Barbara's Banter

God admonishes us not to harden our hearts like the children of Israel did (Psalm 95:8; Hebrews 3:7-11). Time and time again they saw the miracles God performed yet they seemed determined not to appreciate all God did for them. Because they hardened their hearts one too many times, they did not believe. An unbelieving heart turns away from God and cannot enter into his rest (Hebrews 3:12; 3:19). So the children of Israel were not allowed to go into the Promised Land.

The Greek word for “hardened” is being stubborn, bullheaded, head strong, self willed, inflexible, stiff-necked, dry, hard, or tough. We all struggle with these proclivities at one time or another. The trick is not to let these characteristics overtake and consume us. The Bible tells us that a person who remains stiff-necked is headed for disaster (Proverbs 29:1). Hearts that become calloused do not want to see or hear God (Matthew 13:14, 15). Hardened hearts lose their spiritual vitality. They go through the motions of being Christians, but their hearts are not in it. They may honor God with their lips, but their hearts are from Him (Mark 7:6, 7).

A hardened heart does not appear overnight. It’s a process and may happen so gradually we don’t even know it. Perhaps it starts with grumbling, complaining, griping, or blaming others. Then we make a habit of not doing what we know we should do, or doing what we know we shouldn’t do. God’s Word slips away (Hebrews 2:1). We segue into refusing to acknowledge God’s greatness or what he has done for us. We are unappreciative. Communication with God falters. We stop praising, worshipping, and praying. We start to rely on ourselves instead of God and enter into self deception. Then it’s just one short step into being unwilling to trust God. The heart becomes hardened.

If we recognize we are in the process of hardening our hearts we need to get back to the basics: prayer, Bible study, and meditation. However, believe it or not, we could do all those basic things and still have a hardened heart. The basics must be coupled with asking God to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us (Psalm 51:10). Only God can replace our stony hearts with new ones – hearts that will yield to Him (Ezekiel 36:26).

Many think once they accept Jesus as their Savior that it’s smooth sailing into the Kingdom of God.  Not true.  Scriptures indicate that all people have trials – the just and the unjust.  Sometimes we bring trials upon ourselves.  Sometimes we do everything we are supposed to do and trials come anyway.

James 1:1-3 tells us we will have trials.  It goes so far as to say we should consider it joy because trials test our faith and help us develop perseverance.  Now I must admit I have not reached the plateau of spiritual growth where I’ve come to consider my trials a joy.  However I think it helps to focus on something other than our circumstances.  It helps to focus on Jesus.  As the old song goes:

Turn your eyes on Jesus. 

Look full in his wonderful face. 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace. 

One of the best ways to focus on Jesus is through prayer.  So my system of dealing with trials is to “pray through them.”  Here’s how…

Tell God How We Feel

We can be totally honest with God about how we feel.  He doesn’t mind if we dump our anger, frustration, disappointment, and grief on him.  However, this can’t be our only communication with God.  No one likes one continuous pity party – not even God.

Ask for Specifics

There’s nothing wrong with pleading for deliverance, but let’s not forget some other specifics such as asking for strength, guidance, wisdom and peace or even that we learn what we need to learn from a situation quickly.  However, our ultimate goal is to align our will to God’s, not talk him into giving us what we want.

Praise God

No matter what our circumstance we should praise God (Psalm 97:1-7).  We may be having a difficult time but God is still our creator, sustainer, redeemer, comforter, friend, and ruler.  He is loving, kind, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy.  As we focus on how great God is our problems become smaller.

Give Thanks

We can always find something to be grateful for.  Like the old adage, “I complained because I had no shoes then I met a man who had no feet.”   Focus on what we have, not what we lack, and be thankful for it.  We can thank God for his creation, family, friends, food, life, music, sight, hearing, health, peace, understanding, laughter, home – the list goes on and on and on.

Remember God

In the midst of severe trials it’s difficult to remember all the wonderful things God has done for us in the past.  Sometimes we have to ask God to bring those to mind.  Remembering the many answered prayers and God’s faithfulness gives us perspective.  One major problem with the Israelites was they continually forgot how God delivered them to freedom and brought them through the wilderness (Deuteronomy 5:15; 8:2).  The minute things didn’t go their way they chose to grumble instead of remembering all God had done for them.

Pray for Others 

A difficult concept to grasp is that we are not the center of the universe.  Other people are going through hardships too.  We need to pray for them.

