Bushel Basket Mentality....

 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Each year about this time, the local Pharisaical cult raises its many horned head and its high priestess begins pronouncing incantations against any who would venture out of their houses on the wrong day, such as today, October 31. "Today" is also lumped in with many other days that they believe any, who are part of the church, must surrender to the enemy (Satan) such as December 25th and Easter. In their opinion, because the world observes these dates with some sort of enthusiasm, it means that Christians must run and hide to show their own "righteousness". The only acceptable days to celebrate anything, in their overly inflated view, are the dates of the Jewish festivals which are celebrated worldwide by the....unbelieving Jewish people, including the secular, the atheist and the Kaballaist (demonic Jewish mysticism)...wait, now how does that work out??? Are not they (above mentioned groups) unbelievers, which makes them part of the world? 

Unfortunately, their own wisdom and reasoning fails them...and rightly so, because it is based on their own righteousness; by self determination of how they must worship and complete disregard for the entirety of the Word of God. Now, in all fairness, I must admit that they do utilize a fair amount of verses, gleaned here and there, as the "proof" of their stance. Now that said, contextually and in accordance with the complete story of God's redemption...they are flat out wrong!! Cut and paste religiosity, when combined with Internet theology makes for students poorly handling the Word of God. Not,as we are called to be, to.."Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Jesus didn't give us an alternative; we are to the the Light of the world! Reflecting Him! Not burying ourselves under a basket, but rather elevated on a lampstand for all to see. Shining our light (Christ) before all men....and then the darkness loses!! Then Satan can be seen for what he is...a liar, a thief and  the accuser of the Brethren!!

Sadly, this group of broken individuals, who have each refused the redemption and forgiveness offered by Jesus Christ, continues down this path of "pleasing God" in their own way. Trying desperately to manufacture "righteousness" and showing their dedication by isolating themselves from the body of Jesus, His church. They have become gods unto themselves, serving the god of their own belly (their lust and passion) rather than accept the completed work of Jesus Christ... Brothers and sisters, this should not be so!
The psalmist said it so well in Psalm 118..."this is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it"; Not surrender to the enemy what Christ has won by His precious blood and sacrifice!

We choose, on days like these, to turn up to full luminosity, the Light of Jesus Christ shining through us as a church. We will, by His power, pierce this present darkness because we ARE children of the Light! We "are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;" We WILL show forth the praises of Jesus!!

Now some may perceive this short dialogue as unnecessarily harsh and not very loving...but I must disagree. Jesus had very little good to say to those who stood behind their Pharisee robes condemning all those around themselves and He pointed out that the problem was that their external religious robes didn't match their internal utterly defiled hearts and yet, these He spoke to were the ones with the great heart for Torah...the letters to the churches make clear that apostates are not to be trifled with, but rather exposed and shown for what their deception is. And amazingly, herein is love. To allow some to continue in their sin and apostasy is to place others in jeopardy of eternal loss. 

It is high time for the church of Jesus Christ to be SALT and LIGHT, every day in every way!!

Just Incredibly Blessed...

