Can't we all just be friends???!!!????!1?!!1

CAUTION: Pollyanna views ahead!

I just watched the video of Christianity Today's panel on the “emerging church” at the Christian Book Expo in Dallas — along with experts Kevin DeYoung, Tony Jones, and Scot McKnight.

I don't mean to be flippant, but that video just seemed like a very long version of one of those Macintosh vs PC commercials. The emergents of course being represented by the cool mac guy, and the more ''Orthodox” gentleman being the PC.

I was always annoyed by those commercials, because both a Mac and a PC have their place and both get the job done!!! Arguing about it means nothing to our culture other than both companies vying for a larger market share.

Why are Christians spending so much time and MONEY arguing with one another – knit picking. (As far as I can see.) I understand that to some people arguing as to whether Thomas Aquinis is fundamentally Platonic, or Aristotelian is a very important pass time. I have my own opinions, but that's all it is – an opinion. And who the heck cares if your church has pews or sofas??


Everyone should be encouraged to read the Bible and perhaps other historical and newer texts in order to develop their own view of the truth. But the only Truth that really matters is the Truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins and on the third day rose to defeat even death. And he's alive and working in each of our lives every single day.

I will never be a cool Mac. I wear glasses, need a hair cut and I'm an overweight 49 year old computer geek. But I love Jesus, with all my heart. And I strive every moment so that my words and deeds are a pleasing aroma unto my Lord and King. I often fall short, but I keep on trying.

Christians are under attack from all sides by other religions and those who profess to have no religion. Why do we have to pick each other apart too?

You can see the video here if you really want too:

http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2009/04/video-the-emerging-church/

And check out the picture of that panel above - every one of them looks like they are in great pain.

Oh and by the way: HE IS RISEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A House Divided

There is reference to a story about Tod Bentley's Florida's Lakeland Revival on a blog I read frequently. The story is entitled “Florida event causes rift in charismatic community”. And being a person who considers herself well grounded in science and technology I will admit that I have wondered about the goings on down there in the sunshine state.

In the blogsphere and elsewhere there are plenty of people who are coming out vehemently for and against this revival. Just do a Google search, you'll see what I mean!! And everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But the amount of overt bashing that I see going on between devout followers of Jesus is starting to break my heart.

We are exchanging blow for blow in the name of God and we are drawing blood. How ironic that our wish to defend the truth about our Lord ends up being a tremendous victory for darkness. The same people who struggle to see others through the eyes of grace are quick to take pot shots at people who should be considered allies.

Now please understand that I don't know much. I've only been saved for two years. And I fully admit that before I was saved I was one of those people who bashed Christians with great glee every chance I got. I often loudly accused the very Church that I now call home of being full of uneducated, obsessive, zealots. I referred to them as 'snake handlers'. And I could not have been more wrong.

I now realize that I behaved so badly towards those that follow Christ because somewhere deep within my heart I knew that they were right. And I will forever praise the God that forgave me for those grievous wrongs.

So when I see infighting between those of us who follow Christ it breaks my heart. Though I often fall short of the mark I honestly believe that every time we don't deal with things with love and the grace that God shows us that we're working for the wrong side.

I don't know much but there is one thing I do know beyond any doubt: Our God is big enough to take anything at all and turn it into gold. I'm going to trust that the Lord knows what he's doing, now and forever! Thanks Heavens!!!