Be The Church

When people discover my faith, one of the first questions they ask me is “What church do you go to?”

which there in lies the issue... at this point in my life, I do not belong to an institutionalized church. I certainly don’t claim a denomination. I am not your basic “Professional” Christian. I am a follower of Christ our Savior. Its Funny, as soon as I personally find out if some one is a christian I don't think to myself, "I wonder what church they go to?” or "I wonder which doctrines they follow". Im just pleased to hear they know Yahshua, known more commonly as Jesus. So let me share my Testimony…

I was attending a Non-denominational church after going through some major pit falls in my life. I was apart of the praise and worship team helping lead the body of christ in worship. while attending this church I posted Blogs on This very page “Wisdom By Failure” that fired up the congregation. The first one was called: 

“The "BRIDE OF CHRIST" is NOT the CHURCH" (Click to View)
This had many of the members talking about it, some agreeing, some not sure what to say, but definitely got them talking. In fact so much so, the Senior pastor made sure to make mention of its presence from the pulpit that following Sunday. It was a doctrine he valued heavily. None the less it started the ball rolling. The next one was less controversial and more stating the illumination of “RELATIONSHIP > RELIGION" (Click to View)

The next Bring up the Controversial topic of Christians and Tattoos called 

"Soul Tattoo” (Click to View)

now understand, I look like someone who belongs “In a band” I guess you could say…hair and all. So this also made me stick out from a majority of the congregation. Many mentioning how refreshing it was to see that diversity on the worship team.

These 3 Blogs where enough to create anticipation of what I might say next.  Church Gossip can be relentless and was a catalyst for rocketing my articles all the way to the Head of the church,  to the guy sitting in back running sound. The Next Article would Lead to me being escorted out of the church.

This one was called PRESS TO DRESS. (Click to View)

In this post, Im bringing attention to the Fact that we as a "Church" where focusing to much on Image. In the post, I gave no mention of the church I attend or the member of which whom Addressed me with the complaint that my attire was not up to par. I discussed the practice of the “Professional” christian and what Jesus had to say about it.  telling members to follow a pre set standard of dress code. I knew this post would ruffle feathers but i was assured by the Lord of its use. A seed will be planted no matter who takes offense. 

PAUSE: being raised in a military family and having to relocate all the time exposed me to a new church every 2 to 3 years my entire life. I’ve been in  little churches, I’ve been in congregations over 5,000 churches, I’ve been to Assembly of God, Church of God, Nazarene, Holy spirit Tongue speaking to no dancing thats frowned upon, revival churches, all of the churches…. Ive seen Religion, I’ve seen bondage, I’ve seen a Lot. I thank our heavenly father for blessing me with this and the wisdom received for it. It was time…YHWH was calling me out of the Building and into Him. 

PLAY: I sensed in my spirit I would come under attack and was ready. As I walked into the church and approached the stage where we worshiped from, the pastor and his wife, who was also the praise and worship leader said ”We gotta’ Talk" and motioned for me to follow them to the back room. I Followed. Both were visibly upset, the wife shaking due to nerves. It was explained to me that it was felt that I owed her an apology because of how the post made her look. (which I made no mention in my article of who approached me) However this statement perplexed me, given that they did not see the irony in their words, the fact that the article was literally about focusing to much on Image, this was the very thing the article addressed yet they were blind to it.. I was eventually told I was no longer welcome to worship with them. “ I Asked why they were giving me their grievances instead of giving them to God?” I then pointed out how it would be better to glorify our heavenly fatherly standing on that stage together in Love and worship and not allow what others think to cause division” they ignored my responses with defending their decision. At this point I held out my hand which was still as a board and said “In christ we have peace, why is it my hand is not trembling like those who persecute me?” a blatant move to point out how visibly distraught both were, trembling with adrenalin. I was prepared for this move, so when I saw the vail was pulled over their eyes I removed myself. As I was making my way off the stage the other lead praise and worship pastor spoke up and said “Ill walk him out” as to ensure I didn’t stick around for the service I suppose. As I walked with him, he expressed his disappointment in me explicitly saying these words “How do you think that made me look?” given he had vouched for me to join the worship team. once again focusing on Image and how others will perceive him. He was so offended I had to remove his finger from my chest as he had let himself invade my personal space and physically press his finger to me. I was quick to rebuke his actions and pointed out his trespass. These things were witnessed by members of the congregation. They saw leadership behaving in ways that shocked them, a fire was started. I know for a fact…they have "Loosened up" on their dress code policy…hey its a start!!! a Seed was planted. We are uncomfortable with weaknesses because recognizing them means we are not enough. Each time he said, "My GRACE is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  2 Corinthians 12:9 

