"Peace I leave with you, peace I give to you. Shalom, shalom, shalom.
Peace not of this world, that I've given you, shalom, shalom.
Take this bread, take this wine. Make My life your own.
Heart to heart, branch to vine, shalom, shalom, shalom.
Though I go away, I will be with you, shalom, shalom, shalom.
Here to fill your hearts, here to comfort you. Shalom.
And when you eat remember, and when drink recall.
This is my body, this is my blood I give once for all.
Peace I leave with you, peace I give to you. Shalom, shalom, shalom.
Peace not of this world that I've given you, shalom, shalom, shalom." (Shalom from the Promise)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Vacation 3.21.08
The sun, the sky, the snow melting. That about describes WI in mid March. It has been fun though. I am spending time with my family and getting ahead on school work, how awesome is that!?!
My little nephew is amazing. 3 is a fun age. We play cars, and have watched "101 Dalmatians 2: Patch's London Adventure" enough times that I have it memorized! He is very sweet and a bit (ok so that is an understatement) energetic. I am going to miss him (I wonder if he would fit in my carry-on?).
For Easter brunch I get to go to Curly's Pub @ Lambeau before heading to the airport and flying home. As much fun as this week has been (and it has) I am ready to get back home. I love schedules and being on one (if only to know what day of the week it is), and being back home I will get back to my routine.
On the other hand, in about 3 weeks I will be ready to see my sis, bro in law and nephew again! If only they lived closer (but then how often would I get to see my beloved stadium?)! This week has gone by quite quickly.
Not too much else to report. It doesn't feel as cold as I thought it would, so that is something. Next weekend I hope to get to my fave city and see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. That will be beautiful. I will report on all things Spring as soon as I can.
Till then, God bless and remember that the truth of the Bible remains, even if we choose not to believe it, and life is easier if we just believe.
My little nephew is amazing. 3 is a fun age. We play cars, and have watched "101 Dalmatians 2: Patch's London Adventure" enough times that I have it memorized! He is very sweet and a bit (ok so that is an understatement) energetic. I am going to miss him (I wonder if he would fit in my carry-on?).
For Easter brunch I get to go to Curly's Pub @ Lambeau before heading to the airport and flying home. As much fun as this week has been (and it has) I am ready to get back home. I love schedules and being on one (if only to know what day of the week it is), and being back home I will get back to my routine.
On the other hand, in about 3 weeks I will be ready to see my sis, bro in law and nephew again! If only they lived closer (but then how often would I get to see my beloved stadium?)! This week has gone by quite quickly.
Not too much else to report. It doesn't feel as cold as I thought it would, so that is something. Next weekend I hope to get to my fave city and see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. That will be beautiful. I will report on all things Spring as soon as I can.
Till then, God bless and remember that the truth of the Bible remains, even if we choose not to believe it, and life is easier if we just believe.
March 13, 2008: Forgiveness
Forgiveness. During Lent and Easter it is natural for Christians to ponder the amazing act of forgiveness.
Forgiveness was not around in the beginning. During the glory of the Garden days: Adam, Eve and God spent time together, and because the people were without sin they did not need forgiveness. Then came the Fall. God was angry and hurt, but God is loving, and He chose to forgive His children. God is just and holy and He could not just forgive them, there had to be a sacrifice. The clothing the two wore were the signs of the first blood offering. Animals had to die, so that man and woman could be forgiven. God still punished the pair, because that is how life works there are repercussions, but He forgave them.
From then on there was a need for an innocent to die for people to be forgiven. Many cultures practiced sacrifice. God set it out. In God's order though the sacrifice was through animals (and plants) and it was continual. Something perfect had to be sacrificed.
Jesus chose to take on human form and become the final offering. Because He was offering Himself, and He lived a perfect life He (Jesus) was able to be the once and for all sin offering. Jesus' work that first Easter weekend accomplished the path to forgiveness.
God is the model of forgiveness. He came down, and died on the cross so that we, these despicable creatures that choose to go against Him all the time, could still have a chance to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Hallelujah!
As followers of Christ, people who claim to love Him and yearn to serve Him, we are called to forgive others. This is much easier said than done. We teach our children to apologize and forgive, but most often for them it is lip service. "I have to forgive you so mommy will let me go out and play." True forgiveness is rare and special.
To forgive, and to be forgiven is humbling. Because true forgiveness only comes from God. It is the power of God that gives us the ability to say "I love you, but more importantly God loves you, and because of that love I am going to forgive you and keep on loving you, as if the wrong never happened." There might still be natural repercussions, such as a child lying to a parent, and the parent forgiving the child, but trusting them less.
Forgiveness is precious. It is a gift that we give others, but that we also give ourselves. Allowing ourselves to forgive and to live with a heart of forgiveness is freeing. It allows us to bask in the joy of the Lord. We don't have to be to bitter. God has forgiven each of us for so much, how can we not forgive others, if we truly love them and love God?
