Reformation and All Saints

The leaves are falling and children are picking out costumes for halloween. Reformation Day and all Saints must be close. Reformation Day is taking on a different significance for me lately. A lot of people put their lives on the line for the reformations Luther put forth. Important issues were at stake. They still are. Many people are not willing to take a stand on these either to keep peace or don't want the fight. I agree that some things are not worth fighting over but there issues that are. There have been Christian saints dying for the faith since the beginning. Until Christ comes back, we are still in the church militant and need to defend our position and our faith. I am not saying we need to be antagonistic but we do not need to be door mats either. Here I stand, I can do no other.


Picture above is the statue of Martin Luther At Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne.

Suffering

I think the hardest question about Christianity is why is there suffering. If God is all loving and all powerful, why does he allow suffering? To say it is due to sinful fallen man is true but inadequate. Not all suffering is punishment although alot of it is. Some of it is to teach. some of it it is beyond my reason or any reason that anyone can see. Life would be alot easier if we new knew why everything happened. It's hard to see that God will take care of everything when all you see is your pain and fear. God is there. I believe that absolutely. I don't always feel that with my heart.

Devotion Tips

1) Be consistent- This will work best if it becomes a habit. Having it at the smae time everyday will help make it so.

2) Be flexible. This sounds like it goes against the first but let's face it. Life interferes. You don't have to be perfect. There will be times you will eithere be behind, work ahead or just have to skip that days devotions. Accept it but continue the study the next time.

3) About 20 chapters a week will get you through the bible in a year. You don't have to do this or at least not necessaruily the bible in a year. IT IS A GOOD THING TO TRY TO GO THROUGH THE BIBLE AT YOUR OWN PACE.

4) gO AT YOUR OWN PACE. It is better to do 5 minutes a day consistant than try to do 30 minutes or an hour and give up.

5) Don't be afarid to not understand everything. There are places where the bible is clear and plenty of paces where it is challenging to say the least. Use bible aids or ask your pastor when you got a tough nut to crack.

In the Beginning

I have been blogging for a while and have been hesitant about mixing some topics together, Not that I am worried about criticism but because I thought the topics would not go together well. It felt like I was trying to eat a steak with a single bite. I will attept to relay my Christian walk in this blog. Hopefull it will be full of tips and hopes and struggles. I will try to deal with doctirnal issues as well as the daily struggles of the Christian walk.