Feelings…nothing more than feelings?
This was sent to me by our resident kingdom-thinking, trouble-maker, Jake S. and is reposted with his permission: “….In the last few weeks, I have been looking at my life and all the amazing blessings that I have; an amazing wife, a beautiful little girl, a little baby on the way, a studio opening soon, killer friends, a job I like, ect..ect… Yet with all my riches that come from the very hand of God, I notice the lack of intimacy w/ Christ. The more people I talk to, it seems like a theme, we are enjoying the blessings, but also wanting to enjoy Christ. One thing that I run into a lot that messes me up; I think I would say the word is God’s primary way of communicating to us, but I am easily distracted from the word by this idea that since Christ is risen, shouldn’t I be able to hear his voice. Often when I here people, such as yourself, speak of the intimacy they enjoy with Christ, I find myself green w/ jealously….”
Jake’s honesty is a little disarming. Should we be able to hear Christ’s voice experientally/in the moment? Should we/do we walk with a sensitivity to His leading/unction? Do we sometimes doubt God’s very existence-let alone His leading? Be warned, this is a conversation that requires great candor and sensitivity. Thanks, Jake for yours….
peace, g
Politics
First off-mucho apologies for not posting anything recently. I have been slammed with stuff left and right…..I will do whatever penance you deem necessary to get back in your good graces……
Secondly, I’m really sick and tired of this presidential campaign. Yet, I’ll find myself turning on the tube late at night and surfing back and forth between CNN, FOX and CNBC to hear the latest scuttlebutt from the McCain/Obama drama. I suspect I keep tuning in for the same reason people slow down and stare at traffic accidents.
But be that as it may, a McCain pollster called the church recently asking if ‘Pastor Fadness had endorsed Barack Obama from the pulpit two weeks ago?’. I got on the phone assuring her I endorsed neither Obama or McCain from the pulpit or anywhere else for that matter. She wanted to know who I was voting for. I did not tell her. She proceeded to tell me that Obama was using the book of Acts to support the redistributing of wealth and that I should preach from Acts to set the record straight.
I find myself being resentful of the whole political process. I resent the fact that Evangelicals have been linked to the Republican party. As if to say, if you are an Evangelical Christian you are by default a Republican. I am neither a Republican or a Democrat. I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I vote the way my conscience dictates in accordance with the values that I believe are closest to Jesus’ heart.
Rant over…..Comments?
g
Are Christians sinners?
Because of the very interesting dialogue on another thread, I’m creating this space to carry on. Is it appropriate to call ourselves sinners? Do Christians sin? What is sin? Is it possible to go long periods of time without sinning?
peace, g
Drinking Milk from a Christian Cow?
In the late 60s-early 70s something unique and wonderful happened in the church. The ‘Jesus Movement’ was born during days of great turmoil and upheaval in our culture. Many hippies who were crying out for peace and love found themselves coming to the Prince of Peace, the One Who is Love. Songs about Jesus were written by these young people. They weren’t ‘churchy’ sounding songs. They were written in the style that these young Christian hippies were familiar with. Most of Christendom thought it scandalous. Pastor Chuck Smith considered iti a move of the Holy Spirit. It was all very organic.
Flash forward to the 80s and 90s: Contemporary Christian music was not only accepted by the church, it became big business. Along with the ample amounts of music being put out, t-shirts, bumper-stickers and Jesus junk were selling by the truckload. The Moral Majority comes along. The Christian Right is formed. Christians are an official voting block to be wooed and seduced by the candidates. All of this has resulted in the forming of a very identifiable Christian subculture.
I’m saddened by it all. I think we’ve missed the boat. We’ve allowed our culture to pidgeonhole us. We don’t all listen to Michael W. Smith, vote Republican and have ‘I (heart) Jesus’ bumper stickers on our cars. By creating and supporting this subculture, we’ve stifled true creativity. I believe God’s people ought to be on the leading edge of music and the arts. But we’ve been relegated in large part to creating copies of the originals. If you like Brittany Spears, then you will like the Christian version. If you like Justin Timberlake you will like the Christian version.
I don’t think our awesome Creator God wants His people relegated to making copies. I say we dismantle the Christian subculture and be the Church instead. What say you?
pastor g