My new book, A Generous Orthodoxy , just arrived today. I am pretty excited about it and I am sure you are going to be hearing a lot about in the coming days. I plan on blogging on at least every chapter and maybe more. Just depends on how it hits me. If you haven't read anything by Brian McLaren , I suggest that you do it soon. You might not agree with him but you will see that he is truly a great writer and will at least make you think. Or at least he did for me.
I also wanted to tell you that I also recieved a new CD today. These are gifts that Resa got me for our anniversary. The CD is "Bullet" -by Mat Kearney and it is totally awesome. Dude has some kinda new type of flow. He kinda raps, kinda talks, kinda sings, all to some really sweet melodies. I am serious....you need to check this guy out...majorly. Here is his website . There is a sample of one of his songs on there. Here is an article reviewing his new CD.
Well, I am trying not to say anything political for a couple of days. I will say that I read the Sojourners magazine today and was very impressed with some of their articles. You should check them out. I will just say that things are becoming "clearer" for me so we will just see how it all turns out.
So, I guess I don't have much else to say....so I will say, goodbye...
Friday, October 29, 2004
Thursday, October 28, 2004
My response to comments......
I am glad that my last post has stirred you to think and therefore caused at least one of you to post a comment. Things like this excite me. I love these kinds of things. That is why, I want to probe their thoughts a little in my post. I will quote them and then respond with questions that I have.
Let me say this: I am asking questions not out of bias but out of critical thinking...not trying to take sides but to pose real questions that come up.
“With the issue of abortion man has begun to chip away at the fact that "man is created in the image of God" and that we are no differant than an animal.With the issue of Marriage they have begun to chip away at a foundational institution that God set in place.”
With the issue of homosexual acceptance they are chipping away at sin and mocking God.
I am not so sure that we can say definitively that Bush is God’s choice based on abortion and the homosexual marriage issue. Here are a couple of my thoughts:
1.Do you think that sometimes we often place some issues higher than other issues? For example, shouldn’t the country be concerned about the poverty of this nation, the lack of healthcare for millions, and the economic welfare of this nation?
Here is something that a lot of us miss: what about those that are starving around the world and are consequently dying due to lack of food and malnutrition. We do nothing in that regards. That is in some ways, killing of innocent children. If abortion is absolutely wrong in all cases and killing babies is sinful and unjust, then why don’t we do something about all the children that are dying all over the world?. I mean more than do something. Shouldn’t this be a major issue for the USA? I know that everyone thinks that we do enough but the question must become: are we doing all that we can?
Also, if abortion is wrong because it is taking another’s life – then shouldn’t the death penalty be done away with? You probably say “No” and your reasoning is that the Bible gives us the command to do it. Let me ask you this, why should our laws be based on the Bible? (What exactly does separation of church and state mean?) Who chooses which parts of the Bible becomes law?
2.A question coming from someone else is this: “Why is same sex marriage illegal? It can’t be illegal, because it doesn’t break any laws. Oh yeah, you must object due to it’s a sin and that is the reason. Well, not every church sees it as a sin, who gets to decide what sins are sins? What about divorce? The bible is pretty clear about it being a sin, yet it is legal. Many churches see divorce as a major sin yet we don’t hear their opinions and make that a law do we? Some churches think war is wrong yet we have war. ” I think what this person is trying to say is this: What does separation of church and state exactly mean? If this nation is founded on religious freedom, how much freedom is there when you base your laws on whether or not something is a sin? Who’s religious text do you use? What happens if another religion sees same sex marriage as part of their religion? Do they not have the right to object? These are just some questions that this person raises….I will let you decide the answers.
“If we truly believe that "faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" and we truly believe that God commands us to teach/preach all that He commands then we "must" be willing to "take up our cross and follow Jesus".For some of us it could be the cross of higher taxes, loss of civil rights, loss of jobs, and maybe even loss of life but if that is the Cross Christ ask us to bear to follow him than a true disciple of His will work to the best of his/her ability to defend the right to teach "all" that God commands us to.”
