All power and glory is the Lord's forever and ever. Whether it be Ephraim, Judah, or even Quincy we are nothing without God. His love is boundless but is there an expectation that needs
to be of concern. From this chapter were given a picture of the peoples love of wine and their fading need for God. They have it all figured out and know better. How I struggle with this myself, thinking that I have all the answers to my comings and goings. Giving it to God is a struggle but also a necessity.
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Was speaking yesterday with a woman I've known socially for 3 years, when she mentioned off-hand that her husband had many years of sobriety. I had no idea that those issues and struggles were part of her life.
ReplyDeleteMy Methodist heart rejoices that we offer grape juice at communion. The struggles with alcohol are real for so many people -- and we never know who those people are. It's one point in our worship where we are intentionally inclusive - going the extra mile to make sure that everyone knows of God's grace and tastes God's goodness.
Re-read the post and realize there may be some confusion...the United Methodist Church only offers grape juice. That denomination was very active in the prohibition movement - but dates its use of "unfermented wine" back to the 1840s.
ReplyDeleteThomas Bramwell Welch was a Methodist pastor who developed the pasteurization process for "unfermented wine" expressly for that purpose. He later used that process to found his company - "Welch's"
For me in my life of faith right now, this chapter was about maturity. About knowing that life is like Ecclesiastes 3, there is a time for everything.
ReplyDelete"Listen to me now. Give me your closest attention. Do farmers plow and plow and do nothing but plow? Or harrow and harrow and do nothing but harrow? After they've prepared the ground, don't they plant? Don't they scatter dill and spread cumin, plant wheat and barley in the fields and raspberries along the borders? They know exactly what to do and when to do it. Their God is their teacher. And at the harvest, the delicate herbs and spices, the dill and cumin, are treated delicately. On the other hand, wheat is threshed and milled, but still not endlessly. The farmer knows how to treat each kind of grain."
God has created each of us specifically, knows every one of us intimately. He wants us to bear fruit, but the process of maturing for me isn't the same as it is for you. As I relate to my wife, my kids, my congregation, I will try to model being who I am in God's name and encourage each of you to do the same.
Dyan shared a wonderful writing with me yesterday called acceptance. She said it changed her life. It will change mine (if I internalize it), but in a very different way.
May you have serenity and peace today...and continue to "grow up" into the image of Christ you were formed in.
I've lived as someone who was blinded by my need
ReplyDeleteto escape through the use and abuse of alcohol. It separated me from my faith, family, and friends. It was a trial that on more than one occasion should have resulted in my death. Until I surrendered my will and life to God it was hopeless. I have had many years since this time, so many in fact, that it is hard to remember that self induced torture. God was always by my side and I'm filled with gratitude for the ability to praise and worship Him.