Separation between Church and State or is it man and God?

One week ago tomorrow, Donald Trump became our president. On Saturday women took to the streets to protest the President. Granted they had the audacity to state they were protesting for reproductive rights as well as LGBT rights and I know some sincere women were. However, they were truly protesting the president and the new legislation they would have to live with should he decide to sign them. The "worst" among the new legislation is "Abortion." 

On Sunday, one of my friends posted this picture; a man with a sign stating we should build a wall between the state and church. My friends, I have to tell you, if you know anything about the religious history of the US; that wall has already been drawn. Unfortunately "Separation between Church and State" has different meaning to people than those who have actually studied it in it's original meaning with the founding of the nation. 

To those from the secular humanist persuasion, it means that the state can make no public acknowledgment of religion, have no religious displays, recognize no tax exemptions for churches, and goes so far as to regulate even religious expressions of private individuals in the public arena out of line.there are those who believe the matter is simply that the government should not establish an official state church, or that a church should not be anointing officials in the government. (1)

I tend to believe that the "official state church" is the meaning behind the Separation comments. As did founders of our nation. Did they declare independence because they wanted to setup a secular church? Or was it because they were more concerned when tyranny? We'd be foolish to believe that our founding father's were concerned with theology than they were with matters of tyranny. 

The Boston Tea Party was about taxes (and thus enshrined in American tradition the fine art of complaining about taxes), not about Baptists throwing Presbyterians' Bibles into the Atlantic. The Declaration itself made liberal use of religion in general, as did the founders in their public statements. Even in Jefferson's "Wall" letter, he expresses religious sentiment and asks for prayers. It's obviously clear; it isn't religious expression they are worried about. The choice of phrase is important, "separation of church and state." Jefferson doesn't say separation of religion and state. He is talking about institutional separation. Ireland's official church is the Roman Catholic Church, as is Poland's. In England, it's the Church of England. These aren't religions in general but specific religious institutions. No nation has "Christianity" as the official state religion for a very good reason.(1)

So let's look at it this way; man is governed by his beliefs. Truly we are; however, In the 1700's laws were set up to keep men from serving in their state governments or even in the government of the nation. Yet we moved away from that over the years, now anyone can serve in their state government or even in the government at the Federal level. We see this every day. We don't need to build a wall between the church and state--that line, that wall has been built and it's seen in the fabric of the country. 

What we really should be worried about is the wall that man has built between his heart and God. When a man (or woman) can kill a life that they most likely chose to start with a man then they have truly turned their hearts against God. To me that is far worse than trying to separate the church from the government. Less than 1% of abortions in this country are performed to save the life of the mother. Abortion on demand, has become the "out" for people who don't want to face the consequences of their actions. Even a leading group opposing abortion, the National Right to Life Committee, issued a statement saying that its position is "to allow abortion if necessary to prevent the death of the mother."(2) 

Friends; I don't expect anyone to agree with this; however, I can't stand by and continue to listen to women flip out over Roe v Wade being repealed. I personally think abortion should be abolished--but equally I think we should find ways to help keep Cancer patients alive and feeling as best we can; we should lower drug costs so that the elderly (and anyone really) can afford their medication. Being Pro-Life means that I am willing to help new mothers and give them the resources to raise a child--and I am not talking about welfare; help young women get jobs, bring them to doctors appointments , crochet a baby blanket--actually take care of the orphans. 
Break down the walls that have been built between God and man! Stop building walls, start having compassion, stop marching over senseless issues and start marching back to the church--stop falling in love with idols and fall in love with the one God that is madly and wildly in love with you! 






1-  http://www.libertymagazine.org/article/what-does-separation-of-church-and-state-really-mean

2- http://www.usatoday.com/story/newswith God. /nation/2012/10/19/abortion-mother-life-walsh/1644839/

Life in the Family of God: Living the One Another Scriptures Part 1

We as Christians often times treat others better than we treat our fellow Christians; and sometimes we treat Christians better than we treat unbelievers. However, the one thing that I think we do is apply the “one another” scriptures to the outside world and we often times forget that they are also directed, if not more so towards life within the family of God.

Tonight as I was reading over my scriptures, I got to thinking about what it meant to be a part of God’s family. Certainly the body states that there are many parts to the body and we have different jobs; recently I had a young woman tell me, I don’t like Messianic Jewish people because they separate themselves from Christians. The truth is they do not separate themselves from Christians, if anything Gentile Christians separate themselves from the Messianic Jews or Jews who believe Jesus is the Messiah.

This brings me to my first point, Mark 9:50 states “Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” But what does this mean to the family of God?