So why don’t you go to a different church you may ask? Well I do... in a way...a biblical way...It pushed me to evangelize even more. Encouraging me to take a stand against the religious community. Eventually starting a Family Ministry of my own called "Mustard Seed Ministries Ink". I have been able to grow closer to YHWH  through my ever growing relationship with his beloved son Yahshua more now, than ever. Ive been a Christian my entire life. I gave my heart to Christ at the age of six and never looked back. I have spent my entire adult life teaching scripture, encouraging others to hold on to God as they walk through the fire. As I have found myself walking through a season of trials—a season of losing dreams, my finances, my marriage, my "Church"—my faith has become my own. It has been a long, painful process, but I completely understand Job’s sentiment. As I look at my relationship with Christ today in comparison to what it used to be, it is as if I had only heard about him before. Today, I have tasted and I know that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8)! 

I LIVE MY FAITH. Christ is my Sabbath. Abba Father Willing, I up hold The Greatest of His Commands, Loving YHWH with all my Soul and Loving my neighbor as Christ loved us. Im glad the Institutionalized Church is there for the Lost souls who find christ because of it. But as for me, the Church has left the building.

That feeling of "Lacking"

"As I get older” I guess you could say, things get clearer and priorities get real. 

Its hard to imagine having a midlife crisis in my future. Ive done, experienced and accomplished an incredible amount of things that create the most vivid memories. Im not anxious, stressed or worried... Im Happy. Like Legit Happy. 

(Are we invested in other peoples Happiness?) 

I must admit, I desire for very little because most of my Hearts Desires are being granted before I even realize I desire the very thing given. However there is this one thing that I’ve come to realize I desire that I seemingly don’t Have. 

Companionship. 

Now I know what you may be thinking… “aren’t you a christian? shouldn’t Christ be enough?”… if you weren’t thinking that …I was, So naturally I looked into this.

The very first thing that you should come across while researching this should be Genesis 2:18 

“And Yahweh Elohim said “It is not good for man to be alone, I am going to make a helper for him, as his Counter part.” Enter Eve, the helper and lover of Adam.

Depending on your translation it may say something like “I will make a helper suitable to him” or  something similar but ultimately…the same. So right off the bat in the 2nd chapter of the very 1st book in the Bible, we have God telling us Companionship is essential… but to be even more clear, This scripture is specifically noting this particular companionship is not with him, but with another. 

You have to understand at this point Ive already been Married and yet, Divorced. Ive tasted Companionship the way God intended. What its like to have someone in your life that is completely invested in you as much as you are with them. From the very big decisions to the little ones, like "what movie are we gonna watch tonight?”. 

In fact it is those very "seemingly minuscule" things I miss the most. As of now, Ill watch a funny movie… laughing so hard I can’t breathe… yet, Id be doing all this alone. I can’t deliver a "zoolander" line to christ and watch him bust up laughing... I can’t refer to it in a situation where mentioning may be perfect comedic timing… are you following me? 

