2007-10-09 - 8:09 p.m.
I was listening to a sermon on my way to work this afternoon. It was about repentance and I don't know about you but when I hear a message is going to be about repentance I groan a little inside. But this is part of a series I'm listening to so I didn't want to miss what I knew would be good so I went for it. I'm actually really glad I did! I gained a lot of understand and a different perspective. The preacher used an example about sin that really struck me. If we fall in mud, we don't stay dirty and go: "Oh no! I'm covered in mud! I will have to stay home forever and never see anyone because I'm gross and filthy and covered in mud!!!" We take a shower! And it's the same thing with when we mess up. He called it taking a "Spiritual Bubble Bath." I am so in love with that little phrase. I personally LOVE taking bubble baths! I think of peace and calm and relaxation when I think of a bubble bath. And applying that spiritually is going and hanging out with God. Relaxing. I don't worry about the dirt on me when I'm getting clean. The soap takes care of that! Soap is at it's best when it's dirty. And Jesus is the best at cleaning up our sin. Neat eh? So to me taking a spiritual bubble bath would be to hang out with God and just read up on the scriptures about how much he loves us and wants to bless us. It's soothing to think that nothing shocks god off the thrown. He knew I was going to mess up a lot and He still was pleased to create me! I just have to purpose in my heart that if I fall 100 times, I'm going to plan to get up 101. The preacher also talked about how in the church now we are so concerned with acting perfect even if things are going badly or we've messed up. And the result of that is when someone DOES mess up, the last thing they want to do is tell someone from church because they think they are going to get a lecture and sermon or both. I know it always helped me to hear people I respect talk about the times they blew it and what they did to get back to where they needed to be. I mess up all the time! I think things I shouldn't! I sometimes ignore the Holy Spirit! These are things I've TOTALLY done! Someone smart once said; "You can't control the birds flying overhead, but you can stop them from building a nest in your hair." It's all about what you do after you mess up that matters. The other stuff ends up in the past, as far as the east is from the west and dipped in the sea of forgetfullness! The great thing about bubble baths is that you don't even have to be filthy to enjoy them. You may have just had a long day and need some time to unwind and be peaceful. I think the Spiritual Bubble Bath is the same thing. I'm so grateful for God being willing to hang out with me when I mess up and we can take care of business, but man I do love those times too where everything is right with the world because I just decided to let the world wait for a bit whil I chill with God.
2008-03-10-Daylight Savings Time
Make This A Favorite
2008-03-09-Adventure! Danger! Suspense!
2008-03-07-Pets
2008-03-03-Doofy Grin
2007-10-10-Song Of Solomon - Martha & Mary