Grilling Sacred Cows – The Tithe: Finale

How is it sometimes, that appetizers and leftovers are more satisfying than the main course?

While I do not think that this final installment is the chef’s kiss, for some reason it reminds me of appetizers and leftovers.

In the course of an actual meal, some of the thoughts below may have been better served as appetizers in the first post. With the main meal being in the second post and, of course, some of the thoughts below being served as leftovers in the finale.

Nonetheless, here it is in all its glory, or lack thereof to do with it what you will. All in all, I do hope if edifies in one way or another.

If you haven’t read the first two installments, I’d suggest you start with these links: Part 1 and Part 2.

Bon Appetit

Tom

The Bone to Pick

As I’ve revisited and revised this series, I noticed something. The bone I have mainly to pick regarding this subject revolves around a certain area of Christianity. The practice of tithing that I have been describing to you seems to be more prevalent in the Pentecostal or Charismatic Evangelical circles as well as “non-denominational” Evangelical churches who, from my impression, usually have a contemporary flair to them with some flavor of Pentecostal or Charismatic, though they usually do not go as far down the path. To be sure, with very few exceptions, as I was reflecting on my time of “comparing notes” years ago with other believers about their church experience, I was talking to many people who had come out of churches with similar backgrounds and scriptural leaning. Looking back, I would dare say the majority of pastors, teachers, preachers and evangelists – well known or unknown – who preached the tithe as I learned and understood it, were predominantly in the those circles. Further, in varying degrees of belief or support, they were connected to the Prosperity Gospel and “name it and claim it” bunch.

I was tempted to put a list of the “well-known” preachers and evangelists on here, but I decided that wasn’t what I was after. I will mention one, however, as he has apparently repented of his prior teachings: world-renowned televangelist and mega-church pastor, Creflo Dollar renounced past teachings on giving and tithing. He went so far, the article states, to say in his message, “throw away every book, every tape, and every video I ever did on the subject of tithing.“ How about that!

As my wife and I look for a church to attend in our area, imagine the surprise and relief of yours truly after visiting a few churches in my area and seeing that they do not harp on, belabor or take any sort of time preaching on tithing or giving. Of the services we’ve been to, these particular churches either perform a song and pass the plate around for those who wish to give during that time, or they have a giving box located in the back of the church for people to give as they wish – or both.

Giving to your church body in a faithful manner isn’t wrong by any means. Hopefully I’ve made that clear in the subtext. My bone to pick is with anyone who uses Scriptures to emotionally manipulate money out of the hands of believers and in to the coffers of a church or pockets of a minister.

Leftover Malachi served with a sprig of Matthew

I want to first refresh your memory with the oft quoted command of tithing as captured in the book of Malachi:

“Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
‘In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.
⁹ You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
¹⁰ Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

¹¹ “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the Lord of hosts;
¹² “And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:8-12, NKJV

Now, we haven’t yet covered Matthew 6, but many of the preachers/teachers of the tithe like to sprinkle Jesus’s words in here to further emphasize the necessity of giving/tithing (first to your church and then to other ministries as you see fit):

¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Jesus, Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV

I’m not going to try and breakdown Jesus’s words here nor would I dare to argue Jesus on what He said. I agree that there most certainly is a heart issue at play here. Having worked with finances and people’s money in one form or another for over two decades, people’s priorities are shown to a good degree in their spending. That said, I contend that it is manipulation to say that if you don’t give to your church or a particular minister or ministry, that it is proof that your heart isn’t heavenly minded.

With all that I’ve said up until now, one can boil down the message that is spread to these four points:

• Tithing is required by God (you can’t afford to not give) – Malachi 3
• Not giving/tithing (to a church/ministry/minister) is robbing God – Malachi 3
• Tithing & giving is the key to removing curses in life – Malachi 3
• Your heart is heavenly minded only if you are financially giving – Matthew 6

Conflict of Interest

Before I left the last church I was at, I had a heartbreaking encounter with a sister in Christ. She knew me as I “ministered” to her children in the Youth Group. She came to me for advice before a Sunday service. There we stood in the large foyer and she was asking me what to do regarding giving and tithing. She wanted to tithe but her husband was against it because they couldn’t afford it.  She tells me that she wants to give but she doesn’t want to cause strife between her and her husband. 

