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Good posts! Julie makes an excellent point about anger not pouring out of pride, but out of righteousness. Juanita made the comment about the church sharing (to some extent) in this righteous anger. It is tough to do, but when indidvidual believers are walking in the Spirit, it becomes possible to without pride, share in the holy anger and to gently and lovingly correct with good timing. We'd see far more serious disciples of Christ (with a greater understanding and love for what Jesus has done for them, too).

The comprehensiveness of sin would be bordering on the outrageous to the hebrew people...they had been raised on the concept of being a seperated people. They were to be different and distinct as the chosen people, unique among the peoples of the world. Certainly not coming before God alongside of their neighboring nations! They would have also recognized that atoning for sin was an "ongoing" problem...meaning that they had to come before the Lord with sacrifices over and over and over again because sin was always there. The idea that One could die for the sins of the whole world, and that the blood of that One would be ENOUGH and acceptable for all of time and that all who accepted this Perfect One as their substitute could be free...Yes, indeed, it is radical. I wish I could wrap my brain around it.

Hi. I am a stay-at-home mother of 4 children, married to an amazing Christian man in the Philadelphia, PA area. I lead a growing number of seeker/fairly- new Christian women in a Bible Study that meets in my home (it started as a neighborhood Bible Study). I also mentor to several teenage girls who are struggling with all of the pitfalls of being a teenager in today's culture. I have been looking for a place where I can just grow and refuel. I am greatly moved to see all of your backgrounds and locations...and how God is blessing believers with these big families! The Church is alive and well, to be sure! It is an honor to study the Word with you all.