Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Sacrifice


For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it:

thou delightest not in burnt offering.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:

a broken and a contrite heart, O God,

thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:1617 (KJV)



The people of the Old Testament made animal and grain sacrifices to cover their sins. This act was to make their hearts right with God. King David, in his sorrow for his sin realized what God wanted.

David decided The Father wanted his wayward children to be broken, to realize their error and display their sorrow. God expected them to have their hearts broken and to be humbled before Him.

Even in today’s world, God expects us to tell Him we’re sorry when we sin. People who have great interpersonal skills know to be adult enough to admit when they have hurt someone. It’s been a while since I have heard someone say, “I’m sorry, I was wrong.” Have we become a society of people who feel we are above revealing that we are aware that we can sin?


The sacrifice part comes into play in today’s world when party A realizes he or she has offended party B. In order to get back in B’s good graces, A does something extravagant for B. Not necessarily a mature thing to do.

A few weeks ago, I had a confrontation with a lady, I had to walk away. She acts unaware of how deeply she hurt me. I still have to deal with her but I am careful of what I say to her. I believe I will have to be wary of her and her ways for a long time. It’s not my nature to avoid people. But, it is my nature to protect myself. Am I doing the correct thing?

Monday, October 25, 2010

“So in Everything”




“So in everything, do to others what you

would have then do to you, for this sums up

the Law and the Prophets.” Matt. 7:12



We received the phone call. Our great-niece’s boyfriend had died. My husband’s sister called and suggested we go to the funeral

I didn’t want to go. I felt our presence wouldn’t be appreciated or understood. Our lifestyles were polar opposites. While I tried to fulfill my role as an aunt, I couldn’t condone the path this young woman walked.

I struggled with the decision my husband made, yes, we would attend this funeral, although we didn’t know the young man.

I sat at the kitchen table with my Bible opened. I found myself looking for the Golden Rule. When I found it, I noticed the introductory phrase, “So, in everything,” I stopped and thought about how this applied to my circumstance. I decided to start looking at this request as something I wanted to do rather than something I had to do.

When I left the house later that day, the leaves on the trees were move vivid with their summer color than I had ever seen. They seemed to dance in front of my eyes.

This memory came back to me when I heard one of our laymen speak recently. He told us he was a teenager and had accepted Christ before he noticed the green leaves on the trees and the birds singing in the air. I fully understood what he meant.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...