I'm glad it's not MY job because I'd do a poor job, indeed. I dare say I'd never even get the plane out of the hanger...forget about getting airborne! Especially on a day like today (that sounds so cliche, doesn't it). Oh there are times when I'm soaring above it all...you know what I'm talking about. A day when you not only solve your own problems so well you say to yourself 'what problems?', but you easily, and happily, tackle the issues of those around you. Yep-a "take on the world" kind of day. Ah yes. Can almost smell it. Can you? No? Well then maybe your day was like mine. Nothing catastrophic took place. No flat tires or blown rods. No car jacking or local stop-&-rob heist. Not even a disagreement with a friend or loved one. No one cut me off in traffic, causing me to narrowly escape death as I swerved to miss him/her. The sun was even shining-here-on the Oregon coast. Yet almost each moment felt like one of THOSE moments from the moment I got up. Heart downcast, irritated, genuine bad attitude. As if I was adequately drowning in my self-constructed, self-filled pool of despair, I decided to feel guilty about my, well, feelings. I'm provided for and loved. What for the love of water chestnuts do I have to be so miserable about? NOTHING! Naturally, the realization that I do not, in fact, have anything to be unhappy about, and the subsequent feelings of guilt, only compounded the problem. So much so that at one point I felt (another one of those "f" words) as if I'd spiral down into......oh enough of this. I had a bad attitude the moment I opened my eyes. Shame on me!
Seriously, though, it all starts with the "f" word doesn't it? Oh now stop it! Not THAT word. Not in THIS blog. Another "f" word which can sometimes be just as destructive as the one heard daily almost everywhere. Feelings....feel...felt...what a burden we put upon ourselves and those around us based on how or what we feel. Let's take a look at these invisible little rascals, shall we?
First let me say what I'm NOT saying: I'm not saying feelings are bad, sinister manifestations of our alter egos which must be avoided at all costs (WHOA! It almost sounds as if I know something of what I'm talking about). I like feelings. God created feelings. When they are bad, though, don't they blaze a trail of destruction across our minds, hearts and lives? On those days when I feel on top of it all then I rarely think about the other side of life. How many of us do? We're at the top of our game and all is well. We're gonna enjoy the moment! Let us start to feel depressed, anxious, fearful, angry or hopeless, and suddenly these feelings consume us and we become what they proclaim (to some degree). Our feelings are deceptive, however, and I'm sure glad it's not my job to discern truth from falsehood on my own. The person who feels worthless and hopeless is, in reality, not worthless and doesn't have to remain hopeless. No human being is worthless and there will always be someone in a more dire situation than our own. Therefore there is always hope. The feelings do not mirror the reality. Likewise the individual who feels right with God, who feels spiritual or religious or whatever you want to call it, yet never opens their arms to comfort a hurting soul in torment, never offers a hand to someone in need, is just as deceived by his/her feelings. Furthermore, the man or woman who feels right with God and worthy of heaven, for instance, because he/she DOES lend the helping hand and the consoling embrace, may be equally in the dark about his/her state before the Creator of heaven and Earth. "But I give much to the poor! To this charity or that. I treat others as I want to be treated and I don't desire to harm anyone", you say. I recall a story of a young man who found himself in such a state. He obeyed all the laws, never treated anyone unfairly, gave abundantly to poor folks and charities. While part of him believed he'd done everything right to "be rewarded" in the afterlife (he figured he'd earned it), there was a part of him which still questioned his eternal position. He decided to discuss the matter knowledgeable teacher. Upon doing so the scholar recounted the need for following rules, giving to the poor, etc. Perplexed the young man proclaimed his faithfulness to these things from his boyhood. The teacher looked at him and told him there was but one thing left to do....sell ALL he had, give it ALL away, and "follow me". Even though the teacher was respected and obviously had answers to many troubling questions, the young man walked away downcast. He felt he was already good enough. He thought he'd done the job.
