So many people are finding that RELIGION, and therefore GOD, isn’t working out for them. So, they move from church A to church B. Inevitably differences arise and thus it is on to church C. Worse yet, people drop out of church all together. However, there’s one common denominator in all these circumstances. Where ever you go, you’re still YOU. It’’s YOU that’s the problem!
It’s been jokingly said (albeit very true) that if someone was somehow able to find a PERFECT church and they therefore then joined it, it would no longer be perfect.
Perhaps the problem is in how we are looking, seeing, and perceiving. Maybe we need a new set of glasses, a better lens, or some sort of correction in HOW we SEE things. Let me suggest three possible alternatives in how you look at life, the Bible, and God.
1-See incarnationally and and not predestinationally. (if those are not words, you’ll still get the point). God became man not just 2,000 years ago through the person named Jesus, but God is with us always. Where can one go that the Spirit isn’t, the Scriptures ask? SEE and BE in every moment you can because YOU ARE. God’s omniscience is a SEEING not a SETTING. God knows; however, we have FREE WILL and future determinism isn’t a part of my thinking!
2-See non-locally, and not fixed or frozen in time. As above, so below. What was, is now and what’s yet to happen already is (Eccl. 3:15). The proper definition of NOW is eternally past, present and future. More than just “time travel” is simultaneously being in different locations: parallel universes. Heaven and earth one and the same- at the same time.
3-See relationally, and not dictatorially demanding. We’re co-creators with God. As the REB translation puts it: I Cor. 3:9 we’re partners with God, II 6:1 says we’re partners with God, I Thes. 3:2 says we’re co-laborers with God, and Romans 8:17 says that we’re joint heirs with God. God created us as PARTNER and not ROBOTS!
As David Wilcock wrote, “Be reminded that the infinite love of the Almighty One, Creator of the Universe, and God of all Gods, is omnipresent. Since you in your physical environment are entirely composed of this same etheric substance with a unique personality, I suggest that you begin REMEMBERING WHO YOU ARE.”
When we change HOW we SEE, we change our life indeed. But, if life is working out great for you keep on rocking! 
Speaking of churches, guess you saw where The SBC booted Broadway Bapt., a 122 year old church, out of the convention for being too accepting of homosexuals…Could the exodus be starting?
When we change how we SEE, we change how we BE.
Don- Unfortunately several denominations are shooting themselves in the foot over issues like homosexuality, etc. It’s that damned “inerrancy of the Word” issue over the Good News that GOD IS LOVE issue which Jesus brought to us; which by the way just happens to be my direction for this Friday’s message (Love Trumps Justice).
Great post today, Ernie, for my thoughts recently! It’s clear that many people get disheartened by the church because the vast majority of churches completely miss God’s true character and love. The inner spirit of a typical lay person, which is full of God’s light whether they realize it or not, is told NOT to question their pastor/doctrines when something that is preached doesn’t agree with their inner spirit. I hear it all the time, “well, that preacher went to seminary and devoted his life to the ministry so he must know a lot more than me about God.”
I like to be that subtle “burr under the saddle” and encourage folks in my church and sphere to go ahead and question the establishment. I thinks it’s fun to give them a verse that totally flies in the face and contradicts the establishment’s doctrine. It messes people up when they realize that they can actually do that and not get struck by lightning. I’m sure that we have all noticed, with this “inerrant Word of God” that we have, anyone can still argue any point in the world that they want. Pretty funny, if you ask me.
Jared- And sad at the same time. The entity that you’d think would be spreading GOOD NEWS and bringing people to a FREEDOM in the Christos, are doing just the opposite…..and they’ve been doing it for thousands of years.
The good news is that increasing numbers of religious bodies and communities are opening their doors and hearts to that which they may not understand. It is unfortunate that the practice Don describes above still exists within the church today, but this type of fragmentation cannot continue if the church is to have any relevance in the years to come.
Don – Thought you might enjoy perusing the following link if you have not already had the chance to do so.
http://www.mccchurch.org
Thanks jbf, I am familiar with MCC as I have a gay son and became acquainted with MCC thru him. I forgot to mention that Broadway is in Ft. Worth (one of the oldest there) and has been at the center of several news stories about including gay couples pictures in the church directory.
http://thewhitedsepulchre.blogspot.com/2009/06/southern-baptists-reject-broadway.html
I have actually attended this church JBF. The Sunday attendance is in the thousands. The church in general continues to be the most discriminating organization on the planet. We hear and agree with the hatred coming from certain radical groups in history such as the Nazi’s,KKK,Panthers, Cripes, Bloods, etc. However, in the name of God the church waves it’s flags of judgement and does not see that ths is no different. Hate is hate, and love is love.
It is not possible for us to be seperated from the love of God. Cannot be seperated from the divine of which I am, we are. The divine I see also in you and everything that exist on land, in sea, or sky.
The world, looking outside IN, sees such intolerance, lack of love, and so many phobias that the magnet of love which the church should be- is not: such as this story today advances…………….
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) – A Connecticut church has outraged gay rights advocates by posting a video of members performing an apparent exorcism of a teen’s “homosexual demons.” The 20-minute video was posted on YouTube before it was taken down. Gay youth advocate Robin McHaelen says the video appears to show abuse. She says she plans to report it to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families as the boy said he was 16.