Dear Bubbs,
Posted on June 23rd, 2005 by Reformed Pope into the Favorites, About Us categoryThank you for your honest comments. I was recently pulled into a meeting with my church about this blog, they felt like it was un-Christ like (I think they are right) and that it would turn non-Christians away from God (I think they are wrong). So, it’s good to get your perspective.
The truth is that this blog isn’t really meant for people outside the church. I’m surprised that you even find it funny since so much of it revolves around “inside” jokes. None the less, I’m glad that you do. There are many great things about religion and many more about God. The problem is that we humans make mistakes. A lot of them. That’s where this blog comes into play.
I spent a lot of time in one church running around in a circle. God was nothing more than a celebrity we all claimed to be best friends with, but had really never met. Sure, we read lots of books about Him and we went to lots of meetings about Him, and even talked to Him before meals and bed, but 20 years later I realized that he wasn’t talking back. Maybe I just wasn’t listening I guess, but the point is I didn’t have a relationship with Him.
That’s when I left one church for another.
Now, I would like to believe that church should have little to do with your ability to have a relationship with God; and in some ways I think that’s true, but the fact is that when I changed churches I met Jesus. Really, it was the first time that someone actually explained Grace to me. It’s quite interesting how it all works. The first step is to screw up (done) and then the second step is usually to screw up again (also done again and again) and then comes the good part, salvation. After that your role is pretty much left to accepting forgiveness, every time you make a mistake. It’s really quite refreshing.
I used to think the goal was to stop making mistakes, which it is, but since no one will ever do that… well thank God for the grace of Jesus. There are so many Christians out there who think religion is all about being “better” than everyone else. They build themselves a platform to sit on and look around and say I’m better than you and you and you, well maybe not you…we’re tied, but I’m better than all of them. It’s as if they think God is going to grade on a curve and they only have to be better than most. If God were going to judge on any kind of curve we would all burn.
(Right now there are tons of CBC members yelling at their computers saying “That’s what you are doing to us. You think you are better than us. OHH HE MAKES ME SO MAD I WANT TO CUSS… that son of bitches.” Well, CBC, before you go asking for forgiveness for your foul language let me just say; in many ways you are right. It does look like I’m sitting on my pedestal judging you. But, I hope you can see that I’m really trying to judge myself and my behavior while at CBC and not you.)
So, I guess that brings me back to where I wanted to go with this before I started ranting:
Please do not judge Christ by this blog or by the people on this blog. We are terrible sinners and could never do God justice, but He is worth getting to know. And try to ignore Anonymous, he is a complete coward who’s issues stem from a hatred for his mother (probably).
I don’t know if any of this is interesting to you or not, but thanks again for your comments. It’s good to get your perspective.
By the way, I’m curious what you were looking for on Google when you found us? If you would like to respond without the annoying comments from Anonymous, you can email me @ mortonjp14@hotmail.com
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June 26th, 2005 at 11:28 am
Truth is a precious possession and hard to come by, either in the church or out of it. Some friends and former students urged me to check out your blogger site recently when my friend, Ken Ross, and I were the topic of conversation. I expected to see some misinformation, but mostly the dialogue seemed earnest and many of the participants seemed genuinely interested in the truth. From what little I have seen of this site I cannot imagine that it would turn away a non-believer since most people already hold presuppositions about the church. It is truth that most people want, deep in their lonely souls. In spite of the criticisms, obvious biases and occasional misinformation, I want to applaud you, the younger generation, for your hospitality to honest dialogue. Just remember that eventually you will need to come up with some answers as well as criticisms too. Meanwhile, thanks for providing a forum for people to honestly divulge their thoughts and feelings. Honesty without malice never hurt the cause of Christ, and people who live honestly have little to hide. Blessings. LT
July 14th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
LOL. All of your issues read like a 2010 Judah Smith sermon on grace. Funny how God has His way of working out all things for the good of those who love Him.
(and to think, he did it without you and your ranting and raving blog)
In the end, God is having is way at CBC, TCC, and many of the other MFI churches…people are getting saved, grace is preached, bodies healed, devils cast out, and hey..even some prosperity hits people who tithe…who’d a thunk it?
Be blessed man, I’m just teasing like you do, but it’s time to move on. Take it as “a word” if you want…God wants more for you than this.
July 14th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I’m happy to just agree to disagree.
I’ve heard Judah’s sermons on Grace and they are seriously lacking substance (thats just my opinion of course…but its one of the reasons we blog here).
I don’t hear Grace being preached at CBC and TCC…I hear religion. I’d love to hear more about the “bodies that were healed”…last I checked Frank was still searching for Miracles he could claim for his book….same goes for Devils cast out (but hey, most Christians are gullable and will take your word for it, so if it sounds good say it…right?) and we all know how well the Prosperity Doctrine has worked out. That’s why CBC has had to make so many cuts to the payroll lately…seems like God isn’t bigger than the recession.
You be blessed too, buddy. I love the teasing and could do this for at least another hour or 2 before it gets old.
Real quick though…
Take it as “a word”? Do you feel God has called you to call us out?
How aggorant.
July 16th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Twice, I was told I was healed… and pam! Nadda. Only God can heal, and it doesn’t make an ounce of difference what any of the fake “fancy word speakers” say about it. One person told me to stop seeing the doctor. Problem got worse and I went into a relapse after just a couple days. Yeah, stupid idea. Another, in front of more than 3000 people, I was told I was healed (by a BIG name) - I was sent off, they NEVER followed up, and I was worse off for it - more time in a cast. So, all those people… yeah, give me some statistics… before/after reports. YES, God heals. YES, God heals through people. YES, God may heal through these particular pastors. NO, God doesn’t just heal because you say so,… and I think it’s dangerous ground to say simply, “YOU ARE HEALED”. I mean, in that whole speech I was given by two different people, it wasn’t God who was healing me, it was “I have a word for you - you’re healed”. So, Mrhopper… your “word” is just that… a word. A typed word. To even HINT that it’s a word from God… makes me sick. People who do that shouldn’t be in leadership, and need to reevaluate the damage they’re doing in the lives of vulnerable, hurting people. Because, those people who are told, “you’re healed”, HURT. Spiraling… it’s painful to think you didn’t have enough faith to be healed, when they said you were healed. It’s humiliating. It’s confusing. It leaves you thinking, “wow, does God not really heal?” when I know He does… just not through them. Do you get angry at the preacher or God or yourself or the person next to you? I guess I’m still unsure about it all. I hope you take some of what I’m saying to heart. Be careful. Your words can mean life or death for someone who needs a touch from God. Are you going to show them WHO they can get it from (God alone) or are you going to pretend to “be” God and just be a “let-down” substitute?