Find your inner woman 16: The Golfer

Sooooo, last Sunday I tried something I thought I would NEVER get around too. Actually, it wasn't even like on the bucket list. Actually, I've always looked down on it and never EVER even considered trying it...that's right, I went golfing.

So let me explain. My church here in Jackson, Community Bible Church has this tradition of doing a golf scramble in the summer and so this year I was like, why not!? It was a new experience to try, something fun to do on a Sunday afternoon and a great time to hang out with friends, so I went. After about an hour of driving we arrived in beautiful Star Valley, made our way up to the course and then got into our teams and sat in the golf carts waiting for our turn to head out.

yay for golf carts - one of the best parts of the day!!

So...the very first "drive"...was rather terrifying. I mean, not really, but I had NO IDEA what I was doing! Kaitlyn and I were with Kerri who actually knew how to golf so she gave us some pointers but really, you kind of just have to figure it out for yourself. Basically, my first drive was an epic fail...but at least I hit the ball on the first try (I'm told that doesn't always happen for beginners)!

Moving on down the course we slowly got better and better and I started to get the hang of it. Funnily, I ended up being better at driving than just putting the ball. Kaitlyn was our star putter. I learned all about the different clubs and how to direct your hit and such. It was rather entertaining. Of course we laughed our heads off the whole time, had a blast encouraging/teasing each other and just doing our best.

it didn't go in - in case you were wondering :)

Kaitlyn and I, geniuses that we are, forgot to bring water so we were pretty much fading away with thirst in the blazing hot sun. Kerri gave us half a bottle of lukewarm water which we rationed to keep ourselves alive... okay it wasn't that bad.

When we all finished (like four hours later!!) we headed to the Pratt's house (they live really close to the course) and had a BBQ and ate WAY too many Oreos. Our team came in dead last...pretty hilarious but we didn't even care because it was such a blast. Now the group is planning a midnight golf scramble with glow in the dark balls and stuff!! I might just have to try it because it would be just too impossible!

Anyways, I've decided that golf is not a terrible sport and it must take a LOT of skill and practice! Seriously, I have a much deeper appreciation for golfers now. Still, it's not really a sport for me. I mean, maybe just for a fun afternoon every once in awhile but nope, I'm not gonna make it a hobby. Still I'm glad for the opportunity to try it. Now at least I know and can fairly give my opinion (which you all know I love to do!).

Also check out the photos page for some pictures of my latest hobby (unfortunately not going to so well).

Reflections: the Bride, the Groom, the Purpose

You're my beloved
Lover I'm yours
Death shall not part us
It's you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we'll be
Our Love it unites us
And it binds you to me
It's a mystery 

(Beloved, Tenth Avenue North)

I recently attended my cousin's wedding, actually I was given the honour of standing up with her as a bridesmaid on that perfectly beautiful day. As I marveled at God's blessing in given us such amazing weather, reveling in the warmth of the sun on my face and shoulders after so many days of clouds and rain; 

as I looked out at all the smiling audience gathered to celebrate the uniting of two people; as I glanced over at the nervous groom awaiting his bride; as I joined everyone in turning to see our first glimpse of my stunning cousin walk down the staircase, eyes following her slowly up the aisle, her face fairly glowing with joy; as I listened to the teaching from Scripture, the vows of promise, the declaration of a new couple become one...I was impressed with the truths of God symbolized in the marriage of a man and woman. 

Though these things were not spoken of explicitly, after learning the depth of meaning there is in marriage at JHBC, I could think of little else. God has blessed me with a great memory and a joy of learning which allowed me to really soak up Pastor Don's message on marriage back in September. This being my first wedding since then, it all came rushing back and I was struck again at the wonder of God's plan. Back in Genesis 1 when God created man, it was in His image - both male and female. I find it fascinating how this image of God is not complete without BOTH man and woman. A man has certain characteristics of God (protection, leadership, wisdom, guidance etc.) and a woman has certain characteristics (nurturing, compassion, mercy etc.) and only together do they portray the complete image of God. Both are equal, both are valuable and because the woman came from a man, they have the potential to be united. It is interesting to note that the woman was obviously in the plan since God didn't have to remake Adam when He created Eve. Eve was created for Adam, God gave her to Adam, just as the father gives away the bride today in our wedding ceremonies. 

