I had this post all written and ready to go, but my wise husband gave me some advice that I am going to follow. Shocking, I know. We watched a movie last night that really got me thinking. This is a movie that I would recommend to some people, but not to others. I wouldn't recommend it to someone that is a new Christian or not a Christian at all. So all I'll say is that it was a movie about world religions. The first part of the movie was about Christians, and that is the part that bothered me the most, but not for the reasons I had thought prior to watching the movie. Are you confused yet? Well this is what's left of my original post:
I think that what bothered me the most was to realize how many different views we as "Christians" have. Some of us believe in the rapture, some of us believe in a literal 7 day creation, some of us believe the Bible and science just don't mix at all and that science has the answers, some of believe that carrying signs that say homosexuals will burn in hell is an effective "ministry", some of us believe that we are literally drinking Christ's blood during communion, some of us aren't sure what we believe.
I totally get it that we all hold on to our own doctrines and would have a hard time just switching over to another belief. For example, I am doing a Beth Moore study on Daniel right now. I have really enjoyed it, but Beth is a Baptist and we are now getting a lesson on dispensational premillennialism, which is the set of beliefs she has for "end-time" events. Now, I am reformed and have been brought up believing the Amillennial view and am struggling with the observations and interpretations I am now being "taught". So I do get it, but in the end is it going to matter who is right as long as we are followers of Christ?
Earlier this week I read an article that talked about how the number of people that profess to be Christians is slipping. Then yesterday I got a packet of information from Voice of the Martyrs, which included a map showing countries where being a Christian is prohibited. I guess it just made me wonder if we are losing our voice, losing our witness, because we are so focused on defending our own personal beliefs instead of preaching the Gospel message. People of different denominations are "going out into all of the world", but does it get confusing for the people of other nations when they are being told to do different things for the same God?
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Bible Memory Time
Tyson and Jori have been learning some Bible verses that we wanted to share with you. Jori is first. In case you can't understand her, check out Genesis 1:1 and Matthew 1:21.
Now it's Tyson's turn. The first verse he says is Luke 2:11. He then goes on with a slightly different version of the same verse.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Hide it under a bushel-yes, please do!
Ok, so those aren't the lyrics many of us have grown up knowing. How's it supposed to go? Hide it under a bushel-NO! I'm gonna let it shine. So then, what's with the word mix-up in the title?
The other day, Darin and I were reading an article on-line about someone from his hometown who recently suffered a serious injury on Halloween. After reading the article, we decided to scan through the comments to see if there was any additional information. Here is one of the comments we came across from a person who calls him/herself "I love Jesus" :
Hhhhhhmmmm this is why I don't like this Holiday. To many accidents and it is satan's holiday anyhow. Not sure I have remorse for this person. Bar and Casino hhhmmm Probably from someone smoking & drinking??? hhhhhmmmmm Still will pray for his healing and quick recovery
Wow, what a witness. A man is in the hospital with severe, life threatening injuries and "I love Jesus" decides that this is the time to make a case against Halloween, smoking and drinking. I guess it's all ok, because this person is still going to be praying for the victim.
WAKE UP PEOPLE. I am a far from perfect witness. There have been many times in my life, especially when I was younger, that I got up on my Christian pedestal, opened my big mouth, and said things about a situation or a person without really thinking about what I was saying. I mean, I was a Christian and I was speaking out against bad, sinful things, so of course I could do no wrong. I am sure there are people out there who could even give recent examples of my doing this.
Now, I know the recent elections are a very touchy subject for many people out there. There are a lot of people who think that America is going to hell in a hand basket. I am a pretty apathetic person when it comes to politics. I don't do a lot of research, and this year I didn't even vote (shame!) so I am not going to even get into all the political stuff, but the things that I have heard some Christians say (or write) were enough to make me cringe. I mean, can you really say without a doubt that someone is or is not a Christian?
And when it comes to dealing with the issues of abortion and homosexuality, the anger and hate and ugliness that comes from the mouths of people who say they are only speaking God's truth is something that as Christian's we should all be ashamed of. I personally believe both abortion and homosexuality are sinful, but that doesn't mean its ok to hurl insults and tear down those who believe otherwise. (However, I think it is equally wrong that many left-leaning Christian's seem to have turned their back on these two issues and often seem to put down or criticize people who vote for a candidate primarily for these two things.)
I know that I do not speak up enough as a Christian. I am often afraid of what people will think of me. I also lack the confidence to say what I believe, because I am sure that the people on the other side of the issue will talk me under the table. I often hear Christian's say that we are losing our voice and that our concerns are not being heard. Maybe that's because too many of us are like "I love Jesus". Do we really think that we are advancing the Kingdom when we make comments like that? So please, speak up, but if you can't do it in love, please keep it to yourself.
The other day, Darin and I were reading an article on-line about someone from his hometown who recently suffered a serious injury on Halloween. After reading the article, we decided to scan through the comments to see if there was any additional information. Here is one of the comments we came across from a person who calls him/herself "I love Jesus" :
Hhhhhhmmmm this is why I don't like this Holiday. To many accidents and it is satan's holiday anyhow. Not sure I have remorse for this person. Bar and Casino hhhmmm Probably from someone smoking & drinking??? hhhhhmmmmm Still will pray for his healing and quick recovery
Wow, what a witness. A man is in the hospital with severe, life threatening injuries and "I love Jesus" decides that this is the time to make a case against Halloween, smoking and drinking. I guess it's all ok, because this person is still going to be praying for the victim.
