Memories And Mercy

  Having a houseful of children, it was inevitable there would be discord!  It was interesting how during a disagreement the kids would take sides, and it wasn’t always with the same sibling!  As the controversy went on, the voices became louder and stronger, as each tried to make their demands outweigh the other.  As a parent, there were times when I needed to step in and settle it, but each child had their own recollection of what the issue was, who said what, and how it should be dealt with.

What’s interesting is how years later, the memories of unique incidents are remembered differently by the siblings involved.  When the incident involved more than one of the children, their memories are similar, but each has their own version.  They can laugh about it now and tease each other regardless of “their version” because the edge is removed and anger eliminated over time.  It no longer matters what really happened.  

Adults are no different.  It happens in marriages and it happens in church business meetings. What starts as a simple disagreement turns into a huge misunderstanding. The end result is the same---anger and a recollection of information that is skewed depending on perspective.  Ultimately, like my children, emotions need to be reined in and after a cooling period, apologies are in order.  In discussions, at a later time, forgiveness is given and those who were angered, even if the disagreement remains, can again be friends.  

There’s lots of history surrounding  the Revolutionary War from 1775-1783.  One such story includes the state of Tennessee.  It seems legend has a battle being fought between a unit that included John Sevier against Chief Dragging Canoe of the Chickamauga Cherokee on Lookout Mountain, during this time.  But historians contend this incident isn’t possible, but can absolutely document a battle here during 1788.   

It seems memories have a way of skewing even important information, even for such things as dates of battles!  Perhaps this has happened in other historical situations. Perhaps this is by God’s design.  He created us, and much like the way women forget the pain of childbirth, we are designed to have the edge of hostility removed from past situations, which allows us to rebuild relationships.

There are those in our lives who hurt us and then apologize, only to do the same thing again…..and again.  As Believers, we are told to forgive and do our best to reconcile, but once a relationship is broken, it takes time to rebuild the trust that once was, because our memories remind us of the pain. Restoration is a process that doesn’t always happen immediately, and sometimes, depending on circumstances, restoration may not be possible, even if all hostility is removed and the edge of anger and hurt replaced with forgiveness.

 

Each of us have experiences that have left us with reason to apologize.  This is apparent even in our spiritual lives because we are careful not to disclose everything about ourselves, even to our closest friend.  But God knows …..even our motives.  Only when we repent of our sins can we receive forgiveness.  Because of God’s mercy and grace, he offers sanctuary from our sins.  If you are struggling with forgiveness, I encourage you to give your anger and any unpleasant memories to God, and allow him to help you restore relationships.

#Forgiveness  #Forgive  #Mercy  #RestoreRelationships  #HurtHappens  #Restoration

Photo Credit: FREE pictures of lookout mountain TN

Where We Worship

  A friend shared the story recently about a lunch gathering where the conversation turned to church growth.  One person present there, was upset with his local church and shared that the ‘sanctuary’ he’s always attended to worship with other Believers, make bold proclamations from God’s word, and saw souls saved, is now considered an auditorium.

He felt strongly that the ‘title’ auditorium was much less likely to inspire awe and evoke the feeling of a dedicated place of worship and reverence.  In fact, he felt so bothered by this terminology he talked with his Pastor about it who while understanding the parishioners feelings didn’t agree with his thought process.

The Pastor's stance was that where we worship is irrelevant.  God can hear us in our homes, in a field, our cars, and yes, in the services we attend.

I remember years ago when we held early morning services outdoors when the weather was warm.  It was amazing to listen to the birds sing, the leaves rustling in the wind, and even see the occasional squirrel who would be jumping from limb to limb high atop the trees.

There were, however some distractions.  There were cars passing by, or honking as they saw a neighbor, or a dog who was riled by a passerby, at just the time when the service was in a moment of quiet prayer.  

During that time during the warm summer months, the inner sanctuary was always a welcome place for me, however.  And while I appreciated these outdoor moments in service, I discovered I felt like I was really in God’s presence when I was within those walls!  It was in this place where we were separated from the distractions, and could feel the unity of brothers and sisters in Christ with more clarity.