What do I think and what should she do?

Giving is the issue here. For all intents and purposes, she wants to be involved and she wants to give. I assure her that God sees her heart. I assure her that God desires unity between husband and wife more than tithing and that they aren’t going to be cursed if they don’t tithe.  I go on to assure her that God will show her ways to give like she desires to give and love and honor her husband at the same time, because the giving she wants to do is from the heart.  I give her examples of serving like the giving of her time; serving and blessing others. She seems to be encouraged and relieved at this news. We part ways and go to our separate pews and get ready for the morning service.

And guess what the message was about that Sunday morning? Tithing.

If ever there was a facepalm moment… 

What is she to think?  Who is she to believe?  I’ve just told her she isn’t cursed for not being able to tithe and one of the very first things the pastor says is that we have to tithe in order to remove the curse.

Tithing without Legalism – does that even exist?

Let us extend Grace here. For the average believer, what is or “should” be at the heart of the tithing issue?

It is giving, right? Where to give, how to give, what to give and doing it joyfully with an open heart and hand. Giving with a heart that doesn’t seek to be seen for how much or when they give. Giving because a good cause is before us and we wish to give to it, yes? What better causes are there than the ones that advance the interests of the Kingdom?

I have to pause here, for I feel like a hypocrite. I haven’t given directly to a local church body or a solid ministry in a long time. Further, while I did seek out opportunities to make direct impact on people and a blessing, the amount of giving was definitely less compared to what I was routinely giving to the church. I didn’t do it to earn salvation or brownie points but sometimes I wonder if I had underlying motivations weren’t always what they “should” be.

I guess the bottom line here is: Make no mistake, I am not the best example in the ideals I’m espousing. I too, like many of us, have a hard time consistently matching the walk and the talk.

Moving on.

Can we “tithe” without falling in to a legalistic routine, without believing we must in order to be free of some curse?

I believe so. If you want to give 10% of your income, gross or net, whatever – you are completely free to do so.

What and how should you give? This is completely between God and you. If you are married, then it is between God, you and your spouse. If you are going to a church that is producing good fruit, helping to bring the Gospel to those who need it as well as giving good instruction from The Word – why wouldn’t you want to support them? If they aren’t doing these things: why would you want to stay anyways?

Further, any requirement of giving in order to be members needs to be taken seriously and prayerfully. This is a requirement set forth by men; fully fallible human beings, prone to mistakes and sin like the rest of us.

Practical Applications

Can there be practical applications for “tithing”? I’d like to think so.

Take 10% of your income and put it in a savings account, just let it build. Save for emergencies, unforeseen expenses, vacations and having funds stored up for when you want to give to a charity or ministry.  Having these kinds of funds available reminds me of what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 9. Specifically, when you have promised a gift (to a coming minister), prepare ahead of time and be ready so you aren’t grudgingly getting it together. Purpose in your heart ahead of time what you will give, so that you may do it cheerfully with an open hand and open heart. There is a difference between giving because you “have to” meet a requirement and giving abundantly according to who you are in Christ and what He has done for you and blessed you with.

You could also use the tithe model to pay down your debts. Take 10% of your income, above what you are minimally paying on your debts and attack them to pay the debt off faster.  As you do this, increase the momentum with the snowball effect, adding what you used to pay on one debt that is now gone to another debt and get free faster!  What does it say in Romans, it is best to owe no man anything except to love him…?

Amusing Amuse-Bouche

I had to look that word up too. It is a bite-size appetizer, similar to hors d’oeuvres. So, the following are small little tidbits, no more than a bite or two.

