Hope for Church...

Real Church by Larry Crabb

Lost interest in church? So have many others? Why? Isn't church supposed to be a place where the sick are healed, the lost are given direction, and the dead are brought to life? In Real Church, Crabb describes the reasons church doesn't work for him, and lays a foundation for the church he longs to be a part of.

Churches today, as a whole, seem to be missing the point. Many seem more focused on entertaining than transforming, and changing behavior trumps connecting with the Creator. Crabb's honesty is a breath of fresh air for those fatigued by church. One recurring thought entered my mind while reading this book: "I'm not alone. At least one other person notices it too."

If you too think church needs resuscitation, you will enjoy this book. Crabb has a way of putting into words what my mind and soul are already thinking. I hope church leaders are willing to read his suggestions and do something about it. The future of church depends on it.

Thoughts on Independence

I'm hesitant to actually write this post, because it will undoubtedly piss someone off. Hopefully most will understand, and at the very least, agree to disagree.

I'm not all that patriotic. In fact, the only things I really like about the Fourth of July are the food and explosions. It's not that I don't love this country, because I do. I love the freedoms that I have to follow Jesus without government interference, the comforts that I have (grocery shopping, never worrying about shelter, etc.), and a generally good life.

Here's my problem: I won't put the love or dedication to the United States above the love or dedication to my God. Many people would say these two go hand in hand. I disagree. Many, if not most, things our country stands for go directly against the teachings of Jesus. In fact, the idea of the American Dream is found nowhere in Scripture. On the contrary, we are told to love others as ourselves. Translated: this life is not about you and your wants or me and my wants. It's about loving people in real ways that reflect the love God has for them. That's it.

Take another example: the pledge of allegiance. This is where some people will get pissed off. I decided a couple months ago to stop saying the pledge of allegiance. Why? Because I don't pledge allegiance to the flag, this country, my wife, my friends, money, or any other person or thing. This is called idolatry. My allegiance lies with Jesus. Hear me out. It's not that I don't care about and respect our country and flag, its just that I can't, in good faith, swear my allegiance to it. If I do this, it's like saying everything else comes second. Again, I love my country, but if it asks me to do something that is contrary to what I know is right or true (i.e. killing other people, pursuing my own selfish ambitions, etc.), I won't do it. This isn't to say I don't stand for the pledge and give thanks for the freedoms I have in this country while its being said, I just can't affirm my allegiance to anything over God.

I've seen way too many people (and done it many times myself) distort the truth of God to fit the ideologies of our country. War, personal gain, hate, violence, "it's all about me" mentality; all things that our country generally promotes, and all things that Jesus has freed us from. This is true independence.