Funny thing - Christianity. Here we are -- the Catholics, the Baptists, the Protestants, Reformed, Bible, Lutheran, and non-denominational -- all reading the same book, all praising the same Messiah, all treating eachother like idiots!
My children are being raised Catholic. But in an effort to fill their lives with God's Word, we also send them to the neighborhood Baptist Church during the school year to attend the AWANA program (a fantastic bible-rich weekly program!). During the summer, they also attend this church's Vacation Bible School.
Last summer, the youth pastor invited the children to the back of the church for further explanation if any of them were not sure if they were going to heaven. Stated that way, I would have gone too, just to make sure that what I thought I needed to get into heaven was accurate. My oldest daughter raised her hand and followed a small group of girls to the back. I was invited to join them. A lovely lady led them in prayer - the Sinner's Prayer. It sounded familiar and my daughter smiled at me - the smile saying, "Oh! I know this. I am going to heaven!" I prayed the prayer with my daughter.
The next day, I was greeted with a hugs and congratulations. "Oh, I'm just so happy for you," one leader said.
"Thank you," I blushed. "What did I do?"
"You accepted Christ into your life yesterday! You've been saved!"
I was shocked into silence. I had accepted Christ into my life years ago. Wasn't that obvious? Wasn't I homeschooling my children and teaching them the bible and God's Word? Were my actions not screaming "CHRISTIAN!" I told this woman these things.
"But you prayed the sinner's prayer," she argued.
"Well, of course! Don't you make the choice every day to follow Jesus?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Then don't you pray that prayer every day?"
"Oh, Heavens no," she smiled. "You only have to accept Jesus once."
hmmmm.....
True. Once you accept Jesus, your life is changed. Once you feel his love, see the power of prayer, you are a different person. But that didn't completely transform me into the person I am now - and the person I am now is not fit to stand in the presence of Jesus. But the point the lovely lady and I see differently is the necessity of accepting Jesus daily.
Isn't accepting Christ into your life daily the same as choosing to read the bible daily?
Isn't accepting Christ into your life daily the same as following God's will each and every day?
Don't we continue to sin even after we accept Jesus as our Savior? Don't those sins need to be forgiven? That won't happen unless we ask. "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:24
I ask for forgiveness, for while I count myself a Christian, I know that I am a sinner.
Those daily choices become more and more difficult as I become a stronger Christian.
My walk with Jesus did start with a huge event in one day, but the events leading up to that day took years. And the little choices I've made between then and now have been a like a roller coaster.
So this summer, my other daughter was confused by the pastor's words. She knew that Jesus was her Saviour, but was He her 'best friend'? She had never thought of it that way. We've read little stories from devotionals that describe Jesus as our King, our Saviour, our friend, our brother - but 'best' friend? She wanted to be sure. She wants, more than anything, to go to heaven. So she went to the back of the church.
I didn't want to go with her. I felt ashamed that she didn't know for sure that she had accepted Christ. I looked around for 'that lady' and saw that it was someone else. If I went back there, would I say the prayer again and possibly face the same 'congrats' the next day? I didn't like feeling worried about joining my daughter in prayer. I went. I prayed. And I tried really hard not to roll my eyes when someone asked me if that was the first time I had accepted Jesus.
For today, my walk with Jesus included keeping my mouth shut. Jesus knows my heart and that should be sufficient for me.
But the divisions between Christians saddens me. We all love Jesus. Why should there be so many hairs to split? Doesn't Jesus say that 'a house divided against itself can not stand?'
"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." Mark 3:24-25
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Planning vs. Plans
It's a fine line...the desire to plan a great weekend retreat or spend time planning all the great little details. The handbook specifically tells us to not focus our energies on the planning yet, but to plan on renewing our bond, our dedication to Jesus, our efforts in becoming the women we were meant to be.
And that holds true for all things in life. I can see the days when I'm too concerned with the planning of the day, the To-Do list, that I don't take the time to see what God has set before me. If the house needs cleaning, if there are too many errands to run, I miss the sunrises and sunsets. If I don't take the time to listen to my children, if I forget to slow down and take a deep breath and pray, I miss the little bits of memories that would make me rich. The more I run around town trying to 'do it all', the less time I spend on my knees.
