Olah-Oh My Gosh!

July 4, 2011
I didn't want to go to church Saturday night because I'd had a glass of wine.  I told Kathy it would be just my luck to have the pastor come up and smell it on my breath.  (Which he may have)  I told her if I could just make it through to communion, not stumble or anything on the way up there, I'd be covered since because, of course, I'm taking the wine and bread so wine on my breath would be expected.  What was to happen however, at the "Olah" service (this is the service where you offer yourself as a burnt offering to God, lay all your burdens at the foot of the Cross and find hope and peace as a result)  created a giant hang-up for me.

The "Banquet Hall" had changed and there were tables and chairs instead of rows of chairs.  We chose a table near where we usually sit and there happened to be a table of people next to us with a bottle of wine on the table.  We thought, perhaps, they were just finishing up before the service but no, the wine and cheese indulging continued, right on to communion!

Now, there are many ragged edges to creative cooperation.  In renewing my Spiritual life, I have studied and meditated, attempted to clarify my values and then, make a commitment.  My personal commitment is to establish a relationship between God and myself.  Period. I have strived to develop a balanced focus based on an inside-out, character-based and principle-centered foundation.  I simply have a personal relationship with God, no matter how many times I get out in the weeds.  At the Olah service, with my sense of values  challenged, I  must stand and make a statement. I don't believe "we" should be behaving completely opposite of what this worship service represents.  To eat and drink in the presence of Almighty God is wrong!  It also is a lust of the flesh which interferes with our developing the mind of Christ.  Therefore, since this is my church, I'm going to strive to follow the principles of "think win-win, seek first to understand and then be understood in an effort to creatively cooperate with those who now, to me, seem out in the weeds.

Our church is in dire straits.  Like Job, who had it all, we are about to lose it.  Like Elihu, who rebuked Job and began by saying, "I have kept my mouth shut.  However, I am now angry and must speak.  Job, quit justifying  yourself, justify God!"

 My wife and I have raised our children in this church.  We are not going to leave, we have decided to make a stand, like Elihu.  As Pastor Bill said, "whatever happens to this church is God's will" but for me and my house, "we will serve the Lord".
Ron Jones