Pray for God’s Will to Be Done

Through all our trials we must want God’s will to be done, not ours.  God’s will might not be our will.  Can we live with that and love God anyway?  It’s not wrong to make our wishes known but our lives are in God’s loving hands.  Do we trust him to do what’s best even though it might not be what we want?  As we grow in our relationship with God we learn more fully that he truly loves us.  When we realize God is compassionate, loving, and kind, we actually want to surrender our will to his, even though it may hurt.  Jesus asked, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me,” but surrendered His will to God’s.  “Yet not as I will, but as you will (Matthew 26:39).”

God never promised us a problem free existence.  Sometimes God takes away a trial and sometimes he doesn’t.  Paul prayed for his thorn in the flesh to be removed but God didn’t remove it (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).  Was it difficult for Paul?  Yes, but Paul conceded that God’s greatness and power was made perfect in his weakness.  So Paul was willing to delight in his hardships so God could be glorified.  That’s almost as difficult for me to grasp as counting my trials as joy.

However, ultimately any trial is really more about God’s greatness being manifest than our discomfort being assuaged.   That’s why we pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) – especially when we are going through a trial!

I recently read an article about a woman who wanted her husband to put his dirty clothes in the laundry hamper instead of dropping them on the floor. The author went to great length explaining that there was probably some sort of underlying, psychological reason why the man didn’t want to put the dirty clothes in the hamper. I’m not singling out men here. Some women have the same problem. The author felt that if they could get to the core of the reason behind the action, the problem would be solved. Honestly???? Give me a break.

I am so tired of people trying to explain away their bad habits and blame them on how they were potty trained. I don’t doubt we could solve the world’s problems by getting to the psychological reasons of why we do what we do, but that doesn’t mean we stop our bad habits. Bad habits are, after all, bad habits that we have allowed to become an ingrained part of our lives. To understand why we do something is marvelous; to stop doing it is something else entirely.

Now it might be a little different if this couple were not living in a shared space. If a person had a room of his/her own and wanted to leave clothes all over the place, then so be it. Or if this couple could afford a cleaning lady to come in daily, so be it. More power to them! Problem solved. But if other arrangements can’t be reached then agreements must be made. After discussion there may come a time when one might have to lovingly say, “Just stop it! Stop putting your dirty clothes on the floor!” Then together they come up with a consequence to accompany unacceptable behavior and stick to it. Follow through. This is not a threat. It’s a plan of action. This procedure can be applied to just about any domestic, family, or workforce situation.

Picking up dirty clothes is fairly small in comparison to other areas of our lives. However, it could be a metaphor for just about any behavior. People have to learn to function in society. Jobs must be done or people get fired. Bills must be paid on time or fines and penalties occur. Good grooming might be necessary if one wants friends.

We all have excuses for why we do what we do or don’t do, and while they may be valid, they might not help us lead happier lives co-existing with others. As the Bible says, something might be lawful but not expedient or it might be permissible but not beneficial (1 Corinthians 6:12). In other words, just because we can self justify what we do, doesn’t mean it’s the best course of action to do it.

People don’t care if we are having a bad hair day, eaten too much sugar, have a chemical imbalance, were poor as children, had parents who paid more attention to our siblings than us, were potty trained too early or late, have a temper because we’re Irish, are lazy because we never had to go out and get a job, or are slobs because our mothers picked up after us. And while all these may be valid reasons for the bad habits we’ve acquired through the years, at some point we have to stop making excuses for ourselves and just do what we should do. Get up. Pick up. Clean up. Grow up.

Does that mean we are unsympathetic because some people have to struggle with certain issues more than others? No! It means just because we understand why people do certain things, it doesn’t give them license to do it. Just because we have an excuse for what we do, doesn’t mean we should continue doing it.

Sometimes we can hire someone to do what we don’t want to do. Believe it or not, if we can afford it, I’m all for that. That’s one way of accepting responsibility. But sometimes we have to stop making excuses and change our unacceptable behavior.

The Bible says it’s better for a man to meet a bear robbed of her cubs rather than a fool in his folly (Proverbs 17:12).  Yet we are a little foolish at times.  Maybe that’s why the Welsh Proverb says, “If every fool wore a crown, we should all be kings.”   At no time is that more evident than on April Fool’s Day (April 1^st).  It seems to bring out the “folly” in everyone.  In addition to people trying to outdo themselves with tricks and jokes, around that time people will believe just about anything.