1.What if in that passage, Jesus was implying that by taking up our crosses we must do something that would get us in trouble with the authorities? That is one interpretation based on the context of that passage. Jesus might have said that because the disciples knew that one would only get the cross due to “big” crimes. Maybe Jesus is calling us to live radical lives anyway? Why would we fear that?
“I find it rather funny and sad that Hustler magazine's owner is for Kerry. He is for this party because he knows that people with morals are a threat to his livelyhood. He is willing to spend millions to protect his business of smut that he is so proud of. He understands better than most Christians that the "judges" in our highest courts will either uphold morals and stop or limit his business or they will allow moral decay to occur. Flynt knows what he is doing when he cast his ballot. He is looking to the future. I only hope and Pray Christians are as wise as he is.”
1.I totally get their point on this. But I must ask myself two series of questions: 1)Should I really not vote for someone just because someone else is voting for them? OR Should I vote for someone just because someone else is voting for them? Shouldn’t I weigh out this option on my own and seek out God’s will? 2) How can we KNOW that this is the reason that Flynt supports Kerry? Maybe he supports him because he believes in a more democratic process where the government has a more hands on policy? What if he gives millions away to charities and has a heart for them and desires the democrats to be in office so that the economical and societal dimensions of this nation will grow/increase? I can’t rule out that is the reason he is voting for Kerry, but neither can I say for sure.
(The Parable of the Shrewd Manager – see quote in the comments section from last post)
1.Why would this be applicable? The first assumption that we would have to make is that America should be a Christian nation. Now I would be all for everyone to come and know Jesus as their redeemer. But I am not for that through governmental sanctions. If I wanted that then I could move to England. (Which I might ‘smile’) No. Instead, I would want everyone to trust in Him because they see Him as the great pleasure of life. They see Him as the delight that fills their hearts.
2.Why do we equate America as the New Israel? We just assume that because we have prospered that we must now be God’s chosen nation. Why? What makes us think that? Where does it say that? Who says that? See my point?
I am not against a Christian nation. But I must not forget about religious freedom. We can’t make laws making people be Christians. Some may not be saying that but that is exactly what we are trying to do.
Let me say this: I am asking questions not out of bias but out of critical thinking...not trying to take sides but to pose real questions that come up.
“With the issue of abortion man has begun to chip away at the fact that "man is created in the image of God" and that we are no differant than an animal.With the issue of Marriage they have begun to chip away at a foundational institution that God set in place.”
With the issue of homosexual acceptance they are chipping away at sin and mocking God.
I am not so sure that we can say definitively that Bush is God’s choice based on abortion and the homosexual marriage issue. Here are a couple of my thoughts:
1.Do you think that sometimes we often place some issues higher than other issues? For example, shouldn’t the country be concerned about the poverty of this nation, the lack of healthcare for millions, and the economic welfare of this nation?
Here is something that a lot of us miss: what about those that are starving around the world and are consequently dying due to lack of food and malnutrition. We do nothing in that regards. That is in some ways, killing of innocent children. If abortion is absolutely wrong in all cases and killing babies is sinful and unjust, then why don’t we do something about all the children that are dying all over the world?. I mean more than do something. Shouldn’t this be a major issue for the USA? I know that everyone thinks that we do enough but the question must become: are we doing all that we can?
Also, if abortion is wrong because it is taking another’s life – then shouldn’t the death penalty be done away with? You probably say “No” and your reasoning is that the Bible gives us the command to do it. Let me ask you this, why should our laws be based on the Bible? (What exactly does separation of church and state mean?) Who chooses which parts of the Bible becomes law?
2.A question coming from someone else is this: “Why is same sex marriage illegal? It can’t be illegal, because it doesn’t break any laws. Oh yeah, you must object due to it’s a sin and that is the reason. Well, not every church sees it as a sin, who gets to decide what sins are sins? What about divorce? The bible is pretty clear about it being a sin, yet it is legal. Many churches see divorce as a major sin yet we don’t hear their opinions and make that a law do we? Some churches think war is wrong yet we have war. ” I think what this person is trying to say is this: What does separation of church and state exactly mean? If this nation is founded on religious freedom, how much freedom is there when you base your laws on whether or not something is a sin? Who’s religious text do you use? What happens if another religion sees same sex marriage as part of their religion? Do they not have the right to object? These are just some questions that this person raises….I will let you decide the answers.
