As humans we all sin. The problem arises for me when i fall into temptation and the same old ways. The same old sins that drag me down. Then i feel guilty and on top of that beat myself up. God understands that as humans we have temptations and advises us on how to fight them.
Luke 22:46
"Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
Don't ignore them. . . acknowledge that they are there. And learn to recognize them.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Temptation is not a problem only some of us face, ALL of us have temptations. There are not different levels of sins, we all fall and do wrong. We therefore all need to learn to defense against it.
Mark 14:38
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Matthew 6:13
'And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. '
Matthew 4:1
[ The Temptation of Jesus ]" Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil."
Jesus again sets a great example of how we can prepare ourselves. He spent 40 days (a sacred period) preparing for his ministry and during that time we get the story of how he was tempted by the devil (see Matthew chapter 4). He prayed, and he spent time preparing himself. He knew the scriptures and he used his knowledge to fight off temptations. We need to study so that we have the knowledge to fight our temptations. There will always be hard times in life but it's having the hope that comes with Jesus and the stories of Gods love and mercy that will help us live through them.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~ Erin
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 30, 2006
Loss
life is a series of events- good, bad, and indifferent. I have recently experienced the bad in the loss of a friend. Crystal and i graduated from high school together and coming from a small school that means we knew each other well growing up. The news was a huge shock. A car accident. An event that happens in life. I went home for the funeral and grieved with my friends. It was hard and as we all do when faced with difficult times in life we ask God - WHY?
But we can't find the answer. Sometimes it seems to come to us later in life, sometimes not. It's hard to imagine a good reason for a person to die. The old question, why do bad things happen to good people?? There is never really an answer, or an answer we can understand. We can not even try to understand the mind of God, the reasonings that he has. But we always try. We always search, and sometimes that search almost destroys us.
We all have a emptiness inside of us, a whole that we need filled. We spend much of out lives searching for what's missing and loss adds to the hurt and pain of emptiness. However there is only one thing that will fill our emptiness and it's God. He also tends to be the one we blame our pain upon. This does not make us very open to him.
Faith in God's grace and love gives us hope for a better world. We trust in his promises that he is good and his plan is not to harm us but for us to prosper and give us hope and a future. As hard as it is to accept the pain caused by loss God offers us comfort and love instead of a world of sorrow and bitterness. We many not be able to understand his plan now, but through our faith we trust that he is the way and the life.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
But we can't find the answer. Sometimes it seems to come to us later in life, sometimes not. It's hard to imagine a good reason for a person to die. The old question, why do bad things happen to good people?? There is never really an answer, or an answer we can understand. We can not even try to understand the mind of God, the reasonings that he has. But we always try. We always search, and sometimes that search almost destroys us.
We all have a emptiness inside of us, a whole that we need filled. We spend much of out lives searching for what's missing and loss adds to the hurt and pain of emptiness. However there is only one thing that will fill our emptiness and it's God. He also tends to be the one we blame our pain upon. This does not make us very open to him.
Faith in God's grace and love gives us hope for a better world. We trust in his promises that he is good and his plan is not to harm us but for us to prosper and give us hope and a future. As hard as it is to accept the pain caused by loss God offers us comfort and love instead of a world of sorrow and bitterness. We many not be able to understand his plan now, but through our faith we trust that he is the way and the life.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Food!
So there was a very cute little skit done in my church today to "advertise" for the youth's sub sale for Super Bowl sunday. The boy was sad because the Packers weren't in the Super bowl but the girl set him straight by reminding him Super Bowl sunday was NOT about football - but about food! (Which is funny knowing how methodist gatherings are very often about food!) So the point of the skit was to get people to think about food on super bowl sunday instead of foodball and buy that food from the youth.
I chuckled just at all the old jokes we used to make about if there is food the people will come. We all need food, we all like food. . . but lets go back to that we all need food. Our physical bodies need food for strength. When we don't get it we get hungry. Our spiritual bodies are the same way - we need food for strength. Where does one get food for the spirit?
Food for the spirit is found in many ways. I find that it is most important to get a regular daily schedule going. A time set aside, 5-20 min a day. Time to quiet, time to read, time to pray. Everyone has their own ways to relax and have God time. I like to write personally but one can draw, sing, paint, meditate, take a walk, or a million other things. Reading scripture should be a part of these quiet times. Here is some scriptural wisdom:
1 Peter 2
1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Jude 1:19-20
20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Just as we feed our physical bodies we must feed our spirits. We are not accustomed to feeding them but many of us feel an emptiness that can only be filled with God. We can't just fill it with God once a week, we need to feed our spririts everyday. I highly recommend having an accountabilty partner or group. I'll do another blog on that one though. Remember however the importance of feeding your spirit. We all experience some of that emptiness that can only be filled with God's love.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
I chuckled just at all the old jokes we used to make about if there is food the people will come. We all need food, we all like food. . . but lets go back to that we all need food. Our physical bodies need food for strength. When we don't get it we get hungry. Our spiritual bodies are the same way - we need food for strength. Where does one get food for the spirit?
Food for the spirit is found in many ways. I find that it is most important to get a regular daily schedule going. A time set aside, 5-20 min a day. Time to quiet, time to read, time to pray. Everyone has their own ways to relax and have God time. I like to write personally but one can draw, sing, paint, meditate, take a walk, or a million other things. Reading scripture should be a part of these quiet times. Here is some scriptural wisdom:
1 Peter 2
1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Jude 1:19-20
20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Just as we feed our physical bodies we must feed our spirits. We are not accustomed to feeding them but many of us feel an emptiness that can only be filled with God. We can't just fill it with God once a week, we need to feed our spririts everyday. I highly recommend having an accountabilty partner or group. I'll do another blog on that one though. Remember however the importance of feeding your spirit. We all experience some of that emptiness that can only be filled with God's love.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Sabbath
Genesis 2:2-3
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested [a] from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
God took a day of rest after working hard. We work hard, therefore following his example we also need to take a day off.
Exodus 16:23
He said to them, "This is what the LORD commanded: 'Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.' "
It is also one of the ten commandments. Over the years we have learned much about stress, it's complications and it's problems. I don't think anyone will tell you they don't have stress, and many of us have too much stress. I learned a lot this summer about the importance of taking daily time for yourself as well as taking a Sabbath. Many of us will say we don't "need" it, however are not telling the whole truth. We need to feel our souls and rest our bodies and our minds. I don't think I really need to harp on this topic, but I did want to touch on it.
