I have had the privilege of seeing worship take place in over 10 different countries on 5 different continents, and in that experience, church doesn’t usually look like the Western ideal that we see around us each day.

One of my favorite things to do when overseas is visit a church and worship with believers there. Why? Because in that place, though I look different, I feel right at home. I’m not out of place anymore no matter how their version of a worship gathering differs from mine at home. Imagine my surprise then when one of the locations at home I’ve felt most “out of place” has been the American church -- even though I’m both American and Christian.

It’s like aspartame. It makes your stuff taste sweet but it’s hollow, empty, and the more you take in the more it is likely to wreck you.

How can a person be that good on paper that’s covered with an ink stain?