Intimacy or Isolation

I just have to share with you this paragraph from "Twenty Piece Shuffle"-

"Ironically, true intimacy is probably also one of our greatest fears. Most of us spend a tremendous amount of time, energy, and money creating an image of ourselves to sell to the world around us--an image based on what we would like to believe about ourselves, if we didn't know better. An image more acceptable, we hope, than the unlovely self we are sure would be rejected if it was discovered. Fearing to be truly known, we hoist an image and carry it before us like a shield , protecting the vulnerable, tender inner core in which we truly dwell. The more we succumb to this fear, the deeper we descend into isolation and the more convinced we become we must hide the "awful truth" about our deepest selves."

I have to admit that this quote was very descriptive of the way I often feel. What do you think about it?

I've been thinking

I have been reading some interesting books recently about what the church of Jesus Christ was designed to be vs. what it has become. I have been a member of First Christian Church for 26 years and it has been a very positive and very important part of my life. I thank God for the opportunity to be a part of the body of Christ. People in my church reached out to my husband and I when we were very lost and headed for disaster. I am in no way condemning the corporate worship that is the church of America today. What I am thinking is - "is that all there is?"

About three months ago I read Pagan Christianity by George Barna and Frank Viola and learned that most of what Christians do in present-day churches is not rooted in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles.

This was a real eye opener for me. My "non-denominational" denomination born out of the Restoration Movement teaches that we are Christian only- There were a number of preachers in different religions and sections of America during that time who started to emphasize a return to the pristine Christianity of the New Testament. Many of whom claimed as their motto, "Where the Bible speaks; we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent".
So, why do we do what we do like we do it? and is it effective? Are we accomplishing the work that Jesus called us to do?

This week I learned that a member of our church has some very disturbing family issues. The issue is hush hush and few people know about it and no one is doing anything about it. I don't know what to do. I'm not supposed to know!

I am asking myself what would Jesus want me to do when a new book comes into the store on our autoship new release program from David C Cook. "The Twenty Piece Shuffle" by Greg Paul addresses the issue of taking off our "everything is just fine" masks, getting real and meeting the needs of those around us. Jesus cared passionately about the needs of the poor and downtrodden. To be honest I have not.

Also this week, Jerry Easterwood came and talked to our Sunday School Class about The Compassionate Care Clinic. Hmmm, what a coincidence--NOT.

I don't know what God is calling me to do, but I know I can't do it alone. If this message resonates with you, please comment.