I had to rewrite this 3 or 4 times.. cause I was being too mean spirited. I still need to accept my own responsibility. But I’m definately unhappy to be somewhere that doesn’t really believe in my music or trust me to share anything
Bryan you are so funny! I’d say you missed your calling and should have been a comedian if you were not such a great singer
But seriously Bryan I feel the same things you do when I’m in church. You have probably outgrown the church you are in. The Lord told me that once about a church we went to. It started getting really wierd so we left.
What I’ve found over the years of being in lots of churches is that there are none that will complete us.
Ps…I’ve found that I get more ”church’ having a few close friends I can confide in over lunch. You probably feel that way too. It’s all good.
I still want to hear insights from the scriptures. I don’t know everything. but I haven’t been abe to bring anything of consequence to my current church.. I’m feeling it’s my fault but I need to make some changes.. I’ve been a fly in the butter so to speak where I am … I’ll miss the donuts though
Yep, so true. Especially with us worship leaders who are older. I’m 66+ and thankful that I’m still invited to play at my current church. But … when I visit other churches, yep it looks like a movie theatre. And I have too much grey hair … wouldn’t fit their image. Brian, thanks for bringing reality for those of us, who don’t really fit in.
We were so comfortable in our church in SLO, that when we moved to LA, we just couldn’t find a church to suit us. We did find one that seemed a lot like Grace (even joined the choir and went to Sunday School again), but when we moved closer to our kids we decided to try to find one they might go to. We are in a small church that occupies the upstairs of a business building. Very diverse.
But, looking for a church is a little disheartening sometimes. One where you walk in and they’re all over you, trying to sign you up for things/events. Another where they barely acknowledge you. Then the ones who entertain rather than worship…more for show with the props and the big voices. I finally, after 14 years, started getting a little more involved with people and a Bible Study group. I think it’s been hard because I haven’t had my best friend (Noonie) alongside for so long. She was my comfort zone. Hate breaking out of my comfort zone. 🙂 We all have a part to play, but sometimes it’s hard to find that part.
Thanks for sharing, Bryan.
Thanks for sharing my thoughts and feelings. I tend to think God expects “Big” things too.. right now I feel like a dog at the Master’s feet waiting for him to drop the biscuit LOL
Wow Bryan , that was awesome! For me, Church lately has been kind of like that, wondering where I fit in if I even fit it in. Having spent more than half of my life involved in church and now not be involved as much makes me wonder if I should go or just stay home and watch online. Thanks for your nutshell sermons. Honestly, I’ve said it before but they really are helping me. Thanks again.
man.. you have no idea how many people have told me exactly what you’re telling me here about not fitting. somethins about to change I think.. maybe just my attitude of personal persecution!
I live this one, you are so funny, You know I love you right? but did you drink a pot of espresso before you recorded it, good thing for me. I’m still young, and I caught every word.
I joined a new church a couple of years ago. It’s really big and offers two worship styles. I enjoy both. But finding “my place” has been hard here, when I’ve served in many front and center positions before. So it’s just dawned on me that the Lord is doing a new thing in me on the back pew. At 70, it feels like dying to self. Letting go of ego and serving in quieter ways. I’m starting to see that maybe He knows what He’s doing, and I’m adjusting.
I too am 70 Dottie, sounds familiar. I’ve done that for the past six years at one place. But I’ve started to feel a need to be more productive. My attitude has gotten worse in recent months. This podcast was a breath of fresh air for me. I’d still like to be able to offer something somewhere locally. but so far I’m not seeing it. I know that ‘contributing’ is part of what strengthens our faith.
My church is growing & they are asking people to volunteer. That’s how you get to know people. I make the coffee only once a month. But I also go to a bible study led by a very knowledgeable woman that has written books along with her husband. The small group bible study is where I have gotten to know people. It works for me.
