Easy Christianity 101

I am reading a book at the moment as part of a small group that I help run with my wife. I wont name the book, because I am about to give it a beating! The other night our group was discussing a particular chapter in this nondescript book on "happiness". The author suggests, basically and with excessive simplicity, that the world would be better off if everyone were "church-going-Christians". Now, I am heavily involved with a church community and I realise that while the church, as an institution, does some amazing things within the lives of its people and the lives of local communities, it also struggles quite a lot to live up to the ideals of the one whom they are claiming to follow (Jesus). In fact, Paul in his letter to the Romans, reminds them of his own struggle with his inner self. He says in Romans 7:18-19 For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. I know that there have been times in my life, frequently I might add, when I know within my heart what I should be doing but in fact do the entire opposite. We DO struggle with our own selves. We DO try to live up to our own expectations but often fall short. I get annoyed when faith is overly simplified, faith is incredibly complex, often grey, and is not an easy life by any stretch. It is, however, the most rewarding expression of life giving fullness that I have experienced.