It Must Be Nice (to Pretend to be Christian)

 It must be nice to never be confused as to who you are, or why you are the way you are. It must be nice to not have been born with any health issues - mental or physical. It must be nice to have your perfect little bubble. It must be nice to be so perfect, you're allowed to harass and demonize and dehumanize another person who doesn't have the luxury of being perfect. It must be nice to have God's permission to judge and condemn another.

For the past few days my G+ and Facebook feeds have been a constant barrage of articles and memes and comments about Caitlyn Jenner. And yes, I am going to call her Caitlyn. And yes, I am going to call her a woman. Maybe she's got a few physical issues which make her appear as a male (if you're checking her out naked... which well, then you're the one with the problem, not her), but she identifies as female, and who I am to disrespect someone (especially someone whom I don't even know)?

And yet, this doesn't seem to stop the multitudes of pseudo-Christians. Maybe you don't agree with what she's done. Maybe you believe it's a sin. Maybe you believe she's going to hell. Well guess what? No one cares what you think. It is not our right to condemn her. It is not our right to tear down her happiness.

Here are my thoughts on just a couple things I've seen on social media lately...

"God still knows him as Bruce. Him changing his name doesn't mean God will know him as such." 

 How do you know this? God used to change people's names in the Bible all the time. Unless God has gifted you with His ability to understand what His plan is (and trust me, He has not given you that gift), you cannot and do not know. It is entirely possible that it was God who allowed this person to finally grow and become the person He wanted her to be.

"God created man and woman in His image, and said it was good. He wouldn't make a mistake to have a woman in a man's body."

a) God made man and woman in his image. Therefore, God is both masculine and feminine...
b) God wouldn't make a mistake to have a child born without a heart. Or to have a child born without legs. Or to have a child born with an extra chromosome. Oh.... wait..... yeah he would...

"It says in the Bible that a man cannot wear women's clothing, or a woman wear men's clothing." 

a) I live in men's flannel shirts. Guess I'm on a straight road to hell
b) The verse which says this is Deuteronomy 22:5. If you read a some of the verses which follow that (in the same chapter):

⁸ When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof; otherwise you might have bloodguilt on your house, if anyone should fall from it.
⁹ You shall not sow your vineyard with a second kind of seed, or the whole yield will have to be forfeited, both the crop that you have sown and the yield of the vineyard itself.
¹⁰ You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.
¹¹ You shall not wear clothes made of wool and linen woven together.
¹² You shall make tassels on the four corners of the cloak with which you cover yourself.

I'm betting you're all going to hell to because you don't fulfill at least 3 of those 5 verses. 

I'm utterly disgusted at the lack of Christ-like love

I could continue with all the ridiculous things I've seen the past couple days, but to be honest, I am just so disgusted with "Christian" behavior over this that I just can't go on. All I will say is this... 

We are commanded to love everyone. What I have seen from almost everyone who has posted on this topic is not love. It isn't even remotely close to love. It's horrible, pain-causing, tear-down behavior which is so completely unChristlike behavior it makes me want to cry. We're supposed to love. We're supposed to build people up. That is what it means to follow Christ. 

God bless

Effectiveness Does Not Equal Butts in the Pew

If you add more sugar - it'll be sweeter. If you add less - it will be less sweet.
If the class scores higher - the teacher is doing well; if the class scores lower - the teacher isn't doing well.
If your church doubles the number of congregants - it's effective; if it loses people - it's ineffective....

In an ideal world, the logic of adding sugar, or children's test scores, should also apply to Church effectiveness. But, we don't live in an ideal world.

Standing in a Garage Does not Make You a Car

 There's a saying - "Sitting in Church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car." (Or, something to that affect.) And, this is true.

I have been part of Church communities where the pews are packed full of people who just do not live Christian lifestyles. They believe going to Church is all they need to do, and can spend the other 6.5 days turning their backs on the poor and helpless, insulting and talking behind the backs of others, and sinning without a second thought as to their actions.

I have also been part of Church communities where there are only a few butts in the pews, but the people owning those butts spread the news of Christ through their words, and actions, and service towards all. 

