Yes, you heard me correctly. I just said It's OK to question God. Well bear with me because I haven't been struck down by lighting yet. It won't kill you to consider the idea.
Let's just talk about this theoretically... A parent has a child that runs into the street. From the parents perspective running into the street is a terrible idea because the child might, oh I don't know, get hit by a car and become a pancake. From the kids perspective, who has no legitimate idea what a car hitting him would do, just is trying to catch his ball. So the parent has to instill into the child's mind that he must NOT go into the street no matter what. The parent spanks the kid, and tells him, "DO NOT GO INTO THE STREET" and when the child asks why the parent responds with "BECAUSE I SAID SO". Well the kid learns absolutely nothing but to try to hide from the parent when running into the street. Now the spanking might have done the trick, and child may still mind. This isn't a commentary on parenting styles because I'm not a parent, nor do I have any experience to claim to know anything about parenting styles, so don't take that out of this. What I'm asking you to think about is how that was already an incredibly frustrating thing to hear. "Because I Said So"
Maybe a situation more relevant to you might help. Well what happens when your boss tells you to do something that makes no sense to you at the time. Does it not really make you mad? Especially when the boss gives no other explanation than, "Because I said so...". Its infuriating. We want to constantly know why.
Now God is very different. First off because he's always right... So it is inherently silly to question him. But I'm a firm believer in the fact that humans are imperfect... So why don't we allow our imperfections to teach us lessons in this life? Questioning God, in any sense, is a form of communication. It's not a slap to God's face or a disobedience. Yes, God asks us to trust him. But don't you think the Bible would be a LOT shorter if God intended us to just blindly trust him without any kind of explanation or reasoning?
I think it is healthy to interact with people of other belief systems, other religions, other denominations, other genders, cultures, communities, and races. God gave us this massive community of life to learn from. You don't have to change your mind about what you already believe. You don't have to change their minds either. Just let it happen. Just experience it. Do not be afraid of it. Learn to understand people, and loving them, the greatest commandment, will be so much easier.
If speaking with someone makes you question God, then no, its not a terrible thing. Its your humanity. You aren't God. I'm sorry but theoretically you have something in your head that you believe about God that is probably wrong. Same for me. Not a single one of us is capable of understanding God to his full extent at this point int time. So maybe you will change your mind. Maybe you won't. God won't leave you. Go talk to him about it. If you talk to a person who isn't a christian in the way you are that makes you question God, then go talk to God about it. It's what you do when you get confused about a relationship with a person here on earth. Tell God, tell him you need help understanding. Allow him to guide you to the truth. He won't leave you hanging. If you are hungry for the truth then he will satisfy you. Do not be afraid... He will accept your questioning with open arms and be thrilled that you want to go deeper with him.
I LOVE to question God. Because every time I do, my faith grows stronger. Don't be so closed minded. Don't be so obsessed with what you think the truth is right now on earth. If God had taught you everything you needed to know by now, then there would be no point for you to be here anymore. It would be time for you to head on up to Heaven. So if you are reading this I assume you aren't in heaven yet. So God is NOT done with you. He hasn't finished teaching you. So honor him with your questions. Respect him by not blindly pretending that you believe everything that he tells you right away without any questions. Don't pretend with him. Be REAL.
And question God. It can become a beautiful thing
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Monday, February 17, 2014
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Boy Parts and Girl Parts
Science would say there isn't much difference between girls and guys other than plumbing and chemicals. But any living person knows that there are such DRAMATIC differences between men and women expressed in their personalities. Now while I would love to hash out the differences between men and women, I'm not majorly experienced with that. I don't believe in speaking on something I don't have much knowledge on. But there is something that bugged me for a very long time in my progression with God.
Not all churches believe this, but there are many denominations that believe that women have no place in the running of a church or commanding of men. That sounds crazy to non-believers and it sounds painfully familiar to established Christians. Well first let me show you where that comes from...
1 Timothy 2:12 - But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Corinthians 14:34 - Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
When I first read these verses I cringed. Haven't I been taught my whole life to be a strong independent woman that doesn't have to have a man by her side? Well part of that is because I was raised by a strong independent single mom who I think did a pretty good job with what she had. But I also grew up in the southern bible belt around a LOT of people that believed that in a church building women shouldn't speak anywhere but in the kitchen.
I don't know about you but that does NOT sound very appealing to me... Especially since I'm not a huge cook. I think a lot of women struggle with appreciating the Bible for its full worth and instruction because of verses like this. I know I did, until I learned a really fascinating thing. So lets take the Eden approach again...
