What is the meaning????

So I think I am a little confused…

 

Why would someone talk about how much control God has on your life and He is the source of hope to ALL your problems?  Well, we should talk about that.  That actually helps others in their faith.  But do this…throw this same thought in with at least 5 beers into the person that is saying it.  What, then, is the testimony?  Isn't it really God+alcohol is the hope to all?  That was just one of my experiences tonight.  This got me thinking…

 

There are a lot of great guys in the program where I work.  You have guys that honestly and truly want to get better and want God to completely change who they have been, who they are, and who they will be…AND allow the change to happen.  You have guys that will tell you that their life is just fine and they don't need any help.  You have guys that know that God is there, but haven't come to that place in life and are just “not ready.”  Then there are the guys that actually make up a majority of the church today (self included here)…

 

I have heard it said that the only thing wrong with the church is that it is made of People.  (kind of like Soilent Green, but a little different…thanks Charlie Heston).  We (speaking generally and knowing that there are exceptions to this), we go to church on Sundays or Wednesdays or Saturdays or whenever.  We go in and sing the songs and listen to the preacher preach/teacher teach/pastor past/bishop…bishop.  We give a couple dollars and call it good.  No real thought is put into the sermon unless it gave us goose-pimples or mentioned a bigger paycheck because God wants you to be rich (which doesn't really seem to line up to scripture a ton).  We pray when life is hard or gets to being more than we can handle…or we are about to eat.  And then, at times, it can be like my little girl prays at dinner, “Thank you.  Food/Bites.  Amen.  Yah!!!”  

 

Here is where I will make it personal…just my personal reflection on my heart…

 

My heart?, it blows!!!!  I'm not any better than the drunk guy I talked to tonight about God.  At least he was talking about God.  I usually clam up when it comes to subjects that I don't know much about.  I know enough bible verses to walk my way around a little, but I couldn't stand toe to toe with any major issues.  I know some of the “feel good” verses that you tell someone that is going through a hard time.  I know some of the “it could be worse” verses that make other's problems not so big.  I know some of the verses that talk about how a husband should treat his wife.  (this, I try to stay up on…)  But (if you can look at the truth of this next statement) what the hell makes me an effective Christian? 

 

Thoughts????

 

Not much.  Sure, I will pray for someone if they ask me to, but I should be praying for them anyway…before they even ask me to do that for them. 

 

How can I know what to pray if I don't know God's words?  How can I give encouragement, when I don't know the “truth” they need to hear?  How can I stand up for Christ, when I just know the basics about what He has done for me?

 

I have heard that some people just do enough to get “fire insurance” as a Christian.  Well, I don't want to be a “Christian” any freakin' more.  I want to actually be a Christ-follower.  And not to get caught up in the next new catch phrase that is “sold on a coffee cup at your local Christian bookstore.”  I mean, I really want to do this. 

 

So what does this mean?  Accountablilty.  I need to meet with men that are “higher up on the food chain.”  One good thing is that I work for a great guy that is WAY further along.  I need to meet and talk and pray and do!!!! 

 

So, as off-color and offensive as this will be to some readers out there…This is my prayer tonight.

 

Jesus.  I know that you are interceding on my behalf.  I know that more is expected of me than just the measly mess I do.  So this is what I ask…I pray that you would spiritually “kick my ass.”  And I pray that you would put people in my life that would be your “hands and feet (as the songs say) to help You kick my ass.  You deserve a better follower.  My wife deserves a godly husband.  and my little girl (and baby on the way) deserve a God-fearing daddy/father.  I know that you will do this.  I have run off of the course and am running aimlessly at this point.  God, I sincerely pray that you will “crash in.”  Amen.

 

 

Until next time…