My discipleship group got cancelled tonight, so I decided to use the time organizing my blog. I hope it makes things easier for readers to find. I really appreciate the "labels" feature on the blogs I follow for recipes and homemaking tips. I am so thankful to have these blogs as resources.
Let me tell you, I follow a couple of domestic diva blogs. These girls really love God, and their husbands and children, they cook well, plan ahead for everything, read tons of books, workout, spend daily time reading the Bible, and still have time leftover to do some serious blogging. I love, love, love learning from these girls, but it sometimes it leaves me feeling "less than." I am sure they aren't perfect, but it is easy to imagine that they are.
I enjoy processing and sharing the little things I learn along the way, but I hope that no one ever feels "less than" when reading this blog. I have a lot to learn and I hope that some people, who might feel intimidated by women who are so "pure" in everything natural and healthy, will maybe find comfort in the fact that when it is July in Oklahoma, I might break down and buy real deodorant with aluminum in it. Or that while I try to keep foods healthy at home, I don't try to control the various animal crackers and fruit snacks that my children consume when we are visiting other places. Additionally, I am not always frugal. If I want something really badly, I might just go pay full price for it :) My sweet friend Halen says that sometimes she purposefully pays full price for a desired item, just to keep that "poverty spirit" at bay. So great! And to top it off, I don't work out regularly. So, there are a lot of perfect bloggers out there, and I just want you to know that I am not one of them :-)
Thank you for reading!
Love,
Kate
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Monday, July 19, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Domestic Engineer
I just ordered a yogurt maker from amazon and I'm pretty excited about it.
I'll post pictures of the first batch. I can't wait....It's like Christmas in July....I am so happy right now. I like things for the kitchen, but I told Zach long before we were married, that kitchen gadgets should never be considered gifts for me. Oh, no buddy, kitchen gifts are for the family :) And yes, the yogurt maker is coming out of the "home" budget envelope, but I am to the point where I would be okay with receiving kitchen items as gifts.
That reminds me...before we got married, Zach totally presented himself as a feminist, which turned out not really to be the case. There are not too many Christian, feminist men as it turns out. (He's pretty great, though.) When I first started reading the Bible at the age of 16, I put huge purple exes over any passage regarding women. And I would write in the margin (probably in caps) "This does not apply to me." It's laughable now, and I still have that beat up Bible. Have I mentioned that God is really gracious, and loves me and speaks to me...even though I am sort of liberal and skeptical and even though I crossed through sections of the Bible?
Now that we have been married for 9 years and I am a stay at home mom, it seems like a good time to officially let go of my feminist tendencies. Truth be told, the words "help meet" still make me wonder where the nearest trash receptacle is. And, I've probably mentioned before that I didn't adopt feminist ideals while in college...in fact, I think I may have developed them in the womb. In frustration at my lack of domestication (likely coupled with a smallish dose of disrespect,) my mom would tell me that she worried about what kind of wife I would become. She said I didn't have a submissive bone in my body. This may have been true. It also may have added a little fuel to the fire. Anyway, I am a bit of a firecracker, but I am no feminist. Not anymore.
On a different note, here's a little about Levi's take on yogurt. I normally buy large tubs of whole milk, plain yogurt, like Nancy's or the 365 brand at whole foods. He has caught on to the fact, that when we buy the 6oz yogurts, there is a lot more sugar and fruit involved. So, now he asks me, "Mommy, can we please buy the special baby yogurts?"
Love,
Kate
I'll post pictures of the first batch. I can't wait....It's like Christmas in July....I am so happy right now. I like things for the kitchen, but I told Zach long before we were married, that kitchen gadgets should never be considered gifts for me. Oh, no buddy, kitchen gifts are for the family :) And yes, the yogurt maker is coming out of the "home" budget envelope, but I am to the point where I would be okay with receiving kitchen items as gifts.
That reminds me...before we got married, Zach totally presented himself as a feminist, which turned out not really to be the case. There are not too many Christian, feminist men as it turns out. (He's pretty great, though.) When I first started reading the Bible at the age of 16, I put huge purple exes over any passage regarding women. And I would write in the margin (probably in caps) "This does not apply to me." It's laughable now, and I still have that beat up Bible. Have I mentioned that God is really gracious, and loves me and speaks to me...even though I am sort of liberal and skeptical and even though I crossed through sections of the Bible?
Now that we have been married for 9 years and I am a stay at home mom, it seems like a good time to officially let go of my feminist tendencies. Truth be told, the words "help meet" still make me wonder where the nearest trash receptacle is. And, I've probably mentioned before that I didn't adopt feminist ideals while in college...in fact, I think I may have developed them in the womb. In frustration at my lack of domestication (likely coupled with a smallish dose of disrespect,) my mom would tell me that she worried about what kind of wife I would become. She said I didn't have a submissive bone in my body. This may have been true. It also may have added a little fuel to the fire. Anyway, I am a bit of a firecracker, but I am no feminist. Not anymore.
On a different note, here's a little about Levi's take on yogurt. I normally buy large tubs of whole milk, plain yogurt, like Nancy's or the 365 brand at whole foods. He has caught on to the fact, that when we buy the 6oz yogurts, there is a lot more sugar and fruit involved. So, now he asks me, "Mommy, can we please buy the special baby yogurts?"
Love,
Kate
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Food and Faith
I didn't write this, but enjoyed reading it, and thought you might too. I found it at thelocalcook.com.
Enjoy!
Love,
Kate
MAY 15, 2010 BY THE LOCAL COOK
34-36“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
37-40“Then those ’sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:34-46 (The Message)
Food is mentioned throughout the Bible, as we have already noticed since we’re on week seven (!) of our Food & Faith Challenge already. This session covers a lot of ground, and Amy at Homestead Revival is a brave soul for taking this on! I think she did a great job.
How has our culture blurred the line between feasting and everyday eating?
As we all know, our culture didn’t start out feasting everyday. Gathering one’s food and sustenance was just about an all-consuming struggle for survival. Everyday eating was a means of survival, with occasional feasts that were highly anticipated.
And even when the industrial revolution took place during the 18th and 19th centuries, many still spent a large portion of their income on obtaining food.
By the early 1900’s a family spent about 43 percent of their budget on groceries, but by the late 1980’s they only spent about 19 percent. Some of this was due to greater farming technology that resulted in falling food prices, but regardless, the results has meant that most families now can spend less on food and more on wants and desires. And with this new affluent lifestyle we have more disposable income to eat out and purchase “treats” that once were rare occasions.
