But if we are the body, why aren't His arms reaching?

So I saw that guy from Korn wrote a book about his new found faith and I started posting about it on another site and had to add it here too. Personally I think it's great and worth reading. It just goes to show you that no one is out of reach of the hand of God and that finding God does not mean that you have to conform to organized religion. I read this great passage in my devotional the other day that said "There is a vast difference between devotion to a person and devotion to principles or a cause -- He proclaimed personal devotion to Himself." I love this because I am SO sick and tired of Christians believing that because they follow all the rules they are going to heaven or that by following all the rules they are showing their love and devotion to Christ. Sorry, but I can follow the rules and laws of this country and still not be devoted to the leaders. I can follow the rules at work and still hate my boss. Following rules does not equal devotion and/or love. I'm glad that Brian is speaking out about his faith in a way that will draw people in rather than make them feel like there are a huge set of rules that come along with loving God and being devoted to Him. Yay Brian!



There's this song by Casting Crowns that I *love* called "If We Are The Body" Basically it's about how Christians can be so judgemental. It's a great song. Here are the lyrics...

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is
carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

Chorus:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road

Chorus

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ

Chorus

Jesus is the way



Yeah, I've seen it. In my own church too. I can honestly say that I've probably been guilty of it myself. I hope that whoever it was that I was looking up and down with my evil judgemental glances didn't notice. But I am willing to admit that I've probably done it. Maybe even more than once. Funny how I can't remember when or where and even *if* I've done this, but I bet I can tell you of three times it happened to me. I bet I can give you details too. Pretty sad that we don't remember being mean to someone but can remember every minute detail of when wrong was done to us. Pretty sad... pretty ridiculous! What really breaks my heart is that maybe the person or people I did that to still remember it. Maybe they even hate God because of something I did. Maybe, but I hope not. I hope my opinion doesn't matter *that* much to anyone. Especially since my opinions change as I grow.



I'm reading a pretty classic devotional right now called "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. It's the updated version. It's such a great devotional though. Everyday is one teeny page, but it packs in SO much that sometimes I have to read it over 3 or 4 times to get everything that he's trying to say. It's poignant and so completely relevant to now even though the original book was written in 1935. I think God is amazing in that way. That He can give us a standard and no matter how much technology we have, no matter what paths we follow... it still holds true for all of us. I like that God is so simple and completely complicated all at the same time. It gives me hope. Haha! Kidding.



In all seriousness, if you're looking for a devotional and you're super busy but you want something to fill you up daily without having to set aside 5 hours of intense bible study to finally arrive at a point... buy this book. It's great.