Yesterday was the start of Lent for the Catholic community. As some of you know my husband and his family are Catholic. Don't get me wrong but sometimes I am not sure why they do the things they do because they don't even know why they do them. But hey I just humor them and play along.
In respect to this blog I have decided that for Lent instead of "giving up" something (its their form of fasting along with giving up meat on Fridays) I am going to try to do something else which actually is basically giving up more of my time so I guess I am sacrificing something. I have decided to try and read "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. As usual I am a little behind the trends, yes I know the book has been out for years but until I started diving deeper into the Bible (plus my Grandmother had the book and gave it to me) did I decide maybe it was time that I read the book and since it is a 40 day read and the Lental season is 40 days long then what better time than now. Which if you have read Warren's book or even the Bible for that matter you would know that anytime that God needed to change a person he did it in 40 days. So by Easter I will have read the book and maybe even come out a slightly better person or with more of a purpose about myself. But then again I do know that my purpose on this Earth was to please God so if anything the book will probably just cement those ideas better.
Ok on with the message. I had been doing some research about the purpose of Lent and why the Catholics take part in this ritual every year. I haven't exactly gotten my answer to that yet so I am still searching but I did find something that I didn't quite realize, I may have known it but for some reason this time when I read it I was a little more understanding.
No, Lent and the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter are not part of the Bible they are entirely a man made ritual but what I was not fully aware of was that it is to represent the 40 days that Jesus had spent in the wilderness being tempted by the devil after he was baptisted by John the Baptist.
Luke 4:1-13 talks about Jesus time in the wilderness. During the time of Lent a person is supposed to give up something of importance or that is some kind of sacrifice to them personally. Some people give up TV, sweets, smoking, or other bad habits. To me and maybe it is because I was taught that when you fast you are to pray as well, hence why I am reading the book, but also to some people those items they give up, like TV can help steer them away from God so I would hope that if you choose to give that particular item up you use the time that you would have spent staring at the screen to grab your Bible or even just a good Christian book to help you become a better person. Because like Jesus says in Luke 4:8 You must worship the Lord you God; serve only him." You may not think you are worshiping the TV but anything that takes your time and attention away from God is in part worshiping something other than him. As far as giving up sweets or other bad habits that maybe you do mindless, such as reaching for the candy dish while you are at work maybe you should instead find a few scriptures write them down and each time you think oh a candy bar would taste good about now, pull one of those scriptures out and quote it several times.
Today's Reading:
Luke 3-4
Leviticus 17-20
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Feb 21 Part 2
Just to let some of you know this Wednesday is a holy day called Ash Wednesday and it is the offical start of Lent. My dear husband is Catholic and we will be par-taking in some of the rituals that go along with this holy season that leads up to Easter.
I myself am still learning about the reasoning behind Lent so bare with me and I will try to help get what I have learned out to you. But what I do know is that on Ash Wednesday and every Friday until Easter we are not allowed to consume meat other than seafood so if anybody has any ideas as far as meals to plan please please pass along to me cause a person can only eat so many grilled cheese sandwiches and PB&Js.
I myself am still learning about the reasoning behind Lent so bare with me and I will try to help get what I have learned out to you. But what I do know is that on Ash Wednesday and every Friday until Easter we are not allowed to consume meat other than seafood so if anybody has any ideas as far as meals to plan please please pass along to me cause a person can only eat so many grilled cheese sandwiches and PB&Js.
Feb 21 Part 1
I just finished reading the book of Mark and just like Matthew it ends with the telling of Jesus being crucified. But a thought came to me while I was rereading about Peter's denial (Mark 14:66-72 & Matthew 26:69-75). That the reason Peter denied Jesus was obviously part of God's great plan for Christianity after Jesus returned to Heaven.
(Maybe we have heard this before or not, I am not sure, but hear me out now as I try to explain it in my terms.)
Back in Mark 8:27 Jesus asks his disciples "Who do people say I am?" Some of the men replied, "John the Baptist, Elijah or other prophets." Then Jesus asked the men directly, "Who do you say I am?" (emphasis mine) and Peter replied "You are the Messiah." Well if you back up to Matthew 16:13 the same conversation is being spoken but from Matthew's perspective who I believe was there (remember Mark was not) after Peter's explamation Jesus proclaimed Peter to be blessed and at that point changed his name from Simon the doubter to Peter which means Rock and that he was going to use him to build his church. And that hell would not be able to conquer him or anything he did on earth. That he was granted the Keys to Heaven.
