I was thinking about a conversation I had the other day with a person from another church. While I am sure her intention was to draw me to visit the church, I left only hoping my interpretation of what she was saying was wrong. I believe that church is suppose to be a fun place. Worshiping God, great messages, fellowship - it is fun. I also believe its okay for church congregations to do other fun activities that have nothing to do with God.
However, those fun activities should be in addition too, not in place of. I understand the desire to reach more people, but if you are reaching them through fun and games - when those pass they typically don't stay around. Christ did not say if you build a basketball court, have game nights every week, spend lots of money on special occasions - you will draw people to me. He said "If I be lifted up I will draw all men to Me."
Our primary purpose as the Church is to draw people to Christ - being his hands and feet. He loved people. He fed people. He healed people. His mere presence had people shouting and gathering. We should be so full of love and joy, and so willing to meet the tangible needs of people that the lost flock to the Church because they know the Church has the answer.
I am sure Jesus was fun to be around even when he wasn't preaching and teaching. He didn't have to come up with some gimmick to hold people's attention. People wanted to hear what he had to say. They wanted to be in his presence. Not just believers, but the lost too.
It is time that the Church stop trying to draw in the numbers and focus on lifting God up. I know that if we focus our attention on Him, people will be drawn by Him, to His Body, the Church. Numbers will increase not just momentarily but will multiple as others begin drawing to Him also. There will be plenty of time for fun and fellowship and other activities that flow out of the deep hunger for God and wanting to be in the presence of like minded people.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sad heart
Last night I watched "To Save a Life." There is a scene in the movie where the new kid at church calls the youth group on the floor about the judgmental hypocritical actions of the church. It was right on, a very powerful, convicting scene. However, the movie ended and I gave little thought after the fact to that scene.
But today I met a young man, and with passionate anger he made my heart sad. His anger was pure and raw. Had I been the object of his anger, I would have been fearful. Seven hours later his words still ring in my ears, tear at my heart, and have me on the verge of tears. I am enraged and so very heartbroken.
He told of his own plea to save a life and the actions of the people at the church. He told of the heart that went empty to the church only to be judged for outward appearance. Not a small slight, but outright to the face comments, that cracked the already broken spirit or vessel. That one life, pulled on the lives of all around it.
One person's negative attitude towards someone hurting and broken, broke her spirit and the life of others reaching out for help that day. He had worked for some time to convince this small group that God held the answer. And in a moment his work, and the work Christ died on the cross for, was discarded by a judgmental attitude of a "Christian."
As I drove home, my heart sank again as I was listening to the radio talk about "Make a Difference." Reaching out to others to reach them for Christ is what the Christian walk is suppose to be about. I try to make a difference for the short time I interact with people I meet. But the truth is, I want to point them to a place that will continue to pour into their lives after they have left mine. Ideally that would be the Church - a people and place that would continue to build hurting people up while God works to heal the hurts that life has thrown their way.
But the sad truth is that most churches no longer reach out to help those that are hurting. They are okay with the slightly injured, those they can place a mask on and parade around as changed until true change can come. The fake it until you make it is a popular slogan. But the time, energy and love that is needed to bring healing to lives of those hurting - most find it is easier to push them away and judge their behaviors as not trying. They refuse to help them work through the layers of pain and hurt, the cause of their sin symptoms, to minister the reconciliation and salvation Christ died to give them, that they are too hurt to accept.
And so I am left with a sad heart. I have seen too often the hurt that churches can cause on an already injured person. The Church is suppose to be the hospital for hurting people, emergency, trauma, long-term acute care - whatever is needed to heal completely. Instead, I have seen and heard that many are more of a screening center and specialty practice where people can get just the parts they want touched up. That is not what Christ died for. He came to heal the brokenhearted; not turn them away. He came to set the captive free; not make their burdens feel heavier. He came to lead people out of the darkness; not push them deeper into it.
I wish I could easily sum this up and have the solution to this problem. The simple answer is that we need to do as Christ did. We need to be moved by compassion. We need to love. We need to realize that we all fell short and that God was patient with us and loved us while we were still sinners. We need to realize that God didn't clean people up before he accepted them. He accepted them and in that relationship people were changed. I don't know how God can handle the evil that some people have went through, but I know that in my sin state God sees me the same as he does the person that has been through things that I can not even fathom occurring. He loves them, and I am called to do likewise.
