Association  association |əˌsōsēˈāSHən, -SHē-|
noun1 (abbr.: assn. )(oftenin names) a group of people organized for a joint purpose: the National Association of Broadcasters.I also describe the word as a group of individuals who THINK along similar lines of thought.  We as friends, tend to gather where we are comfortable.  
As we move through life, our personal associations tend fluctuate with our social and professional circles. For a lot of people, based on family traditions and values, the church is a large part of their lives. Being centered around a religious frame of thought is a good thing, agreed?  Then why do people drift from a solid Bible based, love one another foundation?  In recent years there have been TV shows of religious communities having strife and conflict within and some members seeking the "outside" lifestyle.  I have thought about that some.  I can relate a little bit to what they are perhaps feeling.  There is a time in almost everyone's life that a change is needed.  A change from the "usual".  Things get stale perhaps.  There is that thought that you haven't experienced life at it's fullest. "What's on the other side?" Sometimes when those thoughts are brought to fruition, it gets really, really scary!  We weren't expecting the harshness of reality without support.  So we go looking for support, and that is where we find ourselves getting deeper and deeper away from where we should be. Is it the excitement?  Is it the Danger?  
I would venture to guess that we have all taken a trip to the "wild side" at one time or another in our lives.  The saving grace is when we return to reality and retake our spiritual lives back and live a life of loving, sharing, caring and nurturing one another.  At least that is what I have discovered.  As I have written in previous issues, life takes some pretty interesting turns.  I think that is for a reason.  If we don't  know what is out there, how are we to know how to combat the spiritual robbing and soul deflating activities that Satan is attempting to entwine you in?  So if we have taken that wild side trip, and decided to come back to our community of God loving people, why are THEY (those people) so nasty at times to us?  Why are those church people so hypocritical and mean?  Why are church politics sometimes worse than anything else?  Why are some church people so mean to other members, and particularly to their Pastors?  I have been seeing some articles on FaceBook "shares" about the calling of Pastors and how they are treated poorly by their congregations.  Quite astonishing revelation.  How people who profess to be members of a church congregation, a church ASSOCIATION, can treat their Pastors so poorly, what are they doing to themselves???  The answer is simple.  HUMANs.   We are human beings.  Most of us are affected by the influence of Satan to some degree. Most of us are fighting that fight continually, because it is Satan that is wanting our soul...too. The battle rages on.  People get confused and nasty at times and bad things happen.  It is like that in most organizations.
So now that we know what we are up against, I would still suggest a relationship with God and that relationship is fortified and solidified in a church association/relationship.  I have heard so many people complain about how hypocritical organized religion is that it makes my head swim.  That is their excuse for not attending.  With all that I have experienced, I still need the association of being around spirit filled people to help me battle Satan and keep God at the forefront of my focus. And yes, as a Christian,  Jesus the Christ is my Lord and Savior. There are other faith communities that have God alone...like the Jewish Faith. That is fine with us Christians, I think.  There is freedom to believe whatever you choose.  I know many faithful Jewish people and they are genuine, believers in their spiritual walk...and I honor and praise their faithfulness to God.  But there are people that claim faith, but display otherwise.  Yes, we all have our faults.  Yes, we are not perfect.  I would rather associate with positive and spirit filled, God loving,  Jesus praising folks than in a destructive association of non productive and hurtful associations. People join churches to associate with like minded folks.  Unfortunately, world wide church memberships are in decline.  That is a worrisome trend that has been going on since the 1960's.  It is accelerating its pace.  We need to stop this and get back to where we need to be.  I think that there are many reasons why people don't attend church anymore.  One is stimulation. We have become a tactile society.  If we are not visually, mentally, emotionally stimulated to a large degree, we lose interest.  So how can you help in this challenge?  Become interested in a local church and get involved in making in visually, mentally, emotionally stimulating.  Don't leave it for others to do.  Help those "others" to accomplish it!  
It all boils down to ASSOCIATIONS.  Which ones are you going to affiliate with?  We all choose.  There is no choice not to.  If you choose to stay at home and be a recluse, you have chosen. You have now become one of the challenges instead of one of the solutions.  Wouldn't it be more fun and fulfilling to be a solution instead of a challenge?  I think it would.  Associate with that church down the block, over yonder, down the road a piece.  They will be glad to see you.
Keep singing, share a smile, and help someone to associate.
Blessings,Gary