Our group, under the encouragement of our Lay Director, has decided to read the bible daily - together. The CRHP handbook tells us that daily scripture reading is very important, that God's Word is the key to unlocking our minds and opening up our hearts. The Catholic Church has the awesome 3-year reading plan - the daily readings for the bible are set out for the global church. If you do all the readings, you will have read the entire bible in three years.
We knew, as a group, that we wanted to read an entire book of the bible together as opposed to the thematic sections from several different books of the bible that the church has laid out in its daily readings. One of our members suggested starting with Paul's letters, stating that because he was a persecutor of Christians turned evangelist, his writing would be perfect for us. So here we go! Starting with Romans, we are reading three chapters a day.
The daily reading is the plan. The intention with which we read is our duty. The conversation we glean with God from the readings is the reward.
My dad always said, “Plans are nothing, but planning is everything.” That took a while to sink in, but when it did, the light went on, the picture became clear, and my life transformed from a series of failures to a trail of successes. The act of planning, of making goals and working toward them is more important than the plan itself. If I plan on running a marathon and work out a schedule to train for it – that’s planning. But if the plan fails, if I don’t finish first – or don’t finish at all – the plan failed. But the planning allows for other alternatives. I’m stronger now for having trained. I’ve adapted a rigorous schedule into my life and I’m more focused. I might not have a medal to hang around my neck, but I have the satisfaction of knowing that I did something to better myself.
That’s what this renewal process is – a marathon. I’m pacing myself to be a good runner each day, to follow my trainer’s advice, to eat well and sleep well. If I fail at the little things, I can pick myself up, check one off on the “I-learned-that-the-hard-way” list, and move forward. I’m planning on being accepted into heaven. Whatever God has planned for me between now and then is entirely up to him. There is no turning back now.
The following website lists the Catholic Daily Readings.
http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/frames/readings.html
Did you know that if you went to any Catholic Church anywhere in the world, the readings would be the same? Isn’t that amazing? We talk about becoming global, sharing across boundaries – and here the Catholic Church is already doing that. I find great comfort in the fact that if my family is out of town, we can go to the nearest Catholic Church and hear the same readings we would at our home parish.
And that holds true for all things in life. I can see the days when I'm too concerned with the planning of the day, the To-Do list, that I don't take the time to see what God has set before me. If the house needs cleaning, if there are too many errands to run, I miss the sunrises and sunsets. If I don't take the time to listen to my children, if I forget to slow down and take a deep breath and pray, I miss the little bits of memories that would make me rich. The more I run around town trying to 'do it all', the less time I spend on my knees.
Our group, under the encouragement of our Lay Director, has decided to read the bible daily - together. The CRHP handbook tells us that daily scripture reading is very important, that God's Word is the key to unlocking our minds and opening up our hearts. The Catholic Church has the awesome 3-year reading plan - the daily readings for the bible are set out for the global church. If you do all the readings, you will have read the entire bible in three years.
We knew, as a group, that we wanted to read an entire book of the bible together as opposed to the thematic sections from several different books of the bible that the church has laid out in its daily readings. One of our members suggested starting with Paul's letters, stating that because he was a persecutor of Christians turned evangelist, his writing would be perfect for us. So here we go! Starting with Romans, we are reading three chapters a day.
The daily reading is the plan. The intention with which we read is our duty. The conversation we glean with God from the readings is the reward.
My dad always said, “Plans are nothing, but planning is everything.” That took a while to sink in, but when it did, the light went on, the picture became clear, and my life transformed from a series of failures to a trail of successes. The act of planning, of making goals and working toward them is more important than the plan itself. If I plan on running a marathon and work out a schedule to train for it – that’s planning. But if the plan fails, if I don’t finish first – or don’t finish at all – the plan failed. But the planning allows for other alternatives. I’m stronger now for having trained. I’ve adapted a rigorous schedule into my life and I’m more focused. I might not have a medal to hang around my neck, but I have the satisfaction of knowing that I did something to better myself.
