My ladies.
How are you? Ready for the weekend or what? So am I. It has been a long week, hasn’t it?
As some of you may know, one of my greatest joys in life is to sit around a table, coffee in hand, discussing biblical and theological issues. This is why my dream job is Research Assistant at Living Proof. Now most of my closest friends are not really into these sort of endless rants and I need them in my life because without them I would drive everyone including myself absolutely crazy. But, I am curious about YOU. So I have two questions to ask you.
What biblical/theological/doctrinal issue(s) do you wish you were more educated about?
What biblical/theological/doctrinal issue(s) are you tired of hearing people bicker about?
Talk to me. Each of you have your own unique voice. And I want to hear it.
Love,
Melissa
P.S. If you were by any chance getting a little prideful about your baking skills and you need a power-packed dose of very sweet humility, check this out.
A lady who loves decorating cakes and who has five children under the age of 8 baked this lemon cake covered with fondant for her Esther study group. She was inspired by the work-book design. Look at the incredible detail. Not to mention the worn out work-book. Absolutely stunning. You are my hero!!!
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My closest friends and I all come from unchurched backgrounds. We struggle with Biblical Womanhood. We can't stand the idea of feminism and everybody being the same, and the whole modern Christianity "women can have all the same roles in church as the men" idea. I wish there were more resources for us to learn how to be a Biblical friend, wife, and mother.
Also, I am 19 and there is NOT ENOUGH information on Biblical Dating. The only book I've found so far (which I LOVE) are books by Leslie Ludy.
As for the Debate I am Tired of… I am tired of dealing with arguing with the older generation that refuses to mento us because church is a habit/ not a lifestyle for them. We are having issues at our church because My friends and I want Biblical feminine leadership while the older ladies (as in 50+) just want to keep their same old routine and won't allow us to join them 🙁
Beth, we plan on seeing you in Okie this December 😀
Sisters in Christ,
Shayla
Thank you Melissa for asking us to share our thoughts, questions and concerns. I'm not sure I would say this is a doctrinal question but one of the things I struggle with most is my day to day workplace. We moved to our present home area 3 1/2 years ago, moving 1000 miles and leaving everyone and everything we knew except God and His faithfulness. We being my hubby, myself and our daughter who was 24 at the time. It was a year before I found a job and the way in which I came to this job showed God's fingerprints many times so I know I am where He wants me to be: the problem I struggle with is the job enviroment, I am the receptionist for the county Public Defender. So everyone I speak with is either in crisis or dealing with crisis. I know that Jesus loves each of person and I am called to love them in His name but it is very difficult to deal with them all day long. I have no educational or practical training for dealing with criminals or the mentality ill. Somedays the emotion of hurting for them exhauts me.I guess my question is how do I care for them all but not carry so much of their pain that I have trouble functioning. I hope this makes sense to you. To be so filled with the Spirit that He walks into my workplace and not me.
#2-I tire of the arguments about when Jesus will return, I believe we are to love and serve Him and let the Father deal with the timeing.
Questions:
* What is the difference between a Jew and a Hebrew?
* The unforgivable sin is to grieve the Holy Spirit, how does that happen?
* Jesus told Mary "don't touch me, I have not yet ascended to my Father" but he told Thomas "touch my hands and sides". So when did He ascend?
Teachings:
Heaven! There will be a new heaven and a new earth. What else will there be? I remember reading something about us having positions???
God's Will!!
I have heard people say "well, if it's God's will…" yet so many things happen that are not God's will. So what exactly IS God's will, other than to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly?
Shawna; loved your post on "family values"! How about Christ's values?
CheriBeri- oooh yes! What are the Old Testament prophesies that Christ fulfilled?
Wow, lots of questions.
Siestas, many of your posts are doctrinal issues that vary between denominations, and therefore cannot be answered "correctly". They all have scripture to back them up. But let's never stop looking for answers!
Bless God!
Jillian~Laramie
(I forgot my password!)
