Wow...I'm writing a second blog, in the same say, within less than 2 hours of eachother. This has to be somekind of record. I AM AWESOME! No, just kidding. But seriously, I can't believe I am doing this, but something else has entered my skull...and instead of holding onto it for a couple of days with lack of sleep (yes...thinking about blogs can affect my sleep...sad isn't it?), I figured I'd write it down now.
I always seem to find myself in conversations, both on facebook and in person, with people over spiritual matters. Sometimes I will enter a conversation that I don't agree with, just to put my two cents in and stir the pot a little bit. Sometimes, a topic will be discussed that I feel really strongly about, and feel the need to say my part. Other times, I will just haphazardly walk into one, not knowing how I got there at all. I've always been this way. I love discussions, and getting into arguments about theological truths. But, I've just realized, that one of the reasons why I do it isn't because I feel called by God to enter the argument...it's because I want people to agree with me. I want people to think that I am smart, funny, religious. I want to change people's minds based solely on what I say, and what arguments I have. I have come to realize that, while I enjoy discussion, I enjoy it more when I'm the one on the attack. I recently entered a facebook conversation with a friend and like 50 people I don't know...and all of them had a different opinion than me. I felt defensive, and din't enjoy it at all. I still felt that my position was correct, but couldn't convince anyone to agree with me. And it frustrated the hell out of me (pardon my use of the "h" word). But really, aren't we all like that at some point? Deep down, we have this desire to be liked, to be agreed with. (It's ok...you can disagree if you like). One of my biggest pet peeves, is when I love a movie, and I tell others about it, and they don't like it as much...or even worse, they hate it. It makes me so mad. And why does it? Cause I want to be responsible for them discovering something great. I want them to see that movie and think "Wow, Keith has great taste".
I need to work on being more humble. I have to be ok with people disagreeing with me, arguing AGAINST me. I need to realize that, just because someone has a differing opinion than me, it doesn't make them the enemy..and when they challenge me, it's not a personal attack on my character (Unless they are actually attacking my character). I need to stand my ground, and stand up for what I believe in, but not to make myself great. I need to humble myself. Cast aside everything that would cause me to boast. I need to be ok with being wrong every once in a while. Step down off of my high horse, pack up my soapbox, and just leave things alone. It's not my job to change peoples perspective, opinions, or beliefs. That's God's job. He may use me for this purpose, or he may not. He may even use the other person to change MY beliefs, opinions and perspectives....and that is really tough for me to accept.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Plan B
Currently, I am reading a book titled Plan B, by an author I had never heard of, Pete Wilson. I encourage all of you to read this book, as it's a book we can all relate to (if not right now, eventually in your life you will be able to relate to it). I will confess, that a lot of the ideas in this blog will be based off of this book, however I will try to have my own insights and anecdotes as well.
One of the biggest lies Christians tell themselves, and unfortunately tell others, is "If you have enough faith, do enough good things, serve God enough, and are 'spiritual' enough, God will bless you and answer all of your prayers". Perhaps I am generalizing that too much, but the basic truth is...we have all believed this, or at the very least heard this at one time or another, right? We've seen the preachers urging their parishoners to "have more faith", to "pray harder", and if they do, then prayers will be answered. Unfortunately, that is very untrue. Bad things happen to good people. One of the hardest truths for Christians is, "our plans and God's plans are not always the same thing". We fall into the trap that, God wants what we want. Now, there are times that this is true...that God truly does want the same things that we want...however, there are many, MANY times that what we want isn't even close to what God wants. The bible is littered with stories of people who have a plan, or an idea of what they want...and God turns it completely on its head. How do we respond when our Plan A turns into a Plan B?