Take some time to rest
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested [a] from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
God took a day of rest after working hard. We work hard, therefore following his example we also need to take a day off.
Exodus 16:23
He said to them, "This is what the LORD commanded: 'Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.' "
It is also one of the ten commandments. Over the years we have learned much about stress, it's complications and it's problems. I don't think anyone will tell you they don't have stress, and many of us have too much stress. I learned a lot this summer about the importance of taking daily time for yourself as well as taking a Sabbath. Many of us will say we don't "need" it, however are not telling the whole truth. We need to feel our souls and rest our bodies and our minds. I don't think I really need to harp on this topic, but I did want to touch on it.
Take some time to rest
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Friday, January 27, 2006
Loas
Laos was taken over by the communist Pathet Lao in 1975. Although Laos is rich with natural resources and has great potential for foreign investment, growth is hampered by the government’s slow reforms.
Religion: Buddhist 61.05%, Traditional ethnic 31.20%, non-Religious/other 4.20%, Christian 1.85%, Muslim 1.10%, Chinese 0.50%, and Baha’i 0.10%
Ideological Influence: Communism
Head of State: President Gen. Khamtai Siphadon
Persecution: The three or four Christian churches in the capital city of Vientiane are considered potentially subversive and are closely monitored by the government. House-church meetings are raided, and Lao Christians are arrested, while foreign Christians are expelled. Communist leaders in some districts have implemented a program called “New Mechanism,” in which anyone who does not convert to Buddhism or animism is forcibly removed from their district. Christian villagers also have been forced to sign a document renouncing their faith. If they refuse, they are forced to leave their homes, and their property is either seized or destroyed.
Missionary Opportunity: The church has grown despite persecution and restrictions. There have been reports of entire villages turning to Christ. Significant numbers are turning to Christ among the Hmong and Khmu people.
Something not often known is that the Hmong people came from the mountains of Loas. Their young men were recruited by the Americans to help in the Vietnam War and as refugees have come to America. Many of them have settled in WI and MN. Loas is a very diverse country in a influential part of the world. There are christians in Loas who need our prayers.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.... By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:1, 5-6 NASB).
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Religion: Buddhist 61.05%, Traditional ethnic 31.20%, non-Religious/other 4.20%, Christian 1.85%, Muslim 1.10%, Chinese 0.50%, and Baha’i 0.10%
Ideological Influence: Communism
Head of State: President Gen. Khamtai Siphadon
Persecution: The three or four Christian churches in the capital city of Vientiane are considered potentially subversive and are closely monitored by the government. House-church meetings are raided, and Lao Christians are arrested, while foreign Christians are expelled. Communist leaders in some districts have implemented a program called “New Mechanism,” in which anyone who does not convert to Buddhism or animism is forcibly removed from their district. Christian villagers also have been forced to sign a document renouncing their faith. If they refuse, they are forced to leave their homes, and their property is either seized or destroyed.
Missionary Opportunity: The church has grown despite persecution and restrictions. There have been reports of entire villages turning to Christ. Significant numbers are turning to Christ among the Hmong and Khmu people.
Something not often known is that the Hmong people came from the mountains of Loas. Their young men were recruited by the Americans to help in the Vietnam War and as refugees have come to America. Many of them have settled in WI and MN. Loas is a very diverse country in a influential part of the world. There are christians in Loas who need our prayers.
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.... By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him" (Hebrews 11:1, 5-6 NASB).
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Thursday, January 26, 2006
God's Image
So from the society we live in many of us have different views about ourselves than may be true. Once a leader took a group of us through this exercise. We were asked to answer these questions and given about 2-3 min for each one.
1. Who are you?
2. Who are you to others?
3. Who are you to God?
Taking time to answer these questions one by one is difficult. Reminds me of a scene from "Anger Management". When Adam Sandler goes to his first counseling session. They ask him to tell the group a little about himself. He begins to tell the group about what he does and is quickly stopped by the facilitator "No, don't tell us about your career - tell us who you are" he is told. So he begins to tell the group about what he enjoys doing and again is stopped. "Not your hobbies, - who you are." So frustrated he begins to talk about himself that he is a pretty good guy and . . . "Not your personality! Tell us WHO YOU ARE." To which he blows up at the group "I don't know what you want to hear!" bringing about a laugh from the audience ( he is trying to convince them he doesn't need anger manangment yet has these angry outbursts.
Who are we? We are bombarded with a lot of ideas of who we should be. . . but do we know who we are? Many young people go off to "find themselves". I think the 3rd question above had a lot of our answers. We were created by God for a purpose. Therefore should we not begin at God to find out who we are?
We are children of God. Beloved children.
John 1:12-13
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[a] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
As children we are given the blessing of the father and loved with the intense love as a child is loved by a parent. This is an incredible gift. To be loved, honestly loved, by the creator of the universe. By thearchitectt of our world. . . we are loved. Not for our actions but we have always been loved this way!
Jeremiah 1:4-5
4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew [a] you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
God knew us before we were born. He loved us before we were born. He formed us the way we are and loves us for the way we are. No matter what other people may tell us we are special the way we are. Special and beloved. We have been given a physical body from God to care for. It is a gift. . . a temple. Many of us ( myself included) have out of anger and pain abused this gift. Feelings of depression,lonelinesss, and unworthiness can cause us much pain. We look at who we think we should be and are often not happy with ourselves. Because of this we cause our body to suffer. Over dieting, over exercise, over strenuating ourselves can cause damage to our bodies. These image problems can develop into serious issues. Self harm problems, eating disorders, and other problems of lack of control. God does not want us to hurt ourselves.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
God created us to look like we do. We are not all super models with "hot" bodies. We are not all popular or well liked. We are all different. We all have different gifts. But the bottom line is - we are all beloved children of God.
If you ever face the question of "who amIi" Ii urge you to look towards God for theanswerr. You are his beloved child. And do not let our world lie to you - telling you that you aren't good enough, because YOU are perfect.
Romans 12:2 "The Message"
2Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
1. Who are you?
2. Who are you to others?
3. Who are you to God?
Taking time to answer these questions one by one is difficult. Reminds me of a scene from "Anger Management". When Adam Sandler goes to his first counseling session. They ask him to tell the group a little about himself. He begins to tell the group about what he does and is quickly stopped by the facilitator "No, don't tell us about your career - tell us who you are" he is told. So he begins to tell the group about what he enjoys doing and again is stopped. "Not your hobbies, - who you are." So frustrated he begins to talk about himself that he is a pretty good guy and . . . "Not your personality! Tell us WHO YOU ARE." To which he blows up at the group "I don't know what you want to hear!" bringing about a laugh from the audience ( he is trying to convince them he doesn't need anger manangment yet has these angry outbursts.
