Ask my boyfriend, and he will quickly tell you I am a bit of a feminist.
I am a very strong believer in the power, strength and equality of women.
American society as a whole praises the abilities of women, as well.
Women like Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Oprah and Condoleezza Rice are admired for their bold, courageous acts and their refusal to simply be some man’s arm candy.
While I revel in the idea of women being able to exert power and influence in our world, I think the pendulum has swung a bit too far.
For example, how many television commercials and advertisements show a wife correcting a husband’s foolish mistakes? Probably hundreds.
How many times have you heard a woman say derogatorily, “Oh, men”? I know I personally say this at least once a week without even thinking about it.
Radical feminism subtly permeates our society.
As Christian women, how should we view our role in society?
A Godly woman, according to the Bible, is strong, powerful and brave. But she is also submissive and humble. She knows when to step out and command authority, but she also knows when to submit to the will of her husband or father.
We need to reject the world’s call to demean the male authorities in our lives. We need to be willing to submit to what they ask us to do.
But we also need to be willing to stand up for what we believe with courage and strength.
Only when the pendulum is properly balanced between submission and authority will we truly be the women God called us to be.
Proverbs 31:10-29:
10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Those Not-So-Perfect Christians
Although I would love to say all Christians are wonderful people that would hardly be an accurate statement, especially when considering my own past.
Friday, November 6, 2009
That Darn Apple
“No, Eve! Don’t eat that apple! You know what God told us!”
“Oh Adam, you’re right. Serpent, leave me alone, I am going to serve God and God alone.”
What would our lives be like if Adam and Eve hadn’t committed that first sin? Would we all be living in the Garden of Eden eating delicious fruit without having to worry about our weight or what we were wearing?
Probably not.
We all give Adam and Eve a hard time. We say things like,
“Why didn’t they just follow God’s instructions? He made them simple enough. All He said was don’t eat from that one tree. Adam and Eve were so dumb.”
But if we honestly think about it, how many things has God told us that we simply disregard at times.
For example, God said do not lie. Have you ever lied?
God said don’t be jealous. Has that green monster of jealousy simply gotten lost on his way to your mind?
God said love your neighbor as yourself. I bet you never once made fun of that creepy kid in the 6th grade who still wet the bed.
Ok…ok. I’ll stop.
Obviously, we’ve all given in to the serpent in one way or another. We’ve all blatantly done something that God specifically told us not to do.
So, although I’d like to blame Adam and Eve for my overfilled closet and my fear of the bathroom scale, I really can’t.
Even if Adam or Eve hadn’t sinned, one of us dumb people would have done it sooner or later.
“Oh Adam, you’re right. Serpent, leave me alone, I am going to serve God and God alone.”
What would our lives be like if Adam and Eve hadn’t committed that first sin? Would we all be living in the Garden of Eden eating delicious fruit without having to worry about our weight or what we were wearing?
Probably not.
We all give Adam and Eve a hard time. We say things like,
“Why didn’t they just follow God’s instructions? He made them simple enough. All He said was don’t eat from that one tree. Adam and Eve were so dumb.”
But if we honestly think about it, how many things has God told us that we simply disregard at times.
For example, God said do not lie. Have you ever lied?
God said don’t be jealous. Has that green monster of jealousy simply gotten lost on his way to your mind?
God said love your neighbor as yourself. I bet you never once made fun of that creepy kid in the 6th grade who still wet the bed.
Ok…ok. I’ll stop.
Obviously, we’ve all given in to the serpent in one way or another. We’ve all blatantly done something that God specifically told us not to do.
So, although I’d like to blame Adam and Eve for my overfilled closet and my fear of the bathroom scale, I really can’t.
Even if Adam or Eve hadn’t sinned, one of us dumb people would have done it sooner or later.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Until Divorce Do Us Part
I, Meagan, take you Eric, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until divorce do us part.
Although the wedding vows above may appear silly, if not offensive, to you, they seem to fit American marriages quite well.
According to enrichment journal on the divorce rate in America –
The divorce rate in America for first marriage is 41%
The divorce rate in America for second marriage is 60%
The divorce rate in America for third marriage is 73%
We are living in a culture that treats divorce less like dissolution of a life-long commitment, and more like a normal, everyday activity. For example, I just found a website entitled, “Completely Legal Online Divorce Kits – Easy Do It Yourself Divorce Forms.” This website claims to come with, “all necessary forms for do it yourself divorce including marital separation agreements, child custody, visitation, alimony, spousal support, and domestic abuse/violence.”
