is the "trouble" God has/is/will bring upon His people? I made a list:

lack of knowledge, futility, working too hard for the wrong things, bondage to systems and religion, lack of vision, lack of enthusiasm for the right things, ineffectiveness, wrong theology within, lack of real growth.

Has "the church" rebelled against God? Sounds a little ... sacrilegious. But perhaps religion is the sin. When I look at "the church" as a whole ... and perhaps I should limit my observations to what I know ... the traditional "church" in Midwest America ... I see too many programs, buildings, systems, hoops to jump through, images to maintain. However, lets not just stop at "the church". If we are to be fair in our assessment of rebellion against God, lets take a look at Christian organizations. All the labels I've licked and stamped on "the church" could be licked and stamped on them as well.

When I contrast "the church" in the book of Acts to that of 2014 ... at its' beginning ... its' very core ... was growth, enthusiasm, adventure, power, accountability and passion to carry a life changing message to others versus ... stagnation, rote, strategy for obtaining and maintaining power, theory's of accountability and tons and tons and tons of books on how to regain passion to carry a life changing message to others. Hmm.

There are churches who are emerging - praise God - to a new thing ... a new kind of experience that I believe are being born out of death of a system that has brought fear and bondage. There are followers who are passionately finding truth and embracing God for Who He says He is and rejecting all that He says He is not. Most of these kinds of folks won't be found sitting in pews. They are meeting in energetic and Spirit-filled gatherings. They are out, rubbing shoulders with their friends, living a message that has no formula. At it's center - Christ. At it's source of power - the Holy Spirit.

Let's take one more look at our friend, Joshua. He knew the penalty for this troubled follower of his - death. Yet, he begged him to confess his sin ... to get what was hidden out in the light. Church ... can we be persuaded to confess our sin ... to get what is hidden out into the light?

Searching for rays of sunshine and rejoicing w/others who have found it,

christina

One in five Americans say religion does not play an important role in their lives, a new NBC/WSJ journal poll shows – the highest percentage since the poll began asking participants about their focus on faith in 1997. (http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/losing-faith-21-percent-say-religion-not-important-n51256).

This lover of words looked at the meaning of the word "religion":

noun

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially whenconsidered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional andritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons orsects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.

the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.

the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.

the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

In my opinion, most mainstream Christians would define their practices of Sunday morning rituals as described in number 5 above: "the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith."

Wouldn't it be interesting if most of us would adopt the first definition, which in my opinion, centers of the actions of those based on a belief in a Creator, the Creator, God. All that we did would come out of a devoted heart to the supreme Creator who has established a moral code, Truth, and all conduct oozed out of this belief?

Religious stripes would not be given based on the number of Sunday services one attended but by the amount of love that was given, shared, practiced, and/or accepted. Moral superiority would not be measured by the lack of curse words flowing from our lips but rather by the grace given to those who do not, in our opinion - or the world's, deserve it. Out of our devotion to the Creator, we would say things that were hard in love, serve those around us from a pure heart, hear the Voice of God and obey ... even when it didn't make sense.

When we don't care what people call us, but know for what we stand ... not because we wear of brand of Christianity on our t-shirts but because we can not possibly operate out of any other standard than the standard that Jesus Christ modeled ... to me this is true religion. For this, religion would play an important part in my life. For the acts that impress others ... not so much.

The longer I live the more I find Jesus ... uncomplicated.

Last week I attended a baptism service. It wasn't held at a church and those being dunked weren't clad in white robes. It was simple. It was outside, by a river, with those coming to watch sitting on beach towels, lawn chairs and straw mats. Each person who wanted to be baptized stood up and told us, the spectators, why they were making this commitment.

Reasons varied as did the candidates. One, a woman in her 70's, spoke of the peace she had found during the death of her husband. Because of the continuous witness of a neighbor who spoke about Jesus as a friend, she wanted this same friendship. In 2008 she took her first step toward knowing God. In 2013, she was making it a public event.

One young man, in his twenties, looked like a hippy. With his shaggy hair and pitiful beard, he articulated his lifes' journey. His struggles with pornography, drinking too much, and feelings of living an empty life drove him to examine what Jesus Christ was all about. In the end, he became convinced that a life surrendered to God was the answer. His baptism was a final commitment to start his journey in a public way.

The thing that struck me was the bystanders who watched. Joggers, Nordic walkers, Mom and Dads pushing strollers ... they all stopped and stared as they witnessed strange words about a personal relationship with Jesus filling the air. As those who desired to be baptized walked into the river, were dunked and emerged hearing cheers and shouts from us, the spectators, I can only imagine their thoughts.

I think the thing I want to express is most captured by a recent article by Bono. lead singer of U2:
My understanding of the Scriptures has been made simple by the person of Christ. Christ teaches that God is love. What does that mean? What it means for me: a study of the life of Christ. Love here describes itself as a child born in straw poverty, the most vulnerable situation of all, without honor. I don’t let my religious world get too complicated. I just kind of go: Well, I think I know what God is. God is love, and as much as I respond [sighs] in allowing myself to be transformed by that love and acting in that love, that’s my religion. - See more at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frankviola/bono-on-jesus/#sthash.vIcCT5Vk.dpuf

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