Isn't it strange...
how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church,
but such a small amount when you go shopping? Isn't it strange
how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church,
and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?
Isn't it strange...
that you can't find a word to say when you're praying but..
you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?
Isn't it strange...
how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible but
how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?
Isn't it strange...
how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games but
they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?
Isn't it strange...
how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks
before the day so we can include it in our agenda,
but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?
Isn't it strange...
how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others;
but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?
Isn't it strange...
how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say but....
we question the words in the Bible?
Isn't it strange...
how everyone wants a place in heaven but...
they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?
Isn't it strange...
how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away but
when we are going to send messages about God,
we think about it twice before we share it with others?
IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT?
Now that you've read this message, will you forward it to anybody
that you consider a friend, family member or foe (enemy)?
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
what happens when we die?
I must admit that one religious question that has haunted me for a long time is: what happens when we die?
I suppose if you were to poll 100 people you would probably have at least 10 different answers. At different points in my life, I have subscribed to various ideas of what death could be. Of course in all cases it was a hope or desire, but never a definite answer.
Unfortunately Bonnie was unable to make the study session on Friday morning (my new day and time), as her older brother died on Thursday. I just got off the phone with her, and I can't help but think the topic of our discussion came with such dramatic irony. We began chapter 6: Where Are the Dead?
In her place she sent Lori and Wendy, two very dear friends of hers. Our conversation was fascinating, even without my dear friend, and a few really interesting points were brought to light. What exactly is death? Biblically speaking, death is the payment for our sin. When Adam and Eve took the fruit they began the long line of sin that we continue to inherit today. Whether you subscribe to the belief of original sin, the Bible states that death is the payment for disobedience. In Genesis 2:17 the scriptures state, "But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die." God said that man would die. Man would cease to exist; no longer inhabiting the Earth.
Lori and Wendy asked me if I believed in hell. I told them that as a child brought up in the Lutheran faith I was certain there was a heaven and a hell. If I didn't believe in Jesus Christ, participate in Communion, and have been Baptized, I would go to hell. Hell was a place, a fiery pit. Lori suggested that a belief system like that would suggest God and Satan were in cohorts with each other. If God rejected you, Satan has a crack at it. But it's been quite a long time since I believed in a true hell (i.e. the illustration in Dante's Inferno). So I was pleased to see that the word hell is another word for Hades or Sheol. The word Sheol is all over the old testament, but it doesn't mean the illustrations many have been taught. In fact, it means "the common grave."
Witnesses believe ALL go to the common grave, and the righteous and the unrighteous will be resurrected. Which made me understand the Apostles Creed a bit better. It states, "He was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to hell. On the third day he rose again." So as a kid I thought that maybe Jesus was in a fiery pit for a few days. I just really never understood why he had to go to hell. Even as an adult I found the creed to be odd. However, if hell is a "common grave" then Jesus was in the grave for 3 days before he rose to heaven. Which of course is parallel with the story of Jonah and the Whale. I always liked the Nicene Creed better which states, "He suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again..." No journey to hell.
So what happens when we die?
I have grown up believing that everyone has a spirit. I always believed that the body returns to dust, but that our spirit moves onward (to heaven). Those that are unrighteous just stay in the ground, and those that are righteous get to go to heaven. I really never knew if I would be righteous enough, but I figured I better be a good person and live a good life. However, the Witnesses have a different view on this. I am supposed to read more about this topic for next Friday. There is a lengthy appendix in "What the Bible Really Teaches," that I am to use in preparation for the conversation.
So my internal conversation continues, and I gladly except all thoughts and feelings on the topic. More to come.
I suppose if you were to poll 100 people you would probably have at least 10 different answers. At different points in my life, I have subscribed to various ideas of what death could be. Of course in all cases it was a hope or desire, but never a definite answer.
Unfortunately Bonnie was unable to make the study session on Friday morning (my new day and time), as her older brother died on Thursday. I just got off the phone with her, and I can't help but think the topic of our discussion came with such dramatic irony. We began chapter 6: Where Are the Dead?
In her place she sent Lori and Wendy, two very dear friends of hers. Our conversation was fascinating, even without my dear friend, and a few really interesting points were brought to light. What exactly is death? Biblically speaking, death is the payment for our sin. When Adam and Eve took the fruit they began the long line of sin that we continue to inherit today. Whether you subscribe to the belief of original sin, the Bible states that death is the payment for disobedience. In Genesis 2:17 the scriptures state, "But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die." God said that man would die. Man would cease to exist; no longer inhabiting the Earth.
