How are you? I know it's been a while, but I wanted to tell you something that's been on my heart. Please don't be offended, or take this the wrong way, but I was wondering if you could maybe cool off a bit this Sunday. Before I say anything else, you need to know how much I love you, and how much you mean to me. You have been with me through some pretty rough times, and you've really pulled me through a lot, I'm the pastor here, and I've noticed it's getting difficult running things when you're hanging around. I DO NOT mean that in a bad way, at ALL, so please don't take it that way, it's just that... well, I think we have different ideas about how my church should be run. I don't really want to make people feel guilty. The last thing I want is people feeling bad. I know it's kind of your thing, and believe me, I KNOW you don't do it out of spite or anger. I know your intentions are good, but it's something I've never been comfortable with. I wouldn't have said anything, but the Petersons will be here this Sunday, and, well, I don't know any other way to put this... I'm afraid that if they meet you, they'll never come back. Honestly, I'm not trying to sound like a jerk, and I'm really sorry if this makes you angry... please don't be angry. I appreciate how gracious you've always been, and your so patient, so even if this is something I need to figure out on my own, or whatever, I just would really appreciate it if you could steer clear from church this Sunday.
I don't want to make this about where we disagree on things, but I just don't think making people feel guilty about stuff helps anything, especially when it comes to introducing them to our friend Jesus. People need to feel comfortable, and once they feel comfortable, we can talk to them more, and maybe after a few months, once they see we're not much different then them, they'll maybe start asking some questions. Hopefully some of those questions will be about Jesus, and hopefully they'll be at a point in their lives when they're ready to become a friend of Jesus, and THEN, if they have questions about the bible, or anything else "Christiany" we can come to you, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't make them feel guilty. You're scaring people away from church.
I know, I KNOW how you feel about sin, I understand that. I get it. Sin is bad, and people need to know it's bad, and I know that's a big part of what you do, but why do you think it's so important to hit them with that all the time? I mean, sometimes I have to ignore you because even I start to feel guilty when you're around, and I'm the pastor! People will learn that sin is bad, and I think once they see how much Jesus loves and cares for them, it will become easier for them to slowly, and at their own pace, walk away from sin.
I know, I know. There's a lot that could be said, but I don't want to debate you, I want to make sure we're still friends, I just think... well... just maybe for a week or two... you could let me run things, since, well... I am the pastor, and it's kind of my job. Seriously, though I still love you, and you are welcome here, but just give us a little space, ok Holy Spirit, just for at least the next few weeks, and then maybe we can talk about having you back.
Much love in Christ,
Pastor Bob
And He, when He comes will convict the world concerning sin, and righteousness, and judgment. John 16:8
Friday, March 14, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The Great Basin
I wrote this story several months ago. It explains how I feel about the modern church.
The recorded voice represents the radio ministries that eventually led me to Christ.
I looked over, and I saw busy-ness, chatter, and the like, and in the hand of every person was a smooth, round cup. Some were careful with them; others flung them about as if they held nothing. At the front of this place, and peering through the chaos and confusion was a kind, sincere man who in front of him, and under his control, was a great basin of water. The man looked straight at me, and gave me the impression that no person mattered to him as much as I did. I saw the great basin in front of him, and noticed his right shoulder was wet. I looked in my hand and noticed a smooth, round cup. At that moment, an incredible thirst came over me, and immediately I looked to the kind, sincere man. I thought surely this man would do all he could to quench my thirst, and became convinced, as it seemed to be so, that the specific job of this man was to quench the thirst of those in this building.
My throat was parched, so I rushed to the front. The madness of the people pushed me back and forth, and so I struggled to reach the kind man. The kind man looked at me, and with a genuine smile, put his hand on my shoulder and asked me if there was anything he could do for me. I was filled with excitement and anticipation as I stared down at the cool, fresh basin of water. I held my cup tight, and knelt before the man and said to him plainly, “sir, I am thirsty. I’m not sure how I came here, but I am grateful I have come because I see that in front of you is what I need. Would you be so kind, and fill my cup.” The man smiled widely, as if he loved nothing more than to do exactly that. The man said to me, “because you have said to me you are thirsty, and in desperate need of this water I have been entrusted with to give you, I will not hesitate to grant your request.” The man put his arms around me, and I felt a great love pour out of his heart. He then dipped his ladle in the basin, and was careful to not spill a single drop, but some still seeped away. He said, “Close your eyes, child, so you may receive this blessing.” I closed my eyes, but wanted the formalities to be over quickly because my thirst was so great.