Why Effectiveness Cannot be Measured by Numbers

On Facebook earlier, there was a conversation going on about how, if a Church is effectively changing people, it will equal greater numbers. Now, as I stated before, this logic does make sense... in an ideal world. If a Church has changed people to live more Christian lifestyles, one would assume these people are going out into the world and bringing more people into the Church. We are called, after all, to spread the Good News.

But logic and reality rarely meet.

There are many who are turned off by the idea of traditional Church. What appeals to me does not appeal to others. I do believe that inside each of us is a desire to know God and His love. But how we do that differs. And, of course, there are those who simply will not admit to a need to know Him. They do not believe. They do not want to believe. I could talk until I'm blue in the face, and do everything in my power (and with the power of the Holy Spirit working within me) to show these people the grace and mercy and love of Christ, and how much better my life is by knowing Him, and I still would not be able to get their butt in the pew - short of dragging them there kicking and screaming and duct taping their butts in those pews.

But, does that make the Church effective? Does having unwilling people sitting in the pew, their ears turned off to the message of Christ, make that Church effective simply because I managed to drag another body there?

I live in the middle of nowhere, North Dakota. It's a small town with a population less than what many would consider a small Church membership. And this population is divided into 5 or 6 Churches, with each Church losing numbers annually due to a dwindling town population. Do these smaller memberships, caused by the loss of a town population, equate to an ineffective Church?

Church Effectiveness Can Only Be Measured By Changed Lives

I'm sure we could find some cool mathematical formula that measures the change in people's lives due to Church, the change in Church populations, factoring in all the circumstances which could cause a growth or decline in membership, and in those members who actually willingly plant their bottoms in pews every week... and this formula would spit out that yes, an effective Church will both change lives and grow in numbers (i.e. we lost 15% due to population decrease, and 5% due to a generation who feels being a Christian does not mean having to attend a Church, but gained 5% because we're effective at reaching out to others, which actually results in a loss of members but a gain due to effectiveness...).

But, even typing that was confusing. All we truly have to go by is the people we meet within the walls of the Church - seeing how their lives have changed because of being there. You can have a congregation of 200, only 5% who have actually started living better lives; or you can have a congregation of 50, with 95% who have actually started living better lives. Which Church is more effective?

Stop Worrying about the Numbers

Don't get me wrong - it is important to have people in those pews listening to the message. It is important to reach out to others and invite them to join your faith community. But, it is more important to have a strong and effective Church - one that holds members close, changes their lives, helps them gain a closer relationship with God and with the community, helps them live differently.

When churches put too much focus on the number of butts in the pews, they lose effectiveness. When they focus on their effectiveness, they make stronger Christians. This may or may not equate to more butts in the pews, but it will equate to move loving Christ-like people.

To Do or Not To Do - helping those in need

 Matthew 25:35-40 (NRSV)

35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

I admit - I'm selfish. I realize friends and neighbors have needs or are going through hardship, but c'mon. So am I. And my problems are worse than yours. Wow, how very unChristlike of me. Normal, and human, but not very Christian. Therefore...here is what I'm going to try harder to do and not do...

What not to do when someone is going through rough times: 

Criticize their decisions - we all deal with things in our own way. We all have our own priorities. If you choose to leave your children with a babysitter so you can be with your spouse in the hospital, that's what is best for your family.  If you choose to stay with your children while your spouse is alone in the hospital, that is what is best for your family. I will not criticize.

Add to their responsibilities - when someone is going through hard times, they're most likely overloaded with things they need to do. I will not ask you to babysit my children, or try to guilt trip you into letting my kids come over to your house. I will not add to your responsibilities.

Wait for you to call me - no one likes to ask for help. We're all good at saying "if you need anything, give me a call." But the truth is, very few people actually do this. I know I don't. I know the people who tell me this mean it... but I still don't pick up that phone.

What to do when someone is going through rough times: 

Offer to help - and by this, I don't mean I'm going to give the "if you need anything, call me" line (see above). Instead, I'm going to call you and say "hey, want me to take the kids for a few hours?" or "mind if I come over and mow your lawn?"