The origin of April Fool’s Day is hazy at best.  Lots of ancient festivals such as the Roman Saturnalia, the Indian Holi, the Festus Fatuorum (Feast of Fools), and a Celtic festival honoring Lud, the god of humor, involved games, tricks, and jokes.  The most popular theory about April Fool’s Day links back to France and the Gregorian Calendar.

The New Year used to be an eight day celebration culminating on April 1^st.  The papacy adopted the Gregorian Calendar in 1582 which moved New Year’s Day to January 1st.  News traveled slowly in those days, so some continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1^st.  Still others refused to accept this new calendar and were considered “fools” by everyone else.  They were made the brunt of jokes like having paper fish stuck to their backs without their knowledge called Poisson d’Avril (April Fish) and sent on “fool’s” errands.

Not to be outdone by France, these prank playing traditions spread to England, Scotland and America.  In Scotland they call it “Taily Day” and it is devoted strictly to pranks for the posterior of the body.  Thus we can trace the “kick-me” sign back to this origin.  No foolin’!  I’m not making this up.

In modern times we celebrate by using fake vomit, fake dog-poo, whoopee cushions, exploding pens, and since we love to carry on traditions…putting “kick-me” signs on unsuspecting bystanders.   We are a foolish bunch, aren’t we?

April Fool’s Day is also the perfect time for hoaxes.  It’s difficult to tell truth from fiction these days so here are some classic April Fool’s jokes played on the public.  For more, check out the Museum of Hoaxes website.

In 1980 the BBC announced that Big Ben would become digital to keep up with the times.  It received a huge protest from listeners.

In 1994 an alcoholic beverage company reported it had invented a new kind of candy…the chewy Vodka Bar.  These delicacies were designed to compete with Snickers and Mars Bars.  They came in three flavors:  coconut, lemon, and salted cucumber.  They were also working on the vodka instant tea bag.

In 1996, Taco Bell announced that it bought the Liberty Bell and it would be renamed the Taco Liberty Bell.  Outraged citizens called Philadelphia in protest.  Taco Bell admitted it was a joke a few hours later.  Mike McCurry, White House press secretary, was asked about the incident and he said the Lincoln Memorial had been sold also, but to a different company.  It would now be called the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

In 1998 Burger King placed a full page ad in USA today introducing the “Left-Handed Whopper.”  It would have the same ingredients as a regular Whopper but condiments would be rotated a bit for the benefit of the left handed eater.  It was a hoax but many showed up at local Burger Kings for the new Whopper and others requested the “Right-Handed” version.

In 2000, a newspaper ran an article stating Florida researchers had come up with a Viagra type pill for sexually frustrated pets.  It sounds believable to me.  After all, people pay good money to take their dog to a psychiatrist.

Hey, we’ve all fallen for jokes now and then.  Just look at our politicians.  Like Will Rogers said, “The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected.”

I guess the real lesson of April Fool’s Day is to practice not believing anything we hear or read and only half of what we see – that and not getting close enough to anyone who can put a “kick-me” sign on your back.

And with that I will say, “Happy April!”

BTW…your shoe is untied.  Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

As Easter fast approaches people anticipate putting on their “Easter bonnets,” (metaphorically speaking, of course) and heading for their annual church meeting to celebrate the risen Christ.  I use the word “annual” because for many Easter is the only day of the year they make the effort to attend church.  Even if they don’t want to acknowledge Christ’s existence the rest of the year, deep in their hearts they do believe Christ died, was resurrected, and He is alive.

Then another group stays away from church on this day because they believe Easter has a pagan origin and no self respecting Christian would celebrate it.  This is nothing new.  A scholarly debate over Easter’s origin has been going on for millennia.  For thousands of years both Christians and pagans have celebrated death and resurrection themes following the Spring Equinox.  Some say the name Easter came from the German word “ostern” which means sunrise.  Some think it refers to some ancient Northern European Saxon goddess of fertility.  Her name was derived from the ancient word for spring, which was “eastre.”

Actually a pretty good case can be made for Christian and pagan explanations.  But to shy away from something just because it has a pagan origin when that is no longer the intent or meaning of what is taking place can be quite limiting – especially since many of our everyday customs can be traced back to paganism.  This would include things such as wedding rings, cross symbols, holidays, wedding ceremonies, handshakes, covering your mouth when you yawn and so on.  Even the word Sunday is derived from a pagan deity, as are the other days of the week.

