The Image of the Revolution

As established in my last post, a revolution is underway. This is a revolution that will affect all aspects of life, ending with, I believe, the next Great Awakening (and the last). Statistically, twenty-million people already know and are part of this movement. That brings me to a question: Where are these people?? What do they look like?? I hope to shed some light to these and other questions that will be answered in the posts to follow. Hopefully, I’ll have more readers by then. I’ll tie this in a little farther down.

So, what do revolutionaries look like?? A better question would be, what do they not look like? When I think of this, my mind is taken to Revelation 7. Verses 9 and 10 say this:

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
Who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

This, my friends, is the image of the revolution. The revolutionaries will come from everywhere. I mentioned that there are twenty-million people who are on board. Ladies and gentleman, that’s just in the U.S. There is no way to really know how many have come on board from around the world. Therein lies the problem. We need to seek out and establish relationships with the revolutionaries around us. I can guarantee you, they are right beside you. Denomination has no deciding factor in who’s a part of this movement. Talk to your Christian friends about the change needed in the church, and listen carefully to their response. You will know them by their response.

Christians are sick and tired of religiosity. They are sick of three choir songs, meet and greet/ offering, two praise songs, and a three point, thirty-minute sermon ending in a general prayer for all. Now, there has to be order, and revolutionaries aren’t against that. What needs to be done away with is routine. Order<>Routine. The church is sick and in need of major change.

Find those who agree with what I just said. They are the image of the revolution.

The Birth of a Revolution

Now I return to you with some interesting revelation. Actually, this revelation was received months ago after reading through Jeremiah’s blog, Just This Side of Heresy.

There is a movement going on within the church that growing at a rapid pace. I have recently read a book by George Barna entitled Revolution. This book describes perfectly the change that is occurring here in the Church. A revolution is underway. Over twenty million have jumped on board and are part of this growing movement.

You see, a definition of the word revolution is simply a sudden or momentous change in a situation. Millions of Christians are tired of the way church is, and have ultimately walked away from the church religious system. This isn’t because they are walking away from Christ, but because the system isn’t working and they know that a change is needed. These Revolutionaries are using other methods to worship God outside of a designated “service.” These people are true followers of Christ, but not followers of the religious system. In short, we are revolting against
the complacency and conformity invading the church.

This is a short post, merely because it will take much more to really get into this subject. I’m sure you will have questions, comments, and objections. I say, bring them here. Just know that I plan to write on this much more.

However, I will issue this simple decree. JOIN THE REVOLUTION!!!!!! GO AGAINST THE SYSTEM AND CONNECT TO THE TRUE GOD!!! THIS IS A EFFORT TO UNITE THE REVOLUTIONARIES AND PROPEL THIS MOVEMENT FORWARD.

Also, if you don’t have a Facebook, get one. Then, go here:
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19443728716

More revolution essays to come. This is just the beginning…………

The Denomination Syndrome: Part 2

So, obviously, this is a follow up to Part 1.
After publishing Part 1, I noticed that there were more issues about the “Den-Syndrome” that needed to be discussed and addressed. This will probably mean that I will have to write a third and possibly fourth part.
Goodie. J

In this installment, I’ll shed some light on a few gray areas in relation to Part 1. In some respects, this is a response to some questions brought up by those who have read Part 1. Now, this isn’t a bad thing. I am very grateful to those who have read Part 1 and commented, as well as asked the very questions I’m going to address. I thank those who have supported this blog.

The issue I want to address is the issue of stipulation. Denominations do denote what kind of Christian you are, or better yet, what doctrine you come under. But, I have a problem with that. You see, the book of Acts sets up a framework of how God really wants His church to operate and function. There were NO divisions or separations among the believers of the Early Church. The only labels they had were that of a city or region, such as the Church at Ephesus, Sardis, and so on. The first division in the Church occurred when the Protestants broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in 1517. So, biblically, there is nothing written that says that these denominations are needed. On the contrary, the Bible speaks AGAINST divisions in the church (Eph. 4:1-16; 1 Cor. 12:12-31). However, in today’s world, denominations are becoming less like divisions and more like different parts of one body.

