Yes, I'm still alive. I know, I've been strangely missing in action but I'm sure I'll be back to my old self if I ever get my computer back again! We think our house is sold by the way, as long as everything goes well. Settlement is set for October 19th I believe.
In other news I went to a wedding today and there was a long sermon in the middle of it that left me with a headache it was so darn legalistically depressing/enraging. It was 'evangelistic' vomit--a mish mash of regurgitated illustrations, quotes, and cliches. The man seemed to enjoy preaching death and condemnation of unbelievers and barely tacked on some 'good news' in the last 2 minutes. I was also questioning the purpose of marriage vows. Do you think we start out with a legalistic mindset in marriage vowing to do all kinds of things perfectly even though we know it'll never happen that way? Should we be making promises of perfection to the one who will know our faults and shortcomings better than anyone else on earth?
And in still other news, a good friend of mine who has been receiving great revelations of God's love and grace lately has just started a blog. It's great to read what God's been doing in her life and I highly recommend checking it out. Her name is Lydia and her blog's name is 'a joy to be me'.
And one more thing...sorry I haven't called you yet Katie! And thanks to all of you who've been feeding Aaron too.
6 comments:
I tell you, it's so good to hear your anger at legalism. I sometimes feel guilty for being very angry and depressed at people who teach even the slightest hint of law. Some of it is my fault though. I'm getting better with just turning a def ear to it. But it really *pee's* me off when people leave me feeling I am under law. I am very stupid and stubborn so I need unlimited amounts of grace.
Yes me too. Couldn't agree more. I think we have to stop feeling guilty at feeling angry. Or in other words stop feeling legalistic about being angry at being legalistic! Because it isn't the legalistic people we are angry at (although sometimes it can be) it is the legalism itself and how easily it slots into Christian life with such ease and such welcome.
I read an interesting quote in a book last night called "Restoring the Kingdom" by Andrew Walker. He was talking about shepherding/discipling and he said this;
"The more insecure leaders are, the more they will invoke heaven's backing for the advice they are giving".
Makes you think doesn't it!
Jul, you said:
"Do you think we start out with a legalistic mindset in marriage vowing to do all kinds of things perfectly even though we know it'll never happen that way? Should we be making promises of perfection to the one who will know our faults and shortcomings better than anyone else on earth?"
That is a fascinating statement! Do you any ideas about an alternative? That could be the start of a very interesting discusssion.
I am right there with you on the vows question? Our pastor actually encouraged us not to make them too elaborate or extensive, just super simple and basic, did we listen? Now I wish I could throw them out the window, ha and start over, oh well, just another list of rules to keep! :)
I think we need to remember that keeping ANY sort of vow is only by God's grace, much less a wedding vow. I personally love wedding vows, especially when done right. If the couple start upon the premise of vowing everything only by the strength and grace of God, it can't be legalistic. It only gets legalistic when God's grace is not in the picture.
vowing to do all kinds of things perfectly even though we know it'll never happen that way?
I don't think it makes sense to craft wedding vows so as to demand or even approach perfection. I think that the traditional wedding vows - to love/comfort/honor/keep, in sickness/health/sadness/joy, for better/worse/richer/poorer, to cherish in devotion, forsaking all others - while these are quite beautiful, and while they resonate deeply with us, if you look closely at what's being 'vowed' here, it's hardly perfection! More like the bare minimum of what anyone would truly want to call a marriage. Any marriage where the spouses are unable to live up to those vows...wow.
The problem of legalism (where someone claims biblical authority to lay an obligation of law upon others) does not impugn the concept of a freely-taken vow. Pledging oneself to another for life in wedding vows is an act of selfless love and a statement of good will, good intent, good faith. This is not comparable with trying to impose one's legalistic peeves upon others using baseless, quasi-biblical justifications.
But OK. Maybe I've just got a soft spot for the vows!
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