Goal: Perfection!

I have a new goal; and my first reaction was probably the same as yours will be: "Say what?"

I am striving to be perfect. No, no, that doesn't mean I'm going to try and be fake or happy all the time. My goal is to do everything right; say all the right things; have all the proper attitudes and display all the right emotions. I'm tired of messing up. I'm tired of sinning. I'm tired of hurting people. I want to be perfect.

What do I mean by "perfection"? Sinless. Is this possible without an overwhelming amount of self-control, patience and grace? No. Can I somehow attain this level of self-control, patience and grace on my own? No. My aspirations will require me to rely more on God than I ever have before!

There's some Scriptural backing for my aspirations, and I'll start with the words of Christ and move on to Paul:

Matthew 5:48 "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect"
[Note that it is a command]

1 Corinthians 13:8-10 "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears"

[the last phrase makes it sound like perfection is attainable...]

2 Corinthians 13:9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection.

And you know what? I'm no longer a sinner; I am no longer a slave to sin. I don't have to sin anymore. Perfection is attainable if I rely on Christ.

I'm totally serious about this. Keep me accountable; call me out!

Things Pastors Say That Make Me Mad

1. Selling products for the pulpit - man, that's upsetting.
   
   
2. Making fun of other Christian sects
   
   
3. Endorsing political candidates or positions based on non-Biblical guidelines - I don't mind if you want us to vote for an anti-abortion measure; but refrain from encouraging us to endorse a candidate or proposition, please!
   
   
4. Trying to leverage your convictions on to your congregation - if Christ didn't say not to do it; be cautious about what you tell others not to do (i.e.: what music to listen to)
   
   
5. Fire and brimstone sermons - they get old
   
   
6. Preaching hate from the pulpit - aren't we supposed to love everyone?
   
   
7. Musings about your ideas on the 'spirit' world - come on!

What stuff do preachers say that makes you mad?

U R Church

Yesterday was the first service for Miles Brown's new church, U(pper) R(oom) Church; and this is my summary of the service and what I've seen so far in the church.

• The Atmosphere
  There was definitely a buzz in the room; I could feel the excitement and anxiety. My guess was that people were so excited to start doing stuff and get away from all the destructive drama and back-stabbing. There was definitely a sense of unity in the church; and I haven't felt that in months!
  
  
• The Worship
  The worship was good; but it's always good with David Yorty. The energy from the worship was addicting, it made you want to sing. The volume kept going up as our passion went up; you could really feel it! It was, in a word, awesome.
  
  
• The Sermon
  Miles started his sermon with a great reminder: we can not walk in the attitudes of hatred, jealousy, anger, self-pity, or sadness. He exhorted us to treat all of our Christian brothers and sisters as co-workers for Christ and not as opposing players in a game. He also made a quip about 'If you think they're your enemy, take this change to love your enemy!', I thought that was pretty funny. :)
  Miles also brought up the point that there are certain attutudes or mindsets you can "feel" coming from a person; such as anger, jealousy, hatred, love, peace, gentless, etc. These are things that emit such a strong energy that it change the dynamic in a small setting. The negative attitudes need to be combatted, Christians can't be effective if we're allowing these things to control us. He quoted 1 John 2:9 - "Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness"
  

The word they use to describe the church is "charismissional", a combination of the words "charismatic" and "missional". There are certain aspects of the charismatic movement that concern me, such as the creeping sense of superiority I sense over other Christian believers. I'm sure that will all be worked out over time as we work together to sharpen each other's theology.

I highly recommend visiting the church and seeing it for yourself before it explodes, because I really think this church is going to grow - very fast.

Omnipotent? Nah

A common excuse for serving God or giving your life (back to?) God goes something like this:

I am/was a [ something negative here ] so I could never be [ positive characteristic ]

You've probably heard these or used these before; they're repeated often:
"I did some really bad things, so God doesn't want me."
"I turned my back on God, He won't accept me again."
"I really hurt someone, I'm not good enough for God."

The list goes on and on, but they're all lies. If you're using them today, know that those thoughts that you're not good enough to be accepted, loved, or used by God are all lies. God said He didn't come for the healthy; but for the sick (like you and me). God's grace is more than enough to cover over whatever you've done, cover over whatever lies you've told, forget the numerous times you walked away from Him and wash away any sins you've committed to try and hurt Him.

There's nothing you've done that disqualifies you from serving Him either. I don't care if you were/are a slut, drug dealer, murderer, porno star, liar, thief, anarchist, atheist, whatever you were it's over now and God wants to use you. I used to be a pervert (message me for more info, I'm not going to air it all out); but God is using me now despite that, and He's using me to reach out to others who are walking in the same grime I was walking in. Also, don't think of being "used" by God as something similar to a household chore - you get to lead others on a path of righteousness and witness God's power! Is there a miracle as amazing as watching God transform a life?

Don't let your pride, anger, hurt, pain, sadness, laziness or busyness get in the way of your destiny. Walking isn't good enough, run back to Christ! Bow your head and say, "OK God, I'm ready to accept your love and forgiveness, please use me." The action is easy but the effects are huge.

Past Sex Offenders in the church?

There's a very interesting article in today's New York Times

It's the story of a man who confessed to his church congregation that he is a former child molester that served jail time; and how the congregation is dealing with the revelation.

Renewal

Just as our body regenerates itself on a periodic basis, so our hearts have the power to renew themselves over time. I believe that as we grow; our hearts and minds will either change as we attempt to better ourselves or become hardened in our bad habits and worldly mindsets. Paul addresses the issue of instant renewal in Romans when he says,

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

If you long to break loose from conformity to the world; if you long to be transformed and new from the inside out; if you long to be free from mere duty-driven Christianity; if you long to offer up your body as a living; then give yourself with all your might to pursuing the renewal of your mind.

How do you renew your mind? I would suggest that you can not renew your mind; but you can only die to yourself and let God do the rest. What do you think?