Historically, a sanctuary is a ‘holy place’.  We are ‘holy people’ if we have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior.  We are called out as a people to live our lives separated from the world.  We are indeed part of this world, but our lives should project our Christ like attitudes.  

The idea of a church building is where we come together to gain encouragement from each other, learn lessons from God’s Word and worship in Spirit and in Truth.  Does our attitude about where we worship change with the title of the building we are in?

I contend if I were in McDonald’s or other fast food place, I could, as a Believer witness to another person about my faith, and that is at it should be.  I don’t think, however, I would feel like I was worshiping should a service be held there.  Distractions.  There are just too many distractions!  But that doesn’t mean God isn’t there!

In a convoluted sense, that could be how the one person who was so upset about the re-naming of the ‘sanctuary’ felt.  The place of worship had lost its holiness.  It was no longer held in high esteem as God’s house.  It had become just a place  to gather, not much different than a high school auditorium or a movie theater.

And that said, I repeat my earlier thought that in these places it doesn’t mean God isn’t there!  He is everywhere and wants us to worship him regardless of our surroundings.  It has more to do with how we personally view God.  When we hold God in high esteem, it matters not where we are, we are in God’s presence.  This could be in a sanctuary, or at a fast food restaurant.  

Still, …I wonder… if by re-naming our worship places with 'generic names',  if we aren’t moving God down just a notch?  Share your thoughts!

https://www.freeimages.com/search/church-building 

Satan's World

      I remember some years ago driving through a town and two young girls dressed in black were watching the cars go by.  As we passed, one of the girls pointed her finger at our car and said some words.  Somehow it caused me to have horrible eerie feelings crawl down my spine!  

We went to a children’s program recently and part of it included a ‘mime’ of Satan trying to lure a girl away from what she believed.  ‘Satan’ was using the ruse of a promise of great success if she would follow him.  His only stipulation was that she never speak the name of Jesus, or follow him in any manner.

Our world is filled with Satan and his minions.  His attacks on our children and youth are staggering.  Families are being town apart by decisions made by adults who get lost in wanting things their own way, without regard to how any of it will affect not only themselves but their spouse, children and ultimately even their grandchildren.  

I read somewhere that if there is an ‘extreme’ that would in someway deteriorate or destroy the balance of truly walking in the way of God, it is of Satan.  Just knowing God’s truth is not enough to keep us balanced when we are being bombarded with extremes like drugs, alcoholism, or any addiction; excesses of anger and violence or anything that veers us away from walking in God’s truth.

Our minds must know His truth, and our lives demonstrate and walk in His truth.  We must be read up, prayed up, and living within the confines of what God has entrusted within us, so we can recognize when we are being assaulted by the world’s — via Satan— oppression.

When you listen to much of today’s music, television shows (and commercials) we are all at some level, influenced by what we see and hear.  It’s a choice to let that influence sway us away from God.  Acclimation is a key component in this.  Our culture, by the design of many that lead our nation, lures us to accept what we know to be unholy.

As the end draws near, it’s vital to Christian growth and steadfastness to meet with other Believers to encourage, strengthen and keep on the armor of God so we are able to reject that which is not of God.  

We keep hearing that Jesus will return ‘soon,’ yet we still wait.  God’s Word tells us 1000 years in heaven is as one to us.  In that sense, Jesus has only been gone two days!  All prophesies have been fulfilled.  ‘Soon’ doesn’t seem so long when you look at it from that perspective.  

Perhaps He will will return on the third day, like he arose?  Just a thought.  I have absolutely no way of knowing any more than any one else, because we are not supposed to know.  It does however, illustrate the urgency of being prepared.  And that includes rejecting the evil that permeates our world.

If Jesus came back right now—while you are reading this post, would you be ready?  Would you welcome Him as your Lord and Savior, or would you be horrified and say,   “WAIT! — Just one more day; just one more hour, just one more moment—I’m not ready!”?

#TheDarkSide  #WeNeedTheArmorOf God   #DarkCulture   #ScaresMe  #Frightening #Oppression    #FreedomInChrist   #JesusReturnsSoon

Photo Credit: https://www.pexels.com/search/dark%20side/