What Matters Most

Every night there's a new discussion... a new debate... a new argument... happening on Facebook and Google+ regarding Christianity. "My faith is better than your faith" is what they all amount to - which is actually quite ridiculous since we all worship the same God. And yet, I take part in these. And many I know take part in these. But honestly, does it matter if we believe baptism is by immersion or sprinkling? Does it matter if we believe the Lord's Supper is literal or figurative? Does it matter if we believe this verse means this, or that?

No. It does not matter.

How can I say such a thing? How can I know this?

First... allow me to describe something that I don't know if I even can describe...

Nearly a year ago, a friend of mine (who happens to be a pastor) drug me (figuratively) to the baptismal font in his church. I was not a member there. I'd been a rare church-goer at all. But there I stood with him, my heart heavy. My soul heavy. I felt as if God had abandoned me. My eyes brimmed with tears that I refused to let fall as I stood beside a man I refused to trust in the building of a God I believed could never love me.

He had me dip my hands into the water; let me feel the water flow between my fingers. I could feel a slow peace beginning to overcome me, but I tried to ignore it. And then he dipped his own fingers into the water, and moved his hand to my head. With his thumb, he made the sign of the cross on my forehead, stating with no uncertainty that I am a beloved child of God.

The tears fell. My knees trembled, barely able to hold my weight. I shook. I couldn't seem to find my voice. And what happened inside me? I can never come up with words adequate enough to explain. I suddenly knew... I knew God was there with me. I knew He did love me. I knew I was one of his beloved. My heart that had been closed off for 30-some years was suddenly opened. I trusted. My whole being was suddenly filled with the Holy Spirit. And I felt peace. And I felt loved.

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So, how do I know that all the "little" things we argue and fight about really don't matter that much?

Easy... if it does matter, than the my faith must be the only correct faith. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is in me... and I am saved... and I am a beloved child of God. And I know this without a doubt. And, at the time I became aware of this, I was a faithful attender of the Lutheran church, and was in the process of switching my membership to that church. So, if all these things matter... than what I believe must be the correct belief... which means everyone must convert to Lutheranism. That's the only answer...

Unless, of course, these things really just aren't as important as the Grace and Love of God - a grace and love so immense that He gave his only Son, our Lord, to die for us.

This is what matters most.

"I Love You, And God Loves You"

A couple months ago, we finally had our youngest child baptized. He's ten years old. All five of my other children were baptized when they were much younger (all were babies except for one who was 3 at her baptism). Up until we actually had this ten year old baptized, I had chastised myself for waiting so long. He was going to be baptized when he was a baby, but circumstances at that time kept this from happening. And then, I just got lazy.

Now, as I look back on this laziness and complete lack of spiritual guidance I should have provided to my children, I'm actually grateful. There has been a strange good which has come from this delayed event. First, for my son, he will always remember what it was like to be baptized. He will be able to hold onto the memory of him being able to answer for himself that he renounces the devil and accepts the Lord. This is something most of us cannot recall. The closest I have to such an experience or memory is detailed in a prior entry of mine - "Water". It's an incredible feeling every time I look back on that day, and I can only imagine how powerful a memory it will be for my son to remember his actual baptism.

But, not only did this event give my son a powerful memory and lesson, but it also bestowed on me a reminder, a lesson, something which can only be considered a gift....

A couple weeks before his baptism, we were asked to meet with the pastor so that the sacrament of Holy Baptism could be explained to my son. As he would be answering for himself, it was important that he understood, at least to a degree, what baptism is about. Somewhere in this lesson, the pastor had made a request of my son... the pastor told him that whenever he tells me he loves me, he should also remind me that, like my son, I am a beloved child of God. He told him to say, "I love you, Mom, and God loves you." And, it was suggested I do the same.

At the time, this sounded a little silly, I have to admit. It was adorable, but silly. And I didn't think it would last beyond that meeting in the church. I was wrong.

It has been nearly two months since that meeting, and not a day goes by when my son doesn't say (at least 2 or 3 times daily) "I love you, Mom, and God loves you." And I say it to him as well... although he always beats me with the "and God loves you" portion (he sometimes tries to race me in saying it).

Those of you who have kids... you know that one of the most precious thing a parent can hear is their child say the words "I love you, Mom" or "I love you, Dad." These words will instantly warm your heart, and calm your troubled mind. But to hear this same child remind you that you are a beloved child of God? That God loves you? I don't think I can adequately explain the power behind these simple words. It truly is an incredible feeling. The sweet declaration of the love of your child may warm the heart and calm the mind, but the added affirmation of God's love - this soothes the soul. This brings peace. And because of this simple recommendation my son received, I get the privilege of experiencing this peace at least a few times a day.