Contemplating the potential of today....I realize that I have been, and am, tremendously blessed. Alive, well and enjoyer of a great family and great opportunities. Not all easy, mind you, but all doable and workable by the Grace of God. As we assembled yet a few more pieces of the current project, I looked around and saw that indeed God is good, all the time. Even in the darkest struggles, even in the most painful lessons of life, He is good. His mercy, new every morning, greets me and offers His peace, His joy and His love and I've done nothing to deserve it, but He has so graciously offered and bestowed it upon me. In the lives of my children, I see struggles that often reflect my own life choices; some painful, some pleasant, but I also see that the overriding choice I made to accept my Savior's gift of Salvation is present. Though they must, for themselves, surrender and allow His process to work in them, even yet now we still are observers and influencers,  while they learn and experience life. 
Deadlines of this world loom ahead, the seasons come and go but I am moved to thankfulness to see, hear and feel the hand of my God in all things. I can do nothing without Him, nor would I ever want to! In years past, it seemed that life had come down to nothing more than the immediate struggles and trials that surrounded us. But in these days, I have come to understand and know God's process deeply and have found His work to be perfect in everything. The trials of the moment are but, as the Scripture writer penned, but for a moment, a light affliction when placed in view of the cross and what Jesus suffered for me. Realizing that interrupting someone else's trial to make my life more simple is foolishness has  brought a new understanding of much of God's Word to me. I thought that the end of my trials would be sooner and without as much pain, if those other folks involved could just get straightened out quicker. But over time I have realized that His work in them, though involving us, is still exactly that...His work in THEM. His work in me is His work in ME. Though the paths may be tangled together by geographic location, or former associations, God is on His timetable and working His purpose in each of our lives personally and independently, even when He may be using one or the other of us as a tool in the other's process. The realization that I don't have to wait for God to fix the other people, so that I can be healed and rooted deeper and grow was a revelation of the first order...God's order! And in this I find tremendous blessing...I'm not dependent on the others for God's work in me to be accomplished. I MUST be dependent on God alone! And so I shall...
Also realized the considerable blessing that comes in trusting in Christ alone for His redemption...so many are caught in a web of their own design and manufacture. I see so much more, with understanding, what God's Word had to say about those whose god is their bellies. Always thought that this only could mean those who were gluttons or slobs...but I see how this is actually at the heart of most people's self worshiped  self promoted idols and idolatry. Even those who place themselves back under the law are responding to their own "bellies". It shows up in their passionate pursuit of the food components of the law, in spite of ignoring much of what else was contained in the 613 or so commandments of the law of Moses. They will strain the proverbial gnat but choke down the camel to become the strict vegetarians or vegans that they believe the law requires, but will eliminate all fellowship and accountability to the Body of Jesus Christ, His church in their daily lives. They'll clean their cupboard bare and refrain from the "leaven" in order to accomplish some feasts, but breed a huge crop of contempt for any others who might actually be so heathen as to consume popcorn, or a hot dog or similiar food during these times. It's not Christ they are living out, it is the lust of their own bellies; something to allow them to feel superior over their fellow man, to be "chosen". And this inspires in me an immediate response; not to squabble with them over these issues, but to turn in praise to the God who created this world, Who has loved me with so deep a love and is loving me with the same, that I have no other choice or desire than to worship Him with all that I am and all that I will be. Jesus, You are so much more than anything I could ever do to impress You and You are deserving of more than I could ever dream of...so may the thoughts of my mind and the meditations of my heart be always of You and may the gratitude for what You have done, never be replaced by a cheap imitation of my own desire!!

True to Form

I had a great opportunity to attend a local crusade recently; local in setting, but national in origin. A midst 600 or so attendees, I noticed several who were familiar. Some because of their former attendance at our local church, others because of their relationships with others in our local town. For the most part, greetings exchanged with these were warm and open, but there was one group within the formerly described set that I neither had opportunity to speak to, nor am I certain that I would have taken opportunity to do so even if it presented itself. And the reason will be clear momentarily....
This particular family showed up one day with another family who had moved into our town and begun to attend our church. At the end of the service, the first they had ever attended, they announced they were moving to our town and promptly began looking for a place to stay. Someone from the church had a house for rent and within hours, a lease was in place and the moving began. Over the next few weeks, this family began inserting themselves into every relationship, family and activity of the church...and town. Soon they began announcing how they had been led to bring in foster children to their home. This was soon followed with new announcements of more children coming in, then how they were quitting their jobs to "focus" on these new kids. Disturbingly, soon after the father figure in the house, began to miss most church services and activities, because he needed to stay up all night with the kids and play video games to keep them happy. Then additional kids in town would flock to this house and join in the revelry. Then more, and more and more....
Things began to fall apart soon after that, police arrived to investigate windows shot out of the local school by several of the "hang-er-outers" of this family. Fights with other kids ensued and general mayhem began to be the theme of the day. Parents who did not allow their kids to hang out were belittled or mocked and every commitment made in the beginning was soon dropped as routine as putting garbage in a trash can. 
One day there was a "new" sudden announcement that they would be moving to a far east state and within weeks they were on their way, dropping off a few of the foster kids on the way...too much trouble to take them along. The church was left with bounced checks from the offering received from them, the landlords left with unpaid bills and a huge mess, but all in all, most were happy to see that they had moved on.  Over the next months, news would trickle in through some still connected via social media or other method about how wonderful the new business was they started, how they had been interviewed in the local paper proclaiming how God led them around to each new venture, etc.  And just as suddenly, they reappeared on the west coast, down the hill and back into the town. Calls to some of the folks they knew from church, calls to other kids who used to hang out and guess what....new invitations, new groups of kids hanging out playing....yes, you guessed it, video games all night long. Several of the kids invited, when denied permission by their parents were lambasted and berated as fun stoppers and worse.
Now what is the common thread? What is the evidence that must be weighed? For these claim a relationship with Christ, but all fruit, all that has been produced to date is in direct opposition to God's Word. The principles of honoring parents, obedience and respect are thrown away; being faithful in your vows, discarded. 
As if a further indication, at the crusade, when the music stopped and the preaching began....yep, you guessed it again, they got up and left. Its all about the entertainment, not the substance. All about fun and games, not reality of life and death....death to self, life IN Christ. And they continue on to the next group of unsuspecting youth, to the next batch of sheep to eat and prey upon...reminds me of what Peter cautions in 2 Peter 2:  For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.  For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
Am I judging? You bet, with the discernment of God's Word and the understanding that the same measure that I judge with will also stand in my own examination, but that I do not fear but rather welcome, for that is the examination of the Holy Spirit daily in my life without which I would have no proof of my own relationship with Christ!