“If we truly believe that "faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" and we truly believe that God commands us to teach/preach all that He commands then we "must" be willing to "take up our cross and follow Jesus".For some of us it could be the cross of higher taxes, loss of civil rights, loss of jobs, and maybe even loss of life but if that is the Cross Christ ask us to bear to follow him than a true disciple of His will work to the best of his/her ability to defend the right to teach "all" that God commands us to.”
1.What if in that passage, Jesus was implying that by taking up our crosses we must do something that would get us in trouble with the authorities? That is one interpretation based on the context of that passage. Jesus might have said that because the disciples knew that one would only get the cross due to “big” crimes. Maybe Jesus is calling us to live radical lives anyway? Why would we fear that?
“I find it rather funny and sad that Hustler magazine's owner is for Kerry. He is for this party because he knows that people with morals are a threat to his livelyhood. He is willing to spend millions to protect his business of smut that he is so proud of. He understands better than most Christians that the "judges" in our highest courts will either uphold morals and stop or limit his business or they will allow moral decay to occur. Flynt knows what he is doing when he cast his ballot. He is looking to the future. I only hope and Pray Christians are as wise as he is.”
1.I totally get their point on this. But I must ask myself two series of questions: 1)Should I really not vote for someone just because someone else is voting for them? OR Should I vote for someone just because someone else is voting for them? Shouldn’t I weigh out this option on my own and seek out God’s will? 2) How can we KNOW that this is the reason that Flynt supports Kerry? Maybe he supports him because he believes in a more democratic process where the government has a more hands on policy? What if he gives millions away to charities and has a heart for them and desires the democrats to be in office so that the economical and societal dimensions of this nation will grow/increase? I can’t rule out that is the reason he is voting for Kerry, but neither can I say for sure.
(The Parable of the Shrewd Manager – see quote in the comments section from last post)
1.Why would this be applicable? The first assumption that we would have to make is that America should be a Christian nation. Now I would be all for everyone to come and know Jesus as their redeemer. But I am not for that through governmental sanctions. If I wanted that then I could move to England. (Which I might ‘smile’) No. Instead, I would want everyone to trust in Him because they see Him as the great pleasure of life. They see Him as the delight that fills their hearts.
2.Why do we equate America as the New Israel? We just assume that because we have prospered that we must now be God’s chosen nation. Why? What makes us think that? Where does it say that? Who says that? See my point?
I am not against a Christian nation. But I must not forget about religious freedom. We can’t make laws making people be Christians. Some may not be saying that but that is exactly what we are trying to do.
*****************
Seriously, you should check out my opinion from a couple of posts ago. It is talking about how Jesus is neither Republican or Democrat. I think it sums up my beliefs as far as this election goes.
Thanks to Levi, here is a link to a petition directly related to that - http://go.sojo.net/campaign/takebackourfaith
Check it out…..anyways….if you haven’t tried the survey/Q and A from 2 posts ago – try it out. At least give it a fair chance. You might be surprised……
Seriously, you should check out my opinion from a couple of posts ago. It is talking about how Jesus is neither Republican or Democrat. I think it sums up my beliefs as far as this election goes.
Thanks to Levi, here is a link to a petition directly related to that - http://go.sojo.net/campaign/takebackourfaith
Check it out…..anyways….if you haven’t tried the survey/Q and A from 2 posts ago – try it out. At least give it a fair chance. You might be surprised……
According to the survey....
According to the survey from the link I posted in my last post, I have found out who I am supposed to vote for....
That's funny. You thought I was going to tell you who I am going to vote for. (Smile) This is really fun to do.
I will tell you the score....one got 60% and the other got 24%
I have been going back and forth over all the reasons to vote for either candidate. I feel like both have been deceitful in one way or another. And the thing I really hate is how much they play "politics." You would think that at one point, a candidate would quit bad mouthing the other. You are grown men for goodness sake.
