Dear Friends,

All Christians are Hypocrites! 

   This is one of the most frequent reasons people don’t want to go to church or have much to do with Christians. Much as we would like to pretend otherwise, too often Christians are hypocrites. Outsiders see Christians who act pious in the pew on Sunday, then forget it all by Monday. We preach one thing then do the other. We insist others act one way while we act another. We say they will know us by our love, but act in ways that are hurtful and mean. Jesus called out religious leaders of his day as hypocrites because they acted the same way. But the question is, are all Christians really hypocrites? Of course not. But like everyone else, Christians do sometimes act in hypocritical ways. And that includes me.

   As Christians we know better. We know others hold to us to a higher standard. We know our actions matter and our failures give others cause to wonder about our faith and God. As Christians, we try to get hypocrisy out of our lives. When I was a child my parents corrected my ways and gave me loving guidance on the right path. Now it is Jesus who guides and corrects my ways.

  That is why I regularly pray with St. Patrick: “Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in the hearts of all that love me, Christ in the mouth of friend and stranger.”

   So yes, Christians are hypocrites. But mostly they are ordinary people with an extraordinary God, who love their families and their community, while trying to make a difference in the world.

And I can live with those hypocrites. See you in church.

 

Dear Friends,

 

May I be honest with you? No matter how hard we try, I am convinced most people who passed aren’t interested in joining us in church on Sunday mornings. It’s not even on their radar screen.

   Sunday morning is about resting up, catching up and getting ready for the weekly grind.  “Everyone” knows all sermons are boring, all Christians are hypocrites and what churches really want is your money. No matter how hard we try we’re not going to win out over sleeping in and getting a leg up.

   The problem is we church lovers don’t know how to connect the dots between church going and Jesus loving. In fact, too often we believe it’s the same thing. The hard truth is if our friends, neighbors and co-workers are not coming to us, we must take the Gospel to them.

   I’m not suggesting you collar everyone you pass by and ask them if they know Jesus. (Though, when was the last time you asked someone that question?) I am suggesting that you introduce others to Jesus in ways that appeal to them. Share the common language Jesus speaks that everyone understands.

   Do you openly love your neighbor more than yourself? Do you care for the poor, the widowed, the orphan?  Do you feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the sick in the hospital? If you do, can you tell your friends why? Or can you only tell them why they should join your church?

   Most likely, there was a time when Jesus wasn’t yet on your radar screen. You fell in love with Him. When others get to know Him they will fall in love with him too. Jesus bridges the huge gap between you and those who don’t know your Jesus.

   So do invite your neighbor to church. But remember what they really need to know is not how great your church is, but how great your Jesus is.

   See you in church.

Not Time Like Today

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Proverbs 27:1

Friends,

   I still have Christmas stuff up in the house. I know they need to come down but I’m a procrastinator. I don’t expect the Christmas fairies to do it. II just know I’ll get to it tomorrow.

Too often I decide I'm busy today. I'll get to my life tomorrow. I’ll play with the dog tomorrow. I’ll go out with my wife tomorrow. I’ll pray more tomorrow. I’ll love more tomorrow.

   The problem is my cousin was diagnosed with cancer yesterday. He is 55.  The Bible says we are to live for today. No one is promised tomorrow.  My cousin knows that now. He doesn't want me to wait to learn that lesson.

   So I think I’ll play with my dog this morning, go out with my wife tonight, pray and love more all day long. I'll put off procrastinating until tomorrow.

   And maybe I’ll get the decorations put away too.

 

Blessings,

Pastor Loran