The Wrong Remedy

A local social group, that meets under the banner of Religious Organization (per the IRS guidelines) touts its origin as being there for, "for people who really haven't felt at place in a church. Sometimes we feel out of place because church is something you did (or were dragged to) as a kid, sometimes we've just gotten bored, sometimes it's because we opened our heart to people and were hurt because of it. " And so, they decided to start a para-church ministry that meets in a church? Wouldn't that kinda be like church? They have music and preaching and other church stuff...led by wonderful people who have rejected the authority and clear instruction of God's Word, caused great divisions in the places they've come from and now they are....leading? How in the world does this happen? It happens because it is exactly that, IN THE WORLD. It is a "come close to Jesus so you feel better" ministry, by people that have rejected the very Lordship of Jesus Christ. The fruit of their lives is scattered all over the mountain, yet they have achieved this status of "being" the ones who now lead, the way they want; doing what they want, when they want to. The success of this supposed remedy is based on their ability to gather other similar souls and place them under the all accepting banner of "love". However this delusion, manifested in the complete disregard of spiritual accountability, works best at just forwarding its recipients faster to hell, than if left to their own ways. This is because of the assumed cloak of "religiousness" they quickly and proudly wear, while demonstrating the balance of Galatians 5:19's works of the flesh. They really think they are achieving harmony with God, or as they themselves say, "where they can "belong to believe"-that is, where they can be nurtured and discipled into faith in the one true God and in Jesus Christ whom He has sent". Sounds good until you consider that NO ONE can be nurtured and discipled INTO faith. Faith in Jesus Christ is because the Father has drawn them, not because fleshly humans have convinced them into this state of mind. The faith that saves is in Jesus Christ; it comes by the conviction of the Holy Spirit of our sin and our need for a Savior. It is IMPOSSIBLE to disciple a lost human in God's Word because according to God's Word it is not their nature and they cannot understand it, period! Someone who has responded to conviction of the Holy Spirit, believes (whether understanding much of God's revealed Word or not) and confesses their belief, can at that time begin to understand God's Word because it IS their nature. A new nature, not the old recycled nature in another attempt to pacify guilt with some sort of spiritual leanings.
If the root is holy, so is the tree....said Jesus! And yet week after week, this band of merry accepters just whitewashes any behavior as long as you fit into their semblance of "love". I find the Love of Christ to be very different...He left no one to continue in their sin who truly followed Him. He had the harshest words and condemnation for the "religious", who for the sake of followers would cross the earth just to make the one twice the son of Hell that they already were. This is a pattern that these in this group follow....it's not whether you are truly regenerated...it is just whether or not you choose to fit into their group and play along. If you choose otherwise, then you are just one of those "judging" types that doesn't love.
But doesn't true love, agape love, put every possible obstacle in the way of Hell by requiring the greatest sacrifice ever made? Not to allow man to continue in the flesh, but to be changed into the very children of God!! Now that is love!
A friend that loves...will wound and those wounds will be faithful to produce a right response in me. They will be the call for pause that makes me reflect on the validity of my actions before God, not self and they will stand in the way of the remnant of the flesh that desires to cast itself headlong over the cliff of sin and lust. Oh, for a faithful friend!

Recent update: In the evolution of this group, much has changed over the last months. There is a core of people rising up who are solid and sincere in their relationship with Christ and the direction has turned from one of "church runaways"and "easy believe-ism-ers" to a viable Bible based ministry. (still shallowish, but moving much deeper into what Christ demands of those who are His) Some have left that were part of the above described folks, a few remain...but by the Grace of God, they may be rooted out and exposed for what they are or even better, they might accept correction and grow in God's grace, mercy and love....by far the better route. Stay tuned, God is still working and the fruit of His labors is always good!! My opinion of the one under whose direction this ministry works has radically changed...my perception was skewed and wrong; his heart is right and in that particular arena, it is exciting to see what may be the future!!

Global, Local or Individual Body...?

