Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Religion. Show all posts

Monday, September 5

Surprised by Joy

I have to share this poem. It left me in tears. 

Surprised by Joy
     BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTHSurprised by joy—impatient as the Wind
I turned to share the transport—Oh! with whom
But Thee, long buried in the silent Tomb,
That spot which no vicissitude can find?
Love, faithful love, recalled thee to my mind—
But how could I forget thee?—Through what power,
Even for the least division of an hour,
Have I been so beguiled as to be blind
To my most grievous loss!—That thought’s return
Was the worst pang that sorrow ever bore,
Save one, one only, when I stood forlorn,
Knowing my heart’s best treasure was no more;
That neither present time, nor years unborn
Could to my sight that heavenly face restore. 

This, by the way, is the poem after which Lewis named his autobiography of faith. Read it; it will change your life. 

Wednesday, May 11

Defining Religion


A couple of words that get thrown around a lot are love and religion. They almost seem to have a different meaning for every person, and for some they seem to have multiple meanings.
We say "I love you" to our soulmate but then say "I love Doritos" or "I love Tony Stark." Unless of course...
We say "I'm not religious," but then we say we believe in God. Or perhaps we call ourselves 'religious,' but it's only on Sundays and it's not personal; it's just a moral code or an upbringing.
How can we know the true definition of these words?
Since God is the ultimate source for truth, and in fact is the Truth, let's see how he defines them.
Let's look at religion.

Religion
(v) Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Well! There we have it. Glad to have that knocked out of the way; you can all put away your religious debate papers now.

If anyone knows of another instance where the word religion us used in the Bible, let me know in the comments and please provide the verse and what version of the Bible you're using. Thanks!