Who are we? We are bombarded with a lot of ideas of who we should be. . . but do we know who we are? Many young people go off to "find themselves". I think the 3rd question above had a lot of our answers. We were created by God for a purpose. Therefore should we not begin at God to find out who we are?
We are children of God. Beloved children.
John 1:12-13
12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[a] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
As children we are given the blessing of the father and loved with the intense love as a child is loved by a parent. This is an incredible gift. To be loved, honestly loved, by the creator of the universe. By thearchitectt of our world. . . we are loved. Not for our actions but we have always been loved this way!
Jeremiah 1:4-5
4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew [a] you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
God knew us before we were born. He loved us before we were born. He formed us the way we are and loves us for the way we are. No matter what other people may tell us we are special the way we are. Special and beloved. We have been given a physical body from God to care for. It is a gift. . . a temple. Many of us ( myself included) have out of anger and pain abused this gift. Feelings of depression,lonelinesss, and unworthiness can cause us much pain. We look at who we think we should be and are often not happy with ourselves. Because of this we cause our body to suffer. Over dieting, over exercise, over strenuating ourselves can cause damage to our bodies. These image problems can develop into serious issues. Self harm problems, eating disorders, and other problems of lack of control. God does not want us to hurt ourselves.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
God created us to look like we do. We are not all super models with "hot" bodies. We are not all popular or well liked. We are all different. We all have different gifts. But the bottom line is - we are all beloved children of God.
If you ever face the question of "who amIi" Ii urge you to look towards God for theanswerr. You are his beloved child. And do not let our world lie to you - telling you that you aren't good enough, because YOU are perfect.
Romans 12:2 "The Message"
2Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
God Bless!
your sister in Christ~Erin
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Self Image
This is a hard thing for many in todays society of perfection. We grew up in a world of virtual reality and media. Not learning the ways of life or failure. The social pressures are also extreme and unneccessary. The show "Beauty and the Geek" stresses it's okay in society for guys to be smart but girls must be pretty. What are these messages telling us as christians?
Romans 12:2
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
God wants us to be who we are, who we were created to be. But when we find out in some way we are different, not "normal". We scrutinize ourselves pysically, mentally, socially. Girls are taught somehow that they are not complete without the love of a guy, so they will do anything to fulfill those feelings. This can lead to all kinda of problems. Really it can just be a big mess.
Tomorrow I will list some more Godly ways to view ourselves and others. Today i ask you too think about yourself and ask a couple of these questions:
~What do you struggle with most? appearence, accomplishments, or status
~ In your idea what does the ideal person look like?
~What do you like most about yourself?
~If you could change anything about yourself would you? What?
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Romans 12:2
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
God wants us to be who we are, who we were created to be. But when we find out in some way we are different, not "normal". We scrutinize ourselves pysically, mentally, socially. Girls are taught somehow that they are not complete without the love of a guy, so they will do anything to fulfill those feelings. This can lead to all kinda of problems. Really it can just be a big mess.
Tomorrow I will list some more Godly ways to view ourselves and others. Today i ask you too think about yourself and ask a couple of these questions:
~What do you struggle with most? appearence, accomplishments, or status
~ In your idea what does the ideal person look like?
~What do you like most about yourself?
~If you could change anything about yourself would you? What?
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Praise God!
Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard. [a]
4 Their voice [b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
just thought this was an interesting verse for the day i lost my voice. Sometimes we are in the middle of the hardest time. . . stress, sickness, many things. Still in all of these problems we need to take the time to praise god! Take time to walk outdoors, to the car, to class, walk the dog. Outside is an amazing portrait of God's love. Enjoy it, even if you may be to sick to talk.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard. [a]
4 Their voice [b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
just thought this was an interesting verse for the day i lost my voice. Sometimes we are in the middle of the hardest time. . . stress, sickness, many things. Still in all of these problems we need to take the time to praise god! Take time to walk outdoors, to the car, to class, walk the dog. Outside is an amazing portrait of God's love. Enjoy it, even if you may be to sick to talk.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Monday, January 23, 2006
Agree to Disagree
1 Corinthians 1
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[a]"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into[b] the name of Paul? 14I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
If i have learned one thing at college it is that when you have a discussion you will encounter multiple views. You will probably even argue. As christians we have argued for years - look at the divisions it has caused amoung us - denominations. I urge you to work towards bringing union again between christians, make friends, TALK, respect everyone, and agree to disagree. WE have so much to learn from one another.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[a]"; still another, "I follow Christ."
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into[b] the name of Paul? 14I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
If i have learned one thing at college it is that when you have a discussion you will encounter multiple views. You will probably even argue. As christians we have argued for years - look at the divisions it has caused amoung us - denominations. I urge you to work towards bringing union again between christians, make friends, TALK, respect everyone, and agree to disagree. WE have so much to learn from one another.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Gritted-Teeth Prayers
This is a devotion from The Upper Room magazine:
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]'
Read Matthew 6:9-13
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
-Matthew 6:12 (KJV)
AS I was going through a divorce last year, I dealt with feelings of betrayal, hurt, anger, and abandonment. I resented the time I'd invested in a lost marriage. At the same time, I tried to grasp the idea of forgiveness. While I wanted God to hear my prayer of repentance and to forgive me, I was having a hard time forgiving my soon-to-be-former wife. I prayed through gritted teeth, "I forgive her, God." I did not mean it and God knew I did not mean it, but I kept praying the same prayer daily.
It was hard to forgive someone who had treated me badly. But at times when memories popped into my head and I felt hurt and resentment, I said my gritted-teeth prayer. I read self-help books about anger management, but they didn't help. Nothing helped but my daily, strained prayer. Gradually, I began to unclench my teeth, to relax, and to honestly pray to be able to forgive my wife. Then, I felt, God forgave my lack of contribution to the marriage.
Forgiveness is a spiritual two-way street. I had not worked hard enough at my marriage, and I had not worked at my relationship with God. While the marriage could not be salvaged, my relationship with God has grown as I have learned to forgive.
Ed Ridgley (Alabama, U.S.A.)
Lord, teach us to forgive as you forgive. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God hears and responds even to the prayers we pray through gritted teeth.
