preparing, fellowship & accountability

Tried to talk to the kids the other night about goodbyes, asking them to think back about their training at MTI. I think some things maybe began to sink in, at least for the older 2. They have been asking why mommy has been crying a lot lately. We have just been more emotional as of late. We will be talking about stuff- reminiscing and we will begin to tear up. We don’t seem to have much control over it and it seems neither do our friends, so it kind of has a tendency to feed on it self. We just know that the next 2weeks are going to be really hard, and by the time we leave we will be completely drained. This is part of the process, a very important part. As much as we do not like this part now, in 6 months we are going to probably long for it. We spend a lot of time talking to our Heavenly Father about what is going on-the frustrations, the pain, and the heartache of what is going on. You know what? HE understands. HE continues to remind me that HE told me this would be hard and not a lot of fun. I talk to the kids about it as well. I am very honest with them about what it means to be a follower of CHRIST, the cost involved. It is something not often talked about today. And if there is no difference between you and the world (you, meaning your church or you personally), then I would have to ask, what side of the fence are you on? If you are wondering what I’m talking about, read the book of James. I did a study on it a while back and wrote a short commentary on it but have not had the courage to post it, still struggle at times a fear of man issue. The fact is people and churches today have become so concerned with being liked by others/the world that they have become offensive to GOD. I just have to say it-the seeker sensitive model that has been out for many years now is CRAP (there is another word I would like to use but my wife says no). It has done more harm to the church and the Gospel then it has done good. We have watered down the WORD of GOD so much that we pick and choose what is “relevant” for today. We have decided that culture should supersede SCRIPTURE, when the fact is SCRIPTURE supersedes culture. IT should determine the direction of the culture. But we seem to think we know better then GOD. The fact is a lot of people today in the church are scripturally illiterate. And frankly, I often have to put myself in that category. We are often more concerned about being tolerant then what GOD says. We are more concerned about getting people to come into the church (and have a good time) than seeing them grow in there faith and learning the TRUTH/ GODS WORD. Churches have become social clubs. There is no depth in social clubs and when life hits the fan a social club is not what you need or are going to look for. You need some one who cares, a relationship that has depth. You need true fellowship. The kind that only comes from relationships built on prayer and hard honesty. The kind of relationships where you care too much to remain silent. Those kinds of relationships today I believe are very rare and I am afraid that a lot of people don’t want them. Why? Because it is work. If you don’t want to be accountable to anyone, why would you want to hold someone else accountable? I have truly been blessed with several true fellowship kind-of relationships. They are hard work, they take time, and… they are a gift from GOD! If you don’t have that you better start praying for it, working at it and doing it.