That’s what this renewal process is – a marathon. I’m pacing myself to be a good runner each day, to follow my trainer’s advice, to eat well and sleep well. If I fail at the little things, I can pick myself up, check one off on the “I-learned-that-the-hard-way” list, and move forward. I’m planning on being accepted into heaven. Whatever God has planned for me between now and then is entirely up to him. There is no turning back now.
The following website lists the Catholic Daily Readings.
http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/frames/readings.html
Did you know that if you went to any Catholic Church anywhere in the world, the readings would be the same? Isn’t that amazing? We talk about becoming global, sharing across boundaries – and here the Catholic Church is already doing that. I find great comfort in the fact that if my family is out of town, we can go to the nearest Catholic Church and hear the same readings we would at our home parish.
Renewal vs. Planning
It's a fine line...the desire to plan a great weekend retreat or spend time planning all the great little details. The handbook specifically tells us to not focus our energies on the planning yet, but to plan on renewing our bond, our dedication to Jesus, our efforts in becoming the women we were meant to be.
And that holds true for all things in life. I can see the days when I'm too concerned with the planning of the day, the To-Do list, that I don't take the time to see what God has set before me. If the house needs cleaning, if there are too many errands to run, I miss the sunrises and sunsets. I don't take the time to listen to my children. I forget to slow down, take a deep breath and pray. The more I run around town trying to 'do it all', the less time I spend on my knees.
Our group, under the encouragement of our Lay Director, has decided to read the bible daily - together. The CRHP handbook tells us that daily scripture reading is very important, that God's Word is the key to unlocking our minds and opening up our hearts. The Catholic Church has the awesome 3-year reading plan - the daily readings for the bible are set out for the global church. If you do all the readings, you will have read the entire bible in three years.
We knew, as a group, that we wanted to reading an entire book of the bible together as opposed to the thematic bits and pieces that the church has laid out in it's daily readings. One of our members suggested starting with Paul's letters, stating that because he was a persecuter of Christians turned evangelist, his writing would be perfect for us. So here we go! Starting with Romans, we are reading three chapters a day.
And that holds true for all things in life. I can see the days when I'm too concerned with the planning of the day, the To-Do list, that I don't take the time to see what God has set before me. If the house needs cleaning, if there are too many errands to run, I miss the sunrises and sunsets. I don't take the time to listen to my children. I forget to slow down, take a deep breath and pray. The more I run around town trying to 'do it all', the less time I spend on my knees.
Our group, under the encouragement of our Lay Director, has decided to read the bible daily - together. The CRHP handbook tells us that daily scripture reading is very important, that God's Word is the key to unlocking our minds and opening up our hearts. The Catholic Church has the awesome 3-year reading plan - the daily readings for the bible are set out for the global church. If you do all the readings, you will have read the entire bible in three years.
We knew, as a group, that we wanted to reading an entire book of the bible together as opposed to the thematic bits and pieces that the church has laid out in it's daily readings. One of our members suggested starting with Paul's letters, stating that because he was a persecuter of Christians turned evangelist, his writing would be perfect for us. So here we go! Starting with Romans, we are reading three chapters a day.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Harry Potter and the Misguided Mother
Recently my daughter brought her Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to our homeschool group enrichment day for show-and-tell. Who knew it would cause such a stir.A mom I have a good relationship with was stunned to silence when she saw the book. All morning she struggled to find the right words to let me know how she felt about my daughter bringing Harry Potter to show-and-tell. When I asked her what was troubling her, she paused and told me, “I teach my daughter the difference between good and evil. I teach my daughter that there is no grey area. Only God and Satan.” She went on to say that Harry Potter books are not something she would ever allow her daughter to read because they have things in them that are so purely wrong.
And that’s where my ears stopped listening. I was stunned and hurt and angry. I felt as thought this mother was telling me that I had handed my child a book on “how to become Satan’s friend” and we would both be condemned to an eternity in Hell. I felt belittled and stupid. What did she think my daughter was going to do during Show and Tell? Madeline didn’t read any part of the book, nor did she try to convince the other kids that magic is real.
Does this mother know that Harry Potter is a fantasy? Fantasy books are not real. Madeline knows that, too. So why are people so afraid of Harry? What has he done to offend so many?