• Tithing was never gold, silver or the coin of the realm or empire. It was constantly referred to in the Old Testament as the tithing of: grain, dough, fruit, produce, wine, oil, honey, herds and flocks – food. Quickly back to Malachi 3, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house”. It was to provide food for the Levites, priests, etc.

• What do you make of Jesus’s words in Matthew 23:23? “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” No matter how faithfully one pays the tithe, one isn’t necessarily being generous, nor are they necessarily paying attention to things that matter more to God. One is merely meeting a requirement. In Luke 11, this “woe” is recorded as well with slightly different verbiage, “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”

• Jesus used a Parable in Luke 18:9-14 which mentions tithing, let us take a look at it: “Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Notice that Jesus shows how the Pharisee lists his qualifications to God, is this not a picture of human nature? We wish to list all our righteous deeds, when in the end, without Christ, they are no more than garbage.

• The only mention of tithes in the New Testament to Christians is in the book of Hebrews and it isn’t instructions for Christians to tithe. Nowhere in the book of Acts, when the believers willingly pooled their resources, did the Apostles remind them of the law to tithe. Nowhere does Paul remind his Gentile converts that they need to tithe.  In fact, Paul gets more angry at people trying to make his Gentile converts observe the Law!  What is more, the term “fallen from Grace” comes from Paul’s writings, see Ephesians 5:4 “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.“

• To my reading of the New Testament, there is no doubt that giving and offerings within the Body, supporting believers as well as ministers of the Gospel, is definitely encouraged. What is the primary end for the means of tithes and offerings at a church nowadays? Where does the majority go first? Overhead. Mortgage expenses, property taxes, utilities, salaries, supplies, etc. Then it will possibly take some of that to mission work and outreach.  These are understandable to a degree, but it still begs the question whether this is really what God intended for His Church?

• Many people who practice tithing are doing it with a sincere heart. I and many who share my current view were all tithing and giving sincerely. This isn’t the issue. The issue is that these ideas are promulgated not just from the pulpit but also by those who practice it – so it feeds itself, so to speak. Freely and willfully giving, offering, supporting the works in the Body that are worthy shouldn’t stop. The “doctrine” of tithing as I’ve been laying it out, and any other deceptive form it takes, should stop.

We aren’t being taught that we have also been made in the image of God in his generosity.  We have settled for the ‘safe’ requirement of knowing how much to give instead of the ‘dangerous’ method of giving as we determine in our hearts to give (which means to give not only as you are led, but as you are moved to give).  It’s a dangerous thing to give according to who you are in Jesus.  I’ve been learning that.  Because giving like that requires a generosity that isn’t based on anyone else’s performance.  You go to a restaurant, for example, and instead of mentally taking away money from your server with every mistake or minute that she is late with the food – instead you give generously no matter how bad his or her service was.  Because it is not about her performance, it is about who YOU are in Christ! You’ve been given a great gift by Grace, God’s unmerited favor, should you not extend grace to the one who served you?

In Closing …

I wouldn’t recommend it, but if you were to go back through the original three parts and compared them – there is much that I have deleted, revised and added to. I did these revisions because I’ve been on a homecoming journey for a couple years. It’s the only thing I can really call it, homecoming. Jesus coming to find a wandering lost Hobbit. I won’t be going back through all of my old stuff. There are a few fictional pieces that I thought were rather good and I may revisit them. But I plan, God willing, to share more current thoughts with you in the future.

Any blessings that I have are all by the Grace of God, not due to tithing. Out of my own “Christian” efforts or lack thereof, from the stubbornness I have as His child and of the sins I’ve committed and commit… I deserve none of the blessings I’ve received. It is His Grace and His Grace only that permits and allows the blessings I’ve had. His blessings are His prerogative, not mine.

He loves me. He loves you, too, dear reader.

His blessings on my life or your life are not determined by how faithful our tithing is.  His Goodness and Grace lead me continually to the waters of repentance.