I'm sure glad it's not my job to get me eternally into the presence of the Living God. I'm glad because, on days like today, I'd never make it. What if it were up to me? What if it were mt job? I mean, let's just suppose it. I take my last breath this afternoon while I'm losing my temper with the driver who's been tailgating me for 5 miles. Maybe I skate past that little outburst but suffer a fatal heart attack or stroke while thinking mean, nasty thoughts about the telemarketer who just called me...again, or the clerk who over charged me...again. Wouldn't it be wonderful to show up at the pearly gates having just emerged from some temper tantrum or other act of nastiness? "Oh God knows I'm not perfect...he'll understand", you may say. Well, you're partially correct. God does understand that I'm not perfect and that you're not perfect. He understands so perfectly that He elected NOT to give us the job of getting ourselves to heaven. He knew in the beginning and knows now that we'll blow it every time. He decided to give the responsibility of getting us into eternity with Him, to, well, Himself...in the person of Jesus Christ. It's His job, not mine. Not yours. Of course one thing we ARE required to do and that's accept the finished job. We can continue to go it alone...trying to be good enough and do good enough and so on. We can do that and, when we cross over out of this life into the next, our report will show the job was NOT completed to the satisfaction of the CEO. No happy retirement then. Only forever alone in a dark eternity with no hope, no one, and forever tormented with regret. Accept the finished work of Jesus on our behalf and when we enter that big boardroom, studio, stage, movie set, machine shop in the sky, we'll get a thumb's up form the Big Guy and He'll say "well done, good and faithful servant". I so want to hear the Creator of the universe and beyond say that to me. Don't you? Wouldn't it be too cool?
I'm sure glad it's not my job to get me there. I'm sure glad the job is done. Thanks, JC. You rock!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Reasons
Being an avid admirer of Hugh Jackman's work, I had occasion to read through his filmography the other day. Awesome career. One title struck me; a documentary called "Oh My God", by Peter Rodger. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, the film was put together over 2 years and 23 countries, in an effort to discover who/what God means to people. Hugh Jackman happens to be one of the folks interviewed. That's not the point of today's blog though.
As I watched the trailer for the film my heart began to break. Why? Many people don't "feel" the need for God because they don't have any idea who/what He is! I was appauled at the misconceptions people have about Him. What's even more disturbing is that people have these false concepts because the Church, the collective body of those who have acknowledged Jesus as the One who can forgive sins, has let society down. Forgive me. I apologize. As a Christian I'm responsible to a degree for the grave misconceptions many have about the Creator of all things and everyone.
God is not cruel. God is not unfair. God is not pushy. God is not hateful toward His creation. God does not force Himself on anyone.
People have tried and still attempt to control others in the name of God & religion. As I've blogged before, this Christianity thing is NOT about religion. I'm desparate for you to recognize that God is alive, that He loves you, that He created you to be the only YOU ever! I'm desparate for you to understand that you won't find God in a building or by adhereing to man-made doctrines. There IS a heaven and there IS a hell. You may ask 'why would I want to follow a god who sends people to hell, who hates homosexuals, who wants to control me?'. If those are some of the things you believe, then you truly don't know anything about my God. Please let me introduce Him to you.
God doesn't hate anyone. He hates some of the things we do. God doesn't send anyone to hell. People choose to go there. If I'm wrong about the exsistance of hell then you and I have no worries. If I'm right? You are beautiful! A masterpiece. Unique in every way. Are you a writer? God gave you that ability. Are you an actor? Who do you think enables you to perform and "become" the characters you portray? God. Do any of us truly realize how everything we know can change in an instant? Fame, money, health, the things we equate with security....all of it can be wisked away in a breathe. The plane crashes, the car slams into a tree or flies off a cliff, the chemotherapy doesn't work, we are so depressed we just can't see any other way but to end the life we weren't responsible for creating in the first place. Tradgedy can come to anyone. I remember believing I didn't need God. I figured I was a "good" person (see an earlier blog about good, etc.). That's not enough! What was I waiting for? What were my reasons for not acknowledging God for who He is? I didn't want to give up "good times". I felt I was just fine. Must be why my life was going so fabulously. Drunk, floating through one relationship after another, chasing the wind...chasing my tail. Nothing ever really filled the gap,the exsitance of which, I was always reminded of late at night when all was quiet. It eventually caught up with me. It will catch up with you, too.
