Right From The Source

A few years ago I knew a guy that had, in his view, a bad experience at church. So, as is natural, he lost the desire to continue going. He still read the Word, prayed and had a walk with God. I was an avid church goer at that time and was excited at what was going on at church and didn't understand how anyone could not want to go. He told me he felt that God was more pleased with his life now and that he felt he was living a lie by going to a church where he didn't believe everything that was being taught and didn't agree with what was going on. Wow. That blew me away. 10 years or so later I understand where he was coming from.

I know now just a bit of what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:13 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat" By no means do I believe that all churches are wrong, and only those who believe like me are somehow saved or righteous - but I do see our modern American version of "Church-ianity" as something made for the masses. Palatable. Made for mass consumption. I see people believing without question everything taught and regurgitating teachings, learned on Sunday based not on the Word, but on human reasoning. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end leads to death. Solomon teaches this in Proverbs 16:25.

So I'm completely bored and over traditional church. Sundays mornings are the worst days ever to have a church meeting. I remember the years I went faithfully Sunday morning and Sunday night. I didn't have a family then, but I could tell by the exhaustion that was apparent in the expressions of those who did that for them Sunday was hardly a day of rest. Even without a family, it was hardly a day of rest. I'm over going and hearing a topical message that has no point that I could have put together in 5 minutes. I'm tired of when the presence of God begins to move in a service only for some "leader" to get up and starts giving announcements. I'm tired of human reasoning instead of someone who knows the Word teaching the Word! What a novel idea. Why doesn't that happen? Is it because those teaching it don't know it? Or is it that they think people will be bored? Is it that they fear people will think they aren't spiritual if they just crack open 1 John and start teaching? The times I've been around or watched on TV a real bible scholar it's life altering.

One teacher that amazes me is Dr. Melissa Scott. I don't totally get this youthful looking middle aged woman with striking features who wears a collar like a Catholic priest but has a command of ancient languages and teaches as the oracles of God. But I could listen to her for hours. Why is this so uncommon? I understand everyone may not have desire to learn ancient Greek, but certainly you can have strong grasp of the word. I recognized that I had been going to church for 20 years and had a weak grasp of the word considering the amount of time I've spent at churches. Now, I just long for the Word. I have it on my iPod and it's on CD in my car. It's on my mind and I want it to be a part of me! Oh yeah..and I can't go to another meeting where the guy is supposedly prophetic (I believe in the gifts and the prophetic) and all I hear is that someone has a headache or that this person or that is the "Apple of God's eye." (Don't we all and aren't we all? ) I mean, really!

It's like the grocery store. Along the outside where few seem to go is all the natural food. There is produce, fruits, juices then go a little further and you will see fresh meats and fish. Go a little further and you will see the milk, eggs and cheese. All things, made (somewhat) naturally. If you just ate from these parts of the grocery store, you'd be very healthy. Now, venture into the aisles. Here you find the garbage food. Oreos, Kraft Mac-N-Cheese made from powder and various sundry processed man-made food. These contain things like aspartame, preservatives and other cancer causing ingredients. From my view, that is what our American churches have become. Pre-packaged goods full of things that give the feeling of satiation but do not curb you real hunger.

Sometimes I wonder if we are all reading the same bible. I know that we are all in different places in our walks with God, but I really wonder where you go to have a more biblical experience among a group of believers? I've experienced this, but it is usually in a small group in a home. That is not a criticism of the more "traditional" means of gathering and worshipping. Merely an observation based on my own experiences. I wonder in a church of 1000 people how many people have teaching gifts, healings gifts, prophecy etc. Just say you have a teaching gift. When are every going to get a chance to teach in a church of that many people? I all reality you will sit frustrated in the pews wondering why God isn't "using" you.

So what does it mean? God is real. Jesus is real. His word is life and the Holy Spirit is our teacher and counselor. I know that I can go to the Father and get real nourishment for my soul that longs for truth and longs for Him. But I can't get it second hand. I must get it right from the source.