I remember as a child in the late 1960’s, if I made straight A’s, my parents would reward me with a trip to Kip’s Big Boy so I could eat a restaurant hamburger. It was a rare occasion to dine somewhere other than at home and therefore special! Today, my own kids would think of this as laughable! While we may eat out less than the average American family, it still isn’t all that unusual to stop at a restaurant for a meal. And when we do, every family member can “feast” by ordering whatever they so choose (provided Mom allows it!).
Now, when a holiday arrives that we would normally celebrate with a “feast”, we are hard pressed to serve anything that is really “special”. For example a turkey at Thanksgiving can be had all year long if one wants. The holiday ham? Again, it really isn’t out of reach. Our supermarket isles are loaded and boast that they can give you anything you want, whenever you want, from anywhere in the world.
In addition, we find all kinds of reasons to celebrate with food because we CAN. We can afford to have prime rib to celebrate a birthday, go out to a gourmet restaurant with friends on a Friday night, or enjoy a decadent chocolate cake on Valentine’s Day. Sure it may put a slight ding in our pocket book, but most aren’t going to go without a meal because they splurged a bit. Our new-found affluence along with the technology we have been able to harness has blurred the lines of feasting and eating for everyday sustenance.
How might we benefit if we recaptured the joy of saving certain foods for special occasions? (John 2:1-11 and John 21:1-14 )
When we eat certain foods all the time, they loose they importance. They become commonplace and mundane. By reserving certain foods for those special celebrations, we elevate their status and reclaim their significance in our lives. Let me give you an example of how this works.
For centuries, Sunday (or the Saturday Sabbath for some) was set aside as a day of rest. It had special significance. All other days were common and full of hard work. But when Sunday arrived, it was special; set apart; a day to celebrate. No one worked for the most part and everyone benefited by having a time of rejuvenation because God designed our bodies to be revived in part through resting.
It’s the same with our foods. Our bodies are not designed for feasting 365 days a year. Or even 165 for that matter! And we’re starting to reap the consequences of having done so. Today obesity, disease, and a lack of productivity are all on the rise. If we recaptured the concept of holding certain foods back for times of true celebration and feasting, our digestive systems and our bodies overall would benefit by having periods of rest from over indulging and our spirits would be refreshed because we would actually have held some things as sacred in the sense of being “set apart” (which is what the biblical word sanctified means).
How can we learn not to take for granted God’s gift of “ordinary” food and the creation that makes it possible?
I’m sure that manna and quail was a treat and tasted really good the first week the Israelites ate it, but by year 39 or 40, it was no longer special, but rather just an everyday meal. Imagine that in contrast to the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey! I’m sure it required the Israelites to learn to cultivate a grateful heart despite the repetition of manna and quail on a daily basis. It’s a choice they had to make and one we must make as well. However, I think the fact that they didn’t have other choices in front of them all the time may have made it slightly easier.
Everyday we are hit by an onslaught of food advertising encouraging us to purchase some product or patronize a food establishment. It’s constant! And our attitude can quickly slip back into the mentality that we “deserve” a break today from our “ordinary” foods.
I am a firm believer that an individual can cultivate one’s palate to appreciate God-given foods that some people would consider ordinary. But to do so, you can’t be eating the sugary man-made foods all the time. Most foods eaten as close to the way God made them as possible are satisfying, nutrient rich, and healthy for our bodies, while man-made foods cause us to crave more and more without being satisfied, they lack nutrients, and often do as much damage as good. However, God warns that even some of the foods He has given us should be eaten in moderation and on occasions rather than regularly. For example, Proverbs 25:16 warns, “Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, that you not have it in excess and vomit it”.
Also, if we participate in growing our own food, we appreciate it more because we have invested ourselves in the process of acquiring it through labor and toil. And it doesn’t always result in what we hope. The home gardener quickly realizes that creation answers to God, not us! He sends rain when it pleases Him and pests as well. As a result, there is both satisfaction and gratefulness when that perfect tomato comes off the vine!
How can we make both our daily meals and our feasts a time of gratitude and recognizing God’s presence?
Nancy Campbell, in her DVD The Family Meal Table, says that each time we come to the table we are to eat not only physically, but spiritually as well. When I first heard this it rang true in my spirit! While we already observed a time of reading devotions at the table, it spurred me on to make it a regular part of our lives at as many meals as possible. Although we aren’t able to do so every single time, we have made it regular practice and something we try to characterize our lives by. Sometimes we just read a scripture passage while at other times we read a devotional book. We’ve even read a storybook that was based on scripture. And before we leave the table we always pray a second time to thank God and ask for His blessings. I’m grateful that my girls are growing up with this, and hopefully for them, it will be a holy habit!
When we feast, it is often harder to incorporate these practices if your extended family is large (and sometimes loud!) and not of the same religious persuasion. However, if you plan as much for the spiritual element as much as you do the food, and you do so ahead of time, you can incorporate something that should make the meal spiritually special.
Many people like to add three kernels of corn at each place setting for the Thanksgiving meal so that individuals can thank God for three blessings during the past year. At Christmas, we often have a birthday cake for Jesus and sing happy birthday to Him. I find that celebrating a Messianic Passover Seder the week prior to Easter is one of my favorite times of feasting spiritually. We use a Christian Haggadah from The Friends of Israel that shows how Christ is the fulfillment of all that the Passover signifies. It never ceases to amaze me!
Guidelines for eating: Leviticus 11, Romans 14:14-21. Is it possible for Christians to imagine new guidelines for eating that don’t lend themselves to legalism or creating divisions?
I believe so. And I’ve been trying to practice this for the past 11 years after reading Rex Russell’s book What The Bible Says About Healthy Eating. He gives three guidelines in his book: 1) eat only what God calls food, 2) eat food as close to the way as God made it as possible, and 3) don’t make any food your god.
While we have freedoms in Christ, not everything is profitable. Many people have taken the command to Peter in Acts 10 as a license to eat whatever they want, whenever they want. God never said this. He did say that it was okay to do so when Peter was with Gentiles. When I go to someone’s home and they serve ham, I am free to eat it with joy and thanksgiving. However, I don’t typically eat this food in my own home on a regular basis. Keep in mind that while God’s dietary laws were to set the Jewish nation apart from all the other nations, these laws also protected them physically from many diseases that often plagued pagan cultures.
What would your own guidelines for eating with justice and joy look like?