It is so hard to forgive, especially when those close to us hurt us. Parents, siblings, close friends, these are the people we trust. When they hurt us we build up this wall and do not let anyone in. It is a dark and lonely road. I know, i've been there. It is almost impossible to forgive someone close to you who has hurt you - but with God it is possible, and it is neccessary for living a healthy life in Christ. Even if you are gritting your teeth, those prayers are important.
God Bless,
Your sister in Christ ~Erin
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]'
Read Matthew 6:9-13
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
-Matthew 6:12 (KJV)
AS I was going through a divorce last year, I dealt with feelings of betrayal, hurt, anger, and abandonment. I resented the time I'd invested in a lost marriage. At the same time, I tried to grasp the idea of forgiveness. While I wanted God to hear my prayer of repentance and to forgive me, I was having a hard time forgiving my soon-to-be-former wife. I prayed through gritted teeth, "I forgive her, God." I did not mean it and God knew I did not mean it, but I kept praying the same prayer daily.
It was hard to forgive someone who had treated me badly. But at times when memories popped into my head and I felt hurt and resentment, I said my gritted-teeth prayer. I read self-help books about anger management, but they didn't help. Nothing helped but my daily, strained prayer. Gradually, I began to unclench my teeth, to relax, and to honestly pray to be able to forgive my wife. Then, I felt, God forgave my lack of contribution to the marriage.
Forgiveness is a spiritual two-way street. I had not worked hard enough at my marriage, and I had not worked at my relationship with God. While the marriage could not be salvaged, my relationship with God has grown as I have learned to forgive.
Ed Ridgley (Alabama, U.S.A.)
Lord, teach us to forgive as you forgive. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God hears and responds even to the prayers we pray through gritted teeth.
It is so hard to forgive, especially when those close to us hurt us. Parents, siblings, close friends, these are the people we trust. When they hurt us we build up this wall and do not let anyone in. It is a dark and lonely road. I know, i've been there. It is almost impossible to forgive someone close to you who has hurt you - but with God it is possible, and it is neccessary for living a healthy life in Christ. Even if you are gritting your teeth, those prayers are important.
God Bless,
Your sister in Christ ~Erin
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Waiting
Hello everyone! I have been pretty sick and unable to keep up with the blog for a few days, but i'll try to catch us up! Here is a devotion I get e-mailed from my campus ministry program. ~Erin
E-mail BIBLE STUDY “Moved by faith in God.”
But those who wait for he Lord shall renew their strength,
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
A social activist, Leonard Woolf wrote of his life’s work: “I see clearly that I have achieved practically nothing. The world today and the history of the human anthill during the past 57 years would be exactly the same as it is if I had played ping pong instead of sitting on committees and writing books and memoranda. I have therefore to make the rather ignominious confession that I must have in a long life ground through between 150,000 and 200,000 hours of perfectly useless work.”[1]
Jesus was much younger when he cried out on the cross, “My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?” But whether we are young or old it is possible for the world to “get to us.”
After we have given the world around us our best shot no good seems to come from our effort.
As students we sometimes work hard to prepare for an exam only to get a terrible grade.
After four to six years of university work there is no employment waiting for us.
As parents we do our best to raise a child only to have the child turn against us and spurn our values.
Martin Luther King worked for civil rights and nonviolence only to be brought down in violent assassination.
Jesus came to earth from God indicating how God so loved the world, only to be crucified!
In America it is easy to believe that life should have comfort, luxury and convenience. The reality is that life can also be cruel.
Does our Christian faith help us with our feelings of futility?
The verse for today from Isaiah says, “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” This is a hard word for those of us who want the pain to be gone NOW. We remember that Jesus was in the tomb for three days. I think of this as a way of “waiting for the Lord.” In spite of the miraculous power which Jesus exhibited in his earthly life, still he lay in the tomb doing nothing. If Jesus waited upon the Lord, surely we must wait too.
This word from Isaiah has proved itself many times in my life, but there is more to the wait than the promise that we shall mount up with wings, run and not be weary and walk and not faint. We also wait for God to being all history together. A Hebrew Testament scholar, T.C. Vriezen believes that “God holds history in the hollow of His hand, and that He will make the history of the world end in complete communion between God and man, so that He will come as King; or, in other words, so that He may be all in all.”[2]
Here is the difference between humanism and faith in God. Yes, human effort is needed, but by faith we enter into a promise and power that goes beyond all that we can do. Thanks be to God, but Lord help me to wait.[3]
Yours,
Ron Erickson
[1] The Journey Not the Arrival Matters: An autobiography of the years 1939-1969 (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World), p. 217.
[2] An Outline of Old Testament Theology (Boston: Charles T. Branford Co., 1958), p. 371.
[3] Many of the ideas in this meditation are inspired by Ernest T. Campbell, Locked in a Room With Open Doors (Waco: Word Books, 1974) p.113 ff.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
E-mail BIBLE STUDY “Moved by faith in God.”
But those who wait for he Lord shall renew their strength,
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
A social activist, Leonard Woolf wrote of his life’s work: “I see clearly that I have achieved practically nothing. The world today and the history of the human anthill during the past 57 years would be exactly the same as it is if I had played ping pong instead of sitting on committees and writing books and memoranda. I have therefore to make the rather ignominious confession that I must have in a long life ground through between 150,000 and 200,000 hours of perfectly useless work.”[1]
Jesus was much younger when he cried out on the cross, “My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?” But whether we are young or old it is possible for the world to “get to us.”
After we have given the world around us our best shot no good seems to come from our effort.
As students we sometimes work hard to prepare for an exam only to get a terrible grade.
After four to six years of university work there is no employment waiting for us.
As parents we do our best to raise a child only to have the child turn against us and spurn our values.
Martin Luther King worked for civil rights and nonviolence only to be brought down in violent assassination.
Jesus came to earth from God indicating how God so loved the world, only to be crucified!
In America it is easy to believe that life should have comfort, luxury and convenience. The reality is that life can also be cruel.
Does our Christian faith help us with our feelings of futility?
The verse for today from Isaiah says, “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.” This is a hard word for those of us who want the pain to be gone NOW. We remember that Jesus was in the tomb for three days. I think of this as a way of “waiting for the Lord.” In spite of the miraculous power which Jesus exhibited in his earthly life, still he lay in the tomb doing nothing. If Jesus waited upon the Lord, surely we must wait too.