My eyes shut, and everything went dark. Just before I burst with anticipation, I heard a swift movement, and then felt a splash against my face. I opened my eyes to see the sincere, kind man’s face radiate with excitement. My face was dripping wet, and this man looked at me as if he had faithfully fulfilled his office. He hugged me again, this time even tighter, and said to me “I love you so much, and any time you thirst, come to me, and I will take care of it.” I was shocked, but still so desperate for water, I lapped up what I could off my flesh and clothes, and saw in my cup just a few drops. Believing he had satisfied his duty to me, his attention quickly went to the next person, who stood in front of the kind man, closed his eyes, and jumping out of his skin said, “please… sir, splash me, pastor splash me!!!” The kind man reached his ladle into the basin, and splashed the water onto the face of this man.
Over time, this pastor grew weary, but his love for those who came to him did not wane. He urged everyone to bring people to him, so they may be satisfied, and many came. I watched this man dip his ladle into the basin many times, but didn’t see the water level drop one inch. This basin seemed to never run empty. The people relished the love of this man, and coveted the splashing on their face, but acted as if they knew no better. I left the room, somewhat discouraged, and still parched. I knew after my thirst had been quenched, I desperately wanted to love as that kind man had loved. I left the room, and came to another room with another basin. Above this basin was a sign that read, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” I froze at this opportunity. It seemed too good to be true… next to the basin was a small speaker. The voice inside the speaker said, “don’t be afraid… drink! Dip your cup, fill it, open your mouth, and let the water run down your throat, and know this water will always satisfy. Although you may be tempted to trust something else, nothing but this water will satisfy.” When the voice finished, it started over and said the same thing. After some hesitation because of the simplicity, I dipped my cup and drank.
It was the coldest, freshest water I had ever tasted. Immediately, I saw everything more clearly. It was if a veil had opened my eyes, and I could see clearly for the first time. What a blessing that recording was to me! But even more so, what a blessing the cool, refreshing water was to me! I had a source of strength. I knew when I felt thirsty, I could, as the sign read, come and drink. I was unexplainably hesitant when I returned to the room. How could I properly explain what had taken place? I knew so many were content to be splashed, so I asked others around me, “have you tasted the water, and felt it run down your throat?” Many were confused, and said to me, “please, son, see the man, so he may love you and give you this living water.” But I knew in their hearts they had been deceived.
Some, to my excitement said “yes, and how marvelous it was!” And so we tirelessly discussed the implications of how a splash of water to the face cannot satisfy, but is certainly better than nothing. We wanted so desperately to introduce the people to what it is to drink this water in, but were concerned with the trouble it may cause, because I was ready to pick up the basin and dump it over their heads if they would not listen. I knew some people were content with their thirst, and the basin was only for those who would recognize that drinking from it is the only thing that will satisfy their thirst. We decided to take a room and fill it with proper instruction. We wanted to invite all who had been weary and heavy laden to find rest in this great basin. Our goal, for ourselves as well, was not to show the people how they can be loved by that sincere, kind man, but instead how they can learn to love just like that sincere, kind man. Our conviction was that until they learn to drink from the basin, they will always be too preoccupied with their thirst. So let us not tire in telling those who would drink not to hesitate to fill their cups with this wonderful, Living Water.
The recorded voice represents the radio ministries that eventually led me to Christ.
I looked over, and I saw busy-ness, chatter, and the like, and in the hand of every person was a smooth, round cup. Some were careful with them; others flung them about as if they held nothing. At the front of this place, and peering through the chaos and confusion was a kind, sincere man who in front of him, and under his control, was a great basin of water. The man looked straight at me, and gave me the impression that no person mattered to him as much as I did. I saw the great basin in front of him, and noticed his right shoulder was wet. I looked in my hand and noticed a smooth, round cup. At that moment, an incredible thirst came over me, and immediately I looked to the kind, sincere man. I thought surely this man would do all he could to quench my thirst, and became convinced, as it seemed to be so, that the specific job of this man was to quench the thirst of those in this building.
