Monday, January 21, 2013

Speak The Truth

I realize I am sporadic with my blog posting, but I usually wait for some sort of inspiration before I am ready to put pen to paper....I mean fingers to keyboard.  :)

So, here is what I've been thinking about a lot lately - What good is our opinion if we aren't first considering God's opinion on a matter?  I have enjoyed using Facebook for several years now.  It's been a fun tool for keeping connected with old friends, new friends, and family I don't see often.  But, there's something about it lately that is really beginning to bug me.  Opinions!  I believe firmly in Freedom of Speech, and I realize I will not agree with everyone, and not everyone will agree with me, but lately I am reading more and more angry, hateful, and hurtful posts.  Posts aimed at one political party, or the other.  Posts aimed at people of faith for being intolerant, and wrong for having their views.  I, too, have very strong feelings regarding political issues, faith-based issues, and so on.  I myself have a tendency to get so fired up about something, I'm willing to let everyone know it.  But lately I've been asking myself this question.  What good is it doing?  Does anyone really change their political views or faith views by reading posts that take a jab at those who don't agree with them?  I really don't think so.  When I read something aimed at my beliefs and convictions, I get more frustrated, rather than willing to hear that person out.  I can't help but think that's true for how others feel, as well.

For me, as a person with Faith in God I have a responsibility to base what I believe on what the Word of God says is true.  If I believe God's Word is the only source of truth for living, then what I say and do better be in line with that belief. I may have an opinion about something, but the real question is, "what is God's opinion about that thing?"  If my opinion lines up with what His Word says, does that make me intolerant?  Perhaps in many people's eyes it does, but not in God's eyes, which is more valuable than what people think.    If I believe God's Word has a moral standard for living, does that make me judgmental?  Perhaps some would say it does, but I am basing that on what God says, not on how I feel.  I have messed up in my life more times than I can count.  I can not walk in someone else's shoes and know exactly how they feel, but I can tell you that God offers hope for life.  He does not promise a life free from pain, but He offers to walk this life with us, forgive us when we ask, and when we accept His free gift of eternal life in Heaven, He will give us that, as well.

I read this verse this morning, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."  Galatians 6:7-8

God is not mocked.  You can live any way you choose, but you will reap the consequence.  God is not a fool, and He does not tolerate fools in His kingdom.  If you want to live for yourself, feel free, but the consequence will be destruction.  If you want to live for the Spirit (Christ), then you will reap the benefits of eternal life.

So, what is my conclusion?  Freedom of speech, yes!  Freedom for me personally, or any Christian, to offer an opinion without offering what God's Word says about it, I don't really think so.  "Speak the truth in love..." Ephesians 4:15


Thursday, January 3, 2013

A Socially Awkward Church?

Christmas is behind me.  New Year's is behind me.  The baking, shopping, decorating, wrapping, unwrapping, un-decorating, etc., etc., etc. is all behind me.  The true reason for the season - Jesus.  Did I do well at keeping my focus on that?  Not entirely.  But, with the holidays behind me, I still need to remember that the true reason for living each and every day is Jesus!  

Now, on to the real thinking behind my post.  My husband shared an article with me he read recently that struck me in such a way, that I can't not think about it.  It was an interview with Author/Pastor Francis Chan (author of "Crazy Love," and co-author of "Multiply" with David Platt).  Such a powerful and challenging, down-to-earth, speaker.  Here is the article my husband, David, shared with me -  Chan: The Biggest Myth in the Church Today on Evangelism


Okay, here's the statement that got Dave and I talking the most:

"People in the church don’t know how to look an unbeliever in the eye and actually love him or her and carry on a conversation with them. Churches are filled with some of the most socially awkward people on the planet, and they go there because people have to be their friend. Otherwise, it’s a sin."

What do you think about that statement?  True or False?  Want to know what I think?  Doesn't matter, it's my blog, so here goes, TRUE!  100% True!

We talk about loving God, and the most important thing is telling others about God, but we don't know how to do it without making it awkward.  Why, because we don't know how to build a relationship with someone who doesn't think, feel and act exactly as we do.  It scares us.  It's uncomfortable.


I loved this statement Francis made, too:
"What we do is a big church program, send out fliers, and if you have enough courage, maybe tell your friend to come to “Jesus on Ice” or whatever program we’ve got going on, but we’re still not fluent in Scripture. It’s so weird to people that Jesus is the most important thing to us yet we’re so awkward in talking about it."

Again, TRUE!  We try to get people in our doors (our safety zone), and we don't bother going to them.  Now, I realize in some ways this is a generalization, and not true of everyone.  However, from my own experience growing up in church, I can say that I've seen this as true most of the time.  We strive for comfort.  We get angry and "hurt" when we're uncomfortable.  We want everyone to dress a certain way, sing certain songs, hold certain programs (whether they're effective, or not), and play certain instruments.  Why?  Because we've been programmed to think that's the right way to practice our faith.  You know what I think that is?  Religion!  It's ritualistic, and most often not based on what a personal relationship with Jesus is truly about.  It keeps us comfortable.  We stay "friendly" to visitors, and we remain in the same friendship "cliques," because we don't know how to be anything else.  Like I said, not everyone is like this, but a vast majority of our conservative Christian churches are this way.  

I want my faith to be real.  Whether someone agrees with me, or not, I want them to not doubt that I genuinely believe what I believe, and live what I believe.  Dave and I don't want ourselves to be tied to something someone considers "religious behavior," but rather a real relationship with Christ.  This is a constant changing and growing process for us.  

As a parent I am looking at this from that angle, as well.  It is my job to feed, clothe, protect and train my children, however, is it my job to keep them from knowing the realities of life?  Keep them from experiencing discomfort?  Shelter them from playing with kids who aren't being raised the same as them?  No, I don't think that's part of my job.  I want to protect them, keep them from harm, and yes, at times I want to bubble wrap them and keep the mean, nasty world away.  However, I don't believe that benefits them as future adults, and I don't believe it teaches them how to share their faith with those who don't believe the same as them.  I think if I over-protect them, I raise them to be socially awkward, and unable to relate to anyone beside those they are most comfortable with.  


This article was very thought-provoking for Dave & me.  These are things we don't have all the way figured out, but we're talking through them, praying about them, and trying to decide what we're going to do about it as a family.  

I would love to hear your thoughts on Francis Chan's interview.  Do you think the church is failing to reach outside of it's walls.  Are we failing to relate to those who don't believe and think as we do?  What are we doing about it?