I don’t know about you, but I love salt! Salt makes food taste wonderful, however, how does food taste with there isn’t salt? Pretty bland correct? And too often it’s hard to re-salt something once it’s cooked. Then there are times when things are too salty. You can’t eat it no matter how much water you have on the table. When we say a person is salty it means they are disagreeable. Then Mark goes on to tell us to “be at peace with one another.” What do you think that really means? I believe that perhaps it means that we as Christians should be happy with one another; we don’t have to disagree all the time and start mini wars with each other. Instead, maybe, we can just agree to disagree about things. Either way, we are called to be at peace with one another.

Next, I looked at John 6:43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves.”

Basically here Jesus is telling us, there are many places you could be in my family. However, be content with where you are. In the Bible “Grumble” is akin to the word complain. Jesus doesn’t want us to complain about our lot in life. Yes, the grass is greener in someone else’s pasture; but the manure is the same. Don’t complain because your time is coming when you will be used mightily. It may not be tomorrow, but what if when you die, someone walks over to you and says “remember the time…” you will know it will be well worth it.

Finally, Romans 12:6 “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith.” I love this because as I have said previously, in the family of God there are different gifts and different talents and God expects us to use them. If you are a hand, maybe God is asking you to take the hand of the stranger beside you. Or if you are a foot, maybe you are supposed to be walking. We are Christ’s body, so why aren’t we doing some walking and talking to our fellow Christians? Romans 15:5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. Just as our fleshly bodies work together, the body of Christ is to work in Harmony with one another. We can’t do Christ’s work if we aren’t living fully in the family of God.

Today I want to encourage you to read over these scriptures, think about what God has called you to do and where He would send you?

Next week, we’ll look at:

Romans 15:7

1 Corinthians 11:33

Galatians 5:15

Urgent Prayer Need

This is  a link from my other blog, and I hope that you will all keep it in mind that praying for Israel is a directive from God Himself.

http://israelprayerupdate.blogspot.com/2017/01/urgent-pray-for-70-nations-conference.html

Living in the Family of God: The One Another's in Scripture

Do you ever feel like you are doing your best in the family of God? Do you ever feel like other Christians aren't towing the line or even living up to the standards set forth by Christ? I know I do; and I honestly feel bad about it. I don't feel bad because I hold myself to a higher bar within Christianity, I feel bad because I hold everyone else to my standard when my standard doesn't matter.

However, God's word gives us some simple rules to live in peace and harmony with one another (Christian to Christian) and we can even apply those rules to living with those who choose to sojourn with us even as they are strangers (unbelievers). So what exactly are these rules? They are the verses in the Bible that end with "One Another."

Over the next few posts, I have decided to write about the "One Another" Scriptures. I am going to start with the "unity" verses. These verses are about how to get along with each other in the church. I will provide you with the Scripture references each time I write and the next time I write I will be addressing:

Mark 9:50
John 9:43
Romans 12:6; 15:5

Take time over the next few weeks and study these verses. I will also offer discussions if you would like to comment, I welcome them especially as it will allow for us to interact. In addition to my blog, and the questions in the comments section, I have decided to dedicate a Facebook page to these studies so that if you want to post there you can and we can discuss further the message of Scripture and what you pull from your individual studies.

One Year Anniversary

Today, I am celebrating an anniversary; no I did not go off and get married without telling anyone! Today I have been a member of Clarksbury UMC for exactly one year, but what does that mean? Honestly it means that for one year I have been a part of something bigger. 

Membership is not simply an opportunity to say, I’m a part of a club, but rather a scriptural expression of covenant connectedness to a church. First, membership is a reflection of the organic community already existing in the body. Paul says we are a body. Can one part say to the other, “I’m not part of you”? No, it is already a part. But too often we live as if we are separated. 

As a matter of fact, too many churches or Christian gatherings look like piles of dismembered body parts, not a body knit together as God’s agent, his body, his kingdom, at work in the world. To reject the value of membership is to deny what God has already established in fact. Scripture teaches that we can be a part of the body, and we can be apart from the body. It is difficult to get around Scripture when it talks about being brought into the body and also being put out of it. And yet for most churches there’s no way to put somebody out because they’re not even in. While there seems to be flexibility according to various bodies, there is no such thing in the New Testament as a church without some recognition of belonging—of membership in community. 

Finally, we recognize biblical membership matters because people need it. People need membership commitment because they need to be connected to a Christian community. This is not just for the sake of the faith community, but also for the sake of the individual. Individualist Christianity is a myth and a damaging pursuit. At the end of the day we’re redeemed. We’re placed in the body. The Bible specifically says he has redeemed us. He has transferred us, Colossians 1 says, from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of the Son he loves. A kingdom has a king. The king has subjects and his kingdom has a community together where we function as God’s people. 

