I know some believe me to be naive. Some view me as over-positive. Others see me as never having a discouraging day. Well, let me tell you I have plenty of bummer moments and that's precisely why I am so pumped about faith and hope and love and encouragement. We need it! I need it! God wants us to have it....Hebrews 10:25.
I finished my day, indeed, very sad. I attended a funeral at a high church denomination. The sudden loss of this middle-aged friend was squarely overshadowed by the completely empty and methodical ritual we all endured called a funeral. It was unmistakably absent of heart. Everything was a well-orchestrated officiality with zero feeling. There were no tears, no laughter, no emotions, no charges, no reflections, no nothing of meaning. I'm not exaggerating. It was an empty hour.
I sat there thumbing through the manual counting the number of recitations yet to be made; first by the officiator followed by the audience. It made me reflect on Jesus and how far have we, in religious orders, smothered his bright eyes and bouncing step with church foo-foo. No wonder nations leave God. They've understood Him to represent motionless, actionless, heartless, and useless religious repetitions and they got to where they couldn't take it. They quit because they died on the way to their death.
I encourage you that, as usual, I had a good day in the center of my bad afternoon because I had another vision of what good news Jesus is. I am so thankful there are a great cluster of believers roaming earth today who love and adore a Man who lives both There and Here! I love it that Jesus rescued us from lethargy! I love it that Jesus insists we abandon our own man-made doctrines.
Well.....I think I feel better just getting to tell you about it. It grieves me to see precious hearts assume cold, damp church buildings are an exact reflection of God. He died to get us off of dead-center. Don't you feel refreshed by His blessings and actions day after day and week after week?
We need Him. He wants us. May we find ourselves renewed to fight for the ideas that matter and love all of the people in the process.
3 comments:
I feel somewhat of the same way Terry. I've attended a church where my in-laws go and find it to be very cold. The people aren't friendly and it seems they are just carring out the deed...the job...the work that needs to be done for the Lord and then they are off again to attend to their daily rituals. Funny thing is...the Lord doesn't NEED them to do the work, he wants us to WANT to want to work for Him. But each week they go on with their rituals and I don't condem. It's not my job. But I love it when they come here and notice how friendly our people are and how excited we are each week to serve and praise the Lord.
Many times I find myself off center. I'm good at faking it until I have a meltdown! ;O) But God knows my heart and when I am struggling to get back on center again.
I was having one of those nights tonight. Days when I have worked myself to the bone I love to just get together and worship Him. I need to worship Him. I think I need about 10 minutes of just uncensored, continuous praise to Him each day. That would be the ritual I need to get me back on center.
So now this comment is even longer than I anticpated it being and probably had nothing to do with waht you posted! But know...I love you...loved seeing you tonight...and I won't hold it against you that you didn't give me a hug tonight. So...now that gives me reason to come see you tomorrow. ;o)
Get Right Church
Words and music: Traditional
Arrangement: George Pendergrass © 1994 Clifty Music (BMI)
This song also appeared on Morning, Noon, and Night by The Firemen.
Lead: George Pendergrass
Lyrics:
Get right church and let's go home (you better get right church and let's go home)
(C'mon) Get right church and let's go home
(C'mon) Get right church, get right church
(C'mon and) Get right church and let's go home
(You know that) I'm goin' home on the morning train (I'm goin' home on the morning train)
I'm goin' home on that train
I'm goin' home, I'm goin' home
I'm goin' home on the morning train
(Because that) Evening train might be too late (That evening train might be too late)
(That) Evening train might be too late
(That) Evening train, (that) evening train
(You know that) Evening train might be too late
(Everything'll be alright) Back, back train, gotta get your load (Back, back train and get your load)
(C'mon and) Back, back train, gotta get your load
(C'mon and) Back, back train, back, back train
Back, back train, gotta get your load
(Everybody, everybody, everybody)
Get right church and let's go home (you better get right church and let's go home)
(C'mon and) Get right church and let's go home (If you wanna go home, get right)
Get right church, get right church (hey, hey, get right, get right)
Get right church and let's go home (get right, get right)
Get right church and let's go home (you better get right church and let's go home)
(C'mon and) Get right church and let's go home (If you wanna go home)
Get right church, get right church (If you want to go home with Jesus)
Get right church and let's go home (get right, you wanna go home)
Get right church (get right yeah), get right church
Get right church and let's go home
Scriptural Reference:
"For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church." 1 Corinthians 4:17
TR - great post.... I come from a background of high church...within our own fellowship!
and I can't help but wonder: where did we ever get the idea that sitting stock still and stiff-backed in an ornate building, all facing one direction (while dressed in our three piece suits and dresses) while listening (or pretending to listen) to the 'pastor/preacher/leader' deliver a 30-minute 3-points-and-a-poem sermon is God-inspired (or people inspiring) worship?
where did we get that? I am so glad we are moving away from that man-made barrier to true praise and worship. And so blessed to read your words of challenge and encouragement every day! Thank you!
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