To Abolish Religion

There is a Youtube video someone shared with me called Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus.  The idea was to suggest that Jesus came to abolish religion and the important part of Christianity is believing in Jesus and that's enough.  Well, I'm here to tell you that's not enough. 

I'm not talking about "works" based Christianity.  I don't think that if we love Jesus and prove it to him by the list of good deeds we do we'll earn our way into heaven.  I'm also not talking about "rules based" Christianity.  I don't think that if I dress the right way and speak the right way and have the most beautiful church that I'll be able to charm my way into heaven. 

Jesus made it pretty simple; Love God and your neighbor as yourself. James 2:19 (NKJV) says
^"You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!"  Is it enough to believe in Jesus? He tells us that if we love Him we will do what He says. 

When Jesus commissioned the Apostles to go out into the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit He was establishing the Church.  The Apostles went out and taught people about what Christ had done and showed them by example, and through their writing, what to do, how to live, how to worship, how to pray and how to be true followers of Christ. 

When someone decides to join the military they pledge to learn, act and live within the terms and conditions set up by whichever branch they serve in. Barring a draft, no one forces a person to join our military, it is free will.  Once a person has made that choice no one argues and says, "well, I really don't think I need basic training so I'll pass on that part.  I also don't want to do certain types of patrols or work late nights.  By the way, I'm going to have to insist on weekends off."  That would be crazy and our armed forces would not be organized enough to accomplish anything.  Why do we think in Christianity that we can make our own rules?  Why do we think we get to pick and choose what it means to follow Jesus?  He tells us it will be hard and that the path is narrow and that we may be made fun of and possibly even killed. He doesn't force us to follow Him, He leaves that choice entirely up to us. 

There was an article someone posted this morning from Huffington Post called, WWJD: What Would Jesus Do?  Do You Really Want to Know?   In this article the author tells a story about a mother who gave her son a bracelet with WWJD on it and encouraged him to look at it before doing anything so he could make good choices in living a Christian life.  In obedience, her son then went and hung out with prostitutes and "sinners", bought a round of beer for some drunk guys, trashed the church bookstore, drove out the pastor with a whip and stood with women who had just had an abortion calling out to the protesters, "You who are without sin, throw the first stone!"  This mother then gave her son a WWAPD bracelet instead. This stood for What Would a Pharisee Do?  This son became a model "Christian" and tithed, was a public prayer warrior, condemner of sinners, etc.  Is this author suggesting that having a bookstore and a pastor in a church automatically means that church is corrupt and that anyone who tithes, prays in public and upholds the commandments is a Pharisee?  There is more to it than that.

Jesus tells us many things.  He tells us to LOVE all men, but He does not tell us to condone what all men do.  He tells us to HELP the poor and broken without judging (or glorifying) how they got there.  In John chapter 8, He tells the men who brought the adulterous woman before him,
“He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first."  And to this precious woman He says, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”  He didn't defend her actions, He loved her and encouraged her to live a better way.  Jesus says in Matthew 21  “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer, 'but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”  He was not condemning the religious services and worship that were taking place in the building but the commercialism/consumerism. 
Jesus did not come to "abolish religion".  He came to show us a better way.  He did not come so we could pick and choose which parts of His message we like best, He came to bring healing and life.  He came to redeem us.  He came so that we could have RIGHT FAITH and HOPE in the resurrection and the world to come.  Humans have made bad choices inside and outside of "religion".  James 1 says "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."  We are to love unconditionally, give without expectation of anything in return, and keep the "world" from setting the standard in our lives.  We are called to live and die for Christ and uphold the faith He established through His Apostles. 

In the Divine Liturgy the prayer before communion says, "I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first.  As Christians we are called to live in repentance, humble ourselves and serve others.  We should ask ourselves WWJD.  Jesus called sin sin, he accepted sincere offerings, he loved the unlovely, but he also told them to live differently so they could have life everlasting.  Christ calls us to follow Him, let us embrace the true faith.







