Lord our God, save your people, and bless your inheritance;
guard the fullness of your Church:
hallow them that love your beauty of your house.
Glorify them in recompense with your divine power:
and forsake not them that put their trust in you.
-St. John Chrysostom
When we last met we talked about how rewinding (i.e. Going back in time) provides a great opportunity for learning more about yourself, your beliefs, and how/why things are the way they are in your current life.
Prior to that we got an introduction into a "human hacking" technique called social engineering. More specifically, how this has been used to deceive the Church time and time again since there was a Church. If you haven't got a chance yet, be sure to check out the first part of this 4 part series on "Socially Engineering the Church" here.
And before you move on to the rest of today's entry, make sure to be kind and rewind.
...
During Spring 2012 (and mostly near the ending) under the unction of the Holy Spirit I began to "receive" multiple topics for discussion here on imdatruth. These ranged from GOMER, YOLU, and Now that We're Separated [entries on issues that divide us as people and believers, such as homosexuality and misinterpretation of scripture], all the way to the more "self-preservation" (i.e. Pertaining to my struggles) topics such as the Source of My Stress, Graduation Requirements, and Where I'm at in Life.
Now we are continuing in the current topical listing of Socially Engineering the Church. Today's entry promises to be a short one (if I can succinctly get my thoughts across...lol). This series came about because of many things. Simply, I was on my way to graduation with a dream job lined up, had accomplished everything I set forth to do (in my current stage), and then out of nowhere life happened. The President decided to support same-sex marriage, Chick-Fil-A lost their mind(s) and there was mucho infighting in the church because a lot of leaders didn't want to "lose face" by being outspoken against the hypocrisy which is misusing Scripture to say what you think it says or means. Let alone within the year the current Pope would retire for lack of "strength of mind and body".
The point is, it became obvious to me how much the Church continues to move on in ignorance without doing what the Bible requires and asks of us. Why are so many people Bible thumpers but haven't read it? You have people who will say "This is in the Bible", yet if you question them on something all they can say is "Go read the Bible". That's unacceptable! And this is why we're here.
So without further adieu, check out this poem from Jackie Hill, performed at Rhetoric 2012. I'll follow-up with a quick analysis and then you can be on with your day :-)
- Turn to your neighbor and say
- Touch your neighbor
- etc.
The first "indictment" that she mentions is this issue of non-diligence. We hear what people tell us and we take it as truth without doing our own due diligence (i.e. Looking it up). Even if you trust your pastor, minister, worship leader, or whomever it's up to you to investigate whether the sermons they are preaching, songs that they are singing, and/or material that's being taught is actually biblically based (i.e. In the Bible). Human error aside, there are many instances where our leaders don't do their own due diligence, and unfortunately in many settings with ill intent by profiteering.
Then there's this issue of being a "real" Christian versus enjoying the entertainment, or those things which entice our senses, because if you haven't noticed the world loves that which is sensational. Why do you think consumerism is such a big deal? Just as there are subliminal messages in our advertising, such is the same in some of the folks who come forth before us on "behalf" of God. I'm not going to go into detail on this point because it takes time and earnest studying to determine the real vs. the fake, a little beyond "examining the fruit" (especially since a lot of people don't know how to examine fruit).
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth.
15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
Ever study for a test and you were ready when it came time to be tested? Your confidence caused you to feel and know that there wasn't anything you didn't cover. It's a great feeling to be prepared and not only that to know that you know what you're talking about, presenting on, or being tested to have knowledge of. It's the same thing with the Bible. If you don't read, study, and learn you will not be able to "test well". A lot of people aren't honest in their ignorance concerning Scripture. I remember I was corrected with Scripture in a Bible Study once because at the time I had given my opinion. I vowed not to let that happen again. This doesn't mean I won't be wrong again, but at the least I'll be able to have a conversation that involves less of my ignorance.
Here's a good question: What is worship? Is it foot tapping, dancing, clapping, running around, falling out, being "slain" in the Spirit? What about singing hymns with the proper notes? Is it a problem that some ethnicities worship more quietly than others? It's the same for prayer. Some people use the names of people when they pray, whereas others only use written or scripted prayers. Is there a difference?
It takes some time to learn what worship is and more important how you worship as an individual. Never let anyone coax you into a certain form of worship. I know in certain denominational traditions we are guilty of urging others to "get in on" the worship. There's also this idea of "Praise & Worship" which has been debated for many years. I have not the time to touch on that and in all honesty I'm still learning. What I do know however is this. There are certain things that we do in our worship, namely the use of our vocals, bodies, and energy that causes us to really "get into it". This is fine, but as the poet pointed out, do you really know what's going on, or I would go as far as to ask, WHO YOU'RE WORSHIPING?!
