on grace and truth

I realized something in the past few weeks on listening to sermons. I realized that I am not ok with pastors being arrogant about upholding traditions or rules that are not biblical (God glorifying). It actually really makes me mad. Why is that you ask? I think that it has the potential for that individual and their followers to become self-righteous and cult-like.

What I realized I am ok with? Is pastors who are not afraid to be arrogant towards me in communicating God's truth. Part of me finds it refreshing? Weird I know! Or maybe that is my initial reaction to those who won't speak a word of God's truth!

But I know that what I should be swaying towards is one that upholds God's word, but communicates it in love.

I think that Proverbs 11:1 is more than relevant:
"A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight"

There is None like Him

The other night my friend shared with me this beautiful story that gave me a better understanding of how God's love and discipline can be at work at the same time:

There once was a little girl (let's call her Sophie) and her dad (named Charles). Sophie had just finished watching an episode of Dora the explorer and was ready for another one. However Sophie's dad knew that if Sophie didn't get enough sleep she would be cranky the next day. So he told her:
"Sophie, it's time for bed"
Sophie, however didn't want to sleep. She wanted to stay up and watch Dora. So she started to cry. She was very upset.
Sophie's dad saw that Sophie was upset,
so he
picked her up,
held her and
cried with her.
After, he cried with Sophie, he told her that she still needed to go to bed and there would be lots of Dora waiting for her in the morning.

I definitely cried when my friend told me this story. What a beautiful illustration of the love of God and how He mourns with those who mourn and yet still does His will with us because He knows what is best for us.

I am so thankful that we have a God who mourns with us and at the same time disciplines us. What other God can do that? I am so thankful He is a God who mourns and doesn't tell us to just "tough it up and deal". I am so thankful that we can cry out to Him whenever. I am so thankful we are free from condemnation in Christ Jesus. I am so thankful that my God is not an angry God, demanding works from us before we approach His throne. I am so thankful that we can approach His throne of grace, just as we are, knowing He will welcome us home with open arms, just as the father did with the prodigal son.

a new hobby

So I just started teaching myself html on a great site a friend shared with me so that I can make my blog more unique and I must say, it's so rewarding! I started with the basics and am now learning about background colours and fonts...oh so exciting! One day, my blog will be unique to my style, big smiles :)