Well if we flashed forward to the point of Peter's denial if he had said "Yes, I know Jesus," like I am sure he would have if God had not blocked his mouth and tongue (no that is not in the Bible but we know God can do it) and speak the denial for Peter than Peter would have more than likely been right there with Jesus on the cross and who knows what might have happened to the Church that Peter built. Oh I am sure God would have found someone else but he didn't and for that I am very thankful that Peter denied knowing Jesus because to me that made his passion for spreading the Gospel of Jesus that much stronger. The fire that Peter had I think mostly came out of guilt for denying him but like Paul that guilt just fanned the flames.
On a side note upon further examination between the two books Matthew and Mark, I believe I did like Matthew better because it does go into more detail but if you are just looking for the facts then Mark is the way to go. And I am one of the believers that Mark used his conversations with Peter to write the book of Mark as they traveled. I think Peter was a very humble man and didn't want to have a lot of attention drawn to him. If you go back and compare passages especially like the one I just discussed Matthew will point out and name Peter as saying certain things or even doing certain action like trying to walk on water (Matt. 14:28-32), but Mark does not mention Peter at all when he writes about Jesus walking on water, it just says that Jesus walked out to the boat and calmed the storm. (Mark 6:50-51) So either Peter left that part out of his retelling to Mark or Mark had such a respect for Peter that he thought it might embarrass him and just decided to leave it out. I don't think the four men who wrote the gospels knew that others were writting the same thing, so Mark thought no one would be the wiser if he left it out. But the other men thought it was important.
Today's reading:
Mark 15-16
Leviticus 11-14
(Maybe we have heard this before or not, I am not sure, but hear me out now as I try to explain it in my terms.)
Back in Mark 8:27 Jesus asks his disciples "Who do people say I am?" Some of the men replied, "John the Baptist, Elijah or other prophets." Then Jesus asked the men directly, "Who do you say I am?" (emphasis mine) and Peter replied "You are the Messiah." Well if you back up to Matthew 16:13 the same conversation is being spoken but from Matthew's perspective who I believe was there (remember Mark was not) after Peter's explamation Jesus proclaimed Peter to be blessed and at that point changed his name from Simon the doubter to Peter which means Rock and that he was going to use him to build his church. And that hell would not be able to conquer him or anything he did on earth. That he was granted the Keys to Heaven.
Well if we flashed forward to the point of Peter's denial if he had said "Yes, I know Jesus," like I am sure he would have if God had not blocked his mouth and tongue (no that is not in the Bible but we know God can do it) and speak the denial for Peter than Peter would have more than likely been right there with Jesus on the cross and who knows what might have happened to the Church that Peter built. Oh I am sure God would have found someone else but he didn't and for that I am very thankful that Peter denied knowing Jesus because to me that made his passion for spreading the Gospel of Jesus that much stronger. The fire that Peter had I think mostly came out of guilt for denying him but like Paul that guilt just fanned the flames.
On a side note upon further examination between the two books Matthew and Mark, I believe I did like Matthew better because it does go into more detail but if you are just looking for the facts then Mark is the way to go. And I am one of the believers that Mark used his conversations with Peter to write the book of Mark as they traveled. I think Peter was a very humble man and didn't want to have a lot of attention drawn to him. If you go back and compare passages especially like the one I just discussed Matthew will point out and name Peter as saying certain things or even doing certain action like trying to walk on water (Matt. 14:28-32), but Mark does not mention Peter at all when he writes about Jesus walking on water, it just says that Jesus walked out to the boat and calmed the storm. (Mark 6:50-51) So either Peter left that part out of his retelling to Mark or Mark had such a respect for Peter that he thought it might embarrass him and just decided to leave it out. I don't think the four men who wrote the gospels knew that others were writting the same thing, so Mark thought no one would be the wiser if he left it out. But the other men thought it was important.
Today's reading:
Mark 15-16
Leviticus 11-14
Monday, February 9, 2009
Feb 9
Today I would like to talk a little bit about doubt. I will admit it I am some what of a skeptic. I know that God is real and when I leave this earth I will eternally be singing among the choir of angels at the gloriousness of it all, but sometimes I doubt about things that happen here on earth.