Lori and Wendy asked me if I believed in hell. I told them that as a child brought up in the Lutheran faith I was certain there was a heaven and a hell. If I didn't believe in Jesus Christ, participate in Communion, and have been Baptized, I would go to hell. Hell was a place, a fiery pit. Lori suggested that a belief system like that would suggest God and Satan were in cohorts with each other. If God rejected you, Satan has a crack at it. But it's been quite a long time since I believed in a true hell (i.e. the illustration in Dante's Inferno). So I was pleased to see that the word hell is another word for Hades or Sheol. The word Sheol is all over the old testament, but it doesn't mean the illustrations many have been taught. In fact, it means "the common grave."
Witnesses believe ALL go to the common grave, and the righteous and the unrighteous will be resurrected. Which made me understand the Apostles Creed a bit better. It states, "He was crucified, died and was buried. He descended to hell. On the third day he rose again." So as a kid I thought that maybe Jesus was in a fiery pit for a few days. I just really never understood why he had to go to hell. Even as an adult I found the creed to be odd. However, if hell is a "common grave" then Jesus was in the grave for 3 days before he rose to heaven. Which of course is parallel with the story of Jonah and the Whale. I always liked the Nicene Creed better which states, "He suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again..." No journey to hell.
So what happens when we die?
I have grown up believing that everyone has a spirit. I always believed that the body returns to dust, but that our spirit moves onward (to heaven). Those that are unrighteous just stay in the ground, and those that are righteous get to go to heaven. I really never knew if I would be righteous enough, but I figured I better be a good person and live a good life. However, the Witnesses have a different view on this. I am supposed to read more about this topic for next Friday. There is a lengthy appendix in "What the Bible Really Teaches," that I am to use in preparation for the conversation.
So my internal conversation continues, and I gladly except all thoughts and feelings on the topic. More to come.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
am I worthy?
Yesterday I had a wonderful conversation with Bonnie. Once again I am in thought about what I believe, and what I do not believe. This week's topic was "The Lord's Evening Meal," or as most call it, "Holy Communion" or "The Last Supper."
As in many of their practices, the Witnesses have their own way of celebrating Jesus's last meal. I was brought up in the Lutheran belief system, however, I was never comfortable with many of the teachings. The one thing that I never understood was "transubstantiation." Does the Eucharist really become the flesh and blood of Jesus? My inner voice said, "no." To this day, I cannot imagine thinking differently. I'm sure my Catholic friends would tell me that I'm crazy to think eating the body and drinking the blood is cannibalism, but I cannot help feeling that way.
The witnesses believe the covenant is an agreement, not a tangible object (i.e. the cup). Which makes clear sense to me. Why would Christians be concerned about a plain and ugly cup? Why not also look for the basket that held the unleavened bread? Blood is so important in the Bible, it appears in many of the scriptures. During the passover meal, (Luke 22:20) Jesus said "...by virtue of my blood." He did not mean literally, "This cup is the new covenant," but rather he meant that by HIS BLOOD (which is symbolized in the cup) a new covenant would be formed. We know that God formed a covenant with Abraham, in which there was not a tangible object involved. So why would Jesus decide that the covenant must contain a tangible item?
Another interesting point is how often should we remember this meal? Jesus made a point of stating we need to "remember" him; but he didn't clearly state how often. Catholics take communion every Sunday, and sometimes during the week. Some protestant religions take it a few times a year. However, Witnesses participate in the meal on the 14th of Nisan each year. Yes, they use the Hebrew calendar to determine which evening is Passover. This is when they participate in the meal, because this is when Jesus and his disciples had the meal. Witnesses believe Jesus was replacing the Passover meal with the new yearly meal. It is written that Jesus said, "man does not live on bread alone," but he is not suggesting that we need to have a more lush diet of fruits and veggies. He is speaking spiritually. I believe we need to have our "daily bread," as stated in the "Lord's Prayer," but I'm unsure how often it is necessary to participate in the act of "Holy Communion". And am I worthy to even participate?
Maybe worthy isn't the correct term, but after talking with Bonnie I started to wonder if I was truly deserving of the meal. Witnesses believe that only the 144,000 are able to drink the wine and eat the bread at the meal. Of course this means VERY few people around the world are eating the flesh and drinking the blood each year. The rest of the Witnesses pass the meal, but only remain present during the meal. They are strictly viewers. The Witnesses believe that unless you know for certain that you are of the anointed (i.e. the 144,000), you are not worthy of taking the meal. In 1 Corinthians 11:27 it is written, "Consequently whoever eats the loaf or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty respecting the body and the blood of the Lord. First let a man approve himself after scrutiny, and thus let him eat of the loaf and drink of the cup. For he that eats and drinks eats and drinks judgment against himself if he does not discern the body." Initially I was very disturbed by this, considering I had just taken communion on Sunday. But after a night of pondering, I came to a conclusion:
The covenant is between Jesus and those that are going to heaven. Witness believe only 144,000 will go to heaven. Other Christian faiths believe that anyone can go to heaven (of course different stipulations apply). Therefore, the reason Bonnie and most other Witnesses do NOT partake in the meal is because they will inherit the Earth not go to heaven.
