March 28, 2007/Wednesday
5:24pm (Jerusalem)
We visited the old city today. I found a couple of art dealerships the in the Jewish Quarters. Pray for me! That is my weakness. I saw some beautiful stuff. I plan to go back one day this week. Maybe I shouldn’t. it is a temptation to buy something.
So far I have bought nothing. I know; it’s comparable to the virgin birth. It’s a miracle. Well technically, I guess that isn’t completely true. I did buy some wine from the Golan Heights region. So, I lied.
There is way too much to tell you about. We saw a lot. We saw most of the Old City.
Yesterday I saw two guys from Huntsville. Their names were Brent Norton and Brian Jones. They went to Madison Academy. Brent knows who Jason Espey is. Isn’t that crazy. He said Jason might not know him. Jason is a baller. Even people in Jerusalem know him.
The people with whom I am traveling shop like there is no tomorrow. We don’t pass up a store. We will have to charter a plane to get everyone’s crap back home. If Dave keeps going, the headlines this weekend in the Middle East will read, “Dave’s Visit Boosts Middle East Economy.” He has just told me that he might ship his stuff home because he has so much to carry. Dave is one of those guys that actually uses the safe in the hotel. He stashes his new purchases in there each evening.
The folks with whom I am touring the Middle East are some great people. We have spent some long hours together. We drove across the Sinai Desert from Egypt. We boated across the Red Sea. We have really put ourselves through the ringer. Yet, we have had no problems. I guess the only real issue was the Japanese group in the buffet lines. You don’t want to get between a Jap and the buffet. They will run slap over you Japanese should have beepers that sound when they approach. If some of you think that this is racist, get over it. It is a reality. You travel to a place where there are a lot of Japanese. They will run over you.
Something cool happened the other day. We actually were in Lebanon briefly. I didn’t realize it. I am not sure how it happened. I thought it was neat. I am always looking for some kind of excitement.
When you come on a trip like this it seems that you begin to look at it as a pilgrimage rather than just a visit. I think this is true for me. I see all of life as a learning experience. This trip in particular is a growing time. I have searched myself. Here is what I have discovered. I am human. There is no way for me to be everything that the church has said I have to be. My salvation is by grace.
I have spent thirty-five years trying to shine up the outside so that no one would notice the inside. The fact is that we have a corrupt nature. Outside of the power of Christ in me, I choose the wrong way every time. I have watched these religious Jews go through great lengths to keep themselves in line. Likewise, I have watched Baptists and all the others in America work exhaustively to be right. The reality is that I kept by the God’s power. That is a freeing truth. It is by grace that I have redemption.
Religion is deadly. It kills. It destroys the life of those who truly know Christ. It robs the joy of life. Truth: You are corrupt in nature. If left to yourself, you do wrong. Even if you chose the right things in life, it isn’t enough. Your good deeds are rags by comparison. But in the power of God, you are seen as holy, righteous, and sinless.
If religion is killing you, quit it. Unfortunately the church has a message of grace only in theory. There is no practical application. For those of you who are not involved in church (Congratulations first – you have escaped the heavy burden) I don’t blame you. We have choked most Christians to death with our programs and schedules. If you have avoided that, you are blessed. I want to communicate that knowing God is not knowing these rules, regulations, schedules etc… Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. The church understands that theoretically. We just don’t practice it. If you were to state this verse in the practical way in which the church displays it would read this way, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, the church usually is absent.”
I want to clarify something. The “Church” is the body of Christ. However, we have created a new connotation of the word within the structure. The “Church” is the body of believers, but the “church” is the institution. You see the difference. It is a simple case value change. I use the big “C” for the body and the little “c” for the institution. Such a distinction is necessary. This is the damage we have caused. I believe that the body of Christ exists across denomination. It functions according to Scripture. This body exists in pockets within the “church” or institution. So, The “Church” is in the “church” only in small pockets. This is the tragedy of our situation. The institution or the “church” has become the face to the world. Once again, The “Church” is the true body of Christ. The “church” is that weighty, burdensome, and unbiblical institution.