When determining what my family will eat, I always want to consider what God calls food and how did he design it to be consumed. For me, this means:
1) eating locally produced food,
2) that grows in the seasons that God designed it,
3) grown by a method that is in line with God’s economy,
4) in a humane manner (Prov. 12:10; Gen. 1:28-30), and
5) preparing it as close to the way as He made it as possible.
This is a simplified statement, but it gives me a starting point for consideration as well as peace that I’m working within His design to the best of my knowledge.
The power of sharing food with others: Matthew 25;34-36, 2 Samuel 9. What does the Samuel passage tell us about the importance in that culture of being invited to eat with someone?
Hospitality didn’t just mean sharing one’s food, it meant that the host or hostess considered you’re well being above their own. The host would sacrifice his own needs to provide for the one he had invited. When David brought Mephibosheth to his table, he was committing himself to Mephibosheth’s well being. And for a lame man, this meant LIFE!
What meaning has sharing food had for you in the past? Do you ever invite others to eat with you?
Many of my fondest childhood memories are centered around food. A meal on the table meant security, abundance, and love. And when my mother passed on, her recipes were what I treasured most. Preparing the foods she cooked connected us and brought comfort even though she was no longer with me. I’ve sought to build a similar foundation with my own daughters by cooking together often. We enjoy tasting and trying new recipes, new techniques, and new foods. In this we share as a family.
With friends, sharing a meal provides a platform for connecting our lives and talking about what is on our heart; from debating an issue in love to discussing a passage of scripture or talking about how God is working in our lives. Sharing a meal brings us together.
But if we stop with just sharing a meal with family or friends, we miss an element of hospitality that God has called us to practice. Matthew 5:46-47 says:
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
This is where I am seeking to stretch myself as a follower of Christ. It isn’t always easy if our sphere of contacts doesn’t include those society considers needy, so we may have to be creative. For me, I need to grow in this area. Therefore I’m considering a community gardening project or a food pantry program that reaches out to the hungry in my area. I hope not only to share good food, but build relationships in Christian love. That’s food for the soul!
Enjoy!
Love,
Kate
MAY 15, 2010 BY THE LOCAL COOK
34-36“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
37-40“Then those ’sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:34-46 (The Message)
Food is mentioned throughout the Bible, as we have already noticed since we’re on week seven (!) of our Food & Faith Challenge already. This session covers a lot of ground, and Amy at Homestead Revival is a brave soul for taking this on! I think she did a great job.
How has our culture blurred the line between feasting and everyday eating?
As we all know, our culture didn’t start out feasting everyday. Gathering one’s food and sustenance was just about an all-consuming struggle for survival. Everyday eating was a means of survival, with occasional feasts that were highly anticipated.
And even when the industrial revolution took place during the 18th and 19th centuries, many still spent a large portion of their income on obtaining food.
By the early 1900’s a family spent about 43 percent of their budget on groceries, but by the late 1980’s they only spent about 19 percent. Some of this was due to greater farming technology that resulted in falling food prices, but regardless, the results has meant that most families now can spend less on food and more on wants and desires. And with this new affluent lifestyle we have more disposable income to eat out and purchase “treats” that once were rare occasions.
I remember as a child in the late 1960’s, if I made straight A’s, my parents would reward me with a trip to Kip’s Big Boy so I could eat a restaurant hamburger. It was a rare occasion to dine somewhere other than at home and therefore special! Today, my own kids would think of this as laughable! While we may eat out less than the average American family, it still isn’t all that unusual to stop at a restaurant for a meal. And when we do, every family member can “feast” by ordering whatever they so choose (provided Mom allows it!).
Now, when a holiday arrives that we would normally celebrate with a “feast”, we are hard pressed to serve anything that is really “special”. For example a turkey at Thanksgiving can be had all year long if one wants. The holiday ham? Again, it really isn’t out of reach. Our supermarket isles are loaded and boast that they can give you anything you want, whenever you want, from anywhere in the world.
In addition, we find all kinds of reasons to celebrate with food because we CAN. We can afford to have prime rib to celebrate a birthday, go out to a gourmet restaurant with friends on a Friday night, or enjoy a decadent chocolate cake on Valentine’s Day. Sure it may put a slight ding in our pocket book, but most aren’t going to go without a meal because they splurged a bit. Our new-found affluence along with the technology we have been able to harness has blurred the lines of feasting and eating for everyday sustenance.
How might we benefit if we recaptured the joy of saving certain foods for special occasions? (John 2:1-11 and John 21:1-14 )
When we eat certain foods all the time, they loose they importance. They become commonplace and mundane. By reserving certain foods for those special celebrations, we elevate their status and reclaim their significance in our lives. Let me give you an example of how this works.
For centuries, Sunday (or the Saturday Sabbath for some) was set aside as a day of rest. It had special significance. All other days were common and full of hard work. But when Sunday arrived, it was special; set apart; a day to celebrate. No one worked for the most part and everyone benefited by having a time of rejuvenation because God designed our bodies to be revived in part through resting.
It’s the same with our foods. Our bodies are not designed for feasting 365 days a year. Or even 165 for that matter! And we’re starting to reap the consequences of having done so. Today obesity, disease, and a lack of productivity are all on the rise. If we recaptured the concept of holding certain foods back for times of true celebration and feasting, our digestive systems and our bodies overall would benefit by having periods of rest from over indulging and our spirits would be refreshed because we would actually have held some things as sacred in the sense of being “set apart” (which is what the biblical word sanctified means).
How can we learn not to take for granted God’s gift of “ordinary” food and the creation that makes it possible?
I’m sure that manna and quail was a treat and tasted really good the first week the Israelites ate it, but by year 39 or 40, it was no longer special, but rather just an everyday meal. Imagine that in contrast to the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey! I’m sure it required the Israelites to learn to cultivate a grateful heart despite the repetition of manna and quail on a daily basis. It’s a choice they had to make and one we must make as well. However, I think the fact that they didn’t have other choices in front of them all the time may have made it slightly easier.
Everyday we are hit by an onslaught of food advertising encouraging us to purchase some product or patronize a food establishment. It’s constant! And our attitude can quickly slip back into the mentality that we “deserve” a break today from our “ordinary” foods.