Make sure they're well fed - and by well fed, I personally mean make sure they have a supply of brownies (it's the only thing I can make). But seriously, a plate of food, a pan of bars, a cup of coffee - all of these can go a long way in helping someone out. Even just one meal is one less responsibility for a day that the person has to worry about.

Ask what's up - and yes, I said ask "What's up" and not "how are you doing?" Why? Because when someone is going through something (especially the death of a loved one, or a medical problem of their own or that of a loved one), "how are you" is one of those well intentioned horrible questions. Most people won't even answer it honestly. They feel obligated to say "I'm ok." Instead, I'll ask what's up, or what you've got going on.

Pray with them - I'm not going to say "you're in my prayers." Well, that's not true. I will say that. But, when I'm on the phone with you, or standing in your doorway with a warm pan of gooey brownies, I will also ask if I can say a prayer with you.

I may not always follow these... but I'm going to try... 

We can't be there all the time for everyone. I get that - and I hope others understand that as well. But I can try to be more aware. I can take more time to help the hungry, the thirsty, the naked. I can take the time to welcome the stranger, care for the sick, and visit with those who need a friend.

May we all find the time to be more Christlike to those in need.

God bless

What is Wrong with Christianity?

If you haven't already done so - please read the image above. The top part is something someone had posted on Google+. The bottom shows one of the comments written today in response.

A supposed Christian promoting the bullying and suicide of homosexuals - and using God to justify this decision.

Apparently, it's okay to punch a homosexual. Apparently it's okay to call him names. Apparently we should celebrate him being a "pansie" and killing himself.

This is Christian behavior??? This is what we're teaching others? This is the message we're spreading?

I have many friends whom are atheists. And one of the most common reasons they give me for not believing in/following God is not scientific in nature, but is love vs. hate. Religion - including (and perhaps specifically) Christianity - teaches us to hate, and they don't believe in that. They want the freedom to love everyone... to accept everyone... to help everyone. Ironically, they want the freedom to be what Christ wants us to be (although, they don't exactly word it that way).

If we want to bring people to Christ, we need to follow Christ ourselves. We need to mimic Christ's actions. He did not hate. He did not tell us to punch those whom we disagree with. He did not teach us to cause the suicide of someone different.

We don't have to agree with another person's choice of lifestyle - but it is not our responsibility or right to judge that person; and we are specifically told it is not our right to hate that person and wish harm upon them.

There's a Time to Be "Cowardly"

Those who know me, know that I can be very opinionated. Sometimes I'm right in my opinions, sometimes I'm not. But regardless of how opinionated I may be, one thing I am not is prejudice - at least, not in general.

I believe men and women were created equal. I also believe there is an equal number of men and women who were created stupid, opinionated jerks who need to be smacked a few times.

I believe all races were created equal. I also believe there is an equal number of all races who were created moronic, loud-mouthed twits who need a good kick in the pants.

In the same way, I am not against any one religion. Even though I am  Christian, I do believe in loving people of all religions (and non-religions), and that there are very wonderful people within each of these. However, I also believe that scattered within each, there is an equal number of over-bearing, idiotic nit-wits who just need to have their mouths duct taped shut.

There's a Time to Be Silent and a Time to Express your Over-opinionated Views

Last night I posted a link to a song (Thrive by Casting Crowns... listen to it... it's great!). Yes, it is a Christian song. It's an uplifting, beautiful, Christian song put out there by a talented Christian band. There were many +1's. A random comment, but for the most part just a lot of +1's. I liked that. I'm sure there was many more people who listened and didn't like, or just skipped over it all together. That's fine too.

But then someone had to make a rather rude comment regarding the stupidity of Christianity. Ok, atheists and other religions have their views. I get that. And, that's ok. But a) there is no need to be rude about it. If you have an opinion, express it respectfully; and b) on a song that has nothing to do with what you're opinion is just is not the right place to be heard.

So, I removed these comments (note: I also removed the Christian comments that were not-so-respectfully thrown back at this person). This person called me cowardly for deleting her comments. I found that a bit funny.

To Be (a Coward) or Not to Be (a Coward)

In my opinion, the coward would be the person who has to rudely put down people for listening to a song. The coward would be the person who posts comments like this on a song rather than on an actual discussion regarding Christianity. A coward would be the person so afraid of Christianity, she has to berate everyone and everything she finds that has to do with the subject.

