Its all about us.

One thing has been heavy on my mind for months now: the American church.

We spend money so that worship sounds good to us.  So that the building is attractive to us.  So that the stage has hip lighting for us. So the seats are comfortable for us.  So that getting coffee is convenient for us. So that the atmosphere is easy for us to settle in to.  So that our church looks good to the world.  When did church become about us? When was it about appealing to the world?  Tell me how a million dollar building, light shows, fancy sound systems, coffee shops, and debt are more glorifying to God than people sitting in a dirt field raising only their voices in praise? If it is not more glorifying, then why do we spend money?  Why does the church insist on pouring into itself, rather then pouring out? Because we live in America? Because God has blessed us? Then for God's sake bless the world instead of spoiling the people in the pews.  For God's sake preach the truth and let men hear it, untainted by aesthetics and entertainment.  If appearance is what draws people on Sunday mornings, then they will want nothing to do with our gospel.  If we need modern music and a full band then we are not worshiping anyway.  If we are counting on exteriors then we are saying the gospel needs a crutch, and the power of God is not sufficient.  

We are only crippling the church by catering to its desires.  How can we equip people for the road ahead, for their calling as a Christ follower, to die to themselves when all we are doing is gratifying their self indulgence. We are only injuring the body.        

It has never been about us. The story of the Bible has never been about God catering to humanity.  It has always been about God redeeming us and restoring us to glory.  The church spends its time and resources pleasing itself.  Pastors spend their words gratifying the congregation.  Members spend their energy only when it is self-beneficial.  I am not denying that for Christians, church is a place to be encouraged and poured into, but not for the purpose of stagnant comfort.  It is for the purpose of being sent out, and equipped to make disciples.

In Acts, the gospel was preached in its purest and untainted form, and it was rejected.  They were in the aftermath of the crucifixion and resurrection.  There had not been thousands of years to "contextualize" and "modernize" the gospel (as if it needed this). Yes, there were instances when thousand of people came to faith, but there were also times when the apostles were ridiculed and persecuted.  Did they change or modify the truth? Never.  They saw Christ with their own eyes; they knew that the gospel any other way, was not the gospel.  They were confident with Paul in saying, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16-17).    

If someone does not accept the gospel in its simplest, most bare form, they won't accept it at all.  The self-adorned, candy coated version most churches have adopted (dripping with apologies, excuses, or even unsaid truths) is not the power of God.  It is the weakness of man.

My heart breaks for Christians in America.  Many of us do not know sacrifice. Many of us work out our salvation in comfort and ease. I pray I would be content with, "The gospel, the whole gospel, and nothing but the gospel."  Because there may come a day when that is all we have.  I pray I will cling to it.   

Coffee: One step forward, two steps back.

I drink coffee, A LOT.  Which means I go to Starbucks, A LOT. Which means I spend my money, A LOT.  How much money? At least $30 a week.  Howard Schultz is a genius (or maybe just really rich).  My morning, afternoon, and evening jolt is starting to fry my bank account. So, with some resistance (kicking and screaming), I will forgo Starbucks or any other coffee house establishment, for the next month.  I think.


I will miss you soy latte, iced coffee, lime refresher, ethos water, and bacon breakfast sandwich.  Thank you for always being so good to me. 

     

(Another thought: I wonder how much I could make recycling all my cups, bottles, and paper bags....?)

Not so typical.

Normally, I would post about theology or biblical truths that have struck me.  But not today.  I have made some recent decisions (ones I thought I would never make) and have since committed the next year of my life to accomplishing goals.  Not just any goals, but things that have been dear to my heart for years but I have never pursued.  Some of them will be difficult, maybe unattainable.  Others are silly and superficial but nevertheless I am going to do them.

I love art. (*sigh. Who doesn't these days?).  I love being creative.  I have since I was a little girl.  Painting, drawing, taking pictures, decorating, designing, coloring, rearranging my room, changing the color of the walls. You name it, I did it.  I also loved being different. Unique.  I never wanted to look or act like anyone else. Which is why I have hesitated to be "artsy" and creative lately because, lets be honest, its painfully trendy.  But I don't care anymore.  I am going to wear my over sized, funky earrings.  I am going to take millions of pictures.  Wear mismatched nail polish, and shirts that are two sizes too big.  Draw on my wrist and my feet.  I am not going to cover my freckles with make-up.  I am not going to try and tan my fair skin.  I am going to do and be whatever I want.  Because cliches are true, and life is short.

To do:
Write a book (or maybe two?).
Get to the point where I can financially rely on my photography.
Create something everyday.
Get a tattoo...?
Pour myself into the youth ministry at my church.
Start a ladies bible study with a friend.
Re-read my entire Bible.
Pay off my student loan entirely.
Learn to play the piano.
Take a photo everyday (with my 1980 Minolta)
Wear my heart and self on my sleeve.
Listen to God. Hear his will. Trust His promises. Bring Him glory.


That is all I have for now. But I am always thinking, planning, and aspiring.  So who knows what I'll want to accomplish tomorrow. :)

He Knew Sin Well.

 

“He did not sin, but no one understood sin better than he did.” – Mother Teresa, Where There is Love, There is God.

One sentence.  One simple statement about the sufferings of Christ.  What initially seems contradictory is actually a beautiful comment on the mercies, grace, and love of our Lord.  Christ was perfect and blameless, yet bore the punishment of sin.  We are corrupt and ruined in sin, yet pardoned of its consequence.  We know sin well.  Humanity has perfected the art of sinning.  Christ knows perfection entirely.  He is the origin of righteousness and holiness.  Yet, he understands sin better then anyone.  Why? Because he bore the weight of its effect.  Nothing brings comprehension like looking the gravity of our actions in the eye; by shouldering the burden of aftermath; by paying the price demanded.  Blood was shed, pure blood, so that filthy creation could be redeemed. As Lewis said, “...death itself would start working backwards,” at the willing sacrifice of a blameless life.  The consequences we face on this earth are only a shadow of what they could be.  I praise God daily, that I do not fully know my sin.

I'm Back....Again.

I realize this is my 365 days project, and that I am supposed to post everyday, or at least a few times a week.  I am also aware that I am failing.  However, there have been so many things to note in my margin lately that I have not had time to write them down. I will summarize them quickly, and then move on to my first post in a long time.

God is working.  This I know because of the opportunities he has placed in my hands and the peace and joy I have experienced in the wake of my latest decisions.  Calm always follows turmoil.  I am in the calm, but know it is not promised to last,  but I am promised that in every season I am God's.

In light of my decisions I have committed the next year of my life to a few things:

• Co-leading a Ladies bible study with a dear friend.
• Serving on a creative ministry team for my church's youth group. 
• An internship with a wedding photographer. 
• Writing a book (a long time dream that may finally come true).
• Learning how to play the piano. 
• (of course I will be working and saving during all of this, but that's just a technicality) 

My hope and prayer is that God would sanctify me, aligning my heart and mind with His will.  Above all, my deepest wish is that He is glorified. His highest glory is our greatest good.

May He make this true in my life.  

Grace.

By the grace of God, I am not what I could be. By the grace of God, I am becoming what I should be.