tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7174221584921205407.post4547042852471244114..comments2023-06-16T18:37:40.460+09:00Comments on The Pious One: Day 16Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15132740516219585697noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7174221584921205407.post-33430811726295869522010-05-25T09:26:14.989+09:002010-05-25T09:26:14.989+09:00You know, talking about how it's the people th...You know, talking about how it's the people that make it or break it for Christianity as a religion made me think of an "aha" moment for me. It was during my stint living in France- so '99. I found a church that was no particular denomination....just Christian. The pastor was from Madagascar, I think, the congregation was from all over the world. What got me was the first Easter ('99) I went to church after I had made the decision to follow Jesus. I took the bus, wearing a linen, somewhat wrinkled looking dress I'd bought in France. It was actually pretty "hippish" looking. I was wearing Birk's with it. (I know, Mom, I know...not "Westminsterish"). ;) I got off the bus and walked into this tiny 2 room church....no steeple, no pomp and circumstance, no fancy clad congregation...just people who loved the Lord. As a matter of fact, no one looked twice at my outfit. I was welcomed by the Elders who served me un cafe and baguette avec...... they served me. They waited on me. The elders, serving the "lowly" college exchange student. There was a joy that I'd not seen before anywhere...or at least noticed...in their serving. When the breakfast was over, the whole congregation....60 people or so... folded up the tables where we were eating, brought the dishes into the kitchen (that was the 2nd room) and reconfigured their chairs to be in rows for the worship service. The music was simple but real and the love for the Lord was evident. I seriously think I recall a glockenspiel. They loved with abandon. I remember sitting in my plastic folding chair in my weird outfit and being so thankful that God showed me a glimpse of what He's concerned with.....not clothes, hair, social status, nationality, even sexual orientation to a certain extent. He wants our whole hearts and if we give Him that, then His priorities become ours. I felt freedom, gratitude and overwhelmed by how wonderful it felt to be loved and see love in action (through these people)...His love, as untainted as humanly possible. Sometimes it's easier to experience what really matters when you're out of your "element". That's ashame, I suppose.Kristin and Treyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06083920268438788637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7174221584921205407.post-19412997393420863092010-05-25T07:46:22.616+09:002010-05-25T07:46:22.616+09:00I agree with "The Korean"...Amen. We sh...I agree with "The Korean"...Amen. We should all spend less time politicking and more time loving people.....one heart at a time. We are ALL precious to God....no one of us more than the next. You mentioned "God Hates Fags" and it reminded me of a song written by one of my favorite musicians, Andrew Peterson. here are some of the lyrics...<br /><br />"Tonight in the line of the merchandise store<br />While they were packing up my bags<br />I saw the pictures of the prophets of the picket signs<br />Screaming, "God hates fags"<br /><br />And it feels like the church isn't anything more<br />Then the second coming of the Pharisees<br />Scrubbing each other 'til their tombs are white<br />They chisel epitaphs of piety<br /><br />Oh, there's a burning down inside of me<br />'Cause the battle seems so lost<br />And it's raging on so silently<br />We forget it's being fought<br /><br />So, Amen<br />Come, Lord Jesus<br />Amen<br />Oh, Amen<br />Come Lord Jesus<br />Amen<br /><br />It's taken me years in the race just to get this far<br />Still there is no end in sight,<br />There's no end in sight<br />'Cause I've carried my cross into dens of the wicked<br />And you know I blended in just fine<br /><br />Well, I'm weak and I'm weary of breaking His heart<br />With they cycle of my sin, of my sin<br />Still He turns His face to me and I kiss it<br />Just to betray Him once again<br /><br />Well, I've got oceans down inside of me<br />I can feel the billows roll<br />With the mercy that comes thundering<br />O'er the waters of my soul<br /><br />Tonight in the light of the gathering rain<br />I could hear creation groan<br />And a sigh rose up from the streets of the city<br />To the foot of Heaven's throne<br /><br />Oh, and the people hear the sound of a sweet refrain<br />An absolution in the fray, in the fry<br />It tells of the death of the one for the lives of the many<br />More than any picket sign could say"<br /><br />I took the refrains out. <br /><br />*********PLEASE listen to this song by him as well...it's one of my favorites and the lyrics are in line with what we're discussing. It's called "After the Last Tear Falls":<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lddczpg3Ck<br /><br />************<br /><br />I'm so amazed at what you're discovering. I love you, GWEE.Kristin and Treyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06083920268438788637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7174221584921205407.post-26589230689982548842010-05-20T08:47:40.066+09:002010-05-20T08:47:40.066+09:00John and Harriet,
