NOT JUST A SONG

This past week---we spent a great deal of time and energy talking over what the church should look like.



THIS is an example of what God desires The Church to be in the business of-

Since moving to Fort Worth,

I have heard many heart breaking stories

God is showing me the hurting world

I live in and

I am asking to know the path

He desires me to walk

For His Good Glory

My prayer today, Dear Friends

Is for us all to turn back and

redirect ourselves

to The Church He so desires us to be.

BLESSED SABBATH!

ESCAPE FROM THE HOOD

The Hood is quiet this week--except for a little thing called an earthquake and a bitter Arctic Cold Front. If there were tremors here, I did not realize it.  I live a block from a railroad track and 2-3 blocks from a toll road that is being constructed.  Things shake, rattle, and roll a great deal on a daily basis here in the hood.  

SO--I will give you a quick snapshot of my get away over New Year's to South Louisiana.

The first day involved hiking the Tunica Falls trail -which is in Southwest Mississippi.

A beautiful hike up and down hills along the ridge line--we ended up at the creek after going down-down- down.

A hardwood forest --we spent a great deal of the day enjoying the pristine beauty of huge trees and beautiful trails.  You KNOW it is a GREAT hike when you have to get down on all fours at some point to get up or down the trail!

Across the road from the trail head was a throw back from the good old days--a general store.  Unfortunately it was closed for the holiday, but I spotted the biggest "Blue Bottle Tree" I may have ever seen.  That is a LOT of bottles of wine!

After a quick stop for a Dr Pepper, we happened upon this road in a Wilderness Area.  We road for mile upon mile with even more amazing sights than our hike since this area was even higher.  The only downer was spotting all of the hunter's trucks parked along the way.  It might prove wise to travel in an orange vehicle during this time of the year.

My dear friend is a "Gourmet Cook".  The menu included crab and corn chowder--a traditional New Year day lunch and gumbo----KNOCK MY SOCKS OFF GOODNESS!  

The day before I left, we drove to New Orleans.

A tour of the 8th Ward (Just before the infamous 9th) where my friends volunteer in Inner City ministry.  Some of the homes looked like this--but most of the area has homes with zero lot line and in various stages of rehab with NO sign of green around them.  Impoverished area--BUT with young professionals beginning to move in and rehab and drive the price of property up--many are being displaced.  A common plight across Big City America today.

No visit to New Orleans is complete unless you visit one of the above ground cemeteries.  This one is in the middle of the 8th Ward.

Most of the day was spent in the World War II Museum.  All I can say is WOW!  SO well done!  A MUST if you are ever in New Orleans.  I walked away knowing what my daddy and so many others sacrificed for my freedom.  There are four buildings--so plan for most of a day--if you go.

A perfect ending to a wonderful day---a dozen-raw on the half shell followed by fried oyster/shrimp plate in the historic Garden District.  YUMMY!

Lest I forget, there was a pat down--going and coming.  SAD to realize this is the most intimate touch I have had in a LONG time!  SIGH!  That and the two hour trip home which turned into nine hours are the highlights I plan to forget of an otherwise wonderful Get Away!

And that's all the news here in the Hood, where we are just trying to stay warm this week!

DISTORTION OF REALITY

In my younger days--those wild and crazy days of raising a family, having a career, and keeping a house afloat---I got the idea all middle aged people lived a life of ease.  Once I got my children successfully raised and off on their own--living their perfect lives with a home in the burbs-2.3 children-and 2.4 cars--my life would be one long vacation.  Doing what I wanted--when I wanted--how I wanted--with whom I wanted.  

After those middle years of ease and years of all I wanted and more than I needed, I would serenely live out the remainder of my life, watching the sunset and drinking tea by the fireplace in the cold and on the porch in the warmth. The mosquitoes would never bite, the sun would never burn, and peace would reign in my heart and thoughts.   With no fears, no problems, no cause for concern--I would one day put my head on my satin pillow and sleep to wake no more without even a line from worry on my brow.  