And as for the ‘grey area’? Don’t we live in the grey? God is white. Satan is black. We are neither perfectly good, nor perfectly evil. That’s grey. It’s where we are. And don’t books provide a road map? Can’t we learn through the characters of a book how to navigate through life?
Then I mistakenly tried to defend my reasons for allowing Madeline to read these books. I was caught off-guard by my perception of her accusations. Was she telling me that I was a bad mother? Was I condemning my child to a life of sin by allowing her to read these books?
And more importantly, why did she feel the need to say anything at all? Madeline wasn’t offering to loan the books out. She didn’t try to convince her classmates that Harry was real and that we were heading to Olivander’s to buy her own wand. What purpose did her comments serve?
And then…retribution. As the students lined up to leave for their next class, one of the girls dropped a handful of tiny paper scraps. Madeline saw the distress on the girl’s face and immediately left her place in line to help. This girl has shown no signs of friendship to Madeline (a point she has worried about in the past), but that didn’t stop her from helping. I noticed this and encouraged the other students to help too, stating that it would be a great model of Christian Stewardship to help a friend in need.
No one helped.
Even after the other moms told their kids to get out of line and assist in the clean-up, the children only did so after sighing and rolling their eyes. After class, I asked Madeline why she helped. She told me, “That’s what friends do.”
“And where did you learn that?” I asked.
Her answer was the most satisfying reply. She told me that she was learning how to be a good friend from the books she was reading. Laura Ingalls Wilder had many run-ins with other children. Judy Blume’s characters handled problems in funny ways, but Madeline sees how people react and has internalized that information for her own real-life situations. She also mentioned the friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione. She said they always stick together, even when other kids make fun of them. They fight, but they always forgive each other.
Did you hear that? My daughter learned from a fantasy book. She learned that people need people and friends need help even if you lose your place in line. She is reading the problems characters have and learning the lessons for herself. Wouldn’t life be easier if we could learn those painful lessons before they actually hurt us? That’s what reading fiction (and, yes, fantasy too) can do for us.
And so, I need to take a page from my daughter’s book. I forgive my friend for accusing me of giving my daughter evil literature. I hope she forgives me for bearing a grudge against her for making me feel like a horrible mother. And I thank all the authors who write stories, real or imagined, that I have read and will read, that my daughters have read and will discover, for giving us the opportunity to live and learn about people and conflict through the safety of the written word.
And that’s where my ears stopped listening. I was stunned and hurt and angry. I felt as thought this mother was telling me that I had handed my child a book on “how to become Satan’s friend” and we would both be condemned to an eternity in Hell. I felt belittled and stupid. What did she think my daughter was going to do during Show and Tell? Madeline didn’t read any part of the book, nor did she try to convince the other kids that magic is real.
Does this mother know that Harry Potter is a fantasy? Fantasy books are not real. Madeline knows that, too. So why are people so afraid of Harry? What has he done to offend so many?
And as for the ‘grey area’? Don’t we live in the grey? God is white. Satan is black. We are neither perfectly good, nor perfectly evil. That’s grey. It’s where we are. And don’t books provide a road map? Can’t we learn through the characters of a book how to navigate through life?
Then I mistakenly tried to defend my reasons for allowing Madeline to read these books. I was caught off-guard by my perception of her accusations. Was she telling me that I was a bad mother? Was I condemning my child to a life of sin by allowing her to read these books?
And more importantly, why did she feel the need to say anything at all? Madeline wasn’t offering to loan the books out. She didn’t try to convince her classmates that Harry was real and that we were heading to Olivander’s to buy her own wand. What purpose did her comments serve?
And then…retribution. As the students lined up to leave for their next class, one of the girls dropped a handful of tiny paper scraps. Madeline saw the distress on the girl’s face and immediately left her place in line to help. This girl has shown no signs of friendship to Madeline (a point she has worried about in the past), but that didn’t stop her from helping. I noticed this and encouraged the other students to help too, stating that it would be a great model of Christian Stewardship to help a friend in need.
No one helped.