I am a firm believer that an individual can cultivate one’s palate to appreciate God-given foods that some people would consider ordinary. But to do so, you can’t be eating the sugary man-made foods all the time. Most foods eaten as close to the way God made them as possible are satisfying, nutrient rich, and healthy for our bodies, while man-made foods cause us to crave more and more without being satisfied, they lack nutrients, and often do as much damage as good. However, God warns that even some of the foods He has given us should be eaten in moderation and on occasions rather than regularly. For example, Proverbs 25:16 warns, “Have you found honey? Eat only what you need, that you not have it in excess and vomit it”.
Also, if we participate in growing our own food, we appreciate it more because we have invested ourselves in the process of acquiring it through labor and toil. And it doesn’t always result in what we hope. The home gardener quickly realizes that creation answers to God, not us! He sends rain when it pleases Him and pests as well. As a result, there is both satisfaction and gratefulness when that perfect tomato comes off the vine!
How can we make both our daily meals and our feasts a time of gratitude and recognizing God’s presence?
Nancy Campbell, in her DVD The Family Meal Table, says that each time we come to the table we are to eat not only physically, but spiritually as well. When I first heard this it rang true in my spirit! While we already observed a time of reading devotions at the table, it spurred me on to make it a regular part of our lives at as many meals as possible. Although we aren’t able to do so every single time, we have made it regular practice and something we try to characterize our lives by. Sometimes we just read a scripture passage while at other times we read a devotional book. We’ve even read a storybook that was based on scripture. And before we leave the table we always pray a second time to thank God and ask for His blessings. I’m grateful that my girls are growing up with this, and hopefully for them, it will be a holy habit!
When we feast, it is often harder to incorporate these practices if your extended family is large (and sometimes loud!) and not of the same religious persuasion. However, if you plan as much for the spiritual element as much as you do the food, and you do so ahead of time, you can incorporate something that should make the meal spiritually special.
Many people like to add three kernels of corn at each place setting for the Thanksgiving meal so that individuals can thank God for three blessings during the past year. At Christmas, we often have a birthday cake for Jesus and sing happy birthday to Him. I find that celebrating a Messianic Passover Seder the week prior to Easter is one of my favorite times of feasting spiritually. We use a Christian Haggadah from The Friends of Israel that shows how Christ is the fulfillment of all that the Passover signifies. It never ceases to amaze me!
Guidelines for eating: Leviticus 11, Romans 14:14-21. Is it possible for Christians to imagine new guidelines for eating that don’t lend themselves to legalism or creating divisions?
I believe so. And I’ve been trying to practice this for the past 11 years after reading Rex Russell’s book What The Bible Says About Healthy Eating. He gives three guidelines in his book: 1) eat only what God calls food, 2) eat food as close to the way as God made it as possible, and 3) don’t make any food your god.
While we have freedoms in Christ, not everything is profitable. Many people have taken the command to Peter in Acts 10 as a license to eat whatever they want, whenever they want. God never said this. He did say that it was okay to do so when Peter was with Gentiles. When I go to someone’s home and they serve ham, I am free to eat it with joy and thanksgiving. However, I don’t typically eat this food in my own home on a regular basis. Keep in mind that while God’s dietary laws were to set the Jewish nation apart from all the other nations, these laws also protected them physically from many diseases that often plagued pagan cultures.
What would your own guidelines for eating with justice and joy look like?
When determining what my family will eat, I always want to consider what God calls food and how did he design it to be consumed. For me, this means:
1) eating locally produced food,
2) that grows in the seasons that God designed it,
3) grown by a method that is in line with God’s economy,
4) in a humane manner (Prov. 12:10; Gen. 1:28-30), and
5) preparing it as close to the way as He made it as possible.
This is a simplified statement, but it gives me a starting point for consideration as well as peace that I’m working within His design to the best of my knowledge.
The power of sharing food with others: Matthew 25;34-36, 2 Samuel 9. What does the Samuel passage tell us about the importance in that culture of being invited to eat with someone?
Hospitality didn’t just mean sharing one’s food, it meant that the host or hostess considered you’re well being above their own. The host would sacrifice his own needs to provide for the one he had invited. When David brought Mephibosheth to his table, he was committing himself to Mephibosheth’s well being. And for a lame man, this meant LIFE!
What meaning has sharing food had for you in the past? Do you ever invite others to eat with you?
Many of my fondest childhood memories are centered around food. A meal on the table meant security, abundance, and love. And when my mother passed on, her recipes were what I treasured most. Preparing the foods she cooked connected us and brought comfort even though she was no longer with me. I’ve sought to build a similar foundation with my own daughters by cooking together often. We enjoy tasting and trying new recipes, new techniques, and new foods. In this we share as a family.
With friends, sharing a meal provides a platform for connecting our lives and talking about what is on our heart; from debating an issue in love to discussing a passage of scripture or talking about how God is working in our lives. Sharing a meal brings us together.
But if we stop with just sharing a meal with family or friends, we miss an element of hospitality that God has called us to practice. Matthew 5:46-47 says:
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
“If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
This is where I am seeking to stretch myself as a follower of Christ. It isn’t always easy if our sphere of contacts doesn’t include those society considers needy, so we may have to be creative. For me, I need to grow in this area. Therefore I’m considering a community gardening project or a food pantry program that reaches out to the hungry in my area. I hope not only to share good food, but build relationships in Christian love. That’s food for the soul!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Reflections for Ragamuffins
Reflections for Ragamuffins by Brennan Manning is my kind of devotional. If you have never had the opportunity to read his book, "The Ragamuffin Gospel," I would highly recommend it. I was flipping through Reflections for Ragamuffins the other night, and read this one and thought, "ouch."
Regarding the topic of evangelization, he writes:
The fundamental mission of the church is preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. But there has been a loss of faith in the power of the Word. We feel it won't be effective if we say it as it is. It will turn people off: let's rebuild the temporal order first.
But there is a startling discontinuity between human reasoning and what God's Word says the priority is. War, loneliness, world hunger, abortion-these are rooted in man's rebellion. Putting a Band-Aid here and there on this or that moral problem is not the answer. Evangelization hits the core: man must submit to Jesus Christ and repent. He must renounce his autonomy and self-sufficiency. Personal appropriation of the death and resurrection of Christ is the one foundation for Christian community and world peace. Failure to act on the gospel imperative to evangelize has resulted in holding to the form of Christianity while denying its power. Beautiful liturgies; mass; regional, national, and international meetings; crusades against immorality are good and have their place, but none of them is an adequate substitute for dying to self.
