My Sweetheart & I took a trip to Southern Arizona, which included Tombstone, Bisbee & last but not least, Colossal Cave. What a great Birthday that was. I’ll try to put together a little picture collage and maybe I will be able to post that.
But before we took off, my wonderful husband gave me an awesome bouquet of mixed roses. What a great surprise that was. They are gorgeous and have their place in our bedroom, so I can see them when I wake up in the morning. Thanks Sweetheart for a wonderful birthday celebration. Beets working by a long shot.
Great Sermon Today
It was kind of eerie sitting in the pew today and listening to Pastor’s sermon.
You see, Friday I was talking about “I love them Allâ€. During the sermon today, I truly thought my Pastor had read my Blog. He talked about being an “authentic Christianâ€. What truly is an “authentic Christian†and that we are “One†in body of Christ. A couple of times I wanted to just get up during his sermon and shout “Amen Pastor†& “Hallelujahâ€, but I think I would have been thrown out; being at a Lutheran church and it being our “very traditional†service.
But it was great to hear that my Pastor has the same thoughts on being a Christian. PTL! Now I know for sure that I attend the right the church. So, thanks Pastor for the great sermon – it sure gave me a boost.
I love them All!
Someone asked my yesterday: ‘What kind of Christian are you?’
I first swallowed when I read the question posted to me on a non-Christian forum. You see, I use the same signature on all forums (‘I can do everything through Him who gives me strength’ – Phil 4:13 (NIV)); Christian and non-Christians. This question was asked of me by someone on a non-Christian forum; to be exact, an IT forum.
How would have you answered the question?
Here is my answer: “Hhm – not sure how to take that question, but I have been ‘raised’ in a Lutheran church in Germany and now worship at a Lutheran Church (LC-MS) in Gilbert (Arizona that is). For me, it really is not important which church you belong to, e.g. Baptist, Methodist, Catholic etc. It is important to me that you believe in the Holy Trinity – One God – Three In One (Father, Son & Holy Spirit); and confess Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior. The Bible is the only Truth, no matter what ‘church’ or denomination you belong to. Hope this information is what you were looking for. In His grip,…â€
So, now my question to you is: How would you have answered that question? I truly believe that we are all One body in Christ, no matter which denomination. Honestly, do you think that this is what Christ wanted, the different denominations I mean? I don’t think so. For me, the Bible is the only Truth – no matter where I attend church. I love all God’s people, Saints & Sinners. Does your ‘belonging’ to a certain church body mean that I can’t fellowship with you?
As I stated above, I was raised in a Lutheran church in Germany and still consider myself Lutheran. But guess what, some of my favorite teachers in this age are not Lutheran. Beth Moore is one of the best teachers in women’s ministry – and she is Baptist. Greg Laurie, one of my favorite preachers – Baptist. So, what does that make me – a ‘Lutheran Baptist’? No, it makes me a follower of Christ and His teachings.
So, again, I’ll ask you the question: ‘What kind of Christian are you?’
Life in the Spirit
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.†– Romans 8:1-2 NIV
This verse came up in a discussion yesterday and it came back to me tonight as I was preparing dinner for my guys. Paul is talking about the bondage we have to sin, which ends in death. First spiritually and then the ultimate death of the body. He is also talking about how Christ is the fulfillment of the law. I know that I would never be able to fulfill God’s law to His satisfaction. No person can.
Does that mean that we don’t have to honor the Ten Commandments? Of course not, because the Ten Commandments show us our daily sin. I guess that is why some people say that they don’t need Jesus, because they don’t recognize that they are sinning. They do not acknowledge that the Ten Commandments were given to us to show us how God wants us to live our lives. They say “I am a good person – I do good things for people”. They might be very good people, but still, do they fulfill God’s perfect law? I don’t think so, because it is our nature to be sinful.
So, be honest, look at the Ten Commandments, and if you can honestly say that you can fulfill them, then you are a much better person than I am.
(Thank you Carlene, for sorting out my thoughts on this post)