The Thinklings

"The word 'no' is the way you keep your commitment to the people you have already said 'yes' to."

- Phil Schroeder

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Posted by Jared @ 10:36 pm CDT
Filed under: Church

Which is not to say you should always feel comfortable there. But comforted, sure. :-)

Here's my friend Ray Ortlund's take:

It’s one of my basic convictions: Church should feel good. I know, I know — not with shallow, frothy, glib entertainment. But the alternative to that foolishness is not “This is for your own good”-screaming negativity.

Real, solid church should feel good. Why? For starters, at church we preachers get to “bring good news of happiness” (Isaiah 52:7) to sinners, and freely because of Jesus. That really feels good.

"Comfort, comfort my people, says your God." - Isaiah 40:1

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Comments on "Church Should Feel Good":

1. Bill - 07/15/2010 10:51 pm CDT

Thank you.

2. Why Not - 07/16/2010 6:53 am CDT

Yes, thank you.

I always feel good/happy when at and after leaving our church services. Even though the message may be convicting in some area of my life, the message of what God did for me proving his love for me always makes me fell good/happy.

Just for the record I attend the same church as Bill.

3. Dave - 07/16/2010 10:06 am CDT

When Hebrews 10:25 tells us to "not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing" or from the other side of the coin, to have the habit of meeting together, it gives us the purpose for this meeting together. It says a positive, "let us encourage one another." Don't stop meeting. Instead, meet to encourage one another. This is a "job" given to everyone who follows Christ. This is one of many reasons why going to church is important. If you go to a church, any church, without recognizing your own responsibility to encourage others, then you are missing out one something important God wants you to do.

4. Bobbi - 07/16/2010 10:40 am CDT

I agree. If I miss church I feel like I have missed seeing my beloved relatives and singing with them and praising God together with those like minded. We live in a world filled with wolves and we sheep need each other and to be with our Shepherd corporately.

5. Dave - 07/16/2010 7:47 pm CDT

Whoever spends the time putting up the quotes at the top of your blog, just let me say "thanks" as you are doing a great job. I always look forward to the quote. It is thoughtful and meaningful practically every time. Peace.

6. nhe - 07/19/2010 10:25 am CDT

Its interesting that what constitutes "good" for me has changed over the years.

It used to be that good meant that I "agreed" with the sermon and got chills from the worship.

Now its simply - did I hear about Jesus?

7. Nightturkey - 07/20/2010 3:37 am CDT

Anyone remember which famous preacher it was who first used the statement "Church is supposed to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable"?

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