I'll keep going...for now.

Some of you came through and responded to my last blog entry and so for now I'll keep writing. I may not have a huge audience but I'm grateful for those who take the time to read and respond.

The question in my last entry had to do with church. Why do you go to church or why don't you go to church? Someone said I don't go to church because I feel condemned and put down by the church; that the church is always finding fault with people. I feel very bad for you that you think the church is like that.

To see the church as only a fault finder is troubling. I want to apologize on behalf of the church or churches you have attended that have made you feel condemned. The bibles message points to one person Jesus Christ.

In John's gospel he described Jesus as full of grace and truth. Too often in the church truth has been proclaimed without grace. The truth is we are sinners. There is nothing we can do in and of ourselves to earn God's favour. The bible says the soul that sins will die. The wages of sin is death. I could go on. This is all truth, not because I say so but because God says so.

But in proclaiming truth, Jesus did so full of grace. Grace is not just unmerited favour but grace is a power or an enabler from God to help us serve God. Grace helps us meet the truth of God. Just as there is a height requirement for some amusement rides, there is a height requirement to obey the truth of God. It is the grace of God that empowers us.

So if all we here is sin, hell fire and brimstone and not also told about the grace of God to forgive and empower to live a new life of God in the Spirit; we have missed it.

I have the privilege of leading a new Christians class every Wednesday night. I keep telling them, nothing is more important than getting to know Jesus. Learning doctrine, biblical principles, Hebrew and Greek...its all good. But after it all, if you don't know Jesus better...you've missed it! Jesus is truth but He is also the picture of grace.

Find a church that preaches the whole word of God. Find a church that presents Jesus full of grace and truth. They are out there, it is worth the risk and I believe it will start to make a huge difference in life.

?????

Okay, what can I say...my last post was December 2007.

Wait for it...

Wait for it...

Nothing, nothing at all comes to mind. I guess I'm not a true blogger. I'd much rather talk to you face to face. This...typing my personal thoughts on a computer not knowing who, if anyone for that matter, reads this stuff doesn't inspire me in the slightest. I've got all kinds of outlets to express myself without having to worry about keeping some blog up to date.

So here's a little test...if you read this blog from time to time or have read it in the past let me know. If no one responds, well that will be great! It will be just one more thing I won't have to worry about. How does that sound? Seriously I could take it or leave. Let me know.

Maybe I'll give you something else to respond to...a question. As a minister (REV.) of course I'm involved in the church scene. I really enjoy going to my church. The people, music, atmosphere, future etc. are all excellent. But that is me, I've grown up in church and while church hasn't always been fun or meaningful to my life, church is what I know. So here is a question that I truly want to know the answer to. Why don't more people go to church? Serious question.

If you go to church, why? If you don't go to church, why? what would get you to go to church, anything?