Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday School
One of the things that irks me about traditional churches is Sunday School. I don't really see the point of it. If the teaching is good in-service (and ours certainly is, yay), why do we go for an hour of lukewarm, out-of-a-book lessons? It's like having a crappy burger from McDonald's and then a giant feast!
The other thing that bugs me about SS is the whole age-segregation thing. I've witnessed this in both the Brethren and a few Baptist churches so I know it crosses denominational lines. Who decided that classes should be age-segregated? What inevitably happens is that I don't "fit" anywhere.
When my husband and I first had children, we were in our 20s. We certainly didn't fit in the 20s class because most of them were single or newly married with no plans for children. We were OK with that, but the church determined that we should really not be in that class. So they bumped us up to the 30s. Except even in the 30s, the people who were there had babies/infants or no children. They didn't like that we had preschoolers. So...we got bumped to the 40s. Except the 40s didn't really welcome us once they found out how old we were!
My experiences since my separation and divorce have been kinda similar. If I go to my age-appropriate Sunday School class, I'm in with a bunch of married couples! Usually the prescribed lessons touch on marital intimacy or something I don't want to hear about. So what's a girl to do?
The other thing that bugs me about SS is the whole age-segregation thing. I've witnessed this in both the Brethren and a few Baptist churches so I know it crosses denominational lines. Who decided that classes should be age-segregated? What inevitably happens is that I don't "fit" anywhere.
When my husband and I first had children, we were in our 20s. We certainly didn't fit in the 20s class because most of them were single or newly married with no plans for children. We were OK with that, but the church determined that we should really not be in that class. So they bumped us up to the 30s. Except even in the 30s, the people who were there had babies/infants or no children. They didn't like that we had preschoolers. So...we got bumped to the 40s. Except the 40s didn't really welcome us once they found out how old we were!
My experiences since my separation and divorce have been kinda similar. If I go to my age-appropriate Sunday School class, I'm in with a bunch of married couples! Usually the prescribed lessons touch on marital intimacy or something I don't want to hear about. So what's a girl to do?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Things to chew on
I've been reading "Stuff Christians Like" which is a hilarious blog by aspiring author Jon Acuff. Most of it has me rolling but he snuck a serious one in yesterday and I've been thinking on it since then. It's worth a read...and then go read all the other entries! ;)
http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2008/04/167-believing-in-calendars.html
http://stufffchristianslike.blogspot.com/2008/04/167-believing-in-calendars.html
Thursday, April 17, 2008
ADD and Bible study
I wish I could stick to a routine of studying my Bible each and every day. I know the benefit but I can't seem to stick to it. And it's not a whole "I don't want to read the Bible so I'm going to pretend I don't have the time" thing. It's that I start to do it and then forget. Or, I guess, I can confess another reason I don't do it.
I misplace my Bible.
By "misplace" I mean...lose. Big time lose.
What happens is that I pick it up to read it and then the phone rings or someone knocks on the door or a rabid squirrel comes down my nonexistent chimney and holds me hostage until I feed him some Nut N' Honey cereal, and then I put my Bible down somewhere to take care of the task at hand. And while I'm in the middle of taking care of that, something else happens (the squirrel's insanely angry jilted ex-squirrel girlfriend shows up ala Jerry Springer) and I forget what I was doing and soon 3 days have passed and I still can't remember what I did with my Bible.
Which, I guess, would be frustrating if I even remembered for more than 3 seconds that I was looking for it. Heh.
I misplace my Bible.
By "misplace" I mean...lose. Big time lose.
What happens is that I pick it up to read it and then the phone rings or someone knocks on the door or a rabid squirrel comes down my nonexistent chimney and holds me hostage until I feed him some Nut N' Honey cereal, and then I put my Bible down somewhere to take care of the task at hand. And while I'm in the middle of taking care of that, something else happens (the squirrel's insanely angry jilted ex-squirrel girlfriend shows up ala Jerry Springer) and I forget what I was doing and soon 3 days have passed and I still can't remember what I did with my Bible.
Which, I guess, would be frustrating if I even remembered for more than 3 seconds that I was looking for it. Heh.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
new direction: Philippians!
I just couldn't get past Joshua 10. I've moved into Philippians and before I start studying the text, I read up a little on the birth of the church at Philippi. If you don't know the story, here it is:
Acts 16:11-40
There are a few things I noticed in this text. First off, Paul & Silas had one plan but when things got in the way (namely imprisonment), rather than sit there and whine about their circumstances, they still served God right where they were.
