Beloved,
Sadly, I have reached a conclusion
about our world, nation, churches of all franchises, and...
So many are so determined to damn
themselves.
People can't seem to help themselves
from destroying what He has entrusted to us.
I don't think I am wrong anymore in
saying, "Wherever I look, I see people who are negative about everything,
backbiting, bantering, beating, bruising, beating, and butchering.
Civility has been replaced with constant crippling criticisms about everyone
and everything; and people can't seem to help themselves from damning everyone
and everything which includes them. Even among Christians who should know
better, I see increasing segregations, schisms, and separations in total
defiance of every ethic that He taught about honoring Him by reconciling with
each other. Too many churches are a disgrace of dysfunction,
division, and damning words, actions, and even looks. How dare such
churches tell the world and nation how to get along when they are poster
children for not getting along? The next time I see someone who has
broken fellowship with a church and then parades around like
Sister-Bertha-better-than-you, I'm gonna say, 'Even Gandhi would have smacked
you in the head!' Twain was right: 'The church is always trying to get
other people to reform. It might not be a bad idea to reform itself a
little by way of example.'"
Fortunately, our family of faith on
the corner of Lincoln and Main in Belvidere, Illinois is increasingly
counter-current-ecclesiastical-civil-culture as a beacon for Jesus and safe
haven for all of His children no matter who, what, where, when, or why.
Here's just one note of the many
received this morning about what has become our Sunday morning
experience/expression at First: "Pastor, just a note to say the Sunday
service touched me deeply and the quiet time after communion was very moving to
say the least and there were many tears as so many hearts were touched by the
Lord...I praise the Lord and am grateful to be part of the Family of Faith
moving closer and closer into the relationship with Him."
God knows we are not immune to that
slippery and slimy old enemy trying to slither in among us to tempt us to
become part of the damning culture of this sad chapter of human history.
We've had to stomp its head on occasion over the past 25 years. But the
apostle was/remains right: "It is not hard to figure out who are the
children of God and who are the children of the diabolical one. Those who
don't show love for one another do not belong to God...My children, you have
come from God and have conquered these spirits because the One who lives within
you is greater than the one in this world."
Though we're just scratching the surface of our relationship with Him, we are praying and laboring to
model Someone better for a world, nation, and too many churches so bent on
damning themselves.
Jesus!!!
So invite, welcome, include, and
love as many as possible into our family of faith at First!
God knows there are so many so
hungry and thirsty for the trickles turning into rivers on the corner of
Lincoln and Main!
Blessings and Love!
Great email
ReplyDeleteAMEN. at first I have to admit I was ready to cry but the conclusion of your message, of the ministry that is serving Christ in Belvidere made me cheer.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this message and for hope
Off to the basement to throw pots