I am a spiritual person, not so much religious. Been there, done that and have the T-shirt. Oh yes, I've done the denominational banner waving thing before. It turns into a one-up deal. MY church is better than yours. MY church has the truth and yours doesn't. It turns into something that quite closely resembles the old "My Dad is bigger than your Dad" argument I used to see on the playground. We recently attended a big crusade in Chattanooga. It's like watching the world series and it's our team against everyone else. Should've heard the AMENS when the speaker shared truths that are peculiar to our denomination. However, on the one night that we heard the speaker focus on the Gospel, the amens were few & far between. Something's WRONG with the picture when we are more excited about 29 doctrines than about Jesus Christ!
That's NOT where it's at- we need to get over it! People are drawn to loving kindness and totally turned off by know-it-alls. Knowing religion was not enough to change my heart. Yes, I studied my Bible and all the other "recommended reading" until I was VERY wise in my own eyes and ready to go around setting others straight on their theology, but inside- I was still totally messed up. 'Inheritor of Heaven' shared some wisdom gained at a recent conference: (my own thoughts in parentheses) http://oncedeadbutnowalive.blogspot.com/
• There has been a lack of spiritually OBEDIENT leaders and teaching in much of the institutional church.
(By the way, we OBEY by first surrendering to and the accepting of the love of God for us)
• Jesus must be the object of our affection and be the center of our churches, seminars, and families.
(Hardly heard about Jesus growing up- it was all doctrine. Hope that is changing now...)
• Kingdom membership should replace “church”/denomination membership.
(It's BIGGER than all of us put together! Sorry, but NO church is perfect or holds the monopoly on truth)
• The kingdom of God is MUCH greater than the kingdom of darkness (even though to our natural vision it may not seem so).
• The existence of the church is to make disciples of Christ not members in a club. (Amen!)
• Being yoked with Christ is not so much like two similar sized oxen being yoked together, but rather like an ant being yoked to an elephant. We need the ants faith in the elephants faithfulness. (So true!)
• We are not called to leadership, but to “followership”. (Awww shucks, you mean I don't get to set myself up as the one to follow anymore?!)
WOW! So true!!
Here's a link to an interview with Billy Graham. I have heard the arrogant criticize him for years as being "too watered down" and a "compromiser of truth". However, I have always viewed him as a humble teacher of the Gospel. He's done what he was called to do- that was to introduce sinners to a Savior and hurting people to Hope. Billy Graham is the first to admit he's made a few mistakes, but he has been faithful to his calling. The older he gets, the more I like his philosophy. I don't think the church is called to be all hard-hitting and politically involved. Jesus never went out lecturing on the wickedness of Rome or trying to get votes for leadership in the Jewish realm. Jesus loved! He healed people. He fed the hungry. He taught and modeled humility, forgiveness and tolerance. So for me to go around as if I've got it all together is a fallacy- at best. We are ALL still learning- including Billy Graham. I was blessed by some of the insights Rev. Graham shared in this recent interview:
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14204483/?GT1=8404
As for me and my house, we want something real to hold onto... something that will satisfy, something that will last...
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18 comments:
Thank you for your post.
Do you still attend the adventist church? If not, do you attend another church?
Just curious.
As always, I agree with so much of what you say. Hope things are going better for you. Did our husband find another job? How are the workout classes you have been teaching? Sorry for all the questions, just wanted to catch up.
We are enjoying our new home. It is beautiful here. I love pine trees.
Hey Brian, Good morning! I had to rush off to the gym before I was finished with the post, so I've re-worded a few things. Thanks for reading. :o)
Angel, Thanks for stopping by! We attend the Collegedale Community Church- which is different than any church we've ever seen. Our Pastor is a humble guy, with a simple message. No prophecy or red books. Straight Bible-based teachings. The people there are friendly, loving and for the most part,easy-going. However, we also enjoy mingling with many other churches in our area. Church of God, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc. Sometimes I don't really feel like I fit any one church, since each has it's own agenda- it's own mold that I am expected to fit. We just want to be who God is making and go where He is taking us without people telling us how we're doing it all wrong. I'm SO happy for you guys. I love Pine Trees! I love the sound the wind makes when it blows through them. We have many pines here on our acreage and I sit on the back deck when it's cool, smelling their fragrance and listening to the sound of them.