The roles of husband and wife in marriage are also so amazing to think about because of the truths they display to the world about Jesus and the church. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, not all men, but to their own husbands (Eph. 5: 22) as they submit to Christ. As a symbol of the church, which is in submission to Christ, "wives ought to be to their husbands in everything" (Eph. 5:24). And husbands, in turn, as a picture of Christ are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. It is a such a beautiful picture, the husband, the head of the marriage, but giving up everything for his wife as Christ gave up Himself for the church; and the wife, willingly and joyfully living in submission to her husband (so long as this submission matches submission to Christ). 

Now, I'm not married so I don't really know what that kind of relationship is like, but I am a child of God, part of His church and in submission to Christ. I have been blessed to receive His love for me, His life for mine and am learning each day to subject myself to Him.  I praise God for giving us the picture of marriage, for blessing me with so many wonderful married couples as examples in my life and for being my Beloved, my Saviour, and the One who sanctifies me. 

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless. 

            Ephesians 5:25-27

And so as the wedding went on, this is what was in my mind and I was blessed by these reflections on how God has purpose and meaning for everything, every aspect of our lives. I was also a little saddened because, as we all know, for the most part, these beautiful truths are not displayed or lived out in our world today. Women do not like to be submissive to anybody and men are often not an example of any kind of love, nevermind a self-sacrificing Christ-like love. Marriage has been attacked so much and perverted into something that it is not. It is easy to be cynical about it, but God created marriage and it is a beautiful thing when lived out the way He planned it.

He said, she said, they said...whatever

The age of the earth - a hotly debated subject, perhaps so much so that the main issue has been overlooked and forgotten. Did you know that many Christians believe the earth is millions of years old?It is no wonder since the church has neglected to speak about this issue, leaving indoctrination open to the secular world of educators. Even many Christian institutions teach millions of years and even evolution. They do not understand (or perhaps they do) that this directly contradicts Scripture. What do you believe? Have you ever thought about the issue? Do you realize the significance of your view of the origin of the planet?

The secular world of uniformitarian thinkers has so influenced Christians and the church today that most don't even think about the conflicts of Scripture. But as Answers in Genesis and Ken Ham so strongly emphasize, the Bible is clear as to the age of the earth and creation not evolution was the process by which everything came into being. A literal reading of Genesis describes creation in six, 24-hour days, not separated or stretched out by millions of years. Further, the account of the Biblical flood is clearly global and destroyed the planet, reforming into what we see today. By reinterpreting these accounts to mean something different, we are undermining the authority, inerrancy and infallibility of God's word. Doing this to the first book of the inspired work of God destroys the rest of His words as well including those of the hope of salvation.

Without a literal Adam, created perfect, and the original sin, bringing with it the effects of death, suffering and degradation of the universe, the redemptive story of the rest of Scripture doesn't make sense. By incorporating millions of years of death and decay into the Bible, we are redefining God and rejecting His very words. What are you believing? You can't ignore this issue. You must take a stand. Will you believe the fallible ideas of man simply because the majority says it is "science"? Or will you believe the perfect word of the God who created it all, was there from before time and will one day provide all the answers? Don't try to make excuses. There are only two starting points: God's word or man's word. Which will you choose?

The Worth of the Word

Opening my Bible is a whole new experience after last week. Every time I casually flip through the pages, I am suddenly struck with the fact that I have God's WORD in my hands - in my own language - in multiple versions and translations, whatever colour I want, with notes, without notes - goodness, you can even choose who WRITES the notes! And yet, my fellow Christians did not have this, some still do not. I know it is a common topic and realization for Christians to come to - this love and appreciation of Scripture, but I wonder if it really truly sticks. I mean, perhaps it is so commonly talked about because it happens so often in each of our lives. I mean, I know I have had this realization before, why am I having it again? It must be that I have again fallen into a complacency; taking my Bible for granted. I pray that now that I have names, faces, and a time line of the events which have blessed me with the unfathomable blessing of reading God's word, I will never play down it's value.

I think of Jerome and his work on the Vulgate. How appalled he would be at what became of his efforts to give man the word! That the church would raise this Latin translation to such a high elevation that all others were banned is frightening. Yet it shows how prized the Scriptures were - how holy they were considered. Unfortunately we must remember not to worship the words themselves but the God behind the words - the voice, the power.

Then there is Wycliffe, one of my personal heroes. He was a scholar, a teacher and a writer. He never backed down from preaching and writing the truth. He wasn't afraid of confrontation because he had discovered God's word. His life is a perfect example of the effects of God's word, truth in man's lives. He lost all fear of man and lived only to serve God. I am amazed at his efforts and success to translate the Bible and get it out to people - all without a printing press! Would that I had such zeal and perseverance!