Believe me, I know exactly how you feel. Many churches these days are geared more towards the younger folks. I am only 58, but I can resonate with seniors who feel left out. There’s a growing number of churches where seniors are treated more like they’re to be neither seen or heard. God gave me a gift of music ministry many years ago, but I haven’t been able to use it as much as I’d like, because so many churches require you to attend membership classes, get water baptized, and sign endless covenants and papers. They also want things like your income, and some churches will even do criminal background checks. Sadly, many churches are run more like businesses. Because I don’t have any degrees in music, just the God-given gift of being able to sing and play keyboard, I am quickly dismissed as not qualified. And some churches are so stuck in the mud, they don’t want to any one else to come in and disrupt their perfect setup. I Harbor some bitterness myself. People love to tell me there’s no such thing as a perfect church. And I told him yes, but there is such a thing as a spiritually, abusive or apostate church. I served in a church where adherence to the rules was more important than serving the Lord. I live out in the country now, but I haven’t found a place yet.
I hear you!. I need to find a place where I too can contribute. Giving back is one of the most benificial things for your spiritual growth.. as you learn you apply
Yeah sounds to me like the religion of churchianity. I never liked the big auditorium churches. Seemed phony to me. By the way translation issue. Isaiah 40:31 the word “eagles”is an incorrect translation. The actual animal referred to in ancient text is vultures “nesher” . Vultures have a huge wing span, and they are indigenous to Israel, more so than the eagle. Eagles are cool , but vultures are a site in the sky.
I have felt disconnected at church for years. The church we formerly attended loved to have me sing until they had realized I had no inclination toward membership. The opportunities to sing ceased. That shocked me into an “I don’t care” attitude for sure. Our current church doesn’t have a formal membership but there are only a select few who get to serve musically and none of them are of a certain age. Unfortunately this has made me quite complacent and a BRB for sure.
I think it might be standard procedure when we become “of a certain age” maybe that should be our church name! LOL .. I know my dad started to feel unuseful in his final decade .. the world does and will pass us by.. but lets look for ways to spur ourselves on to love and good deeds.. wherever we have to go to do that. Thanks for being a member of my Lunatic Friends btw
You are on a roll, cracking me up!I always enjoy stopping by for the nutshell. I’m enjoying church much more lately because nobody knows me at this one been going 3 years! Is that bad?
nothin’ wrong with that if its comin from humility. but after six years at my local church I started to want to contribute and it wasn’t to be seen of men I don’t think. But I started to feel like a fly in the butter when I wasn’t find a way to give back.. I sat there feeling un used
Ya I can see that. Which is why I give back now mostly in my recovery groups. Sometimes churchy bunch feels clickish? My giving back looks different now. You ARE giving back with nutshells which is raw and honest! I saw Crysral L singing with our Long Beach municipal band at the park a few weeks back. She’s cutting a new path too? Probably with similar sentiments?
last I heard she was doin’ cover songs like big band stuff.. man I wouldn’t wanna do other peoples music .. i’d rather quit.. like I kinda have with music ..except to sing when I’m invited
Another challenge I, and especially my husband, find is that churches are geared towards extroverts. Lots of gregarious folks trying to explain why we need to be more outgoing. Ummm, that ain’t happening for us. We are quiet, back row people trying to serve behind the scenes.
Hey Bec! yer my kinda people ..not sure when I became a back row lover, but I’ve lost a need for attention I spose. don’t think you’ve ever mentioned yer hubbs name?
41 Replies to “More Heat Than Light”
Amen and Amen!!!
I had to rewrite this 3 or 4 times.. cause I was being too mean spirited. I still need to accept my own responsibility. But I’m definately unhappy to be somewhere that doesn’t really believe in my music or trust me to share anything
Bryan you are so funny! I’d say you missed your calling and should have been a comedian if you were not such a great singer
But seriously Bryan I feel the same things you do when I’m in church. You have probably outgrown the church you are in. The Lord told me that once about a church we went to. It started getting really wierd so we left.
What I’ve found over the years of being in lots of churches is that there are none that will complete us.
Ps…I’ve found that I get more ”church’ having a few close friends I can confide in over lunch. You probably feel that way too. It’s all good.
