I am writing this in a little hotel in the middle of a small town in Illinois. We are 14 hours drive away from home sweet home…Rochester. We are here for a wedding. The town we are staying in is an unusual one. I’m looking out the window at an ice cream shop called “Dairy dream” and a sign in front of it that says “Black dirt for sale”. Nothing to do with ice cream…they mean, real black dirt. I see corn and cows as far as my eyes can look. There is a bar next to the hotel, the only one in town by the way (hotel,that is). They didn't bother to even name the bar. A sign says "Bud Light" to advertise the beer. There are flies everywhere...outside and in every building. They land on my legs and arms constantly. None of the locals seem to even notice. Flies crawling all over them and they dont even try and shoo them away. Strange little town it is!
We ate lunch at a little place. I watched people come in and out. I won’t go into detail but each person seemed a bit stranger than the last. Finally I saw two nice looking older ladies walk in and sit down. They seemed normal! They got their food and prayed together, out loud, before they ate. They said together “in Jesus name, Amen”. I smiled and felt like I had something in common with them. One of them took a bite of her food and swallowed. She went on to say that her food tastes like…..blankety -blank-blank-blank. She cussed up a storm. She didn’t just swear once. On and on she went. I was embarrassed just to be hearing her!
As I said, we are here for a wedding. We went to the church for the rehearsal. The church is an extremely conservative one. There is a group of college students here who attend an extremely conservative, Christian college in the area. These boys had on shirts that said things like “Redeemed by HIS blood” and “Born again”. I was standing in the same room as they were and I overheard them talking to one another. I wasn’t sure I was hearing right. They, all of them, were swearing like seasoned sailors. They were using words that sickened my stomach! They kept swearing and laughing….and no one acted as if anything was amiss. These are the same kids who boast about going soulwinning every single Saturday in the inner city of Chicago. The same who would never use CD accompaniments for special music. And the same who wear clothes that they think look like Christian clothes….suits and ties for them and skirts-only for their girlfriends. They certainly have, what they think is, the Christian “look” down. But when they opened their mouths what came out betrayed what was in their hearts.
I think this is exactly what James meant when he said JAMES 2: 10-11 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet and bitter water.
So….as I write this my heart is a bit heavy. If I feel this way how much is the heart of God the Father sickened? I wonder how many Christians are just playing a game; Just living a life style that they know far too well? I wonder if they really, really know the God behind the religion and the rules? The greatest blessing in this lifetime is the fact that we can KNOW God. The greatest confusion for me is that HE would even desire to know us! Dirty, rotten sinners that we are!
I believe that God allowed me to see these things today. To be more resolved in what I know to be true. We, those who call him Father, are to be different. Set apart. We have a job to do and that job is to glorify our Father….to show The Unseen God to this world in which we live.
Just like this little strange town is not my home and I am very much out of place……so it is with this world in which I live. I’m just passing through! I belong elsewhere! May I represent my Father with excellence and sincerity!!
Back to those young men wearing their "witnessing shirts". They seemed to be offering Christ and were literal "walking tracts" to this world! But when they opened their mouth all they really had for sale was yucky, old, black dirt! Nothing but black dirt for sale!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Black Dirt for Sale
Posted by
Colette
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1:48 PM
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7 comments:
Incredible to hear this! I am so thankful and blessed for our church and the youth group we have! I am also thankful for the example of older kids who continue to truly believe and then live the faith that they have been taught!
Wow. I would like to say I am surprised: I am not. I fear this is common place!
It just goes to show that we have no righteousness to offer, no matter how hard we try on the outside.
In my flesh dwelleth NO GOOD THING!
I would have to agree with Juliemom on this. I want to say that it's surprising, but even in my own life I can fail in this area. I can spiritually "pretty" myself all I want, but sometimes I totally allow my flesh to take over. This is a great reminder to me that even when I don't think people are listening, they are. Thanks for the reminder.
yucky old black dirt for sure..Matt. 12:34 says "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks"..proof of what is truly in their hearts, I suppose. It is our responsibility to love, teach and admonish one another. I run into far too many unsaved who claim that all Christians are hypocrites and it's because of these instances..we've got to be set apart! We are representing Christ! Great reminder, Colette. You are truly a mighty woman of God!
I'm finally getting caught up on my blog reading - this is incredible!! What is the deal? You know me - I have certain thoughts as to dress. But, if you know me well enough, you know that I also believe it goes so much deeper than that! I agree - if you can't have godly words come out of your mouth, then leave the scripture shirts home. What a horrible testimony! UGH! Colette, you have a beautiful testimony. I'm so sorry you had to share this glorious family time with a grieved heart. Praise the Lord for YOU looking to Him.
What a bad testimony for Christ. But please don't think that all people who dress "conservatively" and hold certain convictions about music, entertainment, etc. are like these young people. It has been my experience that in every group, every church, and every Christian college(no matter how conservative) there are people who are living sincere lives for the Lord, and others who just go about skin deep.
Carolee, I do understand that not all conservative Christians are like these young men. I am one who is conservative in so many areas too. My intent was to encourage all who carry the name of Christ....that we might be so very careful to represent Him with excellence! I tried to read your blog and it says I have to be invited :(....Invite me!!! :)
Victoria, You are such a blessing to me! I loved watching you grow in to such a beautiful woman whose testimony shines for the Lord!
Kristina, same words go to you (as what I wrote to Vicky)! I have such great memories of you girls! I think you know how much I loved you guys!!! Still do.
Sabrina, As I am going down the list of comments I think you guys were all in high school at the same time! My girls!! You are a blessing to me! I love reading your blog!!
Julie, No...unfortunately I was not surprised either. Just disappointed. Loved your comment! Praying for you in Africa. Pastor mentioned you from the pulpit on Sunday!
Janice, I agree! We have an awesome church that is so very balanced!! Love you!!!
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