Home for Christmas

It's that time of year again. Christmas is so fun for me. I still have a hard time not buying too much. I worry that my kids are focusing too much on Santa and not Jesus. I wish there was a way to get them as excited about Jesus as they are about Santa. There are some similarities in Santa and Jesus I observed while watching "Miracle on 34th Street" today. When I was a little girl I always thought that was the real Santa. I have always pictured Jesus being a lot like that particular Santa. He was kind and it showed in his eyes. He understood each individual child's needs and desires. We don't know how he does all he does on December 24th, but we don't ask - we just believe. We don't how God does all He does, why things happen the way they do, what He has in store for us next...but we believe He is perfect and He is good. What are we without faith? Sometimes I hear people say "as long as you believe in something and it makes you happy, it's okay." How can you just believe in anything? Who ever said we had to be happy all of the time? There's a difference in being at peace and being happy. I'll take peace any day. When I think of my relationship with God, it's not some religion that I claim - it's a true faith in Him. God reveals himself daily to me. He is never far away, and I can feel it. His presence means everything to me. To me it's not hard at all to believe in Him. I know that I am nothing without Him. I don't even pretend I could make it on my own! I've tried that route before, and it doesn't work. When you know to Lord, when you've had a relationship with Him, if you start going your own way, it doesn't take long to get homesick. He is my home.

The Search

It's been a while since I've posted. The past month and a half my family and I have been visiting churches. It is amazing how many churches are around, and how different they are from each other! In a way, it's a disadvantage to visit too many churches. You start to get picky! I noticed that after the first couple of churches, I would say hmmm...I like this one but I don't know about being here for two services, plus group meetings. The next one I'd say, let's find a church that starts at 10:00 so that we get out earlier! The next one, we'd say hmmm, I wish there were more people our age. The list goes on and on. I've come to realize that thought it is almost possible to have a "custom made" church now, it's not wise to try to try to find the "perfect" church with the perfect people, the perfect service times, etc. Lately, we've been focusing on the doctrine, the belief in eternal salvation and the pastor first, then the overall feel of the church. Do we feel welcome? Are there ministries available for our kids? Is there a music ministry? These are important. What's not important is what the sanctuary looks like, what time we get out of church, etc. I think we've narrowed it down now to two churches. They are very similar in some ways, and different in others. We are going to attend these two for a little while and hopefully decide on one soon! Basically, what I am saying is not to be too picky about choosing a church. If you are, you may never settle on one. Besides, church is for God, not for us.

The Shack (con't)

Ok - I've had a couple of days to process everything. I do want to be clear about something. I do believe there is a lot of truth in this book, but that doesn't mean I agree with EVERYTHING. Many things do NOT line up with scripture, so I do see this book for what it is -a fiction book. What made me feel closer to God was seeing the relationship one can have with Him (or the Trinity). Also, the question "why do bad things happen?" was in some ways answered. The main character did not want to forgive the man who killed his daughter, but God says He must in order for God to redeem Him. The main character can't see the killer through the eyes of God. So, there are good parts and misleading parts to this book (In my opinion). I've read a lot of bad reviews from the Southern Baptist church, and I understand why. The Word of God is the Bible, not The Shack. I do trust, believe and will always stand by that. When I said many people put "God in a box," The box wasn't the Bible, but just so many people's perceptions are of Him. Sometimes I think we put limitations on God because we just don't understand just how loving and powerful He is. So, by no means am I saying that this book is the gospel. There is only one gospel. The whole conversation between Jesus and the main character about religion is interesting. I've always believed God was not interested in religion, only personal relationships with him. There is a difference though between "religion" and "church." I think there are some churches out there that are just "religious" but I also know there are whole lot out there that are not. There are a whole lot of churches out there that are all about serving others and worshipping the Lord, and everything a church should be according to the Bible. I think a lot of things can be perceived in different ways in the book. For instance, the "church" isn't always referring to a building where people go. It is also the believers in Christ as a whole. So, I'm no expert. The book did move me. It made me feel really loved by God. That can't be a bad thing. It's not some "Oprah" or "new age" book. The author and main character clearly love all parts of the Trinity - Jesus, The Father, and Holy Spirit. It is unique how he describes their relationship to us as well as to each other. I think one has to overlook some of the negatives of the book to really see the overall picture - which is God wants to be with us always, every second, every minute of every day. What more could we ask for?

