May as well finish out the week on theme, right?
I recently finished a book called Touch - Pressing Against the Wounds of a Broken World by Pastor Rudy Rasmus.
This book is full of God changing lives. Wonderful testimonies. Pastor Rudy himself was owner of a "borderline bordello" when he came to know Christ.
His church in Houston is a beautiful picture of what love should look like. All are welcome. All kinds of people attend. Well- to- do, dressed up people and homeless, smelly people sit side by side. Gay couples, drug addicts and prostitutes are welcome, loved, hugged, and fed. The love take a tangible form. And people are allowed to come as they are and hear the gospel. Pastor Rudy loves them to Jesus.
This church is very different from what I am used to. And I admit, I had to deal a little bit with my tendency to be judgmental. "Beyonce? Oh, its that kind of church..." God forgive me. But once I got that straight I was truly blessed. We all say we want to live like Jesus, but tend to hesitate when it comes to befriending prostitutes, cross-dressers and the homeless. This guy walks the walk.
This church truly reaches out to "the least of these." While I was reading, I considered the fact that I don't believe God is calling me to move to the inner city in order to minister with the down and out. But God showed me that right here in my sphere there are women who are abused. Children who are abused. People trapped in addictions. Women struggling with depression. On and on the list goes of needs that can be found in any suburban neighborhood. So while they may not need me to meet physical needs, they still need the love of Jesus to meet their deeper needs. My eyes are open. My heart is listening to see what God wants me to do right where I am to love Him by loving others.
I highly recommend this book. If you want to learn more about how to love like Jesus, read it.
Does Pastor Rudy love them as Jesus did the lady caught in adultery when he said to her, "Go, and sin no more?" I agree that we shouldn't be uppity with folks, because we are no better than them, in God's eyes. We are just as needy of the forgiveness of God. But, Christ DID come to destroy the works of the devil, which would include the lifestyles that you mention.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering, since I have not read Pastor Rudy's book. It does sound like he has the love of God in him!
Sounds really interesting! I am never going to catch up with you and your reading!! Bookworm! I love you!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your theme this week. It is amazing how when the Lord is teaching me something it is everywhere..from church to relationships to even the blogging world. Thanks!
Joyce,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment.
I began the book with some trepidation. I do think that it is easy for people to become so involved in reaching the physical needs of people that they neglect the spiritual needs and I was looking for that. But the reverse can be true as well. Jesus did both with perfect balance.
This church does preach the gospel of salvation through Christ. And whether or not the pastor himself confronts the people with their sin, I'm not sure. I get the impression that he leaves that up to the Holy Spirit. And there are some wonderful examples in the book of people repenting from crime, addiction, sexual sins, etc and giving their lives to Christ.
As I was reading this post and comments I had a thought. I've been involved-growing up and later- with "regular" churches, where if you had a hard time, or problem, or pain you kept it to yourself because (and this is probably just me in all of this)you were saved and shouldn't be having problems and if you did you were needing some alter time, because christians doing every thing right don't have struggles. Okay, I've also been to churches that were so touchie-feelie that everyone cried all over you and every grimace was a cry for help. I know there is a middle ground...I know it! I think the danger is when you are on one side or the other. If this pastor can really love people as God loves us, than I know it is God's doing. I have been looking for honest christians, I think, my whole life.(in the church that is) and I now know that it starts with me.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting...made me think a little of the book by Wil and Lisa Samson - Justice in the Burbs.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI thought he looked familiar and realised that he was on Beyonces story on E!.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that there are some people who love people,just the way they are and willing to reach out
There you are, more unloveables, untouchables, on the highways and byways. Good for him! He must surely be pointing them towards Christ. A true commitment to Christ will give them the desire to put their sin away, unless, of course, they choose not to let the Holy Spirit help them.
ReplyDeleteSounds like this book has given you a whole new perspective on things. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful testimony! I'm going to need to read this one!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this, Kay.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I came to Christ through an intitial intellectual journey, I believe I'm the exception, not the rule. And, although I tend to fall on the apologetix side, I am convinced the most efficient way of winning the lost is through servanthood. Love and respect garner far more credibility than debate.
The catch is it takes faith and putting aside our humanism and letting God shine through.
I agree with Dayle.
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