Consistency & Random thoughts on a Thursday

Being consistent - without being overwhelmed - is one of my biggest challenges. I am an empty nester and only work from home, so you'd think this wouldn't be an issue. But, I'm sure in your own life, the same thing happens. Reality intrudes and the days slip by. People need you, things need cleaning, gardens need planting, food needs to be prepared, your mother winds up in the hospital again - and the days pass by. And, if you're like me, clear thinking just isn't what it used to be!

All that said, in my last post, I said I was starting to write Bible studies again. Admittedly, what I say in person to my ladies and what is actually written down can be two different things - and it's hard for me to even guess if those who only read what's written "get" what I'm trying to say. But, it is what it is, and with God's help, I'm doing the best that I can. If you'd like to follow along, this is how far we are as of today: The Gospel of Matthew. (the one without the link is the one I'm supposed to be writing right now, instead of doing this blog post).

Let me ramble for just a second. This is a blog, after all, right?

I like to explore in lots of areas, and that means I read and listen to things that most people don't, (So, perhaps this isn't as prevalent to most Christians as it seems to me) and I've seen some things lately that are worrisome. Christianity as a whole - the visible church (those that call themselves Christians, whether they truly are or not) is being fractured into little groups more than ever. On the left are the liberal "Christians", the ones that are looking more and more like the world, who pick and choose which parts of the Bible, if any, they believe. I'll save that subject for another day.

Here are the ones that disturb me more - the true Christians who are taking off on a track into such deep "fundamentalism" (for temporary lack of a better word) that they are dragging less mature Christians with them and shipwrecking their faith. I think it's possible that those who have truly studied and have chosen this path are perhaps fine in their faith - but those they are dragging in their wake are not.

I'm talking about the "Hebrew Roots Movement" and within that camp, the "Sacred Name" folks. It would take a book to really get into this, but the short version is that, in their eyes, the name "Jesus" is pagan - and saying "God" is pagan, and actually refers to Baal. Only the true Hebrew names are correct - and in their eyes, "calling" on Jesus or God is to call on an evil spirit - not the true Lord of the universe. Now, if they actually know the true pronunciation of our savior's and God the father's names, and can believe that only those names are correct and still keep their faith intact, fine - but they are harming the faith of others with their doctrine.

The first - and biggest problem - in my mind is that their version of God is way, way too small. Do you not acknowledge your child if he can't say your name right? Good grief - of course not! If my children needed me for any reason whatsoever, I would respond to ANY version of my name they could get out, or even no name at all! If they were calling me for help, I would RUN to them. Is the creator of the universe going to do less than me, a poor, pitiful human mother?

And, yet, this whole "Sacred Name" thing is exploding all over the Internet. What in the world is that all about? Can they not see that this is a deception of Satan?

I know this post is not an explanation, not a help to those seeking information. At this moment, it is just a small rant of my frustration with some of my fellow Christians, who seem to be willingly becoming blinded to the fact that their "doctrine" is harming others.

OK - enough for now. Back to work on this week's Bible study. ♥

#SacredName #SacredNameMovement #HebrewRootsMovement