#1. Traditions vs Truth
# 2. Calvinism vs all the other isms!!
Vicki
WOW. great questions. I would like to be able to better express what I believe and why. I have grown up christain, the foundational knowledge is there yet I struggle expressing it. I tire most of all the "feel good" religions out there. The other night I was flipping through some channels and one church was promising financial miracls if viewers would send in a thousand dollars.
Keep growing your mind girl!
His maidservant~Pamela
ps-just posted on a friend who lost her 44 year old husband unexpectantly. They have four kids. I am seeking prayers for this family. They are in so much pain. Thank you.
Hello, I would like to know why we believe that babies/children go to heaven when they die. I know that King David said he would see his baby that died again. I would like to have a deeper understanding. If a child is born with sin and there can be no sin in heaven how does a baby/child recieve the covering of Christ's blood?
2) "By their fruits you shall know them". I would actually like to get a different perspective on this too. It seems this issue is everywhere. I even saw it on a church sign in our tiny little community. Should we really be going around being "fruit inspectors"? (a Tony Evans phrase I believe)
Thanks for all you do. My life has changed because of the accountabiblity of the memory verses. This was an inspired idea!
Janet NC
How did could sin possibly get into heaven through Lucifer?
I find myself for the second time having major agreement with my siesta Tarah. She posted about the homosexual problems and I couldn't agree with her more. We can debate it's right or wrongness – but when it is affecting you in YOUR home , in your siestas home down the street – we have *GOT TO * respond as Christ would to the hurting people. Our VBS leader in our church , has a son who is dealing with this, I see firsthand the hurt in that family. It is **HUGE**. I know she feels like our church family must be judging her and her son. But in truth , I think most of us would say that we only hurt for the pain they have to endure- there really isn't judgement. Other than trying to figure out just HOW to help . Life is just HARD without more condemnation. I know God loves ME , the super-sinner , as much as he loves the homosexual , the adulterer ,the divorced , the liars , the cheaters , the ones who take His very name in vain . I fit I think about every " category " . Who doesn't ? None of us could throw the first stone either. We EACH are in need of a Saviour , and the love and grace of each other.
I would like to learn more about the chronological order of the scriptures.
I do not want to hear about predestination.
"Speaking in tongues" – on both counts!
I would like to learn more about fasting and the old and new covenant.
I get tired of people bickering over music.
The issues I would like to learn more on as well are the old covenant vs. the new covenant. Some issues like about the eating certain foods and which day you should actually worship.
Another issue would be marriage. And how to survive when your husband isn't spiritually connected like you are. How do you stay being a Godly wife and accepting the authority of your husband when he is so negative and ugly all the time.
It's funny. My whole life I have driven people crazy with all of my questions about God and His Word. My answer is this: I want to know everything. I have questions about everything. You name the subject, I want to know it all. I don't so much have complaints about bickering, but I do get annoyed when the people around me claim to be Christians, but totally DO NOT act the part. I don't believe that cussing, racism, dirty jokes, gossiping, and trying to make others look bad or feel stupid has anything to do with God's will. Or, I should say that I KNOW it doesn't. I believe that your actions and the words or your mouth (my own too, pray God) should represent who you are and to Whom you belong.
Melissa,
That is one of my favorite things to do as well, but most people don't have the time for it.
I would like people to be more educated on the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus that goes accross denominational barriers and can break them if people would let them. We are the "Body of Christ". We get so caught up on things that don't matter that we miss Him.
On that same note, I would like people to stop thinking that their denomination is the only one going to heaven, as many around me do, and just realize we are all in this together. There's only one way to the Father, JESUS.
I just love you and your family and feel like you are part of my family.
Have a blessed day!
Kim
I struggle understanding about forgiveness…as far as east is from west..then there's the warning as in Luke 12 that what you have whispered will be shouted from the rooftops…I want to believe that forgiven is forgotten…I think of Beth's teaching about the clear pool before the throne…but there is scripture that seems to say the opposite…This is a tough one for me.
I like Ezekiel too. I like it when God sais "Son of Man" I can hear the reflections in Gods voice and I can just about see the expression on Ezekiel's face every time.