I said in Part 1 that I introduced myself to people as a Christian. I failed to mention that once I established myself as a Christian, I follow up with my denomination. You see, I do not focus on the denomination first, but I do not forsake it either. As I said in my last blog, denomination is not a bad thing, and there is nothing wrong with having pride in your type of church. DO NOT, however, let it get in the way of you and God (because it can happen) as well as you and fellow believers who do not come under the same title as you. All Christians are seen as the same in the eyes of God. Denomination can become a “label” instead of a preference.

I’m proud to be in the Church of God. My great-grandfather was one of the founders of the church I still attend. Both my parents grew up there, and so have my brother and I. I am even about to go to school to enter the Ministry as a Church of God Minister. Yet, I still profess faith and pride in my Savior first, then, acknowledge with pride my denominational preference. It is great to be proud to be Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc. But let’s be proud first of the one who made it possible to choose what kind of church we attend. And let’s not let our denomination get in the way of perfect unity in the Body of Christ.

Hope this helps. Part 3 coming soon.

The Denomination Syndrome: Part 1

I was on Myspace recently, like most, and I was struck with a sudden thought.

You see, I have a couple of friends whose titles are "Proud To Be Pentacostal" and "Proud To Be Baptist." Now, I know both of these guys, and they don't fight about this. However, their names make a statement. They both express great pride in their denominational beliefs.

Now, to my thought. Why do we take pride in denomination?? Don't get me wrong, it's great that these guys have pride in the kind of church they attend. Denominations do have thier place and function. I myself have been raised in the Church of God, a pentacostal denomination. Yet, I have learned that instead of telling people that I'm pentacostal, I tell them I am Christian.

Why??? Well, because that's what I am. First and Foremost.

Our pride should be in the Lord first, then our dotrine. I am not reprimanding those who take great pride in their denomination, but I am merely issuing a word of caution. Instead of first telling people your denomination, why not tell them you are merely a Christian??? The responses may surprise you.

Maybe instead of our titles advocating our type of church, why don't we bring attention to our pride in our Lord Jesus Christ??? If we have anything to boast about, it's simply the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Once again, being proud of your denomination isn't a bad thing, but, we need to bring focus to the Lord first. After all, it was Jesus who died and made available to us salvation through his redeeming blood, and no other.

We should simply be proud to be a Christian.

I have more on this, but not now. I also know that some may get a little upset at this post, and that's to be expected.

The truth hurts.

An Immovable Object: A Lesson From The Joker

Hello ladies and gentlemen.....it's time for a movie review!!! I take care to warn you, however, that if you haven't seen The Dark Knight, then you may want to stop reading at the spoiler alert and go see the movie. Then, you can come back!!! With that said, here we........go!!

To start with, I thought the movie was fantastic. It was the best I've seen in a long time. Heath Ledger did an amazing job playing Batman's lengendary nemisis, The Joker. I saw his performance and said, " Jack Nicholson, eat your heart out." I highly recommend this movie to everyone EXCEPT small children. Yes, I know it's Batman and the little ones want to see, but seriously, this movie is very dark and very violent. The Joker isn't what most people are used to. He is, I think, portrayed in the correct manner: an EXTREMELY demented psycopath who can turn the city upside down with a few drums of gas and a couple of bullets. This version of The Joker my scare the little ones. Nevertheless, I give this movie five stars, two thumbs up, or whatever else can be taken to mean that I think highly of this movie.

**SPOILER ALERT**

Now, for the real reason I wrote this. There was a line in the movie that really stuck with me, so much so that I had to share it with all of you. Toward the end of the movie, Batman has subdued the Joker. As Batman stands before Joker, watching him dangle in midair, Joker delivers this line: "I now know what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. I think we're destined to do this forever." This sets Joker and Batman up as rivals. However, a philosophy can be taken from this line.

