Two Thoughts
Greetings,
Today I have two distinct thoughts rolling around in my head and I am not sure if either one of them is blog worthy. So I am just going to throw them out here and see what happens.
Thought one: “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men.” Stephen said that in Acts 7 just before he was stoned to death. Another version says it like this, “The Spirit of The Lord no longer dwells in temples made by human hands.”
So whenever a Pastor or anyone else refers to their “church” building as “God’s House”, they are telling a huge lie. Right here in my town there is a “church” called “His House”. The pastor there is a friend of mine and I have told him flat out that they need to change the name, but he just doesn’t see it that way. Many times I have heard “men” say “Welcome to God’s House”. Just how sad is that? To be that far from the truth? The truth is that those who follow Jesus are God’s house, we are God’s building made of lively stones and His Spirit lives in us.
Thought two: The only times Jesus passed an offering plate was in offering fish and bread to those who were hungry, like in John 6. Jesus never took up a collection so why should we? Problem is that less than 4% of the money collected by traditional “churches” actually goes to real ministry like feeding the poor and taking care of the elderly and orphans. Over 96% of the “churches” intake of funds goes to building funds, maintaining buildings, paying Clergy, and institutional maintenance. None of which are really needed to actually BE the church and serve God and others. The Church abdicated its role as the mercy giver when it became an institution instead of a Body, and now the government is trying to fill that spot. And it just doesn’t work well that way does it?
I am sorry if this blog doesn’t measure up, but I am intoxicated with love after spending the day with my 4 grandchildren at my daughter Becca’s. I got to hold, love and play with the twins Gus and Annabelle (who are almost 2 years old) Owen who is nearly 4 and Kaden who is almost 5. They all fill my heart with joy and I love them all so very, very much. So today I simply shared what little else I had on my heart and mind. My heart is so filled with sincere love and right now nothing else matters. Plus the fellowship at Becca’s was awesome. Very free, open, bold and non-conventional. We had no need or want for a Clergyman and instead had dear friends and family tell the story of their relationship with Christ. If anyone wants to add or subtract from what I have shared here today, please do so in the comments?
Love and….
Kirk Out !
notesfromthebridge 
Many years ago a group in Texas, the Xenos Fellowship, did a study on “Stephen’s Defence.” In brief, the study showed that Stephen got stoned because he showed how God had moved from tent to Temple to hearts.
Thanks for sharing that Lila. Seems that most of the “church” has regressed instead of progressed in the last 2000 years or so.
Hi Christopher,
Yesterday I hosted a discussion with some friends about the movie, the Shack. In one of the chapters, Mac discusses hierarchy with Papa, Jesus and Sarayu.
Here is a part of that chapter (Chapter 8-A Breakfast of Champions)
“Mackenzie, we have no concept of final authority among us, only unity. We are in a circle of relationship, not a chain of command or ‘great chain of being’ as your ancestors termed it. What you’re seeing here is relationship without any overlay of power. We don’t need power over the other because we are always looking out for the best. Hierarchy would make no sense among us.” (Sarayu)
Hierarchy imposes laws and rules and you end up missing the wonder of relationship that we intended for you.” (Jesus)
In your world the value of the individual is constantly weighed against the survival of the system,
ââ¦we want to share with you the love and joy and freedom and light that we already know within our- self. We created you, the human, to be in face-to-face relationship with us, to join our circle of love.
Since this is copyrighted material, you probably wonât be able to post that section, but apparently Paul Young agrees that it is not hierarchy but relationship, like you have with your grandkids.
Blessings,
Win
Win, thanks for sharing that. I love the book THE SHACK it freed me up immensely in fully forgiving my father for abusing me in every way possible. Saw the movie today. It was good, but the anti-institutional message was watered down a lot likely to appease the traditional “church” masses.