The only "Cowardly" thing I did was stop a petty fight from happening on a Google+ shared post of a Christian song by simply removing the uncalled for remarks. Sometimes, this "cowardly" behavior is necessary.

I honestly don't mind a respectful debate regarding Christianity, God, a lack of God, etc. I don't even mind someone telling me I'm moronic for believing in God. I'm proud to moronically follow my Lord and Savior. But if you want me to not be a "coward" and actually discuss these things, then you must first stop being a coward and must learn to be respectful and pick a relevant time and place for such a thing.

So, if you really must bash Christianity... 

This isn't an uplifting song. It is indeed a post regarding making comments regarding Christianity, atheism, or whatever other religion you are. So if you really must open your mouth to make rude, nasty, insulting comments to Christians... please feel free to do so on this post. :)

God bless!

No Rules, No Religion

I just finished reading a wonderful article regarding the concept of Christianity being a relationship, not a religion: The Popular Myth that Will Sabotage Your Spiritual Growth. I strongly urge everyone to read that article first, before continuing forward with reading what I am about to say....

-----

Had I read Mr. Hanna's article a year or two ago, I would have simply laughed it off. Or maybe would have made some comment regarding him not having a clue what he's talking about. And of course, this is if I even managed to finish reading it.

I have always been a firm believer that it should be a relationship, not a religion. I've always been very much against religion. And, at first glance, it sounded to me as if Mr. Hanna was saying that treating Christianity as a relationship would sabotage our spiritual growth. Perhaps that is what he is saying, to a degree. But to me, he's simply defining what a relationship truly is....

Over a year ago, my relationship with Christ was not a true relationship built on love. It was a selfish relationship based on disapproval and dislike of religion. Religion was simply a set of rules and regulations and politics (in other words, religion was evil), and therefore I was going to have a relationship with God. But, this isn't the kind of relationship "Relationship, not religion" means. This type of relationship goes no where because it is not based on love.

I remember when I was a teenager, I disapproved of the concept of marriage. I had been taught that marriage was just a set of rules. I had been taught that it's simply a piece of paper you sign which states you agree with these rules. I had witnessed that this piece of paper is quite easy to shred... and resign... and shred.... Marriage was an institution no different than religion. Instead, I felt it was enough to choose to have a relationship. But, this relationship was always based on finding something that did not fit under marriage. As soon as any of the rules associated with the institution popped up, the relationship soured.

When you have this kind of relationship with Christ - the minute anyone tells you that community support is needed, the relationship takes a kick in the pants. Community need is often thought of as a religious concept... therefore, the rules of the institution are popping up, souring the relationship. Whenever someone tells you there needs to be accountability or you need to learn more about God/love/the Gospel and that the Church/community is needed for these things - the rules are invading the relationship and spiritual growth is sabotaged.

I refer back to TE Hanna's post... 

"Yet, while the relationship shared by my wife and myself is uniquely ours, I would be foolish if I rejected the community which supports us. Friends and family pray for us. When we face difficult times, we have a loving community that encourages us. When we are stupid, we have friends that call us on it. Our relationship may be our own, but it is buttressed by the relationships we have with others that surround and uplift us."

When we apply this concept of a relationship to our relationship with Christ... we are strengthening our relationship with him. By allowing the support of friends and family... by having someone we can lean on when we feel our relationship with Christ is stumbling... by surrounding ourselves with others whom also want to strengthen their relationships... we strengthen that relationship. When we have those trusted friends who aren't afraid to tell us we're being stupid in our relationship... we strengthen that relationship. This community of friends and family doesn't have to be a physical church. My experience is that the Church itself is not necessary... but a group of fellow believers is... and well, face it, most often those believers are found within a church. But hey... if your support group is not located in a church, that's perfectly acceptable too.

Matthew 18:20 - "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

The other very important piece to having a strong relationship is that we must stop considering religion in any way. The concept of religion should not enter our thoughts. What do I mean by this? I mean stop seeking a relationship simply because you don't like the concept of religion. Seek a relationship - one based on love and support - because you WANT a relationship with Christ. The right kind of relationship with Christ will not sabotage your spiritual growth... but the wrong kind will.