What kind of things?
Well mostly the things I can't control. Things that I truly believe in, even people I believe in. Sometimes I even doubt God a little. Oh sure the scripture says, "Ask and it shall be given" But have you every felt after you have asked well, we'll see if I was really meant to have.
Well today I read in Mark 9 about Jesus healing a boy who had been possessed by an evil spirit from a very young age. This boy could not speak and would basically have seizures that would sometimes do harm to him. The boy's father heard about all of the miraculous things Jesus and his disciples were doing decided that this was the only way his boy would be rid of this spirit.
Now to set the scene in case you don't recall the story Jesus had been on top of the mountain with Peter, James and John and had been visited by Moses, Elijah, and God. So lets just say Jesus had a fresh anointing about him, I know he didn't need it but you know there had to be a little more confidence about him, I know I would be feeling it.
But anyways back to the story. This father was among the crowd that had gathered at the base of the mountain and an argument had apparently broken out. When Jesus got near to the crowd he asked his disciples what was going on and the boy's father spoke up telling him that he had brought his son to be healed and that the disciples had tried, I am assuming here, every prayer in the book but they couldn't heal the boy.
Jesus got upset and he called them all faithless and basically I think the spiritual bubble that he had from being on top of the mountain burst and he realized it was going to take more time to teach these people to be true believers in themselves and not just him. He wanted the boy brought up to him and as the boy was brought closer the evil spirit inside I think panicked and threw the boy into another convulsion. Jesus being the compassionate one that he is asked how long this had been going on and the father replied since he was very small.
Now this part is where I start to feel for the father. Because as the end of his dialog to Jesus he made two statements. "Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can"
Oh how I love Jesus' reply and I can only imagine the expression on his face as he answered, "What do you mean, 'If I can?' Anything is possible if a person believes."
OK now here is where my heart truly bleeds for the man and I want to say "I understand how you feel!!"
The father instantly replied, "I do believe, but help me not to doubt!"
I don't know about you but that is so me. I have never had a scripture jump out at me like that before. As soon as I read that it almost took my breath away. As a matter of fact I read it several times to make sure I was reading it correctly.
Yes doubt is very tricky and as Christians we tell ourselves I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me. But the moment we don't get that answer we want when we want it then that little spirit of doubt comes in and we start thinking we weren't meant to have the new job, or car, or marriage, or family, or healing. Because we didn't have enough faith to believe. I wish I could say its easy and here are the steps to not doubting but its not my friend and I will be the first to admit to you that I have tendency to doubt all the time, especially in myself. But the only thing that I can see that works is going back to Jesus and if you start to feel that doubt creeping back in then just say these words:
I DO BELIEVE, BUT HELP ME NOT TO DOUBT!!!
Because as the story goes on Jesus did heal that boy and I personally believe that father never doubted again.
Course if you let your doubt get the best of you like it did Israel and they built a golden calf to worship and God killed most of them.
Today's reading:
MArk 8:31- Ch 9
Exodus 25-34
What kind of things?
Well mostly the things I can't control. Things that I truly believe in, even people I believe in. Sometimes I even doubt God a little. Oh sure the scripture says, "Ask and it shall be given" But have you every felt after you have asked well, we'll see if I was really meant to have.
Well today I read in Mark 9 about Jesus healing a boy who had been possessed by an evil spirit from a very young age. This boy could not speak and would basically have seizures that would sometimes do harm to him. The boy's father heard about all of the miraculous things Jesus and his disciples were doing decided that this was the only way his boy would be rid of this spirit.
Now to set the scene in case you don't recall the story Jesus had been on top of the mountain with Peter, James and John and had been visited by Moses, Elijah, and God. So lets just say Jesus had a fresh anointing about him, I know he didn't need it but you know there had to be a little more confidence about him, I know I would be feeling it.
But anyways back to the story. This father was among the crowd that had gathered at the base of the mountain and an argument had apparently broken out. When Jesus got near to the crowd he asked his disciples what was going on and the boy's father spoke up telling him that he had brought his son to be healed and that the disciples had tried, I am assuming here, every prayer in the book but they couldn't heal the boy.
