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Is Mean the new Cool?
I don’t think I am the only one who has noticed how mean our society has become. Headlines seem to shout in the language of mean: Liberal Annihilates Conservative, Conservative Destroys Liberal with raunchy meme, Protesters call for Massacres, and much, much more. One notable example of mean was a recent pre-game event to honor the Chicago Bulls’ outstanding contributors to the organization’s success. The widow of Jerry Krauss, former general manager, was there to receive the award for her husband. Some fans booed loudly as this widow, Thelma, shed painful tears and struggled to stay in control. How heartless is a person who boos a widow? America is losing true religion, as James says: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world, James 1:27 (NIV).
When I was Pastor of a church
There were people I would glance at while I was preaching. Why, they seemed to be listening, alert, and with me. There were also a few people that I avoided looking at—they may have been listening, but their faces hid any interest. 😊 Which are you?
Godless Congregations
Oh, I know what you might be thinking about: congregations that deny God’s power, the virgin birth of Jesus, miracles, that Jesus is the only way to salvation, etc. No, there is a new group on the horizon. As people with no religious affiliation grow in our country, the NONES, as they are called, have found a need for community. They gather to be Good without God. They sing, give testimonies, and someone speaks; it may be about Pluto or the National debt, but someone speaks. If you want to read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/secular-churches-atheist-congregations-sunday-assembly-worship-oasis/
It is a secular attempt to feel connected to one another without God intervening. It is the best Satan can offer. It is a feel-good time, guilt-free, with no judgment, no commandments, but also no salvation and no connection with the One True God and His Son Jesus Christ. It is a feel-good arena for the lost. It is sad. How should we pray? I offer three suggestions:
- Let’s pray that the Spirit weaves His way into some of these gatherings and disrupts some hearts with His Presence.
- Let’s pray the true Church doesn’t degrade into a place that offers a feel-good time, guilt-free, with no judgment and commandments.
- Let’s pray that more Christians will again understand one thing the NONES have learned: we need community. Don’t neglect the gathering of yourselves at church, with one another, to encourage one another.
That is what I have been thinking about this Morning.
Have a great week.
James D. Allen
Overflowinghope180.com
My email is: jallen@overflowinghope180.com
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Dr. James D Allen
Dr. Allen served as a seminary VP, pastor, and as a trustee on a Christian mental health Board. He has earned a BA, MA, MA Biblical Counseling, Doctor of Ministry. Dr Allen has also preached on 5 continents, lived in 3 nations, and so has a diverse Christian experience. He has a distinguished career of being a pastor, consultant, author, and educator. MY FIRST LOVE--Being a Pastor and encouraging others!