So I am left with a sad heart, praying not only for those who are are in the depths of despair, but for those who are suppose to be reaching out, especially within the four walls of the buildings that are suppose to be God's house.
But today I met a young man, and with passionate anger he made my heart sad. His anger was pure and raw. Had I been the object of his anger, I would have been fearful. Seven hours later his words still ring in my ears, tear at my heart, and have me on the verge of tears. I am enraged and so very heartbroken.
He told of his own plea to save a life and the actions of the people at the church. He told of the heart that went empty to the church only to be judged for outward appearance. Not a small slight, but outright to the face comments, that cracked the already broken spirit or vessel. That one life, pulled on the lives of all around it.
One person's negative attitude towards someone hurting and broken, broke her spirit and the life of others reaching out for help that day. He had worked for some time to convince this small group that God held the answer. And in a moment his work, and the work Christ died on the cross for, was discarded by a judgmental attitude of a "Christian."
As I drove home, my heart sank again as I was listening to the radio talk about "Make a Difference." Reaching out to others to reach them for Christ is what the Christian walk is suppose to be about. I try to make a difference for the short time I interact with people I meet. But the truth is, I want to point them to a place that will continue to pour into their lives after they have left mine. Ideally that would be the Church - a people and place that would continue to build hurting people up while God works to heal the hurts that life has thrown their way.
But the sad truth is that most churches no longer reach out to help those that are hurting. They are okay with the slightly injured, those they can place a mask on and parade around as changed until true change can come. The fake it until you make it is a popular slogan. But the time, energy and love that is needed to bring healing to lives of those hurting - most find it is easier to push them away and judge their behaviors as not trying. They refuse to help them work through the layers of pain and hurt, the cause of their sin symptoms, to minister the reconciliation and salvation Christ died to give them, that they are too hurt to accept.
And so I am left with a sad heart. I have seen too often the hurt that churches can cause on an already injured person. The Church is suppose to be the hospital for hurting people, emergency, trauma, long-term acute care - whatever is needed to heal completely. Instead, I have seen and heard that many are more of a screening center and specialty practice where people can get just the parts they want touched up. That is not what Christ died for. He came to heal the brokenhearted; not turn them away. He came to set the captive free; not make their burdens feel heavier. He came to lead people out of the darkness; not push them deeper into it.
I wish I could easily sum this up and have the solution to this problem. The simple answer is that we need to do as Christ did. We need to be moved by compassion. We need to love. We need to realize that we all fell short and that God was patient with us and loved us while we were still sinners. We need to realize that God didn't clean people up before he accepted them. He accepted them and in that relationship people were changed. I don't know how God can handle the evil that some people have went through, but I know that in my sin state God sees me the same as he does the person that has been through things that I can not even fathom occurring. He loves them, and I am called to do likewise.
So I am left with a sad heart, praying not only for those who are are in the depths of despair, but for those who are suppose to be reaching out, especially within the four walls of the buildings that are suppose to be God's house.
Monday, August 23, 2010
To save a family
I was doing Bible study with the kids Friday and we were reading in Acts 16 about Paul, I was surprised at the number of times the chapter had comments like "and their family." Men, women, and children were coming to be saved and the whole household was being saved, baptized and filled with the Spirit.
Maybe because I have been waiting for my husband to surrender his life to Christ for at least fifteen years, this really interested me.
Acts 16:15 Lydia and the members of her household were baptized.
Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
Acts 16:33 Immediately he and all his family were baptized
Acts 16:34 He had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
So what is different in Acts 16 than it is today. I mean Paul nor Silas were disciples that walked with Christ. We know Paul had an encounter with God when he was still Saul. And Silas had came into the picture just the chapter before, although he is described as a leader among the brothers. They were obedient to Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, and bold in thier actions.
These same things are available to the Church today. I know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So that must mean the Church is the one that is not walking in obedience, completely led by the Holy Spirit, and in bold faith. I want to see whole families come to Christ - saved, baptized and filled with the Spirit at a single setting. I want to see God work as He has, through His body, the Church in today's times. We have to get back to bold, spirit-filled obedience.
