16 November 2011

Blessed are ye that hunger now

It is sometimes difficult to see, but it is nonetheless true that those of us living this CSPP life have more in common with folk who confess the real presence of Christ in His supper, even if those folk use birth control, than we have in common with Michelle Duggar.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please, go on...=)

Anonymous said...

Not sure where this is post is headed - is it that we need to identify those with whom we have commonalities, and if so for what purpose? Please enlighten. Pretty sure that these divisions will not be flagged in Paradise.

Katy said...

Excellent reminder. One "lifestyle" (perpetually pregnant and surrounded by offspring) is temporal, but my confession as sinner, fed and forgiven weekly by God Himself is eternal. I could be CSPP, but barren, and have nothing in common with the Duggars, but everything in common with those on either side of me at the Table.

On a side note, I'm happy for the Duggar's new addition. I'm not sure I would be as brave and trusting under the circumstances. Time will tell. As I like to reply to all those snoopy/criticizing comments: "One baby at a time..."

etem said...

and we together are sad that they don't baptize those babies.

Naomi Joy said...

I'm confused. What does this mean?

Untamed Shrew said...

This means that we should fear, love and trust in God above all things.

Amie said...

your right, and it is hard, because it is a lot more "natural" to find things in common on the outside than on the inside. Good reminder though.

Dawn said...

Dear Anonymice: The point is that now is forever when we're gathered around His table. Rev. Murray says it much better than I could. Here you go. :)

And, yeah, I can't imagine that in the coming Kingdom each will have to wear an armband advertising to which denomination he ascribed. Nonetheless, what each of us confesses now is a really big deal.

Anonymous said...

I know the wickedness of my own thoughts in this comment, but I include it because I imagine some of you might have helpful comments for me: Often, when gathered 'round the altar, I don't feel much fellowship with those around me. It seems easy to confess the Word, but another thing to live by His commandments, which is something I see lacking in many of my fellow communicants. I realize that I am as unworthy as they, but especially in this CSPP lifestyle, where I have heard from their very own mouths their unwillingness to have more children, I find it a difficult to feel Christian fellowship surrounded by them. Knowing that many of those around me in my church hold to some teachings (such as the Real Presence), but not to others (such as Be Fruitful and Multiply), does make me feel a true affinity toward those who follow the latter in other church bodies, and sometimes allows me to begrudge my own. Any one else feel this way? How do I aim these feelings in a more constructive manner?

Anonymous said...

I feel so out of it, when I'm at the Table I'm usually wondering "does my butt looks big in these pants" - no actually - I must admit that once I get to that point I have made my confession - my neighbor has made hers - we are all beggars at the foot of the cross. Sorry for those about me, but I'm not actually pondering upon them - just thankful for the Gifts (again!)

Untamed Shrew said...

Yes, I feel that way too, anon. Only, wretched sinner that I am, my thoughts are more along the lines of "that person on the Pill is living in unrepentant sin. She has no business being here, and she bastardizes the Supper for the rest of us who want to amend our sinful lives."

Ahem. I break the speed limit EVERY time I get in the car. Maybe I break it by 3 mph and maybe it's more like 20 mph, but I am unrepentant either way, and show no respect for the Divinely-ordained goverment which, in this instance, is aiming to protect me and my neighbors.

So I'm beyond the scum of Pill-users and thieves and rapists, for I carry the gravest sin of all: pride. I am the worst sinner I know, because I know what goes on in my head. The only way for me to worthily receive the Sacrament is to know and confess how UNworthy I am. Yes, we are all beggars! And you know what? This works out just swell, because He is full of grace upon grace, and delights in giving good gifts to His children.

Katy said...

What Shrew said (especially "I am the worst sinner I know, because I know what goes on in my head").

Also, I usually counter my proud "I'm so good and open to life" voice with the argument that I'm doing nothing but love my husband. God gives me the children. Actually, since having kids, I've had a lot more sympathy for those who "opt out." It's the responsible thing to do these days, so why not? You're being "responsible" AND getting the easy way out.

Does that make sense? One of the hidden tragedies of the contraception age is that it makes those who counter it think a lot of themselves, when previously having babies was just what everyone did, nothin' special.

But I too have all kinds of horrible proud thoughts in church. God often humbles (and distracts) me with disobedient, misbehaving children.

Katy said...

Oh, and most people I know are just ignorant or not reflective, not knowingly sinning in this area. But it IS troublesome when people hear all the facts and arguments and still persist.

Anonymous said...

Yet I am not ignorant, and I am reflective, and I do not perceive that I am "sinning in this area" by choosing a birth control method that prevents those little swimmers from ever wading into the pool of possible fertilization. My husband and I do believe that we are being good stewards of all of our God-given resources; we don't love our children any less than those who have 5-6-7-+.

I respect your openness to the unlimited blessings of the CSPP life, however I beg you to consider that the gal next to you at the Table, who is wondering which kid will do a skin-the-cat on the communion rail this week (because you know her other set of hands, Dad, is actually busy handing out communion) struggles to love the Lord her God each and every day as you do.

Untamed Shrew said...

I hope I'm not dominating the discussion, and I do not presume to know any more than the three wise owners of this blog. But I've been where you are. Over the years, scripture and fahter-pastors have convinced me of two things:

1) There is certainly a difference between rejecting children via abortion or abortifacients vs. rejecting them with a condom, vasectomy, or nfp. And there is certainly a staggering similarity. Avoiding kids is avoiding kids.

2) As far as stewardship, I struggle with this too, mainly because I don't feel like I'm doing a good job. I yell too much, I yell the wrong words, my house is a mess, the food is so-so, etc. But I'm not ready to say, "Lord, your gift of eyesight has become too burdensome for me. The liability and stress are overwhelming. Please withhold your gift of eyesight." So why would I ask Him to withhold His gift of fertility?

Rebekah said...

>> the gal next to you at the Table

I believe that was precisely the point of the original post.

Katy said...

>"we don't love our children any less"

of course not!

>"the gal next to you at the Table [...] struggles to love the Lord her God each and every day as you do."

Yes! I don't disagree at all, and never meant to imply that I do.I believe this was the point of the post.

I should qualify my last comment. I have actually heard (too many) parents state to my face that they were done having kids just because they didn't want any more. They were satisfied. Those were who I was speaking about. I am not trying to guilt anyone who has or is facing tough decisions for very real financial or health reasons.

Anonymous said...

Thanks gals - great discussion.

Rebekah said...

>>since having kids, I've had a lot more sympathy for those who "opt out."

Ahem. Yes. As long as we're all sharing evil thoughts, there is a big part of me that must combat another big part of me not wishing this on anyone. Those who opt out on the basis of not having the patience or the inclination have NO IDEA how right they are. There are people who DO have the inclination (outside of the appropriately bound conscience on which I and other jerks rely) and are driven from it by the actual experience.

Dawn said...

Dear "beg to consider" Anon: OK. I consider you. Also, I wrote this post. See you in the Kingdom, girlfriend.

Dear "wicked" Anon: I feel exactly as you feel. Thus are we wicked together. :P But good news! Just as Christ was untainted when he touched the sick and leprous with His hands, so is His Body untainted when it passes through our unclean lips and works its way into our unclean hearts. Let us together focus upon His cross, and together repent and pray, and together rejoice that Christ's resurrected flesh knits all of us, His people, together in perfection and holiness, even unto life everlasting. xoxo, for reals.