Sticks and Stones

A conversation sprung up this weekend. It's one you've probably heard before, even though the subject is one of two you're never supposed to bring up (religion and politics). Guess which one it was?

At any rate, one of the more vocal points was, "I don't like organized religion..." There was more to the stance, but we don't need to go into that. Another sentiment was regarding how people of one sect of Christianity treat people of a different sect of Christianity. Seemed a bit silly to me. I wanted to open my mouth and say, "Hey baby, I'm Lutheran. We're pretty chill. We love everybody." I kept that quip under my hat. I did voice, "That's not how it's supposed to be." And I shook my head thinking about it and feeling sorry for the people who put others down because they're not of one particular branch of Christianity. I'm all about a joke here and there, but to honestly and intentionally make someone feel awful because of their faith? There's something wrong with that. 

Aren't we all in this together? Don't we all serve one God (now and forever amen?) Don't we all believe that Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified died and was buried? And that He did it for us? So... what's the problem? I literally scratched my head just now. 

Love thy neighbor as thyself. Thy Baptist neighbor (gasp!), thy Presbyterian neighbor, thy Catholic neighbor... and guess what? Even your non-Christian neighbor. No one is saying you've gotta wash their feet with your hair but you certainly don't have to throw stones for their perceived transgression of choosing the wrong denomination. Or no denomination. I've never exactly been a "turn the other cheek" kinda gal, though I've been doing more than my fair share of it in recent years- but there's definitely something wrong with going on the offensive or shunning someone for no valid reason. (And someone not genuflecting when they pray isn't what I'd call a valid reason for turning up your nose). 

People dole out tons of reasons for us to get scrappy. You've gotta pick your battles or sooner or later, you're gonna burn out. Try your hand at acceptance. Within reason, of course. If someone is setting puppies on fire, maybe don't be so cool with that. If someone simply comes to God through a different door than you- or they never made it out of the parking lot- that's no reason to label them a leper. 

Regarding the organized religion bit, one point I did make most earnestly, is that sometimes, you get the greatest worship and greatest fellowship when you're not sitting in a pew. So having ill feelings toward organized religion is hardly cause to count the good out. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my church. I absolutely adore our pastor- he's hands down the coolest man of the cloth you'll ever meet. But God's voice is not limited to brick and stone alone. It is a pity that the organized part of religion has run so many people off. Be not afraid! So you're suspicious of the Bible because it "has too many authors", so you don't jive with being a member of a church because you don't agree with who is at the helm... all that matters is you come to Jesus with love in your heart and do your best to live as rightly as you can. 

Spit out the bad taste in your mouth and fill your cup back up with something GOOD. And hey, lighten up on everybody unless you've got a damn good reason not to. 

For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them. ~ Matthew 18:20

Touchstones of Grace

Today, I wish to share some grace with you. This grace comes from a source very dear to my heart. It is in the form of sprawling blue ink in a familiar, jagged hand. Words penned on a piece of paper and tucked into a sturdy old bible. This was my grandfather's bible, given to him as a gift in memory of his father. It passed to me sometime after his death. 

He placed the paper in Psalms. What a lovely part of the Bible to park a bookmark. I came across it one day when I needed it most- as God has a beautiful way of doing. 

Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side. 
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. 
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
in every change, the faithful will remain. 
Be still my soul, thy best thy heavenly friend. 
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end. 

My grandfather, Lothar, likely scribbled this down when he heard it during service (as we are apt to do sometimes). It touched a chord with him and he was inspired to record it for future moments of need. A spiritual touchstone, if you will. He tucked it away in his bible to have it handy. Did he ever think his granddaughter would discover it nearly 50 years later and find grace in it? Generally, I'd be inclined to say probably not, but knowing him, perhaps so. 

We pick up little pieces of grace as we go along. Sometimes, we remember to tuck them away for later use- sometimes we forget where we placed them. It's a beautiful mystery. Almost a symphonic waltz, the way God whispers to us. How He finds new ways to deliver His grace to us. And what a gift in this case especially. 15 years ago today, my grandfather passed away. While he was lucid, I was too young to appreciate any of his counsel. What a blessing to be reached by him long after his passing. He left behind many writings, but I find the most comfort in his bible and the bookmarks within. It was my grandfather who gave me my very first bible. A little white New Testament on Christmas Eve in 1992. On the inside cover he wrote, "You have many toys. A toy this is not." 



Ask the Lord to open the eyes of your heart today, to accept the beautiful grace He has crafted just for you. 

Oh Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set they glory above the heavens. ~Psalm 8:1