Salty

You all, by this point, know that I love New Hope.

It is a church that leaves me thinking for an entire week about the sermon, and that's the kind of church I want to attend. 

 

Please, let this be a formal invite from me.....If you are looking for a church, you are more than welcome to come check out New Hope.  I'd be happy to have you attend with me any Sunday.  You pick the date, and show up and catch a ride with Clifford and I.  Seriously.  Do it.

 

Now that the inviting is over...time for the post.

 

On Sunday we talked about a strengthening our communities and what we need to do/who we need to be to do so. One of the verses we talked about was Matthew 5:13 that states

 

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

 

If you will recall, salt used to have a more significant impact on people's day to day lives, as it was a major preservative.  Still is, but today most people aren't messing around with curing their own meats...

 

Anyway, notice the second sentence in the verse, "salt loses its saltiness."  Salt is a chemical compound that is incapable of losing its "saltiness."  The only way for salt to become less salty, is to cut its purity. 

 

Think about those 2 things for a minute.  We are to be the salt of the earth.  The "preservatives" of God's purpose on earth.  The way we fail at this, is to lose our purity.

Pretty darn easy to do.

 

In the world we live in, we are constantly bombarded with distractions from our Christian purpose, which is to spread the word of God, be reflections of his unconditional love, and draw others nearer his kingdom so that they might repent and be saved in Jesus' name. 

That is it.  That's our job.

 

Most of us identify ourselves as the things that we do.  I, for example, am a wife, a mother, a chiropractor....but am I the salt of the earth?  Am I more focused on the things I do each day that earn me those titles, than I am on my faith?  Absolutely.  Some days I miss the point entirely.  Some days I sit next to one of my best friends and watch Jersey Shore, and am unaffected by the gross absence of Christ in their lives. I am literally sitting next to my friend that doesn't attend church, and I'm unaffected by the absence of Christ in HER life.  And the more I sit, the more I am immersed in  a society and culture that not just ignores the presence of God, but can be openly antagonistic to those that are faithful, that mocks morality, the less salty I become.....and the easier it is to become so. 

 

One thing that I have found to be true, is that the higher I rose in academia, the more the people around me had dismissed God as some sort of ridiculous mythological being.  Belief in God, in Jesus, was part of lower level thinking. Generally speaking, I frequently saw that our intelligent minds (that God gave us) have become too "educated" to believe in Him.

We have become a society that must see to believe.  That wants data to prove facts.  That has no interest in the conjecture we call faith.  A society that wants to blame gun control, or absence of God in our schools and government for the evils that occur due to a lack of God IN OUR HEARTS!    

 

We have stopped "preserving" our faith.  I would venture to say that we spend more time shopping for each other at Christmas than we do praying for each other at Christmas.  The purity of our belief  system is being diluted.  Chipped away at by the societal status quo, and we just sit and watch and judge. 

 

We are called to be the light of the earth.  That light does not come from us.  It is a reflection of God's love for all of us!  Just imagine how much room we would have in our lives for God, if we got rid of some of the things that are diluting our purity. 

Imagine how much God could move in the lives of others, if they just accepted the possibilty that He exists...imagine how much he could move in your life if you accept Him. 

 

These are the things I need to focus on (that I will pray for others to focus on). 

I need to start cutting out some of the distractions and the things that make it easy for me to list my faith and salvation below #1 on my list of priorities. 

 

I have got to work on being more salty.

 

Baptized!

Yesterday was a big day for my family.  Big maybe is not the word.  Momentous?  Important?  I dunno. We will just stick with big cause it was a long day too...

Yesterday my church (New Hope...which you've read about before on my blog) had their annual summer picnic and baptism service.  

Dad and Ollie O

Zac and I recently attended New Hope 101.  The point of the "class" is to explain the beliefs and practices of the church, as well as it's history.   To become a full member at New Hope, they ask a few things of you.  One of those things is that you are baptised, immersion style.  (You have to be an official member to be able to teach classes.)  New Hope is non-denominational, and very focused on families, more importantly, raising children to know and love Jesus.  They do an incredible job.  

Mom, Pia Girl and Cathy (Kylie's mom)

You know you have a special church when you never hear people complaining.  Even when I decided to stop helping in the 12-24 month nursery, and I knew it would be harder on the staff because of service changes, no one was upset.  In fact, one of the directors sent me a card and a gift certificate to thank me for my service to the church.  They encouraged me to try a "first serve" in a different ministry because they are sure we all have a purpose in our church, it is just a matter of finding the right fit.  

Penelope    

After attending the class (it only took us 3 years to do it), I decided that I would really like to be a full member and that I would sign up for the August baptism, and what better time than before Clifford gets here.  I asked the family if anyone else would like to do it with me.  Annie, Maggie, and Jade signed up.  All of us have been baptised before, but our previous churches did sprinkle baptisms.  

