Church: Part 1-Background

As I have stated a few times already, when I started this journey, I had no idea where it would lead.  I was born by and raised by Christians.  I went to church 3 times a week most of my growing up years.  Although I never heard it said then, it was like if the church doors were open, you went.   I never resented my parents for taking me to church.  I actually thrived on it and loved church.   Looking back, I was a Vacation Bible School addict.  I went to every one I was allowed to go to.  For those unfamiliar with Vacation Bible School, it is usually a week in the summer where for 2 hours a day , young ones go to church and learn about God.
I am stating all this because most of my life, I would never have believed a day would come when I would not want to go to church.   Sure I'm old enough to know better, but I do not look forward to Sunday anymore.   Last Sunday, I just could not make myself go to church.   This has caused me to look inside, and find out why.
One of the main reasons that I have "church phobia" is that I have become "cold" by going to church.  This scares me because in the book of Revelation, it is written "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! (Revelation 3:16).   Ugh!!  I do not want to be vomited out of God's mouth.  No way can that be good.   But even more is the fact that I love God!  I want to be pleasing.  But to be pleasing, I must get past lukewarm and get hot!
I know you are wondering how I can connect my 'coldness' with the church.  It isn't from a lack of reading or listening.  I read a lot.  I also listen to many podcasts during the week.   Many times on Sunday, I watch several churches as they stream over the internet.  I try to incorporate what I hear into my life.  I do not want to be deceived as it says in the book of James.  James talks of those who hear the word but do not do it.

I see the same thing in the "church" all over the USA.  We are becoming cookie cutter Christians.   If we can be called Christians.  Christian means "Christ-like".  If we are lukewarm or cold are we "Christ-like"?

Here is what I see as "cookie cutter" churches:
Clockdown before the service begins
Dimmed lighting during worship and possibly the message.
A message from the pastor that is cute, maybe themed, but one that does not encourage maturity in Christ
People get "saved" by saying a prayer  (usually the prayer is pretty much the same each Sunday)
Church goers are encouraged to go to a connect group (also called small group or cell groups)
No mention is made about "social causes", such as Christians being killed by Isis or their villages burnt in Niger, etc
Church goers bombarded with statistics to prove how good and wonderful the 'church' is
Those who have ideas outside of the 'box' get attacked
No negativism - never is anything said of things that could be construed as negative
Church leaders have titles like Lead Pastor, Senior Pastor, Worship Leader etc
Having a stage (used to be called a platform)
Those on stage look like the world
Focus on entertainment
Focus on bringing people into the 'church' as opposed to going out of the church to bring God to people.
 

I want to reiterate that I am not against churches.   This is not about one church, it is about a trend I see in churches.  I hear from people in various parts of the USA and the stories I hear have the similarities mentioned above.

Forgetting:  The spirit of religion that creeps into the church and into my heart if I do not guard my heart.

Remembering:  It is all about God.  He didn't ask me to do all these things.  He called me to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind!

Day 5: Change

Forgetting:  it won't change anything.  I wonder how many people don't speak up because they do not believe it will make a difference.

Remembering:  that silence can be condoning.  If no one speaks up nothing will change.

Change may be hard at times, but change is needed for growth.   God's ways are higher than my ways.  

Update 11/11/17:
I do make a difference.  Fortunately, I do know that how I make a difference will likely not be known in this life.  It's the little things that are the biggest.  A cup of cold water in the name of the Lord, is a good example. 

Day 2: Influence

Forgetting:  I have no influence on anyone.

Remembering:  I am called to be salt and light in this world.  It is not about how it looks but about God.  If I obey God the results are His responsibility.

Light dispels darkness.  Darkness automatically leaves when light enters.  Isaiah 60:1 says to:  Arise SHINE for you light has come.

Salt is a preservative and brings out the flavor.  All Christians have a responsibility to the world around them.  I am no exception.
This is one of the things that should be basic Christianity.  Unfortunately, it seems that even seasoned Christians are not immune to deception.

Update 11/11/17:
I feel like I'm running in place.  Expending energy, but not getting anywhere.  However, I'm more convinced than ever that most American Christians are very deceived.   I had no idea until I stopped listening to the propaganda of the "Christian" community at large.  More on that to come.

The Beginning

I was reading Kris Valloten's book Spirit Wars this morning.  This one sentence jumped out at me:  "What I did not realize until that night was that I had been educated right out of my solution."  That hit me hard.  This thought came to me, "what if I could forget what I thought I knew about God and start fresh and learn again"  It sounds crazy.  That is the purpose of this blog, a reset, a new beginning.  Starting without preconceived ideas about God.  Doing what new Christians do.
My plan:  to write what I am forgetting and what I am learning.

Afterward:  Coincidentally?  Tonight I watched "God's Not Dead".  It is about a student who chooses to accept a challenge to try to prove that God is not dead.

Update:  2/16/15
This has been a much different journey than I had expected.  But just as a plant is pruned to help it grow and produce more, so have I been pruned.  This winter has been long and cold.  In many ways it has been hard but joyful.  It won't be long until I hear the words, "Lo, the winter is past....."

Update 11/11/17
How far this journey has taken me.  I believe that if I had not left the Standard American "Church", I would be a dead and cold Christian.  I am shocked to see where I am now.  But there is the "life" of God stirring in my heart and I believe that I am closer to being like Christ.  Is that not what we are meant to be?  Formed in the image of Christ.  I am planning to update my blogs first and there continue on, by relating how I have gotten from where I was to where God has brought me.  I have a glimpse of my future.  I believe that many Christians all over the world are escaping "church" in order to become the body of Christ, His church, also called the "remnant".