Preparing to leave…

…for Virginia tomorrow!!! We are very excited to begin a week long “vacation” (even though pretty much every day seems like vacation lately) in Virginia with my family. We are finishing up the packing that we can do tonight and will leave after breakfast tomorrow. We will first stop to visit some friends in North Carolina, and then continue our journey on Wednesday morning for “Ol’ Virginny.”

Despite the lateness of the hour, I have the “writing bug” as I call it. I have an urge to put some thoughts down, but I’m not entirely sure what those thoughts are. Isn’t that odd? Maybe I’ll start writing some things here and perhaps they will make sense. (Or at least help me make sense of them and thereby making me coherent when I share these thoughts “live.”)

Recently I’ve been thinking about church. Not Church (big “C”) but church (little “c”). I’ve been pretty much sick to my stomach over the organized religious system claiming to be Christianity. There are truly many people who are playing “church” and are not part of the TRUE Church at all. They have not been regenerated or changed in their soul. They are simply trying to live good lives and hope that it will out weigh the bad things they have done, or do. And then you have out right hypocrites who claim to be part of God’s family but indulge in and approve of behavior that is entirely worldly and sinful. When did we forget that being Christ-like means living like Christ? When did it become all right for a “Christian” to shack up with their BF/GF? When did it become acceptable for “Christians” to live and think EXACTLY like the world?! If you think I’m over exaggerating, just look around. Don’t listen to the words people say, but look at their lives. “By their fruits you will know them.” Sheesh! Now I sound like just another Bible-thumper trying to find something to preach against. Lots of people say the things that I just said. But what changes? Nothing! In fact, some of those very hypocrites who live the double-minded life of Sunday singin’ and preachin’ and Monday-Saturday drinking/lusting/gossiping/sensuality can be some of the most vocal critiques of the “sad state of Christianity in American.” Someone get me a brown baggy!

Then I feel like a hypocrite myself because I know what a lazy, undisciplined, selfish person I am. I’d rather waste my time doing things that make me feel good that do something that will actually matter. (Write an email to a friend, help my wife more, read a good book, etc.) How can I preach against compromise and worldly living when I contribute so much to the over all compromise and weakness of the church? Despite what many people think of me, I am a rather weak Christian. I don’t have the power a Christian is supposed to have. (OK, I know the right/Biblical answers to these questions people. I’m venting a little bit. Bear with me. Unless you have better things to do, then by all means…  )  So, I guess what I’m saying is that this weak, compromised, selfish Christian is sick to DEATH of all the weakness, compromise, and selfish sinfulness of God’s so called people. So I guess I’m sick of myself and all the soft choices I make. My friends, if we call ourselves “Christian”, if we claim to be part of God’s Kingdom on earth, a member of his family, part of the royal priesthood…..we need to behave as royal sons and heirs of the Kingdom ought to. Let us live as “little Christs” in the world.

And to all you hypocrites who love your sin but also go to church for social connections, or a warm fuzzy…..or romance, or any number of other reasons except the biblical ones – please just go home. Stop pretending, stop trying to appease your guilt and just go wallow in your sin for a while. (Maybe once you see how bitter sin really tastes in the end, you’ll come to your senses.) Honestly, you are only hurting the name of Christ by your double life. I’d rather you get out and live a wicked life than continue to hurt the name of Jesus the way you do. Pick one or the other please, but stop being “lukewarm!” (And remember, I’m speaking to lukewarm hypocrites, not just any old sinner. I love all men, and I seek to reach those who are lost in sin. But Jesus had some very harsh words for hypocrites and pharisees, and I’m beginning to understand better why he did.)

What else have I been thinking about? Plenty, but I’m afraid I’m out of venting time. Maybe later. Good-night!