Last night was a very painful night for me. My entire body hurt. I mean it hurt right down to the bone, places that shouldn't even hurt at all. I'm not sure what the source of the problems was but it took quite a long time before I could fall into a restless sleep. I awoke this morning in a bit of a fog but at least I woke up. The pain isn't as bad this morning but it's still lingering in the background, reminding me not to take those days of feeling good for granted.
Suffering is nothing new to anyone. Suffering was brought into the world through the sin of our first parents and we have been reaping the repercussions of it ever since. It is so important that even through our own suffering, we remain compassinate to the suffering of others. I know from my own personal experience that sometimes this isn't easy. It's hard to step outside of our little bubble and realize that other people's pain (be it physical or emotional) is just as valid as our own. It really gets to me when I hear people who are in pain say, "I shouldn't complain because I know there are others out there who have it way worse". I guess if you really want to get down to it, none of us should complain -- we were all given another day to live, another chance, when so many didn't wake up this morning. Yes, there are others who have it worse. That doesn't invalidate your own sense of suffering!
Compassion. It is a word many know but few know how to utilize. Perhaps we don't realize how we come across to others when we're so blinded by our own sufferings. We often want to believe that our suffering is more debilitating than anyone else's who may possibly know us. In doing this, we form our opinion of others' suffering and lose that ability to really have heartfelt compassion for what the other person is going through. This is the beginning of a "me, me, me" situation that can quickly spiral out of control and isolate ourselves from those who genuinely care about us.
Catholics don't believe that we suffer in vain. We believe in "offering it up" for a specific intention. We could offer up our suffering for the holy souls in purgatory, or for our wayward brother, or for anything that will bring us or others closer to God. I'll admit that sometimes I forget to "offer it up" because my head is so wrapped around my own issues (ah, the perks of being human!).
So next time you are in bed with the flu or have that pounding migraine, say a prayer and offer it up for someone you love!
Lord Jesus, I unite myself to Your perpetual, unceasing, universal Sacrifice. I offer myself to You every day of my life and every moment of every day, according to Your most holy and adorable Will. Since You have been the Victim of my salvation, I wish to be the victim of Your love. Accept my desire, take my offering, and graciously hear my prayer. Let me live for love of You; let me die for love of You; let my last heartbeat be an act of perfect love.
~ St. Therese
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
God Doesn't Hate Us
In the past few days I have had two people claim that God hated them. I understand why they said it -- they were both struggling, both with different situations, but struggling nonetheless. They'd lost their footing and felt that God had turned His back on them in their times of need. So I could understand that in their frustration and anger, they would say those things. This doesn't mean that it didn't sting my heart to hear people who once claimed to love God say those things.
Where is God when it seems like everything in our lives is turned upside down? Where is God when it seems that not a soul in the world is there for us? Where is God when it feels like we're going through the motions every day but not really living anymore?
The answer is that God is still with us. He doesn't leave us, nor does He turn away from us. In fact, it's often the other way around. We expect God to work miracles every time something goes wrong in our lives, and when it doesn't happen that way, people begin to step away from Him or question His existence altogether. We live in a society with ways of communicating and doing things instantly, so we expect the same from God. We want quick fixes so that we don't have to suffer.
I have dealt with many trials in my lifetime and there have been times I've had to just sit down, cry my eyes out and try to figure out what in the world I was going to do. I have lost count of how many nights I've cried myself to sleep over this or that, or wasted precious moments worrying about how this or that would turn out, how we'd make it through -- but we always made it through. Often times, God's blessings were greater than anything I'd prayed for. It didn't always happen right when I wanted it to, but it always happened and it always fell into place perfectly.
God doesn't turn His back on us, or lose patience with us, or ever stop loving us. He never promised that because we believed in Him that we will never go through trials or suffering. John 16:33 says, "I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” Christ states very clearly that we will have trouble on this earth; we will have trials and we will have sorrow. Rather than turning away from God, this is our time to cling to Him because our peace rests in Him. Our comfort rests in God and until we can accept this and believe this, our miseries will be tenfold.
