Comments on: What You See is What You Get

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 20:07:07 +0000

Sounds very familiar…..ie. me.

By: My Testimony: In the Beginning - Narrow Paths to Higher Places

My Testimony: In the Beginning - Narrow Paths to Higher Places — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 07:56:19 +0000

[...] My avoidance of church has included everything from boredom to cynicism to hurt. [...]

By: Alia Joy

Alia Joy — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 06:34:11 +0000

Thanks so much Emily. It’s been an interesting dialogue so far and I can’t wait to see what God has during the rest of this month, because so far, I surely don’t know.

By: Alia Joy

Alia Joy — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 06:33:32 +0000

Yes, but even in a group we love and connect with there is imperfection and to get to the place where we do truly love on that deeper level where we’re imperfect and known but still accepted is a hard place to get to for many people. Especially those who’ve been hurt. The imperfect is always with us no matter where we fellowship. Grace in your community allows you to be both together as a smaller group and also love on other churches and Christians without division. And grace is something too often lacking.

By: Alia Joy

Alia Joy — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 06:27:25 +0000

Maybe, but maybe not. I guess it depends a lot on what the issues with big church are and if they’re born out of bitterness from hurt or if they are merely preference and you just would rather go to a smaller community. Only God could really show you. I know mine were born out of bitterness and hurt starting from my childhood and they just continued as I grew up and became more disillusioned.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:22:59 +0000

Well, you can love the people and worship somewhere else. I don’t think Jesus ever intended that we would only gather with one group all the time. Our little community knows we feel this way and we freely visit other churches whenever we want. We faithfully financially support our little place every month, but we believe in expanding our interaction with the Body all over our region.

By: imperfect prose

imperfect prose — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 02:59:26 +0000

oh girl i love that you’re addressing this very important topic in your 31 days… sharing this…

By: Alia Joy

Alia Joy — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:52:31 +0000

I think that’s the one of the struggles. I love the idea of church but the reality, both the physical and the people, I find lacking. And it’s in this place that we live and have to decide how to engage. God can use all things for good and does. It’s that choice. Do we choose to love the people and see the beauty in the imperfect?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 22:17:33 +0000

I think the point, for me, is which church is the one you don’t love? The people, Church, is perfect in Christ. Us humans just don’t see our community that way (but he does). The ‘church’ as in program, building, money pit (for many)..is always going to be imperfect no matter what, but God can still use it. We can love the people and not be fond of the physical environment. Even Disneyland can be an uncomfortable place to be in 100 degree weather, get sticky juice on your shoes, and not get a chance to shake Mickey’s hand..er um I mean paw..or is it a hand? Anyway, I think you get my drift. This physical world has it’s annoyances, but God can use all things for good.

By: Alia Joy

Alia Joy — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 05:31:52 +0000

Ha! I wouldn’t have either until about 11 am the Sunday before while I was sitting in church thinking I should do a series on church. And now here I am, praying for grace and wisdom where I lack it. Thanks for coming along in the process and the work you are doing there resonates with me. Blessings.