I am sorry I missed it and can...John and Harriet, <br /><br />I am sorry I missed it and can't wait to reconnect with the entire family. We also need to get to work on a joint Euro trip. I know our German Romeiser family would love to get in on that action.<br /><br />Sid, <br /><br />A lot of stuff there. COC people (as well as So. Baptists) attract the ire of many anti-religious people because of those stances and far too often I've been guilty of throwing them under the bus along with the other "nuts", but as you said, "Most of these people would do anything they could for someone else in need." That is what I should be focused on. <br /><br />I'm torn on Osteen. I agree that he exploits religion and has turned his "church" into a business. That's trash. I also don't think people need to be scared into submission, but he presents only half the picture. Cigarettes are great as well, but they kill me. <br /><br />The politics really get to me, but I think it's for the wrong reasons. I think it irritates me so much not because they're exploiting religion (that's their loss), but because it's so blindly hypocritical and surprisingly successful. They can call me what they want, fine. My concern is what happens when and if they actually have control.<br /><br />The Korean, <br /><br />You know it, brother.Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15132740516219585697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7174221584921205407.post-78776296729686146652010-05-20T00:45:46.484+09:002010-05-20T00:45:46.484+09:00Amen.Amen.T.K. (Ask a Korean!)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07663422474464557214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7174221584921205407.post-8557031112922022182010-05-20T00:45:24.925+09:002010-05-20T00:45:24.925+09:00You hit the nail on the head with this one. The th...You hit the nail on the head with this one. The thing that turned me off from organized religion in the first place was the hypocrisy that I saw so often. Even growing up in an ultraconservative church, the vast majority of the people were good people just trying to do what they thought was right. Most of these people would do anything they could for someone else in need. However, many of these same people preach one thing and do something completely different (the same thing they preach against). You also have those crazies out there (including some of the COC people I am referring to) that think everyone is going to hell unless they follow the same strict interpretations of the Bible that they do. It is this self-righteous, narrow minded, judgmental attitude that turned me off in the first place (as well as my rationality).<br /> <br />I think its funny how most people who are very religious criticize people like Joel Osteen, but not for the reason they should be criticizing him which is the fact that he is exploiting religion for personal gain. They criticize him because his sermons do not include enough scripture, or he doesn't warn people of the depths of hell. I have listened to him a few times while channel surfing and I think his message is usually one that everyone, regardless of religious beliefs, could benefit from. It is very uplifting and inspiring and it makes you want to be a better person. While I do think he is a sleazeball, if I was going to go to a church I would want to go to one with this type of message, rather than one that tries to guilt me into heaven.<br /><br />I do not think that you need religon to know the difference between right and wrong, love and hate, or compassion and indifference. It really bothers me to see people on the religous right act like they have a higher moral code than liberals. First of all, they tend to assume that liberals are not christians and only christians can be good people. This is offensive to liberal christians as well as non-christians and it is just plain arrogant. I think these folks should actually read the bible once in a while and not just hide behind it.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10133771675511944232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7174221584921205407.post-46879098047613687082010-05-20T00:43:15.086+09:002010-05-20T00:43:15.086+09:00I have held so much of the same suspicion of purpo...I have held so much of the same suspicion of purported "Christians" that you just shared. I believe one's walk through life, and what happens in it, is what shapes beliefs. I have had my share of stones and boulders to try to either circumvent or climb over in my path as a Christian and it has not been easy. This past weekend was a wonder of love...much family, dear old friends and a special place. We celebrated the life of a family member who also shared many of your thoughts on church as a social event. Love is acceptance and understanding and yes, it should be a part of our family lives and our outreach each day.Harriethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12608656315419060272noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7174221584921205407.post-35476079606992560872010-05-19T22:20:07.116+09:002010-05-19T22:20:07.116+09:00The Steeplechase photo was especially apropos. Ca...The Steeplechase photo was especially apropos. Can agree with all that you wrote. Can't that love also be given, shared, and received outside of the institution of the church? Yes, of course it can. This past weekend in Indiana was a perfect example of it -- family and friends sharing in the love. Sorry you missed it.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04245176510528401745noreply@blogger.com