Would love to learn more and more about how Christ is "prefigured" in the Old Testament…I love to learn something in the OT that is pointing to Jesus.
And I'm sick of brothers and sisters bickering. PERIOD.
Ugh.
End times! Our pastor has been doing a series in our Sunday school hour based on David Jeremiah's book "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?" for the past 6 weeks. We have had people from all denomations across town coming and then going on to their own Church's regular service. Our pastor expected the attendance to drop off after a couple of weeks but the place was packed every Sunday. Yesterday was the last study and everyone hated to see it end. (First Baptist Church in Fort Smith has it on CD if anyone is interested). My husband and I were mesmerized! I can study the books of Daniel, Isaiah and Revelations over and over again and never get tired of them.
My big question is regarding the Sabbath and whether we should still be keeping it….on the 7th day instead of Sunday. I have been told by someone over and over and over that the Sabbath was established at creation, is one of the Ten Commandments, is the sacred commandment Peter talks about and that it is the "mark" of the Christian during the end times….what separates us true believers from the unbelievers. I think that smacks of "salvation plus something else" to get into heaven but I can't ignore that it is one of the Ten Commandments and that God rested on the 7th day, not Sunday. This has plagued and haunted me for over a year now and I am continually praying that God show me His truth…not what is just convenient for man…I want to please God and to follow all His will and now that someone has pointed this out to me, I cannot ignore it. Even if keeping the Sabbath isn't actually a requirement, although it is a commandment, should we be doing it to honor and please God….since He established it for man….and if so, then do we ignore the day He set it up on and do it on Sunday because that's what society has sanctioned?
I truly would like to hear you or your mom's wisdom on this. I have been waiting for a way to ask this for over a year…..so thank you for this blog message. I truly hope you can help me. No one I've asked or broached this matter with has adequately addressed all the questions that I have about this matter.
Also….as somone has already mentioned, when your mom sheds insight into the culture and tradition and meanings behind actions, words, etc. from the time of Jesus….like the last day of the feast, when the priest is pouring water and Jesus says "If any man is thirsty…." Those kind of insights are AWESOME and so enlightening and just makes you worship God so much more because it then adds SO MUCH MORE MEANING to His words. If you can point us to some books that aids us in learning those kind of things. I've just finished reading "Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus"…which gives some of those insights….and it truly makes all the difference in how you look at the New Testament and the gospels.
I thank you in advance for whatever help you can give me. It is MOST appreciated.
I would love to hear you speak about the Freedom we have in Christ. I'm reading Eugene H. Peterson's book, "Traveling Light," and is it ever good (Yes, Peterson's book, not Lucado's by the same title, although both are good)! I would love a whole Bible Study on this theme sometime–living free in Christ (as opposed to church-imposed legalism)! I just finished "Breaking Free" (for the 2nd time) and also "Esther" (started it halfway through the other, and they fit together perfectly for me)! I've written a little about it on my blog, but will also be sending you a note with more of the details. Life changing! God is good!
Also loved Melissa's India trip! I'm a fellow Compassion sponsor and Area Coordinator of Advocates for Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota. In my Bible Study, you were talking about your trip to India, and at the same time I was reading Melissa's blog posts — very touching!
Happy Monday!
Thanks to you Melissa for posting these questions!
First of all, I must say – I feel for all you precious women who are exposed to people who criticize you or other women in ministry. I was raised where women have always been teachers and preachers, so it's "the norm" to me. Now, in my personal opinion, I feel women are too emotional to be in a Senior Pastor role, or the President of a nation…but that is a whole other subject! 😛
ANYWAY, God is so amazing!
I can't even put into words how perfect timing the Esther study was in my life – just went thru it the past 2 months, during one of the most difficult times in my life and marriage! Patience…
1. On the same lines as Destiny and how in your mom's study on Esther she talked about letting God and our husbands make the decisions for our family…that I am not responsible. Well, as a whole about submitting to God first, then my husband? I've matured enough to know that God is my Jehovah Jireh! …I just wonder if I need to do more?