What is the Body of Christ, His church, to look like in this world? Is it our very separated, disjointed, dis-functional spattering of churches...pick your own variety, shape or size? Or should it be seamless, flowing over the world without regard to geography, culture or preconceived notion? Earliest writings about the churches, by the authors of the New Testament books, dealing with the church from the day of Pentecost on revealed a similar struggle and similar issues that we face today. This is very consistent with anything we humans have a part in....complete inconsistency! Over and over and over and...well, you get the point. The history of Israel, as a nation and tribes, reveals similar circumstances and dilemmas as the church as a nation of believers and of a single DNA (Christ's) demonstrates today. Are we right in our separations, or are we just hardheaded like Israel was (and is)? 
It would seem, from an altogether too simple point of view (mine), that much of our problem stems from our understanding and subsequent belief of how we think we relate to the church and the Body of Christ in our own thinking. If we are globalists, considering the Body of Christ to be any who are regenerated and saved by His grace, baptized in profession of that change in our hearts, then we view the rest of the world's believers as just geographically separated brothers and sisters. On the other hand, many hold to a local Body view, thinking they alone have the place in the community, country or location to be the Body of Christ, His Church. Some go further and believe that they alone are the Body, free from all encumbrances and responsibilities to the body and refusing any admonition to fellowship as an affront to their own authority as "the" church. Paul was pretty clear...well, actually the Holy Spirit was REALLY clear when He had Paul pen the book of 1 Corinthians regarding the Body of Christ. It is really straight forward...individually, as believers in Christ, we are connected limb to limb, tendon to tendon together....NO geographical separation noted! Period! But of course that is not enough for some; in fact the command to not separate themselves is largely ignored in view of the "I am the temple of the Holy Spirit, I don't need you all....I will find my own suitable place to fellowship or start my own" mindset. Usually though, this is quite discernible as error (err...sin) in that it is typically combined with additional areas of their life where they refuse to deal with sin, or don't want to have any authority over them in any area of life. They'll hang around while the "weather" is good, but at the first signs of clouds, they are off and running to their next place of hangout or they will entirely abandon any fellowship or relationships with other believers, except for a select few who will blindly follow these to wherever they are headed...which in most cases, may be Hell, because if you look deep enough, there will be no fruit in these lives, just silk flowers and plastic apples hung to look good enough for general observation. This is always accompanied with rabid quoting of Matthew 7:1, Judge not....(leaving out the context and heart of the teaching by Jesus that actually calls for judging and calls for WHERE judging must begin...) and subsequent separation. 
How can this change? Courage and Holy Spirit intervention! What if every pastor called each  former pastor to find out about the "new folks" who show up? Or if the elders of a church visited other elders at other geographic locations at regular intervals? What if the discipline and structure of the church, outlined in Timothy and Titus, was practiced by all who call themselves His children? Shortly the church hoppers would be found out and silenced; the ones with their own agenda, who move from church to church to build their following, would be revealed as the false sheep or shepherds they are. The lazy, the fat and the brutal shepherds will be revealed as well, by their clear failure to produce fruit and sheep, not goats. But of course, you say, that can only happen in a perfect world, right??? But wait a minute, don't we serve a Perfect God? Seems like that may be the problem right there....who are we serving? 

How Much "Just Like the World" is too much....?

This whole idea of how much is too much has always wandered through the deep recesses of my mind. How close can you get without getting burned? How much can you do without crossing the line? How far is too far? These types of questions and the many variations have been asked by lots of folks who call themselves "Christians" and personally, I think the question itself may be a red flag that needs to be paid attention to, rather than the subject of the question explored or answered. If we are "Christians" (Christ followers), why in the world would we be asking how close to the enemy can we get, or how much of the enemies favorite temptations (or those of our own lust) can we play with and still be "okay"?
The heart of the matter....oops, said it already...YES, the HEART IS the Matter! Consider Jesus' statement about defilement in the Gospels...paraphrased roughly: its not what goes into your mouth that defiles you, but that which comes out from the heart. Ouch...wait, you say..."that stuff just slipped out and you know, we are not perfect after and by the way, who made you the judge?" Ah, more indications of a heart condition, perhaps even a critical heart condition. 
Consider a little scenario with me; a young person who grew up in church, professed their belief in Christ and claimed His salvation decided to follow the example of their parents in rebellion and left with them. The young person was old enough to make their own decision and stand on their own two feet, but chose to follow the apostate group off into the wild blue yonderish part of another town and church group. The wonderfully welcoming pastor and his family, in that new town and church, swung wide open their arms to embrace this family. Choosing to ignore the issues of church discipline presented to him (the pastor), for the sake of having new folks to help and grow his church, he readily assimilated this family and the young person into all aspects of life and ministry. Ignoring all Scripture and God's template for the New Testament Bible believing church, they instead also formed deep family relationships with this family and young person. The young person moved away but maintained contact through social media and visits. Over time the young person's actions (complete abandonment of christian fellowship while out of town), attitude (immersing themselves into the world and the vices thereof) and language (profusely effluent in the manner of James 3) turned worse and worse. But because a relationship had been formed, in spite of the warnings and caution, the new church and its pastor only chose to see what they wanted. The young person was "godly" when visiting and communicating at church or family events, but worldly, JUST LIKE THE WORLD, all the rest of the time. And this brings the question, "how much is too much". 
Well, Scripturally, its not looking too good for our example. God requires a heart surrendered to Him....not just loaned at special occasions. He wants a disciple in the Body of Christ, not a tumor growing on the surface. 
Too much is the first step, the first thought, the first touch and whatever else may pull us from complete devotion to the Jesus. It is not a matter of how far can I stray, rather it is HOW CLOSE CAN I GET TO JESUS? Everyday, all day and for ever. The closer we remain, by His power and direction, the further from the pull and staining of the world we will be. Only THEN, will we be in the world, but not OF the world!!

