Has Church Hurt Left You Wounded?

This was a blogpost I wanted to do 2 years ago, and I'm finally getting to do this. I have met a lot of people in my life that come from different walks. One thing I find interesting to me is when people tell me that they have been hurt by the church. I don't argue with people who have, but I listen. Why do I listen? Because the church is to be a place where people are to get help, not a place where a wound never heals and it becomes a permanent scar. 

There are many people who have been hurt by the church, and as a result, they say they believe (and will display holiness), but they don't want to be preached at (cause in their minds, they are independent and they have my own identity) and still love God. I find that people with this mentality have been hurt horrifically (whether it be sexual abuse, domestic abuse, or emotional abuse), they say they are perfectly find yet they don't want to be helped. The end result ends up being "hurt people hurt people." 

When you're hurt, you'll easily will take offense (or become very defensive) when someone is trying to help you. People who really have the spirit of God are not trying to criticize these hurt people or preach at them, but actually speaking in a spirit of love.

As I think about what I just typed, most people who are hurt by the church, have placed their faith in their church leader, church building, or church denomination over the Bible. Anybody who does that will more & likely be hurt and wounded. 

I asked my Sister Adrienna Turner for her thoughts on this topic, and she made me think about a few other things why people can be wounded by the church. This is not a full-list, but I know people who have been hurt can identify with some things I'm about to mention:

1. You are tired churches asking for money to upgrade their podiums, auditoriums, or buildings when we need to be building up the body (people) inside of the church and going out on the byways.

2. Church cliques creep up and you're cared for cause you're not in their clique.

3. About every month, two months or semi-annual, there's a sermon that's to make you feel guilty and state that the church needs your money. 

4. Constant talks about upgrading the youth center, their buildings, etc.

5. If you're pregnant and single, hell and damnation is preached over you. 

6. You are judged for your wrong and the leader gets a slap on the wrist.

I know many of you have more to add to the list, but let me say this: churches may fail, but the Bible never fails. Compare whatever church you attend to what the Bible says the church is to be. Yes, there will be some leaders and some people in the congregation perpetrating to be part of the flock. If your needs are not met in the church, talk to God. He will listen because He cares (considering He made you). I ask that you don't repel everybody because of one person's stupidity! Some of the people you are shewing away could be angels, but because you're wounded (or you are doing a good job faking that you're healed knowing you're still wounded), you will miss small blessings. 

Blessings!

The Mayne Man 

In Need Of A Breakthrough?

So many people preach, shout, speak, dance & sing about breakthroughs and that's cool. One day I was thinking about something and I felt the need to write about it (because we sometimes forget one key element - I'll talk about that near the end of this post). 

If I were to ask what type of a breakthrough are you in need of right now, you could tell me at least one thing. If I could ask you what song that deals with breakthrough is your favorite, you could tell me without thinking. And there's nothing wrong with that, because I could answer both questions within one second!

I heard somebody say this years ago and it makes sense: when Bill Gates was developing Microsoft, people said that he spent days at a time in his office because he was serious about getting it off the ground. Now it's obvious to believe that many would have said that he went off the deep end and/or he's depriving his family. Well, he got a breakthrough and now he can get all the family time he wants (and really doesn't have to work another day in his life). 

Now many will say that's the world, but there's a spiritual message. Think about it, to get a breakthrough in some cases is going to require some form of sacrifice. Luke 14:28 says For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Also Proverbs 13:4 says The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. 

The same person also said this: when you get a breakthrough in one area, the sky's the limit! Why is that? Because the principles are the same.   

Now many of us are depending on God for the breakthrough, and that's great. He is The Lord of the breakthrough. Now watch this: God will put somebody in your path that can assist you with your breakthrough. Sadly, in many cases we want to do things without the help of people (the very people that God sends us), and make the journey longer than needed due to our selfishness, pride or ego. Or there are people that are supposed to help you are in disobedience to God and don't want to help you due to selfishness, pride (and this includes throwing titles at people), grudges, ego, etc.

The same person also said this (and I agree wholeheartedly): we need to understand that our breakthrough, increase, open door & closed door is hinged on somebody!

Luke 6:38 says give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall men give into your bosom. Notice it didn't say "shall God."

Here's the key that many people miss when it comes to breakthrough: I know you're believing for a breakthrough, but you can NOT treat everybody like crap! Now many of you know me, you do NOT have to kiss up to people to get your breakthrough. We can't afford to call on people with the wrong motive (i.e., focusing on you; what's in it for me). Believe me, your motive is based on the seeds you've planted. If the seeds you've sown are full of self, then people are going to see that as they discern your spirit and are not going to want to assist you. The last thing you want to do is bad-mouth (and even defraud) someone God sent to you to bless you.

In closing, praying & fasting should be a lifestyle and not just for when we need a breakthrough. But at the same time, breakthroughs should be a lifestyle and not just an event!

Blessings: 

The Mayne Man