Then yet another group stays home because they simply do not believe Jesus Christ existed.  Or if they do believe he existed, they don’t believe he died for our sins.  Or if they do believe he lived and died, they don’t believe he was resurrected.  Many chose to believe this because intellectually speaking it isn’t logical that it happened.  Even Thomas, one of the disciples who lived with and followed Christ succumbed to this deceptive thought process.  Where do you think the phrase “doubting Thomas” came from?

John 20:24-31 tells us that Thomas wasn’t with the rest of the disciples when Jesus first showed himself to them after he was resurrected.  Thomas said, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”   Eight days later Jesus came to the disciples again and this time Thomas was with them.  Jesus did not rebuke Thomas but lovingly said, “Reach hither your finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither your hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believe.”   Thomas conceded that indeed this was the risen Jesus Christ, “My Lord and my God!”

Some intellectuals say they won’t believe anything they can’t see.  But relying on just what we see can be deceiving as well.  Do we really believe a master magician produces a tiger out of thin air?  We don’t know how it’s done, but there’s the tiger, just the same.  With spiritual matters we might think we have to see to believe but sometimes it’s better to believe, then God allows us to see.  Jesus told Thomas, “Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

I think that’s one of the messages of Easter.  God asks us to believe the unbelievable.  Jesus lived.  Jesus died.  Jesus rose from the dead.  Jesus lives.

Top of the mornin’ to you (or afternoon, or evening, or night or whatever)! Let’s get into that St. Patrick’s Day spirit. It’s not really one of the more prominent holidays in our area, probably because we don’t have that many Irish in Silicon Valley or we don’t get a day off from work but hey, who wouldn’t like to find a leprechaun and snag that pot of gold? And many will wear a shamrock or at least a little something green on March 17.

All right, maybe St. Patty didn’t literally drive all the snakes out of Ireland because snakes aren’t really native to Ireland anyway. This legend must have some metaphoric meaning. And whether he did or didn’t use a shamrock to explain the Trinity is debatable. He’s still a pretty fascinating fellow.

Histories of saints tend to be a little fuzzy but St. Patrick’s story goes something like this. Patrick, now considered the patron saint of Ireland, was actually born in Roman Britain around 380 AD. As a teen he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and sold into slavery. This experience brought him close to God. After six years he escaped and studied for the priesthood with the thought of one day returning as a missionary to Ireland – which he did, although accounts of when he actually returned are hazy. However no one denies the tremendous influence St. Patrick played in converting the Irish to Christianity.

Thomas Cahill, author of How the Irish Saved Civilization, makes the point that during the Dark Ages a candle of Christianity was lit by Patrick and burned in Ireland. It seems that Patrick brought a new kind of Christianity to the pagan Irish. Ireland was not bound by the Greco-Roman sociopolitical climates that surrounded Christianity at that time. Therefore, Cahill states, “”The early Irish Christianity planted in Ireland by Patrick is much more joyful and celebratory [than its Roman predecessor] in the way it approaches the natural world. It is really not a theology of sin but of the goodness of creation.” No wonder those Irish always have such a good time!

Can one person make a difference? Evidently Patrick did. His experiences in slavery made him the first to speak out against it in the 5th Century. It took the Church until the 19th Century to take a stand on that issue. Also Patrick, following the lead of Christ, respected women as individuals, an attitude not shared by religious hierarchy at the time or some today I might add. In fact Patrick seemed to respect all mankind, even the disadvantaged, the poor, the sinner.

To go back to a country that had enslaved you and preach Christ boggles my mind, but that’s what Patrick did. Even after 30 years of missionary work in Ireland, Patrick still considered it a scary place to live. Yet by the time Patrick died through his influence the Irish had stopped slave trading and human sacrifice altogether. It also appears that he achieved part of the commission given to the apostles by Christ, to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth.

It sounds pretty impressive to me. Who knows? I might wear a little green myself this year, even though I’m not Irish. And as Patrick might say if he were here:

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand
And never close His fist too tight!

Did you turn your clocks forward? If it weren’t for that little phrase we learned in school, “spring forward/fall back,” I would never be able to figure out whether to turn the clock forward or back. And I’m always confused about whether I’m gaining time or losing time. I would be happy if we just kept our clocks the same all the time, but the world doesn’t ask my opinions on such things so I just go with the flow. However, when it comes time to turn or clocks ahead, we know that spring is in the air.

