Church or no church

I've heard it said many times that you don't need to go to church to be a Christian. The truth is I could not agree with this more. It takes so much more than just going to church to be a christian. I mean I have seen enough people claim to be christian because they go to church and then turn around and cuss and talk about the party they went and how wasted they got. Just going to church is not enough at all. To be a hypocrite, all you have to do is go to church, claim the title and do nothing more. That is what that will get you. In order to really hear from God and be a christian like we claim, it takes soooo much behind the scenes work that most will never see. If we are going to be the ones who spread his word then we really need to know our stuff and be in tune with the spirit.
It always amazes me what we actually put in place of our God and I time. The thing that sticks out most to me is movies. and how much energy we put into them to. it is almost like we want to be the main character. We want to be the spartan kicking the guy into the bottomless pit, or swinging light sabers and pod racing. War movies or action movies really get to me. I think it is because I really want to be in a huge battle. It always cracks me up when two guys see two sticks on the ground, all i takes is a quick glance and a smile and immediately those sticks have become light sabers and the sounds are flying out of our mouths. i think it is just wired into to want a battle, or to have someone's life in our hands. I always find myself so into movies that when someone close to the main character dies i get sad, because I imagined that was someone close. I think what we need to realize is that we are always in a battle, always. And everyday we walk by people and let there life slip on by not even thinking that this might happen. we are in a huge battle. and we need to wise up. it is time for us to stop being so scared and do something about it. These peoples fragile lives that could end at any moment have been placed in our hands being sons and daughters of Christ. It is time to step up. Realize the seriousness of this, and do something about it. most of you are to afraid to let someone know that you are christian, or try and tell them how AMAZING god is, but as soon as something comes up about that cool car you saw, or that new video game that came out you are all experts on it. even if you don't know anything about it, we talk about it like we created the things. How long have we been christian? How much do we know? What's stopping us? it makes me sad when i realize that i am talking to myself if just as much if not more than anyone else.

We all have a responsibility, we are all the body, we all need to work together, without one piece how can the rest work together. It can't. we need to encourage each other and realize how crucial each gift is that God has given each of us.

Romans 12

Living Sacrifices

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

there it is right there. We need to stand for what we believe in, Stand for God! instead of hiding in the shadows and saying that we are to scared. fight through the fear, and fight for God. show others how much he means to you, but more importantly, show him how much he means to you.

Joey