I am such a weakling, that even typing this excerpt proves difficult :) I am so much more comfortable advocating for social justice issues than I am telling people that a life with Jesus is the only kind worth living. Here's to doing both :)
Love,
Kate
Galatians 1:10 Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Regarding the topic of evangelization, he writes:
The fundamental mission of the church is preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. But there has been a loss of faith in the power of the Word. We feel it won't be effective if we say it as it is. It will turn people off: let's rebuild the temporal order first.
But there is a startling discontinuity between human reasoning and what God's Word says the priority is. War, loneliness, world hunger, abortion-these are rooted in man's rebellion. Putting a Band-Aid here and there on this or that moral problem is not the answer. Evangelization hits the core: man must submit to Jesus Christ and repent. He must renounce his autonomy and self-sufficiency. Personal appropriation of the death and resurrection of Christ is the one foundation for Christian community and world peace. Failure to act on the gospel imperative to evangelize has resulted in holding to the form of Christianity while denying its power. Beautiful liturgies; mass; regional, national, and international meetings; crusades against immorality are good and have their place, but none of them is an adequate substitute for dying to self.
I am such a weakling, that even typing this excerpt proves difficult :) I am so much more comfortable advocating for social justice issues than I am telling people that a life with Jesus is the only kind worth living. Here's to doing both :)
Love,
Kate
Galatians 1:10 Do you think I am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please. Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Love those enemies
I've been meditating on Luke 6 today. Here are the parts that stand out to me. All the letters are red.
Jesus said:
God blesses you who weep now,
for the time will come when you will laugh with joy.
God blesses you who are hated and
excluded and mocked and cursed
because you are identified with me.
When that happens, rejoice! Yes,
leap for joy! For great reward awaits you
in heaven...
But if you are willing to listen, I say, love
your enemies. Do good to those who hate
you. Pray for the happiness of those who
curse you. Pray for those who hurt you...
Love your enemies! Do good to
them! Then your reward in heaven will be very
great, and you will truly be acting as children
of the Most High, for he is kind to the
unthankful and to those who are wicked.
You must be compassionate, just as your
Father is compassionate.
Such hard words to live by. I want to say, "But, Jesus...haven't I taken enough?" and I really wish that instead of "Turn the other cheek," that Jesus had said, "Turn and walk away." Do you think it might be able to be interpreted like that? :)
Here are the lyrics to the song that is in my heart today:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
Chorus:
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
Thank you for reading.
Learning how to love,
Kate
Jesus said:
God blesses you who weep now,
for the time will come when you will laugh with joy.
God blesses you who are hated and
excluded and mocked and cursed
because you are identified with me.
When that happens, rejoice! Yes,
leap for joy! For great reward awaits you
in heaven...
But if you are willing to listen, I say, love
your enemies. Do good to those who hate
you. Pray for the happiness of those who
curse you. Pray for those who hurt you...
Love your enemies! Do good to
them! Then your reward in heaven will be very
great, and you will truly be acting as children
of the Most High, for he is kind to the
unthankful and to those who are wicked.
You must be compassionate, just as your
Father is compassionate.
Such hard words to live by. I want to say, "But, Jesus...haven't I taken enough?" and I really wish that instead of "Turn the other cheek," that Jesus had said, "Turn and walk away." Do you think it might be able to be interpreted like that? :)
Here are the lyrics to the song that is in my heart today:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?
Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth
Chorus:
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
Thank you for reading.
Learning how to love,
Kate
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Fine Wine Thursdays (D-group)
A few weeks ago I started meeting once a week with two friends at 8 or 8:30 at night...after we put the kids down, so we don't feel too bad for leaving our husbands all alone. It's something that my church encourages, and that I've wanted to do, but I just didn't know how to get started. Sometimes we go out for coffee and sometimes we go out for wine. Tonight my friend asked me which I preferred, and I acted as though I was indifferent and then immediately said "wine!" So, instead of going to a restaurant, we went to her house and sat in her driveway while her husband brought us out glasses of wine (one each) and dark chocolates. Yeah, life is rough.
The reason I am posting this though, is to say that being a momma can be such an odd combination of loneliness and busyness that it is difficult at times to find yourself in the mix, let alone gauge any kind of personal growth. It is slightly more than a mom's night out, and I think that is why it is so meaningful to me. We go through a list of questions to help us open up about our weeks. Usually we just talk about the things that matter to us most, and then hit the list to make sure we covered everything. And we don't always pray. We should do that.
It must be said that I was encouraged to do this with people that were not already my best friends. Do this for a few weeks, and you'll become good friends, though. There is a truer sense of accountability with people that don't already fully know your strengths and weaknesses. It's a little harder to keep making the same mistakes week after week with people you still care (mildy) about impressing :) I just tried to pick people I didn't know super well, but thought were mature and felt "safe" with. I just ended a sentence with a preposition...again. I'm getting so lazy about that. There I go again. My composition instructors would be so disappointed.
That reminds me of a funny Easter card my mom told me she saw at Target. One lady says, "Where is the Easter egg at?" Then the other lady says, "You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition." Then the first lady rephrases with, "Where is the Easter egg at, bitch?" Okay, I've gotten off the subject a bit.
Well, here is more information about the discipleship group and questions, if you might like to try something like this at home. In ways, it seems a little silly, but honestly I've spent way to much of my life not wanting to just "check things off a list." Sometimes a little discipline is in order. Discipline. Disciple. Hmmm...I'm guessing the same root word. Anyway, here it is:
Discipleship Group (By the way, I didn't pen this. I found it somewhere on the internet.)
Small discipleship groups of 2-3 people are a simple way of carrying out the ministry of Jesus. These groups can be a great help in the process of discipling one another to be more like Him and to be more fruitful in our service to Him. The questions below are designed to help us focus on the central themes of the Lord's teaching. When done in the power and grace of the Holy Spirit and from a heart that is hungry for Jesus, a weekly rhythm of Bible reading, accountability, confession of sin, and praying for the lost will help us to glorify God in our daily lives in a greater way.
Core Values
1 Love God
A) Did I do my Bible reading?
B) What is God speaking to me in His Word and through other means?
C) Have I intentionally received God's love through prayer?
D) Am I intentionally focusing on Jesus throughout the day?
2 Love One Another
A) Am I fulfilling my ministry to my family?
B) Am I building community in love or tearing down with words and attitudes?
C) Am I struggling with any relationship?
3 Love the World
A) Am I daily praying by name for 1-3 people who are not walking with Jesus?
B) Have I had the opportunities to develop relationship and/or share the Gospel with them?
