Prayer: The Gate

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

Heavenly Father, winter can be a cold a dark time of year in many places in the world. Help us to find time to nurture our spirits and live in joy and light. I pray for those everywhere who suffer from depression, sadness, grief.  Lift their spirits.  I pray for those who need to know the joy of the LORD is their strength.  Strengthen each of us according to your word. The light of the world has come.  Guide us, and let us each shine the light. Thank you God.  Amen

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

The flower reminds me of how I must look to the casual observer; a little wind blown, not symmetrical, slightly disorganized and undisciplined.  Never the less, I show up in full bloom with the grace, passion and form that God gave me.

I enjoy the new trends in the personal development blog sites.  Many writers encourage excellence, simplicity, passion in our work and  generosity.  People are sharing lessons learned, helpful hints, and encouragement daily.  That is part of the Kingdom of God.  It is about what we do for each other.  It is often about what we are willing to give of ourselves.

There is an order to the universe.  It may not match our perception of order and achievement, but the events are not all random, and there is a  divine order.  Each experience is a step toward our future and if we choose, can build our strength.  Each lesson learned, however painful, prepares the way for how we deal with future experiences and how we might learn to love to the fullest.

Father God, thank you for the beauty of the day and of the season.  Let us discover the nature of you God, as we lend a helping hand or kind word to others.  Allow us to cross over the barriers of race, religion, occupation, and social status to find our higher purpose and compassion  in serving each other.  Bring your divine order and simplicity to our lives.  Let grace and loving kindness shine from each of us. Let us bring out the best in each other.  Let us be a blessing today. Amen

1 Corinthians 16:5 – 16:7 

⁵After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. ⁶Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. ⁷I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

Paul was on a journey.  He didn’t dig in and stay one place during his ministry.  He moved around, I think as the spirit moved him.  He was a letter writer and his works became some of what we read in the new testament of our Bibles.  Each work is a different chapter.  Each chapter is a different place. (more…)

After a Colorado storm

Gracious God, help us to find the purpose and hope of our calling.  Work with us and guide our steps.  Amen

Be without fear in the face of your enemies.

Be brave and upright that God may love thee.

Speak the truth, even if it leads to your death.

Safegard the helpless.

Serve the king.

From the movie “Kingdom of Heaven“, the knight’s oath.

Not a bad oath for any of us to take.  Not a bad prayer.  Side note, my personal theology is that God loves me even when I am not at my best or when I am not brave.  Although it is important to live  each day to do so.

I am fascinated by oaths that people take.  It seems to me that those who figure out what they believe, define their purpose and direction, create an oath or vow and commit to it, are able to change the world and the course of history.  Think Mother Teresa, Martin Luther, John Wesley, or King Leonidas

Most Holy God, let us all find our purpose and make this world a better place. Let us safeguard the helpless, let us be brave and upright always.  Amen

This is an off topic day, but the subject has been on my mind for a couple of weeks now.

My friend Lisa Are Wulf, has a ministry and blog called Living For God. She has a terrific post today about brand loyalty.  That post and a recent article in our local paper got me thinking about why people change churches.  I believe there are a several of reasons.

• Politics
• Over-Identification
• Doctrine
• Theology

Politics – The church should be in the spiritual business.  Telling people how to vote or think is not the job or purpose of the church.  Bringing people to God should be their business.  Being a reflection of God’s love, growing in our spiritual walk through Christian education, living each day to be a follower of Christ is what I think church is about.  It is a place to be married, and buried.  It is a place to worship and rejoice with prayers and music and fellowship.  Democrats and Republicans, men and women, conservatives and liberals, gluttons, drunks, thieves, liars, tax collectors, over-achievers, pillars of the community, vagabonds, young, old, rich, poor, artists, intellectuals, and atheletes should all be welcome at God’s table. 

Over-Identification – when a minister is at a church too long, people begin to relate to him or her as who the church is.  Members lose perspective on being the body of Christ and become a follower of Rev. so and so.  Not healthy, and in some cases has lead to the decline of the church, especially a  church not affiliated with a governing body.

Doctrine -   It is the body of teachings for the denomination or their overall beliefs.  Figure out at the beginning by learning about the overall doctrine of any denomination. What is the most important thing to you?  Every religion has a doctrinal statement that covers their articles of religion and statement of faith. Confirmation classes cover all this info as well.

Theology - is speculation and philosophy at best.  This is where we define the attributes of God and God’s relationship to man.  I think our theology is formed by formal study, prayer, life experiences and our personal spiritual development.  Even if you don’t know your church’s doctrine, you should at least have a handle on your theology.  What do you believe about your relationship with God?  People go looking for other people that support their theology and they want to be part of a group that all thinks exactly alike.  You may never find another person who believes exactly as you do.  

My husband and I were both raised in church.  We share common belief in doctrine, but very different theology.  It is OK.  We agree to disagree, think and let think, live and let live.

Find a church where your core doctrine need is met.  Then don’t sweat the little things.  Stay there and be part of the body.  Get involved.  Serve.  Read what Paul says about being part of the church.  Enjoy your church family.