My point: I am someone who is a part of the body of Christ, The “Church.” I have realized that I could do nothing to gain this membership. I am called into it. Otherwise, I would just quit. It is too hard. I also realize that God made me to be who I am. He, then, accepts me as I am. Half of the time, I do retarded stuff. I was forgiven. I am forgiven. And, I will be forgiven. This is my standing in Christ. Someone may say, “That takes away responsibility.” I say, “I don’t care what you think.” It is the biblical definition of grace and forgiveness. I don’t deserve it. That is what makes it grace.
We would like to believe that there is a gulf that separates our Christian views and practices from the Jewish ones. I encourage you to take another slow look. It is almost identical practice. We say a lot in theory. But, that is as far as it gets. Maybe we should give the poor ole Pharisees in Scripture less criticism. In fact, we are only describing the “church” of this age.
You say, “Why would he be so critical of us?” I say, “I’ll take the heat.” It has to be said. Some might ask, “What proves this?” I would say, “Our inability to deal with the practical hurts and difficulties in the world.” What is an example?
Let me illustrate how we don’t meet the practical requirements of Scripture. If we find someone who needs a cup of water, we should give it. If we see someone in need, we are to respond. If someone sins, we are to “gently” restore him.
I am not going to go any further. I am going to let this steep in your minds. You ask God what this means. I want you to examine my words. I want you to challenge them. Caution! If you dismiss this completely, you may have a pride issue. You might even have a self-righteousness problem. These are equal sins with the many others.
Let me know what you think. I am interested in being a part of The “Church.” So, help me out. I want to get this right. We, the “church” have missed it by a mile.
5:24pm (Jerusalem)
We visited the old city today. I found a couple of art dealerships the in the Jewish Quarters. Pray for me! That is my weakness. I saw some beautiful stuff. I plan to go back one day this week. Maybe I shouldn’t. it is a temptation to buy something.
So far I have bought nothing. I know; it’s comparable to the virgin birth. It’s a miracle. Well technically, I guess that isn’t completely true. I did buy some wine from the Golan Heights region. So, I lied.
There is way too much to tell you about. We saw a lot. We saw most of the Old City.
Yesterday I saw two guys from Huntsville. Their names were Brent Norton and Brian Jones. They went to Madison Academy. Brent knows who Jason Espey is. Isn’t that crazy. He said Jason might not know him. Jason is a baller. Even people in Jerusalem know him.
The people with whom I am traveling shop like there is no tomorrow. We don’t pass up a store. We will have to charter a plane to get everyone’s crap back home. If Dave keeps going, the headlines this weekend in the Middle East will read, “Dave’s Visit Boosts Middle East Economy.” He has just told me that he might ship his stuff home because he has so much to carry. Dave is one of those guys that actually uses the safe in the hotel. He stashes his new purchases in there each evening.
The folks with whom I am touring the Middle East are some great people. We have spent some long hours together. We drove across the Sinai Desert from Egypt. We boated across the Red Sea. We have really put ourselves through the ringer. Yet, we have had no problems. I guess the only real issue was the Japanese group in the buffet lines. You don’t want to get between a Jap and the buffet. They will run slap over you Japanese should have beepers that sound when they approach. If some of you think that this is racist, get over it. It is a reality. You travel to a place where there are a lot of Japanese. They will run over you.
Something cool happened the other day. We actually were in Lebanon briefly. I didn’t realize it. I am not sure how it happened. I thought it was neat. I am always looking for some kind of excitement.
When you come on a trip like this it seems that you begin to look at it as a pilgrimage rather than just a visit. I think this is true for me. I see all of life as a learning experience. This trip in particular is a growing time. I have searched myself. Here is what I have discovered. I am human. There is no way for me to be everything that the church has said I have to be. My salvation is by grace.
