Prosperity Doctrine: Really?
We don’t say this, as bluntly as I’m about to but I think a lot of Christians really do believe if you “Believe in Christ you will prosper.”
I guess it all depends on your definition of Prosperity but if you mean the American Church Definition this is a huge lie.
The more I learn and try to live like Jesus the more difficult my life becomes, that’s a fact. You can sugar coat it, you can put it in a suit and you can package it up all nice and neatly but the bottom line is, Following Christ is hard and often brings great pain.
We think if we do this or that that somehow God owes us or will pay us back with blessings.
Entitlement has slipped its way into the America Church and while we would never admit to this we think God owes us if we do good things for Him.
We’ve created a church system that rewards large churches and creates this growth model that has little to do with serving people or leading folks to Jesus. I know that bothers some of you and guess what it bothers the heck out of me.
The bigger the church the more need for a bigger building. Pastors of bigger churches often times get bigger salaries so why wouldn’t he or she want to grow? This is the American Way, this is expected, and this is how we live.
Are you starting to see the fuzzy line we’ve created between corporate America and the church?
We build 20 million dollar buildings (yes that happened in Eugene, Oregon) so we can lure and fit all those people into our church.
Don’t you think there are enough vacant buildings in the area that would house all those people that could be purchased for much less than 20-million dollars?
God does not tell us to build bigger buildings. He does not tell us we need million dollar sound systems or comfortable pews to sit in. What He tells us is to serve the poor, help the widow and so on and so forth.
Some organizations say you can feed a child in a 3rd world nation for a year on 36 dollars. Others say for 15 dollars a year that same child could have medical coverage and yet thousands and thousands go without.
Even in our community education suffers because there’s not enough money in the coffers to teach children and yet we can spend that kind of money on a place to worship God. I don’t think God cares where we worship Him but I do think He cares about all those kids.
You see where I’m going with this don’t you? Do you think God sits and smiles as he watches the erection of buildings and massive monitors go up around town or does it break His heart to see that “The Church” is spending more on it’s marketing plan and missing the point?
I know this makes some of you very uncomfortable. We have been taught not to questions such things and when we do the punishment is excommunication from the club.
But how long will we continue to live this lie? How much longer can you do it? The economy is in the toilet and people are struggling. If the church really wants to serve people the model must be broken.
There is no time to continue playing church it’s time to be the church. I know a couple that is trying to raise $4,000 dollars to go back to Zambia for a year to build a school for orphaned boys.
They need help and it shouldn’t be that difficult. Nothing fancy, nothing special just a school for orphans. theloveysproject.com
They are holding a fundraiser at the Boulevard Grille in Eugene Tuesday Night from 6:30 to 8:30.
I think it’s time we realign our priorities not with current Christian culture but with the heart of God.
Go back and read the book and remind yourself what He told us to do.
Sorry to be such a pain in the butt but this really is important.
Oregon Politics: Wrestling Match
I did a little Face Book stalking this morning. Boy, that’s a depressing way to start the day.
It leaves a bad taste in my mouth and a sick feeling in my belly.
When it comes to elections and politics it’s sad to see how much we vote or support only people who agree with us.
Our personal baggage causes us to pick our pet issues and if a candidate has a different idea on those issues, they are out.
I watch as terms like conservative and progressive are lobbed as if Holy and righteous.
We are unwilling to listen to people who do not put our values (which are always correct) ahead of all others.
We look for reasons to disagree when we should be finding common ground.
The legislature starts today and talk show radio hosts and bloggers will find self-importance as they gear up to rip apart the competition.
It’s a big game and the only way to stop it is to ignore it.
As the political spam begins to fill the airwaves remember these people have personal agenda’s that filter everything they see and say. They may sound like they know what they are talking about but their motivations may be selfish and geared at stirring up not mixing in.
Remind yourself that they don’t speak for everyone in fact their majority is only in their head.
A growing number of people in this state are right where you are, in the middle. We just want people to work together. We’re looking for someone to truly look at the people of Oregon not their person self-righteous agenda.
Do I Take Jesus Seriously?
I don’t think I really take Jesus seriously and wonder what you think of this thought process.
He said to deny myself and seek first the Kingdom of God do I do that?
He told me to take care of the poor so when I see someone without money do I help or simply turn the other cheek?
There are many things Jesus said to do that today we write off calling them culturally irrelevant but I wonder?
He said I should not serve but one master and yet my job, my house payment and my lifestyle often times take top priority.
I believe a change is coming and that excites and frightens me at the same time. Perhaps it’s time to take Jesus seriously. Perhaps the “Flannel Board Jesus” has to die and reality needs to set in.
Yes Jesus is about love but love without action is just another Hallmark Card.
God, give me the ability to see beyond words, expectations, cultural norms and my own life so that I’m open to the changes that are being born in me today.
My Personal Super Bowl
I know you all have plans to feed your face, drink a little beer and watch the Super Bowl.
But I need you to do me a favor. It’s not a big favor so if you stop reading now you miss out on an opportunity to win a huge prize.
Okay, I’m lying about the prize, remember I worked in news and ran for office (smile).
Our second Rick Dancer TV airs during the Super Bowl. I know, not the best planning but hey, most of you DVR it or tape don’t you?
I know that’s true and I also know that a lot of you watch it online because hundreds hit my website after we put on Youtube.
The same show airs again in two weeks so those of you who don’t have the ability to tape it or watch it online still have an opportunity.
All I’m asking is that you tape it and watch it later.
Hey, you could have your Super Bowl Party and watch it when the game is over?
Just tell your friends cause it really matters.
The Bride
She stood at the back of the church building waiting to join her groom at the Alter. Her white dress looked clean and beautiful at first.
As the bride drew closer to her groom a few in the audience began to see and smell something.
They noticed stains and dirty spots on the dress but when they tried to point them out to the bride’s handlers they were shushed or shunned and some ushered right out the doors.
As the bride got closer to her groom the dirt had turned to mud and the smell unbearable still most said not a word.
When a few did speak up protectors would say “no one is perfect, she’s only human, what do you expect, you can’t ask questions?”
As bride got closer to her love, the stains could no longer be ignored.
Try as they may to silence the guests by covering their eyes, ears and mouths the truth was too obvious to ignore.
The story is not over, words are in place and sentences spoken that move preparations ahead.
Some fight and claw to keep the pages from turning. To protect what is, they refuse to look for what is to come. They are afraid to look beyond what they know, what they’ve always been told and so they are idle.
The audience is breathless as it watches for the groom to pull out His pen and expose the rest of the story.
