matthew 5.4

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

So today's sermon was "Introduction" number four to a series on the Beatitudes/Kingdom of Heaven, and we still didn't hear anything original or new. That is neither here nor there, just know that I will have my MDiv one day. *dry chuckle* I spent the time getting tickled along with Alexa and Jacob, and critiquing the theology ... yeah, bad habit I've gotten into. Er, that'd be the critique is a bad habit, first time I've gotten to sit with 'Lexa in eons, hehe.

Anyway, so one of the points my pastor and I differ on was Matthew 5:4, shown above. He was presenting mourning as a dire punishment of sorts, basically in a very negative context; as well as saying that only those who are 'mourning for/because of God' [or something to that effect, he started using a lot more quotations at this point] will be comforted, and in being so comforted will see the Kingdom of God. As if you can't be comforted or see God unless you mourn. Ahm ... I realize I'm "just a girl" and shouldn't be having independent thoughts on anything, let alone something *gasp* theological/Biblical/religious, but what about this reading of it ...

Those who mourn, will be comforted.
To be able to mourn means you have a heart capable of feeling - both joy and pain. The purest and truest emotions are those stemming from close, intimate contact with God the Father. Therefore, those who are able to mourn are close to God, and therefore are able to be comforted - not only in their mourning but their joy as well - while those who are apart from God might feel something, but not be within reach of comfort.

I don't know, maybe I'm the only one reading it this way ... but it makes sense to me, and seems to be a far more practical application. God doesn't want us to be in pain/mourning/to suffer necessarily, although He will use that to make us grow ... He longs to comfort us, all of us, we just have to be close enough to let Him.

Anyway ... Just thought I'd share. Love! *hugs*

Blessings for Your New Year

the following was given out to us in church this morning on a hand out and it blessed me so that I just wanted to share it with ya'll. :) I pray it touches your heart too.

(adapted from the Bible) by Dianne Bundt

Purpose: As you complete your daily tasks, may you understand how they contribute to the larger purpose of your life. May you experience deep satisfaction as you discover and carry out you unique role. (Psalms 25:12, 139:16; Jeremiah 29:11)

Fulfilling work: May you take pleasure in all you work. May every task you undertake succeed, and may you enjoy the good things you labor supplies. (Ecclesiastes 2:24; Psalm 128:2)

Physical health: May you and those you love remain strong in body and free from disease. May those who suffer from injury or illness recover quickly and completely. (3 John 1:2; Deuteronomy 7:15; Psalm 41:3)

Peace of mind: May your mind and heart always be at rest. May gratitude and peace replace every anxious, fearful thought. (2 Thessalonians 3:16; Philippians 4:6)

Good relationships: May you be surrounded by loving, faithful and supportive friends. Where relationships have been broken, may you find reconciliation and forgiveness. (Proverbs 17:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Matthew 5:23-24)

Sufficient resources: May you have exactly what you need for each day. May you become rich in every way so that you can share generously with others. (Proverbs 30:8-9; Luke 11:3; 2 Corinthians 9:11)

Contentment: May you take pleasure in all the good things you have and discover the secret of being content in any and every situation. (Ecclesiastes 5:19; 1 Timothy 6:7-8; Philippians4:12)

Laughter: May you laugh long and often. May each day be filled with gladness so that even your sorrows turn into joy. (Proverbs 17:22; Ecclesiastes9:7; Jeremiah 31:13)

Breathing room: In the rush of life, may you always find the time and space for the people and activities that refresh your soul. May what seems most urgent never distract you from what is most important. (Luke 10:40-42)

Great ideas: May you receive fresh insight to meet the challenges of each day and discover creative solutions to your problems. (1 Kings4:29; Proverbs 2:6; Daniel 5:12)

New opportunities: May yo constantly be presented with new and profitable ventures. May you have foresight to recognize and take adavantage of each opportunity. (Eccelsiastes 11:1-6; Ephesians 5:16)

Good decisions: May you have wisdom to determine the best course of action in every situation. May you receive sound advice from those you ask for counsel. (Ecclesiastes 8:5-6; Proverbs 15:22)

Safety: May you and those you love be kept from violence, calamity, and loss. May those who seek to hurt you physically, mentally, or emotionally fail so that you may live securely, without fear of harm. (Psalm 12:5,7; Job11:18; Proverbs 1:33)