North to Alaska...the Rush is on?

Recently there has been announcements in our little town of an exodus towards the great state of Alaska. No, it is not gold or even land that drives this movement of citizens; rather it is the "freedom" of running to a new place to escape the source of old problems. The "victory" is attained by geographical mobilization, not the power of Christ. But it sure sounds like God must have been mailing out invitations to this new Jerusalem, if you were to take the words of the proclaimers to heart. However, a quick look says there is something deeper going on here. What is visible, once you move beyond the clatter and commotion, it that all parties involved are running, walking or flying away from unresolved issues and failed opportunities in search of an easy Shangri La. The latest batch spent the last year demonstrating their perfection of the leaving technique; rapidly moving from one opportunity to the next without ever fulfilling their self proclaimed commitments or obligations. 
The common denominator in all these groups is found in their past, not as a condemnation of their present, but as a tool to understand what is motivating and driving the future. Observation and investigation of the last several years has identified a unique grouping of folks. These folks are generally possessors of a lengthy past; most including some form of substance addiction, many having a past including incarceration and all now touting Christ as the next best thing in their life, in between occasional trips back down the road of addiction. These moments of weakness are clarified as "relapses"; a nice clean sounding term for what otherwise we might understand to be known as "falling off the wagon", "screwing up", "going dirty" or any other of a number of similar expressions. But great weight is given to the commonality of the past, in that those who do not have a similar experience are not to be trusted, except as a possible source of gifts, income or assistance. It truly exists as a form of caste system, with the accompanying barriers of movement between. It is okay to receive stuff from a non-member, but any scrutiny from one not a "card carrying member" is immediately condemned as judging or getting into someone else's business. In fact, the obtaining of goods, services or money from another group (caste) is considered almost a badge worthy event; a sort of proof of membership. The more you can talk people out of, make impassioned pleas for and never be held accountable for, the better member you are. 
Churches are natural drawing points for this caste, as they provide an opportunity to collect all the target goods, services and monies that this caste desires and have a good time while doing so. Of course, churches are moving targets because eventually they come to understand that it is the same old song and dance, just another snake oil salesman doing the jig. Not that the opportunity will sound fishy; oh, contrare, it will seem like exactly what churches SHOULD be doing; helping the poor, feeding the needy and caring for each other. The problem arises when it becomes evident that this is a way of life for this caste; this is how they CHOOSE to live. It is NOT a case of growing up (spiritually), but eternal child care they desire and hold onto adamantly. 
Proof, just as the Word of God says, is in the fruit produced. Extruded, shiny, handpainted plastic fruit; well made up, even occasionally looking as if it could satisfy...but never able to do so. The pattern will repeat itself unendingly; jumping into to a "new" deal with all three feet (they always promise more that will ever be delivered, hence the extra foot), a short spurt of enthusiastic action but just as quick this will quickly wind down to disillusionment, disagreement and then, departure; The three "D's" of this caste's system of action and another identifier of this particular group. 
At times it is tempting to think that they might actually be on the road to real recovery and real life in Christ, but discernment is the better part of valor here. God's Word is always clear about our lives in Christ. Great opportunity and power is always under the restraint of responsibility and Christ's leadership. It is His way or no way....too many will keep trying their way and the highway unfortunately....but such is the rush north now!