What the H___

If you missed Sunday, you missed the big comment. I read a verse out of II Philip 3:1 that stated men can be judgmental, difficult to deal with and a__h____. Yep, that's right, we said it in church in regards to the way we use our tongue. We started a new series in regards to the power of the tongue. It has the power to give life, but to also kill people. We talked about those among us whose spiritual gift is "Compaining." If you havent heard it, please go to www.mylifebridge.com and then click on the tab "Experience A Service." By the way men are airheads, I know where you were going though. By the way, there is no such verse in the Bible II Philip 3:1.

I am currently reading a book that is really challenging the socks off of me. It is called unChristian. It is a researched book that has interviewed many people outside of Christianity about what they see and feel about Christians. We are known for being hypocites, not living what we say we believe. He also says that we are homophobic. We treat the sin of homosexuality with greater consequence than we do someone who is in pornography, or lies, our cheats on their spouse. We become compartmentalists in our levels of sin and thus become known for what we're against instead of what we are for, or whose we are. The authors challenge me to think beyond my southern Bible belt background and challege me to think about how Jesus would treat them. He always showed compasion and love to those who disagreed with Him. Yet time and again through the New Testatment we see people outside of the faith who loved to hang out with Him. They had nothing in common with Him, but yet loved to be around Him. Those that hated Him the most were the religious people who knew the laws, systems etc, but yet could not love. By this (LOVE) men shall know we are His disciples.

I want to challenge us as a church, as individuals within the larger body, can we get beyond that and see people through the eyes that Jesus saw them. He did not see black or white, Republican or Democrat, Liberal or conservative. He always saw them and felt compassion upon them. It never says He felt judgment, condemnation, but COMPASSION. I hope and pray we will be a church that will continue to put HIS compassion into play for all who enter into our doors.

So what the heck! Love like there's no tomorrow.

Philip Thurman