2. I do not want to hear any more about Predestination- Calvinism vs. Armenianism! I came out of a huge mess in a small church recently where we were told that God hated us because of our sin…!
And, the pastor strongly taught that Calvinism is the only way to believe…ugh!
Well, as you can see I like to ramble…Blessings! I luv lproof!!!
I just love learning more about acutally APPLYING what we learn to our lives. I am loving Esther so much for that main reason. It has so much personal application in it geared specifically for us women! It is awesome.
I think we can get a little too hung up on legalistic issues. We can get so bogged down in the "details" that we miss the blessings of the Word.
In Him,
Beth
I have to agree with some on the post – election and free will. I am tired of hearing about it, but wish I understood it better. It has become the focus of our minister and every Sunday it is the focus of his sermons. I fear we are on the edge of Hyper-calvinism.
Thanks for asking. God Bless
1. I've always wanted to study Christophanies in the OT. I love seeing the Trinity at work in the whole of the redemption story, NT OT and present! I'm excited to get to study that in seminary. Praise God!!
2. I'm tired of the judgmental attitudes behind infant baptism vs. adult baptism. My husband and I had the 2 different experiences, and we are both saved by the grace of God. We both have an extreme sense of value to both our experiences. Why is it that most people see only one as right and the other very, very wrong?
I know there are many Christian books on this, but I'd like to know about what we truly are called to believe both biblically and as Christians in terms of "dating" and "romantic" relationships as well as premarital sex. Even though I know it's outlined pretty clearly for us in the bible, how much has changed for our dating culture today that differs so much from the culture of biblical times? (To answer my own question-I know this is due to varying interpretations of the bible, whether literally or not so) But am still wondering…
Chicago, IL
Hi Melissa,
I'd love to study and learn more about how to take all the doctrinal truth we learn and make it real in every day life, and in different cultures.
What I'm tired of? Listening to people who are more interested in criticizing and winning debate than in searching for what God is revealing.
Enjoyed reading others' comments.
1. The end times… there are so many views each with scripture to back it up. I want to see each side with the scriptures to back it and study it for myself.
2. Calvinism vs Armenianism. I get that theology is important, but why are we tearing churches apart arguing over it, and why are we studying theological people more than we are studying scripture? Theology and scripture should go hand in hand. We should be studying the Word.
i want to know more about everything, baptism of the HS in particular.
i'm tired of there being a wall bw reformed believers and the charismatic church.
there are of course going to be different styles to church, worship, etc… but let's just not look down on people who do things a different way. i think we need to be more open minded and not put God in a box.
i know God is so much bigger than i can ever perceive so I am not going to be close minded to things that i might think are different or "not right".
for cryin out loud, Jesus spit on a man's face to heal him!
can't wait to read a follow up on all this!!
Even though I feel like God has taken me on quite a long journey of confirming my salvation and teaching me that I am secure and safe in Him & that I will always belong to Him no matter what, I would like to know more about the doctrine of "eternal security" and be able to communicate intelligently on the subject (not to debate or talk somebody else into seeing it the way I do… and also not just to have more information that backs up my own point of view…) I'd like to understand the other viewpoints & just be open to what God might say to me on the subject and to change my current thinking if necessary. Even though I know this is a "rib" issue, I am very passionate about this topic & think that what we believe concerning this affects our relationship with God & how victorious we are.
Rachel in Mississippi, I loved your question & think it is a VERY important one!
1) I have always wanted to know why Jesus had to die for our salvation. Could not anything other than death and His blood have been enough? Why is blood so important. I ask this question because I come from India and know how important sacrifice and blood is in the Hindu religion as well as the Muslim.
2) I am tired of churches which think they need to change styles of worship or need to water down the truth to 'attract " or "keep" the youth. I think give it all or not at all.
I would like to be educated more about women's role in the church(both early church and present day). I was raised by Southern Baptist parents and am a member of a Southern Baptist church and have become frustrated with the "women are for cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the kids" mentality. I literally witnessed one of the sweetest, most spiritual and knowledgeable women in our church be rejected as a teacher for the college-age Sunday School class because there were "young men" in the class. Other denominations have females in the pulpit. So, what exactly was God's intention regarding women in ministry? I would hate for legalism to get in the way of God's Will for MY life!