Im not talking about “sex” either... However companionship can be actually expressed in good sex. Im talking about someone you trust which is an essential ingredient of companionship… not just friendship… but REAL companionship. Someone we can talk with and just as importantly, someone we can be silent with. We experience some of these things with our Good friends, but even still as the saying goes "unless they’re going to bed with you at night and waking up with you in the morning, its lacking". Ive experienced similar companionship with roommates and even my band mates. But those things even seem to fade with time. A Godly companion however encourages their counterpart in holiness, edifies them by cultivating their own spiritual life, contributing to the economic well-being of the relationship, makes them laugh, makes them think on a deeper level, and so much more. Companionship is a tremendous blessing, in both large and small ways. So ultimately, there's this feeling in me of “lacking”. Don’t get me wrong, God is absolutely enough!!!  And you may even want to raise the question that  aren’t we living in a world corrupted by sin? couldn't this be why we need companionship in this world? That being said I hope you understand God didn’t just express the need for companionship after the world fell to sin…but before. Thats right… we’re talking a "perfect world" and yet God says "It is not good for man to be alone”  even in this perfect world. 

Then the Next Verse I came across was the apostle Paul recognizing that "it is better to marry than burn" with desire (1 Corinthians 7:9). Hold up… so now we have an apostle suggesting That it is better for a Man to Marry, which by design offers real and deep companionship, rather then to seek that companionship through other superficial means of pleasure. 

In fact verse after verse it becomes abundantly clear that Jesus did not live selfishly. He did not sequester himself. He took a bride for His own, loving her sacrificially. Loving Us. 

so whats my point?

That if you’re feeling lonely or lacking… find peace in knowing this is how we were designed, its why we seek christ in the first place.... because what we lack, is the very thing our Heavenly Father offers. I could easily get side tracked on how this furthers my thoughts concerning pursuing your Relationship with Christ over your religion with him, but thats for a different post all together. 

None the Less, I want to be real with you… just because Christ is Enough, doesn’t mean we don’t have the moments that weigh heavy on our Hearts as we realize or reflect on our lack of companionship in this world. Once again, I have great Family and Friends in my life…and my Relationship with Christ is unshakable…but even I can have a moment where I feel the absence of true companionship made so evident from the memories of my marriage, then having it taken away. Ive come so far since then, but its all still very real. And let me just say it is a weird and difficult struggle to convey, wanting companionship but the fear of that same companionship potentially being a distraction to your relationship with God. Its like I actively seek companionship, yet I actively don’t. When you catch yourself reflecting on the lack of companionship in your life, it shouldn't take long to easily counter that with the revelation of the one companion who’s always been there, closer than a brother and all the work he's been doing in your life because he choose you.

Proverbs 18:24 

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KJV ONLY!?

Are you a King James Version only person? 

Let me ask you... Do you believe the KJV is a direct copy of the original Aramaic Hebrew scripts and scrolls including the eye witness accounts? Or do you In fact understand that the KJV would undoubtedly have translational issues given English didn't even exists in the days of Christ. That multiple languages derive from the fall of Babel. A result of sin.
It's not to hard to grasp that the KJV is indeed "The" Bible...That God wants "some" people to read. Our Heavenly Father knows how he will speak to the individual through his word. In spite of translation. You should understand that God may have an individual drawn to the NASB or NIV because he knows he will speak to them through it... In spite of its translation.
Either way it's Gods word. And if you are truly seeking A Heart after Christ, then Gods already talking to you...In spite of which translations you hold in your hand. Don't underestimate The Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that truly allows one to hear Gods Word.
No matter what, people need to understand it's not just a Translation issue, it's a mind set. As we spend more time studying His Word and understanding what the Father's Plan is and what He wants from us ... as we begin developing a relationship with His indwelling Holy Spirit through a daily prayer life-Scriptures in the Word begin to jump out at us... we are suddenly seeing messages and meaning in His Word that we've never quite noticed before. 

In the end,  I think surrendering such decisions to God is what he really wants anyways.

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