The Search

Posted Wednesday, September 26, 2012, at 12:09 PM

I walked down a street with churches on each side
One had promised prosperity but they had lied

Another had many activities for folks to enjoy
Always the latest gimmick, program, and toy

One had music coming from it that was way too loud
Those on the stage got much praise from the crowd

Another had "bouncers" who stood at the door
Unless they met standards their pleas were ignored

And then there was the great monument to man's ingenuity
Invest with these folks and you receive an annual anuity

I wanted to fellowship not be part of a crowd
Go where it was okay to be different it was allowed

At the end of the street down an alley I saw
I saw a sight that filled my spirit with awe

Gathered around a burn barrel the homeless had met
Waving me towards them I found a place and set

These folks were different but different was okay
When you speak they actually listen to what you say

They spoke of a Jesus they knew intimately
Everything they had they shared freely

No one was in charge but each one had a part
It was beautiful to see ministry from a servant heart

I had searched for church until church found me
Now I am part of church the way it was intended to be

.....peace.....

Comments
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Food for thought! So many think finery is worship. So many think entertainment is church. So many think a name over the door gives entrance into heaven.

-- Posted by swift on Wed, Sep 26, 2012, at 3:18 PM

Thanks for a beautiful post, this really reminds me of my spiritual walk. I have experienced many times of highs and lows. I really don't believe this pleases our Lord the many ways we see in these troubled times.

Thank you Mr Greene for this post today.

-- Posted by Dexterite1 on Thu, Sep 27, 2012, at 6:03 AM

Beautiful testimony, Gordon. Christians who are hateful and, especially those who are immersed in politics, should read this.

-- Posted by goat lady on Thu, Sep 27, 2012, at 6:16 AM

Whenever church is a verb and not a noun there is "unseen" revival. Those in darkness are not lured to this "church" by what we can do for them but are drawn by our lives. They see Jesus. And feel acceptance.

Church is community not competition. It is a family not a business. We all have a place in this church, a ministry, and a call.

One night I was riding around with Lucas enjoying a storm when I saw "whole sky lightning". It was awesome. Soon after we got off Highway 60 over by the hospital. As we came back toward town on the overpass Lucas commented that he now believes Dexter is a city because it has so many lights.

Whenever we think of revival we almost always think of "whole sky lightning". A powerful display of the power of GOD and everyone goes, "Wow!" Seldom do we think of it as a community of lights.

W hen

O ur

R eality

S hows

H is

I ntended

P urpose

Christian light has been replaced by Christian lite. A cup of cold water in Jesus name has been replaced by energy drinks with a church's name. Have we not learned the lesson from the Mount of Transfiguration to not capitalize on the vision but to understand it?

I have now been part of the church in Stoddard County for over 30 years. On this journey called life I have fellowshipped in many churches and Jesus has been in each one. I have met many "LIGHTS". Are we perfect? No. We are family. We have our problems, our differences, and our flaws. But love has a way of making it all work often in spite of our best efforts.

I once shared "Jonah Christian version" (one of the first writes of this blog) with someone who has left the church to enjoy the freedom of life in Christ without the trappings and flaws of church. In an email he responded yes to it and added his very negative thoughts about church. I added this. Didn't mean to. Didn't even really want to. Oh well.....

This bus is full of people who have left the church for all the obvious reasons.

Wilderness Or Bust sign tied onto its rugged side. As it leaves the organization and hypocrisy of the church it heads to the City of True Disciples.

The bus passes a man staggering, bloody, carrying his bride in his arms. Her white dress smudged by his blood and dirt. Is she asleep or sick or hurt?

"Driver, please stop! We need to help those people."

"Sit down, son. I've tried many times to get that man on this bus."

"Many times?"

"Yes, many times. But he always insists that he will not give up on his church."

.....peace.....

-- Posted by apureheart on Thu, Sep 27, 2012, at 7:34 PM

yes, goatlady, and not just read it but walk in the light of it.

Lord, help me to be more compassionate of others. Lord, if my political involvement is a hindrance or an obstacle, then Lord help me to find my way out of its entanglement. Lord, help me to know the difference between standing up for the truth and mere standing up for ideology. Lord, help those who dissagree with my opinions to be patient with me and to pray for me. I need their prayers! They are my brothers and sisters too! Lord, help me to be willing to give up my opinions to get on the bus of true Christianity.

-- Posted by swift on Mon, Oct 1, 2012, at 3:57 PM

A Pure Heart

Gordon Greene

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I have the heart of a poet, the eye of an artist, and dress like a bum. I am no one important. No title, no position, no authority. Just a normal person. But I know Jesus. And Jesus knows me. And this relationship has changed my life and continues to change my life. I have no desire to be known but great desire for others to know Jesus. I would like to blog about Jesus, christian living, church, hurting, hope. I do not want to lead this blog but follow it wherever it leads.

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