I guess I'm most tired of the creationism/evolution debate. How can anyone think about the miracle of the human body (how it's put together, how everything works with everything else) and think that was all an accident???
"They" say it began with one atom; I say it began with one ADAM.
I would love to hear plain talk on how to share with skeptic's why the Bible is realiable and true . To be smart about topics college students face.
I get sad and tired of hearing about the "t.u.l.i.p " and John Calvin debates.
Great questions!
I guess I am not sure if this is an answer to the first question or the second, but I am finding more and more people around me, myself included, who are being so hurt within the body of Christ by others passing judgement.
Why is that? How do we teach others to love and to extend grace? Why are we so quick to judge and condemn rather than surround one another in love, prayer, grace and forgiveness?
So, like I said, I am not sure if that answers your question. Just a thought I had.
Thanks,
Heather in MN
Melissa,
I would like to learn more about judgement day for believers. I've heard Beth mention this briefly, saying we don't have anything to fear. But what does it mean when it says in scripture that we will be accountable for our actions? We had a dear pastor's wife that was very fearful of her upcoming death because of the thought of having to stand before God. And I've heard others make similar comments. It has become almost a cliche for pastors and teachers to warn believers of having to stand before God someday. What are your thoughts? Doesn't that teach that God is out to get us? That doesn't compute with the beautiful imagery of the marriage supper that we have to look forward to. I need the full explanation on this.
Teresa
Jackson, TN
I would love to learn more about fulfilled prophecy. Several years ago I did the Daniel study and I was just wild for all of the things that were prophesied to him, that we can see as history! Learning these things make me feel equipped to discuss the bible with non-believers.
1. I would like to know more about the history of the bible and how it all came together, plus certain doctrinal questions my husband always asks like why aren't dinosaurs mentioned? Why are the gospels not more alike? I know certain things but he likes "rational" answers.
2. I am tired of any arguments divide the churches. We are suppose to be the body of Christ not the body parts…..people need to stop arguing about little issues and embrace people more readily, ya know the whole love one another thing needs to be put into practice not just read.
Hey Mrs. Melissa:):)
To answer the questions:
There's a lot of doctrine I need to study, but here goes…
1)I wish I was more educated about the role of the Holy Spirit in a Christian's life, especially regarding spiritual warfare. Also: How to effectively use my armor, i think i'm learning…
2)I wish people would stop having sharp disagreements over Armenianism and Calvinism in my church. Am I even spelling that right?? I don't even know what all they entail. I think the debate is trying to be boiled down to free will verses God's Sovereignty, trying to separate them. "Biblism" is the truth, what does scripture say?
That cake is cool looking, that woman has talent:)
katiegfromtennessee
Opps!
What I meant to say was how do we blaspheme the Holy Spirit (not greive), which is the unforgivable sin.
Jillian
(still can't remember my password…)
I would like to study more details about Jewish customs and celebrations and the biblical history behind them.
I am tired of hearing about whether or not someone can lose their salvation.
This blog community has exposed me to so many different view points regarding all sorts of topics.
Thank you,
Nicole
The ladies ministry at our church is offering the Esther study starting Wednesday (and Believing God) plus we are doing one of the retreats that you offer this weekend.
Looking forward to it. Excited about what the Lord will do in the midst of it all.
Tasha
just tell me another great story…
from the bible.
you have made me realize the bible is more than just a book telling me right from wrong. it is a wonderfully written storybook.
for that i thank you!!
With so many comments per post I don't know how you guys go through them all so I'll make mine short and to the point.
I am interested in the question about "once saved always saved" phrase that you hear. Is it that you make a decision and it's a sealed deal….or if you later turn away and give up were they truly NOT saved? It's a great debate that I personally like discussing and getting different views about.
The thing I am sick of people discussing is women in leadership. Nuf said.
Love you guys!
Ivy Morrison
Willis, TX
Melissa – I'm new to blogging. In fact, this is the first one I've ever responded to. You're questions were great and I chose this one on which to "cut my teeth".
