6.21.2005

true religion

I visited with Alice on her front patio in International Falls, MN yesterday and she told me that she dosn't want a computer because every internet relationship she has ever seen has been nothing but bad news. She then proceeded to share 3 specific examples with me of disasterous internet romances. I don't blame you Alice, who needs all that trouble! Alice is 90 yrs old and thrilled that there is a group of teenagers helping her paint her house this week. She made sandwiches and lemonade spent all day talking with those students and telling them stories. As I left her house a phrase from the book of James, chapter 1 verse 27 entered my head and challenged my heart, "true religion is this, to care for orphans and widows in their need..."

Then I thought about my Grandma who passed away a few years ago. She was in a nursing home with ahlzeimers for a couple years and I think I visited her about 4 times. When I used to feel guilty about it I would remind myself that I wasn't able to get down there much because I was usually busy doing church stuff. Now as I look back, I think a lot of the church stuff we do is a waste of time.

So here's my question... Why do we spend so much time doing church? Is there anything in doing church that is actually helping us be the church?

2 comments:

S'dizzle said...

I think only if your heart is in it for real...like a lot of people get involved out of guilt, or to be seen as do-gooders. A lot of churches do a lot of good, but I wonder sometimes if those who receive the help get a sense of condescention (i don't know if that is a word) from the helpers. I prefer to do stuff non church related frankly, either in my everyday interactions or work with a non church affiliated organization.

S'dizzle said...

good to see a post by the way, I kinda stopped checking your blog, but linked over on the off chance that you had posted, you should keep it up!