Something about church makes me want to throw up!

I am not talking about the body of Christ. I am talking about the organization of church. Just thinking about the politics alone brings that bad taste across my taste buds. Here are a few questions I have about church.

Who said that church had to look a certain way?
Who said that the people in the church had to look a certain way?
Who wrote the rules? (the ones that aren't in the Bible)
Who decided that it was the churches job to legislate morality? (Isn't it the churches job to introduce people to Jesus?)
Why is it we have to wear a shell at church? (Shouldn't church be the place we can be real?)
How did church staff and regular attenders get so perfect? (self righteously perfect)
Who in the world said you had to dress a certain way in order to attend church?
How did the church get power to judge and condemn?


I have plenty more questions but I will leave it here for now. Don't get me wrong, I love the church. I understand the Biblical responsibilities of the church. However, when we look around we see churches doing much more... abusing their rights versus teaching Scripture.

I lead a church and love the church. I say it is high time we give the church back to it's rightful owner...Jesus Christ. Jesus is the head of the church, not man.

If the religion of the church makes me want to throw up, I can only imagine what it does to Christ.

Have you wanted to be closer to God?
What did you do to become closer?
Have you had those times when you feel as if He isn't even present?
Out of nowhere you think about Him. Is He gone?
Maybe you have gone through all of the motions, but you still don't feel Him.
What do motions do? Like a mime...nothing.
Do you really want a relationship with Him?
Or, is He just your genie?
Maybe you've used all of the tactics to get yourself right.
And nothing happened.
Maybe you've spent time reading and praying.
And nothing happened.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?!

Apparently...you are.

"So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to Him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to Him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship. Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect."
Romans 12:1-2
(emphasis mine)

The heading for this scripture is: "Give Your Lives to God."

We are the problem when it comes to our relationship with Christ. We need to kick us out and put Him in. The feelings may not be there at first. However, if we live this verse all the human feeling stuff will more than likely come.

Go for it today! Get kicked out!

My youngest daughter (Lily Grace) has been talking a little bit here and there for a few months. She can say some words pretty good, like "Mama" and "Night, night." Others, she can't say so well, but we know what she is going for.

Recently she has began talking a LOT more. Only this talk doesn't make much sense. She will walk into the room just jabbering. Only, this jabber is coming with force and intentionality. I wonder what she is trying to communicate. It is definitely a fun time watching her develop.

I wonder what our Heavenly Father must think while watching us develop? I know when Lily says a new word or new signal I am proud and touched. I feel nice on the inside. I think God probably feels the same, probably more so.

I do have to wonder about myself though. I do so much that more than likely makes God sad- disappointed. I don't want to do that. I just do. One of my prayers that I am emphasizing more this week is to please my Heavenly Father.

What do you think you are doing? Pleasing Him or the opposite?

The electricity is back! It came back yesterday (Sunday) morning. I am so thankful. Carmen is also back. She went to Florida for a week with her cousin, she missed all the fun. Poor girl, she had to enjoy the perfect Florida weather, Seaworld and Disney world. Poor thing. Right.

While Carmen was off enjoying herself - soaking up the rays we were battling icy roads, no current, jakd up routines, and everything that comes with it.

Made me think. What are we missing out on from God? Are we living a life of obedience and enjoying His best. Or, are we living in the icy conditions of God's wrath?

I am not saying that the ice storm was a result of God's wrath. This is just an example.

I don't know about you. I'd like to be soakin' up the rays of God's greatness more than sliding across the dark icy hills of God's wrath.

1. Myspace: Thing of the past?
The way it looks in my world: Myspace is out, Facebook is in. What about blogging? Is this out or in? Twitter seems to be the cool new thing for sure. I don't think I care if blogging does go out. I get so much wisdom, counsel and advice from Pastors I don't even know personally because they blog. I also love to blog. I enjoy taking down my thoughts. I enjoy sharing something, something that will hopefully bless, challenge or enrich someone. Myspace is gone for me. I guess I need to figure Twitter out.

2. Are you working for His presence or from His presence?
I was challenged with this from a book I have been reading. Think about it. I am still throwing it around in my mind. I will probably blog about it soon.

