³ You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? ⁴ For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?

⁵ What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. ⁶ I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. ⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

==

Why can’t we have one unified church in Christ? There are so many Christian-based religions that it makes my head spin.

This scripture makes me stop and think. The Apostle Paul is giving the early Christians guidance on whom to follow. He advises not to follow human beings, we’re all supposed to follow Christ. Christ’s laws are built upon a strong foundation – a foundation that will stand the test of time – surviving forever.

When I look at various supposedly Christ-based religions, seeing the differences in beliefs, some differences causing divisions between households and families, I wonder why can’t we all be unified in the body of Christ.

Why do you think we can’t be unified into one body under Jesus Christ? Is it due to the fact that we’re human – and it’s virtually impossible to unify all Christian humans into one body? Is it because there are supposedly Christ-based churches out there who neglect Paul’s advice and follow other men, instead of following Christ? Is it all of the above, in addition to other factors?

Please comment!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What’s your opinion about a woman’s head covering? Should a woman cover her head during worship?

When I was involved with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, decades ago, if a woman was leading a Bible study, and a man was present, she always covered her head in deference to him. The three of us (my Bible study leader, her husband, and myself) were at the Kingdom Hall, and when we took out our study books, she glanced at her husband and said, “Oh, I guess, I need to wear this since you’re here.”

She opened her purse and pulled out a scarf and she tied it on her head. I laughed (I was young, only 18) because I didn’t understand what she was doing. I thought she was kidding. She then pulled out her Bible and we read 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 (quoted at the end of this blog post) – this was their basis for their head-covering convention.

She then further explained that when the sisters of the congregation would go out in service, or pray together, they would cover their heads since there was no man present.

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So, should a woman cover her head while praying? Should she cover her head in church, or while praying with a man? Verse 15 states that a woman’s long hair is her covering – does this mean that a woman should not cut her hair? Does this verse mean that a woman’s hair has already been provided as a covering for her head?

Or, is this scripture cultural – something that was only applied to the church during the Apostle Paul’s time? Do you recall being taught about women’s head covering when you were growing up in the church?

Please leave a comment about this thought-provoking subject!

11 ¹ Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

² I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. ³ But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. ⁴ Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. ⁵ But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. ⁶ For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

⁷ A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; ⁹ neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. ¹⁰ It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. ¹¹ Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. ¹² For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

¹³ Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? ¹⁴ Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, ¹⁵ but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. ¹⁶ If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.

Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos

***This is a repeat of an old blog post!
Do you think the early Christians had deeper faith than the present-day Christians?

I’ve been talking about the early Christians. The church was so much different back then – at least different from the churches of which I’ve been a member. The miracles that happened within the early church were truly amazing. I’d like to take this moment and share some scriptures that show clothing filled with God’s spirit. I blogged about this first scripture years ago, but, thought it’d be good to talk about again since this scripture pertains to the early Christians, mainly, the Apostle Paul:

Acts 19:11-12
11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

That’s so cool, awesome and totally amazing! Can you imagine, an apron or handkerchief that had touched Paul could be taken to a sick person and the item could cure his/her illness and drive out evil spirits! Man….like, wow!!!

Paul’s miraculous miracles, stored in clothing items that he touched….

Wow!

I was talking to my husband about this last night and he reminded me of the following scripture – when the bleeding woman touched Jesus clothing and was healed:
Luke 8:43-48
43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”
When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

I would like to witness something like this happening myself. Yes, I do realize that it’s still possible for this to happen today, people can get healed, but, I wish I could travel in a time machine and go back to the days of Jesus and the Apostle Paul and witness these healings as descibed in the above-mentioned scriptures.

So, do you think the early Christians had deeper faith than the present-day Christians?

Leave a comment.

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Here’s what’s on the brunch “menu” for today:
Scrambled eggs
Bagels and cream cheese
Toast
Bacon
Cinnamon rolls
Coffee
Non-alcoholic champagne punch

Let’s imagine we’ve just finished eating the tasty food listed above before we discuss the following scriptures.

Can you imagine what it would be like if your loved ones were raised from the dead? I wanted to talk about how some of the early Christians raised people from the dead through the power of Jesus. When you read these scriptures, what goes through your mind?

Acts 9:40-42
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas – Acts 20:9-12
9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.


Both Paul and Peter were able to raise someone from the dead through hte power of Jesus! I know we talk about Jesus healing people and raising people from the dead but, I don’t notice much discussion about Paul and Peter doing this. The two above-mentioned scriptures remind me of the scripture in Luke where Jesus raised a girl from the dead.

Luke 8:49-56
49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

It’s important to note that Jesus ordered them not to tell anybody about what had happened. I wonder why? I’m wondering if such miraculous resurrections may occur today, somewhere in the world, and people are keeping silent about it?

It’s almost as if, back then – in the book of Acts, the early saints were closer to Jesus, and could perform miracles that were similiar to what Jesus did while he was on the earth? Yes, I do believe people can be raised from the dead today, but, I feel that such happenings are extremely rare if/when they do occur. As I’ve stated on this blog before, I feel that the early Christians had a closer connection to Jesus than we have today. I think their faith was so strong…so strong that it’s almost hard for us to imagine or understand such a deep faith.

So, when you read these scriptures, what goes through your mind? When I read those scriptures, I’m just awed and amazed by the healing power of Jesus – the most profound power of all!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Photo courtesy of Free Digital Photos

Did Philip Disappear – Podcast

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I’m ready to discuss another scripture on today’s Sunday Brunch. Like last week, we can pretend like we just finished eating the following menu before “discussing” the a scripture by leaving comments.

Today’s menu:

Orange Juice
Coffee
Blueberry Waffles with Syrup
Bacon
Hamburger Sliders with Fries

Today’s question:
What happened to Philip at the end of the eighth chapter in the book of Acts?

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I wanted to talk about the ending of the scripture involving the Ethiopian eunuch. After Philip has a life-changing conversation with the eunuch, Philip baptizes him. After the baptism, the following occurs:
Acts 8:39-40
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

What I’m wondering is, did the Lord’s Holy Spirit enable Philip to disappear and then re-appear in Azotus? I know some translations use the term “carried” Philip away instead of “took Philip away.” Either way you look at it, it appears to me that Philip literally disappeared from the scene of the eunuch and then reappeared in Azotus. I’m thinking Azotus was where the Lord felt was the greatest need for Philip to preach the gospel. So, that’s why He had to carry Philip away from the eunuch so suddenly – Philip had lots of preaching work to do.

Do you think that Philip literally disappeared and then re-appeared? If so, why?

Leave your responses in the comments! I’m anxious to hear what everybody has to say! I realize people will interpret this scripture in different ways and I think we can get a discussion going! I hope you “enjoyed” the meal! 🙂

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~Cecelia Dowdy~