WAKE UP PEOPLE. I am a far from perfect witness. There have been many times in my life, especially when I was younger, that I got up on my Christian pedestal, opened my big mouth, and said things about a situation or a person without really thinking about what I was saying. I mean, I was a Christian and I was speaking out against bad, sinful things, so of course I could do no wrong. I am sure there are people out there who could even give recent examples of my doing this.
Now, I know the recent elections are a very touchy subject for many people out there. There are a lot of people who think that America is going to hell in a hand basket. I am a pretty apathetic person when it comes to politics. I don't do a lot of research, and this year I didn't even vote (shame!) so I am not going to even get into all the political stuff, but the things that I have heard some Christians say (or write) were enough to make me cringe. I mean, can you really say without a doubt that someone is or is not a Christian?
And when it comes to dealing with the issues of abortion and homosexuality, the anger and hate and ugliness that comes from the mouths of people who say they are only speaking God's truth is something that as Christian's we should all be ashamed of. I personally believe both abortion and homosexuality are sinful, but that doesn't mean its ok to hurl insults and tear down those who believe otherwise. (However, I think it is equally wrong that many left-leaning Christian's seem to have turned their back on these two issues and often seem to put down or criticize people who vote for a candidate primarily for these two things.)
I know that I do not speak up enough as a Christian. I am often afraid of what people will think of me. I also lack the confidence to say what I believe, because I am sure that the people on the other side of the issue will talk me under the table. I often hear Christian's say that we are losing our voice and that our concerns are not being heard. Maybe that's because too many of us are like "I love Jesus". Do we really think that we are advancing the Kingdom when we make comments like that? So please, speak up, but if you can't do it in love, please keep it to yourself.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
New Every Morning
Last night we got together with our small group for a farewell party. It was such a blessing to be with these friends (minus all the kids!) for a chance to reconnect, give updates on our lives, laugh and all sorts of good food. Darin and I were then privileged to be prayed for by this great group of people. Thank you for blessing us, loving us, and for challenging us as we get ready to head to Africa.
My new blog was a topic of much discussion and good natured joking. (No worries, someday you will ALL have your own blog, which I will proudly link others to through my blog). My "links" to other blogs were also much discussed, especially the fact that other than Lia's and Michelle's blogs, I do not personally know the people who write the blogs on my list. Why have I chosen these blogs, which are all stories of incredible sadness and pain? In the midst of all the heartache, these people have chosen to rely on and tell others about God's grace and love, about his goodness and mercy. They are all stories about faith that is being tested, but continues to grow.
I am sure by now that many of you have heard about the tragic loss of Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter Maria Sue. I have been been following this story (and of course have a link to their blog) since it happened in May. Recently, the Chapman family was on Larry King Live. I watched the interview on YouTube recently and was really convicted by something that their daughter, Emily, shared. She was asked how she has been able to cope with the loss of her littlest sister, and she said it has been through God and his mercy. I won't try to give a direct quote, but she said that God's mercies have been new every morning and that he has given her enough mercy for each day. Wow.
I don't have a perfect life. Who does? However, I have been so very blessed and so often take for granted the life I am living right now. The life that God has chosen for me to live. When I read stories from other people who have been walking through the "valley of the shadow of death" on a daily basis, people who are facing life ending illnesses, the loss of a child, or children with multiple disabilities I usually end up crying. The tears, however, are not just for the difficulties that are being faced, but tears that I, who am living a "more perfect" life (by worldly standards) do not realize minute by minute how blessed I am.
So that is why, in a long nutshell, I am linked to so many blogs written by people I will probably never even meet. Amidst all the running around and stress of packing up our family for our time in Africa, I hope that I don't lose sight of God's mercies and faithfulness.
My new blog was a topic of much discussion and good natured joking. (No worries, someday you will ALL have your own blog, which I will proudly link others to through my blog). My "links" to other blogs were also much discussed, especially the fact that other than Lia's and Michelle's blogs, I do not personally know the people who write the blogs on my list. Why have I chosen these blogs, which are all stories of incredible sadness and pain? In the midst of all the heartache, these people have chosen to rely on and tell others about God's grace and love, about his goodness and mercy. They are all stories about faith that is being tested, but continues to grow.
I am sure by now that many of you have heard about the tragic loss of Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter Maria Sue. I have been been following this story (and of course have a link to their blog) since it happened in May. Recently, the Chapman family was on Larry King Live. I watched the interview on YouTube recently and was really convicted by something that their daughter, Emily, shared. She was asked how she has been able to cope with the loss of her littlest sister, and she said it has been through God and his mercy. I won't try to give a direct quote, but she said that God's mercies have been new every morning and that he has given her enough mercy for each day. Wow.
I don't have a perfect life. Who does? However, I have been so very blessed and so often take for granted the life I am living right now. The life that God has chosen for me to live. When I read stories from other people who have been walking through the "valley of the shadow of death" on a daily basis, people who are facing life ending illnesses, the loss of a child, or children with multiple disabilities I usually end up crying. The tears, however, are not just for the difficulties that are being faced, but tears that I, who am living a "more perfect" life (by worldly standards) do not realize minute by minute how blessed I am.
So that is why, in a long nutshell, I am linked to so many blogs written by people I will probably never even meet. Amidst all the running around and stress of packing up our family for our time in Africa, I hope that I don't lose sight of God's mercies and faithfulness.
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