DISQUS

I'll believe it when I see it.

The problem is when you survey internet activists and other tech geeks you get a pretty scewed perspective. For every techy out there, 3 people still using old technology. I heard people in the 90's talk about the United States turning into a paperless society because of the internet. The exact opposite has happened.

I am a admitted tech geek, but I do not and will not own a cell phone with internet access. It's a completely excessive and wasted monthly expense for me. I much prefer looking at my 17" laptop screen and typing on a keyboard anyway.

When we become so dependant on the internet that we have to have access every second of the day, it borders on addictive behavior. No thanks. I'm already online way too much.

#8. We openly hate our enemies and find personal joy in God's impending judgement of others. I can't tell you how many times I've read or heard the words of judgemental Christians finding satisfaction in the eternal doom of sinners. A sort of "wait till those evil people get theirs" sort of attitude.

They might want to take a moment to read Matthew 7:1-5. Although they'd have a little trouble reading the words past the log in their eye.

Just in case God would miss it, they decided to put the cars right up on the altar. Not quite the same as praying to a golden cow, but pretty close.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/08/us/08pray.htm...

Bailout or not, we are the wealthiest nation in the world. God gives Americans more blessings than any of us deserve. Even homeless people in America have more than the majority of people in the world. Let's all get over ourselves and stop treating God like our personal Genie.

I was stunned to read an article about Christians laying hands on the Golden Bull statue on Wall Street. They were praying for our economy to turn around. Praying to Golden Bull statues for our financial wealth? Thankfully for them, God doesn't smite people nearly as often as he did in Old Testament times.
http://www.cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/cindy_ja...
http://wonkette.com/403920/jesus-people-pray-th...

Or pray for lower gas prices. Keep it up, it looks like this prayer is working.
http://www.thehilltoponline.com/biz_tech/1.461045

Maybe I should pray to win the Lottery. Then I'd have everything. Right?

The Mad Church Disease is a big problem. Anne, your blog is a wonderful place for people to meet and discuss this issue without feeling guilty or judged.

This "Disease" applies to church volunteers as well. Juggling a 40 hour a week job, family, and other responsibilities is a challenging circus act. One minute you're on fire with the Spirit, but soon the fire leaves you feeling like a tired pile of ashes. I'm not sure there is a perfect solution since I believe this cycle is part of what it means to be a Christian. You can't be on a mountain top all the time because eventually it stops feeling like a mountain top. We typically learn more in the down times anyway. I think that the most important thing is to be self aware of when ministry becomes more about "having" to do it instead of yearning to do it.

There were several factors. Admittedly one of the biggest being a personal decision to find life balance with 2 young children and a demanding job.

But the single biggest factor was the "mega churching" of the ministry. I used to play with the same people every week and every church service. It was a creative band and a small group that shared much more than music. We connected with the music, each other, and most of all with God. With the new structure I couldn't have felt more disconnected. The small group was gone, the music became a cookie cutter approach and the structure made me feel more like a cog in a machine than a member of a ministry. I stood playing at a church service and realized how much more I'd be worshiping by singing praise in the congregation with my family. Rather than standing on a stage with people I barely know plunking on a bass.

Small groups are the only way mega churches will survive.

I have mixed feelings on this topic. We have strength in numbers, but I'm often concerned that mega churches get lost in the details. It takes a huge amount of effort to organize a church of that size. And from my experience, highly organized process always leads to less freedom and discovery. There are so many gears and parts moving at the same time that it limits what people can do. The church has to be set in jello to allow God to mold and form it.

I used to be heavily involved in the music ministry because it was a beautiful place for fellowship, creative expression, but most of all to connect with God. As my church has reached mega proportions it required reorganization to a much more rigid, standardized process to the music ministry. My involvement began feeling more like a job and less like joy. If I'm not filled with joy in my service, my time is better spent elsewhere.

So there is an important balance that is very difficult to achieve. Big church . . . but somehow small at the same time.

When you look at both campaigns is doesn't take a rocket scientist to see which candidate is the stronger leader. The greatest leaders are smart enough to realize that they don't know everything. So they surround themselves with smart people, even people that don't agree with them. This is what Obama did and why his campaign was so successful.

This is the same way a good president works. We are not under a dictatorship. In order to make the right decisions for our country, we needed a president that opens his ears before his mouth.

Amen.

Church is not a self help group. And pastors don't have a quick fix to your problems. Church is the place we gather together to focus on God, not ourselves. Pastors over-function for their people, and we are guilty of under-functioning for each other.

A quick answer to the question. Yes.

I do not support or believe in abortion. All life is sacred. That being said, it is ridiculous for Christians to preach as though they know who "God's choice" is.

The Bible proclaims that all governmental leaders have been put in place by God. This includes the evil leaders of Jesus' time. If Christians believe that God is in control, why do so many feel the need to spread hate and fear to convince people to vote for "God's choice". Doesn't that make him a small "g" god? Do you actually think God is going to be surprised by who wins the election in 5 days?

God didn't tell us to save the world by voting for perfect leaders ... because they don't exist. He also didn't tell us to spread slanderous statements about people we don't agree with. Or to live in fear of the unknown. He said to love the world, love your enemies, and pray without end.

Sin falls on both ends of the political spectrum, so vote how ever you feel led. Then take a deep breath and remember who is really in charge.