Something's Amiss
(...in the Church or the Christian’s walk…)
When love is often talked about but not so seldom seen,
When purses are healthy but the offering bags are lean,
When quantity’s viewed as more important than quality,
Or when truth is sacrificed for the sake of unity.
Something’s amiss...
When the noise inside the church sounds the same as that outside,
When one’s cries have gone unheard and the backdoor’s open wide,
When preaching delivers what’s liked rather than what’s needed,
Or when biblical instruction’s ignored rather than heeded.
Something’s amiss...
When one’s music and the world’s are difficult to tell apart,
When one’s walk is more in the head and lesser in the heart,
When what’s on TV is studied more than what’s in God’s Word,
Or when one’s busily repeating what they’ve overheard.
Something’s amiss...
When the salt has lost its saltiness and the light’s a mere glow,
When material interests divided loyalties show,
When behaviour in worship’s more laidback and less refined,
Or when beat that stirs the body hinders what should stir the mind.
Something’s amiss...
When personal rights and desires figure more than the Lord’s,
When one seldom says an “Amen” but frequently applauds,
When amplification robs worshippers of meditation,
Or when the peripheral encroaches on revelation.
Something’s amiss...
When preaching seeks to satisfy rather than sanctify,
When rather than saying “Yes” one’s more inclined to ask “Why?”
When discipline is seen as a violation of one’s rights,
Or when it’s amusements and not the Scriptures that excites.
Something’s amiss...
When one’s Bible looks like a novel and reads as commonly,
When lower necklines and higher hemlines displace modesty,
When preaching simply lulls and strokes rather than warns and spurs,
Or when a holy and unholy mixture God’s will blurs.
Something’s amiss...
When one’s seat is used far more regularly than one’s knees,
When it’s others or self, rather than God, one seeks to please,
When it’s thought God’s grace covers sin and not just the sinner,
Or when the membership’s not growing but getting thinner.
Something’s amiss...
When dressing up for church is less common than dressing down,
When instead of a preacher there’s an actor or a clown,
When instead of joy and peace there’s a discontented frown,
Or when the voice of the majority attempts to drown.
Something’s amiss...
When there’s a pandering to the younger generation,
When instead of compassion and mercy there’s condemnation,
When there’s a harsh debate rather than a conversation,
Or when there is little taste for reconciliation.
Something’s amiss…
When those who speak out are maligned rather than encouraged,
When compromise is common and talking straight’s discouraged,
When it’s “End justifies the means” rather than trust and prayer,
Or when visitation and outreach are a spasmodic affair.
Something’s amiss…
When sin is left unchecked and not called by its rightful name,
When it’s heresy, rather than truth, that leaders proclaim,
When silence and inaction let injustices arise,
Or when man’s word, not God’s Word, any seek to emphasize.
Yes, something’s amiss alright!
By Lance Landall
Christians And Mixed Flatting
Amongst those things that Christian young folk should know, is, that young men and women flatting together is a no no,
And such I shouldn’t have to say — but feel compelled to — for it appears that such is a truth that many don’t know.
And why, somewhat mystifies me, for surely even sense conveys that such is hardly a wholesome look, and,
Given that such a practice is common amongst non-believers, along with its hanky-panky, which can brand.
By that I mean, folk are quick to put two and two together and get five, but sometimes their adding is correct,
For many young men and women are not just flatting together, but sleeping together, as we would expect.
After all, such is common today, and given how worldly most Christians are, many would think the same about them,
That is, that in that mixed flat, Christians are sharing beds too, and hence why such mixed flatting we should clearly condemn.
Aren’t we to refrain from all appearances of evil?
Yes, and therefore, (within reason), Christians should do all they can to minimise whatever could be misconstrued,
And the reason I say minimise is, that even when they act rightly, there are those who’ll always wrongly conclude.
But having said that, such flatting does present certain temptations-cum-stumbling blocks, and hence why some people yield,
For in a mixed flat setting, one is hardly wearing that belt, breastplate and helmet, nor holding that sword and shield.
You see, mixed flatting compromises principles to start with, as such is only for marriage, going by Scripture,
(And where, regarding the standard for Christian young men and women, and indeed all, there’s a very clear picture).
Yes, only a husband and wife are meant to share a home or flat like that, not the unmarried, for that's God’s way,
Which means that all those Christian young men and women who choose to flat together, wrongly and most unwisely stray.
But...
Isn't young folk going flatting a product of the modern age, and more a departure from that which is best,
For though their may be cases where such is a need, shouldn't they be with their families — and there at home more blessed;
And where certain restrictions actually work more in their favour, and especially spiritually?
Plus, in that home, (along with their godly parents), there's never a more powerful witness to society.
And I guess that's why Satan has been busy.
By Lance Landall
It’s
also worth noting that young people unnecessarily taking up rental
accommodation, (when they’re able to remain at home), can be one of the
reasons for an accommodation shortage and thus higher rents
