The Christian Reformed Church has designated Sept 26 as Abuse Awareness Sunday. From the CRC website: "This is one time during the church year when we draw attention to the reality that abuse, in various forms and in various ways, is a part of our faith community. Most abuse occurs in the home. We might see the impact afterwards, but not the behavior as it occurs. Yet, those who hurt family members and those hurting family members are worshipping with us and attending other church functions. We need to be aware that some in our congregation are hiding enormous secrets." Verbal abuse is one form of abusive behaviour. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths..." The word unwholesome, in the original Greek carries the sense of something decaying, or rotting, like rotten fish. Rotten fish stinks. Our lives shouldn't stink, rather, we should be imitators of God, living a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering (5:1,2). Through Jesus' sacrifice we can find healing and forgiveness and the strength to overcome what is sinful and evil in our homes and churches.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Something stinks
The Christian Reformed Church has designated Sept 26 as Abuse Awareness Sunday. From the CRC website: "This is one time during the church year when we draw attention to the reality that abuse, in various forms and in various ways, is a part of our faith community. Most abuse occurs in the home. We might see the impact afterwards, but not the behavior as it occurs. Yet, those who hurt family members and those hurting family members are worshipping with us and attending other church functions. We need to be aware that some in our congregation are hiding enormous secrets." Verbal abuse is one form of abusive behaviour. Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths..." The word unwholesome, in the original Greek carries the sense of something decaying, or rotting, like rotten fish. Rotten fish stinks. Our lives shouldn't stink, rather, we should be imitators of God, living a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering (5:1,2). Through Jesus' sacrifice we can find healing and forgiveness and the strength to overcome what is sinful and evil in our homes and churches.