The Bible takes a much more radical and negative view on divorce.
Malachi 2:16 says, ‘“I hate divorce,’ says the Lord God of Israel.”
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11: “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled with her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.”
Finally, in Mark 10:2-12, Jesus himself discusses the issue of divorce –
“Some Pharisees came and tested him [Jesus] by asking, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’
‘What did Moses command you?’ he replied.
They said, ‘Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.’
‘It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,’
Jesus replied, ‘But at the beginning of creation God “made them male and female. ‘For
this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two
will become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined
together, let no man separate.’
When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He said,
‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery
against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.'"
Jesus didn’t dance around the subject. He hates divorce. We as Christ followers should follow His example and hate divorce as well. Marriage is for better, for worse, and for keeps.
Although the wedding vows above may appear silly, if not offensive, to you, they seem to fit American marriages quite well.
According to enrichment journal on the divorce rate in America –
The divorce rate in America for first marriage is 41%
The divorce rate in America for second marriage is 60%
The divorce rate in America for third marriage is 73%
We are living in a culture that treats divorce less like dissolution of a life-long commitment, and more like a normal, everyday activity. For example, I just found a website entitled, “Completely Legal Online Divorce Kits – Easy Do It Yourself Divorce Forms.” This website claims to come with, “all necessary forms for do it yourself divorce including marital separation agreements, child custody, visitation, alimony, spousal support, and domestic abuse/violence.”
The Bible takes a much more radical and negative view on divorce.
Malachi 2:16 says, ‘“I hate divorce,’ says the Lord God of Israel.”
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11: “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled with her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.”
Finally, in Mark 10:2-12, Jesus himself discusses the issue of divorce –
“Some Pharisees came and tested him [Jesus] by asking, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’
‘What did Moses command you?’ he replied.
They said, ‘Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.’
‘It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,’
Jesus replied, ‘But at the beginning of creation God “made them male and female. ‘For
this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two
will become one flesh.” So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined
together, let no man separate.’
When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He said,
‘Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery
against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.'"
Jesus didn’t dance around the subject. He hates divorce. We as Christ followers should follow His example and hate divorce as well. Marriage is for better, for worse, and for keeps.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Can We Earn Our Way to Heaven?
John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (NIV).
Jesus is vey clear when He speaks about the way to Heaven.
You can’t get to Heaven by participating in humanitarian activities.
You won’t pass through those pearly gates by denying yourself the sinful pleasures of this life.
And Jesus won’t pick you for His Kingdom team because you go to church every Sunday and teach Sunday school.
Those are all good things and I would encourage you to do them, but there is only one way to Heaven.
The way to Heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ as your one and only Savior.
That’s it. His grace is enough in your weakness.
In our individualistic, achievement-based culture, this can be a hard concept to grasp. We are trained from a very early age that we have to work for what we have and we will only be successful if we push our way to the top. Success goes to the active, not the passive.
Hard as it may be, we need to change our mindsets. Jesus came to earth, died, and rose again so we can experience true life with Him in Heaven.
The work is already done. We don’t have to strive and we don’t have to prove ourselves. Jesus did all.
Jesus is vey clear when He speaks about the way to Heaven.
You can’t get to Heaven by participating in humanitarian activities.
You won’t pass through those pearly gates by denying yourself the sinful pleasures of this life.
And Jesus won’t pick you for His Kingdom team because you go to church every Sunday and teach Sunday school.
Those are all good things and I would encourage you to do them, but there is only one way to Heaven.
The way to Heaven is to believe in Jesus Christ as your one and only Savior.
That’s it. His grace is enough in your weakness.
In our individualistic, achievement-based culture, this can be a hard concept to grasp. We are trained from a very early age that we have to work for what we have and we will only be successful if we push our way to the top. Success goes to the active, not the passive.
Hard as it may be, we need to change our mindsets. Jesus came to earth, died, and rose again so we can experience true life with Him in Heaven.
The work is already done. We don’t have to strive and we don’t have to prove ourselves. Jesus did all.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tithing
Every Sunday my mom writes a $50 check to a ministry she feels led to support.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Parents and Race
I remember it like it was yesterday.
When I was young and we had extended family over for holiday dinners, my dad's Norwegian family sat on one side of the table. My mom's Swedish family sat on the other side.
