Praise the LORD
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
-Psalm 150
That has to be one of my favorite Psalms. It is fairly simple, yet full of praise. This past weekend, all of my family (except young Christoper) got to experience something akin to that Psalm. We went to Baylor University for a Festival of Choirs.
This Festival that we went to was made up of about fifteen church youth choirs from all sorts of denominations. From the start of the school year, our choir has been learning pieces (I think it is nine) to perform together with the other choirs that had learned them for a grand concert. There are numerous festivals held over different states. We went to Alabama last year. I must say that I prefer Baylor over Birmingham. So, after a ton of hard work, our choir took about 80 chorus members to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, for one awesome weekend.
Festival lasted from Friday morning (almost everyone was able to get off school) to late Sunday night when we arrived home. There were over eighty of us, so we had two huge tour buses. One for the ladies, and one for the gentleman (that was one of my favorite things about the entire trip, no offense intended to the gentleman of course). The bus rides were full of great fellowship between all of the ladies. I don't know what went on in the guys bus, but I am sure they had just as good a time as we did :) Another great thing about this trip was the amount of parents who went. We had lots of sponsors, so things were kept under good control and went smooth.
Our schedule was pretty tight, with late nights (midnight sometimes...though partly by our choice...) and early mornings (can you say five-o-clock AM??? good grief). Almost all of Saturday was rehearsals. We did have some free time for our lunch hours though, and a short break with Dr. Pepper floats. The cafeteria was pretty nice, though I must say that none of us Arkansans were fond of the water. We also got to see the Baylor Bears. Yes folks, they were real...and asleep. But they were still neat to see. The campus was very nice. They had planted trees here and there, so it made it a little less flat looking. There was still a ton of wind and dust though.
Singing up on the stage was absolutely awesome. There was a 1.5 million dollar organ behind us, a Steinway concert grand in front of us, plus members of the Baylor student orchestra. We had two conductors for the concert. One of them was Randy Edwards, a head member of Youth Cue and a graduate student of Baylor. It was so inspiring to be conducted by someone so young. The energy that went into it was amazing. The 25 year old conductor was also our soprano and alto coach and the accompanist for most of the pieces we sang. We had a ton of fun in rehearsals and learned some new exercises (the tennis ball exercise...). Over all the other choirs were friendly, and we all sang together quite well.
Saturday night we had to follow tradition and eat Mexican food. So we all dressed up a bit and headed to El Chico for some great Mexican food. I am not a huge fan of spicy foods, but the fellowship was great, so that made up for it. I was SO blessed on this trip to get to know a few people better then I knew them before. Our group is so large, so it is hard to know who everyone is. But of all the large groups I have been in, ours has been the most unified. I love that.
On Saturday, another awesome thing happened. Our choir was given the first ever (in 40 something years) award for embracing the youth cue spirit and being what a youth cue choir should be. Our choir director, Pastor Eddie, gave us a group talk about how humbling this is. We are not perfect, this is for certain. But people will now be looking at us to follow our lead. This is just a little scary. But I know that through Christ we can pull together to do the best that we can. Our choir has a key verse that applies here. Colossians 3:17 says this: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." This is what we must strife for, so that we do not lead people astray.
Sunday morning was our earliest morning. Groups of the youth cue choirs went to sing at a pretty Baptist church at two services. Our choir was assigned the early service. It was really neat to sing for everyone at a church we had never been to. Our director really emphasized the fact that the chances were extremely slim that we sing together with that exact group of people for the congregation that we sang for ever again. So we had to do our best to make the best intended impression for Christ upon these people...at eight in the morning. I think it went well.
Later that day was our grand concert. It was amazing. The orchestration on certain songs made it extremely hard for me to not cry during certain parts. It was so awesome praising God while blessing other people with music! After the concert there were hugs, laughter, tears for those not coming back next year, and an over-all uplifted feeling. Things like that give me a lasting spiritual boost. That is another great things about festival...the results aren't as temporary as other things I have done with church. I will remember those exact moments for the rest of my life. God truly blessed that trip. I can't wait until next year!