 
 

 

Radio Theater

For those of you who think homeschooling keeps a mama busy, I have to tell you, running around dropping off and picking up is making me run ragged!  My middle son was concerned when we decided to have all 5 boys in school this year.  He thought I'd be lonely with all the time I'd have to myself.  I'm still waiting for even a portion of "all that time"...

I plan to start writing for my blog again and I'm sorry for the long silence.  We currently have the most medically fragile baby we've ever had.  She three different oral medications 4 times a day plus an injection each night.  Staying on top of that and speech, OT, PT and social skills therapy takes up a lot of time.  PLUS I have a 13 year old...nuf said ;) 

For the past year we have been working on an Orthodox radio theater production.  My kids grew up listening to Focus on the Family Radio Theater and many many audio books.  They remember almost all the stories and enjoy listening to this day. 

This production is Narnia-ish.  The main character enters another "world" through the icon of Saint Nicholas and then spends time in Jericho with Rahab arriving when the two Israelite spies appear.  As the walls of Jericho begin to crumble, she runs back into the house of Rahab to retrieve her cross necklace but finds herself in the story of Ruth and Boaz.  This continues all the way to the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.  It's a really great way to make our history come alive for our kids.

We have put together a Kickstarter "campaign" for any and all who would like to participate in making this project available to kids and their families.  It has a full cast of characters, sound effects and original music. This performance will be available in both CD and digital download form.

The way Kickstarter works is a project must be fully funded to be considered successful.  If you make a pledge you are not charged unless the project is successful.  You can contribute as little as $1, and every little bit counts!

If you would like to check it out or contribute click on the link below:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1648980762/adventure-to-advent

Talk to you soon!

Getting to Know Me

My husband and I have been reading an amazing book together.  I think he first spotted it in Touchstone Magazine and suggested we get it.  It sat for about 6 months before we first opened it and has taken us another 18 months to almost finish it.  I generally don't recommend books, but this is certainly an exception. 



I have seen SO many "trendy" Christian books out there.  I don't think the authors meant them to be trendy, but that's what ended up happening. Churches would glom onto a new release from a popular Christian author or pastor and teach it as if it had complete authority in the life of the Church and with her people.  What was often implied was, "if you do what is written in the pages of this book you will have 'arrived'."  or "just change your life completely around by following these 5 easy steps and your walk with the Lord will be carefree."  Some of the books were encouraging and had great suggestions, but most seemed to only deal with surface issues or tried to apply bandaids to emotional wounds that required stitches or possible surgery. 

What I love about this book is that it helps you to be "real" about who you are and it helps you to discover how you became who you are.  This is not a "blame your parents" book. This is not a book of easy fixes.  This isn't a book about "love languages" either.  This book is almost like a 12 step book for marriage.  Regardless of where you are in your marriage (newlywed to nearly dead ;), there is so much we can learn about ourselves and our spouses which can help us gain understanding about why we do what we do and why we respond the way we do when our spouse hits a sensitive spot.  It also gives insight to help us have compassion on our spouse as we gain understanding into how and why they interact in life the way they do. 

If you are struggling in your marriage, or if marriage is still a new and wonderful adventure, this is a fantastic tool that encourages baby steps and compassion and communication.  Don't be turned off by some of the labels they use like "Soul Words" and "The Comfort Circle", they aren't overly touchy feely :)  This book has given us tools to help us to be more open with each other and in meeting the needs of our children.  (they have a parenting book out now too called How We Love Our Children, but I'm determined to finish this one before starting that one).  We still have far to go, but so does every person on this planet until the moment of our very last breath.

May the Lord bless us as we maneuver our way through the sacrament of marriage.  May we not shy away when we discover that the cross we are called to carry is actually heavy.  May we willing die to ourselves daily that we may embrace Christ and see Christ in our spouse.

To God belongs all glory.  Amen

God's Donkey

Do you ever get the feeling that your job as mother is to be a pack mule?  If I think about it I find that I carry a lot for my children.  Aside from the washing and cooking and bandaging (I have 5 boys, that equals quite a few bandages...) and chauffeuring, I tend to carry their joys, fears, hopes and hearts as well. 