The wrong kind of relationship with Christ will have you hiding your relationship from others. It'll have you believing it's only about you and Christ. It'll have you comparing every action with religion, thus not focusing on the relationship at all. It's that boyfriend you refuse to introduce to your friends because he's yours and no one else would understand, and no one else matters or is needed. It's a dangerous relationship which can never survive.

The right kind of relationship with Christ will have you seeking out a community of supporters... and a community of people whom you can share your experiences with. This is no different than when you are in love with someone... perhaps the one you love asked you to marry him/her... and the first thing you think of to do is call every trusted friend you have to tell them and share with them your joy. This is the kind of relationship we should be having - the kind that brings us joy; the kind we want to share with the world; the kind we know is based on love.

And in This Corner....!

In this corner.... Christians!

And... in this corner...

More Christians!

Ha! You thought I was going to say Atheists. Or one of the many different religions floating around our world. That would have made more sense, perhaps. And yet, quite honestly, most of the debates/arguments/blood baths I've witnessed have not been between Christians and other groups. It's been Christians against Christians.

A Christian arguing with any other group has a very easy argument - The Bible tells us God is the one true God, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, died to save us. And the person on the other side of the debate doesn't believe in that God or the Bible. Easy.

A Christian arguing with another Christian, on the other hand...

 Not only are these arguments even more difficult to participate in... I mean, you have to actually research the Bible and dig into your memories of what you've been taught and pray on what the truth is... these arguments also get very mean. And oh my God, do you know how annoying it is to hear Bible verses about false prophets during these fights? Seriously - there is always one person (at least) accusing the other of being a false prophet... or of following false prophets.

But the truth is - not all Christians are going to agree all the time. What is important is we agree that God created everything; and He sent Jesus to die for our sins. Anything above and beyond that, while important, should not be important enough to divide us. As long as we continue battling with each other, we will never be able to bring non-believers to God.

We are supposed to love one another, including our enemies. This is a commandment given to us by Jesus. This is a commandment we must follow if we are to have any hope of spreading the news of Christ.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)

Fighting, arguing, refusing to listen - this is not a way to spur others on to love and good deeds. When we get in that ring, and realize we're up against a fellow Christian... forfeit. You've both already won... why carry on the fight?

Dig Your Heels in Lady and Quit Your Tantrums

Before I begin this post, I want to extend a huge thank you to a few people. John (from whom the title of this post came from), Greg, Zach, Bob, Jordan, Vernon, Elizabeth, David.... and anyone I may have missed (I apologize if I did)... Thank you for your support, your words of comfort and your encouragement. Thank you for letting me know that sometimes what I write really does make at least a little bit of difference. And yes, thank you to a few of you for that smack upside the head - for telling me to quit the tantrums.

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12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it. (Mark 11:12-14)

Most of Mark, Chapter 11, is Jesus throwing a tantrum. Of course, because Jesus is perfect and without sin (in most theologies), we are not taught that this is indeed what he's doing. But, essentially, he is. He is hungry and that dang blasted tree has no fruit for him. So he kills it.

We all throw tantrums at one point or another. Of course, when we think of a tantrum, we think of a child throwing himself to the floor kicking and screaming. As adults, we aren't usually quite as physically dramatic. But oh.... some of us do have our moments where our emotions run high, and others can almost picture us doing exactly as a toddler would do.

This was me recently.

Why? Because most Christians are narrow-minded (or, more often, close-minded), judgmental bigots.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me, or with each other. A fellow blogger has a wonderful post on this topic so I won't rewrite what he's already so exceptionally written (read it... it's great: God Creates Hand Crafted one of a kind Sculptures).

Disagreements are fine. Differing opinions are actually great - provided we're willing to learn from each other. What I am in need of, and find seriously lacking in the general Christian public are people who are accepting; are there to support each other (not just preach about it); are willing to have rational, open-minded discussions on biblical/theological topics; are willing to actually listen and not immediately say "you're wrong!"