The Joneses-who lived next door--they also lived exemplary-upstanding lives and we were the best of friends--as well as our children.  No cause for envy-no need for malice--we would age gracefully together with only good wishes and kind thoughts toward those who lived near.  Never a cross word--nor an ill wish--we would spend long hours together relishing our friendship.

THEN I GREW UP---WHAT WAS I THINKING--WHAT PLANET DID I LIVE ON?
Life does NOT look like a fairy tale--that ship has sailed and I live in Reality Land.

OH--BUT TODAY--Today there is a new source of all is well--we all love each other--our kids are perfect--we are successful--this is a great world we live in--nothing ever goes wrong---It is called SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD!

My dear sweet friend contacted me today about the perfect world often portrayed on social media.  Her world is not perfect---FAR from it.  So she wonders--WHY NOT ME?  All these other people have such wonderful-beautiful lives--Has God turned His back on me?  It broke my heart.

My answer---we are all  --as in ME TOO---guilty of using social media to give bits and pieces of our lives---all the good--NONE of the bad.  We post carefully orchestrated sound bites of what we want others to think our lives look like.  We become our own PR agents and HEAVEN HELP YOU if you DARE to post an unflattering picture of me!  

We post those precious pictures of our children/grands for all to admire.  We neglect to tell the story of the hissy fit thrown by precious while trying to get them dressed.  We brag about our accomplishments-but forget to tell what we might have neglected to accomplish them, or who we might have walked over to get there.   We post pictures of delicious dishes without confessing we never made them.   While never admitting the day to day look of our lives, we become flashes of greatness and quick glimpses of the lovely.

So Dear Friend---take all this stuff on social media and grind it down to reality.  As my counselor friend told me long ago, there are NO perfect families---perfectly messy--perfectly imperfect--perfectly wild and crazy--but NO beautiful Ozzie and Harriet families.  Her words of wisdom, which I cling to today, "All families are a mess at best.".  Not to say we don't love our families--not to say there are not beautiful moments--only to say---we are all messy.  Either that are someone has their head stuck in the sand!

These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;

Zechariah 8:16

BLUE SKIES

There is nothing quite like the joy of standing under a perfectly blue sky.  It seems  the sky is the bluest in the deep of winter here in the South.  Today as I stood under the bluest of skies, I was cut to the bone by the frigid Polar blast.  Walking across the school campus, I pulled my coat tightly around me, protecting every inch of skin from the icy fingers seeking to send me running back inside.  Had I turned around and headed back inside when the first blast hit me upon opening the door, I would have missed the blessing of a day under the bluest of skies and with those I hold dear.

So it has been with relationships and community in my life.  I cherish and relish the joy of the warm sunny days of fellowship.  My heart sings with praise as I draw near to those I love.  I treasure the times of sweet communion and the joy of drawing together with common cause.  God never intended us to be alone, and He has lavished us with dear ones to fulfill our deepest need for companionship.  How would I survive without a hand to hold, an ear to hear, an arm to grab, a neck to hug?  Even in the quiet stillness of silence with others, there is much to be said for relationships and community.

There are days, even under the blue skies, these relationships run cold--there is a frigid air of indifference--the thunderclouds of disagreement darken the horizon--and the blue of the sky is hidden behind the fog of discontent.  Inclement conditions cause my radar to go off and my need to take cover and hide from the pending storms.  It would be safer to hunker down in the shelter of my cave and avoid any potential danger from stormy days.  If I gave in to my panic and alarm, I would protect myself from the dark foreboding danger lurking all around.

By allowing myself to be exposed to the good and bad under the blue skies, I am blessed to enjoy all those beautiful --perfect blue bird days.  There is rain--there are storms--there is always danger--but the perfection of the blue skies is seen clearer after the storm.  Had I not walked through the storm-I would never fully appreciate the serenity of the calm.

So it is with "The Church", or for that matter any relationship.  God has created us to live in relationships and communities--for a very good reason.  The sweet tapestry of God honoring relationships serves to nourish our hearts and souls.  There are problems---we are fallen--so problems will come.  I stand upon the sure and certain knowledge that each and every relationship and community God has placed me in has all been for a purpose--His Good Purpose.  My heart soars when I stand and look back and realize the blessing of relationship and community.  