You see, the real result of Joker's line is chaos. The force has no where to go because the object will not move. There is conflict. How many time could we have been that object, stopping some opposing force that threatened us. Oh sure, it's easier to just let things happen. But, what if?? What if we just stood against all that opposes us, and refuse to yield?? If you oppose abortion, what are you doing to stop it?? That's just one of the many evils that you can stand against. Because the real lesson is, the force stops when something refuses to get out of it's way.

Jesus was, and is, our immovable object. Sin and death were really unstoppable, but then He died and was resurrected. It was through His ultimate sacrifice that He is now our immovable object. He now would have us become like Him. He dealt with the evils in His time and refused to stand down. We MUST do the same. He wants us to. He has equipped us to become an immovable object. We are equipped that we may stand when the day of evil comes (Eph 6:11).

As I said in my last post, things are changing. Some, for the worse. Yet, though change is constant, so is our God. He doesn't want us to conform (Rom. 12:2), but instead, stand against the "unstoppable forces" in our world.

Jesus did it, and so should we.

Are you an immovable object???

Summer, Insomnia, and the Realization of Change

So, yea, things have been crazy.

I really don't know who will read this. I don't care.

I just like to toy with the idea that people read the crap I put on here.

It's theraputic.

I just graduated from Mary G. Montgomery High School. In a mix-up while trying to switch jobs, I no longer have a job. Therefore, I am suffering from a common yet brutal ailment: boredom. Along with this ailment comes another. Let's call it insomnia. I find it progressively harder to fall asleep every night. This is because I can't slow my mind down. This has severely altered my circadian rhythm.

You see, I live in Semmes, Al., five minutes from the city of Mobile. I have lived here my whole life. I know every road, every store, and every person. I am eighteen. Yet, as I type this, my time here is growing ever shorter and shorter. Soon, I will move away from here, and never call this place my home again.

Things are changing. Dramatically.

Where I am going isn't relevant. I said all of that to say this: Everything is changing.

My friends are going through a lot of things right now. Even my older friends are at a crossroads. My church stands at a decision point as well, and they don't even know it. Our country is turning. Everything is changing, or crying out for change.

Am I surprised at all of this?? No

Am I a bit overwhelmed at the subtleness of its coming and the force of its impact?? Yes

Right now, more than ever, we need to ask God for direction. Instead, people are turning to other people first. They turn to psychics, doctors, Oprah, and a presidential candidate who does nothing but promise change he cannot bring.

Not meaning to get political, but I don't trust Barrack Obama as far as I can spit.

That's not far, by the way.

It is in God we must put our trust. We must return to the faith that our nation once held in such high regard. If we don't, the shifting currents of the ever-decaying society will overwhelm and desrtoy us. I hate to say this, but it's the truth. No longer will I water-down my opinions to avoid stepping on toes. I say, we must turn to God, or perish.

I'm really not a hell-fire, brimstone kinda guy. I always believe in giving hope to people when bad news or hard truth is made known. There is hope for us. Change isn't bad all the time, and it isn't good some of the time. God is the answer. He is the only one who doesn't change. He is ever reliable and constantly with us. Our nation, our churches, and our fellows don't have to become hopeless in all this.

We must simply turn to Jesus.

End of story.

The Key to Unity

So, unity in the Body of Christ is a big issue with me. so much so that I am about to speak on it a second time to my youth group. Yet, there is a difference this go around. You see, most people think you are in unity if there are no cliques or favoritism. This, unfortunately, is not true.

I was a little shocked by this revelation, as there isn't anything left to do to disband strife. Or so I thought.

Ephesians 4:3 tells use to do whatever we must to keep the spirit of unity. There is one thing that we tend to overlook. When we have no problem with one another and are loving each other, we are united. But there is a definite difference between being united and having unity. The word Unite means to join together, whereas the word Unity means to have a singleness of purpose. You can be united without having unity. Look at how successful the Apostles were in their ministry. Acts 4:32-33 says that the Apostles were all in one heart and mind. some translations read "one mind and one accord." This, my friends, is the key. We are in true unity when we all come into one place for the same reason and the same goal: to worship God and let Him do what he wants in His house. Only will we be in unity. We have to stop going to Church to socialize or any other reason. If you want to see the miracles return and revival to come, seek Him, and encourage others to do the same. Then and only then will Joel 2: 28-32 be fulfilled.