Other Life Issues
Are there other issues in your life that you need to discuss with the group in order to help your daily walk? What temptations have you experienced this week?
Prayer
Pray by name for those who are not walking with Jesus.
That's it. Goodnight!
Love,
Kate
The reason I am posting this though, is to say that being a momma can be such an odd combination of loneliness and busyness that it is difficult at times to find yourself in the mix, let alone gauge any kind of personal growth. It is slightly more than a mom's night out, and I think that is why it is so meaningful to me. We go through a list of questions to help us open up about our weeks. Usually we just talk about the things that matter to us most, and then hit the list to make sure we covered everything. And we don't always pray. We should do that.
It must be said that I was encouraged to do this with people that were not already my best friends. Do this for a few weeks, and you'll become good friends, though. There is a truer sense of accountability with people that don't already fully know your strengths and weaknesses. It's a little harder to keep making the same mistakes week after week with people you still care (mildy) about impressing :) I just tried to pick people I didn't know super well, but thought were mature and felt "safe" with. I just ended a sentence with a preposition...again. I'm getting so lazy about that. There I go again. My composition instructors would be so disappointed.
That reminds me of a funny Easter card my mom told me she saw at Target. One lady says, "Where is the Easter egg at?" Then the other lady says, "You shouldn't end a sentence with a preposition." Then the first lady rephrases with, "Where is the Easter egg at, bitch?" Okay, I've gotten off the subject a bit.
Well, here is more information about the discipleship group and questions, if you might like to try something like this at home. In ways, it seems a little silly, but honestly I've spent way to much of my life not wanting to just "check things off a list." Sometimes a little discipline is in order. Discipline. Disciple. Hmmm...I'm guessing the same root word. Anyway, here it is:
Discipleship Group (By the way, I didn't pen this. I found it somewhere on the internet.)
Small discipleship groups of 2-3 people are a simple way of carrying out the ministry of Jesus. These groups can be a great help in the process of discipling one another to be more like Him and to be more fruitful in our service to Him. The questions below are designed to help us focus on the central themes of the Lord's teaching. When done in the power and grace of the Holy Spirit and from a heart that is hungry for Jesus, a weekly rhythm of Bible reading, accountability, confession of sin, and praying for the lost will help us to glorify God in our daily lives in a greater way.
Core Values
1 Love God
A) Did I do my Bible reading?
B) What is God speaking to me in His Word and through other means?
C) Have I intentionally received God's love through prayer?
D) Am I intentionally focusing on Jesus throughout the day?
2 Love One Another
A) Am I fulfilling my ministry to my family?
B) Am I building community in love or tearing down with words and attitudes?
C) Am I struggling with any relationship?
3 Love the World
A) Am I daily praying by name for 1-3 people who are not walking with Jesus?
B) Have I had the opportunities to develop relationship and/or share the Gospel with them?
Other Life Issues
Are there other issues in your life that you need to discuss with the group in order to help your daily walk? What temptations have you experienced this week?
Prayer
Pray by name for those who are not walking with Jesus.
That's it. Goodnight!
Love,
Kate
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Day One: Love is Patient
I just started reading a book called The Love Dare. I've heard good things about it from a couple of friends and although it seems a little mainstream, and I wish I was beyond it...in all truth, I am not. It is a forty day journey in which I am reading a little about one facet of love and then, at the end of each devotional, I have a dare to fulfill. Here is an example:
The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our hearts. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.
Just wanted to share one of the many things I am doing :) Now off to put our winter clothes away and to open storage containers with our warm-weather clothes.
Love,
Kate
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3
The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our hearts. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.
Just wanted to share one of the many things I am doing :) Now off to put our winter clothes away and to open storage containers with our warm-weather clothes.
Love,
Kate
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Sabbath
For short times in the past, our family has observed a Sabbath of sorts. When Zach worked the weekends, Thursday was the day. Currently, it is from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. I think it is so important to have a day of rest. We are not Sabbath pros by any stretch, but here are our basic guidelines: no elaborate meal preparations, no computer time, no projects or yard work, no shopping or researching...etc. Instead, we try to fill our time with playing music, taking naps, reading, praying for our kids, relaxing, and mostly just enjoying each other with the goal of having absolutely nothing tangible to show for the day.
Sometimes Zach and I will complain that we feel a lack of direction from God. But, I feel silly for complaining when I have such a hard time sitting still and listening for His voice. Today was like a breath of fresh air...such a relaxing day.
I love the book Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner, and in it, she talks about how frantic Fridays were in her house growing up...all of the preparations for the day of rest. I think that I will be doing a lot of cleaning on Fridays. It's hard (at least for me) to rest in a dirty and cluttered space. Oh, and Winner also says that in a Jewish family, the momma lights a candle at sundown on Friday and this signifies to the whole family know that the time of rest has begun. Mmm....maybe I'll start doing that. Once the momma lights the candle, it's time for playing games and laughing...no "work" for the next 24 hours.
Sometimes Zach and I will complain that we feel a lack of direction from God. But, I feel silly for complaining when I have such a hard time sitting still and listening for His voice. Today was like a breath of fresh air...such a relaxing day.
I love the book Mudhouse Sabbath by Lauren Winner, and in it, she talks about how frantic Fridays were in her house growing up...all of the preparations for the day of rest. I think that I will be doing a lot of cleaning on Fridays. It's hard (at least for me) to rest in a dirty and cluttered space. Oh, and Winner also says that in a Jewish family, the momma lights a candle at sundown on Friday and this signifies to the whole family know that the time of rest has begun. Mmm....maybe I'll start doing that. Once the momma lights the candle, it's time for playing games and laughing...no "work" for the next 24 hours.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Giving up Facebook for Lent
So, for Lent this year I was debating on whether to give up Facebook or coffee. I asked Zach and my brothers for their advice on the matter. They all seemed to think that giving up Facebook for a few weeks would be more of a sacrifice. And they were right. I'm not sweating or getting shaky, but I thought I might be, because sometimes check that site way too many times throughout the day. I don't stay on long, just long enough to see the new updates, but still...I'm annoyed with my little addiction. What do I think I am going to miss?!
I love my friends and if something important happens, I think they will call me or email me, or send a letter in the mail. Imagine that :) I don't need to know what is going on with everyone. I actually don't think I was meant to process all of that. I guess that's why I don't watch the new either.
