an imposition

I'm still thinking about Ash Wednesday.

Specifically I'm thinking about the fact that putting the ashes on the foreheads is correctly termed "Imposition of the ashes."

Why not "Applying of the ashes?" Or "Distributing of the ashes?" "Dusting of the ashes?" "Putting on of the ashes?"

An imposition is generally a negative thing. We don't like to impose on people. The government imposes taxes on us. Someone asking us to give them a ride in our already full car can be an imposition.

So why is this act of applying ashes an imposition?

Because it is a reminder of our sinful nature? Because it is a reminder of our mortality?

Isn't death the greatest imposition of all?

I think it's an interesting choice of words. If anyone knows why this terminology is used, I would love to know, too. If you have any thoughts about what that word means to you, I would love to hear that, too.

ash wednesday

Today some friends went with me to Ash Wednesday service at the International Anglican Church where we attended when we lived in Colorado Springs.

It was a blessing to hear the sermon given by the Bishop from Rwanda. It was humbling to have that Rwandan man place the ashes on my forehead. A man who has seen so much. A man who ministers to people who have survived genocide, ministered to me.

This is what I got out of the sermon today:

Seek God rather than seek to please God.

True fasting is giving of myself to others.

I am an ambassador of the Kingdom of God and I need to be readily available when the King calls me for service.

It's all about focus.

Lent is a new thing for me. This is the third year I've observed it. It has been a time of renewed focus for me each year as I spend time thinking about who I am and who I would be apart from God.

From dust you came, to dust you shall return. Meanwhile...

how beautiful is the body of Christ

I grew up in a pretty conservative Baptist church.

I went to a Christian school through that church.

I went to Liberty University, a Baptist school.

Then after I got married we went to a couple of Baptist churches. Then we went to a non-denominational church with Baptist roots.

Then we went to an Anglican church.

Now we go to a Charismatic church.

I know that some of you reading this are shaking your heads at our decline. Others are nodding in appreciation of our open mindedness.

(I do want to say, lest you fear for my soul, that I am a strict stickler for the Word of God. If something is taught that cannot be proven by the whole counsel of Scripture then it is a false teaching. I very frequently search things out on my own to see if it is Biblical.)

I used to think that denominations are bad. That Jesus never intended them. Well, maybe He didn't intend them, I don't know. But here's how I see them now:

We all know that the Church is Christ's body. Some of us are hands and some of us are ears, etc. I believe that each small gathering of believers, (local church) is composed of all the necessary body parts.

I also think that each individual gathering of believers, (local church) is in itself a body part. Some churches are hands, some are feet, some are ears. I think this may be true within denominations, but also inter-denominationally, too. I think that we should all function together as one body. Some churches are great at reaching the lost. Others are great at edifying believers. Others reach out and minister to people's physical needs in the name of Jesus. Some are full of joy and worship. Others are solemn, bearing the sorrow of living in a sinful, broken world. Can we say that one is right and another is wrong? Maybe the ideal would be for each church to meet all the needs, but is that really feasible? I haven't really seen it happen. Churches almost always have one or two things they emphasize. But if other churches are meeting the needs, then it all balances out, right?

I think the problem with denominations comes from the dividers we allow them to put up between us.

Yes, sometimes we don't agree with some things that other churches teach. But if they teach the true gospel of Christ, then they are part of our body and we really need to learn how to get along or we'll be tripping all over ourselves. Christ's body should be graceful and well coordinated, shouldn't it?

I love the experiences I have had at these different denomination. I love seeing the Kingdom of God in all of it's variety! I love it! I would be willing to venture out and try even more denominations to see more of how God's great variety of people worship Him. It's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

church frustrations

As of July 1st, we've lived here one year.  One year and we are still trying to find a church.

One friend told me that if you find a church that has a strong outreach, strong Biblical teaching, etc, etc, then you just go there.  I don't really disagree with that.  But I also think that God has a specific place for people.  I believe that when we seek Him, He will put us in the house, in the neighborhood, in the school, church, job, etc that is the very best for us.  Best for us to learn grow, and minister.  