This word from Isaiah has proved itself many times in my life, but there is more to the wait than the promise that we shall mount up with wings, run and not be weary and walk and not faint. We also wait for God to being all history together. A Hebrew Testament scholar, T.C. Vriezen believes that “God holds history in the hollow of His hand, and that He will make the history of the world end in complete communion between God and man, so that He will come as King; or, in other words, so that He may be all in all.”[2]
Here is the difference between humanism and faith in God. Yes, human effort is needed, but by faith we enter into a promise and power that goes beyond all that we can do. Thanks be to God, but Lord help me to wait.[3]
Yours,
Ron Erickson
[1] The Journey Not the Arrival Matters: An autobiography of the years 1939-1969 (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World), p. 217.
[2] An Outline of Old Testament Theology (Boston: Charles T. Branford Co., 1958), p. 371.
[3] Many of the ideas in this meditation are inspired by Ernest T. Campbell, Locked in a Room With Open Doors (Waco: Word Books, 1974) p.113 ff.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Friday, January 20, 2006
All things free
After diving into grace more deeply we must also back away and look at the wonderful overall picture of grace. The following is the outline for one of John Wesleys sermons, Free Grace. The whole sermon can be found at http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/serm-128.stm
Sermon 128 (text from the 1872 edition)
Free Grace
by John Wesley
Preached at Bristol, in the year 1740
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans, 8:32
TO THE READER
Nothing but the strongest conviction, not only that what is here advanced is "the truth as it is in Jesus," but also that I am indispensably obliged to declare this truth to all the world, could have induced me openly to oppose the sentiments of those whom I esteem for their work's sake: At whose feet may I be found in the day of the Lord Jesus!
Should any believe it his duty to reply hereto, I have only one request to make, -- Let whatsoever you do, be done inherently, in love, and in the spirit of meekness. Let your very disputing show that you have "put on, as the elect of God, bowel of mercies, gentleness, longsuffering; "that even according to this time it may be said, "See how these Christians love one another!"
How freely does God love the world! While we were yet sinners, "Christ died for the ungodly." While we were "dead in our sin," God "spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all." And how freely with him does he "give us all things!" Verily, FREE GRACE is all in all!
The grace or love of God, whence cometh our salvation, is FREE IN ALL, and FREE FOR ALL.
I. It is free in all to whom it is given.
II. The doctrine of predestination is not a doctrine of God.
III. Predestination destroys the comfort of religion, the happiness of Christianity.
IV. This uncomfortable doctrine also destroys our zeal for good works.
V. Furthermore, the doctrine of predestination has a direct and manifest tendency to overthrow the whole Christian Revelation.
VI. And at the same time, makes that Revelation contradict itself.
VII. Predestination is a doctrine full of blasphemy.
God's grace is a wonderful and free gift for all of us. Yay!! Praise God!!!
God Bless you,
your sister in Christ,
~Erin
Sermon 128 (text from the 1872 edition)
Free Grace
by John Wesley
Preached at Bristol, in the year 1740
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans, 8:32
TO THE READER
Nothing but the strongest conviction, not only that what is here advanced is "the truth as it is in Jesus," but also that I am indispensably obliged to declare this truth to all the world, could have induced me openly to oppose the sentiments of those whom I esteem for their work's sake: At whose feet may I be found in the day of the Lord Jesus!
Should any believe it his duty to reply hereto, I have only one request to make, -- Let whatsoever you do, be done inherently, in love, and in the spirit of meekness. Let your very disputing show that you have "put on, as the elect of God, bowel of mercies, gentleness, longsuffering; "that even according to this time it may be said, "See how these Christians love one another!"
How freely does God love the world! While we were yet sinners, "Christ died for the ungodly." While we were "dead in our sin," God "spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all." And how freely with him does he "give us all things!" Verily, FREE GRACE is all in all!
The grace or love of God, whence cometh our salvation, is FREE IN ALL, and FREE FOR ALL.
I. It is free in all to whom it is given.
II. The doctrine of predestination is not a doctrine of God.
III. Predestination destroys the comfort of religion, the happiness of Christianity.
IV. This uncomfortable doctrine also destroys our zeal for good works.
V. Furthermore, the doctrine of predestination has a direct and manifest tendency to overthrow the whole Christian Revelation.
VI. And at the same time, makes that Revelation contradict itself.
VII. Predestination is a doctrine full of blasphemy.
God's grace is a wonderful and free gift for all of us. Yay!! Praise God!!!
God Bless you,
your sister in Christ,
~Erin
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Sustaining Grace
Wesley believed that, after we have accepted God's grace, we are to move on in God's sustaining grace toward perfection.Wesley believed the people could "fall from grace" or "backslide." We cannot just sit on our laurels, so to speak, and claim God's salvation and then do nothing. We are to participate in the what Wesley called "the means of grace" and to continue to grow in Christian life.
Some Christians tend to focus on God's justifying grace, but Wesley asserted that the Christian walk does not stop with acceptance of new life in Christ. Wesley said in his sermon, "On Repentance of Believers":
It is generally supposed, that repentance and faith are only the gate of religion; that they are necessary only at the beginning of our Christian course, when we are setting out in the way to the kingdom.... And this is undoubtedly true, that there is a repentance and a faith, which are, more especially, necessary at the beginning: a repentance, which is a conviction of our utter sinfulness, and guiltiness, and helplessness.... But, notwithstanding this, there is also a repentance and a faith (taking the words in another sense, a sense not quite the same, nor yet entirely different) which are requisite after we have "believed the gospel;" yea, and in every subsequent stage of our Christian course, or we cannot "run the race which is set before us." And this repentance and faith are full as necessary, in order to our continuance and growth in grace, as the former faith and repentance were, in order to our entering into the kingdom of God.
John Wesley believed that Jesus is God's means of grace. For him, the "means of grace" were also "works of piety" (spiritual disciplines) and "works of mercy" (doing good to others). He said that means of grace are: "...outward signs, words, or actions, ordained of God, and appointed for this end, to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men, preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace."
