We finally went to church today after a 2 month hiatus. I needed the time for thinking and having a break. After going to the LDS church and deciding it wasn't for us, I needed time to soul search before entering back into a house of worship. We went to the Calvary chapel near here that we always attended before the LDS church and its been almost a year since being there, but there were many familiar faces and many new and in either case, it felt like home. The message was good. It made me think a lot about my life and who my friends are. Our pastor said, "A person is defined as much by his friends as he is his enemies and why they are his enemies." Very profound. I took a lot of notes as we went through enemies of Jesus and how they showed his good character and enemies of king Herod and his character. It made so much sense. It made me think about my enemies or those who don't like me much and he went on to quote Gal 5: 19-21, 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Why is this important? What does this have to do with enemies.....well, it has everything to do with them. It is saying that if our friends are those who are worldly and commit such acts as stated in those verses, we may not inherit the kingdom of Heaven, yet if those same people are our enemies or those who we don't agree with, it shows highly of our character. Now that isn't to say we shouldn't talk to them or shun them, but its to say that we must stand up for who we are and what is righteous and if they do not like it........well, that is their problem, not one we should try to befriend. There were just a lot of great points today. The kids had so much fun there as well. Their children's programs are so wonderful. I am just glad to be back.
20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Why is this important? What does this have to do with enemies.....well, it has everything to do with them. It is saying that if our friends are those who are worldly and commit such acts as stated in those verses, we may not inherit the kingdom of Heaven, yet if those same people are our enemies or those who we don't agree with, it shows highly of our character. Now that isn't to say we shouldn't talk to them or shun them, but its to say that we must stand up for who we are and what is righteous and if they do not like it........well, that is their problem, not one we should try to befriend. There were just a lot of great points today. The kids had so much fun there as well. Their children's programs are so wonderful. I am just glad to be back.
3 comments:
I am happy that you are finding yourself...although I can't say I am a little sad at the same time...but to each their own.
I totally agree that we need to stand up for what is right...i guess that is why it makes me a little sad.
Janis - I have followed your story for quite some time. I am thrilled to learn you attended Calvary Chapel again! What an AWESOME place to worship the Lord and to get your soul fed. I will continue to pray for you and your family. And I am happy to hear that your newest little one is continuing to grow and thrive. May your remaining months of this pregnancy go just as well.
Janis, I haven't commented since your peaceful parenting post-although I follow your blog on a regular basis.(I know you from the bbc LDS board) I was so happy to read that you found a church that you are comfortable attending that is feeding your spiritual needs. Your family is georgous and congratulations on the new little one! You are a wonderful mother and I envy all of the great things that you do as a family. I hope and pray that you continue with a healthy pregnancy and that all is well for you and your growing family. I hope you don't mind me still reading your blog-Katy
www.andyandkaty.blogspot.com
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