I hope they do that for you, too.

Grilling Sacred Cows – The Tithe: Part 2

Welcome back!

In Part 1, my dear reader, you indulged me as I gave quite the backstory and prologue before getting in to the meat of it. Though not a scholar or theologian by any measure, I contended that Jesus is the lens to view through when interpreting Scripture, including the teachings of tithing. I emphasized that I am not trying to villainize anyone who teaches these things (unless, of course, they know better; doing it in order to have the money coming in) and that many people who teach this, I believe, are sincere and genuine. I further emphasized that the believer should give as the Spirit of God leads him, and not from a mandate or law. I ended with a dive in to Malachi 3 and why it isn’t the best way to encourage giving within the Body of Christ.

I do not think that my thoughts in these posts are original or ground-breaking in any sense of the word.

I’m not the first and definitely not the last to write about this subject, I am just another voice.  Hopefully my particular voice – the way I think, write and communicate about a certain topic – helps people think through things like this; that they know they aren’t alone and that it is ok to search and question.  Questions are good and you can find Life in them.  Take these things to the Father.  He will show you Truth.

So, without further ado… let’s throw some more meat on the grill, shall we?

Father Abraham (had many tithes…)

Now, I use to be one of the guys up on the podium who would try to smack his (very) amateur theological chops and use what is called the “Law of First Mention” to prove tithing as a correct practice by pointing to Abraham. 

Briefly, for those who didn’t click the link, the Law of First Mention is a way to interpret Scripture by looking at the first mention/occurrence of a certain subject in Scripture; this “first” establishes an unchangeable pattern and sets the tone by which the rest of Scripture is to be interpreted. However, as the linked to article briefly explains regarding that law/principle, “First mentions can be helpful and useful in our study of the Bible. The law of first mention is not a rigid standard, but a helpful guideline when used along with other rules of solid hermeneutics.”

So, using this Law, I would reference Abraham’s example:

¹⁸ Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. ¹⁹ And he blessed him and said:

“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
²⁰ And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

And he gave him a tithe of all.

Genesis 14: 18 – 20

Melchizedek seems to have been mystified a lot. Depending on the rabbit hole you want to go down, one could draw some interesting conclusions about him. After all, he is interpreted as a type or shadow of Jesus with some even going so far as to theorize he is the Pre-Incarnate Christ. After his encounter with Abram, the next mention we have of this priest is in David’s 110th Psalm, which speaks of the reign of the Messiah. After that, the next time we see him mentioned is in Paul’s writing to the Hebrews where he spends a great deal of time going in to the topic of this High Priest. Paul’s whole point being Jesus, the perfect and final High Priest, mind you. It would be safe to assume that their was something “known” or understood about Melchizedek by the Jewish/Hebrew readers of the Torah and the Jewish converts of Jesus. But to Gentiles, I think it is safe to assume that he would be an almost entirely foreign concept.

The question then, using the Law of First Mention, is this: Since we Christians are blessed with Abraham’s blessings and even Abraham tithed before the Law and since good old Melchizedek is looked at as a type and shadow of Jesus, our Perfect and Final High Priest, then we should do as Abraham did and tithe…right?

Maybe.

I just don’t think, from my current understanding, that Abraham is a good example to “prove tithing” as a requirement. It also never stated that Melchizedek asked or required of Abram a tenth of all. It just says Abram gave a tenth of all.

I do find validity in the “Law of First Mention”. Regarding giving and offerings to God, for example. We do not see a requirement being made for them to do it. Abel gave to God by faith – willingly, cheerfully it seems – and Cain didn’t. It demonstrates to us that God approves of our actions when they are motivated and done freely in faith; not grudgingly, greedily, or even in competition to our brothers and sisters. As another example, all the mentions of blood, from the first to the last show us how precious and meaningful the Blood of Jesus was and is.