"I don't want to give up my fun", you may say. God's not asking you to give it up. He's asking you to come to Him. Let Him handle the rest. I heard it put this way once:
"To say the addict must be clean, the homosexual must go straight, the liar must be truthful, the adulterer faithful, the thief honest, before coming to Jesus, is like saying one needs to take a bath beofre getting into the shower." Ridiculous, isn't it? We don't acknowledge Jesus Christ because we "get right" or "get religion". We get right with God and everyone else and don't need religion, because of Jesus Christ.
You could leave this life in a moment! You cannot worry about that when it happens. You won't step into eternity and get a chance to plead your case before God. Stop getting caught up in what you have heard God does/does not believe about things and just meet Him! This world will not go on forever, friend. If I didn't sincerely care I'd never say anything. I don't want to hurt or offend anyone. I have a dear cousin who doesn't believe Jesus is God, I have two best friends who are homosexual, and I know people who are addicts and I have a Muslim friend. I love them all and do not look at their choices. They have a God givce right to choose to live and do what they see fit. But I know God and I know He has a much better way/plan for each of us than we could ever pick for ourselves.
Time is short. The terrorism, child abductions/murders, kids killing kids and killing their parents, disease, increasing famine and war.....Regardless of who you currently believe Jesus to be, God to be, Jesus DID say while on this earth that the aforementioned things would happen just before His return to make things right forevermore. So if you at least believe He had a few good ideas, maybe you'll consider pondering those things a bit more.
A comment made by some one interviewed for "Oh My God" went along the lines of "if Buddah, Jesus Christ, Krishna... were at a dinner table, they wouldn't be arguing." I've paraphrased a bit. I agree with that statement. I believe everyone at the table, in the presence of Jesus, would recognize and acknowledge Him for who He is. The Pharisee's didn't but they had their own agenda. No-there would be no arguement. But was that statement a profession of Jesus Christ being Messiah? I urnestly pray so.
I don't know any of you yet I love each of you. I love you because you are precious to God Almighty...whether you ever give your life to Him, live for Him, or not. That doesn't change His love for you. I follow Jesus Christ. This Jesus who IS God in the flesh. Therefore I must love each and every one of those He has created. Please consider Him. Where will you go breathe your last in the next moment?
Love in Christ-T
As I watched the trailer for the film my heart began to break. Why? Many people don't "feel" the need for God because they don't have any idea who/what He is! I was appauled at the misconceptions people have about Him. What's even more disturbing is that people have these false concepts because the Church, the collective body of those who have acknowledged Jesus as the One who can forgive sins, has let society down. Forgive me. I apologize. As a Christian I'm responsible to a degree for the grave misconceptions many have about the Creator of all things and everyone.
God is not cruel. God is not unfair. God is not pushy. God is not hateful toward His creation. God does not force Himself on anyone.
People have tried and still attempt to control others in the name of God & religion. As I've blogged before, this Christianity thing is NOT about religion. I'm desparate for you to recognize that God is alive, that He loves you, that He created you to be the only YOU ever! I'm desparate for you to understand that you won't find God in a building or by adhereing to man-made doctrines. There IS a heaven and there IS a hell. You may ask 'why would I want to follow a god who sends people to hell, who hates homosexuals, who wants to control me?'. If those are some of the things you believe, then you truly don't know anything about my God. Please let me introduce Him to you.
God doesn't hate anyone. He hates some of the things we do. God doesn't send anyone to hell. People choose to go there. If I'm wrong about the exsistance of hell then you and I have no worries. If I'm right? You are beautiful! A masterpiece. Unique in every way. Are you a writer? God gave you that ability. Are you an actor? Who do you think enables you to perform and "become" the characters you portray? God. Do any of us truly realize how everything we know can change in an instant? Fame, money, health, the things we equate with security....all of it can be wisked away in a breathe. The plane crashes, the car slams into a tree or flies off a cliff, the chemotherapy doesn't work, we are so depressed we just can't see any other way but to end the life we weren't responsible for creating in the first place. Tradgedy can come to anyone. I remember believing I didn't need God. I figured I was a "good" person (see an earlier blog about good, etc.). That's not enough! What was I waiting for? What were my reasons for not acknowledging God for who He is? I didn't want to give up "good times". I felt I was just fine. Must be why my life was going so fabulously. Drunk, floating through one relationship after another, chasing the wind...chasing my tail. Nothing ever really filled the gap,the exsitance of which, I was always reminded of late at night when all was quiet. It eventually caught up with me. It will catch up with you, too.
