It seems no matter where I look, I see the gospel perverted. I think one of the biggest causes is the church itself. Some churchs have it all wrong, there passion is set in the wrong position. Church seems to be more of a production now than a place to meet and worship God.

We have people ‘acting’ like they can heal people. Punching people and saying they are HEALED IN THE NAME OF JESUS! When it’s all just a show and blasphemy. We have people worried about mixers and high priced speakers. People that are worried about how the choir and band will sound on Sunday morning, instead of just simply standing on stage and singing your heart out to God. The church is suppose to be Jesus’ bride, and I think we have done a good job of destroying her.

Because of what we have done, we’re confusing people. Non Christians look at this and think we’re insane! This is the example we give them? Visiting a church and not having anyone greet you? Not have anyone shake your hand? Or playing in the church band and feeling like you need 4 years of college to understand what is going on? We’re not suppose to feel intimidated at church, we’re suppose to feel welcome, fellowship, and worship our Lord.

Wedding Dress By: Derek Webb

If you could love me as a wife
and for my wedding gift, your life
Should that be all I’d ever need
or is there more I’m looking for

and should I read between the lines
and look for blessings in disguise
To make me handsome, rich, and wise
Is that really what you want

I am a whore I do confess
But I put you on just like a wedding dress
and I run down the aisle
and I run down the aisle
I?m a prodigal with no way home
but I put you on just like a ring of gold
and I run down the aisle to you

So could you love this bastard child
Though I don’t trust you to provide
With one hand in a pot of gold
and with the other in your side

I am so easily satisfied
by the call of lovers so less wild
That I would take a little cash
Over your very flesh and blood

Because money cannot buy
a husband’s jealous eye
When you have knowingly deceived his wife

This is one of my favorite songs. It’s talking about how we have perverted the church. Something that was made to be pure and stay that way, we have made a whore. We just put the church on like a wedding dress and just trash it.

“With one hand in a pot of gold and with the other in your side” is talking about how we’re focused on money. We sit in church and may say an amen or two. We may put on an act and seem happy, but we really are greedy and have one hand in a pot of gold, and another in Jesus’ side.

We have to get back to the bible. We have to preach God’s word, not be afraid of it. We have to sit and listen and soak it in, and not be worried about how the service will go. Or what time we should cut the holy spirit off and leave, so everyone can go eat lunch.

We are so worried about ourselves. If we might go hungry, or if we might get bored. NEWS FLASH! WE DON’T MATTER! It’s all about JESUS! At least it’s suppose to be, we’ve turned it into something else. Let’s stand back and let GOD do HIS work in us, maybe if we did we would not screw things up so much.

We are not something to be glorified, Jesus is. We don’t matter, Jesus does. It’s not about our feelings, problems, selfishness, it’s about Jesus. In everything we do, we should glorify Him.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

- Ephesians 6:10-18

I am very surprised to find out, evangelism is not in every church. You can tell some have a ‘heart’ for it, but others could care less. When the preacher says “Go tell someone about Jesus this week” it just glazes over them. What is the point in anything, if we’re not going to live right and witness to people? Isn’t this what the bible says to do after all? We are suppose to be like Jesus, not like Satan. We’re suppose to be like Jesus, not the world. We’re not suppose to look or smell like the filth of the world, if you want to and you do, something is wrong.

What is the point of going to church, reading the bible, and working for God, if we are not going to witness? Christians should know better, but it seems we do not. We’re more concerned about getting a joke in, making someone laugh and feel good, than talking about Jesus. It seems things are more about us now a days, than Jesus. WHY?!

WE are not better than the homeless man walking down the street. You see how he’s dressed? How he may smell? That’s our sins to God! Yet we drive by them, and make a ‘gross’ face because they don’t look pleasing to us. WE ARE NO BETTER! And it’s not because of anything we have done, it’s because of what Jesus did. We are all humans, we all have a heart and soul. Because someone makes less money or is considered ‘middle class’ doesn’t mean we should shun them. It comes down to the saying… What would Jesus do?

So, can we please get back to the gospel? Can we please seek Christ and not ourselves? Can we please be more concerned about how others are going to spend eternity, and not worry about how hungry we may feel? Can we please show others Christ and not filthy sins of the world? Can we PLEASE?! Because we are perverting Christ, His bride, and everything He stands for with our stupidity.

