My husband and I are Christians but have opted to not go to church. (the religious spirit all over the world is rearing it's ugly head right now, I know:)
I've been free for 5 years, from 23 years of religious bondage. I refuse with all of my being to go back, or to expose my children to what I was exposed to. When we walk into a church and the pastor encourages his congregation to live under the old covenant, we bounce. More often than not, pastors do believe in the NEW covenant, but for some odd reason, continue to preach from the old. So bizarre. It's as if they don't TRULY want to accept that we have a NEW covenant with God and thats that. God never said "a new covenant I make with you, but live as if you are still under the old". Hahaha:) That seriously cracks me up! So why is it so easy for churches to put their "people" under the law?
Now don't get me wrong, we would, in a heart beat, go to Bill Johnson's, John Sheasby's, or Brian Smallwood's (if he would start a church) churches. But, we don't live in California or Oaklahoma;). We do however, live in Franklin TN but B Smalls isn't interested in starting another church. He is teaching again though, and we couldn't be more thrilled! He started a thursday night Bible Study at Legends Club in Franklin. He said it best when he said, "I want people to be addicted to the spirit of encouragement that falls on them when they hear me teach". Seriously, thats exactly what happens. When he opens the word and begins to teach about the heart of God, my soul leaps with excitement. I feel alive. God breaths refreshment into my being and I feel full. It's so very fabulous and I just can't get enough. I'm absolutely addicted to the spirit of encouragement. (to learn more about Brian Smallwood, visit BrianSmallwoodonline.com)
I hope one day we will live in a place where church is an option. I do want my children to experience gathering with other believers to worship. But for now, home churching is fabulous for us and we feel like it's the best way to teach our kiddo's about the heart of God. We have a wonderful group of friends who want the same for their families and we are able to share our love for Christ with them.
My hope is that my boys will grow up knowing that God is love. That He wants the best for them, and believes in their success. I want them to see His love in their earthly father (which they do, he's incredibly amazing) and develop a true friendship with Jesus. I wish I would have had the privilege of knowing Jesus as friend when I was a child. I wish I would have known the Father's love and been able to rest in His safety. If I'm at all a successful parent, I will have taught my children that they are safe in Him, that there is no shame in Him. I love the quote that says "the true gift of parenting is raising a child without shame".
This is a heavy subject, I know:). I want everyone who reads my blogs, who enjoys keeping up with the Bass family, to know our hearts and where we come from. Thank you for taking the time to read about us! Now on to more about the kiddo's!
Blessings my friends!
Hi my dear friend...oh I just love you so and you know me I HAVE to post my comment to all the touchy things in life!!
ReplyDeleteI hear what you are saying above and I'm glad that you have found a way that works for you and your family - BUT - not all churchs work the way you are describing. And I'm from TN so I know the limitations of "small town/Bible belt thinking". We attend a church called Cornerstone Christian in Chandler AZ and it is AMAZING! It is non-denominational and they teach straight from the Bible. BUT they emphasis that the old testament is very useful for history/learning purposes. You can learn A LOT from the old testament and other great people's choices that were wrong. I mean - look at Psalms - how encouraging to read a Psalms of ascent when you are having a bad day! The New Testament is the new law - no doubt but I love looking at the old testament and taking their situation and applying it to my life and thinking - yep - I dont need to follow in their footsteps!
I love going to church because I am with other believers who know and love God just as much as I do. But it took us 3 years of visiting churchs to find our home. It is just ugly that people have been affected negatively by legalism and bad church experiences. But - I think it is super important for Christians to be with other Christians - that's how we grow in the Lord and our relationship with the Lord and going to church and Bible studies is how we accomplish that.
Love you!
Amanda!:) Thanks for reading my blog!:) I'm so excited that you've found a home church like what you described! (you've told me about it before, it sounds fabulous!!!) You're so right, not all churches are legalistic. Thats what I was talking about when I mentioned Bill Johnson, Brian Smallwood, and John Sheasby. It just so happens that right now we don't feel that going to church is an option for us. But I'm so happy for you!!!!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
I want to go to bill johnsons church too!!! And the sheasbys are just about the most precious people I have ever met. So encouraging and sincere. I wish they lived here.
ReplyDeleteMarie- I couldnt' have said it better myself. How interesting is it that so many people are abstaining from going to church around town. I too hope to live in *another* place where church is an option. But until then, I choose not to live in the midst of guilt and bondage and religion.
ReplyDeleteVery good!
Marie...I don't know you...but I would bet we have a cajillion mutual friends. I know Evan from being a part of Grace Center for years. I ended up on your blog from Lori Todd's linklist. Hey, we live in Denver. I don't know why you're wanting to be in CO aside from the BEAUTY...but if you ever need a place to stay or a new covenant connect...we're here. And you guys would be welcome. You probably know other people up here...I'm assuming...but we've just started a little home fellowship in Arvada...right now we're just worshiping together on Sunday nights and we'll see where it goes. Big fans of all those heroes you mentioned in this blog. Smokes, B Johnson, Sheasby...and our faith is exploding for creating space for a corporate grace culture here in this area. Just so you know. Big blessings to ya!
ReplyDeleteAshley~
ReplyDeleteThank you SOOO much for writing! We would love to come hang with you guys for sure- the only thing is that we're stuck here in Nashville for a bit longer :(. Evans job is just too good to quit right now so we're staying put. We're coming out to Denver this summer for a wedding, maybe we can hook up!?