It's More Than Just Getting Married

As summer approaches,it becomes the time for weddings. Soon, a Saturday won't go by where you don't see a wedding procession and people gathering outside a church or banquet hall.
The following is for those who say they are Christian and someday hope to be married.
In years past,before the unfortunate introduction of couples writing their own marriage vows,the marriage ceremony reminded couples of two very important points.One was in a prayer said just before the minister declared the couple to be man and wife,it began with: "O God who hast so consecrated the state of matrimony that in it is represented the spiritual marriage and unity betwixt Christ and his Church." This incredible proclamation is based on what St.Paul wrote in Ephesians,the fifth chapter in which he describes marriage as an earthly reflection of the relationship between Jesus and His Church.With that in mind,it would seem unlikely that people wouldn't recognize that marriage is sacred and not to be entered into haphazardly.Sadly, this has not been the case, reportedly, the divorce rate in America is well over 50% and not that much lower for couples who identify themselves as Christian.
One other thing that the traditional wedding ceremony reminded us of was revealed in a quote by Our Lord taken from Matthew,chapter 19,verse 6,it was read just before the end of the service; "Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder." It meant,you were joined together by God,forever! Elsewhere in scripture(Matthew,chapter19),Jesus goes on to declare that divorce and remarriage are allowed, but only under a few very specific circumstances.
If only couples of faith who are considering marriage would keep in mind that marriage is a sacred covenant with God.

Walking the Talk

"It is not complicated to lead the spiritual life,but it is difficult."

(from The Sign of Jonas by Thomas Merton).

Prayer,praise,repentance, the reading of scripture,works,and the bearing of fruit,are all key activities for one desiring to lead a spiritual life.

The difficulty is that we can't forget that these acts must become a part of our being,something we do spontaneously,almost without thinking or planning.

It is always a blessing when someone completely surrenders his life to Jesus and the above mentioned devotions become a joy to do, not a chore.

Cult or Cultish?

Recent coverage by the media concerning an off-shoot of the Mormon church described as a cult, has led people to ask, what is a cult? For many,when they hear the word cult they think of Charles Manson and his followers,"Moonies",Jehovah's Witnesses,Heaven's Gate or Jim Jones and Jonestown. They would be correct in labeling the above people and groups as either cults or cult leaders.You can find detailed explanations of what constitutes a cult from a variety of sources online and publications available in Christian bookstores.Cults form for a variety of reasons and purposes.They are controlling of their members in subtle and sometimes not so subtle ways.Usually, they are centered around a charismatic leader who espouses particular spiritual or religious beliefs. What many people don't realize is that faiths,churches and religious sects can have cultish aspects to them.They can have viewpoints and ways of operating that are as misleading and damaging to the people involved as do the high profile cults that have been reported by the media in recent decades.A big mistake people make is in believing that a religious cult is only made up of "weirdos" or people wearing robes.For instance,a seemingly "normal" church can possess distinctly cult-like features.What follows are a few things that should cause concern if you hear or read of a religious group proclaiming them.One,when they say they have the truth or more of it than any other group.Next,when they say their leader or certain members have been privy to divine revelations from God.Not surprisingly,this is where their peculiar slant on portions of scripture that are outside the realm of orthodoxy is justified.Lastly, when they tell you if you are not a part of their group,or if you leave it,you are separated from God and your salvation cannot be assured.

More cultish characteristics could be given but the basic indicator is,is that any religious group that makes any one of the two following statements should be avoided like the proverbial plague:"we have the truth, and the others don't,"or, "we have been given more of God's truth than the other faiths."

What sensible people who find themselves involved in churches that have cultish traits forget,is that the Christian faith is all about a relationship between you and Jesus,not you and a particular church.Your way of living,talking and acting should come from a desire to follow Our Lord,not from the dictates or fear of a particular group or church.Membership in a church is never a guarantee of ones salvation.Unfortunately,people who become members of cults or cultish churches have something in common with those who embrace unscriptural doctrine,they do not "search the scriptures." Consequently,they will give someone else,someone with an agenda,the right to influence the most important relationship they will ever have.

May we "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling."

Simplify

"Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting with strife."

(Proverbs 17:1).

"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,than a fatted calf with hatred."

(Proverbs 15:17).

The above two excerpts from Proverbs are quite relevant to the age we are now living in.I say this because financial concerns,problems and desires have a profound impact on the way families live and relate to each other in this 21st century.It is now the rule not the exception that both parents in a family are working.Unfortunately, this is not condusive to having happy, well adjusted,loving families.Although there are situations where necessity dictates both parents having to work,it would not be a stretch to say that a significant number of them do so because they want "things",and lots of them.Reports say that we are a nation that is spending more than ever.

Sadly, increased financial committments lead to more than just the necessity of both parents having to work.There comes with it the separation of parents from their children as well as the stress of knowing that you have to continue working to maintain your chosen lifestyle.

The question we all have to ask is,are we controlling our lives or are we being controlled by our lifestyle? Some other things we should ask ourselves: Have we bought into the lie that owning and having more is better? Have we sacrificed time and relationships with our spouses and children simply to have the bigger house,the new cars and all the gadgets and toys? Are we finding that even though we live in a big beautiful house it is not really a home? Do our children and spouse seem to be focused more on other things, than family things?

It is time to count the cost,what truly matters to you? For many,simplifying ones style of living is something that must be done.Is the thought of buying a smaller house and having only one car so a parent can stay at home seem foolish? May God have mercy on you if it does because you have lost sight of what is truly important in life.Our families are gifts from God and we are being disobedient to Him when we choose "mammon" over love.

A Prayer for the Morning

O God,the King eternal,who dividest the day from the darkness,and turnest the shadow of death into the morning; Drive far off from us all wrong desires,incline our hearts to keep thy law,and guide our feet into the way of peace; that having done thy will with cheerfulness while it was day,we may,when the night cometh,rejoice to give thee thanks;through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
(from The Book of Common Prayer,1928 Edition).
May Your will be done in me,by me and through me.

Lest We Forget

"A man who was completely innocent,offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others,including His enemies,and became the ransom of the world,it was a perfect act."

(a quote by Mahatma Gandhi).

His Omnipresence

"There is not a flower that opens,not a seed that falls into the ground,and not an ear of wheat that nods on the end of its stalk in the wind that does not preach and proclaim the greatness and the mercy of God to the whole world.

There is not an act of kindness or generosity, not an act of sacrifice done,or a word of peace and gentleness spoken,not a child's prayer uttered,that does not sing hymns to God before His throne,and in the eyes of men,and before their faces."

(from The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton).

Can the human mind truly comprehend the totality and omnipresence of God?