girls don't poop... ladies fart

Often times we prefer to believe that which makes our lives more convenient.  Or we would rather not know about the nitty-gritty aspects that are all a part of our human story.

This is an awesome advertisement... but it does remind me of that.

I think too often... especially in the christian sub-culture, we have learned that "girls don't poop" but in other forms.  We can ask someone how they are doing.. and although they are in the midst of a mental breakdown, a relationship problem, a crisis of faith, anger at God, or whatever... the response is normally...

 "fine"

Why do we do that?

Are we afraid of being vulnerable? Do we assume the person asking doesn't really want to know?  Are we worried of coming across as imperfect... or ungrateful?

Probably all those things, and more, at different times.... and sometimes it is wise to save your heart for those you can trust with it.

I challenge that polished porcelain throne of aromatically pleasing lies with this.... Girls do poop.  Missionaries have meltdowns, pastors struggle with lust, your grandma wants to flip off Jesus,  whatever...

As Christ followers, we are all in process of learning what it means to be sons and daughters of the King of Kings and walking out life as a co-heir of Christ... this doesn't mean we just wallow in our own filth.. but as we learn how to live authentic lives, this whole faith thing makes a lot more sense.

ladies fart.

This is a summary of what the blog is about.. the bigger the word, the more it is mentioned. I found this rather interesting... Make your own at http://www.wordle.net/

mostaza

Wow...

disclaimer: This might offend some.

In reviewing my life over the past couple years and comparing it to the other 23... I feel pretty confident saying that this has been the most difficult season of my life. A very long season also. An ecclesiastical ass kicking. Some of you will remember that I was sent out of Costa Rica to be a missionary in the TwinCities... I knew I was going to somehow act as a bridge between the church and the city but I did not have any idea that I was going to be planted in the (sarcastically) plush and vibrant soil of a suburban mega church. ouch. I have been in this environment for almost 2 complete years now.. this is the longest I have been in one spot since 2005.. and what a spot to be in... the north american evangelical suburban mega church has become my mission field and I need your prayers.

While many of the words in "north american evangelical suburban mega church" are scary.. the section that has caused the most pain and deception is "north american"

This is not because we are being attacked by the paganistic culture of the north american seculars, it is because we ( the north american "church" at large) have become a product of the culture. We are just the religious flavor a of a consumeristic society.

One of my current favorite authors, Mike Erre, pastor of Rock Harbor church in Costa Mesa, CA. puts it this way in Death by Church.. and I agree.
"We are now realizing that the monster of consumerism in the church is the monster we helped create. We ( "christians" ) built the church on a consumerist model, which focused on comfort and convenience and attracted a middle-class audience that demanded safety and security. In effect, the people came to the services to be fed. the church became a feeding trough, and the members grew comfortable, fat, and lazy. this made embracing the need to focus outward and be missional a tough sell. Ironically, Jesus took just the opposite tack - following Him was dangerous and costly. he didn't always make His messages easy for everyone to grasp. He didn't make people comfortable, and He was often carving away followers rather than attracting new ones. Sadly, in today's church, the vast majority of the church's growth comes form "church hoppers" - people who move from one church to another based on comfort and preference. in other words, we're stealing sheep instead of going out and making new disciples."


I think there is wisdom for us to reevaluate our lives and the culture of our congregations and ask ourselves "Is this what the bride of Christ is meant to be?"

Worst case scenario.... we realize we have fallen far from what Jesus called us to as His followers and we can begin to repent and move toward His calling. We can lay out the cost of what it means to be a disciple and either commit to that life or turn away from it. There is no middle ground.

Best case scenario.... you realize that you are in fact walking out the mandate, and loving God with all your heart, soul, and might in a state of re-dedication to the Lord, and doing so in a corporate movement along with other Christ followers who are ushering the kingdom of God into this world and demonstrating His love in grace in unimaginable ways. Good job, I'd love to hear more.

What if the Jesus we have come to worship in the "north american evangelical suburban mega church" is an idol? what if we have softened our perception of Christ so drastically for the sake of "reaching others" and being "seeker sensitive" that we have muffled His true calling and the actual cost of being His disciple? What if we have forfeited the Jesus of Nazareth for the Jesus of Suburbia? (another good book)

well.. maybe I am just blowing off steam, but I hope that is not the case.. I hope that someone will read this, feel uncomfortable, ask questions, and start the dangerous task of following Christ.

...or I hope a revolutionary seeking Christ will read this and find comfort knowing that they are not alone or crazy in thinking that there is something more out there than the candy coated gospel of the caucasian christ.

peace and love.

-Jreux