Bitterly cold on Sunday.
I was bitter all the way to church about "having" to go to church in this nightmarish weather. I mentally told off a few people who did not appear to have gone through the same driver's training I did in terms of how to drive on ice as I traveled. Driving in this stuff really pretty much brings me to tears. And I was bitter when I got there as I watched wives getting dropped off at the door by their husbands. "Figures!" is what I say to myself in these situations and what I said to myself today. So I was in a fine snit as I walked through the door and one of my friends, Evy (76 years old) greeted me. She said, "So, are you having a good day??" I half thought she was being funny-cheery at the undoubtedly sour expression on my face. So, to be funny-crabby back, I barely grunted her a reply, something like "uh huh....", as I made a beeline for the coffee bar. Luckily, Chuck was there - he makes the best Chai Lattes of anyone in the church currently, so I ordered one, and it was perhaps the best one I have ever had.
Worship began, and frankly, it was one of the best worship services I have experienced in a while. Honestly, the songs were melodic, the range was perfect, and it was a bane to my soul today. I was immediately grateful for that. In retrospect, I wonder how much like Saul I might be given the amount of comfort I received from the worship offering today. I'm sure Cindy will be grateful to be thought of like David instead!!! :)
The service that followed spoke to us of our not really being able to fully understand God. I'm paraphrasing here, but that we can understand some, but not all of God and not all of what he is about. It was excellent. And we had a testimony from one of my recently made friends who is about 55 years old and has never been sick. He was just diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in the liver and bowel and been given 9 months to 2 years to live. He is in my bible study, and I would not have missed this for the world. It was hard for him to do it, but gratifying to hear his heart on the platform.
Then I hung out with the young adult girls -- say 21 - 31 year olds. Had a great conversation, and they invited me to lunch. Women like these young ladies are so inspiring to me. I wish I had been half as lovely, inside and out, at their respective ages. I am very appreciative of even getting to spend a little time with them.
So, I went to lunch, had a fabulous time, then came home. But there was still bible study to go to. So, I began to get bitter again about going out. Do you think that by this stage of my life and with evidence received just earlier today, that I could have predicted the outcome enough to be cheery????? Well, I still have things to work on!!!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Ask Her What She Thinks
Sometimes encouragement from the bible comes in unexpected ways, and this time it was very unexpected in Genesis 24. My church, North Pointe, is reading the bible through in a year chronologically. So we read a few chapters in Genesis, we read Job, and now we are back in Genesis, reading things through as they occurred long, long ago.
Well, as you may know, the church doesn't always have a good reputation in its treatment of women. This is historically as well as currently true. I won't comment here about the rightness or wrongness of how the church has perceived, portrayed and treated women. But I will talk a little bit about how women have been perceived, portrayed and treated by the church in my very, very limited experience - most of that experience is as a non-Christian.
My own belief, and the belief of those non-Christians who influenced me, was that the church is not kind nor fair towards women. My first memories of actually experiencing/seeing this were of an uncle of mine. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour when he was a young adult and was run over by his own tractor. That was before I was born and he and my aunt (devoutly Catholic from a very young age) became Christians and joined the Baptist church.
As a child, I was fascinated by uncle's ability to speak very fast Pig Latin. But I felt uncomfortable with how he spoke to my aunt. It seemed to me he thought of her as a possession and would sometimes refer to her as if her desires, her needs, her feelings were of little or no consequence. Sometimes the things he said and the jokes he made did not seem funny to me at all. My aunt's sisters and brothers never had much regard for my uncle and often spoke of his being "a very difficult man".
Nevertheless, my aunt and uncles had three beautiful children of their own and adopted a beautiful child they had fostered for years. As my uncle got older, he seemed to mellow quite a bit and in hindsight perhaps much of his manner towards women was more common in that generation. Regardless, though, I think he might be mortified to think that these things I heard and observed caused me to form a very negative view of the church, the Bible, and people who referred to themselves as Christians.
This world view of the church that I developed as a child was further reinforced when I went to his daughter's wedding in my early 20's. The ceremony was downright offensive to women in my view. I don't remember details, I simply remember that the "submitting" seemed to be very one-sided.
When I became a Christian, I went to church and had the most amazing experience of overhearing a young man thanking an older man for something, and just thinking about their conversation now brings tears to my eyes. I had not realized that men could be so loving in their conversation or in their hearts. I was incredibly moved and am still whenever I meet a man who is not wussy, but instead manly yet meek. Do you know what I mean?
Anyway, I began reading the bible, and I prepared myself to become like my aunt. I knew I was a Christian, and they were the only Christian examples I knew of in my life, so I thought this would have to be. And indeed, the Old Testament is filled with horrific stories of how women were treated and rules that came from God that just did not seem at all fair or with favour towards women. Honestly, coming to grips with some of the stuff I read was pretty tough.