We can’t just stay in our “Christian” pot, stewing with other Christians. We have to get out there! We have to tell others about Jesus, this is what the bible says! We should listen to God’s word and put actions to what we say we’ll do. Let’s do this! We have Jesus, and we can do all things through Him(Phil. 4:13).

Can we please, glorify Jesus? Can we please?

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!

It’s so easy for us to get caught up in things, during this time of the year. We’re in such a hurry to put up our Christmas decorations, make sure we have all the groceries for Christmas supper. We make sure we have the right present for this and that person. While decorating the tree, are you thinking of Jesus? While you are angry as angry can be, because people wont move in the store… are you thinking of Jesus?

And if we are thinking of Jesus, of His birth.. Are we thinking of something that is sqeaky clean? Are we thinking of a pretty little stable, with animals, Mary, Joseph, and the wise men around?

And when Mary gave birth, are we thinking she took an epidural? She was in an air conditioned room, with doctors around? No, she was in pain. No experts we around, and then Jesus was born. After His birth, He wasn’t wearing a nice onesie with a cute little hat. He was barely wrapped up in cloth, the only real warmth he got that night was from His mom holding Him close.

We get so settled in ourselves. We have to make sure our houses look just right for the holiday company. We drive our expensive cars and live in our fancy houses, and yet we forget that God has made it possible for us to have this. If it wasn’t for His birth, we would all be going to Hell. Our sins are dangerous and are filth! We are stinky rotten sinners, we deserve Hell. I am thankful that Jesus was born and that he died for our sins.

Jesus didn’t grow up with an ipod. He didn’t live in a nice 3 story house, his mom didn’t drive a lexus. He walked around in sandles and built things with His hands. Jesus didn’t once complain about how He lived, it was a blessing to Him. He walked the earth and he endured MUCH pain for our stupid sins, we should be thankful for this. We should be thankful for all He’s done.

Instead… Christmas lights are more important. Christmas presents are more important. Food, pointless conversation with family, worries, problems, are more important than Jesus. You see, He died knowing we would still be this way. How can we treat our king this way? He needs to be number one ALWAYS. It doesn’t matter what is going on, or what is fixing to happen. If God is first, we can’t go wrong.

So, when you are sitting down on Christmas day. Ready to eat that big fat turkey, and ready to inhale some gravy. Please remember Jesus and give him THANKS! For without Him, we are NOTHING! He has made it possible for us to endure eternal life! We don’t deserve it in the least bit, but He still gave His life for us. Would you do it? Sure, you might do it for your husband/wife. Your brother or sister. Would you do it for someone you badly dislike, maybe even hate? A person you can’t stand to be around?

He saw our sins and He died for them. Walking with Him isn’t a pretty walk. Roses are not always in bloom and birds are not always singing the perfect songs. People will hate us because they hated Jesus. We will endure pain because Jesus endured pain. And we might even have to die for Jesus, and it’s worth it. Because I know my God is real and He’s alive!

He’s watching YOU and He knows YOUR heart. What will you do for HIM this Christmas? Will you repent and put your trust in Jesus Christ? Will you realize you are a nasty sinner and in need of HIS forgiveness? Or will you chicken out and still live for a dying, rotten world?

You will never get anywhere, running around in circles. Take Jesus’ hand and let Him lead you on the right path. Life wont be perfect, but you are surrendering to a just Saviour. Stop putting faith in things that are temporary, put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas!

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O Holy Night - Nicci Keathley

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

He’s running to catch his breath,
but he can hardly breathe.
Running away from all his problems,
he says it never works for me.

He’s wondering where to run too next.
He’s faster than all the rest.
If I can just make it over this mountain,
I can beat this.

Ten thousand mountains later,
he’s at it again.
Reacuring dreams and nightmares,
he’s on sinking sand.

And he doesn’t know where to go.
But he will never admit it.
Just another sarcastic remark,
and a smile.
He’ll fool them all.

But not God.

He knows all.
He can fix your pain,
he can wash away your sins.

He’s pulling you closer.
But you wont let him in.
He is real, God is real.
Not dead.

We are all sinners, we deserve hell.
But Jesus died and made a way,
so we could see his face.

Stop running backwards, run forward
to the king.
It’s not religion you’re needing,
It’s Jesus.