Ping!
I know we talked about this some months ago, if I’m not mistaken, but for the benefit of anyone else I’ll mention this again. It troubles me to see this from the Catholic Church, which is behind why so many Christians today don’t know anything about their faith and don’t really know the Lord Jesus on a personal level. If I’m not mistaken about this, too, a recent poll in the last few years showed that Catholics knew very little about the Bible, especially compared to evangelicals.
A couple of months ago, I moved to Kentucky from Buffalo, NY, which I’ve lived in almost my whole life, and which is about 80% Catholic. Except for one Jehovah’s Witness, I never knew anyone, until I was in my 30’s and came across Christians talking about the Bible on the internet, who had a personal relationship with the Lord, and would pray about ordinary things, read the Bible, share the Gospel, etc. It troubles me that wherever the Catholic Church dominates, the Christians there don’t seem to really know the Lord intimately by knowing Him through His Word. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) that God wants true worshipers who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth. To discern between truth and error, a person first has to know what the truth (God’s Word) says. And it also saddens me that so many Christians live into their 80’s and beyond, yet don’t know the Lord’s wonderful Word, and it’s hard not to think of all the useless suffering from sin that comes about from that.
Jesus is God’s Word, and Ephesians 6 says we should put on the “whole armor of God,” including taking up the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Churches that don’t do that, and don’t follow the Bible (the Catholic Church doesn’t take God’s Word literally), will have to answer to the Lord on Judgment Day.
it is too easy for us to prefer the “Babylon” of this world to the Holy and Promised Land of Heaven. Somehow, we perceive, (and rightly so) that the journey to Heaven is not an easy one
Not easy. But look up, pray, and never let go.
Roots in Paradise (RIP)
That’s what I want on my tombstone – Roots in Paradise. I will die – I know that. But that is not what I’m thinking about now. My thoughts, plans, and actions are built on living.
I have been immersed in a study of David and of the Revelation of John as of late, and this has helped focus my vision. David never “worked” to get the throne – God had said it would happen so David could wait, endure, and forego all thoughts or vengeance. And in Revelation we get to “see” God in total control, all things working toward His plan – and the vengeance is, indeed, His alone. As I work on these enduring principles – God is in control and I can wait – I find myself being rooted more and more in the life to come – in Paradise. Now don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with living in this life – I really love it! But putting down roots – now that’s another thing all together. Because I have learned that I am changed by the soil from which I pull my sustenance. The soil of this earth turns my heart towards apathy, restlessness, envy, anger, revenge, and self. It really cannot be helped. We are what nourishes’ us. So as long as I am nourished by the soil of this earth, I am fighting a losing battle – a battle I cannot win.
But put those roots in the soil of Paradise – and these things simple begin to fade away. This soil yields compassion, peace, contentment, love, patience, and – yes – Joy! Now this is a foundation upon which I can truly build my thoughts, plans, and actions for living. Not because this world does not matter – but because it matters so much that I don’t have to concern myself with outcomes – that is Heavens’ concern. I just concern myself with today.
Sounds like a cop-out, doesn’t it? I can have it all now AND in the life to come? But that is just what we are promised. “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full”. These are not my words, but His. I’m just trying to figure out how that happens. And it all has to do with roots – and the soil they are planted in.
So how does this “transplant” happen? It starts with Baptism. In Baptism I die (am uprooted) to take root (am transplanted) into Paradise – my new home. But as soon as the service is over, I start putting down roots once again in the earth. It’s the way of the world – how can I avoid it? David did (for most of his life) and John saw it. It’s the assurance of things hoped for, the promise of things to come. And this must be my vision – my focus – my future. As long as I can maintain this, my roots stay firmly in place. Then, and only then, can I truly live the life I was given to live in this world.
It all starts with a simple principle – one guaranteed to work every time – keeping my Roots in Paradise! – That’s what I want on my tombstone.