Just a thought.

I'll have more about this later. Life's crazy right now.

Very Odd....

Recently, I have been reading a series of books written by bestselling novelist Dean Koontz. This series follows a man by the name of Odd Thomas, who can see dead people, whom he calls the "lingering dead." These books have intrigued me so much that I am already on the third book and am anticipating the release of the fourth. The series progresses as follows: Odd Thomas, Forever Odd, Brother Odd, and coming May 20th, Odd Hours. If you enjoy suspense and a little melancholy humor, I recommend these books. Koontz's writing style is phenominal, with just the right mix of dialouge and detail. Also, throughout his writing, he does not fail to place religious references in the manuscript. So far, my favorite quote is from Forever Odd: This world, which has the potential to be Eden, is instead the hell before Hell. In our arrogance, we have made it so. I look foward to branching out and reading more of the 50+ novels he has written. I expect future posts to contain more rambiling about Koontz.

A Resident Evil

So, I have recently viewed the second and third installments of the Resident Evil movie series. Ironically enough, I can somewhat relate these movies to Christianity.
In these movies, the main cause for the hordes of walking dead is the T-Virus: a biological weapon that was accidentally released. This virus infects the body, kills it, then re-animates the body so it is a walking corpse that needs to feed off the flesh of the uninfected.
Sin, which is a "resident evil," works the very same way. It is a virus, an infection, if you will, that exists all around us. It kills us, spiritually and physically, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus" (Rom 6: 23). Therefore, when we become Christians and wholly dedicate our lives to Him and live our lives accordingly, the infection of Sin is destroyed by the Blood of Christ, the only antidote. Being covered by the Blood of Christ and His grace, we are freed from sin and live in Christ; it makes us dead to sin and alive to Christ(Rom 6:1-14).

It's just a thought.

The Politics of Drama

THIS IS THE FINAL STRAW!!!!!!!! I'M SICK OF THE CHURCH BEING THIS WAY!!!!!!!!!!!

This will be my most controversial blog to date.

Ok, so, to elaborate, America is being destroyed by politics, and so is the church. But I'm not talking about prominent politicians from Washington who are stripping away the rights of the church. I'm talking about one of the biggest oxymorons in existence: church politics.
James 2: 1-13 tells us not to show partiality amongst ourselves. Yet, I obesrved some EXTREME favoritism within the church on saturday. I'm not gonna name churches or individuals, because my aim here is not to tear down anyone, but to make Christians aware of the problem of church politics.

You see, I was partaking in a drama and music competition saturday. Two or three groups stood out to me as obvious winners. The rest were good, but these few were great. Yet, when it came time for awards. two of these great groups were shafted. The awards went to the churches who were "politically involved" instead of the deserving churches. But, this problem goes much deeper than a meaningless competition. And it's not just in my denomination, but in every other as well. Denominations are sometimes nothing more than buisnesses, in a sense. This is very sad. We wonder why abortion is not abolished and America is on the brink of spiritual deprivation.
Politics should not exist within the church. Jesus did not tell Peter "upon this rock, I shall build my conforming poliitical system." Why can't we just put aside the favoritism and judgement and just be united in Christ?? This condition is the VERY reason why people do not enjoy church. They don't want to kiss butt just so they can be a part of something. On the contrary. The Word tells us that a man's gift will make room for him and place him among the great (Proverbs 18:16). God gives us gifts, and when it is His timing, He will put us among the great. We don't have to go through man to be recognized.

So, at the end of this blog, I issue to you, the true followers of Jesus Christ, a challenge. When ever you see or suffer an injustice because of church politics, call it out. Tall to your pastor, your youth leaders, and the ones who commit the injustice. Because, believe it or not, this is bigger and deeper than we really know. Revolt against the ungodly infuences in our churches, even in the high places.

I may get in trouble for this, but the truth must be told. I have remained silent for too long.

Let's start the Revolution. Together as One.