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| "Tech Explosion" |
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| "Cherry Tree" |
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| "Italian Cottage" |
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| "White Flowers with Moss" |
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| "Sunset" |
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| "Promise" |
Monday, May 7, 2012
Painting/Collages
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Christian VS Irish
Several years ago, while pursuing my Master's degree at Carson Newman, I had to do an extensive family tree. This not only included names and dates, but origins from countries, and any known physical or mental illnesses. Although, I didn't find any mental illnesses, believe it or not, I did discover that my dad's side of the family is Welsh/Irish. My ancestors, the Burress', appear to have come from Ireland, migrating to England, and then to America...North Carolina, to be exact, then Tennessee. Research showed that this name was a common Irish name.
So, what does that have to do with being a Christian? Well, if you have read Romans, it's obvious. There are many people we are expected to be like; Apostle Paul, Abraham, and others. The foremost is to be like Christ. As a Christian, I have no problem with this concept, but as an Irish descendant, it is harder to grasp.
So, not to say that ethnic profiling is okay, because there are always exceptions to this rule, but it comes in handy for generalizing a certain heritage. The Irish, for example, are generally fun, spirited, feisty, partying people. Now, I know you're thinking, "Well, my great uncle so-and-so is a grumpy mean person." I'll address that later. For now, let's just say that Irish are generally passionate, happy, in-your-stuff. easy-going people. What we think, we say. What we feel, we say. What ever is happening, we have an opinion on it...and say it. We would die for our cause, whatever it is. After all, the Irish have been fighting each other for centuries. It's in our blood, right? Yet, we are loyal to family and friends, and don't care to let the world know. Tack and "telling the truth in love" are not initially in our vocabulary...much.
The problem lies in the order, command to "let your conversation be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man" in Colossians 4:6. This was the theme of a recent women's conference. I was severely convicted that my mouth has been entirely too Irish. Romans teaches that we are a new person in Christ, though we still struggle with the old man. We are to reflect Christ's glory by being conformed to His image. Honestly, things are out of my mouth before I even realize I am speaking. My excuse was that I'm an honest person. Hmm. Unfortunately, that doesn't cut it.
Christ died for all people. The Jews and all Gentiles are called to believe. And, since the Irish are included in the Gentile population, I know that better self-control (actually, Spirit-control) is required of me. According to Romans 12:1, where is tells me that it is my "reasonable service" to present my body as a living sacrifice to God, "holy and acceptable". Ugh, I think. Not "ugh" to the scripture, of course, but "ugh" to me. I seem to continually fail at this, especially since my tongue and mouth are part of my body. When you throw in Romans chapter 7, about the new man and the old man, and warring natures already in our bodies and minds, it seems an impossible task to control what we say and think.
Hope and saving grace, along with the "mercies of God" in verse one follow in the next verse. "Don't be conformed to this world (taking your nationality as an excuse): but be transformed (how?) by the renewing of your mind..." Renewing of my mind? How do I do that? The same way you got saved in the first place - I devote and commit, He consecrates. I need to admit that I am trying to live my life my way, and give control back over to Him. It is His work to transform us into the image of Christ, and He does this by consecrating us to a working life in progress.
The Holy Spirit is what makes our beliefs different than any other "religion". God's Spirit actually resides in us. Even our earthly home needs cleaning out once in a while, so it shouldn't shock us when our spiritual life needs some dusting. All this is to "...prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." This change is the proof to others, especially unbelievers, that God is working to do His will in your life. He promises what He starts in us, He will accomplish. I can be Irish, and control my tongue. I know, who'd have thought. I thank God for loving me enough to take His Word through His Spirit, and teach me to be more like His Son.
So, next time my opinions, thoughts, soap boxes, or "honesty" conflict with God's Word, I will not claim the fault to be with my opinionated ancestors, but because God is still working on me. Oh, and "I'm sorry", in advance.
So, what does that have to do with being a Christian? Well, if you have read Romans, it's obvious. There are many people we are expected to be like; Apostle Paul, Abraham, and others. The foremost is to be like Christ. As a Christian, I have no problem with this concept, but as an Irish descendant, it is harder to grasp.
So, not to say that ethnic profiling is okay, because there are always exceptions to this rule, but it comes in handy for generalizing a certain heritage. The Irish, for example, are generally fun, spirited, feisty, partying people. Now, I know you're thinking, "Well, my great uncle so-and-so is a grumpy mean person." I'll address that later. For now, let's just say that Irish are generally passionate, happy, in-your-stuff. easy-going people. What we think, we say. What we feel, we say. What ever is happening, we have an opinion on it...and say it. We would die for our cause, whatever it is. After all, the Irish have been fighting each other for centuries. It's in our blood, right? Yet, we are loyal to family and friends, and don't care to let the world know. Tack and "telling the truth in love" are not initially in our vocabulary...much.
The problem lies in the order, command to "let your conversation be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man" in Colossians 4:6. This was the theme of a recent women's conference. I was severely convicted that my mouth has been entirely too Irish. Romans teaches that we are a new person in Christ, though we still struggle with the old man. We are to reflect Christ's glory by being conformed to His image. Honestly, things are out of my mouth before I even realize I am speaking. My excuse was that I'm an honest person. Hmm. Unfortunately, that doesn't cut it.
Christ died for all people. The Jews and all Gentiles are called to believe. And, since the Irish are included in the Gentile population, I know that better self-control (actually, Spirit-control) is required of me. According to Romans 12:1, where is tells me that it is my "reasonable service" to present my body as a living sacrifice to God, "holy and acceptable". Ugh, I think. Not "ugh" to the scripture, of course, but "ugh" to me. I seem to continually fail at this, especially since my tongue and mouth are part of my body. When you throw in Romans chapter 7, about the new man and the old man, and warring natures already in our bodies and minds, it seems an impossible task to control what we say and think.
Hope and saving grace, along with the "mercies of God" in verse one follow in the next verse. "Don't be conformed to this world (taking your nationality as an excuse): but be transformed (how?) by the renewing of your mind..." Renewing of my mind? How do I do that? The same way you got saved in the first place - I devote and commit, He consecrates. I need to admit that I am trying to live my life my way, and give control back over to Him. It is His work to transform us into the image of Christ, and He does this by consecrating us to a working life in progress.
The Holy Spirit is what makes our beliefs different than any other "religion". God's Spirit actually resides in us. Even our earthly home needs cleaning out once in a while, so it shouldn't shock us when our spiritual life needs some dusting. All this is to "...prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." This change is the proof to others, especially unbelievers, that God is working to do His will in your life. He promises what He starts in us, He will accomplish. I can be Irish, and control my tongue. I know, who'd have thought. I thank God for loving me enough to take His Word through His Spirit, and teach me to be more like His Son.
So, next time my opinions, thoughts, soap boxes, or "honesty" conflict with God's Word, I will not claim the fault to be with my opinionated ancestors, but because God is still working on me. Oh, and "I'm sorry", in advance.
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