Drop the Rock and Walk Away

Well, I spent the weekend at WOF...came home sick. It's no wonder! 16,999 women all sharing their germs with me. That was not very nice by the way! Did you women not learn anything about being Jesus with skin on?

As a result, I've spent the day (at least the majority of it) curled up in my bed unable to stand in the upright position. I'm not that concerned as I enjoy lying down!

My thought from WOF:
I had the opportunity to have a very interesting discussion regarding Sandi Patti. The question posed--should someone who had an affair and married her lover be asked to lead worship at WOF? It was suggested that since she has married him, she can't truly repent and "turn" from her sin. If this is so, that puts poor Sandi into a pretty sad state as divorce would be her only way to truly repent and divorce itself is a sin. So, she should sin in order to truly repent?

My question is this...is their a point where the blood of Jesus no longer covers all of our sins? If you are to truly believe that Sandi "has no right" to lead worship, you must disregard large portions of the Bible as they were written by murderers, adulterers, and sinners...all inspired by God.


Exhibit A: David
Known for being a "man after God's own heart"
List of sins (not an exhaustive list): lust, dishonesty, adultery, murder

Exhibit B: Saul/Paul
Known for being the greatest missionary ever
Didn't he kill, imprison, beat, and hunt Christians? Yes, I believe he did.

How is it that we are oh so willing to accept God's grace; yet, so unwilling to extend it to others?
How dare we question another's right to worship? It is the very grace that Sandi sings about that allows her to stand again and sing. It is Sandi's story that gives hope to others who have made the same poor choices that she has made. It is the reality that none of us have any rights with God apart from the blood of Jesus.

How have we become such a self-righteous church? I think if Jesus were sent back to earth today, he'd have a thing or two to say to 21st century Christians. He might start by asking us to just shut up...unless asking someone to shut up is really as bad as my mom used to make it out to be!!

I believe, if nothing else, he might repeat the words he said to those accusing the woman caught in adultery...whoever of you is without sin, let him cast the first stone. I, like the accusers in the story, would have to drop my rock and walk away.

From the Mouth of Babes

Well, I had my self-esteem boosted today by my charming five year old. While asking about her day at school, she replied, "...fine; but, I think you maybe have chicken pox on your forhead!" I can assure you it most definitely is NOT the chicken pox!! (It does, however, have a slight resemblance to the Big Dipper!!) Thanks, Em, for keeping it real!!

Gen-X and the Blog Moron

Just figured out how to put a title on a post. Sadly, I'm not sure I could tell anyone else how to do it. This is the life of someone who is slightly technologically phobic and unable to transition smoothly into the 21st century. Anyhoo, couldn't go to bed without trying out my now titled thoughts. (My thoughts seem so much more important now that they're titled.)

Well, I must go rest up now for my first Monday off with ALL of my children in school...it's gonna be hard having all that time to myself. Maybe tomorrow, I can learn another exciting blogger skill!!

When all else fails, answer "Jesus"

O.K. So, very exciting day here at the Powell house...don't get your hopes up, it doesn't take as much to excite me as it used to!!

Asked the kiddos what they learned in SS today and instead of the usual "Jesus" answer I was expecting, they actually recalled the story (which was the Parable of the Prodigal Son by the way). But wait...there's more! Jordan actually had some reflection....something like..."I think that story means that God always loves us the same no matter what we do." WOW!! Do you know how many years it took me to get THAT????? Lots and lots.

There is no truth about God more life changing for me than that truth...that God always loves me the same NO MATTER WHAT...and there's a lot of "whats" in my life for sure!!

If my girls can grasp that one truth about God; and, I mean really grasp it...let it affect the way they view others...let it filter into their relationships...let it change their thoughts about themselves and how much they're worth to their Creator, then I will be one exceedingly blessed (and ecstatic) parent.

I've decided that it's almost completely...if not completely...impossible to hear the voice of God in this culture because we are never STILL long enough to listen for it!! (much less quiet.) Going to the coast for a week was the absolute best vacation ever. There was no place I needed to be except in the moment. It was there while being still, quiet, and "in the moment," that I actually felt the stirring of the Spirit. At the time, I wasn't sure why I was being burdened with the specific message...I wasn't even convinced that it was actually the Spirit speaking. But, I returned home to discover that God had placed someone on my heart who really needed intercession.

Now that I'm back, I'm slowly forgetting how to listen. God's voice is slowly being drowned by the sounds of life to the tune of school, work, cell phone rings, and urgent matters...like "what's for dinner?" (The question I hate more than any other by the way!!)

Is it possible to remain in tune with the Spirit in a culture that is so full of distraction? If so, how?

I've been pondering this not so deep thought for quite some time now. Why is it that when we feel we've grown spiritually, we suddenly notice the lack of spirituallity in others. Like when we go on a diet for two minutes and suddenly become increasingly aware of all the fat people we're surrounded by.
Have you ever heard this, or worse yet, have you ever said this: "I didn't get anything out of the worship service today?" Isn't the point of a worship service to GIVE something? Your worship to your creator...your gift (as worthless as it is) to your God...however you do that.
The very minute we concern ourselves with what we're getting from our worship, we have suddenly made our worship about us...we're worshipping ourselves!!
How phariseical of us.
Jesus seemed so much more annoyed by the self-righteous than by the sinners. We have become the new generation of Pharisees. We waltz around in our "righteous robes" to prove to others our spirituality, all the while our hearts are far from God.
I don't want to be a Pharisee. I want to be an authentic worshiper. I'm not sure that I have that capability, but I certainly am tired of playing reindeer games.