The Church--is not necessarily a group with like theology-joined for the common purpose of worshiping our God.  The Church in my heart are all of the Fellow Believers God has drawn me into relationship with.  I have prayed with, spoken with, sung with, studied with, and sought Him with SO MANY more than those that claim kindred membership in a group of believers.  My church is all of you--who have drawn by my side--with the common purpose of seeking and drawing closer to Him.

My final word on the subject of "The Church".  I need it--I am seeking His plan for where I should be--and until it is revealed---I cherish each of you who is a vital part of "The Church" for me day by day--as we walk toward the completion of our time here on this earth.  Thank You and Bless You for being a part of "The Church."

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

I Corinthians 12:27

THE PROBLEM

I seem to have hit upon an exposed nerve for many!  I saw an article HERE concerning the very reaction many seem to now have to "The Church" and came away even more alarmed.  WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE CHURCH TODAY?

To begin with--this is NOT a new problem---it is as old as original sin.  Everyone get ready---put your pointing finger in the air-ready to point-and turn it back toward your own face.  WE LIVE IN A FALLEN WORLD!  We ALL are fallen.  Our tendency is to place ourselves on the throne---and expect everything to revolve around us--our needs, our expectations, our desires, our theology, our opinions-

ME ME ME

We are so accustomed to placing ourselves in the center of the universe--we do not even realize we are doing it.  THAT is NOT what God intended "His Church" to look like.  I Corinthians 12 describes the vision God has for Community.  It is a beautiful picture of living in a symbiotic community.  All for one and one for all is an apt description.  In a paraphrase--the least is held in as great as honor as the greatest. Paul gives us a perfect picture of the delicate interweaving of individuals, who are all gifted in different ways, to create the unique body called "The Church."  Oh that we could achieve this glorious community here on this earth!

We have failed to do so--because of our fallen state.  The question I ask myself, "Is this cause to abandon the plan God has for us?"  I can only speak for myself-and my truth is not your truth---I MUST find community.  He has cause for His desires for me--and who am I to question this?  Obedience sometimes comes at personal cost and sacrifice--but also always comes with His blessing.

It distresses me to know how many have been injured by "The Church."  It distresses me to know the disappointment and disenchantment felt by the masses when looking to "The Church".  It alarms me to read large numbers are falling away and concerns me for the future.  I am not so distressed, disappointed, disenchanted, or alarmed that I am ready to throw in the towel.  God has a plan--God is all powerful--He is perfect--and His will --it will prevail-with or without me along side doing what my God conscious tells me is right.  

Until He calls me Home--I will continue to seek the fellowship of the Community of Believers--referred to as "The Church".  One more post on this subject tomorrow and we are done.

Now you are the body of Christ,

and each one of you is a part of it.

I Corinthians 12:27

THE WEAKEST LINK

I have spent most of my "Exercise Life" being the weak link.  I always seem to be in the back of the pack.  After all those years of running, I could recognize my friends from the back much quicker than face to face.  I became quite good at analyzing gaits---all from bringing up the rear.  My gift to all the runners in the world--finishing last---I AM A TURTLE.  Remember turtles do finish!

While hiking --I am stopping and looking at the view--smelling the wildflowers--savoring the experience.  Between my sight seeing and always being in the poorest physical condition, I keep the title of the "Weak Link" every summer while on our annual adventure.  The only reason these superior examples of physical condition allow me to go along is for comic relief!  The important thing is that I always finish the hikes--and make every step the others do--seeing the same sights--I am just slower.

The fact remains--a chain is only complete when it all is connected-the WEAK LINK is a vital and important part of the chain.  If the weak link comes off the chain--it will be shortened and the effectiveness of the chain will be decreased.  SO the Weak Link contributes the vital function of connecting the strong links on each side of it and allows the chain to be even stronger and more useful.

We have spent the past two posts discussing "The Church".  I have been amazed to read all the comments on The Blog as well as Facebook.  It seems many are disappointed--disgruntled--and even disengaged from The Church.  I hear the pain in your comments and would never diminish your truth.  I can only give you truth as I understand it.

