Have you ever set out looking for something not really knowing what you were looking for? I have... I have just begun a journey that may in fact completely revolutionize my thinking when it comes to church...ministry and the body of Christ. Essentially I am beginning to think that much of the church community is simply...well...not.And if you think that I mean that the world's community is somehow a better, more real body well you would be sadly disappointed. Because I have discovered that we (the North American populous) specialized in plastic. Or as my good friend Elan Zamier (who has now left our community for God's) said, "the North American Culture is like McDonalds...it's ok if you eat it fast...but don't let it get cold...because it empty and tasteless when cold."
And somehow we in the church have been so influenced by the world around us that we too have become tasteless and empty. I'm not talking about the age old argument about the young vs the elderly or the new vs the old but rather I'm talking about the real vs the artificial.
I find it everywhere...
...in the adult who does not understand the need for contemporary worship.
...in the young adult who does not see the truth in the older hymn or song.
...in the young person who leaves an assembly because they are not getting what they want and are not willing to listen for the quiet voice of God as he tells them what He wants.
...in the adult who forces Pastors to bend to the will of the dollars that they give, rather than to listen to the spirit of God.
...in the Young person who uses the threat of departure to break bonds of family and friends to get their will.
You see we are so backwards when it comes to the truth of God.
Jesus was willing to sacrifice everything he was to protect the non-negotiable of relationships and we are willing to sacrifice relationships first to protect every structure and meaningless empty thing that we put on our plate and call it Holy. sigh.
Like I said...I've begun asking some questions...that are challenging to say the least. I want relationships that are meaningful...and filled with bone and grissel like a steak...tough to eat and even tougher to stomach...but designed by my creator to make me Strong!
6 comments:
I knew it would take a while but yay for finally posting again... it's good to hear things aren't any different in your neck of the woods - ha ha no pun intended ;)
Dave wrote
" I want relationships that are meanful...and filled with bone and grissel like a steak...tough to eat and even tougher to stomach...but designed by my creator to make me Strong!"
But is that what the other people on your path are searching for? Does God have you in a place where He is inspiring others in this arena through you?
This is a totally empowering and liberating/ free place to be. In love, when we love unconditionally, we give the other person permission to hurt us.
CHEW ON THAT
Only a person we love and care for can truly hurt us therefore, we choose, by freewill, to love and care for that person so if we are hurt it is by permission.
I'm intrigued by your comparison to fast food. We have to spend some time in that gift called "the present" to even recognize the relationships we are in.
You know what I'm saying, that place of
"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD"
We the people, enter relationships with expectations and required behavior, both what WE expect and what WE require verses what do we have to offer, how can we serve.
We the people, are so easily offended by anything and everything.
Our eyes are wide opened to what we are going to be offended by today.
(I suggest reading "The Bait of Satan")
Casting Crowns makes reference to "The Stained Glass Masquerade" in the church today.
When we make effort to speak truth people are offended, develop a grudge, get rooted in bitterness and patiently wait for the opportunity for revenge in words or actions.
Drudgery is what it is, a state of constant torment, HELL LIKE I would guess.
But even John the Baptist had to deal with the temptation of being offended.
We offend people when we obey the Spirit of God verses people pleasing.
When we choose not to rescue or enable, to give a hand up but not a hand out. The VICTIM mentality is rampant.
So where does my rant lead, REAL, RAW, HONEST relationships? I'm sure we can count them on one hand over our lifespan.
Keep praying for them though, be specific, what do those relationships look like?
Keep talking about it, keep referencing it, keep describing it,
Walk it, speak it, teach it, continue to be it.
There's a body of people hungering for that AUTHENTICITY.
Encourage it, nurture it!!
For this we know:
A slave has to - A servant gets to
A slave does the minimum- A servant reaches maximum
A slave goes one mile- A servant goes the extra mile
A slave feels robbed- A servant Gives
A slave is bound- A servant is free
A slave fights for his rights- A servant lays down his rights (from the book The Bait of Satan)
So Dave,
Keep On Keepin On,
THE CAPTIVES ARE BEING SET FREE!!
Every now and then we have an awesome formal dinner, with real potatoes not fries or instants, with fresh baked rolls, and oven baked dessert, a meal that took hours to prepare and hours to dine over. From there we find those meat and potatoe relationships and more often question why we even bother with fast food?
Get the point? Like your analogy it's not the food
It just takes TIME and people like you, BOLD enough to say the status quo is not good enough FOR MY GOD!!
SHINE ON IN CHRIST
Quest for the real... the call of the church. I am with you bro!
So... Here we are. Developing the heart of the new church the generation that is challenging but not necessarily gutsy enough to actually see it through to it's logical conclusion.
This conversation begs another question and another blog line...
Thanks Aylynn... for being real and stirring my stew...
make you strong like bull...
~c
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