The New Testament did not seemed at best to marginally improve things much at first reading. Popping out at me were Paul's instructions to the new church about women remaining silent and not holding any position such as elder or deacon, and certainly not a teacher of men (forgive me and correct me if my paraphrasing here is incorrect). Women still seemed to be held in low regard all the way around. And frankly, you may find that many Christian churches follow many of these instructions to this day.
So, I was born again, but born into "the church" that did not yet seem female friendly to me. Certainly my world view of the church at the time played into that.
It is now 4.5 years later, and my church is reading through the Bible in a year chronologically. Each time I start at the beginning of the Old Testament, I mentally sigh at the thought of reading yet again of many ways in which women were not treated well.
But this time, I got a little treat in Genesis 24. The setting is this. Abraham sent one of his servant's to find a wife for his son Isaac. The Lord, through the servant, selects Rebekah by a series of conditions she meets by giving water to the servant and water to his camels at a well near Abraham's brother's home. The servant is invited into Rebekah's parents' home, and he tells the family of his mission to find a wife for Isaac, and how clear it was that the Lord had chosen Rebekah. The family acknowledged that the Lord had sent him and so gave Rebekah to Isaac. The next morning, however, the servant wanted to take off right away to get Isaac's bride back to him. But when he requested to be sent back, Rebekah's family protested, and the following conversation occurred:
"Then they had supper, and the servant and the men with him stayed there overnight. But early the next morning, he said, 'Send me back to my master.' 'But we want Rebekah to stay at least ten days,' her brother and mother said. 'Then she can go.' But he said, 'Don't hinder my return. The Lord has made my mission successful, and I want to report back to my master.' 'Well,' they said, 'we'll call Rebekah and ask her what she thinks.' So they called Rebekah. 'Are you willing to go with this man?' they asked her.
Genesis 24:54-57
Well, I have to tell you that I find it very encouraging to have finally "seen" this passage. In this day and age there are still many who don't care to ask what women think. I am not sure, however, that God endorses that. I look forward to a year of discovery in the Bible once again.
Well, as you may know, the church doesn't always have a good reputation in its treatment of women. This is historically as well as currently true. I won't comment here about the rightness or wrongness of how the church has perceived, portrayed and treated women. But I will talk a little bit about how women have been perceived, portrayed and treated by the church in my very, very limited experience - most of that experience is as a non-Christian.
My own belief, and the belief of those non-Christians who influenced me, was that the church is not kind nor fair towards women. My first memories of actually experiencing/seeing this were of an uncle of mine. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Saviour when he was a young adult and was run over by his own tractor. That was before I was born and he and my aunt (devoutly Catholic from a very young age) became Christians and joined the Baptist church.
As a child, I was fascinated by uncle's ability to speak very fast Pig Latin. But I felt uncomfortable with how he spoke to my aunt. It seemed to me he thought of her as a possession and would sometimes refer to her as if her desires, her needs, her feelings were of little or no consequence. Sometimes the things he said and the jokes he made did not seem funny to me at all. My aunt's sisters and brothers never had much regard for my uncle and often spoke of his being "a very difficult man".
Nevertheless, my aunt and uncles had three beautiful children of their own and adopted a beautiful child they had fostered for years. As my uncle got older, he seemed to mellow quite a bit and in hindsight perhaps much of his manner towards women was more common in that generation. Regardless, though, I think he might be mortified to think that these things I heard and observed caused me to form a very negative view of the church, the Bible, and people who referred to themselves as Christians.
This world view of the church that I developed as a child was further reinforced when I went to his daughter's wedding in my early 20's. The ceremony was downright offensive to women in my view. I don't remember details, I simply remember that the "submitting" seemed to be very one-sided.
When I became a Christian, I went to church and had the most amazing experience of overhearing a young man thanking an older man for something, and just thinking about their conversation now brings tears to my eyes. I had not realized that men could be so loving in their conversation or in their hearts. I was incredibly moved and am still whenever I meet a man who is not wussy, but instead manly yet meek. Do you know what I mean?
Anyway, I began reading the bible, and I prepared myself to become like my aunt. I knew I was a Christian, and they were the only Christian examples I knew of in my life, so I thought this would have to be. And indeed, the Old Testament is filled with horrific stories of how women were treated and rules that came from God that just did not seem at all fair or with favour towards women. Honestly, coming to grips with some of the stuff I read was pretty tough.
The New Testament did not seemed at best to marginally improve things much at first reading. Popping out at me were Paul's instructions to the new church about women remaining silent and not holding any position such as elder or deacon, and certainly not a teacher of men (forgive me and correct me if my paraphrasing here is incorrect). Women still seemed to be held in low regard all the way around. And frankly, you may find that many Christian churches follow many of these instructions to this day.
So, I was born again, but born into "the church" that did not yet seem female friendly to me. Certainly my world view of the church at the time played into that.