Jesus got upset and he called them all faithless and basically I think the spiritual bubble that he had from being on top of the mountain burst and he realized it was going to take more time to teach these people to be true believers in themselves and not just him. He wanted the boy brought up to him and as the boy was brought closer the evil spirit inside I think panicked and threw the boy into another convulsion. Jesus being the compassionate one that he is asked how long this had been going on and the father replied since he was very small.
Now this part is where I start to feel for the father. Because as the end of his dialog to Jesus he made two statements. "Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can"
Oh how I love Jesus' reply and I can only imagine the expression on his face as he answered, "What do you mean, 'If I can?' Anything is possible if a person believes."
OK now here is where my heart truly bleeds for the man and I want to say "I understand how you feel!!"
The father instantly replied, "I do believe, but help me not to doubt!"
I don't know about you but that is so me. I have never had a scripture jump out at me like that before. As soon as I read that it almost took my breath away. As a matter of fact I read it several times to make sure I was reading it correctly.
Yes doubt is very tricky and as Christians we tell ourselves I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me. But the moment we don't get that answer we want when we want it then that little spirit of doubt comes in and we start thinking we weren't meant to have the new job, or car, or marriage, or family, or healing. Because we didn't have enough faith to believe. I wish I could say its easy and here are the steps to not doubting but its not my friend and I will be the first to admit to you that I have tendency to doubt all the time, especially in myself. But the only thing that I can see that works is going back to Jesus and if you start to feel that doubt creeping back in then just say these words:
I DO BELIEVE, BUT HELP ME NOT TO DOUBT!!!
Because as the story goes on Jesus did heal that boy and I personally believe that father never doubted again.
Course if you let your doubt get the best of you like it did Israel and they built a golden calf to worship and God killed most of them.
Today's reading:
MArk 8:31- Ch 9
Exodus 25-34
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Feb. 8
Right now I am reading about God's plan for the building of the Ark of the Covenant.
Now most people or I assume most people get a mental image of anything they are reading, espeically when it is written out so vividly as in Exodus. Every time I sing one of my favorite songs in church I close my eyes and can literally put myself into the tabernacle. What helps is that many years ago our Paster at church had the fore-thought to place the tabernacle in our new addition that was being built. So if after you read all of Exodus 25:10-31:18 and you want to really live it then make an appointment to come down to Central Christian Center and 410 N. Main in Joplin and they will be happy to show you what the Tabernacle very well might have looked like.
Here are the lyrics for the song:
Take Me In by Kutless
Take me past the outer courts
Into the Holy Place
Past the brazen altar
Lord I want to see your face
Pass me by the crowds of people
And the Priests who sing your praise
I hunger and thirst for your righteousness
But it's only found in one place
[Chorus:]
Take me into the holy of holies
Take me in by the blood of the lamb
Take me into the holy of holies
Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am
As we sing this song at church I always close my eyes and place myself in the tabernacle and at least for me makes me that more involved in the service and sometimes even that more emotional and drawn closer to God.
If there is something like that for you, please feel free to share.
Today's reading:
Exodus 25-31
Mark 8:1-29
Now most people or I assume most people get a mental image of anything they are reading, espeically when it is written out so vividly as in Exodus. Every time I sing one of my favorite songs in church I close my eyes and can literally put myself into the tabernacle. What helps is that many years ago our Paster at church had the fore-thought to place the tabernacle in our new addition that was being built. So if after you read all of Exodus 25:10-31:18 and you want to really live it then make an appointment to come down to Central Christian Center and 410 N. Main in Joplin and they will be happy to show you what the Tabernacle very well might have looked like.
Here are the lyrics for the song:
Take Me In by Kutless
Take me past the outer courts
Into the Holy Place
Past the brazen altar
Lord I want to see your face
Pass me by the crowds of people
And the Priests who sing your praise
I hunger and thirst for your righteousness
But it's only found in one place
[Chorus:]
Take me into the holy of holies
Take me in by the blood of the lamb
Take me into the holy of holies
Take the coal, touch my lips, here I am
As we sing this song at church I always close my eyes and place myself in the tabernacle and at least for me makes me that more involved in the service and sometimes even that more emotional and drawn closer to God.
If there is something like that for you, please feel free to share.
Today's reading:
Exodus 25-31
Mark 8:1-29
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