I have noticed a number of insightful things in your posts, which is an encouragement to me.
It is always good to see the Spirit of God at work in one of His children, even when it means that the holy desires He is stirring up cause discomfort and unease with the "status quo". I don't at all mean that it is the pain or discomfort that is encouraging, quite the opposite, this is a source of grief and pain and sadness, and yet beyond that, when He is at work "all things work together for good".
For example, you said:
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The deceptive things about all of this "Pop" stuff is that it either sounds good or looks good, like the frosting on a cake; but there's no cake underneath.
As I read that I thought about the word deceptive. All deception is ultimately the tool of the Adversary, and I believe you have put your finger on the heart of the problem. This foul creature rejoices (to be oxymoronic, for he knows no such thing as rejoicing) in the pain and confusion of the saints and the downfall and distruction of the unsaved. Deception in it's myriad forms, it seems to me is, so characteristic of him.
I also appreciated your use of the word, "EMPTY". As I read it I thought of all those verses that speak of the exact opposite in regard to communion with God, "FULLNESS". One of my favorite is Pauls prayer for the Ephesians in the 3rd chapter of that epistle:
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3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power by his Spirit in the inner man; 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the FULLNESS of God.
It seems to me that since Paul prayed this prayer for all the Ephsian church, it is meant to be prayed for (and by) all believers for all time. What an encouragement. There are so many wonderful thoughts in this prayer that it is impossible to cover them all, but I think a bit of meditation on the words of this prayer and it's purpose, in conjuction with how it intersects with other verses that deal with the FULLNESS of God, will reap rich rewards, as in:
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John 1:4 "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be FULL."
Eph.1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be FULL."
John 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be FULL.
Acts 2:27 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me FULL of joy with thy countenance.
Col. 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the FULL assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Aren't those beautiful promises?
I would say, Janean, that if you keep on listening to the Spirit's voice about the emptiness of the church you are in, and contrast it to the fullness that He promises those that seek Him with their whole their heart, and do so seek Him, you will find that fullness. In other words, I believe that if we ask Him for that fullness, and keep on asking, and really want it, such that we remove those things that impede it, just as Paul asked Him for it for the Ephesians, and taught them to lead holy lives, He will lead you to it, and fulfill what He has led you to seek.