Spring means different things to different people. We have spring cleaning, spring fever, spring in the air, spring break, spring fling, first signs of spring, and the dreaded thought that we are “no spring chickens.” To spring forward gives the impression we must spring into action. I guess many have been cooped up during the winter months so the tendency is to rush out and do things. However, I personally don’t think spring is a season we want to rush through. Sometimes when we rush into things we miss so much.

I think spring is a wonderful time for reflection. It’s a season that brings rejuvenation and hope. The beauty of God’s creation bursts forth. The Easter and Passover season will soon be here. So as we spring forward let’s leave time to think about God’s creation, His blessings, Christ’s sacrifice for us, and His resurrection which brings the promise of eternal life.

Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for every season. Our current season time is spring. And I may not know whether or not I’m gaining or losing time, but I do know I want to enjoy it.

On the way to church a mother told her children they would need to be quiet during the service. “And why should we be quiet in church?” she asked.

Her son replied, “Because people are sleeping.”

That may be true because statistics show they aren’t sleeping at home. In fact they aren’t sleeping much at all. In this 24/7 world, people are so eager to work and play, they find little time for sleep. The results are problems, frustrations, anger, and stress. Even many driving accidents can be linked to driver fatigue. All can be linked to sleep deprivation.

Not only does lack of sleep make people testy and accident prone, it makes them vulnerable to disease and infection. The human immune system breaks down. Hormones and metabolism become unbalanced. Studies show an increase in high blood pressure, obesity, alcoholism, depression, heart attacks, memory loss, and diabetes. In addition, poor sleep habits create mistakes and miscalculations. It affects concentration and coordination.

Years ago the standard amount of sleep per night was 9 hours. People once read by candlelight or went to sleep when it got dark. Today it never has to get dark. With the invention of electricity and the light bulb people can have activity all night long. Video games, television, and computers provide us with scads of late night options. Grocery stores are open all night long. Telephone service is available all night long. Some people work all night long. We also have easy transportation. It used to take days to get across country. Cars, planes, and trains run all night long. It is comforting to know 80% of U.S. pilots report they illegally nod off in the air.

Liza Minelli used to sing, “I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps,” referring to New York. Well, that can refer to just about any city in the U.S. now. And if you really don’t want to sleep you can drink coffee, guzzle diet cola, take no-doze, or bathe in a caffeinated soap called Shower Shock. No, I didn’t make that up. Sleeping Beauty and Rip Van Winkle wouldn’t have even gotten a good nap if they lived today.

Sleep is not without its drawbacks. Remember, it was while Adam was sleeping that God took his rib and made woman but that is the exception not the rule. Generally speaking, we need sleep – and lots of it. Experts agree that people need at least 7 to 8 hours sleep a night. Some feel it should be more. Our ancestors may have been right – around 9 hours might be best. Just because people have trained themselves to get by on less sleep doesn’t mean they are functioning at their optimum level.

Educational organizations like the National Sleep Foundation can give people pointers on how to get more sleep but until people really buy into the idea of more sleep being necessary, nothing will change. Our bodies need to shut down and rest. It’s therapeutic, healing, and replenishing. In fact old sayings like “The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep” and “a good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book” seem to be rooted in truth.

The Bible says, “I will lay me down in peace to sleep” for God makes me dwell in safety. It’s nice to know that our loving God who watches over us never slumbers and never sleeps. (Psalm 120:4) As for the rest of us, we better get our zzzzzzzs!

When Jesse Jackson Jr. recently agreed to plead guilty to federal charges to use $750,000 in campaign funds for lavish personal expenses Jackson said in an apologetic written statement that he offered no excuses for his conduct and accepted full responsibility for his improper decisions, mistakes, and errors in judgment. He went on to say, “…and while my journey is not yet complete, it is my hope that I am remembered for things I did right.”

I doubt that will happen. In today’s society we’d rather remember people for the things they do wrong, not what they do right. I’m not saying people should not be held accountable for improper decisions, mistakes, or errors in judgment. I actually believe if you break a window, you should pay for it. However, when we think of others do we tend to think of their negative qualities or positive? What does God remember when he looks at us?

One of my goals for the New Year has been to reread the Bible from Genesis to Revelation – to review what I think I know and get a new overview on things I’ve missed. To be honest, I’ve found it a little discouraging. I had forgotten the flaws of our biblical patriarchs.

Abraham couldn’t get along with his cousin Lot, had more than one wife, and was so afraid he would be killed in a new land he lied about Sarah being his wife. In fact, he even gave Sarah to another man in Egypt to become his wife.

