The problem is that we've viewed the Scripture from the perspective of 'must do', 'must perform', 'must make happen'. All along the Scripture has been intended to be viewed from the perspective of discovery of who God is and who we are and all that God has for us and intend to work in us but only in the context of relationship with Him.

- Adapted from an article in BodyLife Magazine.

Look at what Jesus says to those playing the religious/power trip...what would he say today?

---------------------------

Mark 7:5-13 (niv)

⁵So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?"

⁶He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:
   " 'These people honor me with their lips,
      but their hearts are far from me.

⁷They worship me in vain;

their teachings are but rules taught by men. ⁸You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men."

⁹And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe^[c] your own traditions! ¹⁰For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,'^[d] and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'^{[e] 11}But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God), ¹²then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. ¹³Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

---------------------------

I could see verse 5 being adapted to today's issues like this:

• So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of playing this music?"
• So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of wearing those non-dressy clothes?"
• So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of playing kickball with the youth?"

I'm too tired right now to come up with items that are more clever, but you get my point.

They looooooved the rules! It gave them permission to be that cop hiding behind the billboard with his radar gun..just waiting to catch people and issue them a citation. (Sorry Tobias Odom..I know your a good man!)

Lovers of religion, with it emphasis on human effort, head knowledge and appearances, will always be uncomfortable around those who aren't playing the game with them. Religion demands action/reward in everything. Ignoring grace and often reality along the way.

You can dress up a "turd" in a nice suit, put on a nice, smiley faced mask, and spray it with the best perfume/cologne around..but it's still a "turd"...and it stinks!

Religion tells you to check your honest self at the church door, sit with people for an hour long meeting -and call it fellowship, have prayer requests but only reveal your "acceptable sins" -and call it accountability, discuss grace but don't apply it as reality. The list is endless...

In contrast, a relationship with Christ will free you from wearing the masks and from having to play the power/guilt/legalistic games so prevalent in the dying, in-effective gatherings we have called church.

Our buildings will likely become filled more often when we offer the true hope of Christ. Life is hard enough, and those un-churched are seeking..but certainly not seeking more bondage. 

Goodnight,

jamie

PS- I'm definitely in heavy blog mode right now...if it keeps up, I will write a book more in depth about my personal experiences with religion. Based on responses to the last few blogs, this message resonates and relates far beyond Gibson County, Indiana. I don't feel qualified to write, but the disciples didn't seem to be qualified for much either, they just followed the calling.

¶ 5/27/2009 2 Comments

Worthy material to repost by Wayne Jacobsen

Enjoy-

jamie

------------------------------------------

Reconciliation of Damaged Relationships

There is a real difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. God asks us to walk in forgiveness for our own freedom. Wherever people have hurt us or manipulated us we are asked to forgive them so that we are not devoured by the ill-will in our own lives. That forgiveness, however, does not mean that we put ourselves in the place to be their victim again unless God specifically asks us to. Forgiveness is not denial.

Reconciliation is a different process. It demands two parties who are willing to LOOK honestly at what happened, and communicate through real love to a place where the abuses will cease to happen and they can then walk on as sisters in Christ. This is a rare process, and I think God is more in charge of it than we are. We can only be willing, but until the other party is ready to deal openly, honestly and compassionately with the pain he/she has caused you, you are absolutely right to put boundaries around that relationship. What is our responsibility with such people toward reconciliation? To be honest with them about why the relationship is broken when it first happens, available to God and to her if ever there is an openness to see God cleans and forgive. This is an honest process, however, not just a "let's pretend nothing happened and be friends again." For your part you would have to be comfortable that this woman has seen how she manipulates and controls others and is making honest steps to see God transform that. Of course in that process you will honestly deal with whether in fact your perceptions of her actions were also legitimate. Were there misunderstandings, etc.? I honestly doubt this in this situation, but we must always be open to it. Inviting people to 'board grillings' when they offer reconciliation is a sign that something is desperate is going on. But even in things like this are people on the other side rarely as evil as time and feelings make them seen. They may be people caught in an ugly view of ministry that keeps hurting folks around them.