It is SO important that we not fall into this way of thinking - that God no longer cares for us because we struggle so much in our lives or because we've had a string of unfortunate events. That is EXACTLY what the devil wants us to believe! As soon as he can plant that little seed in our minds, we begin to nourish it by continuing to doubt, continuing to walk further from God, continuing to blame Him for all of our trials, and by doubting God's ability to bring us through the storm. Before we realize it, the devil has both hands firmly around our shoulders and is quickly leading us into a path of darkness and despair.
Some people don't believe in the power of prayer. I do. I believe that God hears every prayer, even the unspoken ones, the ones that are stuck inside our hearts because we don't know what to say out loud. We have to trust that God knows what He's doing. We have to really open our eyes and our hearts and KNOW that God's got this. He knows what we're going to go through before we even go through it, good and bad. Some of our suffering is our own doing, some of it isn't. Regardless, God knows and He's got us covered, but we have to trust and have faith in His love, mercy AND in His timing.
God doesn't hate us. He created us out of love because He *is* love. Some people's love for God may change depending on their circumstances, but God's love is unending and beyond measure and always available when we need it.
Where is God when it seems like everything in our lives is turned upside down? Where is God when it seems that not a soul in the world is there for us? Where is God when it feels like we're going through the motions every day but not really living anymore?
The answer is that God is still with us. He doesn't leave us, nor does He turn away from us. In fact, it's often the other way around. We expect God to work miracles every time something goes wrong in our lives, and when it doesn't happen that way, people begin to step away from Him or question His existence altogether. We live in a society with ways of communicating and doing things instantly, so we expect the same from God. We want quick fixes so that we don't have to suffer.
I have dealt with many trials in my lifetime and there have been times I've had to just sit down, cry my eyes out and try to figure out what in the world I was going to do. I have lost count of how many nights I've cried myself to sleep over this or that, or wasted precious moments worrying about how this or that would turn out, how we'd make it through -- but we always made it through. Often times, God's blessings were greater than anything I'd prayed for. It didn't always happen right when I wanted it to, but it always happened and it always fell into place perfectly.
God doesn't turn His back on us, or lose patience with us, or ever stop loving us. He never promised that because we believed in Him that we will never go through trials or suffering. John 16:33 says, "I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” Christ states very clearly that we will have trouble on this earth; we will have trials and we will have sorrow. Rather than turning away from God, this is our time to cling to Him because our peace rests in Him. Our comfort rests in God and until we can accept this and believe this, our miseries will be tenfold.
It is SO important that we not fall into this way of thinking - that God no longer cares for us because we struggle so much in our lives or because we've had a string of unfortunate events. That is EXACTLY what the devil wants us to believe! As soon as he can plant that little seed in our minds, we begin to nourish it by continuing to doubt, continuing to walk further from God, continuing to blame Him for all of our trials, and by doubting God's ability to bring us through the storm. Before we realize it, the devil has both hands firmly around our shoulders and is quickly leading us into a path of darkness and despair.
Some people don't believe in the power of prayer. I do. I believe that God hears every prayer, even the unspoken ones, the ones that are stuck inside our hearts because we don't know what to say out loud. We have to trust that God knows what He's doing. We have to really open our eyes and our hearts and KNOW that God's got this. He knows what we're going to go through before we even go through it, good and bad. Some of our suffering is our own doing, some of it isn't. Regardless, God knows and He's got us covered, but we have to trust and have faith in His love, mercy AND in His timing.
God doesn't hate us. He created us out of love because He *is* love. Some people's love for God may change depending on their circumstances, but God's love is unending and beyond measure and always available when we need it.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Memorial Day
I said a rosary yesterday for my daughter's uncle who suffered a stroke (second one since February - fortunately, this one was less severe but scary nonetheless!). Whenever I hear the word "stroke", I automatically associate it with death. It's just what I have always thought. Maybe I saw it in movies or maybe it was something that only happened to "old people" and in their elderly and weakened state, they just could not pull through. Whatever the reason, I have a hard time wrapping my head around someone that I don't consider elderly having a stroke. If you pray, please say a Hail Mary for this man. He has a wife and children who love and need him dearly.
