Sunday the 4th is a nation-wide special day of communion for the three church denominations that grew out of the Stone-Campbell movement. Our building has been selected as the meeting place for the three denominations. There are those who are uncomfortable knowing a woman (Heaven forbid!) will be standing with a man at the front of the assembly and talking about communion. You see, our branch of the tree is the one who thinks women should be seen and not heard when men are present. It's a matter of authority and men are the authority.
Okay, I admit, I cringe at that statement. Maybe I'm a little rebellious--even a lot rebellious when it comes to putting women down. I've heard men speak and I've heard women speak, and as long as they are under the authority of God, who by the way is the ultimate authority, many women have more to say than some of the men.
I've attended all three of these denominations during my lifetime. Been very involved in all three. Started out in what today is the most liberal, moved to the second liberal and am now in the third which is considered the most conservative. (Although our church is considered liberal by many in the denomination.)
See! Isn't it crazy? We are all members of One Body, and that's the Body of Christ. Why do we let musical instruments and missionaries and one cup communion or kitchen or no kitchen or women's issues--it goes on and on--separate us?
My answer: Because we aren't focusing on Jesus. We are like those whose eyes are set on things below and not on Him who is above.
The service will be acapella. We don't have a piano and Heaven forbid we use a guitar! But we will "allow" a woman to speak in the assembly. I guess there will be those who won't come if they know this. Even some will come and be uncomfortable, but at least, they'll come.
Sorry about the tirade. Sometimes I just have to wonder why I go to this church, but I don't wonder long. God has already given me the answer. He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, and He knows how much I need His grace!
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
I Am the Book of Numbers
Numbers.
You're good with things that can be counted and sorted, a great classifier. Detail is your forte. You may give others the impression that you're staid, bu...t a close friend will learn that you have some shocking quirks that may approach the level of fetishes. It's OK to set high standards for yourself--that's why you accomplish so much--just make sure you give yourself grace when necessary, too..
I took a Facebook quiz written by the person whose Facebook name is Inkhorn Blue: Which Book of the Bible Are You? There are other quizzes by the same name out there but hers is a Facebook quiz. I came out Numbers. I can agree with much of it, but when it comes to the fetishes.... I go along with quirks, but the word "fetishes" stymied me so I called on Mr. Webster to give me some help.
A fetish is a small stone believed to have magical power. The second definition comes closer: an object of irrational reverence or obsessive devotion. Then it goes into body parts????
Fetishism--extravagant irrational devotion; the pathological displacement of erotic interest and satisfaction to a fetish.
Now what answer did I give that led the author of this test in this direction?
If we throw out the pathological and erotic part, I can go along with the rest, even the irrational devotion. Of course, I don't see the devotion I have to certain people and things as irrational. However, I imagine many of my friends and family members would agree with this.
When I think of the book of Numbers, I think DULL. Important at one time, but even then pretty dull.
Am I that way? Are my beliefs and devotions so strong that people find them irrational and dull?
Ahhh, but I can't forget that included in the quizzes description of me is the last sentence. I set high standards for myself and because of this I do accomplish a lot. I constantly have to be reminded of grace. Thank God for Grace. I'd never make it without His grace over me.
You're good with things that can be counted and sorted, a great classifier. Detail is your forte. You may give others the impression that you're staid, bu...t a close friend will learn that you have some shocking quirks that may approach the level of fetishes. It's OK to set high standards for yourself--that's why you accomplish so much--just make sure you give yourself grace when necessary, too..
I took a Facebook quiz written by the person whose Facebook name is Inkhorn Blue: Which Book of the Bible Are You? There are other quizzes by the same name out there but hers is a Facebook quiz. I came out Numbers. I can agree with much of it, but when it comes to the fetishes.... I go along with quirks, but the word "fetishes" stymied me so I called on Mr. Webster to give me some help.
A fetish is a small stone believed to have magical power. The second definition comes closer: an object of irrational reverence or obsessive devotion. Then it goes into body parts????
Fetishism--extravagant irrational devotion; the pathological displacement of erotic interest and satisfaction to a fetish.
Now what answer did I give that led the author of this test in this direction?
If we throw out the pathological and erotic part, I can go along with the rest, even the irrational devotion. Of course, I don't see the devotion I have to certain people and things as irrational. However, I imagine many of my friends and family members would agree with this.
When I think of the book of Numbers, I think DULL. Important at one time, but even then pretty dull.
Am I that way? Are my beliefs and devotions so strong that people find them irrational and dull?
Ahhh, but I can't forget that included in the quizzes description of me is the last sentence. I set high standards for myself and because of this I do accomplish a lot. I constantly have to be reminded of grace. Thank God for Grace. I'd never make it without His grace over me.
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