Religion....NOT!

Joel's excellent series of posts on "Jesus is not a Religion" reminded me of something I wanted to share.

We were having a discussion in Sunday school, this past Sunday, about religion and tradition. It was my turn to lead the class, so I got to steer the class in a direction to talk about some things that were on my mind. I didn't steer it too far off topic as we were discussing what "good works" meant in Ephesians 2:10.

We were wondering what church would look like if you removed all of the man-made traditions and trappings of religion that have been injected over the years. Note that I am not saying those things are necessarily bad, but what would happen in your typical church, for example, if you threw the order of worship out the window and worshipped and shared from your heart.

What a wonderful thing it must have been, when He walked the earth, to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him teach and share the heart of the Father. The good part is that we still have that same privilege today, but how much of our Sunday is spent running around like Martha?

Which Sports Car Are You?

I'm a Chevrolet Corvette!

You're a classic - powerful, athletic, and competitive. You're all about winning the race and getting the job done. While you have a practical everyday side, you get wild when anyone pushes your pedal. You hate to lose, but you hardly ever do.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

I don't know about the powerful athletic part, but I am competitive and hate to lose.

Sing of His Power

But as for me, I will sing about Your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about Your unfailing love. For You have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to You I sing praises, for You, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.

From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy. Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him. He only is my Rock and my Salvation; He is my Defense and my Fortress, I shall not be moved. With God rests my salvation and my glory; He is my Rock of unyielding strength and impenetrable hardness, and my refuge is in God!

Taken from Psalm 59, 61 and 62

Deep Water Faith

I have mentioned in the past that when I think that I am writing something for the benefit of others, it turns out that I am really writing to myself. Or maybe more correctly, God is writing to me. The “Swinging-Bridge of Grace” post was one of those occasions. After I wrote it God began to point out the area in my life where I have refused to get on that swinging-bridge. It all comes down to fear. So Aida, this part two and it may not be what you expected, but it is where I am.

I have mentioned this in the past, so it is no big secret that I don’t like to speak in front of a crowd. This includes leading a group in prayer. I will do it if I am asked, but I usually go out of my way to avoid putting myself into a situation where I might be asked. I will not, as a general rule, be the initiator. When I do pray out loud, it is usually not from my heart. It is usually canned phrases strung together…it’s what people expect to hear in an opening or closing prayer. It is nothing like my prayers when I am alone with God.

I do, however, long to be fearless in this area. I long stand up and boldly speak and pray from my heart, or should I say God’s Heart, and to get on that bridge in this area of my walk. As usual (at least lately), Casting Crowns has provided the sound track to my struggle. It is their song, “Somewhere in the Middle” and here is the chorus from that song.

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle?

Deep water faith in the shallow end, indeed! How will we ever know how deep our faith is if we never get out of the shallow end? To be sure, I have walked into deeper water and trusted more and more areas of my life to Him. But, have I ever jumped in over my head and completely surrendered to Him with reckless abandon? I don’t think so, at least not in this particular area. So much of what we do is wrapped up in common sense and protecting an image we have of ourselves; the one we portray when everyone is looking.

I was listening to an mp3 series on the Book of Ephesians by Steve McVey recently and he made a statement that set me to thinking and praying. He said (paraphrased) that we should pray for God to make us aggressive and bold witnesses and ambassadors for Him. When we say amen, we have been given boldness (fearlessness). I believe it is God’s will that we should be fearless for the Bible tells us that we haven’t been given a spirit of fear. Steve said, “How will we know we have been given boldness?” He said do this, “Go out and act bold! When you act bold you will be bold.” Is it just that easy? Why not? Since He has given you boldness, then you will just be acting like who you are, or more correctly, who He has made you to be. If He has given you boldness, then to cower in fear is to purposely act like something you are not. Something to ponder!

I have attached the music and lyrics to the Casting crowns song. To be continued Lord willing…keep praying for me.

"Somewhere In The Middle"

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my sideLoving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle

Lay 'em Down

Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in You. I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wings until danger passes. I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills [His purpose] for me. He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me.

Think about that and reflect

God sends His faithful love and truth.

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Amen