Basically, Wesley is saying that after we accept God's justifying grace we aren't done. We need to always be growing in a relationship with God through his sustaining grace. There are many things we can do to keep our Christian life growing but they need to come from the heart not just doing because we are told. This is one of the hardest aspects of living a Christian life. Believing in God is not just a sunday thing, but an everyday all the time thing. We need to foster a relationship with God to keep our relationship with God. Imagine meeting a friend and hitting if off real well at first. Then ignore them after that. You don't create a real relationship. Even if you have had a relationship it takes lots of care to keep that relationship. Sustaining Grace is God's side of caring for that relationship we just need to recognize it and add in our part too.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Some Christians tend to focus on God's justifying grace, but Wesley asserted that the Christian walk does not stop with acceptance of new life in Christ. Wesley said in his sermon, "On Repentance of Believers":
It is generally supposed, that repentance and faith are only the gate of religion; that they are necessary only at the beginning of our Christian course, when we are setting out in the way to the kingdom.... And this is undoubtedly true, that there is a repentance and a faith, which are, more especially, necessary at the beginning: a repentance, which is a conviction of our utter sinfulness, and guiltiness, and helplessness.... But, notwithstanding this, there is also a repentance and a faith (taking the words in another sense, a sense not quite the same, nor yet entirely different) which are requisite after we have "believed the gospel;" yea, and in every subsequent stage of our Christian course, or we cannot "run the race which is set before us." And this repentance and faith are full as necessary, in order to our continuance and growth in grace, as the former faith and repentance were, in order to our entering into the kingdom of God.
John Wesley believed that Jesus is God's means of grace. For him, the "means of grace" were also "works of piety" (spiritual disciplines) and "works of mercy" (doing good to others). He said that means of grace are: "...outward signs, words, or actions, ordained of God, and appointed for this end, to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men, preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace."
Basically, Wesley is saying that after we accept God's justifying grace we aren't done. We need to always be growing in a relationship with God through his sustaining grace. There are many things we can do to keep our Christian life growing but they need to come from the heart not just doing because we are told. This is one of the hardest aspects of living a Christian life. Believing in God is not just a sunday thing, but an everyday all the time thing. We need to foster a relationship with God to keep our relationship with God. Imagine meeting a friend and hitting if off real well at first. Then ignore them after that. You don't create a real relationship. Even if you have had a relationship it takes lots of care to keep that relationship. Sustaining Grace is God's side of caring for that relationship we just need to recognize it and add in our part too.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ~Erin
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Justifying Grace
Today some call God's justifying grace "conversion" or being "born again." When we experience God's justifying grace, we come into that new life in Christ. Wesley believed that people have freedom of choice. We are free to accept or reject God's justifying grace. Wesley emphasized "Free Grace" saying:
The grace or love of God, whence cometh our salvation, is FREE IN ALL, and FREE FOR ALL.... It is free in all to whom it is given. It does not depend on any power or merit in man; no, not in any degree, neither in whole, nor in part. It does not in anywise depend either on the good works or righteousness of the receiver; not on anything he has done, or anything he is. It does not depend on his endeavors. It does not depend on his good tempers, or good desires, or good purposes and intentions; for all these flow from the free grace of God; they are the streams only, not the fountain. They are the fruits of free grace, and not the root. They are not the cause, but the effects of it.
I think many of us can probably recall the moment when we recieved this kind of grace. Wesley talks about his experience at Aldersgate, and felt his "heart strangely warmed". This can take place anytime anywhere, but i do believe it is essential. Accepting God's justifying grace to me is truely comfirmation. Yes many of us take the class and answer questions in front of the church saying we will take responsibility for ourselves. However, this seems more real and a more moving experience. Any stories to share?
God Bless,
your sister in Christ ~Erin
The grace or love of God, whence cometh our salvation, is FREE IN ALL, and FREE FOR ALL.... It is free in all to whom it is given. It does not depend on any power or merit in man; no, not in any degree, neither in whole, nor in part. It does not in anywise depend either on the good works or righteousness of the receiver; not on anything he has done, or anything he is. It does not depend on his endeavors. It does not depend on his good tempers, or good desires, or good purposes and intentions; for all these flow from the free grace of God; they are the streams only, not the fountain. They are the fruits of free grace, and not the root. They are not the cause, but the effects of it.
I think many of us can probably recall the moment when we recieved this kind of grace. Wesley talks about his experience at Aldersgate, and felt his "heart strangely warmed". This can take place anytime anywhere, but i do believe it is essential. Accepting God's justifying grace to me is truely comfirmation. Yes many of us take the class and answer questions in front of the church saying we will take responsibility for ourselves. However, this seems more real and a more moving experience. Any stories to share?
God Bless,
your sister in Christ ~Erin
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Prevenient Grace
Prevenient= meaning before
Wesley believed that we are all born with God's grace even though we are too young and incoherent to accept it ourselves we are stilled loved by God. Paul says we are all born sinners yet God gives us grace. This kind of grace is granted to everyone - no exceptions. Here are a few verses to bring this idea to light.
All peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:3
Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. Matthew 12:50
You did not choose me, but I chose you. John 15:16
Just some interesting info from www.umc.org - prevenient grace reminded me about baptism and i was confused about the two, so i went searching - here's what i found!
Within the Methodist tradition, baptism has long been a subject of much concern, even controversy. John Wesley retained the sacramental theology which he received from his Anglican heritage. He taught that in baptism a child was cleansed of the guilt of original sin, initiated into the covenant with God, admitted into the church, made an heir of the divine kingdom, and spiritually born anew. He said that while baptism was neither essential to nor sufficient for salvation, it was the "ordinary means" that God designated for applying the benefits of the work of Christ in human lives.
On the other hand, although he affirmed the regenerating grace of infant baptism, he also insisted upon the necessity of adult conversion for those who have fallen from grace. A person who matures into moral accountability must respond to God's grace in repentance and faith. Without personal decision and commitment to Christ, the baptismal gift is rendered ineffective.
Baptism for Wesley, therefore, was a part of the lifelong process of salvation. He saw spiritual rebirth as a twofold experience in the normal process of Christian developmentÂ?to be received through baptism in infancy and through commitment to Christ later in life. Salvation included both God's initiating activity of grace and a willing human response.
Any thoughts?
God Bless,
your sister in Christ ~Erin
Wesley believed that we are all born with God's grace even though we are too young and incoherent to accept it ourselves we are stilled loved by God. Paul says we are all born sinners yet God gives us grace. This kind of grace is granted to everyone - no exceptions. Here are a few verses to bring this idea to light.
All peoples on earth will be blessed through you. Genesis 12:3
Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. Matthew 12:50
You did not choose me, but I chose you. John 15:16
Just some interesting info from www.umc.org - prevenient grace reminded me about baptism and i was confused about the two, so i went searching - here's what i found!