So again, I am celebrating an anniversary; one that I am extremely happy that I made. 

Biting leads to Destruction

A simple word, a little white lie, an entire conspiracy theory--are at best things that Christians need to be wary of. Just like a bomb, one misspoken word, one lie, one conspiracy theory will cause a ripple and do more harm than previously believed.

Today while on Facebook I saw a “friend” had written

As everyone plays and is distracted history repeats itself and the Bible unfolds before the eyes of those watching and praying. Absolutely amazing. Folks you’re missing out. Do some research on today, the Islam calendar and Jesuit order. ISIS is not powered by Muslims it's their forbidden month. Look up Jesuit history and the Catholic Church, it will shock you! The pope is Jesuit.

Immediately my heart ached; and God brought Galatians 5:15 to my heart. “But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out or you will be consumed by one another.” Instantly, I decided to come to my office and study the verse; and I found in verse 14 that Paul taught (as Christ did) “The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Why do we find that so hard to do?

Needless to say I was a bit dumbfounded when I read Martin Luther’s Commentary on verse 15; but I couldn’t help but agree with him. Martin Luther states:

“When faith in Christ is overthrown peace and unity come to an end in the church. Diverse opinions and dissensions about doctrine and life spring up, and one member bites and devours the other, i.e., they condemn each other until they are consumed. To this the Scriptures and the experience of all times bear witness. The many sects at present have come into being because one sect condemns the other. When the unity of the spirit has been lost there can be no agreement in doctrine or life.”

As I continued my study, I read in the Jameson-Fausset-Brown Bible commentary that to bite meant to backbite or attack the character of another. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges stated that the attacks would consist of abuses and slanderous accusations. Barnes’ Notes on the Bible stated that the Greek for Bite was “Dakno” and it was used also to describe how wild beasts attack each other. We know from our own study of animals that often times they will fight until both are dead--so it is within the church--we’ll continue to fight each other until we destroy the spirituality and happiness of one another; thus ruining the character of and overthrowing the church.

Can we as a Christians, whether Catholic, or Protestant really afford to continue to fight one another? Can we afford to continue using conspiracy theories to prove points that are not even valid or truthful? Brothers and Sisters, the church is in trouble, but it’s not just our leaders; we need to look at ourselves and how we are throwing out messages of falsehoods that can’t be proven. You want to fulfill the law? Then instead of breaking the law—which you do through attacks and trying to harm your fellow believers—try loving them.

Stranded: 4Hours on I-77 in Winter-storm Helena

Just about everyone I know has seen my status on Facebook about being stuck on  I-77 South bound for 5 hours on Friday Night/Saturday Morning. However, in case you missed the saga, let me just replay it for you!

I went into work at 1:30 PM at Lowe's. I went on my first break and it had started snowing, just some light flurries, so I didn't think much of it. My second break came and went, as did my dinner and it still seemed fine. So I decided to stay the rest of the evening at work. No big deal I told myself. I had been a journalist, I knew how to drive in the snow and everyone kept getting updates from family saying the roads were fine.

1:58 a.m. traffic stopped 

12 a.m. came and I got off work, walked to my car, the parking lot was covered, but that was to be expected, there were only a few cars in the lot. I pull out to Hwy. 421 and it was covered, and covered deep! I thought "Great! Just drive slow and you'll be fine!" The drive that normally takes me 15 minutes took me 45 minutes. I get on I-77 South and away I go. Knowing there was a truck on the interstate that had jack-knifed I drove pretty slow, I went around a couple of semi-trucks that were parked watching other trucks get pulled out of ditches, I nearly ran over a truck driver who dressed in black ran out in front of me, but luckily I saw him in time to miss him. Then I came upon it! 1:58 am. A line of traffic that stretched for as far as I my eyes could see. Okay, so maybe it was 1000 yards, but still it was a far piece. As I sat in the road, hoping that the traffic would suddenly start moving several people in 4x4 trucks came up behind me pretty fast, when they couldn't get through I knew something was up. I sat in my car and as my engine started to stall, I turned off my lights, and my car. I covered up immediately in a blanket and laid my head over on my window and dozed off and on for a few minutes. I called my mom and told her "I am stuck in traffic...I'll call back later." By 3a.m. I was freaking out. My anxiety was sending me into attacks and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why? At 6:15 a.m., a trooper came by tapping windows waking people up; we were free to go, the truck had been moved and was on his way. By 7:06 a.m. I was walking into my parents house.

