Over the years I have heard many people confess Jesus as Savior. I have also been disappointed by many who have failed to apply the principles of the Lord they confess to follow.
I was so blessed to go to Chicago and work with authentic beleivers who not only claimed to be Christ followers but who also lived it out.
The members of City Limits Ministry where wonderfully refreshing and real. I was also impressed by our team. They worked hard and displayed Christ-like attitudes for which I was proud of and humbled by.
Real Christians are so refreshing. Yes, there are hypocrits everywhere, but the authentic Christ followers made the phonies of little or no importance. There are far more real refreshing Chrsitains who made serving God a blast.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Manmade
“Too much manmade,” was the reason someone recently gave to someone for not attending church with them. When I was told that I became indignant. After all, that person goes to a Lutheran Church. They are steeped in tradition, form and ritualism. If any church is manmade then they are among the top.
Though my reaction to this statement was internal, it was nonetheless real and has been playing through my mind drawing me deeper into contemplation. In my self-righteous state I could easily dismiss their remark with many correct analogies; however, there is something provoking about the statement that deserves exploring. Here are some of my thoughts so far:
1. How much of my Christian life is patterned after something developed from man verse
directly dictated by God?
Much of what I do was taught to me by a man. Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Were the patterns of his life “totally God?”
2. We want to pattern our church after the New Testament church. How much of that church’s practices were influence by the men and women of that church?
Was the music culturally relevant? Were their prayers tainted by their personalities and experiences? Did their preaching and teaching speak to them in contemporary terms?
3. Does scripture tell us to check our personalities at the door and not allow any of our humanity be seen in our worship?
On the contrary, we are told to be real, transparent and allow our humanity that is touched by God to be seen. Paul said, “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example” Philippians 3:17. Note that he said, “Pattern your life after mine.” Man made? At least man is seen.
We are told to avoid mindless, passionless automated expressions of worship. Jesus said, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words” Matthew 6:7.
Man made! If that means manufactured, as in not really heart felt, passionate and truly a reflection of ones true self, then man made is to be avoided. Man made, in the sense that one’s personality and heart is seen as it responds to God, then I conclude that it’s not only just okay, it’s something God wants us to show.
I was tempted to judge this person for their statement, but rather I have allowed the Lord to use it to direct my thoughts to consider how passionate, real and authentic my worship is to my awesome God. May what is seen reflect a life being changed by a relevant, current dialog with the Author of Life.
That’s my thought for today!
Though my reaction to this statement was internal, it was nonetheless real and has been playing through my mind drawing me deeper into contemplation. In my self-righteous state I could easily dismiss their remark with many correct analogies; however, there is something provoking about the statement that deserves exploring. Here are some of my thoughts so far:
1. How much of my Christian life is patterned after something developed from man verse
directly dictated by God?
Much of what I do was taught to me by a man. Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Were the patterns of his life “totally God?”
2. We want to pattern our church after the New Testament church. How much of that church’s practices were influence by the men and women of that church?
Was the music culturally relevant? Were their prayers tainted by their personalities and experiences? Did their preaching and teaching speak to them in contemporary terms?
3. Does scripture tell us to check our personalities at the door and not allow any of our humanity be seen in our worship?
On the contrary, we are told to be real, transparent and allow our humanity that is touched by God to be seen. Paul said, “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example” Philippians 3:17. Note that he said, “Pattern your life after mine.” Man made? At least man is seen.
We are told to avoid mindless, passionless automated expressions of worship. Jesus said, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words” Matthew 6:7.
Man made! If that means manufactured, as in not really heart felt, passionate and truly a reflection of ones true self, then man made is to be avoided. Man made, in the sense that one’s personality and heart is seen as it responds to God, then I conclude that it’s not only just okay, it’s something God wants us to show.
I was tempted to judge this person for their statement, but rather I have allowed the Lord to use it to direct my thoughts to consider how passionate, real and authentic my worship is to my awesome God. May what is seen reflect a life being changed by a relevant, current dialog with the Author of Life.
That’s my thought for today!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)