And Many Tithes Had Father Abraham

It is true that Abraham tithed before it was ever required by the Old Covenant Law.  All those eleven-plus years ago, when I was initially doing my research and studying, I read different viewpoints about how Abraham’s tithing was based on old Arab or old Heathen/Pagan traditions. While interesting, I didn’t put much stock in that.  The point is, he did give a tenth.  Yes, his account of giving a tenth was the first mentioned in Scripture.

However… one important thing that is left out of using the example of Abraham tithing is what he tithed and how he did it. Whether this is important or not, he was still being called Abram, not Abraham, at this point in his story.  Although God was leading him and blessing him, He had yet to make the covenant with Abram where God changed his name to Abraham.

To set up the how and why of Abram’s tithe, the story in Genesis 14:1-12 goes like this:  A group of kings basically made an alliance and went to war against another group of kings.  Four kings against five.  Epically this is supposedly known as “The Battle of the Nine Kings” – sounds like it is straight out of Tolkien! Apparently the second group had been harassed or “under the thumb” of at least one of the kings for about twelve years when they decided enough was enough and revolted in the thirteenth year after gathering together and joining armies in the Valley of Siddim (interesting note, this area where the southern part of the Dead Sea is now located, or just south of it). 

The first group of kings went on a rampage defeating other territories and then came back to wage war in the Valley with the second group they originally had set their sights on.  Battle ensued, the first group was the victor and it is mentioned that they took all of the possessions, food, and equipment of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, including Lot, Abram’s nephew and everything Lot owned also.

The rest of the account is Genesis 14: 13-17.  Abram wasn’t active in this fight until they captured his family, someone came and told him about all that happened.  Abram decided to fight and did so in a manner that the kings didn’t expect. Instead of attrition warfare (lining up your armies and going for it) he fought using maneuver (guerilla) warfare – he broke his army up into small groups and attacked by night.  Hitting them again and again, Abram’s little band of ancient guerillas kept chasing them down as the armies kept running away, until they recovered all of the plunder, his nephew Lot along with his possessions and apparently all the women and people who had been captured.

Enter Mystical Melichizidek

It is at this point in the story that Melchizidek arrives, blesses Abram and then Abram gives Melchizidek a tithe(Gen. 14:18-20). Some translations actually say “Abram gave him a tenth of all the recovered plunder”, where some translations just say “and he gave him a tenth of all”, normally the latter is used over the former.  Obviously you could see why, “a tenth of all” is a lot easier to use than “a tenth of all the recovered plunder”. So, in this “first mention” a tenth of the spoils and plunder of that battle are given, not his own income or property. As we read further into the text, Abram gives the other 90% back to the King of Sodom (Gen 14: 21 – 24).

You remember Sodom, right? That Sodom? Abram gave the rest away to the King of Sodom.

Let that sink in…

After this interaction with Melchizedek, there are no other recorded instances of Abram or Abraham giving a tenth to a priest or any other holy man of God. One could safely assume that Abram/Abraham on some level of regularity, gave offerings to God. Right after his interaction with Melchizedek and the King of Sodom, God visits Abram and he sacrifices animals to him and it is here that God tells him that his descendants will be like the stars in the sky. Later on, God changes his name and further seals the covenant between them. And then, of course, we have Abraham’s test with his son Isaac, which is only a type and shadow of what the Father of All Creation would actually do through His Son, Jesus.

So, if you want to use Abraham’s example as proof of tithing via “Law of First Mention”, here is a modern-day checklist: 

• Go to war and win
• Bring all the spoils back and give 10% to a local church, pastor, priest, etc.
• Freely give the 90% away to the leader of a crooked and depraved organization

Since there aren’t many Soldiers of Fortune/Guns for Hire nowadays, so just replace the “go to war and win” bit with taking a hard won work bonus.

Any takers?

