An Ugly Church

I was on my way home traveling down the freeway and noticed what had to be the ugliest church I have ever seen. It was mostly brick and looked like it had a brick wall around the parking lot. The color of everything had a bright orange-mustard color to it which could easily make a person sick. There was a steeple on top of a tall part of the church that obviously did not belong there. It was some archaic looking pole that was barely noticeable. Actually, I heard someone else that I know doesn’t go to church actually say about this building that it is “disrespectful” to God.

Whoever chose the color and the steeple obviously had no idea what they were doing. I’m guessing the person who gave the “yes” on the bright orange-mustard was color-blind.

I write this not just to criticize the outside of a building but to show the lack of respect some churches and their leadership have for God and Christianity today. No reasonable person who saw the paint job would stop and check out the church. This look with the awful color and mini steeple represents the lack of interest the church has in its people, services, professionalism, and the worship of the Lord. If they care that little for the outside look, they will care even less for what they do as a church and the amount of love they have for one another.

Remember that as Christians, we are constantly being looked at by the world and they are always looking to point out a fault or mistake. Who we are on the inside is very important. It’s what God says He looks at. What we are on the outside is a representation of how we live and conduct ourselves as Christians. If we show ourselves as ugly with parts of our lives (or buildings) obviously not fitting in with the overall theme, we can easily point people away from Jesus instead of leading souls to Christ and ultimately to heaven. May all the glory go to God!

In His Grip!

For The Glory Of God

As I sat week after week in the middle on the left side of the church and listened to Pastor M.C. speak, I could sense there was something amiss. Many times I would hear the words of a bitter man who gave up his multi-level dream house and a very large income to come be a pastor of a tiny church in Phoenix. He would go on and on about how much money he was making between him and his current wife; how he was known to so many and had power and friends in high places.

In private he would speak of the couple who attended the church, a banker and his wife, and how they had tons of money and wished they would give more to the church. He discussed what other pastors in the community were making for income. He wondered aloud how much better his life would be if certain people at the church would leave and not come back.

One Sunday he began telling of what he had done while preaching the Wednesday before. He became excited telling how he jumped over the front-row pew as he was preaching. Walking back and forth, pounding on the pulpit and shouting were his trademarks.

As I read through the book “It’s Not About Me” by Max Lucado, my mind went back to those days and to this pastor. As the months went on, it became obvious that this man was in it for himself. Everything he did was to reflect on who he was and what he did even taking credit for many things he had no part in.

Lucado points out that the way we live our lives is a reflection on God. Nothing we do here on earth is for you or for me. It’s all for the glory of God. Constantly talking about the large size of a house or how much money someone brings in is pointing people to a person. Wondering aloud how his life would be better is pointing back at the person. Jumping over pews, pounding on a pulpit, or constantly moving distracts people from what the message should be about.

As we live our lives, whether in front of people on a stage or waiting in line to buy groceries, let’s remember that people are watching us and we should be reflecting the glory of God just as if we are a mirror. As John the Baptist said, we are to become less and God is to become greater.

In His Grip!

Happy Independence Day!

As I look out my window, I see a neighborhood of houses, trees, plants, rocks and grass. Towering over all is a mountain with storm clouds just above it in the distant horizon. I can hear people laughing and birds chirping. And all of this is just a small speck of this great land we call the United States of America.

Last year, I had the opportunity to travel around part of the United States and witnessed so many different landscapes. A person could travel from a hot, dry desert into a forest filled with trees reaching hundreds of feet in the air. The next mile could leave you in the middle of the country or riding along side rolling hills. Just the land is spectacular. Then add the animals spotted along the way, old and new buildings, skyscrapers and memorials. I don’t believe there has been a land so blessed by God since the early days of the Israelites.

Earlier today I watch my television as the space shuttle Discovery took off into space, astronauts viewing what few humans will ever see. The world, our country, in full view. A perfect launch from our perspective. The news reported that the shuttle was traveling over five miles every second. Kind of makes the race car drivers seem slow!

In the afternoon, reports starting pouring in that North Korea had launched over five missiles to test them for reasons I don’t even want to think about. It would be a scary story except that our military is fully prepared for any strike against us. We have the best and largest volunteer military in the world. Many have lost their lives defending the lives of others and our nation.

America has fought good fights. We fought for freedom and independence in the late 1700s allowing each person to have the freedom of religion and speech we cherish today. In the 1800s we fought each other family against family to free the slaves and to unite us once again. In the 1900s we fought Germany to overthrow an evil man and his army and to protect the world against his invasion. We fought against Vietnam and Iraq to ensure safety for those in other lands. In the 21st century, we took on the Taliban and terrorist organizations. We fought against Saddam and his troops to free the thousands of persecuted and tortured and to spread the idea of freedom we hold so strongly.

Tonight, many families will gather outside to enjoy the bright sights and loud explosions of fireworks. Not just a great show after dark, but a symbol and reminder of what we have been through. A fun way to gather Americans together as a united front to show the world that we love our freedom, we love our independence, we love the United States.

Americans have a lot to be thankful for. God has blessed us in so many ways. As Christians, let’s remember to thank Him for allowing us the privilege of living in this country and for the price Christ paid to purchase our freedom from the bondage of sin. Our lives are great below and our inheritance awaits us in heaven. Glory, glory, hallelujah…His truth is marching on!


In His Grip!