Some of my guys have heavy loads to carry and just can't do it on their own so they place part of the load on me for safe keeping.  Sometimes helping to ease the burden is all they need.  Other times they want me to carry every thought and memory because they have been carrying such a heavy weight for such a long time.  Sometimes they suddenly want their burden back because they feel awkward and naked without it so they violently rip it from my heart.  And don't think it's just the adopted ones who have burdens to bear.  My "home cooked" children have their own struggles and they are no less significant because abuse or neglect were not involved.  We are not perfect parents and this is not a perfect world so they are left with the task of making sense of their childhood, wading through the errors we've made and going through the long hard process of sifting through their life experiences so they can, hopefully, avoid making some of the mistakes we made as parents and establishing their own adulthood in Christ. 

There are times when I look at it all and think, "why am I the one chosen by everyone to carry their stuff, I have my own stuff to carry!".  I feel like Frodo with The One Ring, the burden heavy around my neck.  I want to complain and give it to someone else! But then I realize that perhaps that is my calling.  Perhaps my job is to glorify the Lord, not as war horse, but as a donkey.  Perhaps they place their burden on me so I can help them learn how to place it on Him and maybe, just maybe, I will learn how to follow where He leads and place all burdens when He directs me to lay them.   Frodo didn't just carry the Ring so that he would ultimately be saved.  He carried the burden of all Middle Earth that all might be saved. 

Is it so bad to be a donkey?  Not if I get to be in the service of my loving Master.

Of Great Significance

“It is of great significance if there is a person who truly prays in a family. Prayer attracts God's Grace and all the members of the family feel it, even those whose hearts have grown cold. Pray always.” Elder Thaddeus




 

I don't know about you, but I am running into a lot of suffering people lately.  In my own home we are experiencing struggles and challenges.  For many it feels as if they are standing at the edge of an emotional or spiritual cliff in the dark with winds gusting up to 150 mph.  It can be so hard to trust the Lord for one more second when one is in emotional or spiritual pain.  But cling to Him we must, for there is no other way.  Of course there are things we can do to dull the pain or distract us from the challenges, but at the end of the day it's all still there.  Thankfully, God is still there too! 

 

When we approach the Lord with heartfelt prayer for our situations, and for those we love, it is like we are shooting off a flare gun.  When there is a ship wreck it is not necessary for everyone to have their own flare gun to signal distress yet all those stranded benefit from the one who possesses the gun.  In the same way our prayers send up a "mayday" to heaven petitioning not only for our own rescue but for the deliverance of all those trapped in our present dilemma.  When all feels hopeless, prayer is our lifeline, our only true hope. 

 

I was explaining to a dear friend today that if I was given a vote about entering a difficult patch with my children or within my marriage, I would vote NO!  However, we don't always have choices as to what challenge befalls us, but we do have the choice to follow or not follow our Lord.  He's the only one who knows the way out.  He is the only one who can heal and give the strength to take the next step...and each step to the very end.

 

"O Lord, grant that I may meet this new day in peace. Help me in all things to humbly rely upon your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with the firm conviction that Your will governs all. In all I do and say, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Grant me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will. Teach me to pray. Pray Yourself within me.

Most Holy God, I pray and beseech you, give me a pure heart, a way of speaking that befits the faith I profess. Grant me uprightness of purpose, powers of reasoning unhindered by passions, conduct that becomes those who fear you, and perfect knowledge of your commandments. May I enjoy health in body and in spirit. Grant me a life of peace, genuine faith and living hope, sincere charity and bountiful generosity, patience that knows no bounds and the light of Your truth to proclaim Your goodness to me, that forever and in all things placing my trust only in You, I may abound in every good work, and that in Christ Your gifts may increase in every soul. For to You belong all glory, honor and majesty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen"

-Metropolitan Philaret 

 

 

 

 

 



Christian, Moral or "Other"

"Would you say you were raised in a Christian home, a moral home or some other kind of home?" 