I'm not ashamed to say that I attend an Adventist church.
I'm also not ashamed to say that I am switching which Adventist church I go to for the very reasons Trailady has been talking about.
When it's more about us and less about Christ, there's a problem.
When something upsets our country club routine (such as not sharing the gospel with the community because we are afraid we might get contaminated), there's a problem.
I love the Lord. I want to worship HIm with fellow believers. It's about praising the Lord and being thankful for His love, grace, mercy and peace. It's also about wanting to share those beautiful gifts with others.
I agree with Trailady, as for me and my house, we are going to serve the Lord, with gladness, and not be afraid to share Him with others.
Hi Rose,
We have claimed on more than one occasion the text "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." This tells me that I can reach out to anyone without fear and invite them into our circle.
Unfortunately, when we say we're any one denomination or another, it seems to build an immediate wall. EVERY denomination has a reputation, so I'm not sure I want to belong to anyone but Christ. In a word to early believers, Paul writes 1 Corinthians 1:9 "God is faithful, by Whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Now, I plead with you, brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing (the Gospel), that there be NO divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement. For it has been declared to me concerning you that there are contentions among you. Now, I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul", or "I am of Cephas", or "I am of Christ". Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?..... I love this chapter, it has really given me a bigger picture of the body of Christ.
Anyway, sometimes we get caught up in the "I follow Luther so I'm Lutheran", "I follow Wesley so I'm Wesleyan", "I follow Ellen White, and I'm Adventist" mentality. I don't believe this is God's plan, because sooner or later when we do this we start comparing ourselves to others in a more favorable light. We often take more pride in our churches than in the Savior of the church.
Thankfully, God is patient. I don't have all the answers, but I am seeking... :o)
Inheritor, That is really awesome!! It's neat to mingle with people of other faiths, coming together in the name of Christ- very powerful! :o)
The Third Angel's message, "If anyone fails to come to Jesus and tries to fake it instead, will receive God's greatest displeasure. And their torment will never end until they do come to Jesus, or its too late." Its a warning that needs to go to the whole world before fake religion permanentaly establishes itself. I am an Adventist, and I see that the 3rd Angel's message is for "anyone", SDAs, non-Protestants, non-Christians, alike.
Hi David "it's the Spirit of the law, not the letter of the Law"
The Lord doesn't need anyone to bow to him - in public
The Lord wants people to follow his words - privately & in public
Do unto others:
kindness, forgiveness, ... like the lord did & does to Us
Hi trailady, just passing, thought I'd look in say hi wish you a fine day. Hope you have a lovely evening
I found your observations about the Adventist crusade very interesting. I blogged about it here.
Perhaps the "amens" we less with the presentation of the Gospel because that topic carries the most conviction. "Am I truly converted?" The other Bible truths shared are much easier to superficially accept. A presentation of the gospel can subdue otherwise boisterous individuals as the Holy Spirit shows them areas in thier lives where they need some or more of the grace of Christ. Don't read into their quietness that the only reason is that they did not care about the Gospel as much as other topics.
Not everyone's experience has been rocky like mine- I understand this. I do see David's point.
Honestly, which have you heard more about in the church and it's educational system?
Vegetarianism or Jesus?
Mark of the Beast or Christ's blood?
Ingathering or The Cross?
The Sabbath or The Gospel?
The Time of Trouble or The Savior?
The State of the Dead or the Risen Lord?
The Second Coming or how to have an intimate relationship with God?
The Anti-typical Day of Atonement or The Gospel?
Ellen G. White or Jesus?
I'm not against any of these things, but they need to be held in proper perspective.