I guess what has been really disappointing has been seeing some of the remarks that Bush has made. Not that they are BAD or anything, but why does he feel like he must play this game with Kerry. If Bush is such the Evangelical Christian that everyone makes him out to be, then you would think their wouldn't be any bad mouthing going on. I know, I know....he has to defend himself. Wait. Does he?
Then there is Kerry. He claims to be a Christian as well. Why does he continue to go on with all these remarks. I know some of you may not see such a big deal with it. You may even say that they are just telling the truth. I guess I will just have to disagree with you on this one. It may be truth, but that doesn't give you the right to poke fun and harshly criticize the other candidate.
For example: The Kerry party (maybe Edwards and Kerry might have mentioned something) making the statement about Cheney's daughter's sexual orientation. That was uncalled for.
And: "Sen. Kerry's been in Washington long enough to have taken both sides on just about every issue," Bush quipped to an audience of supporters at the Shrine Auditorium who had paid up to $2,000 each to hear him. - quote from San Francisco Chronicle
These are just examples that are found throughout the campaign.
That is what makes me not want to vote for either one. I wish for once, a politician would not be a .....well, a politician.
Maybe I will vote for the Green Party. On second thought....nah.
Go take the survey.....report back who it says you should vote for...and oh yeah, be honest and unbiased. As if that will happen.
That's funny. You thought I was going to tell you who I am going to vote for. (Smile) This is really fun to do.
I will tell you the score....one got 60% and the other got 24%
I have been going back and forth over all the reasons to vote for either candidate. I feel like both have been deceitful in one way or another. And the thing I really hate is how much they play "politics." You would think that at one point, a candidate would quit bad mouthing the other. You are grown men for goodness sake.
I guess what has been really disappointing has been seeing some of the remarks that Bush has made. Not that they are BAD or anything, but why does he feel like he must play this game with Kerry. If Bush is such the Evangelical Christian that everyone makes him out to be, then you would think their wouldn't be any bad mouthing going on. I know, I know....he has to defend himself. Wait. Does he?
Then there is Kerry. He claims to be a Christian as well. Why does he continue to go on with all these remarks. I know some of you may not see such a big deal with it. You may even say that they are just telling the truth. I guess I will just have to disagree with you on this one. It may be truth, but that doesn't give you the right to poke fun and harshly criticize the other candidate.
For example: The Kerry party (maybe Edwards and Kerry might have mentioned something) making the statement about Cheney's daughter's sexual orientation. That was uncalled for.
And: "Sen. Kerry's been in Washington long enough to have taken both sides on just about every issue," Bush quipped to an audience of supporters at the Shrine Auditorium who had paid up to $2,000 each to hear him. - quote from San Francisco Chronicle
These are just examples that are found throughout the campaign.
That is what makes me not want to vote for either one. I wish for once, a politician would not be a .....well, a politician.
Maybe I will vote for the Green Party. On second thought....nah.
Go take the survey.....report back who it says you should vote for...and oh yeah, be honest and unbiased. As if that will happen.
Compare the candidates
Definately check this link out, even if you can't vote...it will give you an idea where the candidates line up with your views...
AOL Presidential Match Main
Post your comments about it if you want......tell me what you thought of the survey...
AOL Presidential Match Main
Post your comments about it if you want......tell me what you thought of the survey...
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Nomey's Spot
You definately need to check out my friend's blog: Nomey's Spot
It has a good post about homosexuality and looks at it in a way that some don't. I appreciate his looking at this controversial issue with a little different angle. I appreciate when people step outside the box to see things in a different light. Definately check out this post. You may not agree with it. Heck, I may not agree with it. But then again....maybe you will. Maybe I will. Definately worth reading with an open mind.
Is that possible? An open mind? Or are we so biased by our upbringing and our culture that we are not able to have an open mind anymore? Besides who wants to be "tolerant"? Cause we know that tolerance is EVIL!