Maybe because I have been waiting for my husband to surrender his life to Christ for at least fifteen years, this really interested me.
Acts 16:15 Lydia and the members of her household were baptized.
Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."
Acts 16:33 Immediately he and all his family were baptized
Acts 16:34 He had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.
So what is different in Acts 16 than it is today. I mean Paul nor Silas were disciples that walked with Christ. We know Paul had an encounter with God when he was still Saul. And Silas had came into the picture just the chapter before, although he is described as a leader among the brothers. They were obedient to Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, and bold in thier actions.
These same things are available to the Church today. I know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So that must mean the Church is the one that is not walking in obedience, completely led by the Holy Spirit, and in bold faith. I want to see whole families come to Christ - saved, baptized and filled with the Spirit at a single setting. I want to see God work as He has, through His body, the Church in today's times. We have to get back to bold, spirit-filled obedience.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
True Freedom comes through Submission
I was teaching a group today on how our behaviors are motivated by needs that we want met. One of the needs identified was the need for freedom. Under the description one of the statements read "the need for freedom is met when do do something that we don't have to do."
Tonight in church our discipleship class talked about "How to Have a Dynamic relationship between Leaders and Followers." We were talking about submitting to those in authority over us. Pastor Curtis Holt pointed out that our leaders are held accountable for the decisions they make, we are held accountable for the way that we handle our opinion and words. He said "It's not submission until you disagree with it."
I realized as he said that, true freedom comes when we chose to submit to those in authority over us, especially if we don't want to. We always have a choice to submit. Even in the worst circumstances a person can go down fighting when they are forced to do something against their will. But true freedom comes when we make the choice to submit with a good attitude and right heart even when we disagree with it.
Tonight in church our discipleship class talked about "How to Have a Dynamic relationship between Leaders and Followers." We were talking about submitting to those in authority over us. Pastor Curtis Holt pointed out that our leaders are held accountable for the decisions they make, we are held accountable for the way that we handle our opinion and words. He said "It's not submission until you disagree with it."
I realized as he said that, true freedom comes when we chose to submit to those in authority over us, especially if we don't want to. We always have a choice to submit. Even in the worst circumstances a person can go down fighting when they are forced to do something against their will. But true freedom comes when we make the choice to submit with a good attitude and right heart even when we disagree with it.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Overflow
On Wednesday night our discipleship class is studying "Getting a Grip on the Basics of Serving God" by Beth Jones. Last week our focus was week 8, How to be an Asset to your Local Church and God's Kingdom.
A comment from the book jumped out at me. It said "Everything about fruitful service to God comes from the overflow of your prayer and Word life with God." (Pg 84)
I immediately pictured a cup that represents our individual life.
At the bottom of the cup was an object, the thing we so desperately want God to do - the loved one that needs Christ, the disease or illness that needs healing, the financial burdens that need lifting, the deepest desire of our heart.
As we pray, read God's Word, and worship Him our cup fills up with the fruit that comes in a deep relationship with Him and our service to the Kingdom.
As it fills, the desire of our heart rises and then overflows into being - not because we "wished hard enough", not because we were "good enough" but because out of relationship with God, the fruit of our life speaks so loudly that the desires of our heart flow naturally. Our cup is so full it spills out into the lives of others changing them also from the inside out.
As more Christians walk in the fruitful service to God, more cups overflow. Collectively, we have the ability to bring a tidal wave from our personal overflow that washes over the needs of this world.
A comment from the book jumped out at me. It said "Everything about fruitful service to God comes from the overflow of your prayer and Word life with God." (Pg 84)
I immediately pictured a cup that represents our individual life.
At the bottom of the cup was an object, the thing we so desperately want God to do - the loved one that needs Christ, the disease or illness that needs healing, the financial burdens that need lifting, the deepest desire of our heart.
As we pray, read God's Word, and worship Him our cup fills up with the fruit that comes in a deep relationship with Him and our service to the Kingdom.
As it fills, the desire of our heart rises and then overflows into being - not because we "wished hard enough", not because we were "good enough" but because out of relationship with God, the fruit of our life speaks so loudly that the desires of our heart flow naturally. Our cup is so full it spills out into the lives of others changing them also from the inside out.
