by Matt Nord

Created on: March 29, 2009

A letter to the Church-

My name is Christian. Most of you probably know me or at least know of me. My wife, Mara, grew up in the Church. We met while we were (both) in the military. We have a son named Adam. Most of you know Adam as the outspoken, rambunctious eleven year old down in the youth ministry. Most of you probably also know that Adam was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 2 years old. It was only by the grace of God that we got through his illness as a family. Actually, it's only by His grace that we got through many things. The fact that Mara and I are still married is a testimony to God's goodness and nothing of our own. Despite what I read in the scriptures, it seems that most people would be afraid to admit something like that, but I look at my past and see the life of a disgusting sinner. The fact the Christ would die for someone like me proves that God isn't in it for "good people." But His saving grace, along with His regenerating my heart, has caused me to see the sin in my life for what it was; a disease that I had no chance of curing on my own.

Being born again was the single most important moment in my life. Nothing has been the same. While I may still sin, I am convicted of sin and repent and confess. So, here's my confession. I have feelings of bitterness towards the Church. I've confessed this to God, to my wife, and to the head deacon, but I feel I need to confess to the congregation as a whole. This is not directed toward all of you, but the ones it is should know. If you don't, all I can say is that John 16:8 speaks of the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin. There were times that Mara and I begged for help and support. We got a few hugs, a few promises that we'd be prayed for, and maybe a phone call. And this was from leaders in the church.

When we were taken for over a thousand dollars, we were able to meet with some of the leaders and the guilty party. The outcome was so discouraging that we had to take matters into our own hands. It was causing such contention between Mara and I that we had to forgive the money in order to salvage our relationship. We had to give it up to God. But to be honest, it's really put us into a financial pinch. Coupling that with medical bills that we accumulated last year are causing lot's of stress and sometimes despair. I know that God is going to get us through this.

I was always under the assumption that the church was called to be the hands and feet of Christ on earth. If that's the case, I'm a little

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