That is another post for another time....check out the link Nomey's Spot
It has a good post about homosexuality and looks at it in a way that some don't. I appreciate his looking at this controversial issue with a little different angle. I appreciate when people step outside the box to see things in a different light. Definately check out this post. You may not agree with it. Heck, I may not agree with it. But then again....maybe you will. Maybe I will. Definately worth reading with an open mind.
Is that possible? An open mind? Or are we so biased by our upbringing and our culture that we are not able to have an open mind anymore? Besides who wants to be "tolerant"? Cause we know that tolerance is EVIL!
That is another post for another time....check out the link Nomey's Spot
Something that bothers me....
Just a short rant.....
Why do people insist on making Jesus a Republican? Seriously....everytime I hear a Christian talk politics, I get the feeling that they are implying that Jesus is a Republican. The same can be said of Democrats. They too align Jesus as a Democrat.
That just kills me. What makes us think that Jesus would align himself with either of the parties? What makes us so arrogant that we would think for a second that we know what party Jesus would vote for?
If memory serves me right.....Jesus had a chance to join the different sects of Judaism. But He didn't. He didn't come to conform the different sects. He came to bring grace and love to all.
If He wouldn't choose sides back then (besides His own side) then why do we imply that He chooses our side now. Republicans say because of our views on abortion and same sex marriage. Democrats say because they care about the poor, something they say the Republicans obviously don't.
I guess we can ponder this question: WWJVF - Who Would Jesus Vote For
Too bad we get wrapped up in this.....maybe there are other things that we can get wrapped up in.....like the grace of God, the moving of the Spirit, the adoration of the Son, even maybe get wrapped up in reaching out to those that haven't experience the saving grace of God.
Maybe......
Why do people insist on making Jesus a Republican? Seriously....everytime I hear a Christian talk politics, I get the feeling that they are implying that Jesus is a Republican. The same can be said of Democrats. They too align Jesus as a Democrat.
That just kills me. What makes us think that Jesus would align himself with either of the parties? What makes us so arrogant that we would think for a second that we know what party Jesus would vote for?
If memory serves me right.....Jesus had a chance to join the different sects of Judaism. But He didn't. He didn't come to conform the different sects. He came to bring grace and love to all.
If He wouldn't choose sides back then (besides His own side) then why do we imply that He chooses our side now. Republicans say because of our views on abortion and same sex marriage. Democrats say because they care about the poor, something they say the Republicans obviously don't.
I guess we can ponder this question: WWJVF - Who Would Jesus Vote For
Too bad we get wrapped up in this.....maybe there are other things that we can get wrapped up in.....like the grace of God, the moving of the Spirit, the adoration of the Son, even maybe get wrapped up in reaching out to those that haven't experience the saving grace of God.
Maybe......
Don't Vote!
Mark Noll wrote an article None of the Above: Why I am not voting for president for the The Christian Century Magazine. This is a very interesting article. One that I find myself greatly agreeing with. It is written by Dr. Mark Noll, proffesor at Wheaton College and one of the leading evangelical thinkers of our time.
Basically what Noll is saying is that he can't see himself voting for any of the candidates at this point. He finds that his "main" issues to be of paramount importance to him and none of the candidates agree with him on these. So his conclusion is to basically....not vote.
Now I don't know how much I agree with this approach. Mostly because I wouldn't know how to repsond to the people that asked me about whether or not I voted and because I feel like I am giving up my right to vote. But then again I guess I could respond by telling them that my vote was a private matter and I could think of my right as including not to vote as well.
Anyway it is something to think about and read. I found Noll's views to be pretty much the same as mine. I am Pro-Life and all the other typical "conservative" issues (morally at least) But at the same time, I have a desire for a better economy in this country and around the world. (Not just for me but for those who are poor and living in poverty or those that are struggling)
I really liked this article. Makes one think.
Basically what Noll is saying is that he can't see himself voting for any of the candidates at this point. He finds that his "main" issues to be of paramount importance to him and none of the candidates agree with him on these. So his conclusion is to basically....not vote.
Now I don't know how much I agree with this approach. Mostly because I wouldn't know how to repsond to the people that asked me about whether or not I voted and because I feel like I am giving up my right to vote. But then again I guess I could respond by telling them that my vote was a private matter and I could think of my right as including not to vote as well.