Definitely something to think about. Of course interpretation is the key here. I am still praying on this.
In a bit of online research I uncovered a great article that put many parts of the "Lords Evening Meal" into perspective. You can read it here.
As in many of their practices, the Witnesses have their own way of celebrating Jesus's last meal. I was brought up in the Lutheran belief system, however, I was never comfortable with many of the teachings. The one thing that I never understood was "transubstantiation." Does the Eucharist really become the flesh and blood of Jesus? My inner voice said, "no." To this day, I cannot imagine thinking differently. I'm sure my Catholic friends would tell me that I'm crazy to think eating the body and drinking the blood is cannibalism, but I cannot help feeling that way.
The witnesses believe the covenant is an agreement, not a tangible object (i.e. the cup). Which makes clear sense to me. Why would Christians be concerned about a plain and ugly cup? Why not also look for the basket that held the unleavened bread? Blood is so important in the Bible, it appears in many of the scriptures. During the passover meal, (Luke 22:20) Jesus said "...by virtue of my blood." He did not mean literally, "This cup is the new covenant," but rather he meant that by HIS BLOOD (which is symbolized in the cup) a new covenant would be formed. We know that God formed a covenant with Abraham, in which there was not a tangible object involved. So why would Jesus decide that the covenant must contain a tangible item?
Another interesting point is how often should we remember this meal? Jesus made a point of stating we need to "remember" him; but he didn't clearly state how often. Catholics take communion every Sunday, and sometimes during the week. Some protestant religions take it a few times a year. However, Witnesses participate in the meal on the 14th of Nisan each year. Yes, they use the Hebrew calendar to determine which evening is Passover. This is when they participate in the meal, because this is when Jesus and his disciples had the meal. Witnesses believe Jesus was replacing the Passover meal with the new yearly meal. It is written that Jesus said, "man does not live on bread alone," but he is not suggesting that we need to have a more lush diet of fruits and veggies. He is speaking spiritually. I believe we need to have our "daily bread," as stated in the "Lord's Prayer," but I'm unsure how often it is necessary to participate in the act of "Holy Communion". And am I worthy to even participate?
Maybe worthy isn't the correct term, but after talking with Bonnie I started to wonder if I was truly deserving of the meal. Witnesses believe that only the 144,000 are able to drink the wine and eat the bread at the meal. Of course this means VERY few people around the world are eating the flesh and drinking the blood each year. The rest of the Witnesses pass the meal, but only remain present during the meal. They are strictly viewers. The Witnesses believe that unless you know for certain that you are of the anointed (i.e. the 144,000), you are not worthy of taking the meal. In 1 Corinthians 11:27 it is written, "Consequently whoever eats the loaf or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty respecting the body and the blood of the Lord. First let a man approve himself after scrutiny, and thus let him eat of the loaf and drink of the cup. For he that eats and drinks eats and drinks judgment against himself if he does not discern the body." Initially I was very disturbed by this, considering I had just taken communion on Sunday. But after a night of pondering, I came to a conclusion:
The covenant is between Jesus and those that are going to heaven. Witness believe only 144,000 will go to heaven. Other Christian faiths believe that anyone can go to heaven (of course different stipulations apply). Therefore, the reason Bonnie and most other Witnesses do NOT partake in the meal is because they will inherit the Earth not go to heaven.
Definitely something to think about. Of course interpretation is the key here. I am still praying on this.
In a bit of online research I uncovered a great article that put many parts of the "Lords Evening Meal" into perspective. You can read it here.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
thoughts on the Christmas Season
I suppose I could have written an article regarding my opinions on this topic months ago. However, I felt today was a perfect time to state what I have been feeling this year.
Why is it that people spend two months (November 1st) listening to Christmas music on the radio, yet tear down their tree and other holiday decorations the day after Christmas? Why do people become overpowered by the commercialism in our society, so that they are tired with Christmas when December 25th arrives?