Paige =)
POST SCRIPT: Pictures are coming soon!!!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Are they Christian???
Recently, I have considered which religions claim to be "Christian". The Catholic, or Roman Catholic Church, is one in particular that comes to mind. After researching many publications, having one on one conversations with Protestants and Catholics, and observation done on my own, I have come to the conclusion that one who belongs in the Roman-Catholic Church, and lives it, is not a Christian. Before I delve into my reasoning, I feel I must define a few things for you so that we are both thinking on the same terms. Then I will share my reasoning and discoveries.
First I must clarify why I called it "Roman-Catholic", instead of just "Catholic". If you look in the dictionary, you will find that "catholic" (not capitalized), means the Universal Church. This is the idea that all Christians form part of a single body. Let me give you a definition of "Roman-Catholic" from the dictionary: "of, relating to, or being a Christian church having a hierarchy of priests and bishops under the pope, a liturgy centered in the Mass, veneration of the Virgin Mary and saints, clerical celibacy, and a body of dogma including transubstantiation and papal infallibility". This is the group that I am addressing. One small thing I want to point out is that they are addressed as "Christian" in this definition. To be a Christian basically means to be a follower of Christ and His teachings. I will show you that this definition got that part wrong later. Now that you know I am speaking of the Roman-Catholic Church, not the Universal Church, and what a Christian is, we shall move along.
The first thing I discovered that their teachings go against is in John 14:6 where it says this: "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The Roman Catholic church attempts to contact God through appointed "Saints", praying to them so that they might pray for them also. Although saints are mentioned, nowhere in scripture does Christ or anyone else say to pray to the saints for help. I did find scripture in Ephesians chapter six, verse 18, that tells us to pray for the saints, but not to them. What the Bible tells us is that we as believers are the saints (see Romans). Also, Heaven is supposed to be a place of joy and reward, from what little you can gather about it. If it is a place like that, why would the souls in Heaven have to worry about praying for the troubles here on earth? Would they not be praising the Father in Heaven? I must conclude that the problem is not the fact that they have saints, but the pedestal that they have put them on so that they are given honor that is due to God only.
One of the biggest flaws in the Roman-Catholic doctrine is "Marian devotion". Let me share this quote with you: "The very fact that God has elected her proves that none was ever holier than Mary, if any stain had disfigured her soul, if any other virgin had been purer and holier, God would have selected her and rejected Mary." This was said by Jacob of Sarug in AD 521, a bishop and writer. The first thing I will say is that there is no proof that Mary was sinless. We do know that she was a virgin, and Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit through her, but not that she was sinless. I will be specific here to make myself clear. The Roman Catholics pray a certain prayer to Mary that calls for her intercession. The parts of the prayer come from two scriptures (Luke 1:28-32, 42-48,) and the last is from the Roman Catholic Church (I am not certain of the person or exactness of it). Christ teaches on prayer in Luke chapter 11 verses 1-14. He does not say to pray to saints, or anyone else for that matter. We are supposed to follow Christ's example, and He did not pray to anyone but the Father. I do not know why God selected Mary, and I probably never will. But I am for certain that only One is perfect in all ways (Matthew 19:17), and that is our Lord, Jesus Christ. From what I have found, the Roman Catholic treatment of Mary is idolatry. It is just like the idolatry of the saints. Our God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14).
There are other flaws in the Roman Catholic doctrine (the position of the pope, image idolatry, and purgatory) I have only mentioned the ones I feel necessary. If you are to be a follower of Christ, you should follow His teachings. The Roman Catholics do not do this. In honoring the "saints" and Mary, they are dishonoring God. Or, in other words, by following a doctrine made by man, they are not following Christ. It is quite simple. I am not saying that a Roman Catholic is condemned to Hell, for that is not my judgement. But I will go as far to say that the laws for being saved are not the same as the Roman Catholic standards. But once again, it is not my judgement. I must say here that there are also good things about the Roman Catholic beliefs. They embrace the Apostles Creed, which is a wonderful way to say what you believe. I do not disagree with this.