Today is Memorial Day and on that note, I'd like to say thank you to all who serve our country and that we should always honor the memory of those who have served in the past. This day isn't about parties - it's about remembering those who selfishly gave their lives for our country. It is something a lot of us would never do. So please, take a moment out of your day today no matter what you're doing, just to stop and remember.
Today is Memorial Day and on that note, I'd like to say thank you to all who serve our country and that we should always honor the memory of those who have served in the past. This day isn't about parties - it's about remembering those who selfishly gave their lives for our country. It is something a lot of us would never do. So please, take a moment out of your day today no matter what you're doing, just to stop and remember.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Admonishing Sinners
There are a lot of "hot topics" on various social networking sites these days. The issue I have with certain people is that they try and stand behind the Bible, behind the words of Christ, in order to justify things that are wrong, that Christ has made known that these things are wrong and against God. They selfishly twist the interpretations until it fits their agenda and then they shout at other Christians for "judging". That seems to be a pretty common one right there - judging.
Is anyone familiar with "admonishing the sinner"? It is one of the spiritual works of mercy. It doesn't mean to judge someone just to be ugly to them; it's means to correct them on something that obviously isn't Biblical in nature (even though they're trying to make it out to be) and something that is sinful and against God. Now, for non-Christians who don't adhere to the teachings of Christ (either through the Bible or through Sacred Tradition, this will go right over your heads anyway because it isn't something you believe in. So you're out of the conversation altogether and can take a coffee and go sit in the lounge and watch television. ;) I'm talking to the Christians here.
We often say that we don't judge others. We ALL do it. We may try NOT to, but we all do it at some point, even if it's over something so small that we don't realize we're doing it. But really judging someone and admonishing them so that they can see and correct their mistake or confusion are two different things. We admonish our children when they do something wrong so that they can be corrected and learn. We're not judging them. I believe people really need to wake up and understand the difference because the phrase "stop judging others" seems to float around rather freely!
Christians are called to do the right thing, to live as Christ wants us to live. I fall short of this every day of my life, but it doesn't mean that I'm not trying. If we believe in God and the words of Christ, we are to take these words to heart. If we see someone praising something that is wrong, it's our responsibility to gently correct them (annnnnd this is usually where we erroneously get labeled as being judgmental). If we participate in another's sin with our approval, our praise, our consent, our silence, our defense of the situation or our assistance in supporting the situation, we, too, are committing a sin! This is why we are not to sit idly by and have our silence interpreted as approval!
Something I've noticed is that people are too afraid to stand up for God. They are afraid of ruffling feathers, of making waves, of upsetting friends because their views clash. (I'm sorry, but if your friend is going to toss you aside over opposing views, that's not a friendship anyway.) We live in a society that would rather offend God than offend our friends! Or even worse, strangers! What is wrong with this picture?! Why is it like this?
So next time someone speaks out for their faith and points out that something is wrong, realize that you're not dealing with someone from the Westborough Baptist Church - you're dealing with someone who genuinely cares and is trying to do their part in keeping you close to Christ.
Is anyone familiar with "admonishing the sinner"? It is one of the spiritual works of mercy. It doesn't mean to judge someone just to be ugly to them; it's means to correct them on something that obviously isn't Biblical in nature (even though they're trying to make it out to be) and something that is sinful and against God. Now, for non-Christians who don't adhere to the teachings of Christ (either through the Bible or through Sacred Tradition, this will go right over your heads anyway because it isn't something you believe in. So you're out of the conversation altogether and can take a coffee and go sit in the lounge and watch television. ;) I'm talking to the Christians here.
We often say that we don't judge others. We ALL do it. We may try NOT to, but we all do it at some point, even if it's over something so small that we don't realize we're doing it. But really judging someone and admonishing them so that they can see and correct their mistake or confusion are two different things. We admonish our children when they do something wrong so that they can be corrected and learn. We're not judging them. I believe people really need to wake up and understand the difference because the phrase "stop judging others" seems to float around rather freely!