Then we have Martin Luther, that great and unforgettable name. Living "sola scriptura". Defining his faith in his 95 Theses and passionately defending his case. I can identify with his ache for the truth to be heard, that change come to the Church. I see issues, stagnancy in our churches today and I feel his God-given passion to instigate change.

William Tyndale lived the life of an outlaw, giving up every comfort and safety, all in an effort to get the Bible in English to the people of England. He also was not afraid to speak the truth even to kings! By his efforts the common people of England received God's word. They treasured every verse - giving loads of hay to simply borrow the Bible for a day. I cannot fathom that kind of love for the Word but I wish that I had it! Tyndale's life also encourages me that God has a plan for my life and that He can make it happen no matter the circumstances that I think are in the way. If it is His will, nothing can stop Him!

Finally, I must speak of groups like the Puritans and Anabaptists. They took everything back to the Bible. They lived the Word to the best of their ability. Today I think people put the Bible in the section of how to think, treat others...basically how to be a good person but these people - they saw applications for everything in life. The Bible was the handbook for every decision and every action. I am shamed because they probably new more Biblical applications than I do and they could barely get their hands on a Bible or meet to discuss it!

All these people have taught me (among other things) that God's Word is (1) holy, (2) true and defendable, (3) a cause of change, (4) precious, and (5) applicable. It is timeless and in it is the power to change lives. I pray that I never take it for granted and when I do, that I will continually be brought back to this awe and gratefulness. But most of all, that I would know God more fully through His Word, that He would become greater, more holy and more awesome to me with every verse I read.

Filling in the blanks

I feel like I have been lied to and cheated. I feel like I my past has been hidden from me and I have been living a shallow, fake life. The world, our culture today has tried and almost succeeded in stripping me of my history. I feel like I've been living an illegitimate life, betraying my own family!

These weeks of learning about Church History have opened my eyes to reality. Before coming here the extent of my knowledge about Christian history started with the Apostles, moved on to persecuted Christians in Rome and then jumped to me and my family today. Granted, I knew a few facts about the Reformation, Martin Luther etc. I'd heard of Wycliffe and Tyndale and knew about the Puritans and such but wow, now the gap is gone! I have filled in that huge hole I never even knew was there! Granted, there are still a lot of blanks but I don't feel so separate from those who began the faith. Moreover, I feel connected! I feel like I am part of a family - these were real people! My own brothers and sisters struggled and were persecuted, fought for their beliefs and were killed for them. People I am going to meet some day - people I am going to talk to gave me my Bible and paid for it with their lives! It makes me sad that I have never studied them before. I have always loved my family so much and now I feel that I have so many more people to love.

When I began this year, I was struck by the family atmosphere of the place and how all of my peers have become so close and precious to me, well that is how I am beginning to see all my Christian brothers and sisters in history. I think we have all really missed out, not getting to know them. I am angry at the way that my secular public school basically lied to me about history. Everything that happened was because of religious struggles and influences. (And I think today more world events than we realize are effected and influenced by that same thing.) It is unfair that we are not taught the truth. I pray that someday it will change but I think it is an impossible hope. I'm thinking it's really only gonna get worse.

Wait for it...wait for it...

So we started Church History class yesterday...or well, we kinda sorta started. See Pastor Don REALLY likes this subject and well, we didn't even really get into it because right after the first slide he has a million things to say so we didn't get far yesterday. Today was...well, not much better. We learned a LOT about the organization of the church and then got through the rest of the slides of just intro stuff. We finished off with a movie on the Roman Age so hopefully tomorrow we will be right into the actual history. Here's hoping...

It is so exciting just being in this class because Pastor Don is so excited about it. The first day he told us anyone would love this class..."unless you're hard and cold and...agnostic!" That made us all laugh. I love being in a class full of fellow believers. It really does feel like a family! Only true brothers and sisters can laugh at inside jokes, love as much as we do without judging or fear, and enjoy each other's company for such long periods of time. It is truly an awesome thing to be a child of God!

For class we have to read two Christian History magazines and then write a report on our discoveries. Those who know me well will know that I was SUPER excited for this and truly, I enjoyed every second of my reading and writing the paper. What can I say, I'm a nerd, especially a history nerd! So I though I'd share my "discoveries" with you but I warn you...I learned a lot. I would not be at all offended if you didn't want to read all this but if you are interested in "Heresy in the Early Church" please read on. (I felt this would be a bit much for the "Tidbits" section of the blog, but still wanted to share it with those who would find it interesting).

