I Am The Author of My Imprisonment
I realized today, reading and listening to John Piper (love that guy, much as I may disagree with him sometimes) that I may be neglecting the heartfelt, joyful praise and worship of my savior. In my zeal for this crusade of truth in my church my focus has shifted, and I’m not entirely sure it’s healthy. Perhaps Karri isn’t the only one being negatively affected in her discipleship?
If I am being so negatively affected by the attitude and errors of the church I’m attending that I can’t worship and praise with a whole heart, that’s a pretty rough sign. That means my energies while I’m supposed to be participating in fellowship with and the edification of my fellow Christians and lifting up my deep, endless thanks for God’s infinite grace in my life… I’m instead watching for and noting the places we get it wrong, and getting steadily more angry about it.
Look at that statement! It’s everything I don’t like about Mainstreet, and I’m starting to do it. Dear God, is this what has happened to these poor people? Is the environment of that place a self-perpetuating downward spiral of cynical legalism under the guise of truth-telling, and has it affected me?
I’m very quickly becoming convinced it’s time for me to move my family on to other pastures. I need somewhere for myself and Karri that we can lift our voices and shout, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!” and mean it without the distraction of worrying about what the little old ladies think or how it is perceived by the majority of the crowd or what have you. I need someplace the kids can be kids without being judged or lectured by well-meaning legalistic caretakers, but instead lovingly instructed and guided.
I’m heartbroken about this, I really am. I’ve come to love a lot of the people at Mainstreet, and hope those friendships don’t to come to an end. They shouldn’t, but God knows we people are fragile emotional beings about these sorts of things. *sigh* Before I leave Mainstreet, I will be publishing and/or speaking on why, comprehensively. Maybe our leaving will be beneficial to those we leave behind somehow. I hope so.
I am sorry to see you go my friend. You will be missed. May God richly bless You and Your Family and may You find the peace of mind that will allow You to Worship and Serve as God calls……….
Martin, I’m still going to teach this Sunday. We can talk about it in class, mate. They managed to hand me a great bit of scripture to teach on as my parting gift to you all. Expect this Sunday’s class to be a little different.
I hate that I’m going to miss this Sunday. We are visiting my daughter at college this weekend. Maybe we should have dinner or something and chat about this topic and a few political topics. Heck, we might even win a Nobel Peace Prize for our efforts….. since the bar is set so low these days…lol
I would love to have dinner, brother. In fact, I would love nothing better than to gather the disciples I’ve met at Mainstreet together at my house on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and just eat, talk, study the bible and worship in a small group.
I plan to propose that this Sunday, and give everyone my email address, the address to this site and my phone number.
What are you doing for lunch?
My number is (601) 584-1598. Give me a call, and lets meet someplace.
I enjoyed lunch today very much and look forward to more fellowship and conversation in the future.