Even after the other moms told their kids to get out of line and assist in the clean-up, the children only did so after sighing and rolling their eyes. After class, I asked Madeline why she helped. She told me, “That’s what friends do.”
“And where did you learn that?” I asked.
Her answer was the most satisfying reply. She told me that she was learning how to be a good friend from the books she was reading. Laura Ingalls Wilder had many run-ins with other children. Judy Blume’s characters handled problems in funny ways, but Madeline sees how people react and has internalized that information for her own real-life situations. She also mentioned the friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione. She said they always stick together, even when other kids make fun of them. They fight, but they always forgive each other.
Did you hear that? My daughter learned from a fantasy book. She learned that people need people and friends need help even if you lose your place in line. She is reading the problems characters have and learning the lessons for herself. Wouldn’t life be easier if we could learn those painful lessons before they actually hurt us? That’s what reading fiction (and, yes, fantasy too) can do for us.
And so, I need to take a page from my daughter’s book. I forgive my friend for accusing me of giving my daughter evil literature. I hope she forgives me for bearing a grudge against her for making me feel like a horrible mother. And I thank all the authors who write stories, real or imagined, that I have read and will read, that my daughters have read and will discover, for giving us the opportunity to live and learn about people and conflict through the safety of the written word.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Evangelizing
"Evangelize" is a scary word for Catholics. The image that comes to my mind is the person on the street corner shouting out verses, or the door-to-door Christian who comes to see if you've 'been saved'. Not my style. Not my comfort zone.
But there are other ways to reach others with the Word. The priest at my parish, Father Mike, gave a wonderful homily on this topic last Sunday. He said that we can do more evanglizing through our behaviors than our words. Makes sense, doesn't it? How often do we hear that "actions speak louder than words"?
Father Mike encouraged us all to strengthed our own faith by becoming more visual with the traditions of the Catholic faith, beginning with weekly (preferrably daily) attendance at Mass. Prayer before meals. Offering prayer for those in need. Sending notes to those who are suffering with scripture in addition to our own prayers. Praying the rosary. Reading the bible. Praying novenas. And doing all these things in public.
As Catholics, we are used to keeping our beautiful traditions within the walls of the church. But in doing so, we are depriving our Christian brethren from witnessing the actions of the faithful. In keeping our faith hidden, we have allowed the Catholic faith to become a mystery; and now countless misinterpretations are floating around, bending the minds of non-Catholics to think we are pagans.
So I encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to become evangelists. Take your rosaries outside and pray them under the shade of a tree. Bring your bible to work are read while you eat lunch. When someone asks you to pray for them, don't say, "I will." Take their hands and pray over them right then and there. Become more involved in church. Take a step towards the edge of your comfort zone, and then one more. Share the Word of God through your actions, your deeds, your faith, and your speech.
"...he said, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.'" Luke 4:43
Jesus came to us to teach us the good news of the Lord. We do this because our example will inspire others. Because we've been asked to do this.
"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" Mark 16:15
But there are other ways to reach others with the Word. The priest at my parish, Father Mike, gave a wonderful homily on this topic last Sunday. He said that we can do more evanglizing through our behaviors than our words. Makes sense, doesn't it? How often do we hear that "actions speak louder than words"?
Father Mike encouraged us all to strengthed our own faith by becoming more visual with the traditions of the Catholic faith, beginning with weekly (preferrably daily) attendance at Mass. Prayer before meals. Offering prayer for those in need. Sending notes to those who are suffering with scripture in addition to our own prayers. Praying the rosary. Reading the bible. Praying novenas. And doing all these things in public.
As Catholics, we are used to keeping our beautiful traditions within the walls of the church. But in doing so, we are depriving our Christian brethren from witnessing the actions of the faithful. In keeping our faith hidden, we have allowed the Catholic faith to become a mystery; and now countless misinterpretations are floating around, bending the minds of non-Catholics to think we are pagans.
So I encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to become evangelists. Take your rosaries outside and pray them under the shade of a tree. Bring your bible to work are read while you eat lunch. When someone asks you to pray for them, don't say, "I will." Take their hands and pray over them right then and there. Become more involved in church. Take a step towards the edge of your comfort zone, and then one more. Share the Word of God through your actions, your deeds, your faith, and your speech.
