Well isn't that special

"Well Isn't that Special!"

I'm not gonna lie, I love the Church lady from Saturday Night Live. As a matter of fact, I used to do a pretty good impersonation of her (I'm no Dana Carvey though). If you are not familiar with the character, it was a skit on SNL where the "Church Lady" had a talk show and would interview people and would always condemn them and use her famous catch phrases, "Well, isn't that special!" and "Could it be Satan?". Even though these sketches were humorous, what goes on in many churches isn't so funny or humorous.

There are real life "church ladies and church gents" out there who aren't judging and condemning to be funny, they are doing it because they believe in their heart they are doing people a favor and they do this blindly, in ignorance, and though some with good intent, they are really doing more damage than they are good all in the name of God.

Jesus reminds us that He didn't come to condemn(John 3:16-17) but to save. Jesus never backed away from truth or watered down sin, but He confronted and taught in Love and also with wisdom and knowledge. Many people in our worlds, simply teach what they've been raised or taught. Many people teach things out of their own opinions, belief systems, or ways they were raised, not because it's biblical or accurate.

For instance my step-son recently asked me after visiting a church why the preacher yells and hacks and carries on when He preaches? People are taught that style, so they think that is the only way you can preach. I'm not knocking people who preach that way, but it comes across to many as angry, you can't understand what they are saying, or it's distracting. I'm just using this as an example,but my point is people are taught a certain way and many think that is the only way or you're not really preaching if you ain't "yelling, spitting, hollering, or red faced."

But, it goes just beyond preaching styles, it's in certain things we believe, about wearing hats in the church building, or having food/drinks in the church building, or music we sing, or the order of service, or things we do for the children/youth in the church, or really any subject or topic for that matter.

I would just like to see the church and christians get back to the basics of faith. Love God, Love others. Enjoy the love and grace we have through Jesus Christ and share it with others. Do not condemn, judge, criticize. We spend way too much time doing the wrong things the wrong way and the Main thing isn't the main thing. We don't need "church lady" mentality where we spend all our time focusing and judging things we think are wrong because it's not how we believe or were raised.

We need to get back to the simplicity and truth of the Gospel. God loves us unconditionally. He wants to save us, He wants us to grow in our faith, and He wants us to serve Him and share our faith with others. We need to focus on the goodness of God and not the badness of people. We need to express and show the love of God through our actions toward others so they may be attracted to God. I love the words of Paul to the church at Colosse that I will close with reminding them to not be deceived by people's foolish arguments, but be encouraged in the lve of Christ! I think that's truly Special!

"2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments." Colossians 2:2-4(NIV)