We decided last week to look for a new church.
We have friends that go to a very small church and we were going to visit there today, but were unable.
The church gets together and eats breakfast, prays for 20 minutes, and then studies the bible. (I don't know whether or not they sing. If they don't, it may be that my family can get that started.)
There isn't an actual sermon, but I like the idea of reading a passage and then chewing on it as a group; of just examining God's unaltered word together.
It has this kind of home-church feeling, which Mom and me find really appealing. (I just made a rhyme by accident.) It makes me think of what the home-churches first century disciples led would have been like.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Shoes for Life
The Palouse 9-12 Project had a potluck today, and there was a hiking trail to the top of the butte we were at.
Me, my brother and my cousin went up it.
I was wearing slip-on (and off) shoes, and I'm in such awful shape that I was having a hard time with the climb even without having to worry about keeping my shoes on, so I did the sensible thing and went barefoot.
My cousin and I were talking about it hurting to walk with bare feet, and he pointed out that life tends to make our feet hurt because we won't wear shoes. The pain is self-imposed because we have a choice to put our shoes on.
I liked this analogy about shoes for life and it struck me that it'd be neat if the analogy worked out with Ephesians 6:15, which says 'and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.' (talking about the armor of God)
It doesn't workout perfectly, but this is what I found.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is one of peace. We should always have that gospel (God) foremost in our minds, the closer you are to God, the easier life will be. That doesn't mean that you'll be given less obstacles, it means the obstacles you're given will be easier to deal with.
If you don't have that readiness, you'll be stumbling over the jagged rocks you have to walk on.
How do you get that readiness?
You get it by seeking out God's wisdom that is stored in His word, by praying to God earnestly and humbly, and by striving to live in a way that pleases God (which means being a doer of the word and not a hearer only).
I do need to add that I don't think this is necessarily what that verse is saying.
I've always understood the verse to be admonishing us to always be ready to share the gospel, in any circumstance.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:10-17 (ESV)
Me, my brother and my cousin went up it.
I was wearing slip-on (and off) shoes, and I'm in such awful shape that I was having a hard time with the climb even without having to worry about keeping my shoes on, so I did the sensible thing and went barefoot.
My cousin and I were talking about it hurting to walk with bare feet, and he pointed out that life tends to make our feet hurt because we won't wear shoes. The pain is self-imposed because we have a choice to put our shoes on.
I liked this analogy about shoes for life and it struck me that it'd be neat if the analogy worked out with Ephesians 6:15, which says 'and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.' (talking about the armor of God)
It doesn't workout perfectly, but this is what I found.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is one of peace. We should always have that gospel (God) foremost in our minds, the closer you are to God, the easier life will be. That doesn't mean that you'll be given less obstacles, it means the obstacles you're given will be easier to deal with.
If you don't have that readiness, you'll be stumbling over the jagged rocks you have to walk on.
How do you get that readiness?
You get it by seeking out God's wisdom that is stored in His word, by praying to God earnestly and humbly, and by striving to live in a way that pleases God (which means being a doer of the word and not a hearer only).
I do need to add that I don't think this is necessarily what that verse is saying.
I've always understood the verse to be admonishing us to always be ready to share the gospel, in any circumstance.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:10-17 (ESV)
Friday, May 22, 2009
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