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.