That first Easter weekend was an amazing point in history-the most pivotal point in history. Life changed forever on that weekend. No longer do people have to worry if they have done the right sacrifice, if they picked the right sacrifice, or any number of things. Now, we turn to Scripture to find the truth and we choose to believe in the Truth. We repent in prayer and we are forgiven-set free to love, forgive and bring Glory to God. Free with the knowledge that nothing can seperate us from Him love, and His forgiveness. Free to go out and share this great joy with others. Sharing Christ should be natural. Our relationship with Christ should be so joyful that we can't help but want all people to experience the same. It may not always be easy, but there should always be Godly joy.
Forgiveness was not around in the beginning. During the glory of the Garden days: Adam, Eve and God spent time together, and because the people were without sin they did not need forgiveness. Then came the Fall. God was angry and hurt, but God is loving, and He chose to forgive His children. God is just and holy and He could not just forgive them, there had to be a sacrifice. The clothing the two wore were the signs of the first blood offering. Animals had to die, so that man and woman could be forgiven. God still punished the pair, because that is how life works there are repercussions, but He forgave them.
From then on there was a need for an innocent to die for people to be forgiven. Many cultures practiced sacrifice. God set it out. In God's order though the sacrifice was through animals (and plants) and it was continual. Something perfect had to be sacrificed.
Jesus chose to take on human form and become the final offering. Because He was offering Himself, and He lived a perfect life He (Jesus) was able to be the once and for all sin offering. Jesus' work that first Easter weekend accomplished the path to forgiveness.
God is the model of forgiveness. He came down, and died on the cross so that we, these despicable creatures that choose to go against Him all the time, could still have a chance to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Hallelujah!
As followers of Christ, people who claim to love Him and yearn to serve Him, we are called to forgive others. This is much easier said than done. We teach our children to apologize and forgive, but most often for them it is lip service. "I have to forgive you so mommy will let me go out and play." True forgiveness is rare and special.
To forgive, and to be forgiven is humbling. Because true forgiveness only comes from God. It is the power of God that gives us the ability to say "I love you, but more importantly God loves you, and because of that love I am going to forgive you and keep on loving you, as if the wrong never happened." There might still be natural repercussions, such as a child lying to a parent, and the parent forgiving the child, but trusting them less.
Forgiveness is precious. It is a gift that we give others, but that we also give ourselves. Allowing ourselves to forgive and to live with a heart of forgiveness is freeing. It allows us to bask in the joy of the Lord. We don't have to be to bitter. God has forgiven each of us for so much, how can we not forgive others, if we truly love them and love God?
That first Easter weekend was an amazing point in history-the most pivotal point in history. Life changed forever on that weekend. No longer do people have to worry if they have done the right sacrifice, if they picked the right sacrifice, or any number of things. Now, we turn to Scripture to find the truth and we choose to believe in the Truth. We repent in prayer and we are forgiven-set free to love, forgive and bring Glory to God. Free with the knowledge that nothing can seperate us from Him love, and His forgiveness. Free to go out and share this great joy with others. Sharing Christ should be natural. Our relationship with Christ should be so joyful that we can't help but want all people to experience the same. It may not always be easy, but there should always be Godly joy.
March 13, 2008
For my next paper I plan to write about the Church of Scientology, and how Christians should approach the cult. With more and more celebrities joining the "church" I think it is urgent that Christians become aware of what Scientology professes. In this post modern age Christians need to be aware of what is out there, and what people are believing so that they can use the knowledge to reach people with the Truth, and that is that Jesus is God, He is part of the Trinity. God created us, loves us, and in our depravity chose to make a way (Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection) for us (humans) to be reconciled to Him, so that we have a choice other than Hell. If we choose to follow God and acknowledge the truth of Scripture than we can assured that our names are in the Book of Life.
There are so many options in the world today. A person can believe anything they want, and most likely there is already a church (or similar setting) to "fellowship" with people of similar beliefs: be you a Trekkie (sp?), Wiccan, Satanist, Scientologist, Moonie, follower of Dan Brown or if you believe that the Statue of Liberty (or maybe my bicycle) is an actual god, you can. It would be a heady task to list all the things people believe in.
Christians need to be better educated than over. The best way to fight false religions is to know them well enough to poke holes. We Christians are to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. Loving God with our minds entails learning as much about Him and His creation as possible.
I am excited about the paper I am endeavoring to write. I hope to be finished by April. Before that though may our Lord bless you as you ponder and enjoy the glory of Easter. Easter is a great celebration-we get to praise God for all that He did for us through His Son on the cross, and all that He continues to do for us each and every day. I am so amazed at the wonderful love of Christ!
There are so many options in the world today. A person can believe anything they want, and most likely there is already a church (or similar setting) to "fellowship" with people of similar beliefs: be you a Trekkie (sp?), Wiccan, Satanist, Scientologist, Moonie, follower of Dan Brown or if you believe that the Statue of Liberty (or maybe my bicycle) is an actual god, you can. It would be a heady task to list all the things people believe in.
Christians need to be better educated than over. The best way to fight false religions is to know them well enough to poke holes. We Christians are to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. Loving God with our minds entails learning as much about Him and His creation as possible.
I am excited about the paper I am endeavoring to write. I hope to be finished by April. Before that though may our Lord bless you as you ponder and enjoy the glory of Easter. Easter is a great celebration-we get to praise God for all that He did for us through His Son on the cross, and all that He continues to do for us each and every day. I am so amazed at the wonderful love of Christ!
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