"I don't want to give up my fun", you may say. God's not asking you to give it up. He's asking you to come to Him. Let Him handle the rest. I heard it put this way once:
"To say the addict must be clean, the homosexual must go straight, the liar must be truthful, the adulterer faithful, the thief honest, before coming to Jesus, is like saying one needs to take a bath beofre getting into the shower." Ridiculous, isn't it? We don't acknowledge Jesus Christ because we "get right" or "get religion". We get right with God and everyone else and don't need religion, because of Jesus Christ.
You could leave this life in a moment! You cannot worry about that when it happens. You won't step into eternity and get a chance to plead your case before God. Stop getting caught up in what you have heard God does/does not believe about things and just meet Him! This world will not go on forever, friend. If I didn't sincerely care I'd never say anything. I don't want to hurt or offend anyone. I have a dear cousin who doesn't believe Jesus is God, I have two best friends who are homosexual, and I know people who are addicts and I have a Muslim friend. I love them all and do not look at their choices. They have a God givce right to choose to live and do what they see fit. But I know God and I know He has a much better way/plan for each of us than we could ever pick for ourselves.
Time is short. The terrorism, child abductions/murders, kids killing kids and killing their parents, disease, increasing famine and war.....Regardless of who you currently believe Jesus to be, God to be, Jesus DID say while on this earth that the aforementioned things would happen just before His return to make things right forevermore. So if you at least believe He had a few good ideas, maybe you'll consider pondering those things a bit more.
A comment made by some one interviewed for "Oh My God" went along the lines of "if Buddah, Jesus Christ, Krishna... were at a dinner table, they wouldn't be arguing." I've paraphrased a bit. I agree with that statement. I believe everyone at the table, in the presence of Jesus, would recognize and acknowledge Him for who He is. The Pharisee's didn't but they had their own agenda. No-there would be no arguement. But was that statement a profession of Jesus Christ being Messiah? I urnestly pray so.
I don't know any of you yet I love each of you. I love you because you are precious to God Almighty...whether you ever give your life to Him, live for Him, or not. That doesn't change His love for you. I follow Jesus Christ. This Jesus who IS God in the flesh. Therefore I must love each and every one of those He has created. Please consider Him. Where will you go breathe your last in the next moment?
Love in Christ-T
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Today
So far no one is following this particular blog but I'm gonna post anyhow. I like it! It's fun!
Remember when we were kids and some of our friends kept diaries? Later, in high school and college some of us were required to keep a journal for one class or another. I was never very good at either one; diaries nor journals that is. Blogging (is that correct terminology?) is like a journal of sorts for me and I'm glad I can stick with it. The truth is I only post when something is on my mind/heart to share with you. I do have a few specific people who I desperately hope will read this blog. I won't mention any names just now though. Then there are folks I do not know (yet) and maybe never will. Maybe YOU :o). Regardless, I have faith that whomever is meant to read/follow this little endeavor will be led to do so.
Whew! Enough already. On to today's post.
Late this afternoon I found myself driving north on Hwy. 101 toward Newport. The day was beautiful for touring the Oregon coast. As I often mention in my tweets over in Twitterville, however, nearly every day is fabulous in this part of the country. The trip was not merely one for sightseeing though. We adopted a guinea pig and I had to collect her. She's a gal-pal for our first guinea pig, Sammy. His now "wife", Honey, I've been assured is too old to have babies. HA! I'll believe that when I don't see them...the babies, that is.
