I replied to him, “Son, I understand. I used to think church was boring too. What I would like you to realize is I go to daily mass so that I can learn to be a better dad for you and your sister. I go to daily mass so that I can learn to be a better husband to your mom. Don’t you want me to be a better?”

He replied, “Yes, but it’s still boring.” I responded, “Son, there are many things you ask me to do that I don’t really want to do but I do them so I can spend time with you. Can you just look at it as time to be with me?”

He agreed but reiterated that church is still boring. I laughed at his honesty.

Why aren’t more people racing to church on a daily basis or at least once a week? Why are so many racing to happy hour or Las Vegas? Why do so many wait in line for Black Friday?

The answer is a lack of understanding. Many believe that the things of this world will satisfy them. They believe that getting drunk will help them forget their worries. They believe gambling will give them an opportunity to get ahead in life. They believe having the coolest gadgets will improve their quality of life.

It is only through full submission to Christ can one fully find satisfaction in the worries of life. You see I’m not going to sugar coat it. There are trials and tribulations to all not only to those who don’t believe. In fact in Mark 10:29-30 Jesus tells us “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property – along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.”

We are promised trials in our life but when we realize it is for our benefit than we embrace it instead of trying to cover it up with the things of this world. You see church is boring but so is football if you don’t understand it.

Malachi 3:3 says: ‘He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.’ This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: ‘He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.’ She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, ‘How do you know when the silver is fully refined?’ He smiled at her and answered, Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.’

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Pass this on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they’re going through, they’ll be a better person in the end. ‘Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.’

It’s funny how the Holy Spirit works. I already had my article written out but last night in a dark moment of despair an even better story was birthed.

A conversation with a dear friend helped to lift me out of the valley I was in. The words he expressed were very comforting. Friend if you are reading this, Thank You!

Our conversation later turned to religion. He expressed his tarnished views due to an offensive action of a so called Christian.

I have actually encountered many that have fallen away from church for that same reason. I am writing this only because I believe my Jesus was misrepresented.

You see when we profess ourselves as Christians we need to realize that we are representing Jesus Christ. When we receive salvation we are called to repent of our sins (ask for forgiveness of our sins and change our ways to not fall into sin again). We are then called to take up our cross (die to our worldly ways and allow Christ to live through us). Then we are called to be the light of the world (allow God’s light, His grace and mercy to reflect onto others from our being).

So to those who have been offended I hope to convey this message: You will be offended. Luke 17:1 says, “It is impossible that no offenses should come!”

Who more likely to offend you than those that are close to you (church leaders or members, family or friends). Realize this that they may be professing their Christianity but it’s their action that is offensive not the Christ they profess to know.

I pray this that all those offended will forgive their offenders. You see when we withhold forgiveness it is like drinking poison hoping the other person would die.

Remember forgiveness is not forgetting something happened. Forgiveness is saying, “God, I can’t endure this offense. Please take it from me so I can continue to walk in the way of the Lord.”