Within the Methodist tradition, baptism has long been a subject of much concern, even controversy. John Wesley retained the sacramental theology which he received from his Anglican heritage. He taught that in baptism a child was cleansed of the guilt of original sin, initiated into the covenant with God, admitted into the church, made an heir of the divine kingdom, and spiritually born anew. He said that while baptism was neither essential to nor sufficient for salvation, it was the "ordinary means" that God designated for applying the benefits of the work of Christ in human lives.
On the other hand, although he affirmed the regenerating grace of infant baptism, he also insisted upon the necessity of adult conversion for those who have fallen from grace. A person who matures into moral accountability must respond to God's grace in repentance and faith. Without personal decision and commitment to Christ, the baptismal gift is rendered ineffective.
Baptism for Wesley, therefore, was a part of the lifelong process of salvation. He saw spiritual rebirth as a twofold experience in the normal process of Christian developmentÂ?to be received through baptism in infancy and through commitment to Christ later in life. Salvation included both God's initiating activity of grace and a willing human response.
Any thoughts?
God Bless,
your sister in Christ ~Erin
Monday, January 16, 2006
Wesley's Grace
Did you know that John Wesley believed that God provides us with three kinds of grace? He believed in:
prevenient (preparing) grace
accepting (justifying) grace
sustaining (sanctifying) grace
God's grace is a wonderful gift to humankind. Grace is God's love freely offered to us. We do not do anything to "earn" it. Take a moment and reflect upon how you have experienced God's grace in your life.
God's prevenient grace is with us from birth, preparing us for new life in Christ. "Prevenient" means "comes before." Wesley did not believe that humanity was totally "depraved" but rather God places a little spark of divine grace within us which enables us to recognize and accept God's justifying grace. Preparing grace is "free in all for all," as Wesley used to say.
Today some call God's justifying grace "conversion" or being "born again." When we experience God's justifying grace, we come into that new life in Christ. Wesley believed that people have freedom of choice. We are free to accept or reject God's justifying grace.
Wesley believed that, after we have accepted God's grace, we are to move on in God's sustaining grace toward perfection. Wesley believed the people could "fall from grace" or "backslide." We cannot just sit on our laurels, so to speak, and claim God's salvation and then do nothing. We are to participate in the what Wesley called "the means of grace" and to continue to grow in Christian life.
Who knew grace was so complicated??? Interesting though to see how Wesley divided the Christian journey. Any thoughts?
God Bless,
your sister in Christ,
~Erin
prevenient (preparing) grace
accepting (justifying) grace
sustaining (sanctifying) grace
God's grace is a wonderful gift to humankind. Grace is God's love freely offered to us. We do not do anything to "earn" it. Take a moment and reflect upon how you have experienced God's grace in your life.
God's prevenient grace is with us from birth, preparing us for new life in Christ. "Prevenient" means "comes before." Wesley did not believe that humanity was totally "depraved" but rather God places a little spark of divine grace within us which enables us to recognize and accept God's justifying grace. Preparing grace is "free in all for all," as Wesley used to say.
Today some call God's justifying grace "conversion" or being "born again." When we experience God's justifying grace, we come into that new life in Christ. Wesley believed that people have freedom of choice. We are free to accept or reject God's justifying grace.
Wesley believed that, after we have accepted God's grace, we are to move on in God's sustaining grace toward perfection. Wesley believed the people could "fall from grace" or "backslide." We cannot just sit on our laurels, so to speak, and claim God's salvation and then do nothing. We are to participate in the what Wesley called "the means of grace" and to continue to grow in Christian life.
Who knew grace was so complicated??? Interesting though to see how Wesley divided the Christian journey. Any thoughts?
God Bless,
your sister in Christ,
~Erin
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Grace Week
I have enjoyed studing about John Wesly lately and his teachings. He focused often on grace and it's role in working towards Christian perfection. This is an interesting yet somewhat complicated idea, so I thought together here we could see what we thought. Today I want to pose the question to you - what is grace? What does it mean to you? Have you experienced it? Do you have any questions about it? Tomorrow we will begin John Wesley's answers to those questions.
John 1:15-17
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ ~Erin~
John 1:15-17
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ ~Erin~
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Wesley
John Wesley read the Bible every day, usually early in the day or late in the evening. A scholar, he could read the scriptures in their original languages and wrote commentaries on the Bible. His Explanatory Notes on the New Testament and his sermons are a part of the Doctrinal Standards of The United Methodist Church. John Wesley gave Methodists advice on how to read the Bible. Read Wesley's advice and try it. Is his approach helpful to you? What is your method of searching the scriptures?
Today I am beginning The purpose driven life. I recieved the book for christmas thinking this should be interesting. I soon learned reading the intro that it is a 40 day journey. A holy journey. It may give me some things to but here, but I have also been studying John Wesley.
John Wesley was the founder of Methodism. There is alot of history about him and his teachings which reveal alot of reason behind methodist tradition. I encourage anyone who is not familiar with history of the wesley's ( John/Charles/ and their family ) to do alittle research - or ask.
Here is some more of Wesley's advice:
If you desire to read the scripture in such a manner as may most effectually answer this end, would it not be advisable,
1. To set apart a little time, if you can, every morning and evening for that purpose?
2. At each time if you have leisure, to read a chapter out of the Old, and one out of the New Testament: if you cannot do this, to take a single chapter, or a part of one?
3. To read this with a single eye, to know the whole will of God, and a fixt resolution to do it? In order to know his will, you should,
4. Have a constant eye to the analogy of faith; the connexion and harmony there is between those grand, fundamental doctrines, Original Sin, Justification by Faith, the New Birth, Inward and Outward Holiness.
5. Serious and earnest prayer should be constantly used, before we consult the oracles of God, seeing "scripture can only be understood thro' the same Spirit whereby it was given." Our reading should likewise be closed with prayer, that what we read may be written on our hearts.
6. It might also be of use, if while we read, we were frequently to pause, and examine ourselves by what we read, both with regard to our hearts, and lives. This would furnish us with matter of praise, where we found God had enabled us to conform to his blessed will, and matter of humiliation and prayer, where we were conscious of having fallen short.
And whatever light you then receive, should be used to the uttermost, and that immediately. Let there be no delay. Whatever you resolve, begin to execute the first moment you can. So shall you find this word to be indeed the power of God unto present and eternal salvation.
and personally I would encourage anyone who would like to make a commitment of the sort to find an accountablity partner. Someone who can read with you and talk with you. always wonderful.