Christ is often given lip-service, because we feel we have "higher truths" to share. If, as proposed, the audience was truly moved to meditative silence by the simple Gospel message, WHY do we only give 1-2 nights on that topic in our month-long crusades and the rest is indoctrination?
This IS a legitimate problem and it needs to be called into question. (If the truth is not strong enough to stand examination, something's wrong.) God is near- I feel this in my heart. I am re-examining my faith and looking into why I believe what I believe. This has been a difficult, humbling and unsettling process, but necessary for me as I need to be settled once and for all in my mind as to where I stand before an Awesome God.
I don't despise any church or people, because we're all learning. I'm not out to make anyone look bad, but if the shoe fits- wear it. Shhhh, shhhh they say, don't ruin our unsoiled reputation, we must keep up a good front. I disagree. When we humble ourselves, God will lift us up.
I've sat through and sung for enough crusades the last 12 yrs to see that we are sorely lacking in the most Essential Elements- Love, Mercy, Forgiveness. Jesus said, "Go and learn what this means, "I desire mercy- not sacrifice". If we pray... taking a step back for a moment and repent of our prideful ways, perhaps we will gain a better focus... I myself am one of the neediest of the needy. NOT holding myself up as an example for anyone to follow. Simply recording my growing pains here in my journal...
(I've been deliberately vague, using a surname and the most general of terms in my contemplations about church. It is Adventist visitors, or those familiar with their beliefs who have revealed the identity of the church I am speaking of- not me.)
Peace.
Peace!
Shalom!
We cannot change others by picking at their faults, the lord has already seen them, and he sees our weaknesses too... too too toorooloo
It's a constant dilemma or struggle for all of us.
Do we spend all ou time pointing at the ills of society, or more time highlighting its goodness.
I'd rather do good where good does most. No, no, I do not chose the easy way, or the path of least resistance.
I'll stand up against injustices, but I'll not get emotional and let frustration drain me (or try not to) of the energy, to do most where I can do most.
Yes, very true Quasar9. Dwelling on negatives is NOT the most beneficial way to make change. However, glossing over things doesn't help either. I am trying to have a realistic & balanced view of the issues. See it for what it is without hating anyone or turning bitter. Since I and my family have been mistreated & betrayed recently, it's very difficult for me to write my journal saying, "Here's what I love about the wonderful church that devastated us spiritually & financially."
I am making observations about what I've seen. There has been some very unloving and unethical behavior- not only toward us, but toward those we care about. My point is, if any church group is going to claim to be a "remnant people", then they have an even greater responsibility to seek humility and do some heart searching.
I am in the healing process...
well Time is the great healer!
Definitely true and it's happening, Quasar!
this is why i am against organized religion of any kind- islam, christianity, judaism, hinduism, etc. once you have 'agendas' the true meaning of whatever you believe gets bogged down in bureaucracy and hierarchy. it is just human nature. no tl- if anything it is getting worse because i think americans as a whole are a very competitive people.
HI Betmo,
I AGREE with your point here! People do always tend to make it all about them and what they want. Often religion is an excuse for power-hungry people to work their way into positions of influence- all in the name of a good cause. Many such people are no more connected to God than a reprobate. Jesus described this brand of people as those who "wear their phylacteries long and love to sit in the place of honor at the banqueting tables". I would add that they love to hear their names read from the pulpit and see their many deeds posted in the bulletins. Others love to play the religious martyr- sacrificing their own needs and the needs of their family in order to do church work. They are REAL go-getters for anything religious and receive a lot of pats on the back for it, but in the end of the age when God asks the solemn question, "Where is your wife? Where are your children?" These are the ones who will say, "I don't know, I did everything I could. Took them to church every week. Gave them religious educations, shielded them from every evil and they turned ungrateful, rebellious and angry." Then God will say, "You were SO busy working your way up in the church that you neglected the emotional needs of your wife & children, so the blame largely rests upon your shoulders, my child..." Sad, but true!!!
Hi Greg! I really enjoyed reading through your blog when I visited. I tried to register so I could comment, but it keeps blocking my login. Help?
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