Christians are called to do the right thing, to live as Christ wants us to live. I fall short of this every day of my life, but it doesn't mean that I'm not trying. If we believe in God and the words of Christ, we are to take these words to heart. If we see someone praising something that is wrong, it's our responsibility to gently correct them (annnnnd this is usually where we erroneously get labeled as being judgmental). If we participate in another's sin with our approval, our praise, our consent, our silence, our defense of the situation or our assistance in supporting the situation, we, too, are committing a sin! This is why we are not to sit idly by and have our silence interpreted as approval!
Something I've noticed is that people are too afraid to stand up for God. They are afraid of ruffling feathers, of making waves, of upsetting friends because their views clash. (I'm sorry, but if your friend is going to toss you aside over opposing views, that's not a friendship anyway.) We live in a society that would rather offend God than offend our friends! Or even worse, strangers! What is wrong with this picture?! Why is it like this?
So next time someone speaks out for their faith and points out that something is wrong, realize that you're not dealing with someone from the Westborough Baptist Church - you're dealing with someone who genuinely cares and is trying to do their part in keeping you close to Christ.
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Thursday, May 30, 2013
Offer Up Your Suffering
Last night was a very painful night for me. My entire body hurt. I mean it hurt right down to the bone, places that shouldn't even hurt at all. I'm not sure what the source of the problems was but it took quite a long time before I could fall into a restless sleep. I awoke this morning in a bit of a fog but at least I woke up. The pain isn't as bad this morning but it's still lingering in the background, reminding me not to take those days of feeling good for granted.
Suffering is nothing new to anyone. Suffering was brought into the world through the sin of our first parents and we have been reaping the repercussions of it ever since. It is so important that even through our own suffering, we remain compassinate to the suffering of others. I know from my own personal experience that sometimes this isn't easy. It's hard to step outside of our little bubble and realize that other people's pain (be it physical or emotional) is just as valid as our own. It really gets to me when I hear people who are in pain say, "I shouldn't complain because I know there are others out there who have it way worse". I guess if you really want to get down to it, none of us should complain -- we were all given another day to live, another chance, when so many didn't wake up this morning. Yes, there are others who have it worse. That doesn't invalidate your own sense of suffering!
Compassion. It is a word many know but few know how to utilize. Perhaps we don't realize how we come across to others when we're so blinded by our own sufferings. We often want to believe that our suffering is more debilitating than anyone else's who may possibly know us. In doing this, we form our opinion of others' suffering and lose that ability to really have heartfelt compassion for what the other person is going through. This is the beginning of a "me, me, me" situation that can quickly spiral out of control and isolate ourselves from those who genuinely care about us.
Catholics don't believe that we suffer in vain. We believe in "offering it up" for a specific intention. We could offer up our suffering for the holy souls in purgatory, or for our wayward brother, or for anything that will bring us or others closer to God. I'll admit that sometimes I forget to "offer it up" because my head is so wrapped around my own issues (ah, the perks of being human!).
So next time you are in bed with the flu or have that pounding migraine, say a prayer and offer it up for someone you love!
Lord Jesus, I unite myself to Your perpetual, unceasing, universal Sacrifice. I offer myself to You every day of my life and every moment of every day, according to Your most holy and adorable Will. Since You have been the Victim of my salvation, I wish to be the victim of Your love. Accept my desire, take my offering, and graciously hear my prayer. Let me live for love of You; let me die for love of You; let my last heartbeat be an act of perfect love.
~ St. Therese
Suffering is nothing new to anyone. Suffering was brought into the world through the sin of our first parents and we have been reaping the repercussions of it ever since. It is so important that even through our own suffering, we remain compassinate to the suffering of others. I know from my own personal experience that sometimes this isn't easy. It's hard to step outside of our little bubble and realize that other people's pain (be it physical or emotional) is just as valid as our own. It really gets to me when I hear people who are in pain say, "I shouldn't complain because I know there are others out there who have it way worse". I guess if you really want to get down to it, none of us should complain -- we were all given another day to live, another chance, when so many didn't wake up this morning. Yes, there are others who have it worse. That doesn't invalidate your own sense of suffering!