In the garden of Eden Adam was originally the only person. God eventually decided that even though Adam was awesome, he would get incredibly lonely. Eventually God put Adam to sleep and took from his body a rib to create Eve. He did not create a separate entity, he split the one into two. Then Eve and Adam lived happily until Eve screwed it all up and ate the stupid apple that ended life as they knew it. They were perfect before, they had a unity that was pure and beautiful and complex, but after the fall they had to separate to their own places to suffer their punishment. Eve had to bear children and suffer through it, Adam had to work the land with very little return.
So if your like me you didn't draw the right conclusion right at first... But lets give it a closer look. Our punishment for sin was to have to suffer, fight, work hard, and have the temptation and constant pressure of the devil. That bled into our relationships between man and woman. Man then had a commanding role, a place of leadership and direction over the household. Women then had a submissive role and a mothering role.
Part of the problem is society's explanation of this. "Submissive" sounds so negative, whereas the man's role of "commanding" sounds overtly positive. Well I think that both of them have major issues. If you've ever been a leader or a follower you understand the difficulties and frustrations that both have along with them. We, man and woman, were BOTH being punished.
So how does that translate to the church? Well we originally were one. Male and Female both came from the same creation. So to me that means that both male attributes and female attributes are JUST as important. So here's the conclusion I have drawn... both on my own experiences and with the support of the Bible.
There are LOTS of places in the Bible where advice is given, but It is not a requirement or a law. Such as the verse that suggests that its easier to be poor or the verse that encourages staying out of a marriage. But these verses are NOT laws. They suggest easier ways that things can be done. Well as a loud, commanding, confident but also boastful woman, I've learned that society doesn't appreciate that much. Even though I might have talents in command or leadership, I have almost always found that patience, prayer, gentleness, and love have been my most successful approaches. When a man stands up to a crowd and speaks passionately and confidently, there is an innate spirit in us that wants to listen. When a woman does so, it comes across as awkward or out of place. The same is true for when a man bends down to a child and tries to care for them after they've fallen, the child will be less likely to trust and allow the man to care for him than if a woman were to do the same.
Let me make abundantly clear though, that THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. I've met plenty of gentle men and plenty of leading women and they have been incredibly successful. But the Bible doesn't try to fool us. God allows us to read it because it covers a lot of major issues that we would otherwise struggle with. I just believe that God is realistic with us. He knows that the attributes he left with men would be best and most efficiently put to use in a leadership position and the attributes he pulled from Adam to give to women would best be used in a loving mothering position. But Christianity could not exist without both.
So if you are a man, I encourage you to tap into your leadership, your strength, your power. You automatically are given an instinctual ability to command and the rest of the world has an instinctually programmed response to listen to you. If you are a woman I encourage you to try to be gentle and loving. Humanity is programmed to respond positively to you. I know I have personally seen the overwhelming ease there is in just being gentle and thoughtful. If those "stereotypes" aren't for you then understand that God doesn't condemn those who are unique. He loves unique people!! And I personally will always be a little louder than I should be. But the Bible wasn't written to judge me, but to help me understand the world around me. So when I get bad responses from people I'm not surprised, I feel prepared to handle it. The Bible is our weapon, our tool, and our handbook on life. Its written for each person and a majority all at the same time. Thats the beauty of it!
Ready for the coolest part? This is still just a theory of mine... but it is so incredibly powerful.
Jesus was the only perfect human to walk this planet. Notice next time you read in the Bible, when he is spoken of pay attention to the adjectives used to describe him. Both traditionally masculine adjectives: "commanding, confident, powerful" and traditionally feminine adjectives:
"gentle, meek, mild" are used to describe him. I have yet to read another verse where there is a shared role like that. Its beautiful to me. It makes it easier for me as a woman to relate to Jesus. He understands me and he understands the man I will one day marry.
Doesn't God blow you away sometimes?? Please feel free to question, comment, and support or negate my points with scripture and such!! I would love some feedback!
Not all churches believe this, but there are many denominations that believe that women have no place in the running of a church or commanding of men. That sounds crazy to non-believers and it sounds painfully familiar to established Christians. Well first let me show you where that comes from...1 Timothy 2:12 - But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Corinthians 14:34 - Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
When I first read these verses I cringed. Haven't I been taught my whole life to be a strong independent woman that doesn't have to have a man by her side? Well part of that is because I was raised by a strong independent single mom who I think did a pretty good job with what she had. But I also grew up in the southern bible belt around a LOT of people that believed that in a church building women shouldn't speak anywhere but in the kitchen.
