I have so many thoughts right now that I can't begin to write about one of them, because they are all so important. So, I will do something I've seen others do-
I'm doing a mind dump to empty my thoughts out of my head and into my blog. Maybe at some point in the future I will write an actual blog entry dedicated to each one, but for now that task is simply too much.
So fasten your seat belt, 'cause I think fast:
Aren't we supposed to be the salt and light in the world for the dark places of the earth?
Are we supposed to focus on building our churches only in the cushy spots? I don't want to be a goody-two shoes (LOL...not that a location like that is wrong, it just sets a standard of who will walk through your doors!) How many places in that standard already exist? Think about it when determining a church location! Sometimes we may be called to be in a less than ideal environment...for a purpose!
Sometimes we must reach God's people and the lost in uncomfortable places and in ways we'd prefer not to. The scary places are where God needs His people to reach the lost.
We should reach more than just active church members, seekers, and returners. We should also be seeking the unchurched and the totally lost people who've never set foot in a church before, so we are not only catering to like kinds to be comfortable. And yes, some of those individuals may not smell real good, but their still God's people and we are to reach out to everyone in the name of Jesus!
Being a Christian means GETTING dirty, getting out in remote locations, getting into the filthy pits in each city to bring hope to the most detestable and undesirable situations and places. It means we may have to "see" something that makes us uncomfortable while going into that area to bring hope. But if no one ever goes because of this...who will save these people?
As Christians are we too posh?
Would it be possible to open a church and have it bring your own chair, blanket or pillow like a movie night or a tail gating party? Just wondering if we really need all the comforts we are used to or if we could celebrate God and bring glory without all the bells and whistles?
Which makes me wonder...is church more about us and our needs or Jesus?
What are we trying to defend...the church or our personal opinions and beliefs?
Any egos ever get in the way?
Are we praying as a community over the issues to see what God is asking us to do?
If we lost our heritage with a name change, when I became a believer and could now be called "sister" by my fellow brothers and sisters, I sure didn't get to lose all my baggage from my previous life. I wish!!! I still have my heritage, but a new name (title of sister) and new life that God has planned! Whoohooo! Just thinkin' ya know?
Do we get so focused on ourselves that we lose sight of the big picture of what God wants to do?
Do we support our leadership?
Have we forgotten why we have the leaders we have? Do we respect them as a leader?
Are we being biased or discriminatory in our churches, or are we realizing that God calls both men and women to serve and lead? Are we celebrating their calling and commitment?
Are we openly and actively praying for our leadership?
Is it possible that we are not able to comprehend what it is that God is trying to accomplish though us, because we cannot fathom nor comprehend what God's vision is? Our minds are certainly not able to visualize that much-we are narrow and limited minded creatures! If we think we know it all and know what's best, let's just try and tell God that. My point is, when we lay it out like that, we don't know jack. God does-and His plans matter most!
Do we have the capacity to just open our hearts and listen for the Lord?
Do we have the maturity to listen, learn, love, and let God lead us even when they are things we don't understand?
Wow...I need a tylenol. That is a lot of thought for one mind. And yes, I know...I ask waay too many questions-but it's how I think, and it's definately how I write to learn.
I'm doing a mind dump to empty my thoughts out of my head and into my blog. Maybe at some point in the future I will write an actual blog entry dedicated to each one, but for now that task is simply too much.
So fasten your seat belt, 'cause I think fast:
Aren't we supposed to be the salt and light in the world for the dark places of the earth?
Are we supposed to focus on building our churches only in the cushy spots? I don't want to be a goody-two shoes (LOL...not that a location like that is wrong, it just sets a standard of who will walk through your doors!) How many places in that standard already exist? Think about it when determining a church location! Sometimes we may be called to be in a less than ideal environment...for a purpose!
Sometimes we must reach God's people and the lost in uncomfortable places and in ways we'd prefer not to. The scary places are where God needs His people to reach the lost.
We should reach more than just active church members, seekers, and returners. We should also be seeking the unchurched and the totally lost people who've never set foot in a church before, so we are not only catering to like kinds to be comfortable. And yes, some of those individuals may not smell real good, but their still God's people and we are to reach out to everyone in the name of Jesus!
Being a Christian means GETTING dirty, getting out in remote locations, getting into the filthy pits in each city to bring hope to the most detestable and undesirable situations and places. It means we may have to "see" something that makes us uncomfortable while going into that area to bring hope. But if no one ever goes because of this...who will save these people?
As Christians are we too posh?
Would it be possible to open a church and have it bring your own chair, blanket or pillow like a movie night or a tail gating party? Just wondering if we really need all the comforts we are used to or if we could celebrate God and bring glory without all the bells and whistles?
Which makes me wonder...is church more about us and our needs or Jesus?
What are we trying to defend...the church or our personal opinions and beliefs?
Any egos ever get in the way?
Are we praying as a community over the issues to see what God is asking us to do?
If we lost our heritage with a name change, when I became a believer and could now be called "sister" by my fellow brothers and sisters, I sure didn't get to lose all my baggage from my previous life. I wish!!! I still have my heritage, but a new name (title of sister) and new life that God has planned! Whoohooo! Just thinkin' ya know?
Do we get so focused on ourselves that we lose sight of the big picture of what God wants to do?
Do we support our leadership?
Have we forgotten why we have the leaders we have? Do we respect them as a leader?
Are we being biased or discriminatory in our churches, or are we realizing that God calls both men and women to serve and lead? Are we celebrating their calling and commitment?
Are we openly and actively praying for our leadership?
Is it possible that we are not able to comprehend what it is that God is trying to accomplish though us, because we cannot fathom nor comprehend what God's vision is? Our minds are certainly not able to visualize that much-we are narrow and limited minded creatures! If we think we know it all and know what's best, let's just try and tell God that. My point is, when we lay it out like that, we don't know jack. God does-and His plans matter most!
Do we have the capacity to just open our hearts and listen for the Lord?
Do we have the maturity to listen, learn, love, and let God lead us even when they are things we don't understand?
Wow...I need a tylenol. That is a lot of thought for one mind. And yes, I know...I ask waay too many questions-but it's how I think, and it's definately how I write to learn.
Oh, and yes-I created the above t-shirt in my shop about 4 months ago. When I saw it tonight, I thought it was just perfect to show it here. If you'd like to see it up close or see the others, just click on the above image.
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