As more Christians walk in the fruitful service to God, more cups overflow. Collectively, we have the ability to bring a tidal wave from our personal overflow that washes over the needs of this world.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The Lost Get Found
Yesterday I was visiting with my sister-in-law and cousin. We were talking about praise and worship music, my cousin was recommending a new CD she is listening to that inspires her. She made the comment "It really moved me."
I love music and am often moved by different songs. Today as I was driving home, I was listening to K-love. The song is by Britt Nicole, The Lost Get Found. I was moved to tears as I thought about the words that I so often sing, but never really hear.
I realized how many times our actions as Christians speak louder than any preacher could ever preach. So many people will never step foot into a church, until they come to Christ. But it is the message of our life that ministers to the lost. It is the difference that we should portray from the rest of the world that stands out and makes the lost take notice.
I was reminded of a young man that I have felt led to witness and pray for on a regular basis. He is lost. I have tried to be a good role model with my life, and my kids have too. But my heart was broken at the times that my life has modeled that of the world, and not that of my Lord and Savior.
The song says "So when you get the chance, Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips, And you know you have the chance to change it."
I think about the chances that I failed and wonder if I will ever get them back. The chance to show him that Christians are different, in a good way. A chance to show him that the love of God is not demanding, but all encompassing. It is not because I am a Christian that I don't do certain things, but because in God's love for me. Because of my relationship with Him, I no longer want to do certain things.I know God can save him despite my shortcomings, but I want to make sure I take the chances that are given to me, so the lost get found!
I love music and am often moved by different songs. Today as I was driving home, I was listening to K-love. The song is by Britt Nicole, The Lost Get Found. I was moved to tears as I thought about the words that I so often sing, but never really hear.
I realized how many times our actions as Christians speak louder than any preacher could ever preach. So many people will never step foot into a church, until they come to Christ. But it is the message of our life that ministers to the lost. It is the difference that we should portray from the rest of the world that stands out and makes the lost take notice.
I was reminded of a young man that I have felt led to witness and pray for on a regular basis. He is lost. I have tried to be a good role model with my life, and my kids have too. But my heart was broken at the times that my life has modeled that of the world, and not that of my Lord and Savior.
The song says "So when you get the chance, Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips, And you know you have the chance to change it."
I think about the chances that I failed and wonder if I will ever get them back. The chance to show him that Christians are different, in a good way. A chance to show him that the love of God is not demanding, but all encompassing. It is not because I am a Christian that I don't do certain things, but because in God's love for me. Because of my relationship with Him, I no longer want to do certain things.I know God can save him despite my shortcomings, but I want to make sure I take the chances that are given to me, so the lost get found!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
The smallest part
We started our new discipleship study on Wednesday, the message was "The Church and you." One of the scriptures discussed was I Cor. 12:12-31, where Paul writes about the importance of the individual parts of the body in comparison to the individual members in the body of Christ.
We started talking about how everyone is important and needed in the body of Christ. And that even the person who doesn't think they have an impact on the body of Christ does impact it. And what about the members that are missing, those that have made a decision to walk away from God?
I started to think of the small body parts, that we so often take for granted. appendix, spleen, toes and chromosomes. Each one has the ability to impact the whole body, even though they are so small - some causing lasting damage.
The appendix is about 3 1/2 inches long, some question its purpose in the body, however if it becomes inflamed, it can burst and if left untreated can cause death. The little lady that sits quietly on the pew each week without saying a word, overlooked by many. She may seem like she has lost her passion and has no purpose. Maybe she is alone and has no one to share her burdens, but maybe she is the lady that prays the powerful prayers of faith. If no one reaches out to connect, what if the cares of this world start to inflame her prayer life?
The spleen is four inches long, if it has to be removed there are life long consequences as the body is less able to fight off certain infections. I am sure that there are many spiritual warriors that have went on to be with the Lord, they left a legacy that will continue to work God's mercy in the life of the church, but what this generation that is not being taught about spiritual warfare, how will they continue to fight off the infections brought by principalities and evil forces?
