Living Life Abundantly

Chad Hedrick 2006 Olympic Gold Medalist was interviewed by his pastor Troy Champ at Capital Church in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 23, 2010. His goal is to inspire people to put their faith in God and that anything is possible. No matter what your past is we do have a forgiving God! Check out Chedhedrick.com to follow Chad as he participates in The 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver – God Bless! Video by: Kelly Johnson of Capital Church

This morning this poem was presented to me in a church bulletin. Considering the pastor’s message, the poem was right on time. I confess, I do not attend Sunday church services regularly. I know some people that know me personally are probably thinking wow she actually went to church this Sunday, Praise the Lord!

Funny… This morning the pastor made the point that just because a person sings in the choir, marches on the usher board, sits in the pulpit, or attends church every Sunday…does not mean that they are saved and/or are going to heaven. I’m glad he mentioned this because too many people get it twisted…

Anyway, I found this poem and today’s sermon thought provoking on so many levels. Perhaps you will too, enjoy!

When I Say, I Am a Christian
by Carol Wimmer,

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost! That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble-needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name

When I say, “I am a Christian,” I do not wish to judge
I have no authority–I only know I’m loved

People often turn to their church pastor for marital advice and counseling…but where do you go if the pastor is in the midst of a messy divorce?

When we look at the lives of  church leaders we are reminded that they are imperfect people just like us.  Clearly the church is not exempt from Divorce.  Just when we thought it couldn’t get an uglier than what’s happening with Evangelist Juanita Bynum and husband Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III…news breaks of a pastor’s wife wanting a church counted as a divorce asset! 

What is the world coming to?

According to the estranged Pastor’s wife she put up money to start the church and deserves a share in the church… her attorney says that the church is no different than any other business.

This is mind boggling but at the same time not surprising.  Churches across the country are operating as businesses and are often started as investments (or cash cows).

The wife argues that her husband of 31 years used his Brooklyn church as a “personal piggy bank,” setting his own income, spending the congregation’s tithes as he pleased and running a catering business from the building.

Its really unfortunate that churches are used in such a manner… it’s really nothing new though it was happening 2000 years ago too.

Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves, and said unto them, “It is written, `My house shall be called the house of prayer,’ but ye have made it a den of thieves.” —Matthew 21:12-13