I need people who understand loving their neighbor - and their enemy. Granted, loving someone does not mean you always agree with them. But it does mean that you respect their opinion and them as a person enough to put away hateful, arrogant, judgmental words. And it means you help lift them up rather than tear them down.

And many Christians are not this way. Many Christians fall prey to arrogance and pride. They have all the answers. They're smarter. Their way of worship is the only way. They will argue and become spiteful little children as they press on with their beliefs. One person told me he was simply trying to get across his deep seated beliefs. That's what most of us are trying to do... but we must be cautious about how we do this.

I have to admit though... this person is actually the one person who surprised me the most, and made me really take a step back and think about whether I was doing the right thing by walking away. Why? Because of one simple statement he made... "I'm concerned about myself now."

We should all be concerned about ourselves - are we acting prideful and arrogant? Are we being hateful? There is nothing wrong with standing firm in your beliefs - provided you do so humbly, and not at the expense of others.

Anyway, this post is getting longer than I wanted it to... and veering off topic...

Yes, a couple nights ago, I threw a temper tantrum. And, I do apologize for it. But I will not apologize for what I had to say about Christianity. I will still write. I will still converse with some of you. Thanks to some of you, I've seen that there are some Christians who - while may disagree with some of my specific beliefs - do agree with the general belief that we should be open minded and accepting. A sincere thank you goes out to those of you who recognize that we're all different.... and that we do not know the absolute truth about everything in the Bible (and so help me God if anyone comments on this about the Catholic church having the authority to know the truth or whatever.... I will throw another tantrum, and you won't wanna see it).

In other words, I will be taking John's advice - I will dig in my heels and quit my tantrums (for now anyway).


Ohh! Another Jesus tantrum.... I couldn't find a good place in the post to add this... and didn't want to add it with the fig tree verses... so I add it here at the end, because I can :)

15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” (Mark 11:15-17)

Look On Jesus

Luke 10:38-42

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I think it's safe to say that many of us can relate to Martha in this story when it comes how busy our lives are. In fact, I've seen many posts using this story to explain that we need to slow down in our lives and focus on Jesus. But, I'd like to apply this story to another thing I've witnessed quite a bit of...

Recently, I have become very disheartened when I look at Christianity. Being part of these Christian blogging communities has made me almost disgusted with the religion most people follow - but, it has also strengthened my beliefs.

The Marthas of Christianity are so busy making sure they're "perfect." They condemn people whom they believe are going against God's Word. They speak out against these people. They hold up signs saying this belief or that belief is completely wrong. As homosexuality seems to be the hot-topic as of late, we'll go with this...

There are those Marthas who are against homosexuality and hold up signs saying the gays are going to hell. Or telling the gays "God hates the sin you're doing... but it's ok... He doesn't hate you..." while at the same time trying to change these people. They run around trying to make sure everything (everyone) around them is perfect... everyone is doing the right thing, practicing the right thing, behaving the right way, believing the right way. This is what God wants, they seem to believe.

And those of us Marys... the ones sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to His word, gazing on His love and grace, placing our focus on Jesus - the Marthas are asking "Lord, don't you care that we're doing all the work? Tell these Marys to help!" The Marthas are accusing us of not being Christian, of not following Jesus.

But our Lord tells Martha - as he tells all of us - "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed - or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Mary has chosen to listen to Jesus. Mary has chosen not to be distracted by all these worries. She has chosen Jesus.

It's time we all put the focus where it belongs - CHRIST.

Our focus should not be on who is sleeping with whom - or with what gender.
Our focus should not be on who is supporting abortion. It shouldn't be on what dances are being done or songs are being listened to or television shows are being watched. It shouldn't be on whether or not someone is praying correctly. It shouldn't be on which church is the first church or the "true" church.

It should be on Christ.

Evil In the Name of God

Let's recap today...

• I was called anti-Christian because of "anti Christian rhetoric" I have on my Google+ wall. No specifics were given, so I'm still trying to determine what I have posted that could be considered anti-Christian. 
• I was accused of supporting the murder of children. 
• I was called a liar simply because I stated that some people in very abusive situations do, at times, wish they'd never been born and/or wish they were dead. 

