Use Scripture in Context!

An exegetical how-not-to.

"So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself." Jesus said, "Go forth, and do likewise."


Dripping with sarcasm,

Church.

Do I want to go to campus worship and support my comrades or do I want to go back to the liturgy that centers my day, my week, my life?

I can't express how vital the church experience is to me. The routine isn't the only thing, although my fellow liturgical buddies can attest to its comfort.

No, it's the spiritual experience. I need it, I thrive on it. And any religious person should be able to identify with this. It's more than just my personal enrichment, too. We pray for the glorification of God. We pray for our leaders, religious and those on earth. And we pray for the people of this world.

Then there's always communion. A mystery that I can't even being to explain. But it's a mystery that I need, desperately.

Knowing how much faith and religious experience has helped me and shaped me as a person, I can't help but wonder what it's like not to grow up religious. What is it like to have a nonreligious family? If you grew up in a family that wasn't religious, what was it like? Do you feel like you missed out on anything?

I feel that I would. I'm so grateful that I've never had to go a day of my life knowing that nothing I do could ever separate me from the love and grace of God.

Leave me a comment and tell me what you think. You're welcome to do so anonymously!

Peace be with you,

I have been struggling for a while.

I've been dealing with my chronic pain disorder for a few years now and never figured out how to use my faith to help me through it. All I could seem to do would be to fuss at God- get mad, get angry, cry tears of frustration that I was so helpless and hopeless at times. Which is fine, because God can take my anger. God's big enough for that.
Side note: It's astounding how much my pain disorder controls my life.

Today I finally got it.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I was deliberately created, specially, uniquely, just the way that I am. My legs were crooked for a reason. I had to learn to walk with a brace for a reason. I don't know what that reason is, but I'm unique and God knows that.

Maybe I'm meant to be that one girl who'll go out on a limb and test a wonder drug. Maybe I'm the only one who will be honest enough about my struggles to get some attention to worldwide sufferers of pain disorders.

Maybe I have something to learn from my pain disorder.

Am I supposed to rejoice in the fact that some days it takes strength that is honestly not my own to get out of bed? I don't think so. I don't know if God wants me to be joyful about this- certainly God doesn't think I'm wrong for getting pissy every now and then.

But I finally get it. I'm unique. I'm special. This is how I see life. Everything down to my very anatomy- my very nerve endings- my brain cells- is different with me. I am a unique human.

That's a good feeling. God knows that I'm miserable sometimes, and it's not what God desired to see me hurt, but God knows that I do. God is holding my hand through all of this as I grow.

And I'm thankful.



Uniquely yours,

What is Pentecost?

Pentecost is big celebration in the Christian community. At least it should be!

This holiday is based on the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which celebrated the Ten Commandments coming down from Mount Sinai 50 days after the Exodus. 50 days, thus "Pent"... eh?

In the Christian tradition, it's the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came at the conclusion of that same Jewish Festival, just after the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Christian tradition, the feast falls 50 days after Easter (aha! "pente" again!).

Pentecost is hailed as the birth of the Church. The gifts of the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to begin their ministry and expand the Church on earth; to spread the Gospel of our Lord.


Happy Pentecost!
Thank you, God, for the Holy Spirit!

Hello, Summer!

It's summer. I'm busy.
WHAT?
Normally I just sit on my tush all summer, but this summer I have a Real Job.
Thankfully, it also comes with a Real Paycheck. Thank you, Jesus!

Speaking of Jesus, I need to read my Bible more often. Who wants to get on my tail about this? I am going to try to be proactive about it and set a daily time to be with God and only God. I talk to God all day, but I need to set apart some time just to spend reading my Bible and "be still and know that I am God".

Which brings me to a point. I feel really uncomfortable and strange just talking to God. Just saying what's on my mind. I think that God knows what I'm saying all the time- there isn't a time when I imagine that God isn't privy to what I think, say or do. So I feel weird JUST praying. It also is an incredibly intimate thing, to talk to the creator of the universe. It's a privilege that isn't lost on me.

Does anyone else feel this way? That praying, just praying, feels a little strange?

Grace and peace,



P.S. Next Sunday is Pentecost. Woot!

That Theology...

is a little to much for me right now.
Don't misunderstand me. I love God. I love talking about God. I love trying to find out the ins and outs of what's Biblically sound, what's sound doctrine and what isn't, but I have reached a point where I can't think about all of those differences anymore. I feel like I've found out that there are so many different points at which doctrine splits entirely, and indeed form two different faith systems. I don't know which is right. All I can rely on is God, that He will guide me along what is true and what isn't.
But now I've gotten so busy with school and friends (shock!) that I have neglected my relationship with God. Typical- neglect the One who delivered me safely thus far, who loves me unconditionally, and who made the ultimate sacrifice for me. The One whose heart hurts for me when I fall away from Him, who is hurt by my sin, whose heart aches for me when I ache.
That wasn't very loving me of, was it? And that's all that God requires of me.
Consider this my official notice of sabbatical. I am taking a break from any outside influence on my relationship between me and God. I am going to start rebuilding my relationship with my Abba, one step at a time. First step? Saying sorry.
Next step? Love.

I'll keep y'all updated. I know you're hanging on my every word (not!)

-Brookie