Soap Opera's in the Church, Nah...

We didn't have tv growing up so when I visited my Aunt and she watched soap opera's I was like ok this is quite possibly the coolest thing ever...the love the emotion the excitement the anger the arguments...it opened a whole new world...other people feel this stuff too...and I guess people agreed with me because even today these soap opera's continue to play...worse yet...even Disney Channel has realized the effects and all of the shows for kids include such drama...we are surrounded by it.  
I've been praying God...even though it feels good to know other people have these feelings...aren't our feelings supposed to be under our control...Lord GIVE ME SELF CONTROL...it's a gift...I shouldn't act on pure feelings...as I prayed I opened my bible and guess what I opened to...Matthew 18.  The heading read "A brother who sins against you" and something hit me like a ton of bricks.  The scripture Matthew 18:19 that says "Where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them" is UNDER the heading about when a brother SINS against you.  Now I have heard this scripture over and over again and would have never remembered or even noticed that it's in relation to when you are wronged.  I always remember this scripture when I'm in prayer for God to answer a HUGE need, praying for someone's health, finances, etc.  And believe me I am not saying that when two or three are gathered under ANY circumstances that God is there but did you ever notice it's under this heading.

We try so hard to pretend in the church that we all get along and we are a happy working body of Christ.  Reality is...we all are sinners...and we sin against each other.  Sometimes in a small way...sometimes in a bad way. The only way our sin doesn't capture us and lead us into crazy wild Days of our Life soap opera queens is God's grace.

 Let's look at what a "sin" is...Mirriam Webster defines sin as a wrongdoing or offfense against religious law.  What are the religious laws we live by in Christ...well let's face it we all know them...when we have been offended or sinned against by another's action Matthew 18 says we should 
In this order
1.  Matthew 18:15 show him his fault just between the two of you
2.  Matthew 18:16 if he doesn't listen take a few others
3.  Matthew 18:17 tell it to the church
4.  Matthew 18:17 if he doesn't listen treat him as you would a pagan or tax collector...

How are we to treat a pagan or tax collector...LOVE...pay them what they're due...and LOVE
hmm...this is so tremendously hard for me.
But back to what I was saying...this scripture shows up in the midst of Matthew 18...where two or three are gathered.

Matthew 18:18 Jesus said I tell you the truth...whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven...WHAT ARE WE BINDING by HOLDING ONTO THINGS against our BROTHERS AND SISTERS...think about that! 
Maybe it's just me...but it has me seriously searching my heart...what am I binding
Then Matthew 18 goes on to say if two of you agree and ask for it...it will be done...and where two or three are gathered there I am with them...where Jesus is there is PEACE, LOVE...no darkness can reside there...Gather together in his name...put aside how the world would react, how the soap opera's would handle it...or teenage drama's...how would Jesus handle this small offense that someone said something or hurt my feeling or owes me money, etc. and INSTEAD let's come together in his name.  Let's leave As the world turns to where it's name is IN THE WORLD and keep Christ in the center of our relationships.
It's very possible I'm the only one this is hitting so heavy...and if so AWESOME I'm excited that this revelation will be documented ready for me to read the next time I take offense or I'm sinned against by my brother...
Love ya guys
Signing Out!
Renee

Why "simple"?

It was in high school when I was first called "simple".  There had been a massive argument between the girls I hung out with and my response was "why don't you guys just stay away from each other for a while".  I never did get the drama.  That drama was a part though of life, of normal teenage interaction and my inability to grasp such a concept left me standing alone at times.  When I asked my mom what they meant when they called me "simple" I remember her saying that it was the term people used when she was going to school for someone with a disability...they were simple minded.  

Today I'm rarely called "simple" instead I'm called "blunt".  I'm starting to take it as a compliment in this very complicated crazy world full of drama and words and no quiet dead air.  Why do we feel the need to fill the silence?  Why do we complicate with social drama?  My thoughts have been I want a simple mind, a kind heart and a life that shows I'm following Jesus...so that's what I decided to start.  A blog of the moments that God speaks to me through parenting, experiences, life in general and most importantly his word.  This blog isn't necessarily a place to share with people but more a place to reflect for myself to see where my thoughts have come from and gain a better understanding of God's simple heart for us.