Heresy in the Early Church

My discoveries

The Council of Nicaea (325)

(From “A Hammer Struck at Heresy” By Robert Payne)

I learned a lot about why and how the council was started from this article as well as what it was about. It was around the year 319 that Arius first suggested that “there was a time when the Son was not”. Both Alexander of Alexandria and Athanasius, his chief deacon immediately stepped in to fight the false doctrine. It seems a simple enough heresy, not too dangerous but I never realized that Arianism defines Christ as lower than the Father and places Jesus as only the mediator not God Himself. It drives a wedge into the core Christian belief of monotheism. It's unbelievable how many dominoes topple and new problems arise with the uttering of this one short statement. 

 

Eventually the disagreement got so hot that Emperor Constantine called for the meeting of Bishops known as the Council of Nicaea. I think the resulting chaotic gathering is such a sad depiction of the disunity that existed. (I can imagine it would be much the same today) On one side, Arius chanted his beliefs which he had put to music, making them popular among the people (though to me, it sounds a little spooky).In contrast the orthodox theologians presented their case through calculated arguments. The two contrasting styles gave the impression of men arguing in completely different languages further adding to the chaos. 

 

Thankfully in the end, the orthodox prevailed. Though few realize it, the original Nicene Creed was a lethal weapon aimed at the Arian heresy. Though it lacked poetry and rhythm, it succeeded through blunt doctrine to prove Christ as one, equal to the Father in substance and power. I think that its blunt style is also a great contrast to the Arian habits of flowing, chants.

Charismatics and Montanists: Heresy or the Holy Spirit

(From “Testing the Prophets” By James D. Smith)

I find the similarities between the Montanism of the Early Church and the Pentecostal Charismatics of today fascinating. Montanus movement as called the “New Prophecy. Him and his followers claimed they had Spirit-given truth revealed to them from God. 

 

Though many were taken in by the idea of new oracles from God and the fascinating ecstasy involved in the revelations, many where wary for multiple reasons. Some objected the women raised up in authority, the abnormal ecstasy, the lack of controls, the worldliness, the extra-scriptural revelation and the false prophecies. Yet it was difficult for others to condemn the Montanists because they feared squashing the work of the Spirit. 

 

I recognize some of the same wariness and confusion today in dealing with Charismatics. Many are drawn to them, and others condemn them outright and yet I think the majority of Christians fear to make a clear decision on the matter. It is hard to discern if the movement is truly the Holy Spirit or something else altogether. 

 

Notorious Heretics of the Early Church

(From “Malcontents for Christ” By Stephen M. Miller)

I find the irony in the lives of these men so startling and a little frightening for they went from high standing in the church, respected leaders to excommunication. It is unnerving to think that some of our leaders today could be included in a list for today's church!

Valentinus started out as a papal candidate but ended as a heretic, excommunicated for his gnostic beliefs. He taught that only a select few were given the knowledge (gnosis) for salvation. Using this “knowledge” he reinterpreted the Bible through allegory and symbolism (right there I see red flags all over). The gnostics rejected the physical incarnation, death and resurrection of Christ. These beliefs lasted for the first few centuries, always persecuted by the church fathers, until they eventually faded.

Novatian went from being an obvious choice for pope to being excommunicated for his uncompromising stance that Christians who had renounced Christ during the persecution could never be readmitted into the church (I find it difficult to see justice in this decision because it would be such a hard situation to deal with). Novatian died a martyr in 251 but his church survived for about 400 years until it was wiped out by the Muslim invaders. 

 

Paul of Samosata was a wealthy “luxury-loving bishop” who ended up being deposed at a council in 268. He believed the Jesus was not God but simply as one of the Old Testament prophets. As such, Paul forbade worship to Him as He was not worthy. He believe the Trinity existed in the form of Father, Wisdom and Word (I don't understand why he would still believe in a Trinity at all!). Paulianists/Samosatines eventually joined Arianism in the following century.

Pelagius was a British monk who tried to purge the Roman Christians of their love for possessions. He had some flawed doctrine rejecting predestination and original sin. He taught that man was born without sin and had the freewill to choose his own path. Augustine and Jerome fought against his teachings, understanding the risk posed to the doctrine of grace (I am again and again astounded at the ripple effect of heresy). Pelagius was excommunicated in 417.

Heresy in Art

(From “Heresy in the Early Church” By Tony Lane)

I find it fascinating that due to the mysterious and unexplainable mystery of the Trinity, any drawings, paintings or other artwork trying to depict the three-in-one usually end up expressing some sort of heresy!

