Matthew 23: 1-28
1.
a. What were the Pharisees boundary markers?
They expected scholarly learning and strict adherence to the written law as interpreted by the rabbis. They expected tithing down to the herb garden. They expected acknowledgement of their position through honor. They wanted religious raiments. They wanted a pony show. They wanted documented proof of how good you were on the outside.
They expected scholarly learning and strict adherence to the written law as interpreted by the rabbis. They expected tithing down to the herb garden. They expected acknowledgement of their position through honor. They wanted religious raiments. They wanted a pony show. They wanted documented proof of how good you were on the outside.
b. How did Jesus feel about their approach to faith?
He said that their approach was empty. It was all for show. They practiced their faith in word, but not in deed. Their approach provided for their own glory and honor and pride, but it did nothing to help or assist their students/followers. They proved they knew the law, but not how to put it into practice.
He said that their approach was empty. It was all for show. They practiced their faith in word, but not in deed. Their approach provided for their own glory and honor and pride, but it did nothing to help or assist their students/followers. They proved they knew the law, but not how to put it into practice.
c. What are some examples of how these boundary markers exist today?
I find it very interesting that in my traditional worship service, we expect a show of respect toward our God through our “appropriate” clothing. In other services, I’ve heard that “come as you are” is the motto of the day and it is also said with an amount of pride. Within one church we have two conflicting ideas: “I wear my best for the Lord” and “My God wants me regardless of how I come”.
I find it funny to listen to the older generations complaining about people bringing their coffee to service, texting until the service starts and even during, kids playing with their DSs, men wearing their hats, cutoff shorts being the best a teen has to offer. Because I completely agree.
There’s my own personal boundary marker: Ya’ gotta be German to be a REAL Lutheran! You simply cannot convert between the denominations. Who does that? I cannot trust such a person. ;) And of course it helps to have generations of PROOF. Did I mention that my ancestors fled Switzerland for religious persecution?
I find it very interesting that in my traditional worship service, we expect a show of respect toward our God through our “appropriate” clothing. In other services, I’ve heard that “come as you are” is the motto of the day and it is also said with an amount of pride. Within one church we have two conflicting ideas: “I wear my best for the Lord” and “My God wants me regardless of how I come”.
I find it funny to listen to the older generations complaining about people bringing their coffee to service, texting until the service starts and even during, kids playing with their DSs, men wearing their hats, cutoff shorts being the best a teen has to offer. Because I completely agree.
There’s my own personal boundary marker: Ya’ gotta be German to be a REAL Lutheran! You simply cannot convert between the denominations. Who does that? I cannot trust such a person. ;) And of course it helps to have generations of PROOF. Did I mention that my ancestors fled Switzerland for religious persecution?
2.
a. How full is your spiritual tank today?
Right now I’m running on about a quarter tank. That sounds bad, but if you would have asked me yesterday morning, I would have said I was running on fumes. It feels so good, that I’m tempted to say that it is fuller, but that is an illusion. When you run on empty TOO long, a drop feels like a gallon.
Right now I’m running on about a quarter tank. That sounds bad, but if you would have asked me yesterday morning, I would have said I was running on fumes. It feels so good, that I’m tempted to say that it is fuller, but that is an illusion. When you run on empty TOO long, a drop feels like a gallon.
b. What brought you to this point?
Yesterday, I had the privilege to hear my first confirmation testimony of the year. And it bothered me to the extreme. Here is a girl that I COMPLETELY identify with and she is talking about how she wants to find her PURPOSE in life. She knows she has one and it is her goal to find it and live it. And here I am, almost 40, and I still couldn’t say that I have FOUND it. There are plenty of arguments to be had there. One could say that I serve multiple purposes including being a wife and mother. But there seems to be this inherent idea that we have ONE purpose on this earth for which God has made us. And if we find it, we will be so filled that we will know it. The missing puzzle piece. So is this saying that I’ve been stagnant since 8th grade confirmation. Or are we being led astray somewhere?
Yesterday, I had the privilege to hear my first confirmation testimony of the year. And it bothered me to the extreme. Here is a girl that I COMPLETELY identify with and she is talking about how she wants to find her PURPOSE in life. She knows she has one and it is her goal to find it and live it. And here I am, almost 40, and I still couldn’t say that I have FOUND it. There are plenty of arguments to be had there. One could say that I serve multiple purposes including being a wife and mother. But there seems to be this inherent idea that we have ONE purpose on this earth for which God has made us. And if we find it, we will be so filled that we will know it. The missing puzzle piece. So is this saying that I’ve been stagnant since 8th grade confirmation. Or are we being led astray somewhere?
3.
a. What fills your tank and gives you fuel for authentic spiritual growth?
I don’t know that I can answer this question properly. Looking at a clear night sky full of stars and planets and galaxies is uplifting. Beautiful music of any kind lifts my spirits. Connection with people – which is hard to admit to since I don’t think I’m very good at it. But I think it has a lot to do with authenticity and trust. And when you can be vulnerable with another person and let down your walls and be in communion with another spiritual being. WOW! It’s those tentative first steps that kill me.