I have spent thirty-five years trying to shine up the outside so that no one would notice the inside. The fact is that we have a corrupt nature. Outside of the power of Christ in me, I choose the wrong way every time. I have watched these religious Jews go through great lengths to keep themselves in line. Likewise, I have watched Baptists and all the others in America work exhaustively to be right. The reality is that I kept by the God’s power. That is a freeing truth. It is by grace that I have redemption.
Religion is deadly. It kills. It destroys the life of those who truly know Christ. It robs the joy of life. Truth: You are corrupt in nature. If left to yourself, you do wrong. Even if you chose the right things in life, it isn’t enough. Your good deeds are rags by comparison. But in the power of God, you are seen as holy, righteous, and sinless.
If religion is killing you, quit it. Unfortunately the church has a message of grace only in theory. There is no practical application. For those of you who are not involved in church (Congratulations first – you have escaped the heavy burden) I don’t blame you. We have choked most Christians to death with our programs and schedules. If you have avoided that, you are blessed. I want to communicate that knowing God is not knowing these rules, regulations, schedules etc… Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. The church understands that theoretically. We just don’t practice it. If you were to state this verse in the practical way in which the church displays it would read this way, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, the church usually is absent.”
I want to clarify something. The “Church” is the body of Christ. However, we have created a new connotation of the word within the structure. The “Church” is the body of believers, but the “church” is the institution. You see the difference. It is a simple case value change. I use the big “C” for the body and the little “c” for the institution. Such a distinction is necessary. This is the damage we have caused. I believe that the body of Christ exists across denomination. It functions according to Scripture. This body exists in pockets within the “church” or institution. So, The “Church” is in the “church” only in small pockets. This is the tragedy of our situation. The institution or the “church” has become the face to the world. Once again, The “Church” is the true body of Christ. The “church” is that weighty, burdensome, and unbiblical institution.
My point: I am someone who is a part of the body of Christ, The “Church.” I have realized that I could do nothing to gain this membership. I am called into it. Otherwise, I would just quit. It is too hard. I also realize that God made me to be who I am. He, then, accepts me as I am. Half of the time, I do retarded stuff. I was forgiven. I am forgiven. And, I will be forgiven. This is my standing in Christ. Someone may say, “That takes away responsibility.” I say, “I don’t care what you think.” It is the biblical definition of grace and forgiveness. I don’t deserve it. That is what makes it grace.
We would like to believe that there is a gulf that separates our Christian views and practices from the Jewish ones. I encourage you to take another slow look. It is almost identical practice. We say a lot in theory. But, that is as far as it gets. Maybe we should give the poor ole Pharisees in Scripture less criticism. In fact, we are only describing the “church” of this age.
You say, “Why would he be so critical of us?” I say, “I’ll take the heat.” It has to be said. Some might ask, “What proves this?” I would say, “Our inability to deal with the practical hurts and difficulties in the world.” What is an example?
Let me illustrate how we don’t meet the practical requirements of Scripture. If we find someone who needs a cup of water, we should give it. If we see someone in need, we are to respond. If someone sins, we are to “gently” restore him.
I am not going to go any further. I am going to let this steep in your minds. You ask God what this means. I want you to examine my words. I want you to challenge them. Caution! If you dismiss this completely, you may have a pride issue. You might even have a self-righteousness problem. These are equal sins with the many others.
Let me know what you think. I am interested in being a part of The “Church.” So, help me out. I want to get this right. We, the “church” have missed it by a mile.
Comments
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on grace. I am somewhat advanced in years though not necessarily in understanding of this liberating subject.
"I don't deserve it. That's what makes it grace." That is a profound statement.
Are you familiar with the work of Barton W. Stone? The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery is an amazing document. (http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/rmcnemar/ocg/OCG.HTM#Will) I struggle with the idea that words so liberating could give birth could evolve into a movement so divisive. Your words give me hope.
God bless!