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| Look very close.....hidden beneath the old is the new! |
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| The Garden of Hope Guardian Angel watches over the signs of life in the below picture |
So take heart. Spring is just around the corner!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Say it Ain't........ SNOW...........
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Ponderings on Sunday
Recently while cleaning out an area of my home, I came across the following that I had written several years ago. Before you read, please know that I love electronics and other gadgets so this following isn't about getting rid of that, it is about how we have evolved in our service to God.
"Many years ago I was encouraged to take my Bible to church and Sunday school. My parents said, "You will never know when you'll need your sword." (Eph. 6:17.) As I walked the not quite 2 blocks to get to church, I would imagine "battles" along the way, looking at the landscape anticipating something to appear. The "battles" I thought of were fleshly "battles." One never knows in a small community what evil creature or beast might be hiding behind a shrub or tree.
As time progressed I married and moved away from my hometown, but remembered my parents words. I made sure I would be "packing" my Bible when attending church.
One time my husband and I visited a larger church in a near by community and gladly took our swords (bibles) so we could read along with the minister. To our surprise, this body of believers did not use many swords. Members would just listen to the minister, sing songs from hymnals ending the service with a prayer.
Disturbing feelings came over me as I sat and watched as no one opened their Bibles, because they didn't bring them. I left that service feeling sad. This body of believers had polished their swords and had them in safe keeping. If the enemy were to approach-what would they do?
Fast forward a couple decades. We are so technically advanced in our worship service. Someone takes the time to type out God's Holy Word and have it displayed on the screen in front of the church body. We put the words to the music we sing on a screen allowing us to worship in song hands free. Isn't technology great!
Remember, Moses read to the children of Israel-they didn't have God's word written on scrolls for everyone to read. (Deut.4:44-45, 5:1. ) Parents were encouraged to teach their children God's word so they might be prepared and remember. (Deut 6:6-9, 11:18-21.)
Josiah read the Holy Words, tore his clothes and sought the Lord. (2 Chron 34:19-21.) God blessed Josiah (2 Chron 34:26-28) Then Josiah went to work to restore God's word. Have we become weak, soft and lazy? You see the battle with our swords (bibles) is not a battle against flesh and blood, but a battle against the spiritual realm. (Eph 6:12)
As I have reached understanding as to my parents description of my sword, I now realize how silly I was as a child.
I look around today and we've taken the importance of knowing God's Word and knowing the books of the bible and we don't require it in our corporate time of worship. Are we ashamed of the gospel? When people, especially new Christians, would rather bring a cup of coffee or a bottle of water to satisfy the fleshly desires of their bodies, instead of the Holy Words of God, I think they aren't prepared for the battle. These same people do not know the importance of carrying a sword, but they are not to blame. We who have claimed Christianity and are in positions of leadership are to be held accountable. We have socialized church so much that I wonder where our passion went?
God forbid we ever lose our electricity during a church service-we won't be able to see the bible verses on the screen or sing the songs.
Encourage someone to sharpen their sword and bring it to church next Sunday. Let's start arming (Eph 6:10-20) our soldiers.
"Many years ago I was encouraged to take my Bible to church and Sunday school. My parents said, "You will never know when you'll need your sword." (Eph. 6:17.) As I walked the not quite 2 blocks to get to church, I would imagine "battles" along the way, looking at the landscape anticipating something to appear. The "battles" I thought of were fleshly "battles." One never knows in a small community what evil creature or beast might be hiding behind a shrub or tree.
As time progressed I married and moved away from my hometown, but remembered my parents words. I made sure I would be "packing" my Bible when attending church.
One time my husband and I visited a larger church in a near by community and gladly took our swords (bibles) so we could read along with the minister. To our surprise, this body of believers did not use many swords. Members would just listen to the minister, sing songs from hymnals ending the service with a prayer.
Disturbing feelings came over me as I sat and watched as no one opened their Bibles, because they didn't bring them. I left that service feeling sad. This body of believers had polished their swords and had them in safe keeping. If the enemy were to approach-what would they do?
Fast forward a couple decades. We are so technically advanced in our worship service. Someone takes the time to type out God's Holy Word and have it displayed on the screen in front of the church body. We put the words to the music we sing on a screen allowing us to worship in song hands free. Isn't technology great!
Remember, Moses read to the children of Israel-they didn't have God's word written on scrolls for everyone to read. (Deut.4:44-45, 5:1. ) Parents were encouraged to teach their children God's word so they might be prepared and remember. (Deut 6:6-9, 11:18-21.)
Josiah read the Holy Words, tore his clothes and sought the Lord. (2 Chron 34:19-21.) God blessed Josiah (2 Chron 34:26-28) Then Josiah went to work to restore God's word. Have we become weak, soft and lazy? You see the battle with our swords (bibles) is not a battle against flesh and blood, but a battle against the spiritual realm. (Eph 6:12)
As I have reached understanding as to my parents description of my sword, I now realize how silly I was as a child.
I look around today and we've taken the importance of knowing God's Word and knowing the books of the bible and we don't require it in our corporate time of worship. Are we ashamed of the gospel? When people, especially new Christians, would rather bring a cup of coffee or a bottle of water to satisfy the fleshly desires of their bodies, instead of the Holy Words of God, I think they aren't prepared for the battle. These same people do not know the importance of carrying a sword, but they are not to blame. We who have claimed Christianity and are in positions of leadership are to be held accountable. We have socialized church so much that I wonder where our passion went?
God forbid we ever lose our electricity during a church service-we won't be able to see the bible verses on the screen or sing the songs.
Encourage someone to sharpen their sword and bring it to church next Sunday. Let's start arming (Eph 6:10-20) our soldiers.
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