In closing out the discussion on Abram and that first mention, I concede that it is a good example of giving to God – because it seems he gave without coercion and without needing to or having to. Sounds a lot like 2 Corinthians 9…

Personally, I think we have a better case to give to God freely, in a cheerful and willing manner; most importantly by faith, as led by the Spirit and “as each one has purposed in his own heart” by using the examples of: Abram’s willingness to give, Paul’s exhortation in 2 Corinthians 9, and Abel (as expounded upon in Hebrews 11).

Okay, let’s take a break here. 

In my original installment of part 2, I went back in to the Malachi example for a hot minute, but I think I’m beating a dead cow there. Who knows, I may put it out as a bonus post later, or if there is room in Part 3 and it makes sense, I’ll do it then.

Enjoy your steak and stay tuned for Part 3!

Among the Barbarians…

I’m done. Finally. The withdrawal period from Churchianity ran its course awhile ago.

If your church teaches things I don’t agree with, I don’t care. You will believe what you want to believe and you will see what you want to see. I no longer feel a need to create a blog post regarding something that I see as “incorrect” with the church. I no longer feel the urge to engage in an argument over the same stuff all the time on Facebook. What’s funny to me is that I notice people still argue over the same things: tithing, worship, dress code, alcohol, cussing, legalism, etc., ad infinitum.

Literally, same shit, different day.

It reminds me of the song lyrics of “What it’s worth” which go, “Singing songs and carrying signs. Mostly say, hooray for our side”. That’s what it feels like and I just don’t care anymore. It’s a big joke and I’m not laughing anymore. Not even going to listen to the same old lines.

Literally zero fucks given.

 

Here’s the thing: I want the real thing. The real Christianity. I haven’t found it. I’ve seen glimmers of it, like the sun being reflected off the water in a fast flowing stream. Here one moment, gone the next, here again, gone again. The closest thing I have come to in regards to a real “picture” of our Lord and Savior, our Elder Brother, our One True Reflection of the Father, is in the book “Beautiful Outlaw” and in the audio series “The Life of Jesus”, both by John Eldredge. On the whole, they are a “retelling” of the Gospels. It’s the most riveting description of Jesus that makes me want the real thing. I’m not saying it’s 100% accurate, either. There are things I don’t necessarily agree with him on in his writings, or teachings, however he has been a great help over the years. This isn’t a book review. This isn’t even to praise John Eldredge. I mention those things here on the off-chance that you even care about what I am getting at.

You see, I don’t see that Jesus being discussed and shared in the Institutional Church. When I was a leader, I tried to bring that Jesus in. Some took to it, the majority didn’t. They wanted gentle lover, school boy, creepy religious Jesus. Enough, it’s not about that.

Inside and outside the Institutional Church has profited me about the same, spiritually, within being outside profiting me slightly more. Why? All I know is that I know enough to know that I have more planks in my eyes than I thought I did when I was in the IC.

Let me try it this way.

The early converts to Christianity from Ireland used to call the Holy Spirit, ‘The Wild Goose’. Because the call of the Wild Goose was haunting and to follow it over the moors and foggy areas into the Wild could be dangerous. Forgive me if I am slightly inaccurate here, just stay with me. In ancient Greece, the term “barbarian” could refer to anyone of a different culture. In Roman times, it was used for many peoples, Germanics, Celts and Gauls to name a few. They were the people “outside” the protection and borders of the empire. Outside the city gates.

Those outside the gates of the IC are barbarians.

I don’t hear any semblance of the call of the Wild Goose inside the borders of the “kingdom” of the IC. Once outside the city walls and in barbarian territory, venturing ever outward, away from the IC, I could barely, barely hear it carried on the wind.

Does the word picture make sense?

I want the real thing. The real Jesus of Nazareth. I know more “of” Him than I actually “know” Him. Do you know him or are you just leaning on your theological degree, or your latest euphoric worship experience? Just because we know His words in the Gospels doesn’t mean we know him. Do you know him like you know your best friend, or your close neighbor, or your brother?

Isn’t that the offer? To know Him?