Compassion. It is a word many know but few know how to utilize. Perhaps we don't realize how we come across to others when we're so blinded by our own sufferings. We often want to believe that our suffering is more debilitating than anyone else's who may possibly know us. In doing this, we form our opinion of others' suffering and lose that ability to really have heartfelt compassion for what the other person is going through. This is the beginning of a "me, me, me" situation that can quickly spiral out of control and isolate ourselves from those who genuinely care about us.
Catholics don't believe that we suffer in vain. We believe in "offering it up" for a specific intention. We could offer up our suffering for the holy souls in purgatory, or for our wayward brother, or for anything that will bring us or others closer to God. I'll admit that sometimes I forget to "offer it up" because my head is so wrapped around my own issues (ah, the perks of being human!).
So next time you are in bed with the flu or have that pounding migraine, say a prayer and offer it up for someone you love!
Lord Jesus, I unite myself to Your perpetual, unceasing, universal Sacrifice. I offer myself to You every day of my life and every moment of every day, according to Your most holy and adorable Will. Since You have been the Victim of my salvation, I wish to be the victim of Your love. Accept my desire, take my offering, and graciously hear my prayer. Let me live for love of You; let me die for love of You; let my last heartbeat be an act of perfect love.
~ St. Therese
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
God Doesn't Hate Us
In the past few days I have had two people claim that God hated them. I understand why they said it -- they were both struggling, both with different situations, but struggling nonetheless. They'd lost their footing and felt that God had turned His back on them in their times of need. So I could understand that in their frustration and anger, they would say those things. This doesn't mean that it didn't sting my heart to hear people who once claimed to love God say those things.
Where is God when it seems like everything in our lives is turned upside down? Where is God when it seems that not a soul in the world is there for us? Where is God when it feels like we're going through the motions every day but not really living anymore?
The answer is that God is still with us. He doesn't leave us, nor does He turn away from us. In fact, it's often the other way around. We expect God to work miracles every time something goes wrong in our lives, and when it doesn't happen that way, people begin to step away from Him or question His existence altogether. We live in a society with ways of communicating and doing things instantly, so we expect the same from God. We want quick fixes so that we don't have to suffer.
I have dealt with many trials in my lifetime and there have been times I've had to just sit down, cry my eyes out and try to figure out what in the world I was going to do. I have lost count of how many nights I've cried myself to sleep over this or that, or wasted precious moments worrying about how this or that would turn out, how we'd make it through -- but we always made it through. Often times, God's blessings were greater than anything I'd prayed for. It didn't always happen right when I wanted it to, but it always happened and it always fell into place perfectly.
God doesn't turn His back on us, or lose patience with us, or ever stop loving us. He never promised that because we believed in Him that we will never go through trials or suffering. John 16:33 says, "I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” Christ states very clearly that we will have trouble on this earth; we will have trials and we will have sorrow. Rather than turning away from God, this is our time to cling to Him because our peace rests in Him. Our comfort rests in God and until we can accept this and believe this, our miseries will be tenfold.
It is SO important that we not fall into this way of thinking - that God no longer cares for us because we struggle so much in our lives or because we've had a string of unfortunate events. That is EXACTLY what the devil wants us to believe! As soon as he can plant that little seed in our minds, we begin to nourish it by continuing to doubt, continuing to walk further from God, continuing to blame Him for all of our trials, and by doubting God's ability to bring us through the storm. Before we realize it, the devil has both hands firmly around our shoulders and is quickly leading us into a path of darkness and despair.
Some people don't believe in the power of prayer. I do. I believe that God hears every prayer, even the unspoken ones, the ones that are stuck inside our hearts because we don't know what to say out loud. We have to trust that God knows what He's doing. We have to really open our eyes and our hearts and KNOW that God's got this. He knows what we're going to go through before we even go through it, good and bad. Some of our suffering is our own doing, some of it isn't. Regardless, God knows and He's got us covered, but we have to trust and have faith in His love, mercy AND in His timing.
God doesn't hate us. He created us out of love because He *is* love. Some people's love for God may change depending on their circumstances, but God's love is unending and beyond measure and always available when we need it.