And even full reconciliation of relationship doesn't mean you'd necessarily walk in close fellowship again or co-labor in ministry. God may well have called you to other things by now. I do think our Father always delights, however, in healing past broken relationships if both folks are open to it. I've gone through a similar situation with a brother who did horrible things to me and my wife. I still love him, because we had such an awesome friendship. But I don't have anything to do with him at the moment. I've tried to talk and he's been resistant or duplicitous about any attempt to do so. So I give him a wide berth, even as I pray someday we'll be able to heal what happened in our relationship. That was nine years ago. I happened to see him recently. Somehow, he seemed a bit more tender this time.

I would only give this process time and energy that Jesus makes clear in your heart he wants you to give. We can be overwhelmed trying to fix everyone's problem with us, and I don't think that's the point. Healing broken relationships is a great thing when they and God are ready, especially with people we have been close to in the past. Stewing over it is not... God will show you when the time is right.

I don't know if this will finally be the time or not, but I'm always open to it. Our God is a reconciling God.

¶ 5/26/2009 0 Comments

If you even have a passing interest in marketing, no doubt you've heard the phrase "Perception is reality". It basically suggests that "what people think" about something, it is viewed as reality to them.

Fellow believers...With this in mind, as people claiming the salvation of Christ, what message about ourselves are we sending to the world around us?

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

That would be great! Those are what Galatians 5:22-23 calls "The Fruit Of The Spirit"

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Read on..

²⁴Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Sadly, considering the words thrown around most about Christians in today's world are along the lines of "hypocritical, judgmental, fake, back-biters, self-righteous, etc". It seems the fruit of the spirit is not too often found.

Look at what Galatians 5:19-21 says:

¹⁹The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The question at hand: What does our life (not our words) say to others about Jesus Christ?

Forgive us Father...

jamie

All scriptures NIV

¶ 5/25/2009 0 Comments

Ok, no doubt that blog title has got you wondering a bit.

But that's just how I felt as I hit snooze on my alarm last Sunday morning. Heather had left a few hours earlier and I wasn't on worship team so I slept in a bit. At 10:00am, the alarm sounded and I had planned to jump in the shower,dress and get to church a few minutes before the 10:45 start. But, I hit snooze and 10 minutes later, shut the alarm off altogether. I was gonna' skip church. At around 11:00, I got a text from Heather that said "where are you?"..I said.."slept in"..she writes back "not cool". I had totally forgotten that it was youth Sunday and Christian was going to lead worship with the youth band. I had that "crap, I suck" feeling as soon as I discovered that. Christian has acted like it was ok but I know it was 1,000% uncool to not be there to support him and the kids.

So why did I skip.

I honestly was thinking of checking out of our church altogether. While I love the progress our church has made over the past few years, I had simply had it with the vocal minority who have the non-spiritual gifts of negativity, gossip, backbiting and more. Not really towards me, but towards church leadership. Obviously my wife is our worship leader..but my pastor is also one of my best friends, in or out of church. I tend to take criticisms that they receive personally. Especially when it comes from people who are choosing process and personal agenda over truth.

It's nothing new, especially in a smaller church like ours (around 300), but I had gotten to the point where I thought "my life and my time is just too valuable to have that junk waste anymore of my mental energy."  So mid-day I started thinking about how I could just check out of the club.

Later that night, Heather was still upset with me for missing service and on top of the drama itself created by the vocal minority, it caused some stress between us. We had a nice "intense discussion" IE: Argument that brought out the worst in both of us. After this I was convinced I was on the right track.

Ok, I know this is like a book..stay with me, there's some cool stuff coming.

So Monday and Tuesday I make it through the day ok...encouraging words from my Integrity Music amigo Chris Estes and Michael Stevenson. Then Tuesday night comes and I'm playing with the iPhone and I discovered the Amazon Kindle app. I check it out and decide to try it. I get a few book samples of items that have interested me. In the "readers also bought" suggestions, there was a book called "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore"..I curiously downloaded the sample chapter. Within minutes I was buying it. Let me just say I felt like God fully put that book in my line of sight. It is soooooo super-relevant to what I was going through in my struggle 2 days earlier. I won't turn this into a book review or sales pitch, but I can say that this book has been used by God mightily in my life this week. My anger has turned into sadness for people who are caught up in the process of "doing church" rather than "being the church".