"...he said, 'I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.'" Luke 4:43
Jesus came to us to teach us the good news of the Lord. We do this because our example will inspire others. Because we've been asked to do this.
"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.'" Mark 16:15
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Wineskins & Meditations
I have to be careful when I'm reading the Christ Renews His Parish handbook. It's actually very good. And I believe the people who wrote it knew that because it mentions several times that the reading of the handbook shouldn't overshadow reading the bible.
The handbook carefully ties together bible readings and the application of our roles in this renewal process. Today I read, "Reflection allows us to integrate our new experience and our previous knowledge." The more I think about that statement, the more I say to myself, "Well, of course!" It makes perfect sense for us to reflect on God's presence in our lives. He encouraged us all to attend the CRHP Weekend Retreat. But now what?
Perhaps you attended the weekend, but didn't take the step to join the next team. What else can you do for your God? Jesus called his disciples to leave everything behind and come follow him. If not through the CRHP program, what other way? Can you be a Eucharistic Minister? Can you attend one weekday Mass? Can you volunteer as an usher?
And for those of us who did accept this invitation to be part of the Renewal Team, how can we grow?
The handbook made a wonderful comparison - I'll paraphrase.
The parable of the old wine skin - you can't add new wine to old wine skins because the new wine will destroy the old skin. But according to the CRHP handbook, that "warning can be wrongly applied." Jesus does not ask us to throw away our old wine, because it is the wine of the new covenant. But we are asked to "check our wine cellars". If any of our wine is bad, it's because we did not drink it in time, so throw it out! There will also be some wine that was never good in the first place, so why are we hanging onto it? If the wine is ripe for drinking - open it up and share it with friends. Don't hoard your good wine!
So...how can I apply this to my life? I'm going to reflect on my "wine". We all have our past - our wine cellars - that are filled with bottle and bottle of choices, actions, and events that we can either hide or share. Today, I'm going to throw away my wine bottles of addictions. I will open a fine bottle of Merlot (no analogy here, I will actuall enjoy a glass of wine today!) with friends and celebrate the dusting of my wine cellar.
My new wine, my growth in faith, will not destroy my wine skins. I'll not throw the old skins out - just the wine they contained. The old skins will remind me of the mistakes I've made and the beauty of forgiveness. Our God is a powerful God. His love for us never ends. All we need to do is ask.
John 16:24 "Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will recieve, so that your joy may be complete." That is the assurance of answered prayer.
Meditate on that.
The handbook carefully ties together bible readings and the application of our roles in this renewal process. Today I read, "Reflection allows us to integrate our new experience and our previous knowledge." The more I think about that statement, the more I say to myself, "Well, of course!" It makes perfect sense for us to reflect on God's presence in our lives. He encouraged us all to attend the CRHP Weekend Retreat. But now what?
Perhaps you attended the weekend, but didn't take the step to join the next team. What else can you do for your God? Jesus called his disciples to leave everything behind and come follow him. If not through the CRHP program, what other way? Can you be a Eucharistic Minister? Can you attend one weekday Mass? Can you volunteer as an usher?
And for those of us who did accept this invitation to be part of the Renewal Team, how can we grow?
The handbook made a wonderful comparison - I'll paraphrase.
The parable of the old wine skin - you can't add new wine to old wine skins because the new wine will destroy the old skin. But according to the CRHP handbook, that "warning can be wrongly applied." Jesus does not ask us to throw away our old wine, because it is the wine of the new covenant. But we are asked to "check our wine cellars". If any of our wine is bad, it's because we did not drink it in time, so throw it out! There will also be some wine that was never good in the first place, so why are we hanging onto it? If the wine is ripe for drinking - open it up and share it with friends. Don't hoard your good wine!
So...how can I apply this to my life? I'm going to reflect on my "wine". We all have our past - our wine cellars - that are filled with bottle and bottle of choices, actions, and events that we can either hide or share. Today, I'm going to throw away my wine bottles of addictions. I will open a fine bottle of Merlot (no analogy here, I will actuall enjoy a glass of wine today!) with friends and celebrate the dusting of my wine cellar.