I have become a Weak Link in the church.  I am disappointed, but not in The Church-but rather in myself. By dropping out--letting go--I have allowed the chain to diminish in effectiveness.   Church was intended by God to be our community.  The size of the community you "live in" is an individual choice, but we need others. We were not created to live in isolation but in different forms of community.  I need to either determine how to link up with the church I am attending or find a place where I am able to link up.  I need the community.  I live alone--my family are all grown and gone--there is no opportunity for being in Godly community--unless I find "A church" to step into. The "Bride of Christ" is the church--it is time for me to determine how to once again establish my identity as "His Beloved Bride".  NOT to say--He does not love me beyond my wildest imagination--but to remember His Words about "The Church".

I do not attend church to "See God"--He is all around me each and every moment.  I believe iron sharpens iron--and the fellowship serves to grow me, encourage me, stretch me, and give me opportunity to serve in community. The purest worship I have ever experienced were moments alone when savoring a view of the grandeur of this world He created.  BUT-We are promised when two are more are gathered in His name---HE IS WITH US!  What a blessing to stand in the fellowship of Believers and KNOW HE IS THERE!

At Least one more post coming---THE PROBLEM---I cherish your comments and pray we all grow and learn as we discuss this important topic. 

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.

Matthew 18:20

HOME RUN!

As a writer, I feel I have hit a home run when I post a blog that receives the 
most comments.  It is a grand slam when the comments run pro and con!!  The past 5 days have been spent in the home of dear lifetime friends.  We spent hours talking--discussing--agreeing and disagreeing.  I love every minute as these discussions always sharpen me--cause me to think--work to bring further spiritual maturing.  We all need someone in our lives to keep us on our toes.

While I was with them, I posted THIS after one of our discussions.  It created a stir and some very interesting comments, on the blog as well as on Facebook.  Unfortunately, since I was away from my computer, I was not able to respond to each and every one of you.  While thinking this over and further discussion which came from your comments, I believe we need to stay with this subject of "The Church" until we have gone a little deeper.

The discussion began because of my quandary as to what I should do with my disappointment over "The Church".  As written in the first post, I finally made the complete circle and realized-I AM THE CHURCH.  My finger became firmly pointed at my own breast.  I do not have a solution, but I now have a direction.

God intends us to be in community.  In the early New Testament church, this community consisted of Home Churches.  I have friends who are members of home churches today.  As we talked over the idea of home church, the most significant question was accountability.  Who could disagree after the last few decades that accountability is always a good idea?  The temptation to place ourselves in the position of the ultimate authority, when we are not looking at least to a contemporary for clarification, is too great.  Iron sharpens iron--and we are not God--and need to be reminded of that!

One of the well taken points during our discussions, was the need to find a church that fits.  There is a very good reason churches come in all flavors and sizes--we are all individuals and one size and flavor does not fit all.  In my lifetime, before my move to the big city, I had made a slow progression from a very small church to a medium size church of several hundred members.  I moved to the big city and jumped into a mega church.  This may have been a less than wise move.  I love the teaching I am hearing--BUT mega churches are very easy to get lost in.

Some of us enjoy the anonymity of being lost in the crowd.  No one to corner you and ask you to volunteer for something you do not care to do. I have spent a lifetime trying to assuage the guilt from saying "NO".  That little two letter word is the most difficult word in the English language for me to get out.  Guilt and my need to please tie my tongue in knots when I am asked, "Would you?"  I KNOW there is nothing wrong with saying "No", but because of Who I am--it is extremely difficult.  I say "Yes" and then gripe, complain, and whine---NOT God pleasing for sure.  In the HUGE crowd of the mega church, very seldom am I approached since I am invisible.  However, we are all called to serve and with anonymity we are tempted to only be spectators.

SO---I AM THE CHURCH---YOU ARE THE CHURCH---our challenge is to find the community of believers that is the right size and flavor.  God intends for us to be in community--my charge is finding where He intends for me to be.

Although we spent hours talking all this over, there will only be at least one more blog on this subject---tomorrow "The Weak Link".