The above statements were made to pose a question, and present on of many possible answers. A thought provoking post, as it were. Another purpose would be to state what I believe is the truth. This is not meant to provoke arguments, debates, or the likes of them...though this may happen. It is a statement of faith, that probably not all will agree with. You must come to a conclusion on your own. I hope I have aided you in just that. Have a blessed week!
In Christ,
Paige
First I must clarify why I called it "Roman-Catholic", instead of just "Catholic". If you look in the dictionary, you will find that "catholic" (not capitalized), means the Universal Church. This is the idea that all Christians form part of a single body. Let me give you a definition of "Roman-Catholic" from the dictionary: "of, relating to, or being a Christian church having a hierarchy of priests and bishops under the pope, a liturgy centered in the Mass, veneration of the Virgin Mary and saints, clerical celibacy, and a body of dogma including transubstantiation and papal infallibility". This is the group that I am addressing. One small thing I want to point out is that they are addressed as "Christian" in this definition. To be a Christian basically means to be a follower of Christ and His teachings. I will show you that this definition got that part wrong later. Now that you know I am speaking of the Roman-Catholic Church, not the Universal Church, and what a Christian is, we shall move along.
The first thing I discovered that their teachings go against is in John 14:6 where it says this: "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The Roman Catholic church attempts to contact God through appointed "Saints", praying to them so that they might pray for them also. Although saints are mentioned, nowhere in scripture does Christ or anyone else say to pray to the saints for help. I did find scripture in Ephesians chapter six, verse 18, that tells us to pray for the saints, but not to them. What the Bible tells us is that we as believers are the saints (see Romans). Also, Heaven is supposed to be a place of joy and reward, from what little you can gather about it. If it is a place like that, why would the souls in Heaven have to worry about praying for the troubles here on earth? Would they not be praising the Father in Heaven? I must conclude that the problem is not the fact that they have saints, but the pedestal that they have put them on so that they are given honor that is due to God only.
One of the biggest flaws in the Roman-Catholic doctrine is "Marian devotion". Let me share this quote with you: "The very fact that God has elected her proves that none was ever holier than Mary, if any stain had disfigured her soul, if any other virgin had been purer and holier, God would have selected her and rejected Mary." This was said by Jacob of Sarug in AD 521, a bishop and writer. The first thing I will say is that there is no proof that Mary was sinless. We do know that she was a virgin, and Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit through her, but not that she was sinless. I will be specific here to make myself clear. The Roman Catholics pray a certain prayer to Mary that calls for her intercession. The parts of the prayer come from two scriptures (Luke 1:28-32, 42-48,) and the last is from the Roman Catholic Church (I am not certain of the person or exactness of it). Christ teaches on prayer in Luke chapter 11 verses 1-14. He does not say to pray to saints, or anyone else for that matter. We are supposed to follow Christ's example, and He did not pray to anyone but the Father. I do not know why God selected Mary, and I probably never will. But I am for certain that only One is perfect in all ways (Matthew 19:17), and that is our Lord, Jesus Christ. From what I have found, the Roman Catholic treatment of Mary is idolatry. It is just like the idolatry of the saints. Our God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14).
There are other flaws in the Roman Catholic doctrine (the position of the pope, image idolatry, and purgatory) I have only mentioned the ones I feel necessary. If you are to be a follower of Christ, you should follow His teachings. The Roman Catholics do not do this. In honoring the "saints" and Mary, they are dishonoring God. Or, in other words, by following a doctrine made by man, they are not following Christ. It is quite simple. I am not saying that a Roman Catholic is condemned to Hell, for that is not my judgement. But I will go as far to say that the laws for being saved are not the same as the Roman Catholic standards. But once again, it is not my judgement. I must say here that there are also good things about the Roman Catholic beliefs. They embrace the Apostles Creed, which is a wonderful way to say what you believe. I do not disagree with this.
The above statements were made to pose a question, and present on of many possible answers. A thought provoking post, as it were. Another purpose would be to state what I believe is the truth. This is not meant to provoke arguments, debates, or the likes of them...though this may happen. It is a statement of faith, that probably not all will agree with. You must come to a conclusion on your own. I hope I have aided you in just that. Have a blessed week!
In Christ,
Paige
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