It is now 4.5 years later, and my church is reading through the Bible in a year chronologically. Each time I start at the beginning of the Old Testament, I mentally sigh at the thought of reading yet again of many ways in which women were not treated well.
But this time, I got a little treat in Genesis 24. The setting is this. Abraham sent one of his servant's to find a wife for his son Isaac. The Lord, through the servant, selects Rebekah by a series of conditions she meets by giving water to the servant and water to his camels at a well near Abraham's brother's home. The servant is invited into Rebekah's parents' home, and he tells the family of his mission to find a wife for Isaac, and how clear it was that the Lord had chosen Rebekah. The family acknowledged that the Lord had sent him and so gave Rebekah to Isaac. The next morning, however, the servant wanted to take off right away to get Isaac's bride back to him. But when he requested to be sent back, Rebekah's family protested, and the following conversation occurred:
"Then they had supper, and the servant and the men with him stayed there overnight. But early the next morning, he said, 'Send me back to my master.' 'But we want Rebekah to stay at least ten days,' her brother and mother said. 'Then she can go.' But he said, 'Don't hinder my return. The Lord has made my mission successful, and I want to report back to my master.' 'Well,' they said, 'we'll call Rebekah and ask her what she thinks.' So they called Rebekah. 'Are you willing to go with this man?' they asked her.
Genesis 24:54-57
Well, I have to tell you that I find it very encouraging to have finally "seen" this passage. In this day and age there are still many who don't care to ask what women think. I am not sure, however, that God endorses that. I look forward to a year of discovery in the Bible once again.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Ask Her What She Thinks
Sometimes encouragement from the bible comes in unexpected ways, and this time it was very unexpected in Genesis 24. My church, North Pointe, is reading the bible through in a year chronologically. So we read a few chapters in Genesis, we read Job, and now we are back in Genesis, reading things through as they occurred long, long ago.
Well, as you may know, the church doesn't always have a good reputation in its treatment of women. This is historically as well as currently true. I won't comment here about the rightness or wrongness of how the church has perceived, portrayed and treated women. But I will talk a little bit about how women have been perceived, portrayed and treated by the church in my very, very limited experience.
But since it is late, I'll have to do this tomorrow.
Well, as you may know, the church doesn't always have a good reputation in its treatment of women. This is historically as well as currently true. I won't comment here about the rightness or wrongness of how the church has perceived, portrayed and treated women. But I will talk a little bit about how women have been perceived, portrayed and treated by the church in my very, very limited experience.
But since it is late, I'll have to do this tomorrow.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Authority
I think I have a problem with authority. Oh, I don't have a problem with authority when the authority agrees with my way of thinking, but I have a big problem when I disagree with their way of thinking. And I think that simply boils down to a problem with authority.
When people in positions of authority or power or control or influence - whatever you want to call it - do things that are not right (i.e., misrepresenting the truth, white lies to achieve an outcome, chauvinism, etc.), every fiber of my being begins to resist that authority. Problem is, we are all flawed (me, you, and whoever is the authority), and so alot of those with authority do wrong things either from time to time or habitually. Time to time is one thing, but if it is habitual, well, let's just say for me to even be around that person feels like hearing nails on a chalk board.
So, I find reading Genesis 16 very interesting. Abram's wife, Sarai, has her servant sleep with Abram to bear him a child that Sarai was sure she never would. Once the servant, Hagar, became pregnant, she treated Sarai with contempt and Sarai's response to that was to treat Hagar harshly. So, Hagar ran away.
Looking at the circumstances here, I'm thinking it is better for Hagar to be gone from the situation, and better in general for these women to be apart. But the Lord often does things differently than I would expect. He told Hagar to go back and submit to Sarai's authority.
Interesting, eh? I bet He tells me that, too, when I am bucking authority. Hmmm......
When people in positions of authority or power or control or influence - whatever you want to call it - do things that are not right (i.e., misrepresenting the truth, white lies to achieve an outcome, chauvinism, etc.), every fiber of my being begins to resist that authority. Problem is, we are all flawed (me, you, and whoever is the authority), and so alot of those with authority do wrong things either from time to time or habitually. Time to time is one thing, but if it is habitual, well, let's just say for me to even be around that person feels like hearing nails on a chalk board.
So, I find reading Genesis 16 very interesting. Abram's wife, Sarai, has her servant sleep with Abram to bear him a child that Sarai was sure she never would. Once the servant, Hagar, became pregnant, she treated Sarai with contempt and Sarai's response to that was to treat Hagar harshly. So, Hagar ran away.
Looking at the circumstances here, I'm thinking it is better for Hagar to be gone from the situation, and better in general for these women to be apart. But the Lord often does things differently than I would expect. He told Hagar to go back and submit to Sarai's authority.
Interesting, eh? I bet He tells me that, too, when I am bucking authority. Hmmm......