Everett and Aubrie

I talked to one of the senior pastors a bit about it.  He told me that it's not that they don't consider us baptised, but when they were deciding the direction and focus of the church and their beliefs, they decided to do immersions because that's the same type of baptism Jesus had.  He said he had done both.  He said it was ok if we never did the immersion baptism.  They had attendees that have been there from the beginning, that have not.  I assured him I was comfortable "re-upping" my baptism as the last time I was 11, and I think it is safe to say I am a considerably different person than I was then.  

Jade and Annie

I invited along my best friend because I knew it would be important to her.  She sent me a text message that she was "in tears" and that she was so happy that I was gonna be so beautiful with Cliff on board for it.  It's safe to say that Courtney is one of my biggest cheerleaders.  I can always count on her to make me feel good about myself....especially during this time, when I feel huge.  She just stands next to me, occasionally rubs my belly, and says "beautiful."  

I told her I was giant, and I now had photo confirmation of that fact.  No denying a soaking wet pregnant belly is huge.  Again, she said "no, it's beautiful."  I just love her so bad. 

I talked to Courtney a bit  about being re-baptised when I invited her.  I told her I didn't expect it to be a huge difference for me, she said "yeah, I get that. For me it is like the difference between living together and being married.  When a couple lives together there is that agreed level of committment, but then being married, it's a done deal and you can rest assured."  If there is ever an analogy today's young people will understand, it's that.  

How many of us know people in that same position right now?  Not necessarily the living together thing....but the fact that even with all the right intention in the world, there is a different level of committment...just waiting on the decision to do or give a little bit more. 

Caroline "Beans" Daniel. 

Zac and I

Joyful little faces

Kolby, Tiffany, and Evelyn (Maggie's in-laws)

Evelyn, getting "chapsticked."  She is too funny. 

Courtney and I, basically 3 failed attempts with 3 different camera operators...and this is the best we got.  Yep Court....beautiful.  

 You should know that as I've gotten gradually bigger, I frequently use my belly to corner Zac.  I push and pin him on the couch, against the cabinets, into his closet, and EVERY time it cracks me up.  Recently he has started doing it back...this is a picture of him doing it to me.  Again, I am laughing hard at the ridiculousness of it. 

Zac and I (37 weeks)

Mag and Penelope

The sisters and I before the service. 

I love this picture. 

 But it is this one, of Dad and his ladies, that makes me cry a little. 

Then each of us being BAPTIZED!  (imagine that as a sound byte all Southern Baptist gospel-y)

 Jade

Annie

Maggie

 Me

 

And all of us after. 

We make being baptised look good. :)

Now each of us are full members of the church we love.  I am happy to have done it.  Even if I have done it twice.  I think it is a small thing to ask that we be willing to "declare" our beliefs in front of the people that will be and have been, our church family.  I think that is is wise to ask that we be comfortable enough in our faith to be able to say "yes" when our pastor asks if we have give our hearts to Jesus, before we play any leading role in church ministry.  I like that the people leading my church have committed.  And I'm glad to be counted among them.     

I did get a pretty good laugh from Dad at the end of the evening.  Courtney and I were waiting on Zac to pick us up.  Courtney told Dad he was "one lucky Pa to be able to see all of his girls get baptised."  (Dad has been both sprinkled and immersed.  I had heard him tell Cathy earlier in the night that he had all his bases covered.) He told Courtney he had "been baptised a long time ago because I knew I might have to kill a man over one of these girls one day and I thought it would be wise to be in His good graces" ya know, should it ever come to that.   My Dad is somethin else...but I should get the message out to Zac before we ever have little girls :)   

Keeping in mind

I have been thinking lots, I mean LOTS about my job.  I am completely unsure of what I will do when my contract is up for negotiation again in August. I constantly worry about what I'm being paid and where I could make more and have better benefits and be able to pay more on my loans and save for a house and a practice and on and on and on.  So, when this came across my Youversion today, I felt compelled to share....cause I forget it. 

Hebrews 13:5

⁵ Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,"

Youversion

Little known fact, when it comes to the Bible, I am ignorant.  Really.  I know very few stories, very few passages.  I find reading it to be dry and I really have to focus, read slowly, go back and re-read before any of it sticks with me.  Now this whole thing is odd because I honestly believe that you need a personal relationship with God and the best way is to know his word and the apply it practically to your life.  So I finally decided to do something about it.  

I had a message in my facebook messages from Maggie's sister-in-law Tiffany from forever ago that recommended a site called youversion.  I hadn't paid much attention to be perfectly honest.  The other day, I decided it was time to look.  I wanted to do a Bible study.  My first official study.  Let me just say, youversion is awesome!