I still want to hear insights from the scriptures. I don’t know everything. but I haven’t been abe to bring anything of consequence to my current church.. I’m feeling it’s my fault but I need to make some changes.. I’ve been a fly in the butter so to speak where I am … I’ll miss the donuts though
Yep, so true. Especially with us worship leaders who are older. I’m 66+ and thankful that I’m still invited to play at my current church. But … when I visit other churches, yep it looks like a movie theatre. And I have too much grey hair … wouldn’t fit their image. Brian, thanks for bringing reality for those of us, who don’t really fit in.
Feels like a new calling to me. felt like I had to turn in my badge! LOL Trust me Steve ‘we are legion’! LOL the disenfranchised
We were so comfortable in our church in SLO, that when we moved to LA, we just couldn’t find a church to suit us. We did find one that seemed a lot like Grace (even joined the choir and went to Sunday School again), but when we moved closer to our kids we decided to try to find one they might go to. We are in a small church that occupies the upstairs of a business building. Very diverse.
But, looking for a church is a little disheartening sometimes. One where you walk in and they’re all over you, trying to sign you up for things/events. Another where they barely acknowledge you. Then the ones who entertain rather than worship…more for show with the props and the big voices. I finally, after 14 years, started getting a little more involved with people and a Bible Study group. I think it’s been hard because I haven’t had my best friend (Noonie) alongside for so long. She was my comfort zone. Hate breaking out of my comfort zone. 🙂 We all have a part to play, but sometimes it’s hard to find that part.
Thanks for sharing, Bryan.
Thanks for sharing my thoughts and feelings. I tend to think God expects “Big” things too.. right now I feel like a dog at the Master’s feet waiting for him to drop the biscuit LOL
I’m the back row person you describe. I feel unseen.
thanks for the admission Jill. I don’t feel all by myself now! LOL… BRB’s Unite ‘back row believers’ still count
01:17-01:22 “in a nutshell” you lunatic!
Wow Bryan , that was awesome! For me, Church lately has been kind of like that, wondering where I fit in if I even fit it in. Having spent more than half of my life involved in church and now not be involved as much makes me wonder if I should go or just stay home and watch online. Thanks for your nutshell sermons. Honestly, I’ve said it before but they really are helping me. Thanks again.
man.. you have no idea how many people have told me exactly what you’re telling me here about not fitting. somethins about to change I think.. maybe just my attitude of personal persecution!
I live this one, you are so funny, You know I love you right? but did you drink a pot of espresso before you recorded it, good thing for me. I’m still young, and I caught every word.
LOL.. thanks for the comments.. btw I do have a pot of coffee every morning.. my heart couldn’t stop if it wanted to! my mouth either! LOL
Right on, as usual.
Hi Bill.. Thanks man, I appreciate your endorsements!
I joined a new church a couple of years ago. It’s really big and offers two worship styles. I enjoy both. But finding “my place” has been hard here, when I’ve served in many front and center positions before. So it’s just dawned on me that the Lord is doing a new thing in me on the back pew. At 70, it feels like dying to self. Letting go of ego and serving in quieter ways. I’m starting to see that maybe He knows what He’s doing, and I’m adjusting.
I too am 70 Dottie, sounds familiar. I’ve done that for the past six years at one place. But I’ve started to feel a need to be more productive. My attitude has gotten worse in recent months. This podcast was a breath of fresh air for me. I’d still like to be able to offer something somewhere locally. but so far I’m not seeing it. I know that ‘contributing’ is part of what strengthens our faith.
