Still running for the cheese (or why this blog still exists)

As my regular readers can tell, this has been a dry year for me. Just look at the number of posts this year vs. 2008! Awhile back, I had considered either shutting down the Maze, or starting a new blog that would more accurately reflect where I am in life now. Truth be told, sometimes I come here, look around, and feel distinctly hypocrytical about the things I want to write. I'm sure I'm not the only one to ever be in that kind of place.
As the time in between posts has grown longer, I came to realize something. Without the past years' material, where I am now makes very little sense. What good is the destination without the journey? As Christians, so much of the best stuff that happens to us is in the times God is molding us to His image. To throw away the evidence of that process would somehow cheapen the result, I think.
So, here we are, dear friends. I think my little mousie may just have rounded a corner finally. Some things will change around here to reflect the changes in my heart. And you know what? That's ok. As much as I typically rage against anything changed in my life, I'm learning to accept the God-given ones. My prayer is that some of you may be encouraged by what you read here. Hey, you may even be challenged. And of course, if you know me, then you know you always stand a good chance of being offended too. Not intentionally, to be sure! Just know that what you find as you wander this Maze with me may surprise you as much as it does me.

All that to say this:


Welcome to



Thursday, August 14, 2008

I'll take religious hypocrisy for $500, Alex!

So, we went to church last night. Why oh why oh why? Seriously, sometimes I wonder why I go against my gut instincts and do some things. It almost always comes back to bite me.
Anyway, all of us, and I do mean all of us, loaded on up and headed on down for the Wednesday night services. It was only at the last minute that we realized it would be a guest speaker and not the regular pastor.
Oh Jeez
It ended up being this man, Cam Colombo. He was apparently there to do a multi-part series on gifts of the Spirit and healing. Now, let me say up front that both Mr. P. and I are not big believers in faith healing. Speaking purely for myself here, I won't say it's impossible, for nothing is impossible with Christ, but I think it's not probable in the setting of a "healer" pushing on people's foreheads in a church to have them become "slain in the Spirit". Again, just my personal take.
So, back to the service. Mom and my aunt were with us and Mom wanted to stay because she was hoping to learn about the gifts of the Spirit. In her own words, "I really don't know much about that junk.". I was prepared to explain some of the "finer points" of the various ways one could look at the gifts of the Spirit to her once the service was over. I was not prepared to find myself somewhat flabbergasted halfway through, nor to have my husband walk out.
I should probably confess right here before I go on that because of the worship team's insistence on playing background music, I didn't hear much of what this man had to say. Maybe he clarified his point after, I'm not sure. Regardless, it's pretty high on my not-cool-o-meter to hear stuff like this in church:
An example he used to illustrate a point was one of finding an acceptable marriage partner. Speaking to the men, he asked them if they would take a "filthy" wife. As he continued, it was clear he meant a woman of, shall we say, loose morals. Then he asked of the women, would we have taken "a man from the streets" as our husband. And as you can imagine, his hoped for response was a resounding NO!
Except for Mr. P. and I. We just looked at each other. Granted, we kinda laughed it off at first, but the more we thought of, the more offended we were.
You see, Mr. P. and I had started our relationship as a 1 night stand. And frankly, though I was "a filthy woman" and he "a man from the streets", we knew within just a few weeks that we loved each other very much. Almost 9 years later, here we still sit, committed to one another.
As Pastor Colombo continued, Mr. P. and I stewed in our own juices a bit longer. Shortly after, Mr. P. went outside, and not long after, I got the kids and we left. Maybe that was wrong, maybe that was rude, but that's how it went down.
Last night, I just couldn't help but ponder that whole analogy of his. I've heard stuff like that before from Christians likening a pure marriage to what Christ will find acceptable. Perhaps I'm being naive, but I often wonder what Bible they are reading. In mine, the overwhelming theme is one of Redemption. Redemption came to this world, hung on a cross and sacrificed all for each one of us. There are no strings attached, no ifs, ands, or buts. Redemption is available for all, regardless, and dare I say especially for those who seem filthy and stuck in all the world's bad places. I don't know, maybe it's just that I am still a very young Christian, but it saddens me that many forget that there are those of us who weren't raised in the church, who came to Christ in our adult years after many mistakes, but who I believe God still values as His children. I know oftentimes the church at large does not. It becomes apparent in the attitudes displayed when Christians believe they are speaking among their own. It's a different ball of wax than when ministering to the world, eh?
Alrighty, time to hop off my soapbox of religious hypocrisy. My man from the streets needs his filthy wife to wake him up for work. Winky 2

Til next squeak,

10 Squeaks from the Maze:

melanie said...

You are EXACTLY right. IMO, the entire theme of the Bible is redemption. I get the point the speaker was making, however, I agree that the wording he used wasn't the best. I should say also - an awful lot of the people who were brought up in church would be considered filty by these same standards. To take that even further ... none of us is without sin, no not one. Yes, we are to strive for holiness, but the fact remains that all have sinned.

Just wanted to share ... I'm hoping that the speaker just didn't look at it from all angles while preparing his sermon.

{{{HUGS}}}

Mrs. P. said...

Have I mentioned that I love it that you read my blog, Melanie? :D

Mr P said...

I guess me walking out was in bad taste but better then slugging him ...Right???

Mrs. P. said...

I dunno babe, a little French on French violence could've been amusing. LOL.
Think I'm going to Hell for that one. Doh.

Unknown said...

I can't say I blame you. Mind you, there is a story in the bible of a prohphet who married a prostitute. So, if God wants everyone to be pure, why did he command this marriage?? Makes ya wonder!!

Mr P said...

I say he was a insensitive putz and leave it at that lol! AS for the french on french violence...OOH i could so take him i mean what kinda name is Cam lol!

Cat. said...

What Melanie said.

I'm struggling with how this all fits in with fruits of the spirit. Sounds to me like Mr. Columbo's fruit is Foot-in-Mouth Fruit.

(My spiritual fruit is NOT tolerating annoying donkeys, can you tell?)

Mrs. P. said...

Hey Cat, I know I haven't had my coffee yet because when I read your comment, all I can think is "Mmmmm fruit by the foot."

Lori Watson said...

Amen, amen, amen to your thoughts on redemption. Wish I had more time to hop up on that soapbox with you, but unfortunately I just got home from GenCon and have too much to do! But after reading the comments here I wanted to ask if you've ever read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers? It is historical fiction (which is not usually my fav but I love this one) that is based on the OT story of Gomer and Hosea and is about a prostitutes redemption. It is raw and it is powerful and I love it!

Be back to catch up on more of your blog another day!

Mr P said...

LOl minty fresh pooper loL! There i said it! As for the speaker eh he gone and tommorrow should be better at church!

 
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