Driving along the coast here is incrediable. The way the mist hangs in the trees reminds me of the fluffy, "angel hair" stuff some folks decorate with at Christmas. Do you know the stuff I'm talking about? I've always thought the trees and grass are a deeper, richer green on days like today, just after a slight rain. This time of year little gift shops are open. Some high-end but most the perverbial "mom & pop" stores, faithfully welcoming visitors year after year. No stopping and shopping today, though. I arrived at my destination, gathered up girl guinea pig, and headed home.
I did stop along the way to shoot some pictures. I cannot begin to describe what the ocean means to me and how it stirs my soul whenever I stand before it. I won't even try to put it into words. Those of you who share my love for the sea already know what I'm saying. Photos taken, briny air breathed into my lungs, and I was homeward bound again. What an unexpected day. What a blessed day.
God is good all the time. He is infinately patient, slow to anger, quick to forgive. My "best" days following my own plans were/are no where near as awesome as pursueing those things God sets before me to do. Whatever you do for a living, whereever you are in the world, in life, which path are you on? Which path am I on? Have we asked God if what we're doing is what He wants for us? Are we using the talents He's given us to draw folks to Him and to glorify Him? I pray we are. I ask Him daily for His guidence. Often His path is not easy and doesn't appear desirable. In the end, though, His way is always the best way and I'm always blessed beyond imagination. Is your career/job the one God wants for you? Are you singing, acting, serving coffee and burgers for God or for yourself? Am I blogging for God or me? I pray the former is always the case. I'm really not trying to preach. I really do have a sincere burden on my heart for those of you who really don't think you need Jesus Christ and for those of you who know Him but, like all of us, struggle in your daily walk to do things His way. I don't have to know you personally to say I love you. Each of you a unique creation of the Master. Each of you created in the image of God. Regardless...I'll type it again..R-E-G-A-R-D-L-E-S-S of color, faith (or lack thereof), education, profession (or, again, lack thereof), lifestyle, wealthy or bankrupt. Each created in the image of the Creator. We may not live as He knows is best for us, but we're still precious to Him. Should anyone tell you differently, he/she is a liar. Don't buy into sham of the ages.
Peace be with you...may our loving Creator, God, draw you to Himself that you may be with Him for all eternity.
T
Remember when we were kids and some of our friends kept diaries? Later, in high school and college some of us were required to keep a journal for one class or another. I was never very good at either one; diaries nor journals that is. Blogging (is that correct terminology?) is like a journal of sorts for me and I'm glad I can stick with it. The truth is I only post when something is on my mind/heart to share with you. I do have a few specific people who I desperately hope will read this blog. I won't mention any names just now though. Then there are folks I do not know (yet) and maybe never will. Maybe YOU :o). Regardless, I have faith that whomever is meant to read/follow this little endeavor will be led to do so.
Whew! Enough already. On to today's post.
Late this afternoon I found myself driving north on Hwy. 101 toward Newport. The day was beautiful for touring the Oregon coast. As I often mention in my tweets over in Twitterville, however, nearly every day is fabulous in this part of the country. The trip was not merely one for sightseeing though. We adopted a guinea pig and I had to collect her. She's a gal-pal for our first guinea pig, Sammy. His now "wife", Honey, I've been assured is too old to have babies. HA! I'll believe that when I don't see them...the babies, that is.
Driving along the coast here is incrediable. The way the mist hangs in the trees reminds me of the fluffy, "angel hair" stuff some folks decorate with at Christmas. Do you know the stuff I'm talking about? I've always thought the trees and grass are a deeper, richer green on days like today, just after a slight rain. This time of year little gift shops are open. Some high-end but most the perverbial "mom & pop" stores, faithfully welcoming visitors year after year. No stopping and shopping today, though. I arrived at my destination, gathered up girl guinea pig, and headed home.
I did stop along the way to shoot some pictures. I cannot begin to describe what the ocean means to me and how it stirs my soul whenever I stand before it. I won't even try to put it into words. Those of you who share my love for the sea already know what I'm saying. Photos taken, briny air breathed into my lungs, and I was homeward bound again. What an unexpected day. What a blessed day.
