It really makes a person wonder...
 

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

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Good question.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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A_PoMo,

You know, I couldn't agree more.:friend

Blessings to you this Resurrection Sunday!
Rhoni

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

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.

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Just saw thing on Yahoo News about how Americans spent $1.9 BILLION on Easter candy this year.

Makes me want to read Amos again.

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Is that in the Old or New Testament?

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Now that you asked I'll have to check. :)

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

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...

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

PREACH!

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

Powerful thread Rhoni.

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

Truthfully ... we need to BE CAREFUL that our Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, etc. services are not so AGENDA-DRIVEN that there is no time set aside for God to move in them.

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

It is unfortunate. Although undoubtedly, we could argue that Easter should be no different than any other weekend. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is one that should continually be celebrated in the hearts of believers.

On the other hand, it should be also noted that Easter (or Mother's or Father's Day) gives us an opportunity to reach those who might not find themselves in a church pew had it not been for them feeling of obligation to be there. We have an obligation to reach to the lost at anytime. This is just another avenue of outreach that we must pursue.

Of course, perhaps, we should be thankful that this is not controversial either...lol

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

Absolutely Fiyahstarter! It is supposed to be all about Him and not about us:friend. There are times I think the 'church' as a whole has become narcissistic. I love that worship song..."I'm coming back to the heart of worship...it's all about you, all about you Jesus. I'm sorry Lord for the things I've made it, when it's all about you, all about you Jesus."

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Amen! Good post!!!

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We will be having a glourious serice tomorrow with many choirs singing and lots of worship and a baptismal service...a wonderful way to celebrate a risen Lord.

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Those of you who come to the internet to find meaning and depth--please see the "deep" threads. LOL!!! I come here mostly for fun. I avoid the serious threads, unless I'm in the mood to be serious. It doesn't have anything to do with how devoted I am to Christ and how seriously I take His death, burial and resurrection.

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

Good post.

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I concur!

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Miss Brattified,

This thread was not about making anyone feel guilty or less 'spiritual' than another. It was about how our society plays down 'religious' holidays/activities and how it impacts the church.

Some people do post here for depth and some not. I think we all get what we want or need from our posting and interactions here.

Blessings, Rhoni

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

Rhoni,

Sometimes when we post for depth....we get "drowned" out.:kickcan

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How many times have I worshipped worship??? Too many I must confess....
Blessings!

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

That may be why we have lost some very good 'word' posters on this forum. Everyone should be allowed to post on any given thread without feeling threatened.

If one does not hold the sentiments of the thread starter then the least they can do is bow out and not post. It is respectful.

Blessings, Rhoni

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

Yep...:kickcan

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That is so true.

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Steve P,

You are not alone in this. I know that for myself, oftentimes:
Sometimes when I am not in the mood to worship but do it anyway, or at least go through the mechanics, I find myself touched deep inside and in that moment it changes from mechanics to flowing from the depths of my soul.

There are other times I try to worship and it doesn't seem to get off the ground and it is then that I bring sacrifice of praise. It isn't all about 'feelings' but about obedience and sacrifice.

Blessings, Rhoni

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

There are some days that I just let my hair down....(really...all of it) and post here and there. Sometimes its humorous, sometimes giving someone a hard time. Then there are times when I feel a heartfelt "word" as in my post yesterday. We must always be mindful (I read that somewhere) to each other. There should never be an instance where someone should feel inadequate or threatened. Due respect should be given to all.

Re: It really makes a person wonder...
 

I couldn't have said it better myself. Sometimes, I have to do not what I want but what I am SUPPOSED to do....
Blessings again!!!!