5:45 Blue Lights and Crews
working to get truck moved

I know you are asking "So what is the big deal, Rachel? You were stranded for five hours...no big deal." You are right, it wasn't a big deal--but it gave me time to think and time to pray. When I was talking to my parents, I was thinking "Man! I wish I had taken that last exit and just came down the road; yeah, it would be bad, but at least I would be home by now." Then I would think "something far worse could have happened to me had I taken a country road home." I think it is funny the things that God uses to bring us back to Him.

While I was in my car, once I got my anxiety in check, I was able to think about my life, where I am currently--reconsidering seminary, my job, where I want to be in five years, etc.  I also thought about this blog; what my readers would like to read more of, definitely stuff that is more inspirational and that my friends is what I want to do. I want to give you all more to read that is inspirational!

So let me ask you? Where does God have you stranded? Maybe you aren't physically stranded on an interstate, but what place are you at thinking that you can't move and you aren't taking time to look at it? Has God created a place that you've been worked into that you can't leave? Maybe it's the snow day at your house, and you can't leave, are you taking some time for devotions or worship?

It's a new year, we have new chances to become who we are supposed to be, new choices to make, are you going to make choices that bring you out of your comfort zone or are you going to stay stranded? Take your stranded moments, and see what or where God takes you!

My ONE Word

For two years now I have participated in the movement My One Word. I started participating because my life group leader told me about it and I decided instead of a long list of resolutions, I would look at the characteristics of a Christian and choose one to work on. 

The first year it was Trust. That year I lost my best friend; not to death, not to another person, but rather I lost her because she thought I was crazy. Every day for a solid year, I listened to the song This is the Stuff by Francesca Battistelli.  The song goes through a list of things that are bad; and yet the chorus states 

This is the stuff that drives me crazy. This is the stuff that's getting to me lately. In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I'm blessed. This is the stuff that gets under my skin; but I've gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing. It might not be what I would choose, but this is the stuff You use.

There's that word "TRUST." I had to believe that God knew exactly what He was doing, so that I could move to a different phase of my life; including loosing a job that I loved.

The second year (2016)  my word was Patience. Oh, boy that was a huge one for me. I had been moved to a job where I was nothing more than a bus driver, I felt like I was under constant monitoring. At the beginning of the school year, I got a negative job review that nearly sent me over the edge because I had done everything well as a bus driver. Who knew you couldn't say "I've had a heck of a day." (yes, I used the word heck). In addition to all the negative stuff that happened, my boss from the museum let me go, even though I never gave a resignation--she just assumed I wouldn't be working any more. Patience had really let me down. But I kept chugging along and applied for over 600 different jobs in various parts of the country. 

That's when Lowe's Corporation called and I landed a job in the national call center! This job is amazing!!! I love it and I love my co-workers!! After I got my job at Lowe's my former best friend came back on the scene and wasn't a good thing--This has all led me to my 2017 word...something I think we all could do a bit better. I didn't choose it until January 4, 2017 because I wasn't sure it was really the characteristic I wanted to endure a moment's trial or tribulation for...but all in all, I am happy with my word....and that word is: 

FORGIVENESS

If you know me, you are probably scratching your head saying "Rachel, forgiveness is something you already to really well." Unfortunately that just isn't true. Often times I forgive because I want to get something out of forgiving another person. It's never really been because it's something I am supposed to do. 

This year, I want to become more like Christ and forgive people. Forgive them because they deserve it; and because it's only through Christ that I can remotely forgive someone! When I was thinking about Forgiveness, kept thinking of Peter approaching the Lord asking "How many times can someone sin against me and I have to forgive them? As many as seven?" And yet, our Savior said "No, as many as 70 times 7." (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus here reverses the principle of 490-fold (compare Gen 4:24 LXX) or seventy-sevenfold (Gen 4:24, where LXX uses the exact phrase; Carson 1984:405) vengeance, demanding unlimited forgiveness toward the truly repentant. The Rabbinical rule was that no one should ask forgiveness of his neighbor more than thrice. Peter, who asks as a scribe a scribe’s question, thought he was making a great advance in liberality and shewing himself worthy of the Kingdom of heaven. But the question itself indicates complete misunderstanding of the Christian spirit.

Finally we must understand to truly understand forgiveness, that we once were sinners humbled before a God who created heaven and earth and like the truly humbled sinner relies only on free, abounding mercy, through the ransom of the death of Christ. Let us seek more and more for the renewing grace of God, to teach us to forgive others as we hope for forgiveness from him.