My church is growing & they are asking people to volunteer. That’s how you get to know people. I make the coffee only once a month. But I also go to a bible study led by a very knowledgeable woman that has written books along with her husband. The small group bible study is where I have gotten to know people. It works for me.
great to hear.. yes, being in a small group or contributing to the ministry is the best way to feel connected
Believe me, I know exactly how you feel. Many churches these days are geared more towards the younger folks. I am only 58, but I can resonate with seniors who feel left out. There’s a growing number of churches where seniors are treated more like they’re to be neither seen or heard. God gave me a gift of music ministry many years ago, but I haven’t been able to use it as much as I’d like, because so many churches require you to attend membership classes, get water baptized, and sign endless covenants and papers. They also want things like your income, and some churches will even do criminal background checks. Sadly, many churches are run more like businesses. Because I don’t have any degrees in music, just the God-given gift of being able to sing and play keyboard, I am quickly dismissed as not qualified. And some churches are so stuck in the mud, they don’t want to any one else to come in and disrupt their perfect setup. I Harbor some bitterness myself. People love to tell me there’s no such thing as a perfect church. And I told him yes, but there is such a thing as a spiritually, abusive or apostate church. I served in a church where adherence to the rules was more important than serving the Lord. I live out in the country now, but I haven’t found a place yet.
I hear you!. I need to find a place where I too can contribute. Giving back is one of the most benificial things for your spiritual growth.. as you learn you apply
PS forgive some of my odd wording. This voice to text app doesn’t always get my words right
LOL no condemnation here!
Well, Brother Bryan, I need to start working on my camel’s knees more.
I say “Good Grief!” so much, I feel like Charlie Brown!
Love your Nutshell Sermons and so does my mom.
Thanks Rand … I worry that I might get too negative sometimes.. but faith does not come without doubt. and challenging your faith removes it sometimes
Yeah sounds to me like the religion of churchianity. I never liked the big auditorium churches. Seemed phony to me. By the way translation issue. Isaiah 40:31 the word “eagles”is an incorrect translation. The actual animal referred to in ancient text is vultures “nesher” . Vultures have a huge wing span, and they are indigenous to Israel, more so than the eagle. Eagles are cool , but vultures are a site in the sky.
I didn’t know that and Vultures might discribe my experience better with people! LOL Not a good visual for today though LOL
I have felt disconnected at church for years. The church we formerly attended loved to have me sing until they had realized I had no inclination toward membership. The opportunities to sing ceased. That shocked me into an “I don’t care” attitude for sure. Our current church doesn’t have a formal membership but there are only a select few who get to serve musically and none of them are of a certain age. Unfortunately this has made me quite complacent and a BRB for sure.
I think it might be standard procedure when we become “of a certain age” maybe that should be our church name! LOL .. I know my dad started to feel unuseful in his final decade .. the world does and will pass us by.. but lets look for ways to spur ourselves on to love and good deeds.. wherever we have to go to do that. Thanks for being a member of my Lunatic Friends btw
You are on a roll, cracking me up!I always enjoy stopping by for the nutshell. I’m enjoying church much more lately because nobody knows me at this one been going 3 years! Is that bad?
nothin’ wrong with that if its comin from humility. but after six years at my local church I started to want to contribute and it wasn’t to be seen of men I don’t think. But I started to feel like a fly in the butter when I wasn’t find a way to give back.. I sat there feeling un used
Ya I can see that. Which is why I give back now mostly in my recovery groups. Sometimes churchy bunch feels clickish? My giving back looks different now. You ARE giving back with nutshells which is raw and honest! I saw Crysral L singing with our Long Beach municipal band at the park a few weeks back. She’s cutting a new path too? Probably with similar sentiments?
last I heard she was doin’ cover songs like big band stuff.. man I wouldn’t wanna do other peoples music .. i’d rather quit.. like I kinda have with music ..except to sing when I’m invited
Another challenge I, and especially my husband, find is that churches are geared towards extroverts. Lots of gregarious folks trying to explain why we need to be more outgoing. Ummm, that ain’t happening for us. We are quiet, back row people trying to serve behind the scenes.
Hey Bec! yer my kinda people ..not sure when I became a back row lover, but I’ve lost a need for attention I spose. don’t think you’ve ever mentioned yer hubbs name?
Read your response to hubby and he said he is such an introvert he doesn’t tell people his name much, lol! I will tell though, it’s Dave.
thanks B… I’ll try not to blurt it out in public! LOL
I talk about my failures….with friends & family I deeply trust.
thanks for comments Gives