did you know christians come with disclaimers?

In the wake of the major church scandals that are currently rocking the world and shaking the body to the core, I have come to the realization that Christians come with a disclaimer. Make a mistake big enough, or public enough - and we have the right to disclaim you. Hand you a pink slip. Cut you from the team.

In our attempts at striving for earthly perfection - a church that does not falter before the world - we are willing to discard whatever weights or weakness that would slow us down or hinder our attempts...to cut our losses, our embarassments, our disappointments. I'm sure heaven is applauding our stealth damage control methods.

I mean, one can criticize Hitler's purging mechanisms in his quest for a superior race, but one can understand how those who make bad press for the rest the law abiding churchgoers, have to endure public and private crucifixion, excommunication, and disassociation. It's for the greater good of the team. How will we maintain our influence otherwise?

But in our haste of burning bridges and making sure that the world, and those weak in the faith, do not mistakenly associate "our" level of Christianity with that of fallen leaders and fraudulants - or their ministries, we've pulled the plug on the dirty bath water.

Did someone grab the baby?

And by baby, I am referring to the whole foundation for our faith. It's a BIG baby named GRACE. Maybe you'd forgotten about her. She was born while we were yet sinners. and is currently going down the drain.

In our efforts of trying to suck up our disappointment and save face, have we ever wondered what face we are trying to save? We'd like to think we're doing heaven a favour, but is it really our own? Partnered in pride, and the fear of being deceived?
Or is it for the Saviour, who, by the way, was numbered with the transgressors. So that makes HIM one of THEM...which makes it awkward for the rest of us on the other side of a burning bridge.

When someone disgraces the cause of Christ, it is our opportunity to be graceFULL. Jesus spent his time on this disturbed planet hanging out with the scandals of the day...he associated himself with sinners because THAT'S WHO HE CAME TO SAVE!

Now there's rocket science for you. Unfortunately some of us are still in first grade, and can't seem to understand the concept.

Let us not forget the man who penned many of the psalms was an adulterer, a liar, a murderer...a man after God's own heart. Whoah!...did that all come in the same sentence? We don't have to look far in the Bible to find faults. Or maybe we've been doing less reading and more reacting...

And in our reactions, what are we teaching each other?
The next generation?
The world?
That the church really doesn't tolerate sinners.
Mistakes.
That we cannot be open about our struggles because of the shame it could bring. The awkwardness it causes. The uncomfortable realization that we might just have problems.
And so many struggle in silence...and are struggling in silence.
Afraid of the condemnation of a church that should be practicing a truth that sets people free from their sin.

Instead of pointing our fingers, gossiping with our neighbours, and backing away from the lepers, perhaps God is asking us to touch them. To be a part of the healing and restoration into their lives. Will we risk social suicide to be God in this world?

My heart aches for Mike Guglielmucci, Todd Bentley,and their families...and the countless other wounded and struggling Christians who find themselves a stones throw away from people who once called them family.

But more than that my heart aches for the family that is standing, stones in hand - ready to cut ties with the weakest link.

When will we see the forest for the trees folks?

Maybe God's idea for a perfect church on earth isn't one that lives without mistake...but one that learns to live grace regardless of the sin.

Our heroes can often lead us down pathways of seeming success......only to carry us into heartache in a moment.

I will continue to pray and support them and their families.
I will continue to number them on my team - along with all the others who will inevitably follow.
Not because I am some kind of super Christian.
But because Christ is numbered with them - and I'd rather be on His side. His dream team isn't made up of Christians who get it right all the time.
It's made up of family, striving towards one goal, thru thick or thin.


Oh...can I say one more thing?
STOP BASING YOUR FAITH ON SINNERS!
I have heard so many stories of people "losing their faith" because of idiots in the church. News flash for you...the church is primarily made up of SINNERS -which, for the record, happen to NOT be perfect, make PLENTY of mistakes and will disappoint you on NUMEROUS occasions. Why put your faith in a faulty system? We should base our faith on someone that will NEVER change, and up until this point - the only thing that hasn't is God.

casualties are never casual

I've been wrestling with some things over the past couple months. It has been an intensive process - of which I may never fully reconcile my over-analytical brain. It is the age old question of life, death, healing, and God.
hahaha...where do I start on that one!!???!!!

God has been bringing me to a new level of revelation.
A level of trust.
A level of understanding.
A place where I need to stop trying to figure it out - and just be a part of whatever He is doing.
He has been teaching me the reality of living for him in both the physical and spiritual realm.

For the past 10 months I have been contending for the healing of a woman diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer.
Because my God is big enough.
He is into the impossible.
He is a healer.

She passed away.

Did God change?
When she took her last breath, did He fail me?
Did He make a mistake?
Miss the memo?

Death is always an interesting level to find perspective.
The lions were crouching at the door...discouragement, defeat, frustration...ready to devour my faith with confusion and lies.
But as I felt the coldness of death - the powerful promises of a Sovereign God were strengthening my spirit. It's in these moments of not understanding that we need to hold onto the things we know. The truths that have been embedded into our souls. The firm foundation that we stand on. It's in these dark moments that we need to find refuge in the shadow of the Almighty...

He is a loving Father.
He is a healer.
He always turns to good the intended evil.
He works in His ways...not ours.
He is accomplishing greater things than we could ever hope for or imagine.

You see, when we give our lives to God, we are essentially giving Him the access to use it in whatever capacity He needs. We are volunteering for His kingdom. We are enlisting in a battle...a battle not fought on the wisdom of this world. We get so caught up in figuring out and helping God plan how best to be effective, that we forget our suggestions cannot grasp the complete and perfect plan of timeless and eternal God.

In every battle there will be casualties. Every war costs a life.
Some are called to bear weapons of prayer or ministry...
Some are called to the frontlines of sacrifice - giving up an earthly life so that through their death, some will receive a heavenly life.
I have personally felt the eternal beauty that comes from mortal ashes...

But there is nothing casual about the lives held within His command. The Creator of life takes life seriously. He gave His own life for it, and asks us to trust him with ours so that He may accomplish something greater in and through us than we could ever imagine.
He is precise.
He is tactical.
His timing is perfect.
No one is taken too soon.
Each life has purpose.
Each death has purpose.
We may not always see the eternal plans etched in a life - but we need to trust in the hand that holds it, and in wisdom has taken it.

And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later...with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. Romans 8

God does not ask of us a sacrifice He has not already made.
The battle for our souls was ultimately won on a cross.
When you pray for the salvation of a friend or family member,
are you ready to let Him use your life to accomplish that?
When you desire to see change in the world,
are you willing to surrender it all to see it transpire?

Even if it means going to the ends of the earth...
Or the end of the street...
That we may love the unloveable.
Touch the untouchable.

Even if it means sickness deteriorates our physical bodies...
or tragedy robs us of our loved ones...

Are we willing to be obedient...humbling ourselves to the point of death
that we may accomplish heaven on earth
and fill the sky with His glory?

When you gave your life to Jesus...did you give it all away?

Really?

Thank-you Joy...for a battle well fought.
For a faith well lived.
For your song of worship that continues to echo in this city.
For the love you so richly distributed to your family and friends.
We celebrate what God has done in and through your life.
We grieve the space in our hearts.
Heaven rejoices in your faithful servanthood
and welcomes you to an eternity of worshipping your faithful God.
For really...what can we do but sing His praise?!!!