I really can't stand

Going to "church'.
Go ahead, throw your stones if you will. But I'm just gonna be honest with you, as always.

I seriously walk into this building I attend, and each time, I feel empty. I am made extremely uncomfortable. Because it's so fake. Seriously, if my church is a perfect picture of Christianity, I want out.
It literally looks more like a Pagan religious ritual then it does brotherly fellowship that is described in the book of Acts. The Worship is a Doldrum, Missions are nearly absent. Discipleship is pretty much unheard of. And hardly anyone knows anything of what they believe. Some of them believe so basic, it's not even basic, it's John 3:16 without the rest of the chapter, much less the rest of the book.

I walk in, I see people who look more like the same pharisees that hated Jesus then the broken rejects that would cling to Him.
I walk in with shorts and a T, and people look at me like I'm insane... can I get really "Biblical" and wear a Fisherman's garb, girding up my loins? Or be a true Baptist, covered in the dirt of the deserts and clothes of camel hair?
If someone walked into my church, with tatts and piercings, I would bet money that they would feel judged, not loved.
Going to that brick building makes me sick.

We are so caught up in that building. It's more of a club membership then the Church. Ya know? Go there a coupla times a week, participate in the standard events, and then just hang with friends? You got those people near the fence whispering, and you can't help but look over your shoulder wondering what they are saying about you. It's twisted.
We call that building, "the church". We are so wrapped up in it.
Seriously look at your church, and honestly ask yourself, how hindered the worship and ministry would be if the building burned down. Messed up.

I walk in, and I feel empty. I look around baffled, asking "this is it? this is what people have died for? this is why people have been tortured, burned, and brutally, mercilessly murdered? this, is why my Jesus died? this, this can't be it.

Don't get me wrong, I have experienced true church before. Quite often actually. I have a friend in my youth group, and we get together frequently and discuss the Bible. It's amazing. I love it. We are cracking issues that have long baffled me. I am forever grateful for him. I praise God for the time we get together, it has helped me grow so much. In fact, our time studying has led to all this conviction about the church.

You see, the beautiful thing about Christianity is that it fits all cultures. You don't have to go to a culture and change it, because Christianity fits all of them perfectly. But in America, at least as far as I have seen it, our churches have our own culture, and anyone who walks in has to conform to it.
We have to "dress our best for God" rather than come as we are.
Don't get me wrong, if you feel convicted and it is a way that you worship, then so be it! But if I choose to walk in with jeans, a hoodie and a snapback, leave me be, cause I worship by coming as I am.

Our church needs so badly to get seeking the lost. Get into the broken communities. We have so many programs, but we never go and serve like Christ did, and like the Church is supposed to.
It's heartbreaking. It's sickening.

I want to ask you to join me. Join a movement with me, and many others. To break barriers in the culture. To change our churches. Start, by just being you when you worship! Whether you are dressy, or you are messy. Be you! Don't put a mask on, be who you are.
Then, find a way to hit the culture with the gospel, introducing the broken to good news, and not a new culture. Live for God. Don't live a Pagan ritual.

Hope you get something out of this. Thanks for reading.

John Mark,

Hey, did you hear about...

I have been recently convicted, of something that I thought was extremely basic. Gossip. I guess I never noticed it. Because where I live, everyone thinks nothing of it. Everyone participates. Maybe its just because I am in a small town, where everyone knows your name.

But the more I consider this, not only does it seem silly and immature. It's not biblical. We are not supposed to talk about someone behind their backs.
And I'll be honest, it is hard not to be a part of this. It's hard not to jump into a conversation about someone. And worse yet, it's harder not to tell someone to stop! Listening to it is the same as saying it!
And another thing, am I the only one who walks away from a Gossipation (A conversation consisting of all gossip) asking what people say about me? Doesn't that just make you NOT want to trust those people?

Wouldn't it make sense then to assume that other people walk away from you (if you participate in gossip), wondering what you say about them? And generally not trusting you?
Gossip is damaging. It is damaging to the people that you say it about, to your integrity, and to your mind. Because all you can think about then is what you don't like about people. What they do wrong.
And, you become a victim. You can't help but wonder, are they mad at me? Why are they mad at me? What did I do? So on. Why? Because you've created a mentality of everyone is doing something wrong, and constantly wondering what people are saying about you.

This, if not controlled, goes into other areas, other relationships. Let's say you start to date, and that guy or girl, asks for some space, just for space. Maybe just to have some pure alone time, or to get their thoughts straight without their emotions concerning you getting in the way. If your thoughts are constantly, they are mad at me. Then your actions and words will be that way. You may even begin to talk to people about it, and may give him/her a bad image.

I write all this, jumbled mess to say, keep your mind pure. Conscience clean. Don't live your life worrying about what people are saying, and don't give room for people to wonder that concerning you. If it is not helping people, don't say it.

Thanks for reading,

John Mark,