On Sunday night, I kicked off a teaching series at Tabernacle of Praise called World Religions. We will be discussing the various major world religions and their relationship to Christianity. Part of learning about a religion is diving into its history, founders and the struggles in which it was forged. I have to admit, this is my favorite part of learning about a religion. The simple reason for that is because history is a story, and I love stories.

These stories are so important for us to hear and understand when we are studying someone else’s beliefs. Too often, in our studies of the faiths that live side by side Christianity, we are obsessed with dogma. What do they teach? And how is what they teach different than what we teach? This approach to learning about other faiths only serves to widen the gap between the adherents of the faith. This wouldn’t be a problem, except the fact that Christianity is all about reaching out to our neighbors not only with kindness, but with a message.

Widening the chasm between Christians and other faiths does no good for the work of evangelization. Certainly, it is important to see how we are unique in our worldview. It’s critical that we understand exactly what we believe. However, there must be another element within our learning that will ground our doctrine to grace, the bedrock of Christianity. History is the component that solves this problem.

History gives us a context in which to see the relevance of any religion–it reveals the humanity behind the religion. Without the stories of the struggles and sacrifices of a religion, we tend to view the people of that faith as robots rattling off interminable lists of doctrinal gobbledygook. This is a false outlook which leads to fear and bigotry.

The challenge of Christ is not only to accept people as they are but to serve them as they are. When Jesus saw the crowds who came to hear Him speak, Matthew says that

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. –Matthew 9:36

Our acts of service are like the plow that prepares the ground of the heart to receive a message of faith. Of course, service is not a foolproof tool to manipulate someone to change their faith. Heart transformation is an operation God reserves for Himself. However, service is the first step to establishing a relationship with someone, and without a relationship, you don’t have much to stand on when speaking to others.

This is why I have a love affair with history. It reveals why a certain faith is so important to those who embrace it. Extremely few ever hold to a faith for purely doctrinal reasons. It’s the stories that capture us.

What’s most important to you when learning about another faith? What would you like to know about other religions?

“This is going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you.”

Right. Sure, Mom, keep telling yourself that.

I never believed those words until now. The only thing that changed is that now I’m a parent. There is a stinging pang of guilt that follows each act of discipline I initiate with my sons. This guilt screams at me in so many ways.

They’re too young. They’re so innocent. They’re so little. They’ll remember me as a big, ugly troll. They’ll hate me later. 

Oh, if only I were a mindless, cold-hearted machine or a Vulcan like Spock! Then I wouldn’t have these tinges of remorse biting at my soul. But, I will always have to find a way to manage these emotions because I was created human. There is very little chance that I could be converted into a robot, and even less chance that the Vulcan Grand Council will allow me citizenship onto their planet. You see, it’s because I love my sons that I must deal with my fears.

I know WHY I discipline my sons. It is this WHY that goads me to action, that guides my decisions and governs my disciplinary methods. Want to know why I discipline my children?

Because they are the best hope this world has at experiencing the perfection and beauty God intended for it.

I remember experiencing that perfection as I held them in my arms for the first time after their births. I can never forget the beauty that shone into my heart as I held up their tiny bodies in my hand and gave them to God with their first breaths. Qualified or no, Ana and I were the ones placed in their life to protect, nourish and steer them through their development.

Without the discipline we instill in them through daily routine, energetic learning, moral boundaries, religious education, and purposeful correction, our children will never reach their potential. If we acquiesce to our temporary anxieties and withhold discipline, their eternal destinies would be handicapped or even worse, crippled.

When I discipline my sons, I’m not managing their behavior. I am developing futures leaders of beauty and change.

Tell me your reasons for disciplining your children. This is your chance to speak out, parents!

Easter is perhaps the most joyful time of the year for Christians worldwide, and Easter at Tabernacle of Praise is no exception. We had a fantastic time yesterday celebrating the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Our parking was jam packed with the cars yesterday morning. Cars that brought about 90 TOP members and their guests to our service! The energy in the sanctuary having that many people worshipping together was tangible and moving.

Praise and worship was filled with songs of praise and joy. The worship team showcased a brand, new song by Matt Maher Christ Is Risen. Our very own Elder Jackie Bryant led the song!

After my message, we shared Holy Communion together. Normally, we hand out the bread and the juice at the front, people go back to their seats and then we partake together. This time, we had two round communion tables where people came up in groups of 6-8 and they shared communion right there at the tables together. It was a touching, intimate experience. We felt closer to one another by seeing each other while remembering the great things our Lord did for us on the cross.

Then came the event everyone was waiting for–the Easter Thank Offering! For the last three weeks, the people of TOP and I have been planning to give to God something extra on Resurrection Sunday just to express our gratitude for all He has done for us. Everyone was incredibly generous in their giving. You can see the details in our bulletin this coming Sunday. THANK YOU all so much for your gift!

The worship team started singing Oh, Happy Day by Tim Hughes, and the place went wild! People were dancing, singing and praising God. People came forward and began to share their personal stories of how God transformed their lives which brought us to the close of the service.

I can’t tell you how proud I am of TOP, or how much joy it is to be a part of this local church. We are living a resurrection life of joy and victory–together!

Isn’t always bad.

And so, today I just want to share with you that my blog post was published in a  publication called CrawfordCountyNow.com. You can read my article here.

I will be writing articles for them from time to time about my thoughts on Crawford County. This is good, because I’ve got a few thoughts on that subject…

What would you like to read about Crawford County? What would you like me to write about?