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ ~Erin
Today I am beginning The purpose driven life. I recieved the book for christmas thinking this should be interesting. I soon learned reading the intro that it is a 40 day journey. A holy journey. It may give me some things to but here, but I have also been studying John Wesley.
John Wesley was the founder of Methodism. There is alot of history about him and his teachings which reveal alot of reason behind methodist tradition. I encourage anyone who is not familiar with history of the wesley's ( John/Charles/ and their family ) to do alittle research - or ask.
Here is some more of Wesley's advice:
If you desire to read the scripture in such a manner as may most effectually answer this end, would it not be advisable,
1. To set apart a little time, if you can, every morning and evening for that purpose?
2. At each time if you have leisure, to read a chapter out of the Old, and one out of the New Testament: if you cannot do this, to take a single chapter, or a part of one?
3. To read this with a single eye, to know the whole will of God, and a fixt resolution to do it? In order to know his will, you should,
4. Have a constant eye to the analogy of faith; the connexion and harmony there is between those grand, fundamental doctrines, Original Sin, Justification by Faith, the New Birth, Inward and Outward Holiness.
5. Serious and earnest prayer should be constantly used, before we consult the oracles of God, seeing "scripture can only be understood thro' the same Spirit whereby it was given." Our reading should likewise be closed with prayer, that what we read may be written on our hearts.
6. It might also be of use, if while we read, we were frequently to pause, and examine ourselves by what we read, both with regard to our hearts, and lives. This would furnish us with matter of praise, where we found God had enabled us to conform to his blessed will, and matter of humiliation and prayer, where we were conscious of having fallen short.
And whatever light you then receive, should be used to the uttermost, and that immediately. Let there be no delay. Whatever you resolve, begin to execute the first moment you can. So shall you find this word to be indeed the power of God unto present and eternal salvation.
and personally I would encourage anyone who would like to make a commitment of the sort to find an accountablity partner. Someone who can read with you and talk with you. always wonderful.
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
God Bless,
your sister in Christ ~Erin
Saturday, January 07, 2006
"conservative"??
right now i am in the middle of a class on human differences. We talk a lot about biases, prejudices, discrimination and understand why these happen. It's a topic that often comes up in my discussions with others about social justice and how to get more of it in the world. There is oppression and hate but the question is what as Christians do we do about it?? Though one thing that has come up in our conversations is the label "conservative"
many people are confused by what "conservative" refers to. Is it a political frame of mind? If used as an adjective what does it really mean? It comes up in our class often because one particular person describes conservative views as if they are terrible and others obviously take offense to this tone. I can understand both sides of this issue. I hate to be ignored because "your just a crazy liberal" or blown off because "i think more conservatively" this to me seems as an excuse to ignore the issue we were discussing. yet on another hand it is something that is not really addressed.
what is a conservative christian?
well i can really only answer for me but i tend to classify conservatives as people whos views are more traditional and more focused on their own group instead of the entire world. That is a super broad idea (not even definition) but i think most of us already have an idea of what a conservative is. so why bring it up? i seem to at least find myself "fighting" against what i would call conservative ideas when talking about why it is so important to feed the hungry or reach out to those who are poor. Why?
Taking this class has taught me a little about appreciating diversity (that and kristina) though i have settled on the idea that we as christians are not going to agree completely and that is okay. Diversity of people and ideas are not ever going to completely go away and that is a wonderful thing. We will always have theological differences, different beliefs, cultural tendencies, however we believing in Jesus's teachings should be able to rise above and celebrate our differences while coming together to help our world. Conservative, liberal, progressive, catholic, methodist, hispanic, whatever lables we may find ourselves in- we can and must respect each other. The beauty of it is we have enough in common as christians to come together and make the world a better place. We also have a world of things to learn from all our differences it's beautiful.
So not alot said but yet an issue brought up - we are called to love each other -everyone, and i know i often forget what that means.
1 Corithians 13
if i speak in the tounges of men and of angels, but have not love, i am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.
if i only have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if i have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, i am nothing.
if i give all i possess to the poor and surrender my body fo the flames, but have not love, i gain nothing
love is patient , love is kind
it does not envy, it does not boast
it is not proud, it is not rude
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered
it keeps no record of wrongs
love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
it always protects, always trusts
always hope, alays preserves
love never fails
God is love and God loves us- social justice isn't about giving to the poor or having gifts, life is about loving God and our service coming out of that love.
God Bless
your sister in Christ ~Erin
many people are confused by what "conservative" refers to. Is it a political frame of mind? If used as an adjective what does it really mean? It comes up in our class often because one particular person describes conservative views as if they are terrible and others obviously take offense to this tone. I can understand both sides of this issue. I hate to be ignored because "your just a crazy liberal" or blown off because "i think more conservatively" this to me seems as an excuse to ignore the issue we were discussing. yet on another hand it is something that is not really addressed.
what is a conservative christian?
well i can really only answer for me but i tend to classify conservatives as people whos views are more traditional and more focused on their own group instead of the entire world. That is a super broad idea (not even definition) but i think most of us already have an idea of what a conservative is. so why bring it up? i seem to at least find myself "fighting" against what i would call conservative ideas when talking about why it is so important to feed the hungry or reach out to those who are poor. Why?
Taking this class has taught me a little about appreciating diversity (that and kristina) though i have settled on the idea that we as christians are not going to agree completely and that is okay. Diversity of people and ideas are not ever going to completely go away and that is a wonderful thing. We will always have theological differences, different beliefs, cultural tendencies, however we believing in Jesus's teachings should be able to rise above and celebrate our differences while coming together to help our world. Conservative, liberal, progressive, catholic, methodist, hispanic, whatever lables we may find ourselves in- we can and must respect each other. The beauty of it is we have enough in common as christians to come together and make the world a better place. We also have a world of things to learn from all our differences it's beautiful.
So not alot said but yet an issue brought up - we are called to love each other -everyone, and i know i often forget what that means.
1 Corithians 13
if i speak in the tounges of men and of angels, but have not love, i am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal.
if i only have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if i have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, i am nothing.
if i give all i possess to the poor and surrender my body fo the flames, but have not love, i gain nothing
love is patient , love is kind
it does not envy, it does not boast
it is not proud, it is not rude
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered
it keeps no record of wrongs
love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
it always protects, always trusts
always hope, alays preserves
love never fails
God is love and God loves us- social justice isn't about giving to the poor or having gifts, life is about loving God and our service coming out of that love.
God Bless
your sister in Christ ~Erin
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