This is the question my friend asked her eldest daughter.  Of course the answer would be "Christian home" because, after all, I am a Christian and I love Jesus.  Right?  Is teaching our children right from wrong and taking them to church (most of the time), and making sure they dress modestly, mind their words and manners and keep their eyes from watching filth, perhaps even homeschooling...is that enough? 

This question was stuck fast in my brain and I knew it would drive me crazy if I didn't find out the answer, so I decided to ask my daughters, 20, 18 & 16, the question. (I didn't ask my sons because I have not finished, or nearly finished, parenting them yet).  I was very nervous.  I honestly couldn't be sure what they would say.  Like my friend, I wanted my children to love the Lord, but did that desire play out in word and deed in my home? 

Now each time I call one of my children they think they might be in trouble for something.  I have to announce, "you're not in trouble I just want to ask you a question."  Apparently "questions" are just as much to be feared as being in trouble.  I asked my 20 year old first.  She said she felt she was raised in a Christian home.  Why?  Because, she said, we always made it a point to get to church and teach them about Jesus at home.  We weren't always consistent, but we prayed together.  She has seen us read our Bibles on our own and struggle to work out our salvation outside of the church setting. 

My 16 year old said she felt she was raised in a moral and Christian home for some of the same reasons but also because, she said, we kept God and Christianity in the things we did and taught them morals. (She's very short, sweet and to the point) 

Miss 18 year old, to my surprise (she tends to be my more pessimistic Eeyore type), agreed that she had been raised in a Christian home.  She thought for a moment and said that even though we certainly were NOT perfect (emphasis hers!) she could see we were trying to pursue Christ even through the challenges and we encouraged them to seek Him when they were struggling as well.  (she did add that she still doesn't agree with everything we did and she may not raise her children just the same...they may get to play video games at a younger age ;)

I was happy to know they think they have been raised in a Christian home and I am THRILLED my grown/nearly grown children are all choosing to follow Christ on their own.  I'm not off the hook yet though, I still have 6 chickies left in the nest.  I know there have been seasons of existing.  There have been seasons of anxiety or other emotional challenges in our home.  There have been seasons of feeling empty as a mother or running in my own strength on an empty tank.  Sometimes I have been controlling and legalistic in my endeavor to present the Lord to my children.  Anything good that has resulted from my mommy-ing is because of the grace of God in my broken little life.  The striving and struggling and failing and repenting and standing up again is worth it and I am thankful!

Our salvation consists in faith and hope in the mercy of God, and the devotion of ourselves and all of us to His holy will.  -St. Macarius

Learning to Pray

I wrote a book.  Okay, it's my third, but I don't feel like I have written any of them.  The were borne out of necessity.  The first was written to aid my daughters in understanding our newfound faith back in 2004.
 

The second was written for my sons as they learn to walk uphill on their spiritual journey. 
This third, however, was written because I am in such need as a mama. 


I have gone through periods of my life where prayer was easy.  In fact I almost felt I had "arrived" at some higher spiritual level.  How arrogant is that?!  Don't worry, I've also had those days and weeks where I heard that "still small voice" calling me to pray, calling me to commune with my Lord and I have either gone to meet with him very grudgingly or I have flat out refused, feeling very annoyed at the thought of submitting myself to His will.  And so the pendulum swings back and forth.

If we, as Christians, are to die to self and take up our crosses on a daily basis, what makes us think there are any aspects of the spiritual life we will master and no longer have to tend to?  Our faith is not like a bicycle.  We don't learn a rule or submit once, take a break and return to the same part of the path.  No, it is more like those moving sidewalks at the airport but instead of walking in the direction it is going our faith leads us the other way. If we stop walking we find we have not only stopped moving but have actually lost ground.

 What I am finding as I read through this book, and as I endeavor to follow Christ, is that each day I am learning.  Each day I am learning to pray, learning to submit my will to His, learning to pick up my cross and follow Him.  While practice may make it easier, each new day brings with it its own trials and victories. 

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

As we learn to pray and follow the Lord each day, He offers us His mercy for each moment, for each step we take heavenward.  Let us keep learning to pray each day. Let us continue striving, walking and accepting His grace.