These came from a Mr.... [edited to remove the name as I realize it is mean to do call someone out in this way...] - a supposed Christian.

Now yes, I do realize it is a bit rude to call someone out in public in this way. But, these accusations were brought to me in a public forum, and therefore, I think I am justified in doing the same (there re days I quite wrongly adopt the eye for an eye mentality).

Allow me to give a short bit of context... we were having a discussion regarding adoption being a better option than abortion. This is something I quite fully support. In fact, the only comment I made in support of abortion (which really isn't even in support of it) is that I stated that while I am against abortion, I would not judge anyone who chooses that path.

Apparently, this makes me a justifiable target for Christian hate. 

I bring all this up because I think this is a very serious topic - Christians acting in a very anti-Christian fashion. Supposed Christians acting evil in the name of God.

Every day I am reading over what people have to say in the Christian communities I am a member of on Google+. And every day I see someone judging and condemning others for their beliefs. This is 99% of the time a Christian judging and condemning another Christian.

Some stand behind verses that say we are to correct people when they are wrong. ( I find it necessary to point out that the verse in question on correcting others - “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." (Matthew 18:15) - says you should correct someone on a sin that was done against you, and you should do this in private. )

 But, who are we to judge who is wrong? How can we honestly correct a brother or sister when we are not 100% certain of the correct way?


The correct way is God's way. But, what does this mean? What is God's way? Is God's way that we should not murder? Yes... according to the 10 commandments. Is a fetus alive to the point where it would be murder? I would say yes, but would this be with 100% certainty? No. I am not a doctor, nor am I God. Is God's way that we are not true Christians if we aren't Catholic? (Yes... this is another one I have recently been accused of...) I personally don't believe you have to be Catholic to be Christian. Am I 100% certain of this? Well... no... I'm 99.9999999% certain, but again, I am not God.

What I DO know is this...

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

And attacking fellow Christians for their beliefs, just because they differ from yours, is not loving one another.

I also know we have been told several times in several places within the Bible to not judge others.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

John 8:7
And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Matthew 7:1-5
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Luke 6:37
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

James 4:11-12
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Romans 2:1-3
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

I am quite positive that Christianity would be much stronger, and could accomplish so much more, if we would stop bickering amongst each other... if we could stop judging each other... if we could stop calling each other names.... if we could stop being evil in the name of God.

Romans 14:1-13
14 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master[a] that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
    and every tongue shall confess[b] to God.”

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

I Have 'Found' Jesus!?!?

When did you become a Christian? How old were you and where were you when this happened? How did it feel? How did it happen?

These questions seem to be quite common. And whenever I'm asked them, I don't know how to answer. I have seen many others' answers. To steal a fictional story a friend of mine emailed me earlier...

"I became a Christian--I'll never forget it--in the fall of 2002 when my Dad was dying and I cried out to God and He gave me a remarkable peace and fire to follow Him. I have to thank John, the chaplain at the hospital, because he sat with me and helped me see how God's presence can and will and does change my life. He prayed with me the prayer that got me saved."

These are the kind of stories I see from others when they're asked about finding Jesus. And, I don't have this kind of story. Some say this is wrong of me. If I don't know when I became a Christian, than obviously I am not one. 

For me -

God saved me when Jesus died on the cross. God took me into His family when I was a newborn. God saved me and took me in His arms as one of his beloved children the day I was baptized. I reaffirmed this faith, and declared my personal acceptance of Jesus during my confirmation when I was 14 or 15.

So, a simple answer, and the best I have for "When did you become Christian?" I have always been Christian. "When were you saved?" - God saved me when He sent His Son to live and die for each of us.

That said, I do have to admit that there have been defining moments in my Christian life where I experienced growth. There were moments of clarity and refinement in my understanding of God and Christianity. There were moments where my relationship with Christ changed. These are special moments which should not be ignored and are important... but they are not the moment in which I became Christian.

Perhaps I'll tell a few stories of those defining moments in an upcoming post.

For the purposes of this post, however, let me say - you don't have to have that one specific moment when you became a Christian. Some of us... many of us... have always been Christian. I'd even bet many of those who say there was a particular moment - these people as well have probably always been Christian. And, God has already saved each of us.