1 John 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are.

Water (pt 2) and Affirmation

The readings in the "Christ in our Home" booklet for the rest of this week all center around water and/or baptism. I have already written one post on the importance of water, including my own personal experiences with this element (http://psychosermons.blogspot.com/2012/12/water.html); however, I want to address another part of these verses. 

The readings: 
Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17,  Luke 3:15-17, 21-22


As I state in my previous post regarding water, this element is what Christianity is about. Water plays an integral part of the Bible, in both the old and new Testaments. But, one of the main purposes of water in Christianity is baptism. Through the water, our sins are washed away and we receive the Holy Spirit, becoming a part of God, a receiver of his love, one of his beloved children. In all the readings above, water and the Holy Spirit are important themes. 

However, that is not the only theme. Another theme found in a couple of these readings is the affirmation of God's love for us. 

"Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you..." (Isaiah 43:4)

"And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”" (Luke 3:22)

We all need this affirmation. We all need the reminder that we are a beloved child of God. We need the pat on the back that we're doing right by God (or, as right as we as humans can do). But this affirmation is not just in regards to God. 

 We need the reminder from those whom we look up to that they care, and that we're doing a good job. Maybe this is a parent, or a teacher, or a preacher. An older sibling, or a boss, or a mentor. Or some combination of any of these. Most of us have, or have had, someone we look up to, someone we want to please, someone whose opinion matters. This is the same as God - we look up to him, we want to please him. And so we need to hear that we are doing well, and that we are still loved.

Through water, we can be reminded of God's love for us - we can feel the Holy Spirit move through us. Although we are only baptized once (generally), we can allow ourselves to remember that event, and remember that we are indeed beloved. 

 
 

Water

A couple weeks ago, a good friend lent me a book to read - "Traveling Mercies." Due to dwindling time-frames, I pushed aside a couple books given to me by other friends (Sorry David and Tim... I'll read your next. Promise!), and became immersed in this memoir which was flooded with spirituality. While I had to read it in parts (half yesterday, half this morning) because of it affecting me more than most books do, I was able to finish it today.

There is a part in there, near the end of the book, where the author (Anne Lamott) discusses the importance of water in Christianity. Or rather, about how Christianity is about water. "It's about surrender, giving in to all those things we can't control; it's a willingness to let go of balance and decorum and get drenched."

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I stood under the water this morning, the steam circling around me, the hot shower flowing over me, around me, through me. I stared up into the stream, letting it wash over my face, my eyes. I cupped my hands, filling them with the lovely liquid, feeling it trickle from between my fingers; feeling it spilling over my flesh, washing over me.

As the water flowed over my cupped hands, spilling at my feet, I felt a sense of peace I haven't felt much as of late. A sense of sorrow mingled in the midst, but peace as well. Subconsciously, I reached up and traced the shape of a cross I could feel burning on my forehead. A tear or two mixed unnoticed with the heated drops from the shower. The burning cross on the forehead was not a painful burning - just one of warmth, and calm. But it did stir a painful sorrowful burn in my heart.

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It was my birthday (29, for the 10th year in a row). The year had been rough, particularly the last few months. My life had been tough. And for the first time that I can recall in my life, I had reached out for help. We sat talking... a good friend and I.... and I think it was through frustration by him towards me - due to my ability to cast blame upon myself at all times - this friend finally figuratively dragged me to the front of the sanctuary, to the baptismal font.

It was there, at that time and on that day, I felt the water. I dipped my hand into the frigid water - frigid water which, while flowing through my fingers, brought me warmth. It was there, at that time and on that day, that he wet his finger with the water and placed a cross on my forehead. I was baptized as a baby, as most of us are, but this - on my 38th birthday - was the first time I truly felt the Holy Spirit with and within me.

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Today, as I stood under that shower, my body and soul bared for God and none other, I felt Him again. I felt the water cleanse me, wash over me, renew my spirit, calm my aching heart.

""The hope, the belief, is that a new day is upon you now. A day when you are emboldened to take God at God's word about cleanness and protection. 'When thou passeth through the water, I will be with thee; and through the rivess, they shall not overflow thee'." (Traveling Mercies, Anne Lamott)