Facebook is great in ways. It's allowed me to maintain so many far-away connections, to see people's kids get bigger and to keep a pulse on many of the people I have gotten to know over the years. And that has been wonderful. At the same time, though, I am better Facebook friends with some people than I would ever be in "real life." And in real life, I hate to say it, but I think I have lost a beautiful part of some wonderful friendships.
It reminds me of the difference between watching TV and reading a book. Watching TV is wonderfully easy and one can watch so many shows in so little time. But, reading a book is an entirely different experience. It's rich and vivid and leaves a more lasting impression. It takes time and energy.
I do not know how it will play out, but so far since giving up Facebook I feel so much more focused and peaceful, and I feel like a better momma too. I don't think that's the purpose of the Lenten season, but I hope I will be more focused in all of my relationships, including the one I have with my creator.
Love,
Kate
I love my friends and if something important happens, I think they will call me or email me, or send a letter in the mail. Imagine that :) I don't need to know what is going on with everyone. I actually don't think I was meant to process all of that. I guess that's why I don't watch the new either.
Facebook is great in ways. It's allowed me to maintain so many far-away connections, to see people's kids get bigger and to keep a pulse on many of the people I have gotten to know over the years. And that has been wonderful. At the same time, though, I am better Facebook friends with some people than I would ever be in "real life." And in real life, I hate to say it, but I think I have lost a beautiful part of some wonderful friendships.
It reminds me of the difference between watching TV and reading a book. Watching TV is wonderfully easy and one can watch so many shows in so little time. But, reading a book is an entirely different experience. It's rich and vivid and leaves a more lasting impression. It takes time and energy.
I do not know how it will play out, but so far since giving up Facebook I feel so much more focused and peaceful, and I feel like a better momma too. I don't think that's the purpose of the Lenten season, but I hope I will be more focused in all of my relationships, including the one I have with my creator.
Love,
Kate
Friday, February 12, 2010
The Discipline of Confession
In my "life group" at church we are studying various chapters in Richard J. Foster's The Celebration of Discipline. Here are the words in the chapter on confession that stand out to me:
Why We Find it so Difficult to Confess our Sins:
Confession is a difficult Discipline for us because we all too often view the believing community as a fellowship of saints before we see it as a fellowship of sinners. We feel that everyone else has advanced so far into holiness that we are isolated and alone in our sin. We cannot bear to reveal our failures and shortcomings to others. We imagine that we are the only ones who have not stepped on the high road to heaven. Therefore, we hide ourselves from one another and live in veiled lies and hypocrisy.
But, if we know that the people of God are first a fellowship of sinners, we are freed to hear the unconditional call of God's love and to confess our needs openly before our brothers and sisters. We know that we are not alone in our sin. The fear and pride that cling to us like barnacles cling to others also. We are sinners together. In acts of mutual confession we release the power that heals. Our humanity is no longer denied, but transformed.
Why We are not Surprised by the Sins of Others:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, "Anybody who has once been horrified by the dreadfulness of his own sin that nailed Jesus to the Cross will no longer be horrified by even the rankest sins of a brother." This is the one thing that will save us from ever being offended in the confession of another. It forever delivers us from conveying any attitude of superiority. We know the deceptiveness of the human heart, and we know the grace and mercy of God's acceptance. Once we see the awfulness of sin we know that, regardless of what others have done, we ourselves are the chief of sinners.
Therefore, there is nothing that anyone can say that will disturb us. Nothing. By living under the cross we can hear the worst possible things from the best people without so much as batting an eyelash. If we live in that reality, we will convey that spirit to others. They know it is safe to come to us. They know we can receive anything they could possibly reveal. They know we will never condescend to them but, instead, understand.
Three Elements of a Good Confession
St. Alphonsus Liguori writes, "For a good confession three things are necessary: an examination of conscience, sorrow, and a determination to avoid sin."
1) An Examination of Conscience
This is a time, as Douglass Steere writes, "where a soul comes under the gaze of God and where in His silent and loving Presence this soul is pierced to the quick and becomes conscious of the things that must be forgiven and put right before it can continue to love the One whose care has been so constant." We are inviting God to move upon the heart and show us areas that need his forgiving and healing touch.
In this experience of opening ourselves to the "gaze of God" we must be prepared to deal with definite sins. A generalized confession may save us from humiliation and shame, but it will not ignite inner healing. The people who came to Jesus came with obvious, specific sins, and they were forgiven for each one.
2) Sorrow
Sorrow as it relates to confession is not primarily an emotion, though emotion may be involved. It is an abhorrence at having committed the sin, a deep regret at having offended the heart of the Father. Sorrow is an issue of the will before it is an issue of the emotions. In fact, being sorrowful in the emotions without a godly sorrow in the will destroys the confession.
3) A Determination to Avoid Sin
In the Discipline of confession we ask God to give us a yearning for holy living, a hatred for unholy living. It is the will to be delivered from our sin that we seek from God as we prepare to make our confession. We must desire to be conquered and ruled by God, or if we do not desire it, to desire to desire it.
When Someone is Confessing their Sins to us:
It is important that when others are opening their griefs to us we discipline ourselves to be quiet. We will be tempted severely to relieve the tension of the situation by some offhanded comment. This is very distracting and even destructive to the sacredness of the moment. Neither should we try to pry out more details than are necessary. If we feel that out of embarrassment or fear they are holding something back, the best method is to wait silently and prayerfully.
It is extremely important that you pray for the person and not just counsel with them. Before or during the prayer, we should announce to them that the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ in now real and effective for them. We can say this in words and tones of genuine authority for we have all of heaven behind the absolution (John 20:22, 23).
In Conclusion
Remember the heart of the Father; he is like a shepherd who will risk anything to find that one lost sheep. We do not have to make God willing to forgive. In fact, it is God who is working to make us willing to seek his forgiveness.
The Discipline of confession brings an end to pretense. God is calling into being a Church that can openly confess its frail humanity and know the forgiving and empowering graces of Christ. Honesty leads to confession, and confession leads to change. May God give grace to the Church once again to recover the Discipline of confession.
I hope this blessed you today. Thank you for reading :)
Why We Find it so Difficult to Confess our Sins:
Confession is a difficult Discipline for us because we all too often view the believing community as a fellowship of saints before we see it as a fellowship of sinners. We feel that everyone else has advanced so far into holiness that we are isolated and alone in our sin. We cannot bear to reveal our failures and shortcomings to others. We imagine that we are the only ones who have not stepped on the high road to heaven. Therefore, we hide ourselves from one another and live in veiled lies and hypocrisy.