I wish I understood more of the historical timeline in the Bible. I've seen the massive and very detailed chronology timeline that somebody has put together that overlays world history events with Biblical history events, but I haven't had a chance to study it.
I am sick of people bickering about speaking in tounges. I've heard several conversations lately about the view of "you have to speak in tongues to be filled with the Spirit". Have these people read I Corinthians 12?!
1. prove to me that humanity has an immortal soul. I do not see that in Genesis where "man became a living soul" is actually nephesh the same word as living being used for all other creatures. And the verse that says God alone is immortal (1 Tim 6:15-16) also seems to contradict traditional teaching. I was raised under Armstrongism and have all the scriptures beat into my head of why he taught what he did. But I've never had a satisfactory answer to contradict it. The doctrine of an immortal soul always seems presumed and never initially proved and of course it affects teaching about heaven and hell which are pretty core beliefs! We try to raise our four precious children with the orthodox doctrine on this but my own heart still does not believe it, try as I may.
2. Stop bickering about predestination and all forms of legalism and start loving God and others.
I really don't get the law fulfilled thing. I read about it and just when I think I have a grasp of it, it slides out of my fingers like a popsicle on a 90 degree day…
Leslie from Utah
I would like to learn more about spiritual gifts. I have had some teaching on the subject and feel like I have a broad idea of what my gift is (discernment, counseling) but how to use that in the Body of Christ. In some situations I have had opportunity to use it but it is vague to me how it fits into all situations, and maybe because it doesn't.
I love worship music of all kinds and I guess the thing that keeps rearing it's head is the contention in churches with the style and type of worship music. It seems to be a very divisive issue and one most Christians have a definite opinion about. An area of the church that needs much grace and leadership to be ministering to the whole body.
I borrowed the following words from Rachel who posted this June 5 at 1:08 because I feel exactly the same way:
1)I would love to dig deeper into the concepts of the grace, mercy and love of God.
2) I wish people would stop with the speaking in tongues issue, end times stuff, and fundamentalism. Why do we need to focus on issues that cause division? Let's focus on things that bring unity in the body.
Thanks for asking, Melissa.
Mary
1. I don't know what to call the theological topic I'd like to learn more about but it involves why some people believe God for a miracle and receive it and others do the same but don't receive it. Why are some people so sure that if you ask for something "in Jesus' name" it will be given to you and what is the thought process behind it when that something ends up NOT being given to you?
2. The theological discussion I'm tired of hearing about most is predestination vs freewill. I'm very passionate about my view but I love to hear the other side as well b/c it's such a complicated thing i'm sure my human mind doesn't really understand it. Unfortunately people get SO upset about it…and usually b/c they assume they know what you believe and they're too angry to listen to you explain…it's just craziness!
I'm tired of the debate about God's will/predestination and our choice in salvation. Our God is big if we could totally explain Him and His ways then He would be on our level.
I dont' know if its theological or not but the issue of how godly people who both seem to love the Lord can disagree so much that they go their separate ways. My husband has been on staff and experienced this. I am reminded of Paul and Barnabas who disagreed over John Mark and went their separate ways. I know God used it to further the gospel but the idea of disagreement and separation bothers me. There is also the experience of Joseph who looked at his brothers and said you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. He got to the place where he saw beyond the flesh and blood to the spiritual. How do you get there? We have been at a place where some leaders' perceptions were so filled with the enemy that we were treated wrongfully and illegally and yet they could stand up and preach that same day to be totally opposite of what they just did. I don't understand. I'm sure this is confusing – sorry – its just what I'm wrestling with at this time.
Thanks for listening.
Snowwhite
1) I wish I had a better grasp on God's sovereignty. I believe in it but I also believe in free will. If I get into a discussion about it that goes deep, I can begin running in circles and end up falling on the floor (metaphorically) in exhaustion!
2) I wish Christians knew how to stick to our beliefs, yet could also show some tolerance and compassion. That's not strictly theological but it's something I think about a lot.
Thanks for this post!