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Strings Attached OR Not


I am sad.  And a little mad.  Lots confused.  Maybe...shocked.  When I see the church pass judgement and put expectations on people...I am very very sad.  All this does is push people away from us and turn them away from God.  Humiliate, shame and embarrass them.

We who know God's grace and mercy should be the first to extend it to others.  Am thinking that there was a story about this in the Bible somewhere.  Hmmmm.... The rich man was forgiven gobs and then throws a servant in jail for not paying him back a little?  What is up with that?  And yet...how quickly I forget.

Or what about where Jesus sat BESIDE the prostitute at the well?  I'm not for sure but I think He accepted her as she was AND still gave her living water.

When we forget our own brokenness and shun the brokenness of others, then we are FAR from Jesus in my opinion.

I believe with all of my heart that if Jesus was physically walking around this earth right now...many would not let Him in the church door.  

What if He asked for help?  Would they tell Him to go wash and get right with God?

 The church is to be a dynamic force carry the Word of God that is living and active.   

He did not call us to arrogantly diagnose, fix, shame and shove people into His Kingdom.   

Who are we to think that our "wise" words and advice will ever fill the gargantuan hole within the souls of those around us?

God help us.  Help us love.  Help us delight in and work with YOU in the lives of people around us.

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