I'll be the first to admit that I'm not perfect...and this post should illuminate one of my little imperfections nicely...
I don't like to be in the presence of overtly religious people outside of the congregation of worship. I like to be surrounded by them in a church setting, because it seems right and good that worship be expressed with awe, and somehow awe seems to be a by product of religious pagentry.
But outside of worship, religious people make me nervous. When I meet a person clothed in the traditional clothes of a religious man or woman, I get a hot, uncomfortable, and embarrassed feeling inside. I don't know why, and I'm probably too old to figure it all out today. Unfortunately, for both them and me, when I'm uncomfortable, I either squirm or joke, both quite unacceptable in the presence of the practiced holy.
One time I was standing in the elevator in a hospital, and the door opened up, and a nun in full dress came in. Surpisingly, even to me, I was able to keep the jokes away....but as is very predictable, I got nervous and started giggling, and it wouldn't stop. She thought I was touched with a bit of craziness, and I wonder sometimes whether I will have to explain to my Lord someday what I thought was so funny. I hope not, because I don't know.
I wish it stopped with the giggles, but sometimes it gets worse. Sometimes I have a deep resentment that rushes over me when I see overtly religious acting people in my daily life. I struggle with the urge to judge them for all of their shortcomings, to prove that people can love the LORD GOD, and walk with Jesus Christ, and embrace His Word without show and outward reminders.
Of course, I'm kinda in the wrong business to be suffering from this affliction. Every day, I'm meeting people and reading their letters, and every day there are a few of them that are intimidated by my presence, and they start acting extra holy to compensate. Sometimes, people who know me through my sharings of God and His Word, are in awe of me. Then I fight the urge to remove every outward appearance of religiousity I can, so they don't start getting hot, and uncomfortable and giggly inside! It truly is a problem.
Day after day I get letters quoting scripure and verse supporting every idea known to man. When I see a letter that is filled with quotes of God's Word, with very little personal substance supporting the subject of the letter, I grow bored and a little annoyed, and often suspect of the intentions of the writer.
I don't think there is anybody that loves God's Word more than I do. I cherish, study, teach, fashion my life, follow, obey, uplift, admonish, and enjoy His Word everyday.
But give me a break...if you want to talk to me...if you have something important to say...say it! I'm not listening to see how religious and holy you are...I'm not listening to see how well you can quote scripture and verse!
I'm listening to you with the ear of a follower of Jesus Christ, and a heart to be led by Him for His purpose, that brought you to me in the first place! He doesn't need to hear His Word from you, and neither do I, unless you are moved by Him to share it! If our converstation leads us to prove our actions through His Word, I've got a Bible at hand where we can do just that!
I just wish the posturing with God's Word, Ways and Will would stop!
I prefer people who reflect the light of Christ. I like being in the presence of fellow brothers and sisters who live and share their life intensely and fully, mentioning God and scripture and spiritual appropriately, but living life real like the rest of us normal Christian people, that suffer often with problems and embarrassments and shortcomings that define us as being human.
There is nothing that delights my soul more than to share the presence of another, or receive a powerful letter, when God and Scripture and Verse are not mentioned once, but His REAL PRESENCE is seen through their reflection.
When a person of God reflects the light of Christ, it is powerful and life changing. When a person hides behind the light of Christ, it is a waste! For my sake, and probably a few others like me, take off the outward appearrance of holiness, and let me see your soul! I know true holiness when I see it!
Bucker
I don't like to be in the presence of overtly religious people outside of the congregation of worship. I like to be surrounded by them in a church setting, because it seems right and good that worship be expressed with awe, and somehow awe seems to be a by product of religious pagentry.
But outside of worship, religious people make me nervous. When I meet a person clothed in the traditional clothes of a religious man or woman, I get a hot, uncomfortable, and embarrassed feeling inside. I don't know why, and I'm probably too old to figure it all out today. Unfortunately, for both them and me, when I'm uncomfortable, I either squirm or joke, both quite unacceptable in the presence of the practiced holy.
One time I was standing in the elevator in a hospital, and the door opened up, and a nun in full dress came in. Surpisingly, even to me, I was able to keep the jokes away....but as is very predictable, I got nervous and started giggling, and it wouldn't stop. She thought I was touched with a bit of craziness, and I wonder sometimes whether I will have to explain to my Lord someday what I thought was so funny. I hope not, because I don't know.
I wish it stopped with the giggles, but sometimes it gets worse. Sometimes I have a deep resentment that rushes over me when I see overtly religious acting people in my daily life. I struggle with the urge to judge them for all of their shortcomings, to prove that people can love the LORD GOD, and walk with Jesus Christ, and embrace His Word without show and outward reminders.
Of course, I'm kinda in the wrong business to be suffering from this affliction. Every day, I'm meeting people and reading their letters, and every day there are a few of them that are intimidated by my presence, and they start acting extra holy to compensate. Sometimes, people who know me through my sharings of God and His Word, are in awe of me. Then I fight the urge to remove every outward appearance of religiousity I can, so they don't start getting hot, and uncomfortable and giggly inside! It truly is a problem.
Day after day I get letters quoting scripure and verse supporting every idea known to man. When I see a letter that is filled with quotes of God's Word, with very little personal substance supporting the subject of the letter, I grow bored and a little annoyed, and often suspect of the intentions of the writer.
I don't think there is anybody that loves God's Word more than I do. I cherish, study, teach, fashion my life, follow, obey, uplift, admonish, and enjoy His Word everyday.
But give me a break...if you want to talk to me...if you have something important to say...say it! I'm not listening to see how religious and holy you are...I'm not listening to see how well you can quote scripture and verse!
I'm listening to you with the ear of a follower of Jesus Christ, and a heart to be led by Him for His purpose, that brought you to me in the first place! He doesn't need to hear His Word from you, and neither do I, unless you are moved by Him to share it! If our converstation leads us to prove our actions through His Word, I've got a Bible at hand where we can do just that!
I just wish the posturing with God's Word, Ways and Will would stop!
I prefer people who reflect the light of Christ. I like being in the presence of fellow brothers and sisters who live and share their life intensely and fully, mentioning God and scripture and spiritual appropriately, but living life real like the rest of us normal Christian people, that suffer often with problems and embarrassments and shortcomings that define us as being human.
There is nothing that delights my soul more than to share the presence of another, or receive a powerful letter, when God and Scripture and Verse are not mentioned once, but His REAL PRESENCE is seen through their reflection.
When a person of God reflects the light of Christ, it is powerful and life changing. When a person hides behind the light of Christ, it is a waste! For my sake, and probably a few others like me, take off the outward appearrance of holiness, and let me see your soul! I know true holiness when I see it!
Bucker
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