My new wine, my growth in faith, will not destroy my wine skins. I'll not throw the old skins out - just the wine they contained. The old skins will remind me of the mistakes I've made and the beauty of forgiveness. Our God is a powerful God. His love for us never ends. All we need to do is ask.
John 16:24 "Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will recieve, so that your joy may be complete." That is the assurance of answered prayer.
Meditate on that.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
"Come and Follow Me"
To use a biblical parallel, my boat was empty. I had been searching for a means to fill it, fishing in waters void of life. I began to search for answers, knowing I would find them in scripture, in other Godly people. Then, through the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat, Jesus told me, “Cast your nets here.” And sure enough, my nets were full to ripping. The harvest I reaped was beyond my expectations.
But it was just the beginning.
Then Jesus told me, “Leave behind your things and come follow me.”
I don’t consider myself a very materialist person, I don’t hoard many things (yes, I realize I wrote “many”, which means that I do), and I do consider myself a Christian. But the call came to me to do more. “Leave behind your things.”
What things? I asked him.
“The things that are keeping you from me. The things that consume the times I want you to spend with me. The things that prevent you from knowing my Word well enough; others could come to me through you if only you read the words I left behind for you. Leave all these things behind, Come follow me.”
And so I’m trying. I took a leave of absence from the Junior League; a well-known women’s volunteer organization that has helped me become comfortable speaking before crowds, helped me understand the organization of a non-profit, and witness the necessity of a Godly mindset necessary within groups outside of the church. I can use those skills to further God’s plans for me.
I took a good look at the things that were keeping me from spending time with God’s Word, keeping me from quiet, focused prayer. I cancelled our cable TV service. Without the distraction of programming (that really just makes me dumb), I have much more time for God. I wake an hour earlier to read my bible and to write.
But like the Cat in the Hat, “I can hold up the fish! And a little toy ship! And some milk on a dish!” I’m going to “come down with a bump from up there on the ball” and thus accomplish nothing for God. So I’m still looking for things that are against God to cast them out of my life. I pledge my life to God and his will.
I believe part of following Jesus is being actively involved in the planning and formation of the next Christ Renews His Parish Retreat. It’s a weekly commitment for several months, but hardly a waste of time. Through scripture, prayer and fellowship, the formation process is designed to break down the barriers between ourselves and God. Like Peter, I don’t expect to follow Jesus on a perfect path, there will be stumbling points, but like Peter, I know Jesus will pick me up and love me regardless.
But it was just the beginning.
Then Jesus told me, “Leave behind your things and come follow me.”
I don’t consider myself a very materialist person, I don’t hoard many things (yes, I realize I wrote “many”, which means that I do), and I do consider myself a Christian. But the call came to me to do more. “Leave behind your things.”
What things? I asked him.
“The things that are keeping you from me. The things that consume the times I want you to spend with me. The things that prevent you from knowing my Word well enough; others could come to me through you if only you read the words I left behind for you. Leave all these things behind, Come follow me.”
And so I’m trying. I took a leave of absence from the Junior League; a well-known women’s volunteer organization that has helped me become comfortable speaking before crowds, helped me understand the organization of a non-profit, and witness the necessity of a Godly mindset necessary within groups outside of the church. I can use those skills to further God’s plans for me.
I took a good look at the things that were keeping me from spending time with God’s Word, keeping me from quiet, focused prayer. I cancelled our cable TV service. Without the distraction of programming (that really just makes me dumb), I have much more time for God. I wake an hour earlier to read my bible and to write.
But like the Cat in the Hat, “I can hold up the fish! And a little toy ship! And some milk on a dish!” I’m going to “come down with a bump from up there on the ball” and thus accomplish nothing for God. So I’m still looking for things that are against God to cast them out of my life. I pledge my life to God and his will.
I believe part of following Jesus is being actively involved in the planning and formation of the next Christ Renews His Parish Retreat. It’s a weekly commitment for several months, but hardly a waste of time. Through scripture, prayer and fellowship, the formation process is designed to break down the barriers between ourselves and God. Like Peter, I don’t expect to follow Jesus on a perfect path, there will be stumbling points, but like Peter, I know Jesus will pick me up and love me regardless.
