We are starting a new series at church starting on Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter. Oh my gosh, Easter, yeah, warm weather! It is based on a book by Adam Hamilton who is pastor at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City. Joe and I joke that we've gone from rock'n'roll groupies to pastor groupies. That is scary.
I am reading for this Wednesday, and one thing really hit home with me, especially in light of recent events and actions of some who call themselves Christians. If it weren't for my own faith and knowing that we are all sinners and thus, imperfect, I don't know how Kelli Thompson of 10, 15 or 20 years ago would tolerate "church people." I'm one of them now, but try my best to be like Jesus. It aint easy, especially for a lawyer. :o) So here it goes.
"Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" -- "For you are like whitewashed tombs, which on the outside look beautiful, but inside they are full of the bones of the dead and of all kinds of filth." Jesus chastised them for their spiritual pride, their hard hearts, and their religion of rules that served only to alienate further those who were lost.
I was lost, and I found my way back to Christ. The thing is my church welcomed me with open arms, because I appear normal. Ha, little do they know. But how would my church, your church, reach out to some one who was homeless, a rock'n'roll groupie, etc. If they don't, they might just be rejecting Jesus.
Ponder that. And thank you Adam Hamilton for your wonderful gifts.
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