Consistency (Part One-Maybe)

One thing that seems to be lacking in the world today...particularly in the Church...is consistency. When I look at the actions and opinions of many in the Church in comparison to the principles and specific directions found in scripture, I often find myself scratching my head. Now, none of us are perfect by any means. We all...especially me...sin and mess up every single day. What I'm talking about here is the flagrant inconsistency in ones actions...a conscious decision in many cases to separate life from faith.

One really obvious area of inconsistency we see is in politics. I am always amazed to see or hear about a person of faith...a Christian...who holds opinions that are in opposition to their faith. Very often, this is someone who identifies themselves as "Democrat" or "Liberal". However, there are many who consider themselves "Conservative" who are equally inconsistent. I realize I'll be using some broad brushes here, but bear with me if you will.

In general, a politically liberal agenda includes support of abortion. It is completely accepting of a "if it feels good, do it" mentality by negating the sanctity of marriage and with the open acceptance of homosexuality, cohabitation, promiscuous sex, and the like.

Scripture is clear regarding sanctity of life and sexual abstinence except within the confines of marriage...which is clearly defined as the union of one man and one woman. In these most basic areas, then, to be a social liberal (currently associated primarily with "Democrat"), one must necessarily maintain beliefs in direct opposition to God.

We could discuss economic ideology along the same lines. Liberal economics very often include the idea of higher taxes, more spending, and larger government controlling welfare and other programs. These ideas are geared toward governmental control of larger populations under the guise of providing "help", or "support" to the poor. Isn't care for the poor more a task for the Church than for the government? Sure...you can argue that if the Church were effective in this area the government wouldn't have to do it. Perhaps that's true...but until the government reduces its size and consequently its need to be fed massive amounts of cash (removing it from the pockets of the people), there isn't much opportunity for the Church to step up.

Alarmingly, more and more people who identify themselves as "Conservative" are exhibiting many of these same values...or at least an apathy or passive acceptance of them. It's very sad that, very often today, the Church doesn't share God's ideas and values.

What does this inconsistency look like in every day life? Obviously, the candidates in an election that a believer supports can reveal tremendous inconsistency. It can be seen on Facebook or Myspace sites in the groups joined, or just in the language used. It is apparent in day to day life in the choices made and how activities are prioritized. Statistics of the numbers of instances of adultery, unwed pregnancy, pornography use, etc... in the Church reveal inconsistency vividly.

Now...I don't pretend to never exhibit any inconsistency. It is an area, though, that I pay very close attention to. If, as a child of the Living God, I want my life to reflect Him when others look at me, I must be as consistent with God's view as humanly possible. To place my opinions above His is to elevate myself above God. I urge all believers to examine themselves and reconcile themselves to God's ideology in any area found to be in opposition. This is being a follower of God.

Blessings to you all,

Ron

The Big Dream

So...I want to tell you a story if you will indulge me for a moment or two. It's the story of a dream...and of the Dream Giver.

For many years, I've had a desire to do something musically, and as my faith continued to grow and mature, the desire was certainly focused on Christian music. about 3 years back while leading a small group in our home, the topic of using your gifts and talents to serve God kept coming up. While my fellow small group members regularly urged me (it was nagging, really) that I had some musical talent, I continually backpedaled from that. You see, I believed then (and still do) that my talent is mediocre. Why would God want mediocre when He's gifted sooooo many so incredibly (don't you just want to smack Steven Curtis Chapman some times for all the talent HE got?).

Well...after much prodding, nagging...and prayer, I finally gave in. I said "God...I don't know what you want to try to do with this meager offering, but here it is". I gave the dream over to the Dream Giver.

Well...He got busy. First, the idea for the Bud 'n Bubba musical comedy act was born, so I got busy writing a few songs for them (that are CERTAIN to be classics someday). I thought "this is great...silliness with a message about Christ...this is perfect. God's gonna make this big". I was also called on at the church I was attending at the time to begin to be the fill-in worship leader. After a time or two of doing that, it was clear to me that this was NOT what God wanted me to do with music...it certainly was not what I wanted to do.

Well...God has a sense of humor. About a year and a half ago, it was time to move on to another church in the area. We felt led to a certain place...a place that had just had a minister removed along with his wife and daughter who were the worship leaders. This place had a need. They had a group of people who stepped up and stepped in to fill the gap to lead worship temporarily (praise God for willing servants), but they were on the lookout for someone to step in and lead that ministry regularly. Now remember...I had already declared that Worship Leader was NOT what God called me to do.

I was wrong, apparently. God plugged Jen and me in at that place and has had us there serving week in and week out for over a year now. The team has grown to include a full band and several rotating singers and our congregation seems to be very pleased. Now...I don't have much musical training. I can read music a bit, understand harmony a little...that kind of thing. So, what did I do with this lack of training? I started a choir I don't know how to direct.

Tomorrow, our Peachcrest Christian Church adult choir has it's debut with a mini-musical for Christmas during the Worship service. I'm very proud of this group. These men and women have given up a good deal of time on Sunday afternoons for several weeks to muddle through with a choir director who doesn't know how to direct a choir. They're doing so well and I'm so very thankful for them.

What they don't know is that they have been pulled in to what the Dream Giver is doing with my dream. Only because God said so would I have taken this on. So far out of my comfort zone is this Choir thing that it has to be God directing it. The members of our PCC choir are being used by God as part of the way he's using me and causing my meager little talent to be multiplied and poured out. It's a very humbling thing to see...and more so to be a part of.

Perhaps I'll share this with the Choir tomorrow. Perhaps they should know they are a blessing...and that God is using them as a part of the dream God is fulfilling...not for me, but through me for His Glory and for His people's sake.

May God be praised and His will be done.

Thank you to: Jen, Patti, Scott, Tim, Donna, Adam, Jeff S, Debbie, Jeff W, Ed, Russ, David, Phyllis, Cash, Kristy, Paulina, Brandon. You are all a blessing to me and obedient servants to the Most High God.