My throat was parched, so I rushed to the front. The madness of the people pushed me back and forth, and so I struggled to reach the kind man. The kind man looked at me, and with a genuine smile, put his hand on my shoulder and asked me if there was anything he could do for me. I was filled with excitement and anticipation as I stared down at the cool, fresh basin of water. I held my cup tight, and knelt before the man and said to him plainly, “sir, I am thirsty. I’m not sure how I came here, but I am grateful I have come because I see that in front of you is what I need. Would you be so kind, and fill my cup.” The man smiled widely, as if he loved nothing more than to do exactly that. The man said to me, “because you have said to me you are thirsty, and in desperate need of this water I have been entrusted with to give you, I will not hesitate to grant your request.” The man put his arms around me, and I felt a great love pour out of his heart. He then dipped his ladle in the basin, and was careful to not spill a single drop, but some still seeped away. He said, “Close your eyes, child, so you may receive this blessing.” I closed my eyes, but wanted the formalities to be over quickly because my thirst was so great.
My eyes shut, and everything went dark. Just before I burst with anticipation, I heard a swift movement, and then felt a splash against my face. I opened my eyes to see the sincere, kind man’s face radiate with excitement. My face was dripping wet, and this man looked at me as if he had faithfully fulfilled his office. He hugged me again, this time even tighter, and said to me “I love you so much, and any time you thirst, come to me, and I will take care of it.” I was shocked, but still so desperate for water, I lapped up what I could off my flesh and clothes, and saw in my cup just a few drops. Believing he had satisfied his duty to me, his attention quickly went to the next person, who stood in front of the kind man, closed his eyes, and jumping out of his skin said, “please… sir, splash me, pastor splash me!!!” The kind man reached his ladle into the basin, and splashed the water onto the face of this man.
Over time, this pastor grew weary, but his love for those who came to him did not wane. He urged everyone to bring people to him, so they may be satisfied, and many came. I watched this man dip his ladle into the basin many times, but didn’t see the water level drop one inch. This basin seemed to never run empty. The people relished the love of this man, and coveted the splashing on their face, but acted as if they knew no better. I left the room, somewhat discouraged, and still parched. I knew after my thirst had been quenched, I desperately wanted to love as that kind man had loved. I left the room, and came to another room with another basin. Above this basin was a sign that read, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” I froze at this opportunity. It seemed too good to be true… next to the basin was a small speaker. The voice inside the speaker said, “don’t be afraid… drink! Dip your cup, fill it, open your mouth, and let the water run down your throat, and know this water will always satisfy. Although you may be tempted to trust something else, nothing but this water will satisfy.” When the voice finished, it started over and said the same thing. After some hesitation because of the simplicity, I dipped my cup and drank.
It was the coldest, freshest water I had ever tasted. Immediately, I saw everything more clearly. It was if a veil had opened my eyes, and I could see clearly for the first time. What a blessing that recording was to me! But even more so, what a blessing the cool, refreshing water was to me! I had a source of strength. I knew when I felt thirsty, I could, as the sign read, come and drink. I was unexplainably hesitant when I returned to the room. How could I properly explain what had taken place? I knew so many were content to be splashed, so I asked others around me, “have you tasted the water, and felt it run down your throat?” Many were confused, and said to me, “please, son, see the man, so he may love you and give you this living water.” But I knew in their hearts they had been deceived.
Some, to my excitement said “yes, and how marvelous it was!” And so we tirelessly discussed the implications of how a splash of water to the face cannot satisfy, but is certainly better than nothing. We wanted so desperately to introduce the people to what it is to drink this water in, but were concerned with the trouble it may cause, because I was ready to pick up the basin and dump it over their heads if they would not listen. I knew some people were content with their thirst, and the basin was only for those who would recognize that drinking from it is the only thing that will satisfy their thirst. We decided to take a room and fill it with proper instruction. We wanted to invite all who had been weary and heavy laden to find rest in this great basin. Our goal, for ourselves as well, was not to show the people how they can be loved by that sincere, kind man, but instead how they can learn to love just like that sincere, kind man. Our conviction was that until they learn to drink from the basin, they will always be too preoccupied with their thirst. So let us not tire in telling those who would drink not to hesitate to fill their cups with this wonderful, Living Water.
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