I've wondered how Heather can get up and lead worship with all her heart knowing there are a few faces glaring at her that would love to have her resign or at least "go back to the way things were 20 years ago" when hymnals ruled the music and it required little to no emotional effort.

How could Pastor Steve continue week after week to bring God's word to us in such a passionate (and relevant) way while facing a few crossed arms, cold stares and downright nasty attitudes. I've always joked that: "If Pastor walked on water", the vocal minority would gather together and bicker hatefully: "see, Pastor Steve can't even swim!".....Always just looking for a reason to hate on em.

But I've realized that they love God and His people more than approval of the critics. I greatly admire them for that. All our church staff for that matter. It's definitely a calling because I certainly don't have the "thick skin" to deal with it without wanting to bust a lip or two.

I think all of this stems from people wanting to control the institution called "church". Treating it as an entity like a school board, Kiwanis club, local government, etc. Where sitting on the committee brings a sort of "power" or status that's above the fellow attendee.  This mindset is not only alive, it's actually encouraged it seems.

But the church is not an institution, last I heard (and was reminded this week), the church is the body of Christ. Made up of all believers.

So why would anyone try to turn it into an institution? Simple: So they can run it.

I like how author Wayne Jacobsen puts it regarding churches as institution: "Structures are about gaining power and getting your own way" Those who are growing to know God don't need them." If those who don't need them aren't playing the game, then obviously they aren't a part of the committees. Why? Maybe they are content doing real Kingdom work to be bogged down by meetings and the baggage that goes with the gig.

That's good for God and His kingdom, but leaves the committees open to people who may not really know God that well but have strong opinions on how things should be done. Wouldn't it be cool to attend a church where the deacons are known more for how many people they have led to Christ than for how long they have been going to the church? Wouldn't it be cool to have a group of committed volunteers who treat volunteering in the church vastly different than volunteering at a concession stand?  {example "So what if I said I was going to teach the youth on Friday..I'm going to watch football instead...besides I'm not getting paid".}

What if the church stopped the nonsense of action/reward when it comes to teaching our kids. Giving them a memory verse then rewarding with a star on the chart if they get it right...Playing name that bible character or something and if you get it right, you can have a candybar. On the surface it may seem like "what's wrong with that?" Nothing. If you want to teach kids the same adopted legalistic mindset of "do something good and God will reward you" based on your efforts...you're right on track. God's grace isn't a big deal..it's your works that count. Too bad that the kid who just came to church for the first time and doesn't know the answers feels embarrassed.  Catch my sarcasm? We can learn all the bible facts in the world..but if we don't show them how to use them in a real way, we've just taught them to say the right things. We'll pat ourselves on the back for teaching them the facts...meanwhile they go through the motions of Christianity without ever having to truly experience it. Transformation is always a better goal than merely educating. Religion survives by telling us we need to fall in line or something terrible will happen to us. Grace tells a different story.

Allow me to interject some more wisdom from Wayne Jacobsen: "The Problem with church as we know it is that it has become nothing more than mutual accommodation of self-need. Everybody needs something out of it. Some need to lead. Some need to be led. Some want to teach, others are happy to be in the audience. Rather than become an authentic demonstration of God's life and love in the world, it ends up being a group of people who have to protect their turf. What we're seeing is less of God's life than people's insecurities that cling to those things they think will best serve their needs. So why can people become so vicious when they are threatened? They act like angry dogs when someone's trying to take their bone away...and they do it thinking God is on their side!"

..and after their bitterness dies down, the cycle starts all over again.

With all of this said, I'm not angry with folks who play the religion / church as an institution game. I feel bad for them. I think they mean well but they, like me, have forgotten their first love. Wednesday at about 1 AM, I had a deep connection with my first love. It made everything else look different. Think about it, in Revelation 2:1-7, the church in Ephesus on the surface was doing everything right... good deeds, hard work, resistance to evil men and false teachers, etc..but God said they had forgotten their first love. He said he would remove their lampstand if they did not change.