It has 7 full pages of reading plans.  It has chronological options, new and old testament reading plans.  It has so many topically studies I think would be absolutely great like studies on dealing with anger, love, marriage, learning to see Jesus, joy, obedience, forgiveness and even a plan that explains why you should read the bible and a whole study that explains who Jesus was and why he is so important.  There are 3 day, 5 day, 7 day, month and year long programs.  And a 21 day program for busy ladies.  

I decided to start first with the Bible in 90 Days plan.  I think as I get more in the habit of reading regularly, then I can start adding in the short studies.  What I think is really great about this site, aside from the tons and tons of choices to get started, is the fact that you can change the type of bible you read.  I can switch back and forth between King James, NIV, the Message, etc. and find the type that helps to make things the most clear.  All the plans are availabe in TONS of languages too....so tell everyone ya know!  You can also have the daily readings sent to your cell phone or other devices, which eliminates some of the problems with convenience.  Basically what I'm saying is, this site is fantastic.  Best of all, its FREE!  Yay!  Bebop your way on over and get signed up.  Like we Fox girls say, for that price, you can't afford not to!  If this guy can do it, so can you!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter my blogland friends!  I hope you get to spend the day with friends and family, rest assured that as much as you love them, Jesus loves you more!    

 

Now, for a couple of verses about being thankful.  

1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

1Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,

2Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

1Chronicles 16:34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

I am thankful for salavation through Jesus, for a God that always has me in his heart, for my family, my dear friends, my co-workers whom I love, and my husband who cracks me up daily.

oh...and Reeses Easter eggs!

New Hope

I just love my church!  For those of you in central Illinois, I encourage you to take a little drive one Sunday to Effingham and check out a service, they happen at 8:15, 9:45, and 11:15.  My church is called New Hope....which sounds a litte star-warsy, but it's a fantastic church.  Actually, take a minute to visit the church home page.  In the bottom left hand corner there is a link that says Listen to Message.  I expected this to be an intro to the church but it's actually today's service recorded as an MP3 (which I wished I knew last week as I missed it).  It is just the sermon, so not too long.  Our service today was about heaven.  It was great.  Next week is about hell.  I don't know that one can ever say discussing hell is great, but it will be exactly what people need to hear.

Pastor Van shared with us today that 80% of people (Americans I think) believe in heaven.  Of that 80%, a majority believe they will go to heaven.  I wish that 80% were going, but it's not the case.  If you want to go, take the first couple steps.  Find out who God is, who Jesus is, admit that you are a sinner, admit those sins to Christ, admit that you can be nothing better than you are without a relationship with God.  It really takes a big burdeon off of your shoulders.  Just imagine if your past mistakes were forgotten, or as it says in Acts 3:19a"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..."  Blotted out.  Erased.  If you have clean slate, then you can really start over.  Start making decisions for the One with the ability to erase your sins.  You will falter, you will fail, you will be forgiven.  But you've got to start, and without that start, we all know where we would end up. 



"Enter through the narrow gate (salvation through Jesus) . For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it." Matthew 7:13


I know it is easy (especially since all Christians sin and we fall short of our own expectations and judge instead of forgive) to say that none of this faith business matters.  That it is ok just to "be a good person."  But it's not enough.   You have to rely on God, on Jesus' sacrifice for our sins.  It's not enough to do your own thing as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else.  Our souls are NOT saved by simply believing in our own ability to be decent.  


For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. Epehsians 2:8-9


We need a relationship, a personal relationship with Jesus.  We need to know that he laid down his life, God gave his son, so that we could but aside our own vanities and pride and have something that was actually worth living for.  This world is fleeting.  Just think about how fast the days go by.  For the 80% of us that desire to go to heaven, we NEED to redirect because there is only one way to get there.   


Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6


Even though we didn't cover all of these verses today, this is what I've been thinking about.  Now I'm not the most informed, the most Bible savy, most religious of people.  But I just wanted to put this out there as it has been on my heart lately because I struggle with admitting that I need God.  I am a good person.  I spent years just being good.  It's really, really hard for me, with my stubbornness to admit that I need help with anything.  And salvation isn't just anything.  It's THE thing.  I want to reason "faith" away.  Dismiss it until there is proof in some scientific journal that heaven is real, God is real.  But sometimes, ya just know something IS.  And I know.  I just hate admitting I'm wrong, or weak, or incapable even when I know that I can't save myself.  So that's that.  As real as I can be.  This didn't turn out to be the post I thought it would be, but it is honest and I hope it helps you with whatever struggles you may be going through.  And, hopefully, it will help at least one person find their way through the narrow gate.