Not for the faint of heart
This is a warning ahead of time that there may be information stored in this blog that could be harmful to your mental health.
I loved last night’s Ash Wednesday Service. Having it outside is the way it should be done, it reminds us that we are part of creation. “From dust we came and dust we shall return!”
The only trouble with the service is the imposition of ashes. It is messy. We mix the ashes with a little bit of olive oil to make a paste. The paste is impossible to get clean. I washed my hands numerous times last night, and then used a fingernail file but there is no way to get rid of the black. I despise dirty fingernails, just a pet peeve of mine I guess, but I don’t like them!
This morning when I woke up there they were again, dirty finger nails. I can’ t have that. So in the shower (insert mental health warning here) I was scrubbing like mad and still couldn’t get them clean so I uttered the phrase to my wife, “Get me a finger nail file and some bleach!” Her look was priceless, and not in a good way. Long story short, bleached the snot out of my hands and along with the fingernail file got my nails clean, much to my relief!
That experience got me to thinking; I wish I spent as much time trying to rid myself of sins as I did trying to get my fingernails clean. If I am honest I am sorry for my sins and wish I didn’t do them, but a lot of times I don’t implement a plan to stop doing them. I ask for God’s forgiveness, sometimes I ask for other’s forgiveness but do I put things into place to clean the mess up. I am painfully aware of how my dirty fingernails make me feel dirty but I am not aware of how my sins can make me seem “dirty” to other people. God forgives me but do I worry about trying to make sure I stay clean.
So this Lenten Season as I remember the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus I am thankful for the forgiveness given to me through the cross. I am going to show that thankfulness by putting some “cleaning” time in on my sins. If it were only as easy to clean my sins as getting some bleach and a fingernail file.
Peace,
Scott
Comments
Comments
Anonymous:
Pastor,
I heard that if we asked you a question, you would answer us in your blog, well, here it goes. I would like to know if somewhere in the bible, there is a passage that talks about "Emotional Cheating"? I have not found it and my friends are not aware of any passage, is there any such thing? Thank You, I appreciate your help. Anonymous
Anonymous:
Brother Scott,
We've all been there before whether we confess our own pet peeves out loud or not. However, trying to imagine you whining about it while in the shower is a scene that is straight of a movie. If avoiding sin was so easy, we wouldn't be human. Fact is we all sin everyday but you know that already. Some in different ways. Remember: As long as you continue to run from sin versus to sin then you are doing the right thing. God Bless you pal. Now go get ya some cheese and start looking forward to the next Ash Wednesday.
HINT: While I was still turning wrenches in the AF way back when, we used to scrape our fingernails with a bar of soap before doing heavy duty mechanical work. Then when clean up time came it was a heck of lot easier and less time consuming.
Many blessings,
Steve Lynn
Anonymous:
But are we not clean by the blood from the cross. Not that we should go about willy nilly faining ignorance of our transgressions believing to be clean and not needing to acknowlege error. Yet do we not sin with out even knowing and is God not good to forgive either. Have I caused injury and am aware I must make amends knowing full well, regardless of that effort, that that wound will always exist. Then if the world sees me as less then they so be it, for it is really only the vision of God which needs concern me.
As for the fingernails, shun the dishwasher and do a big stack of dirty dishes.
In His Love,
My Love,
Peter J Oehler
Anonymous:
Hey there Scott,
I am Michelle Sawyers friend Sandee. I am a member of Trinity Lutheran here in Kissimmee. The Lenten journey that our pastor has begun is a "Spring Cleaning" ideal. He even brought in a broom and a bucket for service on Wednesday.
Since our last pastor lefr us (last April) I have not felt connected to Church at all. My husband remains anchored as he is an assistant pastor, and my daughter goes to school there. I do not want to cause any rift in our fammily, but I need to get "unstuck".
I believe that we also have another person in common. Tammy Combes? She is an AWESOME sister! The only reason that I think she is a member at your Church is because she was telling me about the struggles you were having with a new building.
I will have to get out to hear you sometime. Michelle says wonderful things about what you have to say. I really really miss that.
Hope to hear you soon!
Sandee Johnston