I don't know about you but that does NOT sound very appealing to me... Especially since I'm not a huge cook. I think a lot of women struggle with appreciating the Bible for its full worth and instruction because of verses like this. I know I did, until I learned a really fascinating thing. So lets take the Eden approach again...
In the garden of Eden Adam was originally the only person. God eventually decided that even though Adam was awesome, he would get incredibly lonely. Eventually God put Adam to sleep and took from his body a rib to create Eve. He did not create a separate entity, he split the one into two. Then Eve and Adam lived happily until Eve screwed it all up and ate the stupid apple that ended life as they knew it. They were perfect before, they had a unity that was pure and beautiful and complex, but after the fall they had to separate to their own places to suffer their punishment. Eve had to bear children and suffer through it, Adam had to work the land with very little return.
So if your like me you didn't draw the right conclusion right at first... But lets give it a closer look. Our punishment for sin was to have to suffer, fight, work hard, and have the temptation and constant pressure of the devil. That bled into our relationships between man and woman. Man then had a commanding role, a place of leadership and direction over the household. Women then had a submissive role and a mothering role.
Part of the problem is society's explanation of this. "Submissive" sounds so negative, whereas the man's role of "commanding" sounds overtly positive. Well I think that both of them have major issues. If you've ever been a leader or a follower you understand the difficulties and frustrations that both have along with them. We, man and woman, were BOTH being punished.
So how does that translate to the church? Well we originally were one. Male and Female both came from the same creation. So to me that means that both male attributes and female attributes are JUST as important. So here's the conclusion I have drawn... both on my own experiences and with the support of the Bible.
There are LOTS of places in the Bible where advice is given, but It is not a requirement or a law. Such as the verse that suggests that its easier to be poor or the verse that encourages staying out of a marriage. But these verses are NOT laws. They suggest easier ways that things can be done. Well as a loud, commanding, confident but also boastful woman, I've learned that society doesn't appreciate that much. Even though I might have talents in command or leadership, I have almost always found that patience, prayer, gentleness, and love have been my most successful approaches. When a man stands up to a crowd and speaks passionately and confidently, there is an innate spirit in us that wants to listen. When a woman does so, it comes across as awkward or out of place. The same is true for when a man bends down to a child and tries to care for them after they've fallen, the child will be less likely to trust and allow the man to care for him than if a woman were to do the same.
Let me make abundantly clear though, that THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE. I've met plenty of gentle men and plenty of leading women and they have been incredibly successful. But the Bible doesn't try to fool us. God allows us to read it because it covers a lot of major issues that we would otherwise struggle with. I just believe that God is realistic with us. He knows that the attributes he left with men would be best and most efficiently put to use in a leadership position and the attributes he pulled from Adam to give to women would best be used in a loving mothering position. But Christianity could not exist without both.
So if you are a man, I encourage you to tap into your leadership, your strength, your power. You automatically are given an instinctual ability to command and the rest of the world has an instinctually programmed response to listen to you. If you are a woman I encourage you to try to be gentle and loving. Humanity is programmed to respond positively to you. I know I have personally seen the overwhelming ease there is in just being gentle and thoughtful. If those "stereotypes" aren't for you then understand that God doesn't condemn those who are unique. He loves unique people!! And I personally will always be a little louder than I should be. But the Bible wasn't written to judge me, but to help me understand the world around me. So when I get bad responses from people I'm not surprised, I feel prepared to handle it. The Bible is our weapon, our tool, and our handbook on life. Its written for each person and a majority all at the same time. Thats the beauty of it!
Ready for the coolest part? This is still just a theory of mine... but it is so incredibly powerful.
Jesus was the only perfect human to walk this planet. Notice next time you read in the Bible, when he is spoken of pay attention to the adjectives used to describe him. Both traditionally masculine adjectives: "commanding, confident, powerful" and traditionally feminine adjectives:
"gentle, meek, mild" are used to describe him. I have yet to read another verse where there is a shared role like that. Its beautiful to me. It makes it easier for me as a woman to relate to Jesus. He understands me and he understands the man I will one day marry.
Doesn't God blow you away sometimes?? Please feel free to question, comment, and support or negate my points with scripture and such!! I would love some feedback!
The D Word... Denominations
Denominations. Church of Christ, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Episcopal, Non-Denominational
All different words used to describe self-proclaimed Christians. What kills me is the bitterness between them all. I was raised Church of Christ, My Dad went to a Southern Baptist Church, I attended a Methodist Church for some time, I sang in a choir in a Presbyterian church, and my two best friends were Catholic and Episcopalian. So I would say I have at least SOME kind of experience with most of them.
