(A few thoughts jotted down in a “revival” meeting.)
1. I’M TIRED OF HEARING REACTIVE REMARKS ABOUT CHURCHES AND CHRISTIANS THAT MEAN NOTHING.
Such as, “They’re just playing church” – aimed at the faithful majority by the “more spiritual” church-hopping minority, who say, “If the Spirit of God is in it” spiritual things ought to “just happen” – nothing “of the flesh” (human effort) should be required.
It must be angels who attend the regular prayer meeting, mow the lawn, vacuum the carpet, prepare communion, make coffee, serve lunches, and clean up the church kitchen after everyone has gone home!
2. I’M TIRED OF HEARING GOOD PEOPLE BEING PROGRAMMED AND MANIPULATED BY PUSHBUTTON PREACHERS.
Professional preachers who know from experience exactly which emotional buttons to press for instant and predictable responses.
I’m all for spiritual gifts and the anointing, but if I want entertainment, I’ll go to the circus, or (shudder!) watch a TV talent quest! 🙂
3. I’M TIRED OF HEARING HUMAN KNOWLEDGE PRESENTED AS BIBLICAL REVELATION.
Among these are:
Formularized, “it works for me, so it will work for you”, slickly packaged, professionally presented “faith confessions”. Motivational messages “based on bible principles” (but not Jesus the Person).
Preachers with secondhand “fly off the handle” sermons. These borrowed cutting edges sink so far from sight that only a miracle of God can retrieve them. (2 Kings 6:5)
Give me original messages, delivered by preachers who bury themselves in the Bible until they get rhema resurrections! I don’t wish to be cynical – a definition of a cynic is “an habitual doubter”. Skeptical? Maybe. But after 40 years in the Lord, I’m no longer gullible!
Did I step on your toes? Sorry. Smile, Jesus loves both of us!