I too love the book the Shack (haven’t seen the movie yet). This passage reminds me of a time in my life when I was trying to figure out who I should be praying to, the Father or the Son???? Finally the Lord spoke to me and said, “Did you ever notice when I walked this earth that I always pointed to the Father and He always pointed to Me when He spoke? That’s because we don’t have a power struggle or identity issues. We’re just together.”. Something like that. It was a long time ago but stays with me even today. Love, “BK”
Glad you are back online and posting BK. We have missed your portion here. Where there is true UNITY there are no power struggles.
I have been studying this very topic in 1 Kings 9, which is when the Lord consecrated Solomon’s temple. In verse 3, God said “I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” Then in verses 6-7, God cautions that if Solomon or his descendants sinned and worshiped other gods, then He would “reject this temple.” So God put His name on the temple and promised to always see it and love it; this was to be forever. He never promised, however, that His Spirit would reside there permanently; it was conditional. That is why the Spirit is not felt in most church buildings today, it’s because of sin, and idolatry in particular, among the people inside. Taking it a step further, the churches can actually defame God’s name by labeling it as His church while the members blend in with the world around them via greed and idolatrous hearts. If the people inside would strive for holiness, it might be a different situation today.
Stephanie, thank you for sharing your very tasty portion of the Truth on Love with us here today. Unfortunately Idolatry runs rampant in the “Church” today.
As I read these comments and your blog, Christopher, I see ‘relationship’ as a highlight here. The community and unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and now us, his people experiencing Him through one anothering. Your family, our Christian body as family, all of it should be as normal as pie to share openly and boldly in His Kingdom. Learning. Experiencing Christ here. Let’s do it.
Right spot on Sue! Go for it!!!
Great message !!! Lots of lessons learned here.
I never felt like I belonged in church . Reading the Bible by myself … I loved God and Jesus for all they did. I am so happy I found my place.. I searched and God answered. Thanks Chris for telling the truth as it is .. Have a wonderful day .. ❤️
Great comments today !! Blessings !!!!!
And thank you Judy for your helpful participation here!
Chris, I started writing a comment on this article with pen and paper because I rarely am satisfied with what I write without several drafts first. But the comment kept growing and growing. So I will try to trim it down.
The issue of a man- made building being God’s house is one among others that prompted me to leave the institutional church. Since that time (some years ago) I knew what I left but was unsure of where I was going.
Yesterday I was writing something along the lines of your blog. As I was writing various scriptures came to mind. One being Jeremiah 29:13- You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Though that was in a letter to Israelites in exile in Babylon, I believe it is still true for us.
Another passage of scripture that came to mind was Matthew 25:31-46. In that passage Jesus explains what will happen,”When the Son of Man comes in his glory” (As I write this I am reminded of when I first became a Christian. I was attending a Southern Baptist church. I was excited with my new-found relationship with God. I guess, because of my zeal for God, they gave me the opportunity to preach; even though I was a new believer. I “preached” on this passage in Matthew.)
That passage brought conviction then; it brought conviction yesterday and it brings conviction today as I write.
According to this passage, Jesus says there are two kinds of people – righteous (sheep) and unrighteous (goats). The criteria he will use so determine which group we belong in is how we respond to “the least of these”. All these other distractions and misplaced priorities we Christians can fall for – are we “going to” the right church, are we reading the right Bible, are we “going to church” on the right day, are we wearing the right clothes, eating the right food, etc, etc. For years I followed distractions, mirages, thinking I was following God. Now I think I am starting to see clearer.
Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” I think he will ask us the same thing.
With these things in mind, I intend to change course. God help me and forgive me.
When Jesus asks me, “Do you love me?” And I say, “yes, Lord I love you.” I don’t want him to say, “If you loved me why didn’t you feed me when I was hungry and when I needed clothes why didn’t you clothe me?”
I’m going to close.
What you thought might not be blog worthy or measure up has encouraged and blessed me. Thanks!
Groovy comment Terry thank you for sharing and encouraging me. Jesus leads us to love everyone, even the goats. May our hearts remain soft and receptive to the will of Christ.