Do Not Judge!

Many times during our Sunday service I like to reflect on that morning's message and ponder how it pertains to my life and the decisions I make.

This Sunday, Pastor Scott's sermon was titled "Relationships: Person to Person" and the main message was "Do Not Judge".

You can hear the entire sermon online along with additional past sermons at the following link:
http://www.fpcstanley.org/sermons

After the sermon, I felt compelled to take a few moments and write down a couple of thoughts I had in response to Pastor Scott's message. I apologize if I piggy back on part of his message, but I felt a bit of an impact after hearing it.

In the past few months, I realized how grateful I was for the leading I have felt from both His word and the involvement in the church family. I have definitely seen a change in my response to other's actions and have become more patient and more likely to let things roll off my back that may have gotten me worked up in the past.

I took away from today's sermon the following message:

Recognize the sin you see in others is the same as in yourself, and possibly even on a GREATER scale. Ask others to help point out your own sin. Don't judge but offer grace. As per Pastor Scott - "Soften your heart to God and to others."

If you attended the sermon this morning or listened to it online I would like to pose the following to you - How do YOU judge others? How do you learn to recognize sin in yourself first and how do you help others recognize it in themselves without judgement?

As always, I welcome all comments, questions and discussions; whether you heard the sermon or not. :)

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." - Matthew 7:1-2

PCA vs. USA

Hi Gang,

I know, I know, I have been absent for a very long time. I have no excuse except to say that life has been wonderful and busy. I plan on picking this back up and posting more regularly as I love to get feedback from you all.

Next week I will be working on some more substantial thoughts and questions for us to ponder, but today I would like to ask a question of the "virtual universe" and get some feedback. It's a little outside the normal scope and feel of the past postings but something that I have wondered about.

I have been drawn to the Presbyterian faith, even though I was baptised as a child as a Lutheran. I credit the Lord with leading me along that path and he has placed me within a church family that I have totally fallen in love with, First Presbyterian Church of Stanley. They welcomed me with open arms from DAY 1 and I am so grateful for their guidance, faith and knowledge. Pastor Dan and Pastor Scott provide sermons that are thought provoking, faith confirming, intelligent and interesting. My Sunday school class, New Eve, has provided some of the most uplifting hours of my weekends. I have made invaluable friends, mentors and role models during my short time with the church. During that time, I have learned that there is a difference within the church governments (?) that is a bit confusing to me.

So here is my question, "What is the difference between P.C.A. and U.S.A.?" Thoughts?

What is a Christian?

As I decided what topic I would like to discuss next I realized I have so many to choose from; I make notes every time something happens and I open the Bible to help me try to work through and answer questions I have.

As a result, I thought I would start with a topic that I feel may be basic but very important. I’ve seen this posed plenty of times and have asked the question myself. So here it goes…

What is a Christian?

I will admit that I am still learning this as I go. As I grew up my impression of being a Christian was doing good deeds and knowing the difference between right and wrong. As I follow the path that has been laid in front of me, I realize it is not just that. While it should definitely be a result of being a Christian, it is not the definition of being Christian. To me, being a Christian is accepting that God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to us as a sacrifice to atone for our sins. I also believe that you must accept God into your heart and believe that he loves you and wants to have a relationship with you.

I, of course, know it is more than that but that is the basis as I have come to learn. Getting to this point has not been easy. While I did not grow up in a Christian household I always felt there was something more. I have always been a very emotional person which is not the easiest way to deal with life’s events. As a result, I have found that I have carried a lot of anger and confusion directed at God for the situations He has placed me in. I will admit that my life is pretty good right know, but as a child I had it better than many but more difficult than some. I am trying to work through that and trying to understand why God would place me in the dynamic that He did. I realize He has a plan for all of us and everything that has happened has gotten me right where I am today.

My path has brought me to this wonderful place; through new friends who have welcomed me and my inquiries and activities that have brought me to an amazing church family. Everyone has been really wonderful in providing guidance and a support system during this journey of the Lord pursuing me. I never discounted the existence of God, but never felt such a strong pull to seek him out either. Not until the last few years. I have always had an internal conflict between what my heart feels and what my brain wants to believe. I now feel that God has been pushing me along the way to realizing the truth. While I will never have all the answers to the questions, I have begun to find a peace within when I leave my issues with God and let him help me with my burdens.

I have not had an easy time getting to where I am and know this is an ongoing process to growing my relationship with Him as is it with any relationship. I am not exactly sure when I decided to go with my heart and let Him take a real hand in my life, but I have begun to relinquish control little by little. I still have questions sometimes but believe this is how I grow in my relationship with the Lord and become a true Christian.

So that is my belief on what it is to be a Christian and how I got to where I am. Would anyone like to share their thoughts?

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" - Acts 1:8

Welcome!

One of my goals for the New Year is to grow and discover a deeper understanding in my relationship with the Lord by reading the Bible on a more regular basis. I am starting this blog to encourage questions and discussion amongst both my Christian and non-believer friends. If you have a question, there is an excellent chance someone else does as well.

I would like to use this forum as a way to get to know my fellow believers and selfishly, as a way to pose the many questions that I always seem to come to me when I read the Good Book. My friends have been kind enough to sit down with me for hours on end to discuss items that have boggled my mind.  So now I relieve them of my endless inquiries (for now at least) and pose them to a wider audience.

I welcome all comments and questions, no matter how elementary you think they may be. I am sure I will be asking questions that many will think are quite simple, but as I am a newcomer in my walk with God, I am learning something new every day.

I do ask the following; no derogatory comments against anyone for their beliefs or opinions. If I deem anyone as posting something in that manner I will delete your post and block you from further discussions.

I would like everyone to feel safe and encouraged in their comments and questions. God has made us so we question and learn and grow. If you have any prayer requests or praises, please feel free to share them with the group.

I look forward to our journey together. May God bless you every day and keep you close.