Parallel Messages

I am a Christian.  At least that's what I prefer to identify as.  My beliefs may or may not be the same as others who are Christian.  But I prefer to call myself a Christian.

In fact, I am a former pastor.  In June of 2000, I was ordained as a minister through my church.  My church at that time.  I no longer attend there.  I left because of a few issues, which I may or may not delve into here sometime.  Probably.  But not right now.

Anyway, I was in church today, listening to the pastor preach.  We are studying the biblical book of Habakkuk, dealing with disappointment.  Disappointment with God.  Disappointment with others.

One thing was said that resonated with me.  The pastor said that the Church (as a whole) has not been good at listening to those in the world.  Anyone who has beliefs that are different than ours is wrong and we usually just shut them out and have nothing to do with them.  He continued by saying that (of course) this is wrong and we need to be willing to embrace anyone, regardless of their background or beliefs.

Then, when I got home, I checked my email and noticed a link from a friend, who in his blog stated this, in regards to the issue of homosexuality and the Church:

We live in a fractured and fractious world. And I think people are tired of fighting over something that isn't a battle. They should be tired! Shouting and hating and anger and belligerence are exhausting... 

I still believe -- no, that's wrong: I believe more than ever! -- that the onus is solidly on "the church" to knock it off! It's time for the church to be the church. To accept what the bible really has to say about how we live and love. To take Jesus' example as a man who lived to bring about real justice and to fight against expressions of real injustice. And to dare to speak words of love and to live a life of love -- though hard to do.

I don't believe that it's a coincidence that I heard both of these messages in the same day.  I believe that the Church is at a crossroads in its history and needs to return to its original mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, not to judge the world.  If it refuses to do so, it will continue down the road to irrelevancy.

I love the Church.  I believe it can do great things.  I believe it has been raised up by God to do great things.  However, it is managed by humans, who are sinful and misguided.  We ALL need to repent, to turn away from sin and evil and return to the path that God has created for us.

Wow.  After over a decade of not preaching, it feels good to get up in the pulpit again.

What To Expect

In the past, I've tried to write a diary, but for one reason or another, I've never been able to keep up with it.  Perhaps it's because a written diary is just that: Written.  I've never been a great writer, but I want to get my ideas out there.  A number of my friends have blogs and, by seeing theirs and how they work, I realize that this is just how I need to work.

If my thoughts come in the written word, I can do that.  In pictures, whether photograph or drawn, I can do that as well.  (Not very well, but It can be done.)  In video, audio or any other medium, I can do it here.

So, what will I put here?  Again, it could be anything.  It could be a one-line thought or a novel.  My political and religious views, views on movies and music and television are all fair game.

This is just a place to put all of the thoughts I have so I can sleep at night.