From My Perspective - - -

What is “Discombobulation” and what does that have to do with me in my world today? The only meaning is: “to confuse or disconcert; upset; frustrate.” If we allow ourselves to pause and reflect upon these areas, we may well come to the conclusion that “Discombobulation” is an apt description of where we are and where we appear to be headed in (a) our world; (b) in the economies of the world and our nation; (c) the “church” as it exists today; and (d) our own individual and personal lives.

In terms of our world and world economies – where are we? Wherever one turns, it seems as though there is disarray and uncertainty. The best minds of various nations cannot arrive at a resolve. In our own nation, the President and his panel of “experts” that were supposed to generate jobs and employment following the infusion of more than one billion dollars into “the economy”, when asked what happened to the “shovel ready jobs” and why is unemployment continuing at such a high level, jokingly answered the question by saying: “there weren’t as many shovel-ready jobs as we had thought.” Is that an acceptable answer for those who are in control and print more and more money to throw into the non-existent “shovel-ready” jobs? It is at best convincing rhetoric and at worst it is misguided and inaccurate information foisted upon the public (who are all too gullible when it comes to accepting what they are told by their “leaders”).

If the world and nation is in a state of confusion, where can a person turn for an accurate evaluation and authentic input for ones times and life? Well – maybe it is the “church”?!? The Church used to be a safe refuge and a place where truth was championed – but does that Church still exist? An attempt is made to describe what is occurring in the “Church” today in a recent article in Leadership Journal by Jon Tyson entitled: “Breaking The Mold.” He writes regarding this observation of the times in which we are living: “As a Christian leader, I am grieved by statistics indicating that believers and non-believers live almost identical lives: similar sexual ethics, spending patterns, and lifestyle choices. Despite spending millions of dollars on transformation campaigns, conferences, books, curricula, worship music, small groups, multimedia, Internet churches, and all forms of relevance and engagement, Christians are remarkably like the world. This is compounded by real confusion about how to healthily engage the culture around us. So we end up, sadly, ‘of the world but not in it.’ Why do our best efforts seem to make so little difference? And how can we help our people grow into actual Christ-likeness?” He cites the writing of James Wilhoit, author of Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered, who wrote: "Spiritual formation is the task of the church. Period! Spiritual formation is at the heart of its whole purpose for existence. The church was formed to form. Our charge, given by Jesus himself, is to make disciples, baptize them, and teach these new disciples to obey his commands."

The Editors of this discussion of the “Church” and the “Culture” have this introductory passage: “Quick quiz: What do the following three statements have in common? (a) "Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking…”; (b) "Do not let the world press you into its mold…” and (c) "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world" Figured out the common element? If you know, you're to be congratulated for knowing your versions of the Bible. These are three translations of one phrase from Romans 12:2 (The Message, J.B. Phillips, and the New Living Translation). The more familiar phrasingi s: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." No matter now you phrase it, the passage is clear—don't be shaped by the world; instead be shaped by God. And that's a real challenge for anyone who interacts with any culture.” The task is to get the “church” re-focused and re-energized. Jesus Christ gave the specific mission and task – our duty is to do it faithfully! One discussion on Facebook states that the Bible doesn’t teach “revival.” Perhaps that one (those ones) need to read and pray Psalm 85:6, “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?”  Consider these things with me!