Who says being a "Doubter" is all Bad?

Why do people put down doubters? Doubting has gotten a bad name. Poor Doubting Thomas, the one disciple (according to the gospel writers) who actually admitted that unless he saw Jesus himself, he would not believe in the resurrection. I think he's more like humanity than most people want to admit.
It's interesting to me that the writers don't note or emphasize that the others don't really believe until they see him, yet the scriptures do say that. Yet, poor Thomas is the one with that nickname for all time.
I think most of us would have a hard time believing someone we knew who had died had returned to life. We would probably suggest serious counseling for those friends who told us that they had seen him/her. We would wonder what they had been smoking or drinking. Yet, Thomas gets heat for voicing these thoughts.
On the flip side, Jesus doesn't entirely chide and chastise him for this unbelief, saying that those who believe without seeing are even more blessed. So, maybe since none of us can hope to have seen him immediately post-resurrection, we are those who are even more blessed. Not sure.
I wish people would realize that doubt is a normal part of faith. Not questioning anything leads to not growing. It's kind of a disabling, because it is through questioning that a person's faith grows stronger and deeper, as that person realizes the true wonders of God. I encourage everybody I know to have some moments of doubt.
Self-doubt isn't bad, either, as long as one doesn't get mired in it. It's good not to be so cocky that you believe you can't ever fail. Self-doubt and humility are closely related. The problem comes when self-doubt controls a person to the extend that he/she can't go any further. Then there is a problem. Until then, it is a helpful quirk.

What's Wrong with the Church Today?

That's the question everybody is asking, and nobody is answering definitively. What is wrong with the church? How come some churches have lots of people, and others have very few? How come the older members think they're being shut out, while the younger members think they're the ones being shut out? How can EVERYBODY be shut out? If they all are out, then who's in???

I wish there were better guidance on how to get people to come to church. It's tiresome to hear the same old complaints-- like how better music would draw people in, or like how the time of the service keeps people away. It's all bunk. I think the real reason people don't come is different for each person or family. None are really valid to keep people from worshiping God, but perhaps Bonhoeffer was right and the church has moved toward becoming a religionless church, so that less emphasis is put on corporate worship, and more on simply personal relationships with God. I don't know. Even that theory doesn't answer why some churches are growing.

Our church gets its share of visitors each year, but can't seem to retain the majority as regular attendees. Why? I'm not sure. Maybe it's too small. Maybe the people are too cliquy. Maybe I'm not what they need, or the people in the congregation aren't the right fit, or there aren't the programs that address their needs. Maybe it really is the music-- but if traditional music isn't one's thing, they can come to the praise service and enjoy MTV-like music.

Where are the kids attending? Many people think it's instant gratification that youth crave. They say it's videos, games, not really a desire to be in communion with God. I don't think that's true. I think perhaps most youth have too much on their plates-- work, sports, homework, family obligations, etc-- and squeezing in church becomes difficult for them. It shouldn't be that way, true, but it is. Maybe they get their religion from KLOVE. Maybe they get it from a podcast, or other internet outreach. Maybe they get it from television, though I doubt it. The point is they are not in most churches, just a few. Why?

Blech. Grrr. Boo. Hiss.

I am in a funk. I don't want to preach tomorrow. Heck, I don't even want to darken the doors of my church tomorrow. I don't feel even nice toward the folks there today. No particular event has tainted my mood today-- it's been coming for the last week or so. I just don't feel like being nice, or sweet, or listening to others' problems, or anything else that is expected of me. I don't even feel like smiling, or getting out of bed. So, what to do. I have no idea. I guess I just go on, because after all it's what I get paid to do, as my hubby reminded me so sweetly.
If I could, I would walk in, tell all the people there what I really think about them and their lack of nice-ness, and leave. I even fantacize about them finding out they have to merge with some church that views them as the un-wanted step-sibling, and how certain individuals would be so crushed. And then I would say, "I told you so." But alas, it won't happen that way-- won't even probably have negative rammifications for them, no matter how mean and back-stabbing they are. I'm the one who will get the poop in the face, I'm sure. Because that's just how life works.

New Title!

You'll Notice I have changed my title. No reason, really. But I got tired of trying to find it among other "My thoughts" POSTS. So, Here, I am. Nobody will read this, anyway. But I can write without worrying. I am challenged. Anyone who reads this with advice is welcome. I have a teen daughter who has always been popular, and done the right thing also; she has probably bordered on being a snitch by some definitions. this year she is having trouble with her friends; it seems all turn on her from one time or another. I think its a phase. Just in case it isn't, I can see why people have their kids do desperate things. Let me know of any options.