This depiction does the opposite in that it shows God as three completely different beings effectively destroying the concept of unity and depicting polytheism.

This depiction of God as one body with three faces is a representation of modalism, denying the distinctions between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

How should we live?

(From “Risky Lifestyles” By Robert A. Krupp)

Heresy in the early church did not just deal with theology and doctrine. Just as today, leaders had to deal with the erroneous daily choices of their congregations as well. One such practice involved monks living with nuns (or spiritual-sisters). The monks thought they could avoid sexual temptation due to their vows but as it turns out, many of the “spiritual-sisters” ended up pregnant and perhaps practised abortion in an attempt to salvage their supposed “virginity”. This seems to me like an obvious problem that should not have been allowed to begin at all. 

 

Another practice came about due to the false doctrine that any sins committed after baptism were unforgivable, exacting a costly penance. This caused many Christians to live their lives without being baptized, waiting until just before death to undergo the process. Though it was steadily criticized, it lasted quite awhile, but it's no wonder. How could the preachers expect their members to live without sinning. The doctrine itself makes no sense!

Further controversy arose over the date on which Easter should be celebrated. Throughout the Empire the date was calculated in different ways so that there were different dates, troubling the bishops greatly. Some where even called heretics for the day the celebrated. It wasn't until the early 800s that a complete agreement was reached. I guess I'm not really able to appreciate this issue as I don't think we have the same reverence for Easter today, though we probably should.

Fighters of Heresy

These men really inspire me and I thank God for each one that stood up for the truth. I never realized that without men like these, we would not have Christianity as it is today. 

 

Athanasius wrote a stirring treatise, “On the Incarnation” developing the doctrine of the deity and humanity of Christ. He stated, “ At one and the same time – this is the wonder – as man, he was living a human life; and as Word, he was sustaining the life of the universe; and as Son, he was in constant union with the Father.” 

 

Jerome condemned Pelagius calling him a “corpulent dog weighed down with porridge”. 

 

Constantine called the council of Nicaea in order to end the Arian controversy. Appalled at the discord in the Church he states, “I entreat you... to remove the causes of dissension among you and to establish peace.” The Nicene creed was essential for defining Christian doctrine. 

 

The Council of Chalcedon effectively shut down many heretical claims about Christ: against Arius – Jesus is God, against Apollinarius – Jesus is man, against Eutyches – Jesus' deity and humanity were not changed into something else, and against Nestorians – Jesus was one person (not divided). They offered no explanation for the “how” but simply affirmed that He is unique and a mystery we will never understand.

Conclusion

Though it seems ironic, I learned that heretics have actually provided a great service to the Church in that the heresies demand a response, forcing Christians to work through doctrine and define true Christian beliefs. Due to heretical ideas, we have a defined Canon, the Nicene Creed, the Chalcedonian Definition of the Faith, a set of principles for godly living and many other accomplishments that have helped the Church to stay strong, united and to grow.

Cakes, Quizzes and Cornpops

Yep, I'm still alive out here. Sorry about the delay in writing but it's been a pretty crazy week. I'll admit, today was super lazy for me and I could've blogged anytime. Don't ask me why I'm doing it now, at 11:30...

After a week of daily quizzes, lots of reading, deep theological stuff and an essay-type book report, today was blessedly quiet and I got a lot of chill time in. I started of the day with a solid meal of Cornpops (Canadian of course, the only way to go) and then Kaitlyn and I made 3 cakes for the cake-walk tomorrow. Oh, I totally forgot, tomorrow, instead of Halloween, the church is putting on a fun fair type thing and so I'm basically gonna be at the church all day helping set up and stuff. I've got to take some pictures of the cakes because we had such a blast. We made them all double-tiered and Kaitlyn broke the first one we made but we tried to stick it back together but it was doomed from the start. We ended up just making the huge crack down the middle and subsequent crumbled explosion out the side just look purposeful and lovingly called the cake "Landslide" as per Kenton's suggestion. The other two turned out really well. We made a carrot cake which Kaitlynn decorated amazingly with this nasty orange frosting and then a chocolate heart-shaped cake which I covered in chocolate shavings. They are pretty beautiful I have to say.

But that's not where all the cake fun ends. After spending like 2 hours making cakes, as you would expect, we were craving cake like CRAZY! Luckily we had rescued a bunch of store-bought ones from certain death in the garbage yesterday so we proceeded to chow-down on not so fabulous chocolate cake. I mean, I don't even know why we ate that much, it really wasn't that good but it was chocolate and we were craving...what else can I say?