Anyway it is something to think about and read. I found Noll's views to be pretty much the same as mine. I am Pro-Life and all the other typical "conservative" issues (morally at least) But at the same time, I have a desire for a better economy in this country and around the world. (Not just for me but for those who are poor and living in poverty or those that are struggling)
I really liked this article. Makes one think.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Name calling
Quote from Yac - "One day we decided to become a follower of Christ, to seek his presence in our lives, and were doing our best to keep Jesus in our sights when we were shocked to discover our fellow "classmates" calling us names. "Ungodly. Uncommitted. Poor example. Unspiritual. Carnal. Unbiblical." In other words, 'You are "doing God" all wrong' "
It's amazing at how many times I have said that. It's even more amazing how many times I have heard that said. Why is the ones who pick on each other the most are supposed to be the ones that "you will know by their love for each other?" Don't you think that is strange?
But it's all too true. We like to find all the "wrongs" of everybody else instead of looking at ourselves. Or better yet, we spend more time "fighting" issues than seeking after God's face. That's right - I said it and I will say it again. We spend more time making fun of homosexuals and condemning them to hell than we do checking ourselves and worrying about the sin in our lives. It's easy for us to pick on "them" because we don't struggle with that sin.
But what about the ones that we do struggle with? Who's there to point them out to us and raise a big deal about them? Who's there to condemn us when we fall short of the Glory of God? (I know we always fall short but you get my point)
It's prolly cause we spend so much of our time calling people "Ungodly" and other Christianese names. We spend all of our energy tearing down others instead of focusing on what is truly important......us seeking God.
We have a "them" concept.
Now before anybody says it, I know what you are going to say. "Well, I am just calling sin, sin." Yeah. Ok. I understand that. But let me tell you as one who used to do the same things......there is more to it. I have no problem with calling sin out....but there is a way to do it. And for the most part.....we have dropped the ball. We have condemned any person that has dealt with homosexual tendencies, had an abortion, or any other "inappropriate" sin. The time is to quit condemning.....and to start loving.
final thought.....where is our grace? Didn't we recieve some?
It's amazing at how many times I have said that. It's even more amazing how many times I have heard that said. Why is the ones who pick on each other the most are supposed to be the ones that "you will know by their love for each other?" Don't you think that is strange?
But it's all too true. We like to find all the "wrongs" of everybody else instead of looking at ourselves. Or better yet, we spend more time "fighting" issues than seeking after God's face. That's right - I said it and I will say it again. We spend more time making fun of homosexuals and condemning them to hell than we do checking ourselves and worrying about the sin in our lives. It's easy for us to pick on "them" because we don't struggle with that sin.
But what about the ones that we do struggle with? Who's there to point them out to us and raise a big deal about them? Who's there to condemn us when we fall short of the Glory of God? (I know we always fall short but you get my point)
It's prolly cause we spend so much of our time calling people "Ungodly" and other Christianese names. We spend all of our energy tearing down others instead of focusing on what is truly important......us seeking God.
We have a "them" concept.
Now before anybody says it, I know what you are going to say. "Well, I am just calling sin, sin." Yeah. Ok. I understand that. But let me tell you as one who used to do the same things......there is more to it. I have no problem with calling sin out....but there is a way to do it. And for the most part.....we have dropped the ball. We have condemned any person that has dealt with homosexual tendencies, had an abortion, or any other "inappropriate" sin. The time is to quit condemning.....and to start loving.
final thought.....where is our grace? Didn't we recieve some?
Monday, October 25, 2004
Maybe I am being misunderstood......maybe not
My MSN name is the following: Ever felt like your spiritual life wasn't good enough?
Now that can be understood in many different ways. Maybe that name is not the best one since it doesn't relay a concise and easily understood definition or meaning of what I am trying to get across.
Or maybe that is the point. Maybe it's supposed to cause confusion and misunderstanding. Is that possible?
Is that wrong?
A friend asked this question: "isn't it impossible to ever have a good enough spiritual life? think about it."