But, if we know that the people of God are first a fellowship of sinners, we are freed to hear the unconditional call of God's love and to confess our needs openly before our brothers and sisters. We know that we are not alone in our sin. The fear and pride that cling to us like barnacles cling to others also. We are sinners together. In acts of mutual confession we release the power that heals. Our humanity is no longer denied, but transformed.
Why We are not Surprised by the Sins of Others:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, "Anybody who has once been horrified by the dreadfulness of his own sin that nailed Jesus to the Cross will no longer be horrified by even the rankest sins of a brother." This is the one thing that will save us from ever being offended in the confession of another. It forever delivers us from conveying any attitude of superiority. We know the deceptiveness of the human heart, and we know the grace and mercy of God's acceptance. Once we see the awfulness of sin we know that, regardless of what others have done, we ourselves are the chief of sinners.
Therefore, there is nothing that anyone can say that will disturb us. Nothing. By living under the cross we can hear the worst possible things from the best people without so much as batting an eyelash. If we live in that reality, we will convey that spirit to others. They know it is safe to come to us. They know we can receive anything they could possibly reveal. They know we will never condescend to them but, instead, understand.
Three Elements of a Good Confession
St. Alphonsus Liguori writes, "For a good confession three things are necessary: an examination of conscience, sorrow, and a determination to avoid sin."
1) An Examination of Conscience
This is a time, as Douglass Steere writes, "where a soul comes under the gaze of God and where in His silent and loving Presence this soul is pierced to the quick and becomes conscious of the things that must be forgiven and put right before it can continue to love the One whose care has been so constant." We are inviting God to move upon the heart and show us areas that need his forgiving and healing touch.
In this experience of opening ourselves to the "gaze of God" we must be prepared to deal with definite sins. A generalized confession may save us from humiliation and shame, but it will not ignite inner healing. The people who came to Jesus came with obvious, specific sins, and they were forgiven for each one.
2) Sorrow
Sorrow as it relates to confession is not primarily an emotion, though emotion may be involved. It is an abhorrence at having committed the sin, a deep regret at having offended the heart of the Father. Sorrow is an issue of the will before it is an issue of the emotions. In fact, being sorrowful in the emotions without a godly sorrow in the will destroys the confession.
3) A Determination to Avoid Sin
In the Discipline of confession we ask God to give us a yearning for holy living, a hatred for unholy living. It is the will to be delivered from our sin that we seek from God as we prepare to make our confession. We must desire to be conquered and ruled by God, or if we do not desire it, to desire to desire it.
When Someone is Confessing their Sins to us:
It is important that when others are opening their griefs to us we discipline ourselves to be quiet. We will be tempted severely to relieve the tension of the situation by some offhanded comment. This is very distracting and even destructive to the sacredness of the moment. Neither should we try to pry out more details than are necessary. If we feel that out of embarrassment or fear they are holding something back, the best method is to wait silently and prayerfully.
It is extremely important that you pray for the person and not just counsel with them. Before or during the prayer, we should announce to them that the forgiveness that is in Jesus Christ in now real and effective for them. We can say this in words and tones of genuine authority for we have all of heaven behind the absolution (John 20:22, 23).
In Conclusion
Remember the heart of the Father; he is like a shepherd who will risk anything to find that one lost sheep. We do not have to make God willing to forgive. In fact, it is God who is working to make us willing to seek his forgiveness.
The Discipline of confession brings an end to pretense. God is calling into being a Church that can openly confess its frail humanity and know the forgiving and empowering graces of Christ. Honesty leads to confession, and confession leads to change. May God give grace to the Church once again to recover the Discipline of confession.
I hope this blessed you today. Thank you for reading :)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Early to Bed, Early to Rise
I know that goals are supposed to be measurable....but this year's resolution really isn't. I just want to learn how to go to bed earlier...a lot of things hinge on that one thing. Someday, I would like to wake up before my kids, and have time to "center" and read a little scripture and sip a little coffee in the mornings. I am a slow-to-wake-up person. If it were up to me, I wouldn't talk for the first hour of the day. In fact, during our first year of marriage, Zach would come up to me in the mornings and ask me if I was mad at him, and I would say "No, i just don't prefer to talk in the mornings." With two little ones, it really isn't an option anymore...that whole not talking bit. I hit the ground running...or at least I try to. A bottle, 2 diapers, Breakfast for the family, clean-up...it's no wonder that I would rather stay under the covers :-) I think it was Benjamin Franklin who once said, "Early to Bed, Early to Rise, makes a man Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise." Here's to a year where I learn to start my days on the right foot. Where I learn to get out of my pajamas and put on a bra, and wash my face, and have time to get my heart in the right place before the craziness begins.
Monday, November 23, 2009
The Discipline of Solitude
The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster is a book I have enjoyed regularly for many years. Foster writes about several classic spiritual disciplines...from Meditation to Confession...and I'll admit I am attracted to some of the disciplines more than others :-) For instance, I really like reading about Prayer and Simplicity, while I tend to skip over the devotions on Fasting and Study and save them for an unspecified time in the future...Hey, did you know that when you are a nursing mother, you are completely exempt from fasting? Here's to another two years! Ha. Anyway, I was studying the discipline of Solitude recently and appreciated this passage:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together titled one of his chapters, "The Day Together" and the following chapter "The Day Alone." Both are essential for spiritual success. He writes, "Let him who cannot be alone beware of community....Let him who is not in community beware of being alone....Each by itself has profound pitfalls and perils. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation, and despair."
Therefore, we must seek out the recreating stillness of solitude if we want to be with others meaningfully. We must seek the fellowship and accountability of others if we want to be alone safely. We must cultivate both if we are to live in obedience.
As Advent grows near, I especially desire to limit my activities and ensure I am giving myself plenty of space and time to reflect upon God's goodness and my need for a Savior.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together titled one of his chapters, "The Day Together" and the following chapter "The Day Alone." Both are essential for spiritual success. He writes, "Let him who cannot be alone beware of community....Let him who is not in community beware of being alone....Each by itself has profound pitfalls and perils. One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation, and despair."
Therefore, we must seek out the recreating stillness of solitude if we want to be with others meaningfully. We must seek the fellowship and accountability of others if we want to be alone safely. We must cultivate both if we are to live in obedience.
As Advent grows near, I especially desire to limit my activities and ensure I am giving myself plenty of space and time to reflect upon God's goodness and my need for a Savior.
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