I don’t know that I can answer this question properly. Looking at a clear night sky full of stars and planets and galaxies is uplifting. Beautiful music of any kind lifts my spirits. Connection with people – which is hard to admit to since I don’t think I’m very good at it. But I think it has a lot to do with authenticity and trust. And when you can be vulnerable with another person and let down your walls and be in communion with another spiritual being. WOW! It’s those tentative first steps that kill me.
b. What causes your tank to empty?
When you are sharing something of yourself with another person and you slowly watch their eyes glaze over and you KNOW they don’t really care, but they just need a warm body to complete their task at hand. When someone praises you for one of your talents and abilities, but it feels like empty praise because what they do with it or how they treat you is in direct opposition to what they have stated. When there is gorgeous music, but the people who are supposed to be singing – arent’ OR they are really not into it. More glazed eyes. How can you not want to dance? And I realize that every Sunday morning, I am holding myself in. I need to move, I need to belt it out, but I hold back so as not to draw attention to myself? So as not to embarrass my family?
When you are sharing something of yourself with another person and you slowly watch their eyes glaze over and you KNOW they don’t really care, but they just need a warm body to complete their task at hand. When someone praises you for one of your talents and abilities, but it feels like empty praise because what they do with it or how they treat you is in direct opposition to what they have stated. When there is gorgeous music, but the people who are supposed to be singing – arent’ OR they are really not into it. More glazed eyes. How can you not want to dance? And I realize that every Sunday morning, I am holding myself in. I need to move, I need to belt it out, but I hold back so as not to draw attention to myself? So as not to embarrass my family?
c. What can you do in the coming week to make sure your tank is being filled for authentic Christian living?
This week, regardless of how the people who have tasked me treat me, I am going to throw myself into the work they have asked for so that I can step back and be proud of what I have done no matter how well it pleases or disappoints the person who “commissioned” it. And I think I’m going to be truthful with at least one person who is draining me.
This week, regardless of how the people who have tasked me treat me, I am going to throw myself into the work they have asked for so that I can step back and be proud of what I have done no matter how well it pleases or disappoints the person who “commissioned” it. And I think I’m going to be truthful with at least one person who is draining me.
d. Who will keep you accountable in this growth area?
Hahaha. Isn’t that what you’re for? Joking. There are several people who know I have been struggling. And I have told them everything. And they know when I have failed in my intent. And they will know when I have succeeded. Because I have found a few friends who sincerely care. Who do check in with me. Who do know how painful this is.
Hahaha. Isn’t that what you’re for? Joking. There are several people who know I have been struggling. And I have told them everything. And they know when I have failed in my intent. And they will know when I have succeeded. Because I have found a few friends who sincerely care. Who do check in with me. Who do know how painful this is.
4.
a. What will you use to measure and determine the condition of your spiritual life?
I don’t know. Are there measures out there? I assume there must be. I realize that I must have received some at some point. But they didn't stick with me. Somethings are memorable. Somethings are not. I googled and found something … Mary of Magdala’s Spiritual Priorities.Mary’s Priorities - As far as Mary was concerned, there was not one responsibility of life that took priority before attending the Lord.
Mary’s Preparation - Anything worthwhile, done for Christ, is costly and requires preparation.
Mary’s Passion - How long has it been since your soul was so touched over the sufferings of Christ that you were compelled to weep? How close, dear one, is your intimacy to Him?
Mary’s Perplexity - Thus knowing the supreme position of our risen Lord, we have the confidence that all is well. Laying hold of this not only helps the blood pressure, the nervous system, and the stomach, but it gives us a tranquility of mind that surpasses anything this poor world knows anything about.
I don’t know. Are there measures out there? I assume there must be. I realize that I must have received some at some point. But they didn't stick with me. Somethings are memorable. Somethings are not. I googled and found something … Mary of Magdala’s Spiritual Priorities.Mary’s Priorities - As far as Mary was concerned, there was not one responsibility of life that took priority before attending the Lord.
Mary’s Preparation - Anything worthwhile, done for Christ, is costly and requires preparation.
Mary’s Passion - How long has it been since your soul was so touched over the sufferings of Christ that you were compelled to weep? How close, dear one, is your intimacy to Him?
Mary’s Perplexity - Thus knowing the supreme position of our risen Lord, we have the confidence that all is well. Laying hold of this not only helps the blood pressure, the nervous system, and the stomach, but it gives us a tranquility of mind that surpasses anything this poor world knows anything about.
b. What are healthy and Christ-honoring measures of our spiritual health?
Is Christ always at the forefront of our minds?
Are we willing to go one step further for Christ?
Are we intimate with Him?
Have we placed ALL confidence in Him?
Is Christ always at the forefront of our minds?
Are we willing to go one step further for Christ?
Are we intimate with Him?
Have we placed ALL confidence in Him?
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
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