By the way, I read some negative reviews about God being portrayed as a black woman. I don't think the author is saying God is a black woman. He made himself into the image a woman for the purpose of healing the main character. He even says he can take on the image of anyone or anything He wants. Besides, later the book he was in the image of a white man. I think it's obvious the author is not saying God is a woman.

Speechless...well, almost!

Well, I just the read the book, The Shack, and I must say, I have never been so touched and felt so close to God in all my life. Actually, I'm a little speechless right now (Ha! -that's a first!). No, really, something deep down in my soul knew that there is truth is this book. I know this book will be controversial because in so many ways it goes against what we as Christians have been taught about God and even church. We tend to put God in a box and say this is what God is and this is what we are supposed to do. I'm not going to comment on all that yet. I really need time to collect my thoughts. All I can say is I feel lighter since reading the Book. I feel like I've put too many expectations on myself. Somehow I felt like if I was not doing everything just right, I would not experience a good relationship with God. It really changes, in some ways, what it means to be a strong Christian. All the things I've talked about are important, are good, and are things I'll still strive to do, but I left out the most important thing - allowing God to not be a part of my life, or the biggest part of my life, but taking Him with me many in EVERY part of my life. What is a "strong" Christian anyway? Are any of us really strong compared to Him? The most well known song of all time "Jesus Loves Me" even says, "They are weak, but he is strong...". Being weak isn't always bad. Sometimes it makes us lean on our Rock, our Strength, our Refuge, our God.

Hmmm...I may rename this blog soon...maybe to "My Walk With God"

Just my opinion...

This is kind of off topic, but I just had to comment on how awful the MTV Music Video awards were last night. Why I watched? I don't know - curiousity I guess. That, and once in a while I hope to see a performer I like. I didn't even get through watching the whole show. The host was terrible. It's really embarraring what our music has become. I'm not saying all current music is bad, but a lot of it is. A lot of the music that the younger generation likes is so pathetic compared to what America had in the 60s, 70s, and even some the 80s. I sound just like my parents back in the 80s! Ha! We really do turn into our parents. I just have a REALLY hard time relating to this generation's idea of good music, to all the these no-talent reality celebrities, and most of all the pure lack of morals. Afterall, I would imagine mostly teens and young adults watch the show. All that aside, the show was just bad because it was not put together well. There were a lot goofs, the graphics behind the stage were annoying, even the audience didn't really look that into it. I have learned my lesson. I will not watch it next year. I'd rather watch Spongebob or Elmo. They are much more entertaining. Okay...now that I got that off my chest! I've got to get back to studying!!!! God Bless. By the way, we're still on a new church hunt, and I am SO ready to find a new church home.

My Thoughts Today

I probably will not be posting a whole lot this semester. I am taking online courses that are taking up a lot of my time. One thing that may be changing soon is where we go to church. There are several reasons. My husband and I will be praying about it. We want to be somewhere where we can feel "connected" to other people that can hold us accountable. We want to be where God wants us to be. I'm sad because I was looking forward to starting a praise team, but it means nothing if it's not where we're going to grow and become part of a family.

As far as my personal growth as a Christian, I think I have my good days and my bad days. I get in a mode where I study my Bible everyday and write down verses that help me. Then I'll go a stretch without opening my Bible. I do continuously pray as I always have. I'm still guilty of following my own agenda and not God's a lot of times. I have no excuses. My goal now is to be set apart. Like I posted early in the summer, I feel a lot of times like I don't let enough of Jesus shine through me. I feel like I just blend in with everyone else sometimes - Christians and non-Christians.

I'll end this post with what I read this morning:

...all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24

I am still amazed at God's grace. There is a song called, "Who Am I?" That's the thought that runs through my head everyday. None of us deserve His grace. It just brings me to tears to think about how much He loves us.

Correction

I decided to delete my previous post due to errors. Also I do not want to talk about certain things, people, etc. until I know the facts.


I was wrong about what the perserverance of the saints actually means. I looked back at the website that I mentioned in the last post. Basically, perseverance of the saints is another word for "once saved, always saved" or "eternal security." So I worded it wrong on the last post. I'm getting confused because I keep getting different definitions! Having said that, there is such a thing as "conditional" perseverance of the saints. That is them term that means you are saved on the condition that you don't lose your faith or turn from God. (Lots more to that, but I write it all now). It is amazing how much information you can find on this topic! Well, it's late and I need to go to bed. I just had to correct my mistake from yesterday.