God in a Box

Literally. A big ugly concrete one.

Okay so I was on my way home today and was listening to NPR. Yes. I am an NPR fan. When the news isn't sickeningly repetitive.

So anyway, this story caught my attention when they led up to it with the phrase, "Church congregation wants to tear down their building. But they can't - stay tuned to hear why." (paraphrased) You can read the whole story here. So anyway, to paraphrase, this congregation wants to tear down their big ugly block of concrete (the church was built in the 70's in the popular "brutalism" style) and build a new church building, but the city won't let them because it's been made into a historic landmark. The church is suing the city claiming that this infringes on their freedom of religion. This is their logic, "Nothing expresses a church's religious exercise more than its architecture. And this architecture does not express our theology and our exercise. Brutalism is not our religious expression." My mouth dropped open at that.

This is what the experts have to say about it. "But it's going to be tough to win in court. Robert Tuttle, a church-state expert at George Washington Law School, says cost and inconvenience are not enough. The church must show its expression of religion is "substantially burdened." Courts have different standards on what that means, but often it's a high bar. Namely, he says, church members must show they cannot practice the religion without overhauling or demolishing it. "

Alright, that last sentence was when I started laughing. I think this is highly ironic considering that "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." (Acts 17:24) I'm seriously considering emailing the district attorney of Washington DC with that scripture and telling them to use the bible against this congregation in this case!! I personally think it would be hilarious! But I don't think it would very effective considering this is a "Christian Science" church.

***Shamless plug*** DAVE wins this weeks award for the most spectacular blog post!!! Congratulations Dave. You are the most brilliant 13 year I know (no offense Leslie, but he takes the cake with this one!)

I like this

...I am just like any other girl, and I love happy endings, and hand me a chick flick anytime, but the realization hits me that this is not what true love is about. It is not when the boy meets girl, and their eyes lock and it is love at first sight. It is not the Happily Ever After, and no, it is not roses and chocolate on Valentines.

Love is a bloodstained cross...

I read this paragraph in an article I was reading and that section just really stuck out to me. I guess because of the stark contrast in the description of the two things. The truth of it just stuck out to me. Love is not at all those mushy gushy things we're sort of trained to think it is from the time we're little kids. It's sacrifice. Sacrifice in so many ways. Thinking of others higher than yourselves.... and when I think of love in that way suddenly I see how many people love me so much. And It spurs me on to love through good works. (Hebrews 10:24) Anyway.. just a tidbit I thought I'd throw out there.

Tornado

Wow.. Only a few of you know why the title to this song is SO freakishly ironic. It took me a while to find it because I never dreamed that was the title! Anyway, I've had a line from this Sara Groves song stuck in my head for over a week now..

You live your life like a tornado.
Destruction follows everywhere you go.
And you have no plans to stop or slow (oh).
I will not let this bitter root grow in me.
I will not let you leave that legacy,
But it gets so hard when pain is all I see (oh).

And every time I find healing, you're making a new mess,
And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.

And I tried to remove myself from your path,
But I keep on waking up in the aftermath.
So I pick up again and say I won't look back (oh).
And I will not let this bitter root grow in me.
I will not let you leave that legacy,
But this constant fight is breaking me (oh).

And every time I find healing, you're making a new mess,
And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.

And it hurts when you hit at the hearts of the ones I love;
When everything you touch is rubble and dust.
And it gets so hard to know how to trust,
But I will not let that bitter root grow.
I will not let it, no no.
But it gets so hard (oh).

And every time I find healing you're making a new mess,
And I am learning the real meaning of forgiveness.
And I could move and never send you a forwarding address,
Or I could learn the real meaning of forgiveness.

More Holiness Give Me

This cry comes from the very depths of my heart right now, of where the Lord has me and how He's dealing with me..


More holiness give me, more strivings within.
More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.
More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.
More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.
More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.
More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.
More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.

More purity give me, more strength to o'ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.
More fit for the kingdom, more useful I'd be,
More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.

- Hymn by Philip Paul Bliss