Where is God when it seems like everything in our lives is turned upside down? Where is God when it seems that not a soul in the world is there for us? Where is God when it feels like we're going through the motions every day but not really living anymore?
The answer is that God is still with us. He doesn't leave us, nor does He turn away from us. In fact, it's often the other way around. We expect God to work miracles every time something goes wrong in our lives, and when it doesn't happen that way, people begin to step away from Him or question His existence altogether. We live in a society with ways of communicating and doing things instantly, so we expect the same from God. We want quick fixes so that we don't have to suffer.
I have dealt with many trials in my lifetime and there have been times I've had to just sit down, cry my eyes out and try to figure out what in the world I was going to do. I have lost count of how many nights I've cried myself to sleep over this or that, or wasted precious moments worrying about how this or that would turn out, how we'd make it through -- but we always made it through. Often times, God's blessings were greater than anything I'd prayed for. It didn't always happen right when I wanted it to, but it always happened and it always fell into place perfectly.
God doesn't turn His back on us, or lose patience with us, or ever stop loving us. He never promised that because we believed in Him that we will never go through trials or suffering. John 16:33 says, "I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” Christ states very clearly that we will have trouble on this earth; we will have trials and we will have sorrow. Rather than turning away from God, this is our time to cling to Him because our peace rests in Him. Our comfort rests in God and until we can accept this and believe this, our miseries will be tenfold.
It is SO important that we not fall into this way of thinking - that God no longer cares for us because we struggle so much in our lives or because we've had a string of unfortunate events. That is EXACTLY what the devil wants us to believe! As soon as he can plant that little seed in our minds, we begin to nourish it by continuing to doubt, continuing to walk further from God, continuing to blame Him for all of our trials, and by doubting God's ability to bring us through the storm. Before we realize it, the devil has both hands firmly around our shoulders and is quickly leading us into a path of darkness and despair.
Some people don't believe in the power of prayer. I do. I believe that God hears every prayer, even the unspoken ones, the ones that are stuck inside our hearts because we don't know what to say out loud. We have to trust that God knows what He's doing. We have to really open our eyes and our hearts and KNOW that God's got this. He knows what we're going to go through before we even go through it, good and bad. Some of our suffering is our own doing, some of it isn't. Regardless, God knows and He's got us covered, but we have to trust and have faith in His love, mercy AND in His timing.
God doesn't hate us. He created us out of love because He *is* love. Some people's love for God may change depending on their circumstances, but God's love is unending and beyond measure and always available when we need it.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Memorial Day
I said a rosary yesterday for my daughter's uncle who suffered a stroke (second one since February - fortunately, this one was less severe but scary nonetheless!). Whenever I hear the word "stroke", I automatically associate it with death. It's just what I have always thought. Maybe I saw it in movies or maybe it was something that only happened to "old people" and in their elderly and weakened state, they just could not pull through. Whatever the reason, I have a hard time wrapping my head around someone that I don't consider elderly having a stroke. If you pray, please say a Hail Mary for this man. He has a wife and children who love and need him dearly.
Today is Memorial Day and on that note, I'd like to say thank you to all who serve our country and that we should always honor the memory of those who have served in the past. This day isn't about parties - it's about remembering those who selfishly gave their lives for our country. It is something a lot of us would never do. So please, take a moment out of your day today no matter what you're doing, just to stop and remember.
Today is Memorial Day and on that note, I'd like to say thank you to all who serve our country and that we should always honor the memory of those who have served in the past. This day isn't about parties - it's about remembering those who selfishly gave their lives for our country. It is something a lot of us would never do. So please, take a moment out of your day today no matter what you're doing, just to stop and remember.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Admonishing Sinners
There are a lot of "hot topics" on various social networking sites these days. The issue I have with certain people is that they try and stand behind the Bible, behind the words of Christ, in order to justify things that are wrong, that Christ has made known that these things are wrong and against God. They selfishly twist the interpretations until it fits their agenda and then they shout at other Christians for "judging". That seems to be a pretty common one right there - judging.
