Whatever happened to......
Lately I've been hit up the face by a lack of......I don't even know what the word is I'm looking for but it could be care, love, openness, encouragement, unity, participation. Instead it seems to be secrets, ambition, gossiping, selfseeking, pride and selfinvolvement.
This sounds quite harsh and it's not a generalisation. But in a personal way I've seen it - friends outside my church friends have been better friends than those I do life with in church. Last week I had a tough week and nobody in church actually asked me How I was. not one single HOW ARE YOU? and ok, i might not have shared with them what was going on nor felt the need to tell but even being asked.....Whatever happened to fellowship? community?
It also came to my attention when I started thinking about and praying for us as a coperative body. People want the cliques, they want to hold things over other people's heads and keep secrets rather than being open and sharing appropriately, therefore encouraging the body and allowing the body as a whole to learn grow and move up. Why would we want this over the beauty of being one in the Lord? Why would we want anything less than He has given us? And then we think we can go into all the world, making disciples of all men? Lord, please come in PLEASE cleanse us Lord, make us holy as you are holy. Unite our hearts Lord, open our hearts to your ways, words and desires.
We must grasp hold of the wonder of the Lord, of what He has done for us, of how tiny we really are and give thanks to our Creator our Daddy and the author and perfector of our faith.
If we have lost that wonder and thanksgiving and praise and seeking His face then we will continue to play these games and never change. But with God in the centre of us as individuals and as a body, we will be transformed for He is undeniable.
Colossians 3 v16-17 - 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.'
FLYLEAF - BEAUTIFUL BRIDE
Unified diversity
Functioning as one body
Every part encouraged by the other
No one independent of another
You're irreplaceable, indispensable
You're incredible
Incredible
(Chorus)
Beautiful bride
Body of Christ
One flesh abiding
Strong and unifying
Fighting ends in forgiveness
Unite and fight all division
Beautiful bride
Strengthen your arms now
Train your fingers for battle
Urgency's here now
Train your fingers for battle
Fighting this violence
With your feet wrapped in peace
Sad tears and silence
Now screams of joy
Victory
(Chorus)
Beautiful bride
Body of Christ
One flesh abiding
Strong and unifying
We're not gonna fall and forget
How far You went to pick us up
If one part's hurt the whole body's sick
If one part mourns we all mourn with Him
Rejoice, and we'll sing with you
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
This sounds quite harsh and it's not a generalisation. But in a personal way I've seen it - friends outside my church friends have been better friends than those I do life with in church. Last week I had a tough week and nobody in church actually asked me How I was. not one single HOW ARE YOU? and ok, i might not have shared with them what was going on nor felt the need to tell but even being asked.....Whatever happened to fellowship? community?
It also came to my attention when I started thinking about and praying for us as a coperative body. People want the cliques, they want to hold things over other people's heads and keep secrets rather than being open and sharing appropriately, therefore encouraging the body and allowing the body as a whole to learn grow and move up. Why would we want this over the beauty of being one in the Lord? Why would we want anything less than He has given us? And then we think we can go into all the world, making disciples of all men? Lord, please come in PLEASE cleanse us Lord, make us holy as you are holy. Unite our hearts Lord, open our hearts to your ways, words and desires.
We must grasp hold of the wonder of the Lord, of what He has done for us, of how tiny we really are and give thanks to our Creator our Daddy and the author and perfector of our faith.
If we have lost that wonder and thanksgiving and praise and seeking His face then we will continue to play these games and never change. But with God in the centre of us as individuals and as a body, we will be transformed for He is undeniable.
Colossians 3 v16-17 - 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.'
FLYLEAF - BEAUTIFUL BRIDE
Unified diversity
Functioning as one body
Every part encouraged by the other
No one independent of another
You're irreplaceable, indispensable
You're incredible
Incredible
(Chorus)
Beautiful bride
Body of Christ
One flesh abiding
Strong and unifying
Fighting ends in forgiveness
Unite and fight all division
Beautiful bride
Strengthen your arms now
Train your fingers for battle
Urgency's here now
Train your fingers for battle
Fighting this violence
With your feet wrapped in peace
Sad tears and silence
Now screams of joy
Victory
(Chorus)
Beautiful bride
Body of Christ
One flesh abiding
Strong and unifying
We're not gonna fall and forget
How far You went to pick us up
If one part's hurt the whole body's sick
If one part mourns we all mourn with Him
Rejoice, and we'll sing with you
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
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