3. I miss my wife!
I worked out of the house this morning. Now, I am working from the house and she is working outside. I miss her. When I walked her down my in-laws drive way and waved her good bye, I felt like a jr. high boy leaving his crush after summer camp. I love my wife! Can't wait to see you baby!

4. I think I am addicted to diet coke.
It taste so good. I know, all you non diet drinkers out there are thinking about the after taste or whatever. That isn't the point. I really like this drink. I have tried to quit drinking diet coke several times. I have gone cold turkey. I have tried a step down program. I just can't do it. Yes, I said "can't". Simply said: I won't. I like diet coke! It makes me feel good. It is relaxing, cool and refreshing. Diet coke is really good! Donations are accepted. =)

5. More time with God will change us.
There are different things in my life- strongholds if you will- that slow me down. I don't want to let go of certain behaviors, attitudes or even desires. Matter of fact, I think my desires are my problem. I want certain things that don't make sense for me. My desires are the problem. More time with God will change our desires to His. Why would we do that if we like our desires? Obedience and the life abundance God has for us.

6. My daughters are absolutely beautiful!
If you haven't seen my girls lately, you need to. Sure, I am biased but who cares. I will post a picture of them soon. They are so beautiful!

7. Superbowl.
The Cardinals are taking on the Steelers this Sunday. Wow! I don't think I really care who wins. But, for the sake of the Cardinals- since they've never been to a Superbowl before, I will cheer for them, even though I do favor the Steelers.
I've heard that Budweiser is going to have 1 second commercials this year...that will be interesting. Superbowl commercials make the game worth it for people who are not into football. For the people who are into football-like me- the commercials just make it that much better.

8. The icy trees.
The ice weighed the tops of the trees down so much that some of the limbs broke, but most just bent over. When the limbs were bent down to the ground, it was like they were bowing in submission to God. Interestingly enough, some of the trees couldn't handle it and they broke. What are you doing?

We've been out of power for...well, I don't have a concept of time anymore; we've been out a long time. Since our power went out we have grilled steaks and potato's on Bryan's wood burning fireplace (in his house)-Macguyver style.
We drove to Fayetteville and picked Mindy's sister up...scary...the drive!
We drove all the way to Avoca- which is in the far north east corner of Rogers. This is where Mindy's parents live. They have opened their home to us...they have power! Hallelujah!
We rocked out on rock band.
We have eaten a LOT of food...Thanks Arlene! (Mom in law).
We have played a lot of games.

Even though I love winter weather, I am ready to be home. Christina (Mindy's sister) said it best. "I feel like we are refugees." So true.

Hanging here at my in laws home is nice, but it is not my home. I will go to my home one day...hopefully soon! Do you see the familiarity? If you follow Christ, you are not at home.

I am excited to return home (my house), the same way I am excited for that, I... we should be excited about our permenant home (eternity). We should live as if we are only refugees, or visitors. If we lived like visitors, like Heaven is our home, we may be more excited about it. If we were more excited about home-Heaven, we may do more to help others have the same home.

Point: Get excited about home. Share Christ with others so they can have the same home...something to be excited about!

As for now, if you have a massive generator and want to power my house, give me a call! :)

I need help! I have had this stuck in my head: "Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down,. the medicine go down..." You get the idea. This has been stuck in my head all week!

Where did it come from? How do I get rid of it? WHY ME?!?!

This crazy song from the movie "Mary Poppins" is absolutely annoying me! If you could only be in my mind now...it is terrible!

Interestingly enough. Through this song in my head I have had a revelation. Sometimes we don't want to swallow the medicine, maybe it taste bad or we just have a negative feeling about it because it is medicine. That is why Mary said a spoon full of sugar would help. Most people love sugar, why not!

Isn't that how we are with Scripture and God's commands some times? We know we need it. We know that just like the medicine, God's Word is good for us. However, we get hung up on how much time it takes and other excuses for the Word.

Today, add a spoon full of sugar to your Spiritual life. See, when taking the medicine the sugar really doesn't do anything, it just gives you a sweet beginning. Prepare yourself for God's Word. Get excited about it. Look forward to meeting with Him. Anticipate Him talking to you. Imagine what it would be like to have a one on one with God..."just a spoon full of sugar."