Is anyone familiar with "admonishing the sinner"? It is one of the spiritual works of mercy. It doesn't mean to judge someone just to be ugly to them; it's means to correct them on something that obviously isn't Biblical in nature (even though they're trying to make it out to be) and something that is sinful and against God. Now, for non-Christians who don't adhere to the teachings of Christ (either through the Bible or through Sacred Tradition, this will go right over your heads anyway because it isn't something you believe in. So you're out of the conversation altogether and can take a coffee and go sit in the lounge and watch television. ;) I'm talking to the Christians here.
We often say that we don't judge others. We ALL do it. We may try NOT to, but we all do it at some point, even if it's over something so small that we don't realize we're doing it. But really judging someone and admonishing them so that they can see and correct their mistake or confusion are two different things. We admonish our children when they do something wrong so that they can be corrected and learn. We're not judging them. I believe people really need to wake up and understand the difference because the phrase "stop judging others" seems to float around rather freely!
Christians are called to do the right thing, to live as Christ wants us to live. I fall short of this every day of my life, but it doesn't mean that I'm not trying. If we believe in God and the words of Christ, we are to take these words to heart. If we see someone praising something that is wrong, it's our responsibility to gently correct them (annnnnd this is usually where we erroneously get labeled as being judgmental). If we participate in another's sin with our approval, our praise, our consent, our silence, our defense of the situation or our assistance in supporting the situation, we, too, are committing a sin! This is why we are not to sit idly by and have our silence interpreted as approval!
Something I've noticed is that people are too afraid to stand up for God. They are afraid of ruffling feathers, of making waves, of upsetting friends because their views clash. (I'm sorry, but if your friend is going to toss you aside over opposing views, that's not a friendship anyway.) We live in a society that would rather offend God than offend our friends! Or even worse, strangers! What is wrong with this picture?! Why is it like this?
So next time someone speaks out for their faith and points out that something is wrong, realize that you're not dealing with someone from the Westborough Baptist Church - you're dealing with someone who genuinely cares and is trying to do their part in keeping you close to Christ.
Is anyone familiar with "admonishing the sinner"? It is one of the spiritual works of mercy. It doesn't mean to judge someone just to be ugly to them; it's means to correct them on something that obviously isn't Biblical in nature (even though they're trying to make it out to be) and something that is sinful and against God. Now, for non-Christians who don't adhere to the teachings of Christ (either through the Bible or through Sacred Tradition, this will go right over your heads anyway because it isn't something you believe in. So you're out of the conversation altogether and can take a coffee and go sit in the lounge and watch television. ;) I'm talking to the Christians here.
We often say that we don't judge others. We ALL do it. We may try NOT to, but we all do it at some point, even if it's over something so small that we don't realize we're doing it. But really judging someone and admonishing them so that they can see and correct their mistake or confusion are two different things. We admonish our children when they do something wrong so that they can be corrected and learn. We're not judging them. I believe people really need to wake up and understand the difference because the phrase "stop judging others" seems to float around rather freely!
Christians are called to do the right thing, to live as Christ wants us to live. I fall short of this every day of my life, but it doesn't mean that I'm not trying. If we believe in God and the words of Christ, we are to take these words to heart. If we see someone praising something that is wrong, it's our responsibility to gently correct them (annnnnd this is usually where we erroneously get labeled as being judgmental). If we participate in another's sin with our approval, our praise, our consent, our silence, our defense of the situation or our assistance in supporting the situation, we, too, are committing a sin! This is why we are not to sit idly by and have our silence interpreted as approval!
Something I've noticed is that people are too afraid to stand up for God. They are afraid of ruffling feathers, of making waves, of upsetting friends because their views clash. (I'm sorry, but if your friend is going to toss you aside over opposing views, that's not a friendship anyway.) We live in a society that would rather offend God than offend our friends! Or even worse, strangers! What is wrong with this picture?! Why is it like this?
So next time someone speaks out for their faith and points out that something is wrong, realize that you're not dealing with someone from the Westborough Baptist Church - you're dealing with someone who genuinely cares and is trying to do their part in keeping you close to Christ.
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