It really makes a person wonder...

Rhoni · #1 03-22-2008, 12:01 AM

why we have so many well read and well posted threads that have little substance, and then all the Easter and Resurrection threads get little to no attention. Are we getting desensitized to the gospel? Does it not move us anymore? Does it make us uncomfortable? Are we trying to 'normalize' the meaning of this religous holiday?

Just curious as to your thoughts? Our church is showing The Passion tomorrow.

Blessings, Rhoni

Ron · #2 03-22-2008, 12:27 AM

Good question.

Mosby48 · #3 03-22-2008, 12:27 AM

Our church is having a short play written by one of our members but it seems like everyone is just going through the motions. There is no excitement, no intense feelings of spirituality. It was the same at Christmas and New Years. Its seems most are too caught up in materialism and the daily grind to seek after God anymore. All you are hearing is about the meal and easter egg hunt. Then Volleyball and washers in the evening. Of course, evening services are cancelled since all will be too tired.

GodsBabyGirl · #4 03-22-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosby48

Our church is having a short play written by one of our members but it seems like everyone is just going through the motions. There is no excitement, no intense feelings of spirituality. It was the same at Christmas and New Years. Its seems most are too caught up in materialism and the daily grind to seek after God anymore. All you are hearing is about the meal and easter egg hunt. Then Volleyball and washers in the evening. Of course, evening services are cancelled since all will be too tired.

Well, I dont get all excited about these 'religious' holidays, as they are called for that particular reason...because they are 'religious.'

I HATE religion. I say why relegate 'intense feelings of spirituality' or seeking after God to two or three days of the year?

My grandma used to say, "why I gotta wait for one day of the year to buy my grandkids gifts, or candy, or cook a big fancy meal? I can do that all year round..."

Folks dont get riled up about Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving because these holidays have been around forever and we do the same thing. Christendom has exhausted all means of innovative outreach for these holidays. Folks are resting from working so hard the other 362 days of the year that these days mean little to them anymore...

I believe we are living in a day where the church has to not deem one day over the other. Holidays can be and will be capitalized on in this country. So their influence for the gospel is diminished.

If the church is really serious about souls, they will use EVERY day, every hour, every minute and second, as an opportunity to minister to who God sends to us.

These holidays have lost their novelty. Now its time to be sensitive to the leading of God on how to bring them in...

Seeking God should be 24/7, 365...if that is done, then souls will come in and God gets the glory...

Cindy · #5 03-22-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GodsBabyGirl

Well, I dont get all excited about these 'religious' holidays, as they are called for that particular reason...because they are 'religious.'

I HATE religion. I say why relegate 'intense feelings of spirituality' or seeking after God to two or three days of the year?

My grandma used to say, "why I gotta wait for one day of the year to buy my grandkids gifts, or candy, or cook a big fancy meal? I can do that all year round..."

Folks dont get riled up about Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving because these holidays have been around forever and we do the same thing. Christendom has exhausted all means of innovative outreach for these holidays. Folks are resting from working so hard the other 362 days of the year that these days mean little to them anymore...

I believe we are living in a day where the church has to not deem one day over the other. Holidays can be and will be capitalized on in this country. So their influence for the gospel is diminished.

If the church is really serious about souls, they will use EVERY day, every hour, every minute and second, as an opportunity to minister to who God sends to us.

These holidays have lost their novelty. Now its time to be sensitive to the leading of God on how to bring them in...

Seeking God should be 24/7, 365...if that is done, then souls will come in and God gets the glory...

PREACH!

simplyme · #6 03-22-2008, 01:43 AM

Desensitized? Probable although I can not count myself in that group., Resurrection Day., TO ME..is tops!

Rhoni · #7 03-22-2008, 07:32 AM

My sister has new neighbors, a new young couple. She invited them to join us for Dinner on Sunday. They kindly told her they were Jewish, she said, "That doesn't matter, you can come to church with us and eat dinner with us whether you are Jewish or not." They were so overwhelmed at her kindness. Please pray that Jesus manifests himself to them through us tomorrow afternoon.

A_PoMo · #8 03-22-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhoni

My sister has new neighbors, a new young couple. She invited them to join us for Dinner on Sunday. They kindly told her they were Jewish, she said, "That doesn't matter, you can come to church with us and eat dinner with us whether you are Jewish or not." They were so overwhelmed at her kindness. Please pray that Jesus manifests himself to them through us tomorrow afternoon.

I think the humiliation/kenosis and exaltation of Christ is more of a theology to us than a reality. Easter has morphed into an evangelistic 'opportunity' for most evangelical churches as we try to carpe diem and grow our churches more than we do celebrate the basis of our faith. It's a subtle but significant shift. I don't think we feel Easter and all it celebrates is unimportant, i just think we've misplaced our priority in general. Kinda gotten the cart before the horse, so to speak. I was struck by this other day when I heard a lady refer to this Sunday as Resurrection Sunday instead of Easter. I liked her approach. Maybe we ought to start there, stop calling it Easter which conjures up images of eggs, bunnies, chocolate, dramas, big out reach, slogans, pretty dresses, and new shoes.

Rhoni · #9 03-22-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

I think the humiliation/kenosis and exaltation of Christ is more of a theology to us than a reality. Easter has morphed into an evangelistic 'opportunity' for most evangelical churches as we try to carpe diem and grow our churches more than we do celebrate the basis of our faith. It's a subtle but significant shift. I don't think we feel Easter and all it celebrates is unimportant, i just think we've misplaced our priority in general. Kinda gotten the cart before the horse, so to speak. I was struck by this other day when I heard a lady refer to this Sunday as Resurrection Sunday instead of Easter. I liked her approach. Maybe we ought to start there, stop calling it Easter which conjures up images of eggs, bunnies, chocolate, dramas, big out reach, slogans, pretty dresses, and new shoes.

A_PoMo,

You know, I couldn't agree more.

Blessings to you this Resurrection Sunday!
Rhoni

Bro-Larry · #10 03-22-2008, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

I think the humiliation/kenosis and exaltation of Christ is more of a theology to us than a reality. Easter has morphed into an evangelistic 'opportunity' for most evangelical churches as we try to carpe diem and grow our churches more than we do celebrate the basis of our faith. It's a subtle but significant shift. I don't think we feel Easter and all it celebrates is unimportant, i just think we've misplaced our priority in general. Kinda gotten the cart before the horse, so to speak. I was struck by this other day when I heard a lady refer to this Sunday as Resurrection Sunday instead of Easter. I liked her approach. Maybe we ought to start there, stop calling it Easter which conjures up images of eggs, bunnies, chocolate, dramas, big out reach, slogans, pretty dresses, and new shoes.

I agree A_PoMo, Great post Rhoni,

Since the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of The Christ is the most important event in the history of all mankind, I reject all the religious, pagan and commercial trappings that have been added to the celebration of it. Especially the stupid concept of chicken eggs and bunnie rabbits.