The first question I want to ask is how many people actually chose to be in the denomination that they claim for themselves? Most people were told by their parents to be a part of it, encouraged by friends to join a particular church, many people stayed in the church they fell in love with God in.
What I'm here to say is THAT IS TOTALLY OK
The concept of going to church is a modern one. I will typically take a Garden of Eden perspective on these things so here's the Eden approach...
In the beginning Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden, they ate of the fruits, they talked with God, they loved and spent time together and with God. They were so unashamed to be open with God they did not even feel the need to wear clothes!
Now notice something... I didn't say "Adam and Eve walked with God and went to church that God had built". I said that Adam and Eve LIVED with God, experienced him through each other and through God's works. They didn't have to attend church because they were with God. P.S. I really hope you don't think I'm encouraging you to attend church naked... even in the most radical of churches that might come off as highly inappropriate...
Then the fall of man happened. We acted like children. Humanity messed up. Big Time. So God sent us back to school. He saw that we were too weak to handle the freeform of just existing and loving God. He saw that we chose not to live the way he intended. So he gave us a LOT of structure. If you have ever read Genesis and some of the following books, there are chapters and chapters on the way church is run.
Now don't hear me knocking church. Even though God may not have intended that we have the structure of Church in Eden, he has called us to it now. But knowing this, I believe that there are a few things that will prevent the bitterness between people over denominations.
1. Think in terms of how it was intended
Love each other, experience God and share with each other. Fellowship, share meals, make sure to wear clothes!, but just BE together sometimes with the people of your church. There is beauty in appreciating the way God intended it.
2. Remember that Jesus came to free us from the law...
Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Jesus set us FREE from the law. He made it to where we wouldn't be burdened by our mistakes and by the old way of doing things. Otherwise we couldn't eat bacon and that would suck. So that means that if you don't go to church every single sunday and wednesday, Here's some good news. I'm pretty sure that isn't your ticket to hell. Don't get so burdened and caught up by worrying that you might miss a church
3. Its not the building or the time thats important
Its the people. its the love. Its community and fellowship and some of it is the structure. Its not that Sunday morning is the only time you can reach God. I encourage you to act like you are in church all the time. Or make church be more normal and comfortable like you live the rest of your life. GODS PEOPLE ARE HIS CHURCH so that means that you should exist worshipping, praising, learning, teaching, loving. Always.
4. So that means don't judge. Don't. Don't do it.
If someone is in a different denomination than you let me enlighten you... hating them for it will NOT change their perspective, perception, or opinion. Please talk to them, encourage them, question them about their beliefs and opinions, but don't hate them. Especially if you didn't choose your denomination after seeing and experiencing all the others. Think critically about your faith. Study the teachings of your church. I can almost guarantee that at least 50% of church going people will disagree with at least some of the teachings of the church they regularly attend. Because we are human!! There are too many differences and variables. We can't all believe the same thing exactly word for word because honestly when has that ever happened?? Be aware of what you are agreeing to by being a part of a church, but once you find what you believe most with, don't hate other people for believing differently. If you believe someone is risking their salvation then by all means, approach them. But do it out of love. I've never seen judgement used as a good thing. Ever.
So Let Me Get Radical...
Here's my radical perspective. I believe that some people need to be in certain denominations. My Dad couldn't be anywhere but Southern Baptist because he NEEDS the concept of salvation that they have. He would not be able to love God the way he does without it. Is that right? Maybe not. But it means that he is loving God in some way and so I am happy for it. My Grandmother NEEDS the structure and laws of the Church of Christ. She is about as structured as it gets and she sees beauty in order. She wouldn't love God the same way if not for it. Its about peoples experiences, understanding, and perception. And people may even end up changing denominations. I think thats ok too. So think of church as a lifestyle. Don't get bogged down by the requirements. I do not believe God will hate you for missing church one morning. I even think that if you really trust God, that if you one morning are dreading going to church, then don't go. Take some time by yourself or with your family to pray at home. Don't carry out the motions without the love and intent behind it. LOVE God with all your heart and soul and mind. That is the first command. So do it. Then LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
There is beauty in the differences of humanity and i love it!! So share with one another. Your church is not just the building you attend, rather it is the entire community of believers and non-believers all over the world.
So treat other people like they are your church family. Allow yourself to lean on others, experience their love and affection, support them in their time of need. Don't let denomination be such a dirty word anymore.
All different words used to describe self-proclaimed Christians. What kills me is the bitterness between them all. I was raised Church of Christ, My Dad went to a Southern Baptist Church, I attended a Methodist Church for some time, I sang in a choir in a Presbyterian church, and my two best friends were Catholic and Episcopalian. So I would say I have at least SOME kind of experience with most of them.
