If life was fun everyone would be in Orlando.
No wonder I'm so joyful- I'm in Tampa, right next door. Certainly couldn't be because of my salvation, nope.
All believers don't live in Tampa. Some live in the Sudan.
What's really underlying this whole thing, this whole thread, is the tendency for some Pharisees to find fault with someone who's making a difference and being productive in the Kingdom. It's disgusting and reprehensible. No wonder people dont' cruise the religion threads more often, if this is the type of crap they're going to be exposed to? Why don't you reserve your little judgmental attitudes for yourself and satan? You'll be improved, and he will be toast. You aren't making any difference in the world by criticizing a fellow servant. Criticize yourself.
I think what's being criticized is the shallow approach to chrisitan living which is being presented.
You'll find that neither Jesus, nor any of His Apostles exhibited 'life is a party' attitudes.
Unfortunately, many of those who are baptized into 'life is a party' chrisitanity ... will later find that its anything but that ... and will either be halted or stymied in any further christian growth.
Certainly our lives are better than they were prior to our conversion ... by virtue of our blessed hope, ... but we still have trials and tribulations.
Consider the martyred and persecuted early church. We do them injustice when we trivialize our calling.
I’ve read Richard Wurmbrand and Tom White’s books, I subscribe to VOM, I know apostles in Mozambique and Mexico. You want to see something completely incongruous? How can Roland and Heidi Baker have such extreme joy when their people get murdered by Muslims, their buildings get burned down, their food gets stolen, they get lied about and targeted? The Lord had told Heidi that she will die a martyr.
You know what? She’s one of the happiest Christians I’ve ever seen. Meanwhile, we have a thread full of miserable people here criticizing a pastor who’s probably accomplishing more than all of us put together.
We need a serious perspective check, and that’s what I’m TRYING to do- if people will get their heads out of their religious rear ends and pay attention to God.