The majority of Christian churches recognize the concept of SACRAMENTS in their worship and belief patterns either in their doctrines, dogma or merely customs.  Sacraments are defined as "outward visible signs of inward spitual grace" and the two sacraments of baptism and communion (the Lord's Supper) are generally considered "necessary for salvation".  While there are some churches that go for a higher number of "necessary" sacraments, and there do exist some "Anabaptist" churches that hold loose views on the necessity of Baptism, there is room for other personal sacraments to be recognized as the outward signs of inward spirituality.

All that preface leads to one of my own thoughts -- that IT IS possible that my outward expression of my femininity, although born as a biological male, is an expression of my inward spiritual self that is in full communion with Christ and God in the beauty and awefullness of any other sacrament.  I have received communion when I was in female presentation in churches that knew I was transgendered and not bio.  In the sacrament itself, I have not felt any repudiation for coming there as I was.  I have actually had a feeling of wrongness as male in several churches, especially those who believe in ,,biblical,, sexism. (comma's used as upside down quotes)

The service I will attend this morning will begin with a prayer that goes:

"Almighty God to You all hearts are open, and from You no secrets are hidden."

The Collect goes on to ask for a cleansing of the heart and spirit, and for me at least, my transgender thoughts are left in tact, with the dirtyness others want them to be being taken away but not the thoughts themselves.

I could make this a survey with yes or no or "are you out of your mind" choices, but I hope others will comment on their own thoughts about US being our own Sacrament.

Peace be with you.

Life is a sacrament.

Unless the reincarnationists are correct, I have just one life to live. Living it to the fullest of who and what I am, to me, is a form or worship. Therefore, it is a sacrament.

At least, it is to me.

From the Christian perspective a "Sacrament of Self" would not be possible.

As a Sacrament is that which is given by God.

Baptism is the annoucement that "original sin" has been taken away by Gods Grace.

Communion is the Grace of Forgivness of Sin. Which were taken by Christ when he died on the Cross.

Therefore this is why Sacrament, implies sacrifice. Theres no level of sacrifice I can make that can come anywhere near the above.

I can accept Gods Grace, and live a more Christian life. But the best I can do throught this life is contribute to the welfare and betterment of the world at large.

Also I believe the prayer emntioned by Vicky is what is known as the "Corporate Confession of Sin." One should have at least a clean conscience before approaching the Communion Alter.

Mich'

Sweetie if you feel that being who you were meant to be by God's Grace is your sacrament, then that is your gift both to and from God, and no one has any right or place whatsoever to tell you any differently.

Quote from: Romans 12:1, New International Version"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God— this is your spiritual act of worship."

The actual prayer I was quoting is called the "Great Collect" or "Collect For Purity" from the Protestant Episcopal Church's Book Of Common Prayer.  It is meant to "collect" all of the people at the service and center them on what will be happening over the next hour or so in the liturgy so that we are concentrating on preparing ourselves for Communion.  Later in the service there is the "General Confession" which is a prayer to help us focus on "what we have done and what we have left undone" that falls short of the mark and would prevent us from fully enjoying the experience of Communion.

I do understand Mich's point and see where she is coming from in her faith.  My beliefs are based more on spiritual adventure and openness, with scripture and traditions being guidance rather than an absolute roadmap with only one marked route permitted.  (The difference between a topographical map and a GPS.) I am a little looser on some of my ideas than may be for others, but so far I've been lucky and missed being invited to the weiny roast that violent heretics get thrown by their neighbors if not their clergy.  (The last lightning bolt that came somewhat close had a 3000 count -- 3/5 of a mile).  Even Jesus laughed in the wilderness although the scriptures do not exactly say so.

sorry I don't mean to offend anyone's religious beliefs, I just thought that bible verse sort of fit the question being asked.

An apology of my own is probably due.

I didn't mean to come across as being hostile, but rather humble.

My "harshness" towards the use of the word sacrifice is more due to the overuse of the word in todays world.

A firefighter, police office or soldier who dies in the line of duty, serving others. Now thats sacrifice.

I though probably will never be called upon to face such a situatiom.

I have no fear of dying, I know where I am going. The thought of how I might actually die, thats a different story.

I bellieve the quote offered by FairyGirl appears in the passage that refers to Christians should expect to be persecuted. Fitting for the times, considering that we were being thrown to lions at the time.

The "Great Collect" reference that Vicky made, I was confussed. You are most correct. Yeah, I need to get my pretty little head to Church. God has had plenty of opportuinty of late to struck lightning upon me, I live in South Florida. The rainy season came early this year. Yet he still takes mercy upon yours truly. A few weeks ago while posting here I actually "hit the deck," given how close the strike was.

The saddest part of my missunderstanding the liturgy is that I'm Lutheran. Very similar service.

Finally for the adventerous Christian. I've found the Tao Chi Ching to be of great value for spiritual growth.

Peace be upon us all...Mich'.

Fairy Girl, no offense in the slightest, the passage you quoted from Romans is actually in the 1928 Book Of Common Prayer, and leads into the invitation to "Draw near with faith and make your confession to Almighty God, devoutly kneeling".  That prayer book was very "penetential" in its wordings, much more so than the current book.  It does fit with what I was thinking about when I wrote my OP.

Mich
I do agree that today everybody moans about their terrible sacrifices even if its giving up one beer to play ball with their children.  Some of those moans are louder than if they actually have to take a pay cut (as I have) to keep their job.  is the response to professional athletes who "MTS" when they only get a two year contract in the 7 figures area.  When the term sacrifice is equated with whining in too many peoples minds, ---- nuff said.

When we come to full acceptance of ourselves as being transgendered, we do have to give up (sacrifice) those things that made us the "same" as other people even in fantasy.  Our accepting self and the freedom we gain from acceptance are beautiful and valuable to God and, though many of them will not acknowledge it, our siblings in Christ.  Maybe not the same thing as going into a "back draft" or facing an armed and dangerous situation, all agreed.  We accept our condition, not to be selfish or perverted as some claim, but to be valuable and loving people in ways that make us feel calmer and are more responsive to people around us.

I know that I am coming to grips with the facts that I do not feel I have done much EVER that was special or meaningful, even with many people telling me I have.  I get frequent glimmers that my "humility" that way may in fact be a short fall that is keeping me from being all that I can be.   

"Get up from your knees my daughter (or son) your offering has been good, come to MY joy."  I think God would like to say that to us if we listen for it.