Truth

It is so important to have friends with different beliefs than you.

I feel as if being around people with different beliefs strengthens you as long as you have a solid foundation.

Today one of my friends gave me the scoop on what "outsiders" think about the church I attend. I watched this video and I couldn't help but laugh almost the entire time. I could've easily been offended considering it completely bashed the head pastor whom I have immense respect for, along with the entire movement that is taking place, calling it all a "cult." It truly is funny how it looks on the "outside" but having been on the inside, I understand that it's not exactly how it appears.

I feel like we are often so easily influenced or come to snap judements about topics which we really know nothing about. The church is just as guilty if not more than anyone else. We all do it.

Having been both inside the church and outside of the church in different periods of time in my life I have to say a few things about this topic.

I completely understand the spectators view of "what is this maddness?!"

People "manifesting" (what is that exactly?!) and running around screaming in these video clips---umm--strange!
Even I have been around people that violent shake or fall and sometimes wonder---okay was that for real?
It's odd sometimes--yes-- what people do/say/ect. can often be out of the box at this church--but when you understand the culture that is established there, you can understand better where it is coming from.

The church allows people to be free to be the person that God made them to be. It does it's best to take people out of the confines of "socially acceptable" behaviors, and to explore the essense of being human.

Arts, family, love, joy is all being cultivated in this culture because of the freedom, however
the freedom that is encouraged also leaves plenty of room for messes/mistakes to be made. Young and old people alike may over-exagerate physically in an attempt to express what they're feeling inside, among other things.

Having attended the church and listened, observered, forsaken, and partaken---this is my conclusion.

It's not about the church--and if you focus on the externals too much you'll be turned off to it--it's about God. When you open your heart and listen to His calling on your life you will never have to question if what is going on in the church is right or wrong because He will guide you in the journey. Does the church have flaws---ABSOLUTELY---does the church help/change/impact people--INDEED!

The church simply fascilitates and welcomes God to move---how people respond may look absurd--but it's important to keep your eyes on Him and not on how things may look for a season.

"Trust in the Lord with all Your heart and do not lean on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path" --The Bible

In my personal experience, I only became re-connected with the church through my personal relationship with God. Don't go to church just to go to church--thats ridiculous--seek God. If God wants you to go to church He'll lead you there. Have people around you to encourage you keep you accountable to what you believe. Take heed and re-evaluate when criticized.

I am completely open to others opinions on this, but please understand that I will listen, take heed, and then re-evaluate. My walk with God has required much evaluation and people who know me know that I have had many seasons in question and doubt---that have resulted to nothing more than strengthening my faith.

I am not trying to convert anyone, I just want to make sure that we both "insiders" and "outsiders" understand one another so that we can relate and communicate instead of bashing each-other and jumping to snap judgements---no me gusta! I have been on both sides of the spectrum and I have no place to judge where ever you may be--let us both learn from one another instead of jumping to snap judgements. I will do my best to understand you, if you will do your best to try and understand me---that is a better approach.

Well I definitely got a good laugh in today, and I'm so thankful for people who have different beliefs than me so that together we can seek out Truth!