Pretty good thoughts. Makes you stop and think about it doesn't it? Maybe that is exactly what it is supposed to do. Maybe the name is supposed to make you question if you believe it and question if you agree with it.
The truth behind that name is a little deeper than when you first read it. It is not meant to be a kiddie pool kinda statement but more like a lake. You don't dive into a kiddie pool, but you would a lake.
Let's take a quick dip into the lake and talk about it for a minute. Can our spiritual life ever be good enough? Are we even talking about it in a measurement kind of way?
Or could it be that I am talking about the passionate pursuit by millions of Christians to "do." That's right....do. We base our spiritual life on how much we read the Bible, how much we pray, how much we attend church, and other tangible things that we count. But a lot of time, what we do is talk about how we are not doing enough. If we read 5 chapters of the Bible a day, then we say, "Well I am not reading my Bible enough."
The question that we must answer is: What is enough? If I read the whole Bible, will I still feel like I didn't do enough? If I only read a paragraph....is that enough?
What about prayer...what is enough? If I pray for an hour in the mornings and an hour at lunch and an hour at night...would we say that is enough? OR would we say that we haven't done it enough?
I am NOT advocating not doing these things because we will never do enough. That would be a cop out. What I am doing is trying to make us think.....and to prove a point.
Maybe our spiritual life is never good enough because we try to measure it. Maybe its not good enough because we try to put performance goals and records on it. Maybe our spiritual life is not good enough because we base it on all of these things, when it should be based on Christ and Him alone. My spiritual stance before God never changes.....I am a forgiven, loved child of God. He doesn't take away my salvation or my standing before Him if I don't read my Bible every day. NO! That would be a works based religion. Instead, it is His grace that keeps me hanging on. Not any of my works....but all HIM!
So....are you basing your spiritual life on what you do or don't do?
OR are you basing it on the position you have with God through Christ?
think about it................
Now that can be understood in many different ways. Maybe that name is not the best one since it doesn't relay a concise and easily understood definition or meaning of what I am trying to get across.
Or maybe that is the point. Maybe it's supposed to cause confusion and misunderstanding. Is that possible?
Is that wrong?
A friend asked this question: "isn't it impossible to ever have a good enough spiritual life? think about it."
Pretty good thoughts. Makes you stop and think about it doesn't it? Maybe that is exactly what it is supposed to do. Maybe the name is supposed to make you question if you believe it and question if you agree with it.
The truth behind that name is a little deeper than when you first read it. It is not meant to be a kiddie pool kinda statement but more like a lake. You don't dive into a kiddie pool, but you would a lake.
Let's take a quick dip into the lake and talk about it for a minute. Can our spiritual life ever be good enough? Are we even talking about it in a measurement kind of way?
Or could it be that I am talking about the passionate pursuit by millions of Christians to "do." That's right....do. We base our spiritual life on how much we read the Bible, how much we pray, how much we attend church, and other tangible things that we count. But a lot of time, what we do is talk about how we are not doing enough. If we read 5 chapters of the Bible a day, then we say, "Well I am not reading my Bible enough."
The question that we must answer is: What is enough? If I read the whole Bible, will I still feel like I didn't do enough? If I only read a paragraph....is that enough?
What about prayer...what is enough? If I pray for an hour in the mornings and an hour at lunch and an hour at night...would we say that is enough? OR would we say that we haven't done it enough?
I am NOT advocating not doing these things because we will never do enough. That would be a cop out. What I am doing is trying to make us think.....and to prove a point.
Maybe our spiritual life is never good enough because we try to measure it. Maybe its not good enough because we try to put performance goals and records on it. Maybe our spiritual life is not good enough because we base it on all of these things, when it should be based on Christ and Him alone. My spiritual stance before God never changes.....I am a forgiven, loved child of God. He doesn't take away my salvation or my standing before Him if I don't read my Bible every day. NO! That would be a works based religion. Instead, it is His grace that keeps me hanging on. Not any of my works....but all HIM!
So....are you basing your spiritual life on what you do or don't do?
OR are you basing it on the position you have with God through Christ?
think about it................
