The Secret of the Christian Life

"The secret of a Christian is that the supernatural is made natural in him by the grace of God, and the experience of this works out in the practical details of life, not in times of communion with God. When we come in contact with things that create a buzz, we find to our amazement that we have power to keep wonderfully poised in the centre of it all." My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers


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Anti-Christ behavior of the church ( part 2)

This anti Muslim behavior is not the only example of this kind of behavior. We see it with the church that protest the funerals of fallen U.S. soldiers. However one may argue that this is just a small group of extremist who don't represent the whole. I would agree in most part, but when you come to issues of homosexuality, abortion and several other divisive issues, a lot of people who wear Christ's name become extremist.

Politically we all have the right to take different sides on any issue, but as Christians we should always be on the side of Christ. No matter how heartfelt our position we should always walk in Love and be peace makers. How can we pray for peace and use violence. Whether in word or deed.

We in the American church has so blurred the line of faith and politics that we almost paint Christ as American or worse of a particular political party. The fact is God is not American. God loves all and commands us to do the same. Whether they are Christian or Muslim, American or another nationality.

On another issue it has amazed me how many Christians have anti-Christian positions on immigration. Our Lord said, Come. We say build a wall and deport. Jesus commands us to speak Love, we say you must speak English or you are less than and deserve less.

I don't usually get too political in this blog. But I had to stand up for Love, tolerance and peace. May we allow the Spirit of Christ to fill all our lives even our political life.

May our demonstrations be demonstrations of Love and not burning someone's scripture or shouting hate filled words.

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Anti-Christ behavior of the church

Today I was reading of the church here in Florida who is planning on hosting an event where they will burn the Quran. The pastor stated it was his Constitutional right of freedom of speech. Well he is right, about it being his right, but this kind of attitude, intolerance and hatred is the opposite of the Spirit of Christ. In fact hatred, judgementalism and intolerance is anti-Christ!

This church is as they claim making a stand, but for who and what is the question. This pastor says he still plans on having the protest but will pray on it. I hope he invokes the Spirit of Christ and listens....or maybe simply takes direction from our Holy Scripture.

Our military leaders have requested the church to not take such action, because this will put our troops in harms way. I agree and also add in addition it will further erode and misrepresent our Lord. The church is fast becoming it's own worse enemy and is fueling any oppositions reasonings for discounting it's relevance.

Let's get back to the power and foundation of the church.....Love! Let's build bridges, and "not repay evil with evil" but instead with Love. This would be a return back to the true Spirit and attitude of Christ. Otherwise we become the anti- Christ. Lord let it not be so!




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Perspective

Sometimes we can so get caught up in the little pictures of life that we miss the big picture. I have so many people in my life who are going through so much of late that it has helped me to put life into perspective. What we sometimes think is important can in an instant become so unimportant.

Holy Spirit,
Help me to see with eyes that are open and a heart that is sensitive to truth and perspective.

Amen


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Rest in me.........

There has been several times where during prayer the Holy Spirit has spoken this phrase into my heart, "rest in me". It sounds so simple and yet it has been so difficult to obey. It has only been when I laid down all of my religious definitions of God, myself and took a fresh look of faith, and began to meet God in a new, real and authentic way, was I able to start to do just that. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for all that I have learned in life and a lot of my tradition is a gift from God, but we humans tend to lean on ideas and teachings instead of allowing God to meet us in a fresh way. I am thankful for the saints and great people of God before me, but I need to meet God at my own Bethel, and wrestle some things out with God myself.

Because if my faith is not real to me, if it doesn't work in my life then it is useless. No matter who else believes, teaches or proclaims it. This is where I found myself almost 6 years ago. My religion failed me. At the time I thought God did. But I was soon to discover, that it wasn't God who failed me but the church. The church has failed a lot of people. I do not say that as a judgement, or with bitterness, just a fact.

If I haven't offended you by now, then let me push it a little further. This failure of religion and the church was the greatest gift God could have given me. It was in this failure, this crisis of faith that I discovered a pure faith, a real authentic faith and Grace. Not based on any human institution that can't help but be flawed, but on a Real, Faithful and Loving God.

Today, I stand before this God, with all my flaws and nakedness, but unlike Adam, my faith is in the Love of God, and I am not ashamed. I am thankful that in spite of my brokenness and baggage that this life has packed me with, I have found a safe place of healing and rest. Change is not necessary to be loved, it is not required, but it is available. Simply by relationship with God and knowing his love and acceptance, I am transformed not because I have to, I just get to.

I have ceased from my labor and work for God. I now rest and work with God. What is the work God has given, simply this; to Love!

May we be found faithful to know this love and share it with all.....religion will always fail us, but God and God's love will not!








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