So, anyway.  We have been to some good churches.  Churches with good stuff.  But somehow in none of them do we really feel like we belong.  

The one we've been going, to my husband loves.  And that is a huge thing.  Do you know how hard it is for men to go to church?  For some reason, it is very tough.  My dad usually doesn't go to church.  My uncle doesn't go. I don't think my other uncle went (did he, Queen?).  My husband has gone through phases of not attending, as well.  And in almost 15 years of marriage, we have only been to two churches that he actually likes.  I'm not sure what the problem or the solution is for men and churc, but to find one that my man likes likes is a wonderful thing.

My son likes, it too, and that's unusual.  But... my daughter can't stand it, although she does need to give it another chance after the new Youth Pastor starts.  And me?  I'm indifferent.  I have felt indifferent about almost all of the churches we've tried.  There have been a couple that I liked, but the other three didn't.  So...

For now, we will keep going to the one we have been.  But in the meantime we do want to visit another that we haven't tried.  I have been so looking forward to it, and of course I get my hopes up that this will be the one we all love.  The one where we fit.  But today there was sickness in the family so we didn't even go.  

So, as my cousin said.  Not all blogs have to be exciting.  Sometimes I just need to write about the mundane.  It did help to talk to you guys about it, though.  Thanks!

my why

One church that we went to I loved attending and had to do with relationships.  I always had someone I wanted to see, say "hi" to, or hug.  It was all about the people.

Another church we went to, I had no relationships.  It was all about God and me.  I loved going and hated to miss because every week I saw something new about God, or heard something from Him.  The sermons often stayed in my mind all week.  The presence of the Spirit was very real there and it was just a wonderful time with the Lord.

See, I can listen to sermons at home.  I can read the Bible for myself and learn and be convicted, repent and change.  I can get together with believers anywhere, any place and any time.  I can sing to the Lord.  I can pray alone or in a prayer group.  I can "do" all of the things that we "do" at church without going to church.  What if we have a small group that meets at home?  We have accountability there and corporate worship.  Is the pastor the only thing that makes church different?

Just asking here.  I think it's important we know these things.  

Anyway, I love church.  I can't imagine not going.  Whatever the reason is that I go.  

I know that I love being with other believers, in all kinds of settings.  I love corporate worship.  I love seeing God work in others' lives.  I love the fellowship.

I know that God has a way of relating to us as individuals and He also has a way of relating to us corporately.  That is demonstrated in His relationship with Israel throughout the Old Testament.  I think He gives a special blessing for us gathering together as representatives of His body.  He blesses that act of unity.  Perhaps the reason I go is for that.  Maybe that's what we all find there.  If we look past the "because I should" and "it's how I was raised" reasons, I think we'll find we just love having God smile on us, His son's Bride-to-be.

tell me why

We went to church last night ( Saturday).  We went to a large church that has services on Sunday morning and Saturday night.  So today we didn't go.  And I feel a little guilty about it. So I've been questioning that.  Why should I feel guilty?  

Because I am an over-thinker, I have started asking myself "why do I go to church at all?"  Not in the sense that I shouldn't go, but simply wanting to know why...

Is it because it's what I've been trained to do?  Because it's what Good Christians do?  Because if I don't I'll be "backslidden"?  

I know the Bible says not to forsake gathering together -- which by the way doesn't mean we can't skip services now and then.  If I go to a retreat and spend a couple of days from my husband it certainly doesn't mean I've forsaken him.  But anyway, in obedience to that verse, we should gather together.  But what is my personal motivation?  Does it go beyond simple obedience?

I am going to think more about this and post about it later.  For now, I would like to hear your answers.  But please, don't immediately answer with the first thing that comes to mind.  Chances are, that will be the pat answer that you've been taught all your life.  I don't want to know why we should go to church.  I would like to know why you personally go.  Please, take some time to think about it.  Leave my blog and come back and answer later if you need to.