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Prosperity
So, I have some questions about this topic. Today we finished reading Job. At the end of the book of Job, ..."The Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning....." In context, God allowed Satan to test Job for a bit. And Satan certainly did a pretty good job -- took Job's possessions, family, health, and frankly, even his closest friends. Job withstood the test fairly well, and humbled himself when he realized he had not tested so well. And so, the Lord blessed Job even more -- more possessions, more family, better health, etc.
And so I wonder how many of us expect this outcome? And when I say this outcome, please note that I mean the outcome of further blessings in this lifetime, on this earth. And I also wonder if we should expect it? And from that, I wonder what assumptions we would make if we expected these results and did not get blessed like Job got blessed. Would we be able to withstand an entire lifetime without thinking we'd messed up somehow -- like Job's friends assumed?? Frankly, I suspect that in general, we would not be able to do that.
Oh, it is easy to think that we might be able to do it. But really, sit and imagine for a while that you lost your home. So, instead of sitting at home and imagining this, why not go outside, sit on a curb, and imagine what it would be like to think you have nowhere to go. While you are out there, imagine that you have welts all over your body -- the very sight of you disturbs everyone you meet. You've lost your job, let's say for some unforeseen reason, but your former co-workers see you in the street with these new welts all over your body. Your wife leaves you, your children die, and your friends come to try and help you figure out what you did wrong. No job, no money, no family, no car, no home, no nothing. Just "friends" trying to help you figure it all out.
There is quite a bit of teaching going around that suggests if we do all the right things, we will prosper in the same way Job prospered once his test was over.
Hmmm....I don't THINK so. There is enough evidence in the Bible to suggest otherwise.
But, when I read Job 42, I understand how easy it is to believe this. And so, I will be pondering this for a while to glean what God would have me understand from the book of Job.
And so I wonder how many of us expect this outcome? And when I say this outcome, please note that I mean the outcome of further blessings in this lifetime, on this earth. And I also wonder if we should expect it? And from that, I wonder what assumptions we would make if we expected these results and did not get blessed like Job got blessed. Would we be able to withstand an entire lifetime without thinking we'd messed up somehow -- like Job's friends assumed?? Frankly, I suspect that in general, we would not be able to do that.
Oh, it is easy to think that we might be able to do it. But really, sit and imagine for a while that you lost your home. So, instead of sitting at home and imagining this, why not go outside, sit on a curb, and imagine what it would be like to think you have nowhere to go. While you are out there, imagine that you have welts all over your body -- the very sight of you disturbs everyone you meet. You've lost your job, let's say for some unforeseen reason, but your former co-workers see you in the street with these new welts all over your body. Your wife leaves you, your children die, and your friends come to try and help you figure out what you did wrong. No job, no money, no family, no car, no home, no nothing. Just "friends" trying to help you figure it all out.
There is quite a bit of teaching going around that suggests if we do all the right things, we will prosper in the same way Job prospered once his test was over.
Hmmm....I don't THINK so. There is enough evidence in the Bible to suggest otherwise.
But, when I read Job 42, I understand how easy it is to believe this. And so, I will be pondering this for a while to glean what God would have me understand from the book of Job.
Monday, January 14, 2008
A Year Of Loving God
That is my church's theme for 2008 -- A Year Of Loving God. Ever since I heard it, the phrase has been rolling around in my head. I've thought, ruminated, prayed, spoken, dwelled on it. What will this look like for me?
I've already failed in a way, I guess. We had a prayer meeting at the church this past Sunday. The intent was for our pastoral staff to pray with and bless families - it was called "Blessing Night". Frankly, I'm just sick at heart of going to family events as one. Downright exhausted from the effort of going to these things. Seriously, despite the fact that I have a wealth of friends that would have been there, I just simply could not even bear the idea of walking in there alone. And I'm tired of pretending almost to be a member of someone else's family - or at least that is what it seems like at times.
This is clearly not the way to being a year of loving God. It is His family I profess to belong to and surely that should be enough. Most times it is. Sometimes, though, like last night, it's not.
Lately, I've heard how important it is to finish well. I hope to finish this year much better than I started it.
I've already failed in a way, I guess. We had a prayer meeting at the church this past Sunday. The intent was for our pastoral staff to pray with and bless families - it was called "Blessing Night". Frankly, I'm just sick at heart of going to family events as one. Downright exhausted from the effort of going to these things. Seriously, despite the fact that I have a wealth of friends that would have been there, I just simply could not even bear the idea of walking in there alone. And I'm tired of pretending almost to be a member of someone else's family - or at least that is what it seems like at times.
This is clearly not the way to being a year of loving God. It is His family I profess to belong to and surely that should be enough. Most times it is. Sometimes, though, like last night, it's not.
Lately, I've heard how important it is to finish well. I hope to finish this year much better than I started it.
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