The first question I want to ask is how many people actually chose to be in the denomination that they claim for themselves? Most people were told by their parents to be a part of it, encouraged by friends to join a particular church, many people stayed in the church they fell in love with God in.
What I'm here to say is THAT IS TOTALLY OK
The concept of going to church is a modern one. I will typically take a Garden of Eden perspective on these things so here's the Eden approach...
In the beginning Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden, they ate of the fruits, they talked with God, they loved and spent time together and with God. They were so unashamed to be open with God they did not even feel the need to wear clothes!
Now notice something... I didn't say "Adam and Eve walked with God and went to church that God had built". I said that Adam and Eve LIVED with God, experienced him through each other and through God's works. They didn't have to attend church because they were with God. P.S. I really hope you don't think I'm encouraging you to attend church naked... even in the most radical of churches that might come off as highly inappropriate...
Then the fall of man happened. We acted like children. Humanity messed up. Big Time. So God sent us back to school. He saw that we were too weak to handle the freeform of just existing and loving God. He saw that we chose not to live the way he intended. So he gave us a LOT of structure. If you have ever read Genesis and some of the following books, there are chapters and chapters on the way church is run.
Now don't hear me knocking church. Even though God may not have intended that we have the structure of Church in Eden, he has called us to it now. But knowing this, I believe that there are a few things that will prevent the bitterness between people over denominations.
1. Think in terms of how it was intended
Love each other, experience God and share with each other. Fellowship, share meals, make sure to wear clothes!, but just BE together sometimes with the people of your church. There is beauty in appreciating the way God intended it.
2. Remember that Jesus came to free us from the law...
Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Jesus set us FREE from the law. He made it to where we wouldn't be burdened by our mistakes and by the old way of doing things. Otherwise we couldn't eat bacon and that would suck. So that means that if you don't go to church every single sunday and wednesday, Here's some good news. I'm pretty sure that isn't your ticket to hell. Don't get so burdened and caught up by worrying that you might miss a church
3. Its not the building or the time thats important
Its the people. its the love. Its community and fellowship and some of it is the structure. Its not that Sunday morning is the only time you can reach God. I encourage you to act like you are in church all the time. Or make church be more normal and comfortable like you live the rest of your life. GODS PEOPLE ARE HIS CHURCH so that means that you should exist worshipping, praising, learning, teaching, loving. Always.
4. So that means don't judge. Don't. Don't do it.
If someone is in a different denomination than you let me enlighten you... hating them for it will NOT change their perspective, perception, or opinion. Please talk to them, encourage them, question them about their beliefs and opinions, but don't hate them. Especially if you didn't choose your denomination after seeing and experiencing all the others. Think critically about your faith. Study the teachings of your church. I can almost guarantee that at least 50% of church going people will disagree with at least some of the teachings of the church they regularly attend. Because we are human!! There are too many differences and variables. We can't all believe the same thing exactly word for word because honestly when has that ever happened?? Be aware of what you are agreeing to by being a part of a church, but once you find what you believe most with, don't hate other people for believing differently. If you believe someone is risking their salvation then by all means, approach them. But do it out of love. I've never seen judgement used as a good thing. Ever.
So Let Me Get Radical...
Here's my radical perspective. I believe that some people need to be in certain denominations. My Dad couldn't be anywhere but Southern Baptist because he NEEDS the concept of salvation that they have. He would not be able to love God the way he does without it. Is that right? Maybe not. But it means that he is loving God in some way and so I am happy for it. My Grandmother NEEDS the structure and laws of the Church of Christ. She is about as structured as it gets and she sees beauty in order. She wouldn't love God the same way if not for it. Its about peoples experiences, understanding, and perception. And people may even end up changing denominations. I think thats ok too. So think of church as a lifestyle. Don't get bogged down by the requirements. I do not believe God will hate you for missing church one morning. I even think that if you really trust God, that if you one morning are dreading going to church, then don't go. Take some time by yourself or with your family to pray at home. Don't carry out the motions without the love and intent behind it. LOVE God with all your heart and soul and mind. That is the first command. So do it. Then LOVE your neighbor as yourself.
There is beauty in the differences of humanity and i love it!! So share with one another. Your church is not just the building you attend, rather it is the entire community of believers and non-believers all over the world.
So treat other people like they are your church family. Allow yourself to lean on others, experience their love and affection, support them in their time of need. Don't let denomination be such a dirty word anymore.
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