What's More Important
Wave 873
Monday
The 5th of March, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Probably my longest period of absence ends now as I write you the first entry in March. I've come to you at a time of frustration, to tell you how I feel about something. This frustration, which has been burning inside of me ever since it's upbringing, now finally out.
Every week I sit at Genesis and I look around at people. One of the reasons why I began going to Genesis instead of the Catholic church lies in formality. People were going because that is what they do sunday morning, they go to church. They didn't go because they were going to worship and praise God, they were going because it was tradition, a ritual. Now that I've been going to Genesis for awhile I can say that there are people at Genesis that are very much like my old church. Only, they go because they want to "hang out" or to talk with their friends. They come for the music but not for the lesson. And when friends and worldly influence become more important than God, something is wrong. I'm not saying everyone is like that, but there are more than a few. I'm starting to come to a firm distinction that if you aren't there to hear the Word or to lift your heart up to him, you might as well just go out to a coffee house. At first hearing that the resident pastor and worship leader were going to a new church to "plant a new seed," I was upset. I really enjoyed the music and the messages I've received from those two individuals. So much so that I've almost considered following them out to the new church. That way, there wouldn't be such a network of people that are comfortable with their growing sunday tradition. Only time will tell.
Now that I've finished that, I'm going to glide through a little decrescendo of the past month. Last weekend during the big "blizzard," Kellie and I went to the Water Park of America near the Mall of America. We spent over 4 hours at this indoor waterpark. The slides leave the inside of the building and enter the frigid Minnesota air on their way down. There was nothing quite like it and man did we have fun. Before that little adventure we invaded IKEA and stormed the Mall of America. I'm so glad my semester hasn't been too demanding. It's been giving me more time to spend with my family, my grandpa and with Kellie.
I purposely forgot to mention "Flipper," the newest addition to my family. For our 6 month anniversary Kellie got me a little blue Betta with tank and everything. At first we were both a little worried about him, he wasn't taking the stress very well (from moving him from house to house in the cold weather). But then I went out to the store to spoil him, I bought him the most expensive food and since then, he has been just a little fireball. He is just a joy for me to watch in the morning and almost gives me enough energy to get up out of bed.
If you hadn't noticed the past week or so, I added a little module to the front page that displays a thumbnail of the picture of the day. Just a little added feature to keep things real right? Alex, I'm still working on your post request. Until next time, grab a blanket and keep warm.
Previous | Archive Home | Next
Comments
Alex
March 5th, 09:12:27 PM
I did notice your front page image link - I like it! Also, you would like Eagle Brook Church ... http://www.eaglebrookchurch.com/
Mykala introduced me to it - very very cool experience; let me know if you’d like to go some weekend.
Mellie
March 6th, 04:06:53 PM
I had one first!
http://minnesota.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=36075481&id=13933434
Alex
March 7th, 06:32:44 PM
I am unable to view that link. Oh wait, I got it - just remove the "amp;" after the ampersand and it’s _perfecto!_ Nice fish.
Mellie
March 7th, 09:41:17 PM
Awwww thanx. I couldn’t get the link to work either but I was too lazy to fix it. Mine’s blue, green AND red. ***pretty
Justin Gehring
March 10th, 12:32:33 PM
Hey Alex (and John),
Not to start church wars here, but there’s something wrong if you go to the front page of a church’s website, and the word that can not be found anywhere on the front page is "Jesus"... Now given that the front page of these sites is normally used to deliver news to the congregation, but that giant welcome ad in the middle of their front page is what I believe John is somehwhat talking about... It’s all about the Music/Entertainment value for to many people.
Now given, I’m not at church every Sunday... And I tend to slack out when Amber doesn’t go... But here’s the thing.. Worship for me is not about songs. It’s not about sermons. For me, worship is how we serve and love God, and each other. From that perspective, Fellowship actually does become one of the MOST important things we do. Now given, if it’s unchristian fellowship thats not good either...
Now don’t get me wrong, biblically speaking, there is a time and place for ‘traditional’ worship as well... In fact, Sundays (or at least 1 day a week) is supposed to be set aside to rest and reflect on Jesus... Although Jesus came and show that the rule was not about doing nothing, but I don’t think he was at church when he performed that miracle :-). (Could be wrong, I would have to go back and look).
In any case... On a Sunday morning, I would put fellowship and loving on others above say... My homework ;-). (But that’s what I believe... and not trying to cause a riot).
Mykala
March 16th, 10:13:06 PM
Hey guys,
So... I don’t normally comment here, but I stop by once in a while and, well, here we are. I am also not here to start any church wars (I borrowed your phrase, Justin), but I did feel compelled to comment on this particular occasion. I agree with John that there is a time and place for personal socialization— and church may not be an appropriate venue; I also agree with Justin that there is a time for traditional worship. Though, I think the point of contemporary worship is that people who wouldn’t normally be attracted to (gasp!) church, can walk in and hear something that they can relate to, as opposed to some 50 or 100 year old hymn. There is certainly something to be said about keeping tradition in the church, but there is also something to be said about being accessible in today’s current social climate. If it takes some Cities 97-esque music to get bodies into the church and Jesus into the lives of as many people as possible, well... it’s fine by me.
And as far as the point of John’s post: I don’t think he was suggesting that fellowship with our Christian brothers and sisters is negative in any way, shape or form. However, there is a distinct difference between wanting to build healthy, Godly relationships and showing up so you can see your friends. I think he was simply saying that if your heart’s not in it, it’s just not worth showing up at all. People who are at church for networking or social hour should probably find a different way to do so. But. I could be wrong.
My two cents... though it may be worth less than that. I hope everyone is happy and pursuing a faith that makes them fulfilled— at whatever church that may be.
John
March 18th, 10:22:06 PM
Before this thread gets shutdown from any further commenting, I just wanted to drop by one last time.
I think some very good points were written here. I didn’t realize this post was begging for criticism, then again relgion is a hot topic these days. Just a few nights ago even, a rather uncomfortable situation graced our dinner table about what is right and wrong in the world today. The issue raised dealt with non-christians practicing their religious beliefs during the working day; An issue of whether that was justified or inappropriate. And if it is "inappropriate," what I think it really boils down to is a question of character. Is it uncomfortableness or judgement that sets our tongues on fire?
Maybe a little bit of both satiates an appropriate answer. Whenever we are presented with a situation that is somewhat foreign or exotic, we feel uneasy and maybe even a little judgemental. I know I do most of the time. But these are things, we shouldn’t worry ourselves about. God will be the ultimate judge of character and of the misconceptions in the world. The only thing he asks of us, is to be His children. To know Him and to love Him.
So yes, what I am saying by this post is this: Follow the Lord with all your heart. Giving only a part of yourself to Him is like... only living half alive. There is no love greater than His, so rejoice and be glad for God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good.
2 Weeks Past
Comments have exceeded the two week time limit and further comments have been closed.