Member!

I am now officially a member of "Grace Covenant Church" of Sarasota FL.

On October 12, 2009, I must have answered all the questions okay, 'cause when we were done the Pastor/elder said, "welcome to Grace Covenant". I was a little disappointed, I mean, after all didn't I have to kneel and kiss his ring I inquired? 'No' was the answer. Well, how about walking down the aisle in between a long row of guys in spooky black robes with hoods, holding candles? Again, he said 'no'. "Wow" I thought "that was too easy" (I told him that). No rituals, no necessity to have witnesss vouch for me, just me and the elders and God.

See? That's the difference between real Christianity and Religion (Yes, I use a capital "R"). It is said that Religion is about ritual, while Christianity is about relationship. I joined this church group on the basis of my relationship to Jesus Christ, nothing more or less. No rituals or special rites required, just an expression of my acceptance of this church group and its practices and beliefs, and an affirmation of my relationship with Jesus.

Flashback to 1967 and trying to get married in "the church" (which shall remain nameless). Among other ridiculous requirements, we had to answer a questionnaire that must have had 150 questions on it. Then when we got done, I had to produce two witnesses to verify the answers and apply for "special dispensation" from the head honcho in Newark (this happened in NJ) because we didn't agree with one of their major policies. You see, my bride to be and I had sworn to God to answer these questions truthfully before the interrogation began. So now this denomination had the gall to ask me for witnesses? It was obvious that our word in front of God was not good enough.

We left and never went back as members of that denomination. We later learned that the priest who interviewed us had been transferred to a desk job, away from duties dealing with people because it wasn't just us he managed to alienate.

So, yeah....give me Jesus and His simplicity any day "for my yoke is easy and my burden is light". (Mt. 11:30 ESV) No legalities involved.

Is this a Hint?

I truly wonder if the Good Lord is trying to tell me something. I mean, starting in early 2004 I got involved in a band with the "The two Mikes", namely Sinn and P____, playing guitar and drums, respectively. It was fun to joke about "playing with Sinn".

But now, it's 2009, that band is history, and I just signed-on to play electric bass (no, it's not a 'bass guitar') for the praise band at my church. Now I find out that one of my band-mates has the last name of "Pagan". Hmmm........ maybe there's a trend here?

All Christians please note: the foregoing is a gag, do not take it seriously, thank you, over and out, 10-4.