Ripped Off!
Ever been ripped off?
I've been using Ebay for years now. I've bought everything from a penny baseball card to a tuba for $1000. By the way, next time you go camping, wanna guarantee that the spot you pick is secluded and private from all the other campers? Leave a tuba on the picnic table outside your tent. (And for those who are really hung up on this, yes, I can play the tuba!)
Back to Ebay. My feedback score is perfect, 100% positive, with over 130 transactions or so. But I'm in the middle of a transaction now where I'm probably going to have to leave negative feedback, because I think I've been ripped off.
I purchased a trunk for my scooter. It mounts on the back of the bike, and would be great to have to transport files, books, small items to and from work. I paid the day after the auction ended, which was 28 days ago, but have never received the trunk. My attempts to communicate with the seller have been less than successful. He keeps saying "It's in the mail," or "I sent it to the wrong address." Lately he seems more defensive, angry and incensed that I would even ask him where the trunk is. (I think it's in his imagination.)
It's always disappointing when something advertised doesn't meet our expectations. Whether it's a large expenditure, like that 1983 Plymouth Turismo I bought while in college 
(What? You don't remember the Turismo? Whenever I tried to enter the freeway, the motor would roar to life--unfortunately, it had to work harder to make the roaring sound, diverting power from the differential, actually slowing the car down when I pressed on the accelerator.) or something smaller, we can probably all identify with the feeling of being lied to or cheated. And perhaps nothing is worse than feeling defrauded by a church.
Ever feel like the church sells you one thing but delivers another? It's pretty easy to get disappointed in other Christians. The question is not "Will I fail you?" but "WHEN will I fail you?" Because sometimes I walk authentically with Jesus, and other times I choose to live for me. It's not right, but it's real. And many who set their eyes on Christians instead of Christ move from disappointment to feeling jaded & disillusioned to being dropouts of the local church.
All I can say is, it happens to everybody at some point. But you don't quit eating hot bread just because mama once burned the biscuits (look at my picture and you'll see that's VERY true!) And just because you are disappointed with your church doesn't mean it's time to leave.
I don't know everything, but I know this--the God of scripture doesn't disappoint. His children do, but He never does. Following Him is worth it. The local church is still the hope of the world. Sometimes I look at Jesus & the 12 disciples and I think, "Lord, surely there is a better way!"
Keep the Son in your eyes. Don't judge the Kingdom of Heaven by it's citizens--judge the kingdom of heaven by the King.
And if you've got a scooter trunk for sale, let me know, will ya? I'm tired of balancing my briefcase on the handlebars.
Too true Hugh....hmmmmmm. I'll leave that alone. Anyway, as a lifetime (35 of my 41 years) and now 'paid' Christian, I have seen the carnage of the church, up close and personal. For most people it is deep betrayal....and to be honest....some if not most have cause.
I pray that our churches will never ever be on the giving end of such pain.
Unfortunately, the church (the body of believers not the building) is made up of 'sinners' saved by grace.....yes even the pastors. Pastors who have pride, sin issues, and other baggage...they bring to the table. We have bad days, we snap and say stupid things and we aren't always the first to see our faults....yet we are held to a higher standard. God calls us to that...and it is no excuse for bad decisions we will ultimately stand accountable for.
As a church, we need to be about the business of God....feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for widows, visiting those in prison and ultimately simply showing love to others. Loving our neighbors as ourselves. That would mean a major commitment most of us are unwilling to make....But I submit that if we are 'loving of others', we are far less likely to hurt or betray those within our flocks (whether we are sheep or shepherds). Conversely, if our flock follows our examples of 'loving others' (assuming we arent just giving it lip service), then they in turn would be far less 'me focussed' and skeptical.
James 2:15-16 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
Jesus calls us to GO and he calls us to ACTION. There is a reason that he didn't call us to stay, to huddle and to rest....because those actions (or inactions) take our focus off what he has called us to do.
I read a book called "They Like Jesus but Not the Church". Sad but true....Jesus message of love and inclusiveness and grace for ALL....is a message of hope. But often times our traditions and protectionist attitude...keep us from effectively administering God plan...and keep us at arms length from those Christ came to save.
I personally believe that prison ministry is SO EFFECTIVE because the church is SO INEFFECTIVE. Think about that.
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Well said, Tray. Sorry to be so slow in responding to your comments. Thought this thing would automatically email me when someone made a comment--I see I'm wrong. I also enjoyed the book you mention. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving Day!
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