It is that time again, the time when we see just how far detached we really are from what is happening around us. What I am talking about is another one of those "Holy Days" in which the world has taken over and the church has jumped in with both feet. I sat in total dismay and anger last week as the service I was sitting in took time out to take up a special offering for eggs for the annual "Easter Egg Hunt." What made it worse was the minister badgering the people to give for this cause! Maybe I am way off base but I always thought that the closer we got to the coming of our Lord the farther away we should be getting from the world. Apparently that is a concept that is totally foreign to the majority of churches today. I have been extremely fed up with these "religious" institutions for quite some time but it appears that there is no promise left for an about- face with these places. Once again I have to lay the majority of the responsibility on the leaders of these establishments for the continual downward spiral away from any resemblance of the first church.
I have to wonder what the Apostles would think if they were to visit these places on a Sunday morning. What would John think after being boiled in oil for his faith to find "Easter Egg" hunts going on in our churches? What would Peter think, (who was crucified upside down for his faith) in a church that does not offer salvation to the lost? What would Paul think after being be-headed, about these places that focus on emotionalism and entertainment instead of serious prayer and evangelism? What about Isaiah who was sawn in two, what would he say to the churches of today? I believe Jeremiah etched his sentiments a long time ago in his writings:

For too long Christians have been in this very situation that Jeremiah describes and have even come to the place that they justify their actions. Look at what Malachi had to say:

If there was ever a time when these two messages fit the church it is in our day, it is right now. If only their eyes could be opened like that of Elisha's servant in 2 Kings 6. Opened to see the reality of the situation, but I fear they remain blind to it just as the enemy that was coming against Elisha. I fear that they are ignoring the handwriting on the wall as those in the days of Jeremiah and Malachi. We have become so far detached from reality that we accept entertainment, emotionalism, and all the other forms of worldly influence that has entered our churches as normal spirituality. I do not think if Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, or any of the Apostles, especially Paul would agree, nor do I think they would be silent about it either. I know what Paul would say:

"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils."

So why is it in today's church it is acceptable to have our Easter Egg hunts and Santa Clauses? Have we not become exactly what the scriptures declare above? Some will protest and say, "No that is not the way it is!" I say as the old saying puts it so aptly, "the proof is in the pudding." Easter Sunday has become a "who's who glamour show" where we show off our new suits and dresses. We come in and supposedly worship our God and then go out and partake of "Easter Egg" hunts right after service! Sure sounds like the scriptures I see above! There are so many people that are completely comfortable with the way things are and there are many more that are completely fed up with "religion" and want more. The only problem is that those that are fed up are too afraid to speak up because they would be going against the tide. I for one am rowing full force against the tide and I say it is time for others to join in. This present condition in the churches is doing much more harm than it is good. It is time for those that are hungry to let their hunger over-ride their fears and speak out as the prophets and apostles did. Obviously we all have a choice as to how we serve God and how we chose to worship and that choice will be based on individual desires. Just as Joshua said, (my rephrasing)

"if that is all you want, that is your choice, but as for me and my house we are tired of playing games and playing "church" and compromising true convictions. We want what the first church had and we don't see it in the churches today. So as for me and my house, we will Worship and Serve the LORD in our house if that is what it takes."

I will become very vocal about these issues because I KNOW that we don't have much time left and there is no time to play "Church" anymore. If that is the extent of what you want out of your walk, that is your option. If not then "seek" Him while it is yet day for the night is coming sooner than you might think.

Adam's Stuff

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