a visit from the ghost of christian past

I was enjoying a nice little slumber on a warm spring-like day...when all of a sudden there appeared a scary apparition. Dressed like bad memories of my childhood climbing under the pews of the community church, one appeared to me wanting to talk about life and faith and all things in between.

I realized quite quickly, however, there wasn't a lot of talking that this ghost of christian past wanted to do, as talking connotes a back and forth dialogue. No, this "holy" specter didn't really want a discussion but more of a monologue. Thus he began to talk...and talk...and talk. As he continued on, my mind began to fog over as verses flew in and out of his speech. As I would try to drop comments into the "conversation," I quickly realized that nothing I said was being heard as instead of listening, this apparitions mind was formulating it's next movement, it's next thought...sure to be peppered with scriptural reference (with no care for context...but alas...that is the old-school christian way) and "churchy" words.

I desperately wanted to escape this bad dream...for I knew that nothing would come of it. My heart and my mind cried out, "Away from me - thou dreaded spirit. Begone and return no more for I fear what you bring." Soon - though not soon enough - I bid this unholy specter a fond farewell - and made my way out of what had once been a potentially nice dream, but that had turned into a nightmare of epic proportions as this ghost from christian past invaded my senses.

And then...suddenly...he was gone. Will he return? I have my doubts. And I have my hopes that he won't...for the ghost of christian past is a very scary thing indeed.

forgiveness

I had asked a brief question about whether we really have to ask God for forgiveness anymore. Obviously, as i have gone through the teaching series that we are currently in, I do not believe that those who have been forgiven have to continuously go back for "more" forgiveness. Either his blood atoned for it...or it didn't.

So...maybe the question is more one of why we believe that we do. I believe that it is for many reasons:

* we like to control things...including our spiritualgrowthrelationshipwithgodthing.
* we feel like we have to "do" something.
* we have been infested with Catholic teaching that is so unbiblical it's not even remotely funny...esp. considering how many people fall for it.

Oh...I'm sure there are so many more reasons...but I need to head for home so may finish this later...or not...we'll see

simple question on forgiveness

If you are "in Christ," if you are a follower of Jesus - do you still have to ask god for forgiveness?

true gospel

So...been a long while. As we go through a series of teachings, I am amazed at how much the original gospel of Yashua (Jesus) has been altered, changed, tweaked by the church and various teachers over the years. I have to hope that its simply because of ignorance, but I have sneaky suspicions (based off history and knowing human nature) that a large part of the reason is because of control issues from various elements throughout history.

For instance...here is the truth. The Old Covenant is toast. Don't have to follow it. Toss it into the creek, followed closely by those precious 10 commandments. Realize that once you cross the line and begin to follow Jesus - you are a new creation. That means that you are not a sinner anymore. "Yeah - but what about those things I do that are sin...?" not you. not your fault (Romans 7). So...celebrate. Everything is forgiven, has been forgiven, and you don't need to ask God for forgiveness ever again.

Don't believe it? read the bible and discover for yourself what it says.

Thanksgiving thoughts

Just a few things I am thankful for. (in no particular order)

* Healthy and loving (most of the time) immediate family - wife - three kids.
* Healthy and loving ( most of the time) extended family that generally gets along really well
* Very good friends - you all know who you are.
* A God who does not condemn me when I am bad (often) and who loves me unconditionally.
* All the people who make up The Point...and those who someday will.
* The blessings we all have - at least those who are blessed to live in this country. no complaining today...we are blessed.
* The fact that I have never participated in the Black Friday mania.

Hope everyone has a great one.

Coming off the Mountain

So I have spent the last two weeks in the mountains of Oregon chasing the elusive Wapiti. Found one named Ed who liked a good cigar so he joined us and contributed to the camp.

Now, while being in the mountains is always a good time for me as it allows me get away from everything, it is ultimately only a reprieve, an escape if you will. Life in the valley doesn't go away. It remains...whether you want it to or not.

So life in the valley - once again - is the life I must face. A church struggling to find its footing in a difficult town. A economy that is requiring me to find a job to help pay the bills...but even though I have a Masters degree, most employers would say that I am not a good fit because they can't see past their preconceived notions.

Hmm...maybe I need to find a job in the mountains!

Been a while - so basic random and non-random thoughts

For a lot of reasons I have not blogged for a while. So...to get some things off my chest:

* Gotta love the DUCKS!
* OK - got that out of the way. Now on to other things...

* Now...while I love the Ducks...can't say that I always feel that way about God's creation - human beings. Especially those who claim to follow the way of Jesus. Many times in Jesus' life he had opportunities to judge people...yet he never did. Instead he said "I have not come to judge...but to save." AND YET people who claim to follow the way of Jesus have mastered the art of judging others.

* Jesus always thought the best of people and forgave people unconditionally... people who claim to follow the way of Jesus? Uhm...not so much.

* Jesus took the high road against people who attacked him and defamed his character. Followers of Jesus? Not so much...though to be fully honest, I am really trying to hold on and stay on the high road when every part of my natural being wants to rip away.

* What is it about "christians" that allows them to point out others "perceived" sins and yet COMPLETELY ignore their own sins and issues. In fact, Jesus says something along the lines of don't call out the speck in someone else's eye, while completely ignoring the FOREST (log) in your own eye. This would be a really good thing for "christians" to think about.

So - no wonder most of the unchurched world tends to want to avoid churches and Christians like the plague. They find unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace outside of the church while seeing the exact opposite inside the church. It's also no wonder why so many pastors leave the ministry.

So...why do I write this? Because its my blog and its about venting for me so that I don't vent on people. Because I want to try to be like Jesus...not just act like him.