God is good all the time. He is infinately patient, slow to anger, quick to forgive. My "best" days following my own plans were/are no where near as awesome as pursueing those things God sets before me to do. Whatever you do for a living, whereever you are in the world, in life, which path are you on? Which path am I on? Have we asked God if what we're doing is what He wants for us? Are we using the talents He's given us to draw folks to Him and to glorify Him? I pray we are. I ask Him daily for His guidence. Often His path is not easy and doesn't appear desirable. In the end, though, His way is always the best way and I'm always blessed beyond imagination. Is your career/job the one God wants for you? Are you singing, acting, serving coffee and burgers for God or for yourself? Am I blogging for God or me? I pray the former is always the case. I'm really not trying to preach. I really do have a sincere burden on my heart for those of you who really don't think you need Jesus Christ and for those of you who know Him but, like all of us, struggle in your daily walk to do things His way. I don't have to know you personally to say I love you. Each of you a unique creation of the Master. Each of you created in the image of God. Regardless...I'll type it again..R-E-G-A-R-D-L-E-S-S of color, faith (or lack thereof), education, profession (or, again, lack thereof), lifestyle, wealthy or bankrupt. Each created in the image of the Creator. We may not live as He knows is best for us, but we're still precious to Him. Should anyone tell you differently, he/she is a liar. Don't buy into sham of the ages.
Peace be with you...may our loving Creator, God, draw you to Himself that you may be with Him for all eternity.
T
Saturday, May 2, 2009
"True" Christianity?
Happy Saturday! The Oregon coast is beautiful, as always. :o) We had some rain earlier today but now the skies are partly cloudy and there's enough wind to create a symphony of sorts with the chimes.
Christianity. What is "true" Christianity? Ask 100 people and you'll probably get as many answers.
Why do so many folks shy away from the topic? "I'm not religious", "I'm not into organized religion", "religion/traditional Christianity is too restrictive". Any of these sound familiar?
I can remember when each one of those was the answer I'd have given to "the question".
A statement I hear from my Christian brothers and sisters (professing) is how much other countries "hate" Christians & Americans. Why on Earth would that be true?
First, what is "true" Christianity?
So many people, many who profess to be Christians, simply do not understand that true Christianity has nothing to do with religion. Religion may make one "feel" like a good person but ultimately leads to frustration, often causing a complete falling away from spirituality.
Spirituality, in and of itself, is not Christianity although a Christian can be spiritual. As for religion being too restrictive, IT IS! Religion reduces the relationship your Creator desires with you to mere legalism. Religion = legalism. Oops....someone just got offended, didn't they? Please, indulge me a bit longer.
Christianity is NOT about religiosity. True Christianity is about a relationship. The One who created us loves you more than you can imagine and wants a relationship with you. He Likes you....He loves and likes me. He loves and likes everyone equally. Did you catch that?
E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E! He may despise that which we sometimes do but He never stops loving us. Who wouldn't want a relationship with someone like that? Who else is going to love us like that? We've all offended and been offended, hurt and been hurt, angered and been made angry....it goes on and on. How many of us have had a dear friend, someone who was as close as a brother or sister to us. Someone we're certain will be there for us no matter what our decisions, actions, or lifestyles. Suddenly we find that, due to a choice we make, he/she can't get far enough away from us but not before expounding upon how we've let him/her down, how we're not worthy of love and even God Himself wouldn't want us now. I've been there. Maybe you have too. Maybe you're the latter friend and you simply couldn't deal with the reality of some choice another made. I'm NOT judging anyone....I've been on both sides of the fence . What I'm saying is that no matter what we do or say or what choices we make, our Creator will ALWAYS love us. That's the kind of security in a relationship I'm looking for. True Christianity, a relationship with your Creator, doesn't offer restriction but freedom in its truest sense. His love is perfect and perfect love will never force you to do or not do anything.
I'm going to be very candid now. Ready?
I've known Christians who will tell an alcoholic, drug addict, post-abortive woman, homosexual, Muslim how much God hates "them". In an instant a sincere desire to share a wonderful, unconditional relationship with someone turns into a virtual hate-fest! What a tragedy.