Sometime during dinner, someone on my dad's side of the family would tell a Swedish joke. Then someone on my mom's side of the family would playfully retaliate with a Norwegian joke. Eventually, my dad would tell a Polish joke and everyone would laugh heartily together.
Although these jokes were good-natured and just for fun, they reveal the kind of racial beliefs my grandparents and parents were raised to follow.
My grandparents grew up in an era where most people were at least slightly prejudice, especially against African Americans. On top of that, my family is from small-town america, where the majority of people are caucasian. My grandparents were good Christians and treated everyone with respect, but socity definitely had an affect on their beliefs about racial issues, which, in turn, affected on my parents' beliefs.
So, although my parents treat everyone with respect an dignity and have taught my sister and me to do the same, they would most likely be shocked if I brought home a man from a different race. In time they would learn to love him as a son, but it would probably take a while.
When I was young and we had extended family over for holiday dinners, my dad's Norwegian family sat on one side of the table. My mom's Swedish family sat on the other side.
Sometime during dinner, someone on my dad's side of the family would tell a Swedish joke. Then someone on my mom's side of the family would playfully retaliate with a Norwegian joke. Eventually, my dad would tell a Polish joke and everyone would laugh heartily together.
Although these jokes were good-natured and just for fun, they reveal the kind of racial beliefs my grandparents and parents were raised to follow.
My grandparents grew up in an era where most people were at least slightly prejudice, especially against African Americans. On top of that, my family is from small-town america, where the majority of people are caucasian. My grandparents were good Christians and treated everyone with respect, but socity definitely had an affect on their beliefs about racial issues, which, in turn, affected on my parents' beliefs.
So, although my parents treat everyone with respect an dignity and have taught my sister and me to do the same, they would most likely be shocked if I brought home a man from a different race. In time they would learn to love him as a son, but it would probably take a while.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
What will happen to you when you die?
“According to the US Census Bureau (for 2009), there are 1.8 deaths per second worldwide, meaning that there are over 100 deaths per minute. There are over 150,000 deaths per day and over 55 million deaths per year” (Burtit.com).
Take a minute to think about the above quote. Fifty-five million people die every year. To put that in perspective, the entire population of Chicago, Illinois, the third largest city in the United States, would have to die almost 19 times to equal that number.
Death is certain, and it is imminent.
What will happen to you when you die?
Are you going to Heaven? Hell? Are you simply going to cease to exist? Will you reincarnate into another being? What do you believe?
Most, if not all, human beings wrestle with questions like these sometime before they die. As Christians, what are we supposed to believe?
The Bible speaks of Heaven and Hell as literal places. In John 14:2-3, Jesus tells His disciples He is leaving them to go to His Father’s house (Heaven) to prepare a place for them:
“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
In Luke 16:19-26, the Bible tells the story of a man who was actually in Hell:
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.”
If Heaven and Hell are real places, how does one get to Heaven and avoid Hell? The Bible says in Acts 4:10-12 it is only by the power of Jesus’s salvation:
“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
So, to recap: Heaven and Hell are real places. The only way to get to Heaven is through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Where will happen to you when you die?
Take a minute to think about the above quote. Fifty-five million people die every year. To put that in perspective, the entire population of Chicago, Illinois, the third largest city in the United States, would have to die almost 19 times to equal that number.
Death is certain, and it is imminent.
What will happen to you when you die?
Are you going to Heaven? Hell? Are you simply going to cease to exist? Will you reincarnate into another being? What do you believe?
Most, if not all, human beings wrestle with questions like these sometime before they die. As Christians, what are we supposed to believe?
The Bible speaks of Heaven and Hell as literal places. In John 14:2-3, Jesus tells His disciples He is leaving them to go to His Father’s house (Heaven) to prepare a place for them:
“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
In Luke 16:19-26, the Bible tells the story of a man who was actually in Hell:
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.”
If Heaven and Hell are real places, how does one get to Heaven and avoid Hell? The Bible says in Acts 4:10-12 it is only by the power of Jesus’s salvation:
“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
So, to recap: Heaven and Hell are real places. The only way to get to Heaven is through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Where will happen to you when you die?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Where are all the sanctified people?
In my last blog, I touched on the idea of sanctification and whose responsibility it is for our own personal sanctification.
Ultimately I believe our personal sanctification is dependent on the work of three different entities: the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and us.
So then, where are all the sanctified people? Where are all the holy people set apart by God to do His work? Where are all the people in close, personal relationships with Jesus that live their lives in a way that exemplifies His character?
