The "F" Bomb

My wife and I used to live and work at a church in Victoria Texas. The people out there are good people, and the church was a good church. Although, it was not the church for me. We didn't fit well together. I would have to say to all of the future ministers, take your time in picking a church, and pick one that makes sense. That, on the other hand, can wait for another post.

After a while, this church started to treat my wife and I poorly, and it became a very toxic situation. God is good, though, and I got fired from that job.

I really do praise God for that.

All of it really burned in my heart, but after a while, I put it at the back of my mind.

Recently, on the other hand, I saw a picture of the pastor of that church on facebook, and all of the hurt came flooding back. It was at that moment that God spoke to me, and he told me something that I always knew. God said, "You're going to have to give them the 'F Bomb.'" So, I did. I didn't curse at them. I forgave them. "holding on to the hurt and the anger doesn't do anything to them. It does everything to you." God was right. Pastor J is completely unaffected by the hurt that I have inside. Me on the other hand, my chest tightened, and I started to get light headed.

The truth is this: harboring unforgiveness doesn't do anything to the other person. You can get angry. You can cry. You can get red in the face. The other person is going to keep living his or her life. You forgive them, because you need to forgive them. Unforgiveness will make you physically ill. Plus, we are all screw ups who, at one point, were forgiven. Christ forgave us, and we didn't even ask for it.

... all your eggs in the church building basket?

There is a church southwest of where I live that has planned to build a multi-million dollar facility, and they have not had an actual service. They are starting their internet push, and I started asking myself questions.

Is this what Jesus had in mind when he gave his life on the cross?

Now that you have heard my question, I want to tell you something. I don't have anything against large thriving churches. I attend Lifechurch.tv, and it is the largest church in Oklahoma. Still, the question remains. Why would we spend so much on something that is so materialistic? Why can't we simply reach out with our hands, rather than pull in with a lifeless building. It is the people who are going to make the difference in reaching lives; then, it will be Christ that makes the difference in changing lives. As a matter of fact, we would not be able to reach if it weren't for the grace and life-giving power of Christ.

So, what are we building for. There are some churches that have made it their strategy to build closer to the lost. Lifechurch.tv is that way, and I think it is an excellent idea. Although, it only works because the people of the church are being the church, and they are reaching out with their hands. I occasionally attend a church that just bought an old movie theater, for cheap, and made it their church.

Why can't that happen? Why do we have to spend millions of dollars on a building that will pass away? Why can't we spend our money on people or strategies to reach people. Come on!!! There are hungry children in Africa, but we have to build the biggest stained glass window. Let's get our head in the game. Let's stop putting all of our eggs in the church building basket. There are better uses for the money, I think.

Love

"Through timeless words and priceless pictures, we'll fly like birds out of this earth. And times, they turn; and, hearts disfigure. But, that's no concern when we're wounded together. And, we tore our dresses and stained our shirts, but it's nice today. Oh, the wait was so worth it."

I think life gives you a bad hand at times. It's actually something we are promised. Words were spoken that said, "In this world, you will have trouble," and the truth is that you know what I'm talking about. It could be a dead car battery or the loss of a loved one. 

In the end, people are put in our paths to help us cope. When you are down and out, they will get in the gutter, get dirty with you, and help get you out. 

Me, I am so glad my wife is so strong, because she has met me in the gutter many times. She has pulled me out. Now, we are strong and life is good. More trouble will come. I might as well embrace that. I can also embrace the fact that "my paradise" will be there to get dirty with me. I rather have a crappy day with her by my side than a million good days with anyone else.

Long work week

Today, I will have been working 9 straight days, and it gets to you. I understand why God made a day of rest. Man is not supposed to work so much and so long. Even still, I have to work tomorrow, Wednesday. Then, I have Thursday off, only to work again on Friday. Friday will begin 8 straight days of work.

I'm tired.

Enjoy your rest when you have it.

I love new things

I love meeting new people. I love going to new places and finding the diamonds in the rough. I don't know if you are like me, at all, but I enjoy the newness of life. An old college roommate of mine looked me up on facebook, and I saw that he had a blog. I thought, what a great new way for me to dialogue my thoughts. I don't know or care if you choose to read them, but I thought it was something new and fresh that I could try. I know blogs have been around for years, but it's new to me; so, shut up.

It may become a little dangerous, my love of new things, because things don't stay new forever. Relationships don't stay new. People don't stay new and young. Possessions don't stay new. I think, on the other hand, that our perception of things, people, and situations can refresh itself. "This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." What is inherent in that scripture is that everyday is new. Every new day is one that we are given and is one that we can enjoy. The people in my life are new to me everyday, even though I may have known them for years. The possessions I have are full of life, even though I have had them for a while. The experiences that I have day in day out are not repetitive, but they capable of being something special every time I see them.

I love new things, and with the right perception even the same, older things can seem new to me every day.