PTM WEEKLY UPDATE -- MARCH 17, 2008
What our readers and listeners say
The Shack
I just wanted to let you know that I requested this book at our local library but it wasn't listed but I was told that they would order it for me and let me know when it came in. I read the book and it sure was as you say a "must read." I never knew that we could get that close to God and talk to him in terms that I would not have believed we could. I have three daughters and three granddaughters so I had to skip some of the details. It's hard for me to read about a young girl being murdered the way that she was. I get angry and sometimes I get very bitter. I marveled, I laughed, and I cried. I recommended it to all my family and those in my church. I'm glad that you told us about this book. Keep doing God's work and thanks again for being there for all of us. -- EmailGod is Good -- But Religion? -- That's Another Story!
I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know what a blessing The Shack has been to me. I have been meaning to read it for a long time, but it kept slipping my mind when I would pick a new book to read. Well, I am almost finished with it. I got it from PTM on Wednesday of last week and began reading it. I haven't been able to willingly put it down. It does a wonderful job of communicating the love of God and his attitude toward us.
I love the fact that it presents itself in a way that most Christians today would not view God (black woman, middle eastern man, Asian woman). While reading this book, I have been overjoyed, saddened and challenged. I have been overjoyed because anytime that I hear the good news of the gospel, it reminds me of just how GOOD the news really is. I have been saddened because the institution of religion has created a set of rules and regulations that must be adhered to for God to be pleased with us. I have been guilty of spewing out the venom of religion in the past because I thought that I was doing God's will when I "set pagans straight" by beating them up with Scripture (most of the time taking it out of context, even though it was the way that I understood it at the time).
I have been challenged in my views of those that are still in the trap of religion. The author even used an analogy that I have used lately with a friend when discussing those that misrepresent the gospel of Jesus. Most do not know that they are misrepresenting the gospel. They are just ignorant of the truth. When someone is lost in the woods, they may stay on a path that they can see just because it is a path. They may never know that the path is just leading them deeper and deeper into the woods.
I loved the illustration that the author gave when he was talking about the Ten Commandments, and how it makes some feel superior over those that can't seem to keep the ones that they keep. What has increasingly become clear to me is that one of the problems (among many) of legalism is the notion that the sins that I struggle with are not nearly as bad as the ones that you struggle with. I think that is one reason that churches attack homosexuals. Most people just don't struggle with that sin.
I can't wait to finish the book and pass it on to some people that I think would find real blessings in the book. I may have to get several more copies just because my list is very long. Thank you for promoting this book in PTM. It is truly worth it.
In other news . . . I don't know if you remember my emails from awhile back about my old church and the 4 Star system that the pastor had come up with that would rate the members. The stars were based on 1) attendance, 2) giving, 3) having a job in the church, and 4) small group membership. You and I discussed how you could do all of those things and not be a Christian. Well, I found out last week that the pastor sent out a letter that was more of a report card, where actual grades were given to the whole church, on how they measured up based on these criteria. The members collectively received 2 Bs and 2 Cs.
I probably shouldn't care that much anymore, but I still have friends there. It amazes me how much this flies in the face of the very gospel of Jesus. It angers me, but then again, I think about the wrong path scenario that I described above. This is the same pastor who once said, "I don't mind using guilt, if it will give me what I want." -- Tennessee
• Wow! Love your comments about The Shack -- a-men and a-men. We certainly do encourage everyone to read it. It can be a life-changing book. As far as your former church -- "Wow" again -- but a different kind of wow. Very sad! Report cards from the pastor -- is that kind of like postcards from the religious edge? Let us continue to pray for all those who are inflicted and infected and enslaved by bad news religion. May they know true freedom in Christ, who is risen, who lives that we might be free, not in religious bondage! -- Greg AlbrechtCommunion
I'm glad that the CWR communion isn't "magic." My former church taught that the elements became the actual body and blood of Christ. They figured that only remembering Christ's death was an improper use of the communion. My former church also believed that only wine and unleavened bread had to be used, or the communion would bring death and sickness. -- Alberta, CanadaAn apology and a clarification to all our readers
I just received the email below, from my friend, fellow minister and brother in Christ. I realize that our publication of his first letter to me, and my response, has failed to communicate the entire story of an online relationship that has flourished since that rocky beginning. We have not communicated "the rest of the story" to you, our reader. The chaplain and I have talked and shared many things -- and I can tell you that while we have minor differences, we share, by God's grace, what it means to be in Him and what it means for Him to be in us. As we all prepare to celebrate Jesus' resurrection, please know of this brother in the Lord, not only of his service to our country, but far more importantly, his service to the risen Lord. -- Greg Albrecht
I have been reading the questions and answers from our dialogue which were published in your PTM Weekly Update. I was a little disappointed that parts of my discussion were omitted, I think, causing some of my thoughts to seem more venomous than I had intended. If I really came across that way, I must, once again, apologize. My only intent was not to say people can ONLY worship in a church, but to comment that sometimes I have read your comments to suggest the organized church maybe should be avoided. Ultimately, my point was while "virtual" church may be good, I still believe the church of flesh and blood -- when it works and when it is available -- is even better, like a real hug rather than the Xs and Os on a love note from my wife or kids. I would not want to beat up on anyone and especially not on people seeking an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ -- whenever and wherever they can enrich that relationship. But to those who are not part of a flesh and blood fellowship, I just wanted to encourage them to continue to seek it out.
The gracious English woman who responded is absolutely right. I wrote from my narrowly focused lenses of an American Christian who has the opportunity to select from dozens of churches without the risk of offending my state-church oriented friends and family members as she does or the illegal gathering of Christians in places like Saudi Arabia (interestingly, I had a wonderful relationship with an Anglican priest who attended a rather Evangelical Christian service that I had the privilege of leading while stationed in Saudi Arabia several years back!) I foolishly did not realize just how far reaching your ministry is! I am eating humble pie (shepherd's pie, in honor of your English reader.)
I also read the kind comments from the Ohio reader. I guess the reader is right about sticking to my opinion, I still prefer a church with flesh on, although the reader might be surprised to see in the rest of our correspondence, Greg, that we have actually become friends, not adversaries, and I am seriously considering beginning a podcast worship service aimed at our young Airmen -- while still encouraging them to check us out in person.
Once again, my remarks were never intended to be cold or to chastise Christians who for whatever reason cannot or will not attend a flesh and bones church. I only meant to encourage you to consider some of the negative impressions I felt some of your words communicated about the organized church. How ironic. I wrote to tell you your words about the organized church felt somewhat cold, abrasive, and offensive to me. And in turn, my words were received by your readers, and perhaps by you, as cold, abrasive, and offensive. That truly saddens me, as I want to be about the business of building up, not tearing down the body of Christ -- in whatever form it may take.
Please, Greg, as you have opportunity, let your readers know I'm really not the cold-hearted bear my words may have thoughtlessly communicated. To the contrary, I respect you, your ministry, and your PTM Friends, and only wanted to ask you to hold out a palm branch to the local church, but instead seem to have held out a spear to you. That was not my intent and I am truly sorry if I have offended.
Very Respectfully, Major, USAF, Senior Protestant ChaplainLottery Tickets
I always enjoy your refreshing, liberating thoughts ("Is is a sin to buy a lottery ticket?" PTM Weekly Update, March 10, 2008). We also like Kenny Rogers' music. I trust that many people will be liberated and transformed to walk in the relaxing freedom of our new life in Christ through your teachings. Oh yeah, buy a ticket for me too next time! -- Dr. Lewis Gregory, Source MinistriesRETURN TO PTM WEEKLY UPDATE CONTENTS PAGE
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