Birth defects develop when something is wrong with the genes or chromosomes. Genetic disorders like Down syndrome or chromosomal disorders like cystic fibrosis are caused by an altercation in one of the smallest parts of the body. Sometimes these altercations make an impact on the way someone looks. Other times they cause developmental delays. Some disorders can lead to death. All this because of a small altercation in the smallest part of the body or because it is missing. I wonder what we miss because certain members do not carry out their God given function in the body of Christ, or are not completely obedient to God's directions. Certainly when individual members act out, it can cause the lost to look and make judgements about the appearance of Christ in this world. Or maybe the delay in miracles happening or great moves of God being slow to come is because the members of the body do not act in unity with each other and in accordance with God's plan for each individual. And how many are lost because of the failed actions of individual members?
People with amputated big toes may have some difficulty when they attempt to run or increase the speed of their gait. This is because the body uses the big toe to push off from the ground when it wants to accelerate. How much momentum is lost in the body of Christ when we cast aside those that fail? Is the rate in which the lost are reached decreased because there is no one to push off of and get those members left in forward momentum?
I realized that maybe I will never be Billy Graham, Joyce Meyers, John Bevere or Francis Chan, but I have a role in the body of Christ. It is an important role. Although there are times that I question my purpose, I know however small my part I must play it.
I know that in order for the Body of Christ, the Church to reach it's full potential, it will take me, all the great leaders, and each and every Christian. We must each be doing what God has laid before us, because no one else can do our part. An eye can not be a toe, a finger can not be an ear. We each have a role, and even the smallest part must be played out to the full.
I Cor. 12:12 "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ."
We started talking about how everyone is important and needed in the body of Christ. And that even the person who doesn't think they have an impact on the body of Christ does impact it. And what about the members that are missing, those that have made a decision to walk away from God?
I started to think of the small body parts, that we so often take for granted. appendix, spleen, toes and chromosomes. Each one has the ability to impact the whole body, even though they are so small - some causing lasting damage.
The appendix is about 3 1/2 inches long, some question its purpose in the body, however if it becomes inflamed, it can burst and if left untreated can cause death. The little lady that sits quietly on the pew each week without saying a word, overlooked by many. She may seem like she has lost her passion and has no purpose. Maybe she is alone and has no one to share her burdens, but maybe she is the lady that prays the powerful prayers of faith. If no one reaches out to connect, what if the cares of this world start to inflame her prayer life?
The spleen is four inches long, if it has to be removed there are life long consequences as the body is less able to fight off certain infections. I am sure that there are many spiritual warriors that have went on to be with the Lord, they left a legacy that will continue to work God's mercy in the life of the church, but what this generation that is not being taught about spiritual warfare, how will they continue to fight off the infections brought by principalities and evil forces?
Birth defects develop when something is wrong with the genes or chromosomes. Genetic disorders like Down syndrome or chromosomal disorders like cystic fibrosis are caused by an altercation in one of the smallest parts of the body. Sometimes these altercations make an impact on the way someone looks. Other times they cause developmental delays. Some disorders can lead to death. All this because of a small altercation in the smallest part of the body or because it is missing. I wonder what we miss because certain members do not carry out their God given function in the body of Christ, or are not completely obedient to God's directions. Certainly when individual members act out, it can cause the lost to look and make judgements about the appearance of Christ in this world. Or maybe the delay in miracles happening or great moves of God being slow to come is because the members of the body do not act in unity with each other and in accordance with God's plan for each individual. And how many are lost because of the failed actions of individual members?
People with amputated big toes may have some difficulty when they attempt to run or increase the speed of their gait. This is because the body uses the big toe to push off from the ground when it wants to accelerate. How much momentum is lost in the body of Christ when we cast aside those that fail? Is the rate in which the lost are reached decreased because there is no one to push off of and get those members left in forward momentum?
I realized that maybe I will never be Billy Graham, Joyce Meyers, John Bevere or Francis Chan, but I have a role in the body of Christ. It is an important role. Although there are times that I question my purpose, I know however small my part I must play it.
I know that in order for the Body of Christ, the Church to reach it's full potential, it will take me, all the great leaders, and each and every Christian. We must each be doing what God has laid before us, because no one else can do our part. An eye can not be a toe, a finger can not be an ear. We each have a role, and even the smallest part must be played out to the full.
I Cor. 12:12 "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ."
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