I will say it again: NEVER will God hate you...NEVER will He stop loving you. He will often be grieved by what we do, what we say, how we live, but our actions are not synonymous with us...not in His eyes.
I'm not implying a Christian should overlook that which violates God's ways. To alienate people, however, because of their choices, is wrong. Jesus never alienated anyone. He ate with prostitutes, tax collectors, thieves, etc. Those who were drawn to Him then and those who are drawn to Him now are so because of His heart for them. No one will ever embrace the Truth of what true Christianity is if all they hear are words. People need to see a changed life. Not a perfect life. I'm not perfect, you're not perfect (sorry if I burst some bubbles). A changed life.
Now to that "other nations hate Christians/Americans" thing. It may very well be true to a degree. I'll be honest (big surprise, huh?). If the only example of Christianity and Americans in general was what I see in society today, I'd not be too fond of us either. Greed, corruption, devaluing of human life. Oh yea! Sign me up! When the same heinous acts committed in "the world" are happening in "the church" no one is ever going to get close enough to really learn what Christianity should be. No one is going to believe they need "this Jesus" if those who say "you need Jesus !" are hateful, dishonest, and legalistic. Yes you will see hypocrisy in the church. Yes true Christians blow it. Newsflash: even those who have a relationship with the Creator are still human...subject to err.
Finally I will share this with you. You DO need Jesus because you DO need a relationship with your Creator and Jesus is the only way you can have that. The only thing God is asking of anyone is to be willing to trust Him. Yes God has definite standards. Not to restrict us and take away our free will. Not to deprive us of "a good time" or the best things in life. If our Creator says we ought not do a thing, it's for our own good. I learned that the hard way. Anything He wants for us IS the best in life. I'm a Christian. I'm not religious. I'm free to do whatever I want to and God will still love me. I didn't change my life and then start getting to know my Creator. My life began to change for the better BECAUSE I started getting to know my Creator. He's not in a building. Jesus is not Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, or Pentecostal. Those are names we mere mortals attach to the church to feel "special". There's nothing wrong with gathering under the roof of any one of those congregations. Our Creator is non-denominational though.
Are you living right? It's not for me to say. I will tell you that I believe the Word of God. I believe the Bible is the Word of God...His thoughts, instruction, warning, and guide to Life. I can share with you what He says through His Word about this thing or that. Ultimately it's between you and your Creator. We'll each stand before Him. Should you or I truly desire to know if what we believe, do, or how we live is in line with His best, all we need do is ask Him.
Thank you. Seriously. Thank you for persevering through this post (if indeed you felt as if you were merely persevering). My heart aches and goes out to everyone who is angry or has been put off by the cold shoulder turned in the name of Christianity. I pray you are blessed. I pray you desire to know the One who loves you so much and who only wants the absolute best for us all. Peace be with you always.
T
Christianity. What is "true" Christianity? Ask 100 people and you'll probably get as many answers.
Why do so many folks shy away from the topic? "I'm not religious", "I'm not into organized religion", "religion/traditional Christianity is too restrictive". Any of these sound familiar?
I can remember when each one of those was the answer I'd have given to "the question".
A statement I hear from my Christian brothers and sisters (professing) is how much other countries "hate" Christians & Americans. Why on Earth would that be true?
First, what is "true" Christianity?
So many people, many who profess to be Christians, simply do not understand that true Christianity has nothing to do with religion. Religion may make one "feel" like a good person but ultimately leads to frustration, often causing a complete falling away from spirituality.
Spirituality, in and of itself, is not Christianity although a Christian can be spiritual. As for religion being too restrictive, IT IS! Religion reduces the relationship your Creator desires with you to mere legalism. Religion = legalism. Oops....someone just got offended, didn't they? Please, indulge me a bit longer.
Christianity is NOT about religiosity. True Christianity is about a relationship. The One who created us loves you more than you can imagine and wants a relationship with you. He Likes you....He loves and likes me. He loves and likes everyone equally. Did you catch that?
