What we really KNEEd

I wrote in a previous post about keeping things simple concerning the "church" as we now know it. I have been continually pondering the way we participate in church and how we worship.

Side note: Along with that I have seen recently behavior and undercurrents of sin and spiritual immaturity that upsets me. I'll be the first to admit that I have a long way to go. But it seems I have a desire to at least move to another level that I would expect others to have as well, but I don't see it very much. In my disgust with how some so called believers behave (I mess up to, I'm referring to a pattern) I am reminded of a quote made by a former muslim teacher who became a believer. He said, "Judge a religion by it's Leader, not it's followers." It is true that Christ is the focus, not those around us. That thought is helping me remain.

The other day I asked God, "Is this what you intended your church to look like?" I really wonder if how we have church set up is really effective. I submit it often does more harm than good. Four services a week about different topics with little to no re-enforcement and countless projects, activities, and meetings all aimed at trying to get people off their duff and get to work fulfilling the great commission of making disciples. Yet it doesn't seem to be working. Hmmm. Wonder why?

I could go on for pages with my proverbial red pen but I won't, but believe me I want to. Instead I think there is a solution. No, I know there is a solution. Simple in answer but not so easy. It takes time, patience and sacrifice. It doesn't require a program, no visitation plan, no music style change or staff additions and no "meetings" need to take place (it could be argued that meetings do take place). The solution?

PRAYER

Here is what someone who knew a lot about this subject said:

The Church is looking for better methods; God is looking for better men. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men…Men of prayer." --E. M. Bounds

I want to be that man. It requires a sacrifice of time to meet (there's the meeting) with God and ask Him to change hearts, including mine. Only then will anything we do be successful. Only when God steps in and answers our cry for the Spirit to move will we begin to see progress and changed lives. Maybe the only meeting we should be having are prayer meetings, even if it is only a handful of people. It's not a one time prayer of 5-10 minutes. It has to be significant time before the throne of God asking for Him to move in a powerful way.

I'm not a great prayer warrior, though I want to be. I do know this much, that as long as we try to make it happen and ask God to bless what we do we will never see change. We have to ask God to do something great and to show us how to help. We need our wounds healed and our bills paid and food on the table but none of those things are even close to how desperately we need spiritual healing, purification and revival.

Prayer is the answer. Not programs.

Mr. President, with all due respect please SHUT UP!

I don't like politics. that needs to be clear up front. I think I have one other post in my blog having to do with the subject. I also don't watch much news. Like most my age and younger I hit the web to get the highlights and continue with my day unless something major is going on that demands my attention.

In spite of my lack of attention to all things political and the hyper-negative news full of talking heads I have still been unable to ignore the biggest talking head of them all. The mike-hog we have as a president.

He is constantly making speeches. It's unreal how many "talks" he has over every move he makes or every idea and plan he wants to sell the American people. What happened to letting your actions speak louder than words. He is like a used car salesman trying to get us to buy a really bad car, hoping if he talks enough it will convince us to make the purchase.

It doesn't matter if I voted for him or not, or whether he is republican or democrat. Case in point I think Bush should have never opened his mouth. Here is the best way to sum up both of these presidents: It is best to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!

The following is an portion taken from an article by Gene Healy. VP of the Cato Institute. You can read the entire article here. It is worth reading.

"Today's president is a constitutional monstrosity: a national talk-show host with nuclear weapons.

Our founding fathers didn't want a president who'd perpetually pound the bully pulpit. They viewed presidential speechifying as a sign of demagoguery, and thought Congress should take the lead on most matters of national policy. They expected the nation's chief executive to pipe down, mind his constitutional business, and keep his hands to himself.

From Washington to Jackson, presidents gave about three speeches a year on average. In his first year in office, President Clinton gave over 600. Things have changed, but it's not clear they've changed for the better."

Here is my final take on this: In my experience, when someone talks a lot about their agenda or their viewpoint it is usually because they are trying to convince you to join their cause. If it needs that much talking to be sold, it's not worth buying.