God/space.gone

Dave wrinkled his face, “We don’t allow the boys to go on myspace.” Then he alluded to the type of strangers who might contact his teenagers on this internet free-for-all/ do- your-own-thing website. A little more face wrinkle, “We’re not taking chances.”

The conversation shifted. Casually I asked, “Are you still going to Prairie Chapel Church?” He replied, “No, but we’re looking for a church…well not a lot.”

Dave is my brother. He had been a faithful church attender his entire life. And rock-solid in every area of his life.

So I’m thinking “Your boys can’t go on myspace—bad influences.” This whispers “reasonable” to me. But then you’ve dropped out of church. This hollers pretty loud to me, “This is not right.”

The Bible concurs: “Do not forsake the gathering together as the day grows near.” This doesn’t take a Bible scholar to understand. Go to church as the end of the world draws nearer. Well, it’s always drawing closer…so attend church. In some organized form.

The next time we spoke, I decided to confront him—in love. Truthfully, I did not want to talk about it; silence would be easier.

I knew of a church nearby that Dave and his family might feel comfortable at. He said, “Yeah, some friends of ours go there, they’ve invited us.” I then said, “You’re part of a growing phenomena called de-churched” People who once were loyal churchgoers who now prefer a lifestyle void of church attendance. His voice tone indicated my appeal was unsuccessful.

King David, the psalmist wrote, “I was glad when they said to me: Let us go into the House of the Lord.” His joy came from the tangible knowing that he was pleasing God.

Can you think of anything better than making God happy? So please… make God smile on Sunday.