I understand the need to get people "in the mood" for the blessed holiday, that is what Advent is for. However, with all the inundated wrappings and trappings, I believe the true celebration is lost. Oh yes, many say that CHRIST is what CHRISTmas is all about. But I'm sure many (or most) of them are part of the "100 days of Christmas" celebration on TV, or those that decorate for Christmas immediately following Halloween.
As a Facebook user, I noticed a lot of status messages that said, "taking down the Christmas decorations" in the last week. In fact, a few "friends" were thankful to have the decorations out of the way on the 26th of December. I wonder if Santa and the secular celebrations will push out the true Christmas season at some point.
The song is called, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." These twelve days are not before Christmas, they are the days that come after the birth. In the Christian calendar, these twelve days are supposed to encompass the time it took the wise men to reach Jesus. We know that it took much longer than a week (or 12 days) for the men to reach Jesus, but our tradition states that these 12 days are part of the Christmas calendar. We don't necessarily give our "true love" gifts each of the 12 days, like those that celebrate the 8 days of Hanukkah; but maybe we should pay more attention to the spiritual side of the holiday.
Today we had a sermon on gifts titled, "Beyond the Wrapping." Our pastor made it clear that we all have gifts that God gave us, and we need to share them. Not just those gifts that money can purchase, and not just gifts that are given at Christmas. Rather gifts that can be given all year 'round. What are your spiritual gifts? Each one of us is unique, and each one of us has a unique spiritual gift. If you are wondering what yours is, you can go to various websites and take a quiz.
Our pastor then read an excerpt of this following poem by Edgar Guest. Guest wrote for the the Detroit Free Press, and was called the Peoples Poet.
At Christmas
A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season is here;
Then he’s thinking more of others than he’s thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.
When it’s Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part;
He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart.
All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile
And the true reward he’s seeking is the glory of a smile.
Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.
If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I’d wait
Till he’d fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate.
I’d not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf,
On the long days and the dreary when he’s striving for himself.
I’d not take him when he’s sneering, when he’s scornful or depressed,
But I’d look for him at Christmas when he’s shining at his best.
Man is ever in a struggle and he’s oft misunderstood;
There are days the worst that’s in him is the master of the good,
But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside
And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.
Oh, I don’t know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.
Why is it that people spend two months (November 1st) listening to Christmas music on the radio, yet tear down their tree and other holiday decorations the day after Christmas? Why do people become overpowered by the commercialism in our society, so that they are tired with Christmas when December 25th arrives?
I understand the need to get people "in the mood" for the blessed holiday, that is what Advent is for. However, with all the inundated wrappings and trappings, I believe the true celebration is lost. Oh yes, many say that CHRIST is what CHRISTmas is all about. But I'm sure many (or most) of them are part of the "100 days of Christmas" celebration on TV, or those that decorate for Christmas immediately following Halloween.
As a Facebook user, I noticed a lot of status messages that said, "taking down the Christmas decorations" in the last week. In fact, a few "friends" were thankful to have the decorations out of the way on the 26th of December. I wonder if Santa and the secular celebrations will push out the true Christmas season at some point.
The song is called, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." These twelve days are not before Christmas, they are the days that come after the birth. In the Christian calendar, these twelve days are supposed to encompass the time it took the wise men to reach Jesus. We know that it took much longer than a week (or 12 days) for the men to reach Jesus, but our tradition states that these 12 days are part of the Christmas calendar. We don't necessarily give our "true love" gifts each of the 12 days, like those that celebrate the 8 days of Hanukkah; but maybe we should pay more attention to the spiritual side of the holiday.
Today we had a sermon on gifts titled, "Beyond the Wrapping." Our pastor made it clear that we all have gifts that God gave us, and we need to share them. Not just those gifts that money can purchase, and not just gifts that are given at Christmas. Rather gifts that can be given all year 'round. What are your spiritual gifts? Each one of us is unique, and each one of us has a unique spiritual gift. If you are wondering what yours is, you can go to various websites and take a quiz.
Our pastor then read an excerpt of this following poem by Edgar Guest. Guest wrote for the the Detroit Free Press, and was called the Peoples Poet.
At Christmas
A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season is here;
Then he’s thinking more of others than he’s thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.
When it’s Christmas man is bigger and is better in his part;
He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart.
All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile
And the true reward he’s seeking is the glory of a smile.
Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.
If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I’d wait
Till he’d fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate.
I’d not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf,
On the long days and the dreary when he’s striving for himself.
I’d not take him when he’s sneering, when he’s scornful or depressed,
But I’d look for him at Christmas when he’s shining at his best.
Man is ever in a struggle and he’s oft misunderstood;
There are days the worst that’s in him is the master of the good,
But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside
And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.
Oh, I don’t know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me
That at Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.
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