E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E! He may despise that which we sometimes do but He never stops loving us. Who wouldn't want a relationship with someone like that? Who else is going to love us like that? We've all offended and been offended, hurt and been hurt, angered and been made angry....it goes on and on. How many of us have had a dear friend, someone who was as close as a brother or sister to us. Someone we're certain will be there for us no matter what our decisions, actions, or lifestyles. Suddenly we find that, due to a choice we make, he/she can't get far enough away from us but not before expounding upon how we've let him/her down, how we're not worthy of love and even God Himself wouldn't want us now. I've been there. Maybe you have too. Maybe you're the latter friend and you simply couldn't deal with the reality of some choice another made. I'm NOT judging anyone....I've been on both sides of the fence . What I'm saying is that no matter what we do or say or what choices we make, our Creator will ALWAYS love us. That's the kind of security in a relationship I'm looking for. True Christianity, a relationship with your Creator, doesn't offer restriction but freedom in its truest sense. His love is perfect and perfect love will never force you to do or not do anything.
I'm going to be very candid now. Ready?
I've known Christians who will tell an alcoholic, drug addict, post-abortive woman, homosexual, Muslim how much God hates "them". In an instant a sincere desire to share a wonderful, unconditional relationship with someone turns into a virtual hate-fest! What a tragedy.
I will say it again: NEVER will God hate you...NEVER will He stop loving you. He will often be grieved by what we do, what we say, how we live, but our actions are not synonymous with us...not in His eyes.
I'm not implying a Christian should overlook that which violates God's ways. To alienate people, however, because of their choices, is wrong. Jesus never alienated anyone. He ate with prostitutes, tax collectors, thieves, etc. Those who were drawn to Him then and those who are drawn to Him now are so because of His heart for them. No one will ever embrace the Truth of what true Christianity is if all they hear are words. People need to see a changed life. Not a perfect life. I'm not perfect, you're not perfect (sorry if I burst some bubbles). A changed life.
Now to that "other nations hate Christians/Americans" thing. It may very well be true to a degree. I'll be honest (big surprise, huh?). If the only example of Christianity and Americans in general was what I see in society today, I'd not be too fond of us either. Greed, corruption, devaluing of human life. Oh yea! Sign me up! When the same heinous acts committed in "the world" are happening in "the church" no one is ever going to get close enough to really learn what Christianity should be. No one is going to believe they need "this Jesus" if those who say "you need Jesus !" are hateful, dishonest, and legalistic. Yes you will see hypocrisy in the church. Yes true Christians blow it. Newsflash: even those who have a relationship with the Creator are still human...subject to err.
Finally I will share this with you. You DO need Jesus because you DO need a relationship with your Creator and Jesus is the only way you can have that. The only thing God is asking of anyone is to be willing to trust Him. Yes God has definite standards. Not to restrict us and take away our free will. Not to deprive us of "a good time" or the best things in life. If our Creator says we ought not do a thing, it's for our own good. I learned that the hard way. Anything He wants for us IS the best in life. I'm a Christian. I'm not religious. I'm free to do whatever I want to and God will still love me. I didn't change my life and then start getting to know my Creator. My life began to change for the better BECAUSE I started getting to know my Creator. He's not in a building. Jesus is not Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, or Pentecostal. Those are names we mere mortals attach to the church to feel "special". There's nothing wrong with gathering under the roof of any one of those congregations. Our Creator is non-denominational though.
Are you living right? It's not for me to say. I will tell you that I believe the Word of God. I believe the Bible is the Word of God...His thoughts, instruction, warning, and guide to Life. I can share with you what He says through His Word about this thing or that. Ultimately it's between you and your Creator. We'll each stand before Him. Should you or I truly desire to know if what we believe, do, or how we live is in line with His best, all we need do is ask Him.
Thank you. Seriously. Thank you for persevering through this post (if indeed you felt as if you were merely persevering). My heart aches and goes out to everyone who is angry or has been put off by the cold shoulder turned in the name of Christianity. I pray you are blessed. I pray you desire to know the One who loves you so much and who only wants the absolute best for us all. Peace be with you always.
T
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