Clean

When looking for purity and perfection in today's world there is something to be said about dirt...
There tends to be this movement today towards the sanitation of our own personal environments. Grocers now place anti-bacterial wipes near their carts so that we have the satisfaction of a germ free shopping experience. I have recently been told that such wipes kill even the beneficial germs that cover our bodies. We were given as human beings a protective layer of microbial sentinel's to fend off the vile bacteria that plague us everywhere. By killing off these beneficial flaws we are leaving our bodies susceptible to millions of other threats out in the world. With this being said, take a look at the soul.
I like Earl - the popular character of the recent TV show "My Name is Earl." I like him because he represents so many Americans. He looks at all the bad things he has done and figures that it is these deeds that have harmed him in his present situation. So as an answer to this bad "karma" he decides to go on a crusade righting every wrong with a good action. So often we make lists like Earl and try to sanitize our lives in order to live a healthy life away from the scum that attacks us. There is an alternative to seeking a cleanliness that we can never attain because we were born impulsively dirty. It would be better to recognize the dirt and the fact that our sin makes the Sinless One all the more pure and clean. There is a new Switchfoot song that states "Let my shadows prove the sunshine." May the dirt that clings to us all magnify the holiness of a blameless God!

Unity

"The Holy Christian Church"

This is a phrase used by many in their confession of faith, the Nicene Creed as well as the Apostle's Creed. Often the word "Christian" is replaced by the word catholic, not pointing to the Roman Catholic church but to the universal church. After hearing this phrase I believed it to refer to the place of worship where I first heard it. This is not the case. The Holy Christian Church is a band of ragtag believers simply living life under the basic principles of Christ. Denominations might use this statement but it refers to a vast array of people. As doctrinally different as many churches are there is one primary and essential truth - many church goers belong to this universal church. The larger question is who, and indeed this is a large question, one that is best left to the expert - As I mentioned in my earlier post, we are not to be the judge of hearts. Everyone on earth can percieve another's foundation based upon the actions they build upon it but untill we are able to see hearts - which will never happen - we are unable to select the members of this society of believers. Doctrine is a safeguard against untruth but in the end the God will determine, based on His word and grace - given to us through his Son, membership. Again we are unfortunately prone to judge actions but we are not to judge hearts!

Struggle

Travelers on this road of chaotic life:
More often than I care to experience I find myself wrestling with the evil that lurks within my own heart. Contempt towards those I love and an overall sarcasm that laces everything that I say. There is so much more to this side of me and I have written much of what my heart tells me at these points in a manifesto - a writ from the dark side of my soul. This might later end up here on this blog but for now it remains similar to the countless other thoughts feelings and actions of this sort - an unpublished private account shared only with the Being who forgives me of such things and the fellow travelers I feel confident enough to share with.
This is a side of me that I do not like. I however hold fast to another side, a soul cleansed with infinite forgiveness. All other portions of my heart will pass away and burn on the final day but this will remain. I am forgiven of all wrongs. I can stand before final judgment blameless, not because I truly am but because I have a Great Ambassador, a Representative who, knowing the standard of perfection demanded by my Judge gave of Himself lived in the tangled web of Roman governance and under the stringent law of religious piety - and lived perfection for me, and then died a death at the hands of the most practiced executioners. Tried and convicted for a preposterous crime he did not commit. The innocent's blood was shed and so now I can stand before a just ruler and present this story as a marker for my place in paradise. For this I am thankful and for this I gladly endure the hardships of a world swimming in judgment!
All those who read these words know that I am not judged fairly and so it only makes sense that I not judge you. I know not the deeds of your soul and should leave this decision to the One who vouches for me in paradise!