Confused? Check this out...
They place offerings on an altar and perform particular songs and dances. When the Loa possesses the worshiper Taggart says the scene becomes “wild, very physical and intense.” Though she works with black-and-white still images, Taggart is able to convey the noise and energy of these rituals. “There is screaming and thrashing…sometimes [congregants] run around the room as if confused. It can happen suddenly, so it’s often jarring. People immediately gather around the one possessed and assist them with what they need and catch them if they collapse.” Practitioners say the experience induces short-term amnesia; “Mambo Rose Marie is always surprised (sometimes shocked) to see my documentation of what has taken place while she was possessed,” recalls Taggart.
This is taken from an article written about Hatian Vodou. I found it interesting that they do a lot of the same things that we do in our churches, especially those of the Full Gospel/Holiness/Pentecostal persuasion (although it applies everywhere). Maybe it's a heritage thing, or maybe, just maybe it makes sense that there are similarities. Perhaps we all began worshiping God a certain way, and then (some of us) went on to worship other gods in a similar manner. Or, maybe our worship is synonymous with whom we are giving worship and praise to (i.e. A certain type of worship for our a specific deity like figure).
Here's one last question on worship...
Does ANY of what was quoted from the article sound FAMILIAR?!
The important thing to remember is that God is a god of order. The Bible gives guidelines for worshiping, including how we should precede when his Holy Spirit moves in a service (i.e. When supernatural things happen such as praying in tongues, healing, etc.)
What else did Jackie talk to us about...ah, yes! Using the Word for that which it is meant. Sounds like a recurring theme doesn't it.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
This passage of scripture is telling us that the Bible is to be used for teaching, correction, rebuking, among anything that we need in order for us to live the lives we are called to live. How many people do you think are afraid to correct those over them? Authority figures must be held accountable to both those above and "beneath". Lastly, I'm going to quickly run through some things the poet referred to that I "disagree" with or would like to clarify.
Head & Not the Tail, Above & Not Beneath
In Deuteronomy 28:13 it talks about what God will do for the nation of Israel if they are obedient and do as he has instructed, in leading them to the Promised Land. He basically tells them that they will be in positions of "respect", "dignity", and "honor". In other words, the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. I believe what Jackie was saying is that many people take this to mean that all things will be well in their lives and they can have it all, which isn't the case. When you're obedient to God, he'll put you where he needs you. Sometimes it's high up, and in other cases it's very, very low.
Speaking into Existence
This also is similar to the last issue of the "head and not the tail". Folks say that they can "claim" things in Jesus' name as if he's some "holy ATM", or sugar daddy/momma. There's a lot to be said about praying fervently for God's will to be done in our lives and having the faith to "speak those things that are not as if though they were" (Romans 4:17). Now, when I speak of "speaking" these things into existence I am not saying that we all have some genie like prowess to make things happen. From a psychological standpoint there's something called a self-fulfilling prophecy, where we eventually act out that which we thought/perceived/believed in our minds and surroundings.
Going back to Jackie's point, God is credited with speaking things into being; however, God has made us a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5) and I believe that certain ones who are extremely pleasing to God may be able to do things that God has done, of course having his discretion.
SN: I have a confession to make. God, it seems has actually made Christ (son of man) a little lower than the angels, if that's what David (the psalmist) is saying in Psalm 8:5. Christ has stated that we will do the things he has done and greater things (John 14:1-14). So are we similar to Christ in more ways than just his humanness? (i.e. Are we able to operate in the divination of Christ? That is his power, not us being divine ourselves) I honestly don't know where we are on the "totem pole" of authority, but I do know there are people who God uses to do things "reserved" for God.
Jackie goes on to tell us to "die to ourselves", which there are more than enough references for doing this in Scripture. In fact, if you don't learn how to do this, in remaining selfish, you won't get very far in your walk [with God]. It's kind of like 3 steps forward, 1 step back, now freeze. Christianity isn't about exalting ourselves, yet God will exalt whom he chooses to. Much exaltation comes as a result of being humbled, both willingly and begrudgingly at times, unwillingly. He has no issue with exalting us because it glorifies him when people see us as examples and how his nature impacts ours and forces us to be counter-cultural. That's how "selfish" he is, right?
So it wasn't as short as I was hoping. Then again, if you want to know what you need to do, we can't possibly give you a 7-step process. That's not how the Word works, and that's not what this journey is about. If you're looking for quick fixes, look elsewhere. You won't find them here.
GraceNPeace,
liMitz