Sunday, October 24, 2004
I don't know
I just wrote a big long paragraph that I was going to post. Actually there were more than one. But I deleted it. I wasn't saying what I was trying to say. it was coming off very badly. Or at least that is what I thought.
i was trying to say this: i hate when people imply that I am not being spiritual because i am not goo-goo eyed over Jesus. See that still doesn't come out just right. Oh well. I try.
Anyways, I felt like a person implied that those who can trust God through the hard times were more spiritual or better Christians. How does that work? When life is going horrible and I trust God, do I get "brownie points" or "heaven reward points?" I don't think so. I don't think that my spiritual life is dependent on how much I trust God during the bad times. If I trust Him more, that must mean I am more spiritual and must mean that God loves me more. If I am having a hard time during the hard times (imagine that!) then I am low on the spiritual totem pole and God's favor just decreased.
That is foolishness. My relationship with God was sealed on the cross. I do not move up or down in the sight of God. I am justified and forgiven and most importantly, right now at least, is that I am loved.
Back to the point.....why am I supposed to be spiritual during the unspiritual times? Why can't a Christian struggle with his faith and struggle with where God is in their life? Isn't that a good thing? Doesn't that mean that we are asking the hard questions and searching hard to see God? Doesn't that mean that our search is pretty hard and intense?
I don't know. I just know that I love God. Yet, I am having a hard time with all this. I am wondering why this depression seems to bite me.....and sometimes bite me when I am the most following Jesus (my opinion.) I don't know. I just don't.
This person also implied that trusting in God during the hard times is "easy." Now I resent that. It makes me feel like I am super dumb or stupid or even crazy. "Look at me, I am not good enough to trust in God when I need Him the most."
I don't know. I just hated the way I felt. And it was not only me, but Resa saw how I could take that from his comments. So I must not be too crazy, unless, Resa....well....nah...she is not crazy. So, I don't think I am overreacting, at least not too much. Sure, I know that my take on the comments are biased to my personal circumstances and therefore I must adjust accordingly.
Have any of you every experience this.....I don't know....this "superior Christian attitude?"
well have you?.....leave some comments.....
Not everybody wants to hear that.
i was trying to say this: i hate when people imply that I am not being spiritual because i am not goo-goo eyed over Jesus. See that still doesn't come out just right. Oh well. I try.
Anyways, I felt like a person implied that those who can trust God through the hard times were more spiritual or better Christians. How does that work? When life is going horrible and I trust God, do I get "brownie points" or "heaven reward points?" I don't think so. I don't think that my spiritual life is dependent on how much I trust God during the bad times. If I trust Him more, that must mean I am more spiritual and must mean that God loves me more. If I am having a hard time during the hard times (imagine that!) then I am low on the spiritual totem pole and God's favor just decreased.
That is foolishness. My relationship with God was sealed on the cross. I do not move up or down in the sight of God. I am justified and forgiven and most importantly, right now at least, is that I am loved.
Back to the point.....why am I supposed to be spiritual during the unspiritual times? Why can't a Christian struggle with his faith and struggle with where God is in their life? Isn't that a good thing? Doesn't that mean that we are asking the hard questions and searching hard to see God? Doesn't that mean that our search is pretty hard and intense?
I don't know. I just know that I love God. Yet, I am having a hard time with all this. I am wondering why this depression seems to bite me.....and sometimes bite me when I am the most following Jesus (my opinion.) I don't know. I just don't.
This person also implied that trusting in God during the hard times is "easy." Now I resent that. It makes me feel like I am super dumb or stupid or even crazy. "Look at me, I am not good enough to trust in God when I need Him the most."
I don't know. I just hated the way I felt. And it was not only me, but Resa saw how I could take that from his comments. So I must not be too crazy, unless, Resa....well....nah...she is not crazy. So, I don't think I am overreacting, at least not too much. Sure, I know that my take on the comments are biased to my personal circumstances and therefore I must adjust accordingly.
Have any of you every experience this.....I don't know....this "superior Christian attitude?"
well have you?.....leave some comments.....
Not everybody wants to hear that.
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