Why would He say, “I never knew you.”, if that wasn’t the offer.

And honestly, it should scare the living shit out of us that we do not know Him!

I think I am looking for a different kingdom, a different city. Where the battle hardened soldier and the young choir boy can agree on the character and nature of Christ, because they know Him. Where the career criminal and the old lady who sits in the second row of your church can relate to each other about their experience of Jesus, because they know Him.

It’s probably out there, amid the lands of the barbarians. And I am content being out here in the wild, among barbarians for now. To paint another word picture: Their lives are unfettered, their communities are close-knit, their words are true, their mead is good, their feasting is magnificent and their tattoos are pretty damn epic.

The truth is that none of us escape this life alive. The only one that we know of that has come back from the grave is the one we place our mustard seed of faith in. And all we know is that He is preparing a place for us.

That’s it.

You and I have to deal with this black wall of Mortality that creeps ever closer to us each and every day. Not a single one of us knows the day that we will meet our end. We just know it’s coming. And if we are truly honest with each other and ourselves. We would admit that none of us, not a single one, can see past that curtain. You don’t get to. I personally suspect anyone who boasts of being able to see through that curtain as trying to manipulate or sell me something.

If He truly is preparing a place for us, then we need to know him. Really know him. He would be our only glimpse of what is over there and only because He came back.

I can’t settle for anything less than actually knowing Him.

Really.

I can’t waste my time on anything less.

I won’t.

Still here: thinking, stewing, chewing, digesting and reflecting

I’m still around. I’ve been slowing down on this blog for a couple reasons.

• I’m trying to make progress on Endure and let my fiction “skills” fly.
• I’m also juggling the S4F site.

As the inspiration or recent event grabs me, I’ll make a small comment or prepare a small slider of sacred cow over at the LITQM Facebook page, like this one:

10/26/14 When a guest or “special” speaker is at your church for a few days, and he/she keeps encouraging you to come back because she/he will be revealing “some things” God has been showing them, notice as you attend every meeting that you will never hear “the things” that God has been showing them. Instead you will get vague hints, but never any real substance. Then the pastors will get up and talk about… some of the “things” that the speaker has revealed to them about what God is doing, again, with all the same vagueness. Well, at least that is my experience from the last 12 years or so… over and over and over again. #baitandswitch #hooklineandsinker #sheepgettingfleeced #smokeandmirrors #poorsalesmanship #foolmeonceshameonyoufoolmetwiceshameonme

On my count, there are 10 more posts over on the FB page, so definitely check those out.

 

Mainly though, I’ve been chewing on a lot of different things and trying to listen more than anything. I’ve been listening to different views and perspectives from people of all walks of life, really. From conservative to liberal, christian to atheist, straight to transgender, you name it, I’ve probably read/listened to a view or two recently. As I listen I’ve been, as the title suggests, thinking, stewing, chewing, digesting and reflecting on what each of these voices have to say. Even if it was hard or difficult to read or hear. I don’t voice my opinion, because that’s not the purpose. The purpose is to listen and think.

 

I would like to continue the “Sam” series. I believe there are a few things left unsaid there, but the muse isn’t with me to finish it at this point. I recognize that now. All in its time, I guess.

 

Many thanks to the 108 followers.

 

Feel free to drop a line. I don’t bite.

 

~tom @ LITQM

Is your church worship “pagan”?

I’ve spoken many times regarding the sacred cow of worship, this article nails it down in many ways.

Check it here, “Is your church worship more pagan than christian?”

But, but, but! What about the scriptures that talk about “coming into His presence/temple/gates” with “thanksgiving and praise”? What about “he inhabits the praises of his people”?

Wrong covenant, sorry.

Inspired by the comedic words of a “blue-collar” comedian,

“If you think that singing songs is what moves God, you might be a pagan christian.”

“If you think that God needs to be entertained for his Presence to come, you might be a pagan christian”…. i could go on, but I’ll stop.