Religion and Relationship

The Associate Pastor really dropped a bomb this morning. Well, two of them, actually.

First, he almost toppled off the podium doing the kids' message.

Second, during the sermon, he let all of us have it both barrels, and I think if you would ask him whether or not he intended it that way, he'd say yes.

Out of complacency, into reality is what I call it.

"My religion," he said, "is against my relationship."

Now, think about that one.

Religion - dead, dull, dry, business as usual nothingness that reeks of formality and regimen with not a speck of life in it.

Relationship - that one on one with Christ that takes us out of the abyss of religion and puts us nose to nose (or heart to heart) with Jesus. Oh yes, him. For some of you reading this blog, you're likely thinking that I've lost it; that I'm the original fanatic, that I'm one of those people who vote Republican because certain spokespersons claim that God is conservative. I don't happen to think so, and I have voted Democratic in at least two elections, and that without shame. I'm one of those people that feel more comfortable having a latte at Starbuck's with someone unchurched than sitting in the Fellowship Hall surrounded by my Christian friends. I don't think that God has a problem with me being a Doors fan or a Democrat either, since music and politics aren't what God's about in the first place, but you might have a hard time finding very many people in church pews who share that view.

Relationship with Christ is what I want to develop. I'm not interested in super-spiruality, dancing in the aisles at church, extreme displays of emotion, visions of Armageddon, ad infinium. I just want that relationship with Christ to overshadow each and everything I do and to bring some glory to His Name. Teach me how to live for Christ and leave all the rest of the religious circus out of it.