Christian greetings!

 

Springtime is my favorite season of the air.  Here in Oregon we have all seasons.  Most of the time throughout the year we don't have "extremes" in climate.  Most of our winters are mild with extreme cold usually lasting only a few days.  Same thing with the opposite extreme -- summer.  The extremely hot days are usually few.  Every so often, however, we will experience a longer-than-usual hot spell in the summer and a long cold spell in the winter.  I dislike both extremes.  

 

My favorite seasons in Oregon are the Spring and the Fall -- "middle of the road" weather, neither extremely hot or cold.  Warm, yet not needing a coat.  Fresh air but not blustery wind.

 

In the winter we often get that cold east wind from the Columbia River gorge.  I grew up with it in the Rockwood area.  Over the years I have never adjusted to it.  I often call it "that devil wind" and/or "hell in reverse."  And when we get that icy cold blustery wind and an ice storm all at the same time, I want to do like the bears do -- hibernate, and come out in the Spring!  Birds fly south for the winter.  Humans don't have that luxury - we don't run from the storms; rather God helps us go THROUGH them.

 

And oh, those "long hot summers" -- 90+ degrees -- no air, pollution, and sweltering.  Thank God for the merciful invention of air conditioning.  

 

Interestingly enough, in Revelation 3:15, 16 an indictment is given to the church in Laodicea declaring that it is better, spiritually, to be cold or hot rather than lukewarm.  This is referring to the "works" of the church.  Even if it is cold, a fire can be lit under it to make it hot.  Yet you can do nothing with lukewarmness. In this state, nothing useful or worthwhile can be accomplished.

 

When it comes to the MESSAGE of the church, however, a "middle of the road" approach is needed.   In the doctrines of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, Aimee Semple McPherson penned a teaching on "moderation" -- i.e., a "middle of the road" approach, in a church worship service, between extreme uncontrolled Pentecostal fanaticism and ultra cold church liturgical formalism.  A spiritual "Springtime"  which reaches out and embraces all people, and where people of different personalities and persuasions can all be included in God's blessing.  

 

Same thing with conservative/liberal ideologies -- the moderate position is the best road to travel, particularly in a diverse and democratic society.  

 

This does not mean that Christians don't have standards for living -- "without holiness no one shall see the Lord."  Without righteousness the believer is lulled into a lukewarm state in which God can do nothing.   Revelation 3:16.

 

The Christian life is a balanced one - where one stays away from extremes to embrace a Christlike attitude, loving God and our neighbor as ourselves.  No one enjoys the unpleasant and bizaare anctics of the religious fanatic.

 

For example, there is a Baptist church in Kansas whose leader and followers travel all over the country espousing extreme fanatical obsession and hatred for homosexuals.  And yet, this is NOT typical of all Baptists.  Most evangelical Christians are loving and caring people.  I found Christ as my Saviour, at 12 years of age, in a Baptist church.  I have many good friends who are Baptists.  The Kansas Baptist group is an example of an EXTREME.  As such, they are the exception and not the rule -- thank God!  

 

In this day and age, there is a great need in the Church for BALANCE.  And it is love -- the most powerful force in the Unverse -- that draws people to Christ -- not extreme religious fanaticism.

 

God grant that we maintain a "middle of the road" approach -- like the flowers in May, emanating a sweet fragrance that loves everyone.

 

And always remember, there's someone who loves you who is with you whenver you pray.  That One is Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of God, ever living to make intercession for us -- Who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities -- the One who understands are cares.  Know that!