Death by Minister

I had a very interesting week, which did include attending a funeral.....
As I approached the large denominational church, It was cold and not just the weather. I entered the doorway a place I had not ventured since I was a child some 25 years ago would be my guess. "Sure seems smaller" was the thought in my head. We, me and a co-worker, signed the"guest" book and headed toward the sanctuary doors. I was pleased to hear the attendant not ask if we were family, but if we were in "the Sunday school class".  I could tell by that question where this mans priorities must have been. We asked to sit in the back, we may need a quick get away, (strictly for work reasons) then we took our seat in the back row.

The service began as most I guess do, the deceased favorite hymns played by organ, followed by an introduction by the Man of the cloth. This was followed by us praying the printed prayer in each of our pamphlets and singing a hymn. A long time friend of the family shared some kind words. We read some more out of our pamphlets. Again the minister says some kind words shares scripture with the family and the the rest of us.

Now I have not been to 14 different churches throughout my life, consistently I'd say three, visiting some here and there on invitation, wedding, or funeral. So I am not proclaiming to be a great theologian. However at the end of this service the Man of the Cloth comes down behind casket and says (not verbatim) "As a minister of the gospel of peace, I now declare _______ __________ _________ earthly life over"

Now that was earlier in the week and it has haunted my thoughts til today. If anybody on this planet could say that, it should at least be the mans doctor. No God declared his life over... when it was.  And I'm totally cool with being wrong, someone enlighten me.

Thanks for sharing in my spiritual frustration- Much Love- David.

God has no faith in me.

Hebrews 11:1 (Common English Bible) description of faith - Faith is the reality of what we hope for, the proof of what we don’t see.

I believe that faith, as basic as I can understand it, is not the absence of doubt, but the denial of it. A war in the mind. A battle that even our own senses are unable to combat. The Bible tells us that we walk by faith not by sight(2 Cor 5:7). Our own eyes may not be reliable when it comes to our faith in God. 

I've been around long enough to question my own faith and see others as well. But all I have seen, praise God,  have come through the questioning, the doubts, the cries to God. And I know why and you do too.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (New Living Translation)

-- ¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.^[a] Because of the joy^[b] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. ³ Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;^[c] then you won’t become weary and give up.

You see God knows, KNOWS, the outcome of every situation that arises in my life.  He doesn't have to have faith in me. He made me, I am designed by God, and my faith was initiated by Jesus and He will perfect it. Irregardless of how I feel about my faith, God's plan is in motion. You and I are both form and function designed by God.

Ephesians 2:10 (The Message)

 ^7-10Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next, to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

God has planned out great things for you to do now. Wherever you feel you are in your faith, just know you are being perfected. And I can say with great faith, there are extraordinary things in store for you to do.

Love in Christ- D

The Modern Steeple

As I drive by this little church in my home town of Stillwater, OK I can't help but admire it. It is brand new, I watched it grow from the ground up. I saw the earth get reshaped, the foundation poured, I saw its daily progress. It took months to complete and is now open for "business". I generally don't make it by there on Sundays to see the parking lot full but I'm sure it is. I'm sure the new of it alone will draw people in.


But now as i drive by the completed church it bothers me. I see the brick facade, covering the metal building beneath. I look at the super lighted steeple, standing high above pointing heavenward. No doubt warding off the evil spirits as in days of old.


I have to ask my self why the brick, why the steeple? Why the extras, that only count as decoration? Is it wrong, I ask my self? No I am.

No where in scripture do I find instructions on building the church. Except to pray for God's people, for laborers in the harvest. The church isn't about any building. But we are all wired differently to like different things, to view the world in different ways. So the steeple I'm sure gives comfort, the stained glass a place of understanding. In the same way, worship that has lights, smoke, and rivals many concerts, touches the hearts of people an organ doesn't. For some the schedule of the service never changes and everyone has their seats, well that is important to some, opening their hearts to let God work in them.

I feel my God cannot be limited by any building. He will not be limited by man. So whether your church has a steeple and stained glass or not has little to do with God. Your church is you and the other people you surround yourselves with.  Worshiping together is an important part of that, find a church, get hooked up, serve the Lord where He directs you.

And I think that is what it is all about, people. Go, be the church, Love one another, pray for one another.

Until next time Love in Christ- David.