Secondly, a LOT of people would think God had set them free if there was an earthquake that loosed their chains. I would've been the first one out of there! Paul & Silas, however, obeyed the authority which said they were to be imprisoned. Because of their obedience, the jailer not only lived but found relationship with God!
I look forward to my study of Philippians. I do confess to using a Bible study guide. Elizabeth George has written some fantastic, practical books as part of her "Woman After God's Own Heart" series. I find them to be very good at keeping me on task while still giving me room to come to my own conclusions.
Acts 16:11-40
There are a few things I noticed in this text. First off, Paul & Silas had one plan but when things got in the way (namely imprisonment), rather than sit there and whine about their circumstances, they still served God right where they were.
Secondly, a LOT of people would think God had set them free if there was an earthquake that loosed their chains. I would've been the first one out of there! Paul & Silas, however, obeyed the authority which said they were to be imprisoned. Because of their obedience, the jailer not only lived but found relationship with God!
I look forward to my study of Philippians. I do confess to using a Bible study guide. Elizabeth George has written some fantastic, practical books as part of her "Woman After God's Own Heart" series. I find them to be very good at keeping me on task while still giving me room to come to my own conclusions.
Monday, October 22, 2007
nothing left to give
A few weeks ago I was sitting and thinking about how I've got nothing left to give. I am so exhausted by this world's demands on me that I feel I should be ministered to, not have more demands placed upon me. Yet...well, the root of Christianity is giving. Not giving for one's glory, but giving because it brings us closer to Christ - the ultimate sacrifice.
So I was thinking: God, I've got NOTHING to give! I'm tired! I'm all tapped out!
And in His ever patient way, He brought to mind two women who had nothing left and yet they gave.
The first is the widow who gave her last oil and flour to make a cake for Elijah, found in 1 Kings 17. She had NOTHING and yet she gave her last, and God not only blessed her with more oil & flour, but saved her son from death.
The second, of course, is the famed widow with two mites who is mentioned in Mark
and Luke. Again, this woman gave of all she had. The Bible doesn't tell us if she was blessed for it (I imagine she was). It just tells us she gave all she had.
The point here is that there is never going to be a time when it seems "RIGHT" to give. The time is now. I should give when it seems there is nothing TO give.
We will see.
So I was thinking: God, I've got NOTHING to give! I'm tired! I'm all tapped out!
And in His ever patient way, He brought to mind two women who had nothing left and yet they gave.
The first is the widow who gave her last oil and flour to make a cake for Elijah, found in 1 Kings 17. She had NOTHING and yet she gave her last, and God not only blessed her with more oil & flour, but saved her son from death.
The second, of course, is the famed widow with two mites who is mentioned in Mark
and Luke. Again, this woman gave of all she had. The Bible doesn't tell us if she was blessed for it (I imagine she was). It just tells us she gave all she had.
The point here is that there is never going to be a time when it seems "RIGHT" to give. The time is now. I should give when it seems there is nothing TO give.
We will see.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Joshua 9
I kinda like this chapter. Here you've got people who obviously know the Israelites have God's power behind them, and that power is historically smiting people (I love the word "smite", btw). Instead of going and being honest and saying, "Hey, have mercy on us! Pray to your god to have mercy on us!", they decide to dress up as poor weary travelers.
There's an important little note here. The men of Israel, including Joshua, are wary of the men. They ask a bunch of questions, sample their food and drink, etc. But the text says "They did not inquire of the Lord." So you know...they didn't do the most important thing.
In the end, the guys who lie kinda get away with it, but not, because their lives are spared but they have to be woodcutters and water carriers forever. Israel chooses, for once, to obey God and keep a promise. Kinda funny really.
I wish I could say I drew some profound thing from this passage but I didn't. Except that Israel should've talked to them about God. :)
There's an important little note here. The men of Israel, including Joshua, are wary of the men. They ask a bunch of questions, sample their food and drink, etc. But the text says "They did not inquire of the Lord." So you know...they didn't do the most important thing.
In the end, the guys who lie kinda get away with it, but not, because their lives are spared but they have to be woodcutters and water carriers forever. Israel chooses, for once, to obey God and keep a promise. Kinda funny really.
I wish I could say I drew some profound thing from this passage but I didn't. Except that Israel should've talked to them about God. :)
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