There are some people who live sanctified lives. Billy Graham is a good example. He lives in a close personal relationship with Jesus and consistently acts according to the Word of God.
But what about the scores of people who aren’t living righteous lives? What about the preacher’s wife who has an affair with a deacon? Or the Sunday school teacher who cheats on her taxes? And what about the worship pastor who secretly purchases pornography?
First of all, I must say none of us are not finished products. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Just because we make mistakes doesn’t mean we automatically fail at being Christians. Jesus died for us because He knew we were going to mess up. Even Billy Graham sins and needs Jesus’s grace and mercy to wash him clean.
Our mortality is what keeps us from living sanctified lives. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are immortal and are holding up their end of the bargain. We are the cause of our own unrighteousness.
How then are mortals like Billy Graham who have the same fallen nature we have living sanctified lives? They do it by turning their eyes constantly toward Jesus.
Being sanctified doesn’t mean being perfect. Perfection is impossible for humans. Being sanctified means living in a close, personal relationship with Jesus and being holy because of His blood. Yes, we will sin. Yes, we will fall short. But if we consistently turn to Jesus, He will lift us out of our sin and into holy harmony with Him.
Ultimately I believe our personal sanctification is dependent on the work of three different entities: the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and us.
So then, where are all the sanctified people? Where are all the holy people set apart by God to do His work? Where are all the people in close, personal relationships with Jesus that live their lives in a way that exemplifies His character?
There are some people who live sanctified lives. Billy Graham is a good example. He lives in a close personal relationship with Jesus and consistently acts according to the Word of God.
But what about the scores of people who aren’t living righteous lives? What about the preacher’s wife who has an affair with a deacon? Or the Sunday school teacher who cheats on her taxes? And what about the worship pastor who secretly purchases pornography?
First of all, I must say none of us are not finished products. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Just because we make mistakes doesn’t mean we automatically fail at being Christians. Jesus died for us because He knew we were going to mess up. Even Billy Graham sins and needs Jesus’s grace and mercy to wash him clean.
Our mortality is what keeps us from living sanctified lives. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are immortal and are holding up their end of the bargain. We are the cause of our own unrighteousness.
How then are mortals like Billy Graham who have the same fallen nature we have living sanctified lives? They do it by turning their eyes constantly toward Jesus.
Being sanctified doesn’t mean being perfect. Perfection is impossible for humans. Being sanctified means living in a close, personal relationship with Jesus and being holy because of His blood. Yes, we will sin. Yes, we will fall short. But if we consistently turn to Jesus, He will lift us out of our sin and into holy harmony with Him.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Is Sanctification God's Responsibility or Ours?
As I began to think about the idea of sanctification, I realized I had never really heard someone define it. I had heard my preacher talk about sanctification, but I couldn't really pinpoint exactly what it meant. Therefore, I would like to begin by giving a definition of sanctification.
Sanctification is being set apart as a holy and sacred person of God in the name of Jesus Christ. When we are sanctified, it as if we are washed clean of our old self and made into a new creature.
I believe that the Holy Spirit and the Word of God are responsible for our sanctification.
The Bible is clear that the Holy Spirit is responsible for our sanctification. Romans 15:16 says,
"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God"
(NIV). (emphasis added)
Titus 3:5 says,
"he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (NIV). (emphasis added)
The Bible also makes reference to the fact that we are sanctified by the Word of God. John 17:17 says,
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" (NIV).
Having said all this, I do believe that we cannot be truly sanctified if we do not take part in the process. God calls us to examine ourselves and get rid of all that is not of Him.
2 Corinthians 7:1 says,
"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (NIV).
It is only when we join with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that we can experience complete sanctification.
Sanctification is being set apart as a holy and sacred person of God in the name of Jesus Christ. When we are sanctified, it as if we are washed clean of our old self and made into a new creature.
I believe that the Holy Spirit and the Word of God are responsible for our sanctification.
The Bible is clear that the Holy Spirit is responsible for our sanctification. Romans 15:16 says,
"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God"
(NIV). (emphasis added)
Titus 3:5 says,
"he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (NIV). (emphasis added)
The Bible also makes reference to the fact that we are sanctified by the Word of God. John 17:17 says,
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" (NIV).
Having said all this, I do believe that we cannot be truly sanctified if we do not take part in the process. God calls us to examine ourselves and get rid of all that is not of Him.
2 Corinthians 7:1 says,
"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (NIV).
It is only when we join with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that we can experience complete sanctification.
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