CRHP - Christ Renews His Parish
A few months ago, I attended a retreat at my parish. I went into it not knowing anything about the purpose of the retreat, who would be there, why I would need such a retreat… In fact, the more I think about it, I’m not sure if there was any piece of myself that desired to go; not that I was opposed to attending (the idea of a weekend away from home with other like-minded women always sounds wonderful) but I never gave it much thought. I signed up and knew I would go. I didn't spend time in prayer in preparation. I just knew that I was going.
It occured to me as I pulled into the parking lot that I didn’t know anyone who would be there. Never before have I put myself in that situation. I always like to know at least one person, but as I drove to the retreat, I felt no fear. Then I prayed, "Well, God, I think you're the one who brought me here. Can you also send someone I know, or at least recognize from my church?" Before I turned the car off, two women pulled into parking spaces on either side of me; both familiar and both from my church. Thank you, God!
Christ Renews His Parish is a Catholic curriculum designed to enrich, encourage and “shine up” the faith of the men and women of the church. With an overnight stay right in the parish hall, all your meals together, and the Bible and God’s love as the centerpiece, the CRHP weekend allowed me to see all the layers we put up around ourselves to protect us from society and our own fears. Slowly throughout the weekend, I was able to peel those back. It hurt, like ripping a band-aid off your arm hurts, but once it’s off, the wound doesn’t look so bad. Medicine can be applied and healing can begin again. Scars? Sure, but I realize now that the scar is a reminder of where I’ve come from, a mark of a lesson learned, and a reminder that although our bodies are in God’s image, our choices can mar our appearance. But God is a loving God. He forgives all those who ask for forgiveness. And through retreats like CRHP, he offers a helping hand to pull us off the floor, he dusts us off, and loves us enough to let us try again.
I remember learning to ride my bike. I was so afraid of falling, of skinning my knees, that I almost didn’t learn. But my dad was right there. He held onto my seat until he could feel my balance growing. When he let go, he still ran next to me. When he stopped running, his watchful eye still followed my path. When I fell, he was right there to pick me up, dust me off, and help me start again.
That’s what this feels like; the band-aids are off, ointment has been applied, and I’ve been dusted off for another go - and now I have a prayerful team of sisters surrounding me. Christ Renews His Parish. Yes He does!
It occured to me as I pulled into the parking lot that I didn’t know anyone who would be there. Never before have I put myself in that situation. I always like to know at least one person, but as I drove to the retreat, I felt no fear. Then I prayed, "Well, God, I think you're the one who brought me here. Can you also send someone I know, or at least recognize from my church?" Before I turned the car off, two women pulled into parking spaces on either side of me; both familiar and both from my church. Thank you, God!
Christ Renews His Parish is a Catholic curriculum designed to enrich, encourage and “shine up” the faith of the men and women of the church. With an overnight stay right in the parish hall, all your meals together, and the Bible and God’s love as the centerpiece, the CRHP weekend allowed me to see all the layers we put up around ourselves to protect us from society and our own fears. Slowly throughout the weekend, I was able to peel those back. It hurt, like ripping a band-aid off your arm hurts, but once it’s off, the wound doesn’t look so bad. Medicine can be applied and healing can begin again. Scars? Sure, but I realize now that the scar is a reminder of where I’ve come from, a mark of a lesson learned, and a reminder that although our bodies are in God’s image, our choices can mar our appearance. But God is a loving God. He forgives all those who ask for forgiveness. And through retreats like CRHP, he offers a helping hand to pull us off the floor, he dusts us off, and loves us enough to let us try again.
I remember learning to ride my bike. I was so afraid of falling, of skinning my knees, that I almost didn’t learn. But my dad was right there. He held onto my seat until he could feel my balance growing. When he let go, he still ran next to me. When he stopped running, his watchful eye still followed my path. When I fell, he was right there to pick me up, dust me off, and help me start again.
That’s what this feels like; the band-aids are off, ointment has been applied, and I’ve been dusted off for another go - and now I have a prayerful team of sisters surrounding me. Christ Renews His Parish. Yes He does!
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