Monday, November 10, 2008

Me In a Church

As a favor to a friend, I went to church this past weekend for the first time in more than half a decade. Many things went through my mind while there...

"I could never go to this church. There's not one hot chick to be found".

"Why don't these seats rock?"

"Why do the kids get to read secular materials during the service?"

I'm so used to movie theatres that when a mom and her child kept talking, I really had to restrain myself not to say, "Shhh!"

I was quite surprised to find that I was still able to quickly find Bible books and verses (Galatians is late New Testament, Numbers is early Old). I learned this skill as a young'un.

If only the Bible included the superior Gospel of Thomas; this is my favorite quote from it:

"The Kingdom of God is within you, not in buildings of wood and stone.
Split a piece of wood and I am there, lift a stone and you will find me."

6 comments:

Sarah said...

i think i like the gospel of thomas.

Rocketstar said...

DON"T GO TO THE LIGHT, I mean darkness!!! ;o)

Unknown said...

That's a great verse by Thomas, Thomas. I've never understood why so many place such weight on worshipping inside a building with walls. I also agree with you on the timing of Jesus' birthday. Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas... No wonder we're all broke heading into the New Year. Well, I guess the fine executives at AIG will beg to differ.

Maggie Moo said...

I love that picture. The only thing is I visualize my boots after walking that muddy trail.

Thomas said...

Sarah, if there was a Gospel of Sarah, I'm sure I'd like it as well.

Rocket, I shall stay away from the light/darkness until my time comes (and know that you will do the same).

PJ, the 1999 movie Stigmata's main plot point was that the Church didn't want those words to get out (as it would make moot their argument that one must go to church), so excised the Thomas book from the early Bible.

Mags, they would be quite dirty, but it's a trip I'm sure you'd be glad you took. :)

Brian Mongold said...

Haha, you know I'd be thinking some of the same things if I went back. We have quite a bit in common I'm finding.