I believe "religion" gives the appearance of doing everything in God's name without actually knowing God. It's time for all of us to get back to our first love.

So right now I lift up Pastor Steve, The fruits of your ministry are evident. As the pastoral leader of our church, God is using you. New people are coming and lives are being changed. People who had given up on church are coming back and being transformed. You make some uncomfortable because you choose the living God over well-meaning but destructive church process. As a leader of your family, You have a wife who is kingdom focused. Sassy lady- but she gets it. haha!  A noteworthy bit of major evidence of your leadership and family stewardship is that your children have an active relationship with Christ. So many "leaders" children have checked out and not looked back.  May you never let the arrows of the self-serving/self-righteous cause you pain. We all answer to God in the end.

I lift up my wife, Heather, who leads our congregation in music every week with the sole agenda of leading them to the cross. Who temporarily puts me in the doghouse every time I mention that the average salary for her current position is $43,000 and that we should move to Mobile,AL where I can work in the office at Integrity while she leads at COTES. Thank you for not bowing to pressure to become less relevant to make a handful of people comfortable...think of all those who have been drawn into the church BECAUSE of the music and are growing in Christ now. Thank you for starting Kid's Praise and allowing Children to experience the love of Jesus through living and fellowship rather than being told the rules.

I lift up everyone who truly recognizes that church isn't an activity or a meeting...but a life in Christ with fellow believers.

I lift up those who need more God and less religion. Who need transformation of the heart more than a pat on the back from the good lord.

I lift up the bride of Christ. His Church. You and me included.

I thank God for the struggle I had just a few days ago and how he showed up and blew my mind! Thank you Jesus. May I run to you and value Your truth over the process of religion.

I have so much more to say but I feel I should stop now....The story is still being written....

jamie

Recommended reading:

• So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore - Amazon.com
• Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices   - Especially if you've ever wondered why people dress up for church. Surprising origins.

¶ 5/22/2009 7 Comments

http://www.faithfulwordbaptist.org

Legalistic Cultural Checklist:

• Have we made sure to ignore the surrounding world that we live in?

CHECK!

What happened to "IN the world but not OF the world"?

The above youtube channel description screams of "Not of the world//we're also OUT of the world". No "movies or shows" but they obviously make use of YouTube. I don't think someone is being honest. Unfortunately, many legalists lie or live a lie to appear "good". Whitewashed tomb anyone?

wow. sad.

Disclaimer- Even though this guy above is a "baptist"..I just want it known that I attend a Baptist church..and it's  nothing like the example above.  We are a group of seekers who traded the southern-style "man upstairs" mentality that breeds this kind of legalistic "tradition over truth" for the "Amazing, life changing savior: Jesus Christ " long ago.  Have you ever heard that song "Give me that old time religion"? The only way I would want that is if I ever became discontent with Christ and just wanted a social club to grumble with others.

Sorry for the rant..but I'm just sick of folks being idiots and then attaching Jesus to it. As Matthew Turner says "Jesus needs new PR"

jamie

¶ 5/11/2009 1 Comments

Blog more often...but my time has been devoted elsewhere lately.

Here's a few things:

• Two great releases hit stores tomorrow: Free Chapel - "Power Of The Cross" & Newsboys "In The Hands Of God". I worked on the social network marketing plans on Free Chapel and I sang BGV's on the Newsboys disc. I like 'em and I'm biased.
• I don't have Swine Flu and probably won't get it either.
• Shirataki noodles are quite good and good for you.
• I'm fat and I'm sick of it. I'm doing something about it.
• Dreamweaver is neato. It makes my html world happy.
• Thursday we will likely find out what we are having.
• Honestly thinking about releasing a book. A gift book that I've had an idea for the past 5 years. I have found an avenue to get it published.
• I ate at the Indian joint 5 times last week. I have discovered 2 favorite dishes are low carb so I will continue to groove with it.
• Nice to see the GBC continue to grow, even when faced with adversity. God wins!
• Speaking of church :

Holla-

jamie

¶ 5/04/2009 0 Comments