The Midwest Loch Ness

From Ray Comfort's column on wayofthemaster.com; God, Tsunamis, and Cheese Sandwiches:

   ...While watching TV in my hotel room the night before, I saw a well-known pastor talk about his book, which has sold a phenomenal 20 million copies. He said that God's agenda for humanity was to "make our lives better." That was a summation of his message. Tell that to those who were burying tens of thousands of human corpses after the tsunami hit. Tell that to the fathers who hold the dead bodies of their beloved children in their arms, or to the relatives of those who died of horrific diseases. It doesn't take much intelligence to realize that if there is a God who created all things, He must be all-powerful. Nothing is impossible for Him. He therefore could have easily prevented unspeakable agony by simply lifting His finger off the earthquake button. But He didn't.

This is my sentiment exactly! I have had a growing dislike for Max Lucado ever since the Pastor of my church started using some of his 'eloquent quotes' as highlights in sermons. They all just seemed so... liberal, and New Age-ish. It was weird, because beforehand I'd heard such high (and mistaken) praises of him from almost everyone around me. But this January... ah! That just takes the cake- my pastor has become so enamored with the book 'Come Thirsty' that he (not once consulting the deacons about this descision) decided that the church would go through a 6 week series using "The Come Thirsty Church Experience"   ...I've hated every minute of it!  Just the extreme wishy-washiness, and the "God loves you sooooo much, and he wants to refresh your soul!! all you have to do is DRINK!!"

*sigh* ..thing is though, carp like that is the norm nowadays.. Today's churches will do anything to keep their attendance high. They'll buy all these pre-packaged and commercialized 'bible' studies, hold Youth camps that bribe teens with CDs and prizes, Plan years ahead for special activities and outing for sunday school classes and youth groups... And worst of all, They're more than willing to water down The Truth- dilute it with sacharine promises of happiness and fulfillment. But... all they really have to do is tell the truth- that we're all sinners, not worthy of even a glimpse of God's face- not to mention his Grace! We're not just "good people that make honest mistakes".. we're fullfledged thieves, murderers, all that 'evil' stands for. How very blessed we are that God's own son chose to die- being the only human ever that wasn't tainted by even one spiteful thought- How grateful we shuld be that He chose to be the blood sacrifice, the atonement for our wrongdoings, so that we would not have to face the dreadful punishment ourselves.

I beg of you, fellow Christians, please speak up if you feel the same way... otherwise I might just lose hope on The Church altogether.