Isaac had concubines (Genesis 35:22) and definitely favored his son Esau over his son Jacob.

That favoritism didn’t do Esau much good because Jacob finagled him out of his first born birthright. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he actually pretended to be Esau so his father Isaac pronounced the blessings of the firstborn on him instead of Esau. Jacob also had multiple wives and concubines which seemed to be the accepted practice of the day.

Of course I’m only in Genesis. I’ll have more disappointing accounts ahead. Moses strikes the rock in anger and doesn’t get to go into the Promised Land; Jephthah makes a foolish vow and loses his daughter: Samson succumbs to Delilah and loses his strength: David has an affair with Bathsheba, has her husband Uriah killed so he can marry her and loses a son. The list is endless.

Notice that God doesn’t usually shield these men from the consequences of their actions. However, it is interesting to note that they are all mentioned fondly in the faith chapter (Hebrews 11). Although God had the events of these particular people recorded so we can learn from them, I don’t think he wants them remembered for what they did wrong, but rather for what they did right. They believed God, trusted God, and had faith in God. That’s why they are in the “Hall of Faith” chapter.

You see, God didn’t use these patriarchs because of their strengths, but rather in spite of their weaknesses. God works with us the same way. He knows us inside and out (Psalm 139:1-6) and loves us anyway (Romans 5:8). And through his forgiveness, God remembers our sins no more (Isaiah 43:12, Psalm 103:12). He looks on our hearts (I Samuel 16:7). If our hearts are right with God, we may still stumble, fall, and have to face consequences. However, I can’t help but believe that God now remembers us for the things we did right, not the things we did wrong.

Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18, “On this rock I will build my church.” However “church” in the Bible does not translate Baptist, Catholic, Protestant, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, or Lutheran. In Greek it is “ecclesia” meaning “those who have been called out.” They have been “called out” of a world that rejects God and “into” a fellowship with God and others who believe in God. So which denomination is this “church” Jesus refers to?

After all, denominations abound and new ones are forming every day. Christians can’t see eye to eye on everything so schisms occur. Then people break away from their parent congregation to form a new fellowship. Many who break away take pride in saying they are “non-denominational.” This could be called the “Non-Denominational Denomination” which makes them just as much a part of a denomination as anyone else.

Church schisms are nothing new. They have always been a part of the Christian heritage because believe it or not all Christians don’t see eye to eye on everything. In fact, there has never and probably will never be a time when all Christians worship the same way or believe the same things. In Biblical times, even Paul and Barnabus went their separate ways. And people have always had a tendency to look to men rather than God. “I am of Apollo. I am of Paul. I am of Cephas.” (I Corinthians 1:11-13)

The early church dealt with Judaizers, who believed men should be circumcised and adhere to rituals to gain salvation, and Gnostics who felt they had secret knowledge.
A few centuries later the Great Schism divided the Eastern and Western churches over certain issues, one of them being whether or not to use leavened or unleavened bread during Communion. Also the East was a little more traditional and the West a little more contemporary. Some things never change.

Then there was the Protestant Reformation where those who protested broke away from the major denomination of the day, Catholicism, objecting to certain practices, such as being able to buy your way out of sin through indulgences.

Doctrinal differences can divide churches over issues such as full immersion baptism versus sprinkling or meeting on Saturday versus Sunday. Many times people disagree over scripture interpretation such as what it means to speak in tongues. Social issues can play a prominent part in church schisms like slavery did around the time of the Civil War. As society changes, views change. Today hot topics causing schisms are views on gay couples and what role should women play at church. Everyone has an opinion.

What does God think about all these denominations? Is this what He had in mind?

I’m not sure. The Bible does say, “There must be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” (1 Corinthians 10:19) And when the disciples were upset about someone not a part of their group casting out demons in Jesus’ name Jesus said, “Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” (Luke 9: 49, 50)

Perhaps the greatest danger with denominations is when they fell they are superior to others. To be honest, there isn’t a denomination around that hasn’t muddled the message of Jesus in one way or another. Not intentionally, of course, but denominations are run by humans – dedicated, God fearing humans, but humans just the same. And humans are flawed.

Not much is said about denominations in the Bible but much is said about Jesus, His life, His example, His teachings, His death, and His resurrection. Much is said about love, respect, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faith, meekness, and self control. These are the qualities and unifying factors in the Christian community. If you are looking for the church, look for these common denominators and the “ecclesia” can be found.

Remember this – it is not a denomination that is saved, but a person.