Real

Sunday Night Micah and I went to a large local church that was advertising as a miracle healing service. I didn't know what to expect really but I figured you know, I really want to see God move. I really do. We weren't in the building but 5 minutes when there was a man on the stage basically hawking the pastor's books and cds in a package to sell. The usher came out with handfuls of these packages and went up and down each aisle while he sold them to the congregation from the stage. This really upset me. If I was an unsaved man that walked into that church for the first time, the first thing I would have seen was a salesman on the stage selling stuff while the ushers were going up and down the aisles like they were selling hot dogs. Whats wrong with this picture?

Well long story short, for the next two hours we saw nothing bust bluster and show. Everything prayed for was general, with the exception of a choice few who got singled out over the couple thousand that were there. The pastor of the church came up on stage and just talked about the miracles he's seen, and how he believes in them. He showed a video testimony about whats already been done. When he was done talking, he turned the service over to another group who promptly sang like two songs and then their leader came up on the stage and started selling their CD. Thats when Micah and I left. We were there for two hours and what did we see? We saw a hungry congregation that was there and pumped up for God...they were HUNGRY. But we saw a service that was nothing but bluster and show.

Now I know my church does not do these type of services or even really move in this manner (in terms of miracles, healings, etc) yet, and I do stress yet, because I know in my core that God is only just beginning do his work through our church, but I can tell you this: When that day comes when an opportunity like that church had comes to our church I pray that we don't miss it. I want us to be as real then as we are now. Every part of that service was a show...an old-school example of showmanship and talk, with little to no action. You know what..I want action. I want every corner of our city covered under the light of our Living God. I want it all real! I want all to see who our God really is. He's not just words...he's action. He's not bluster...he's the real deal. God never wastes your time! However, I feel like my time was wasted when I visited this church.

All this being said, I'm in no place to judge, and my thoughts and prayers are with this church. They have great influence in our community and they can be used to turn Columbus on its head for God. Their pastor is a gifted teacher and is well-connected in the community. I can only imagine the potential of this church. So my prayers go out to this church.

As for me, I want it all, and I want it all to be real. My prayer is that all of our churches are real with our people. That way, when God does move in a service....when miracles and healings do happen...we can give glory to God and not to ourselves.