Growing Pains

I am aware that often my criticisms of Christian culture can be wearisome. I know also from experience that my beliefs can be deeply offensive to some as well. My goal is not to disparage irrisponsibly every Christian culture facet, but instead I wish I could beg and plead with people to really read their bibles. To really see what Jesus was all about. I am sometimes so horrified and discouraged at how far the modern "church" has come from the basics of the gospel that I do come off as harsh or judgmental. I long for others to step out of their self congragalatory church circles and actually reach out to a hurting world. To get down in the trenches with a person with AIDS, even if it means they are gay. To offer their love and support to someone who might have had pre-martial sex or gotten a divorce.
I hear Christians all the time talk about how they are called to make disciples of all men. Many seem to think that the best way to do this, is find someone who looks like they clearly need help (lets take a homeless person as an example) and give them a track and offer to pray of them, the end. There was no relationship formed with the homeless person. No practical ministering to that persons particular need. You can ask any non Christian who has recieved one of these tracks how they felt about it, and the answer would be the same. They felt assaulted by a drive by "do gooder". They felt angry that the person didn't make any effort to actually help them, but expected a 12 page instructional booklet to do the trick. Most Christians don't know this, because they never speak to the person after delivering the tiny missive. The only other thing that they could do that might possibly be worse is offer an airy "I'll pray for you" before jetting off to their next project.
Its examples like these that make me seem like I am antagonistic towards Christians.
I wish for nothing more than to encourage my fellow Christians to stop for just a moment, and think about what Jesus would think about their approach. Really seek his will. For just a few minutes, tune out what your pastors at your church are saying, put on hold what your peers are telling you, let go of your doctrines and and canons and seek out God's voice.
I think your answer might be different than what you expect.

A movie post?

I just saw Revolutionary Road, and it was brilliant.
Now anyone who knows me at all would agree that I am not so much a movie person. I have a really short attention span and a short tolerance for drivel that wastes my time. (In film form anyway). So all of that to say I usually never even sit through a movie, much less finish the movie and want to write about it.
But this movie was differnt. It was visionary, and honest and such a stark example of reality in this country during the 1950's. Specifically the reality for most women during this time. As its no secret that my grandparents, who married in the 50's and divorced in the late 70's, I have always been particularly interested in this trend that began a whole two generations ago.
During a time that social mores and gender roles were so limited, I've often reflected that there must have been more under the surface. I'm sure that despite what Dr. Dobson thinks, humans have not just recently acquired the ability to be immoral, and selfish and alone. I think that although our culture today is degraded and corrupt, it is just an outward indication of something that has always been eating away at humanity.

Basic human nature.

I guess all of this to say that no matter where we are in the scheme of linear time, no matter where are culturally, geografically, and any other constraint you can imagine, we all have the same basic need. A simple plea to be saved.

BE the church

I am really tired of people choosing Church over Relationships. I have heard people turn down invites to gatherings of family or friends, in favor of Church. Isn't spending time with ones family more important than attending yet another church service? Why are people so loyal to the idea of church but will happily turn their back on someone in need on the street? Why will people go to church three or four times a week, but continually act unloving towards those who they consider to be sinful or wicked?
Why has church become a form of bondage for many?
Why is Jesus never even mentioned when people talk about church?
I only have questions, no answers.

“Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.”
-Bridget Willard