I will tell you a story from my second year at Bethany College. I'm sure I have mentioned this story before, but I will tell it again:
My second year at Bethany was literally one of the hardest, and most depressing years of my life. It was a complete Plan B for me. Nothing went according to plan. In fact, it even began the end of my first year. At the end of my first year, I had my heart broken by a girl that I naively thought was "the one", and I had my dreams of being a R.A. crushed (an R.A. is a student who is in charge of a "unit" or group of people in the dorms). I was already fragile entering my second year of Bethany, but I had things to look forward to. I was going to play indoor soccer, be part of drama teams and have a great time. But it was not to be. I auditioned for 3 different drama type groups...one was the Bethany Players. This is the group that travels around to churches and communities and performs skits. In fact, the Players were the very reason I even attended Bethany in the first place. They performed at my church in Boissevain, and I said to myself "I want to do that". The other 2 drama groups were Productions, one in the first semester and one in the second semester. All three of my auditions went well, and I got call backs all the way to the end in all of them...and then didn't make the cut on any of them. I was crushed. I thought for sure that this was the year I would make players, and it didn't happen. As crushed as I was, I still believed that I would at least have indoor soccer to play, which would ease the pain. I tried out, and did horrible. Like, literally really bad. However, I was on the team the year prior, so I assumed that the coach would want players who had played before, so I thought I was a lock for the team...I thought wrong. So, I tried out for 4 different things, 5 if you count wanting to be an R.A., that I wanted really bad, and not one of them happened. I was pissed off. However, things were going to get even harder on me. I was lead to believe, by both the drama instructor and soccer coach, that if anybody quit the team, or if anything happened, that I would be on the teams. Well, both the Players and soccer team had someone quite, or leave for various reasons. And I didn't get a position on either team. In fact, my R.A. got the spot on the Players, and a person who didnt even try out for the soccer team got the spot on the team (I was the only cut from the team). I was beyond angry, frustrated and just felt betrayed. My unit was filled with people who were either on Players, on the soccer team, in a production, and even a few who were part of 2, or even all of these things. I couldn't get away from it. I wish I could say that I responded well, and trusted God that his Plan B was better than my Plan A...but I didn't. I in fact was so mad that I wrote a VERY hurtful blog, directed at the drama teacher, soccer coach, and people who were on the teams. I made the fals assumption that nobody read my blogs anyway, and so I thought I was more venting to myself...of course, people did read it. I hurt a lot of people (If you happen to be one of the people I hurt, I apologize sincerely). That whole year at Bethany, I was just a negative, depressed person. I acted like I had it all together, but deep down I was an angry person. I did not respond well to my Plan B situation.
Ok, so that was a longer story than I anticipated, however I think you get the picture. We all have had similar Plan B situations. The fact is, I lost sight of the fact that God didnt want what I wanted. I reacted in a way that was hurtful, and horrible...and in fact that blog cost me a spot on the Players my third year as well. If I had only accepted God's plan, realized that I had another purpose for being there, I would have not only enjoyed my second year at Bethany a lot more (instead of being bitter everytime I saw someone who made the teams...which at a small school is like every 35 seconds), but I also would have made the Players the next year.
How we react to Plan B situations is key. Look at Job, he lost everything and yet still was able to trust God, and worship God. Yes, he was upset, and confused...yet he knew that God was bigger than his plans. Also, the story of Joseph. His life was a complete Plan B situation. Nearly killed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsley accused and imprisoned, and forgotten. What if Joseph reacted differently? What if, when his brothers showed up to get food from him, he sent them away or sold them into slavery? The entire nation of Israel would have been wiped out. If Joseph was bitter while in prison, he never would have interpreted the dreams nor would he have finally been named second in command of all of egypt.
It's not easy to react well to Plan B situations. But if we lay down our expections at Christ's feet. If we let our plans be secondary to God's plans, then we have a better chance of reacting better, and being a happier, less bitter person. But when we assume that God will reward our plans, when we think that "my plan is the same as God plan"...we will be left battered, bruised and bitter when our plan goes awry. In fact, we may even feel that God has abandoned us, when in all reality he is more real than ever before.
If we open our hearts, and our minds to what God wants, then we may even realize that the Plan B, even though it is different and harder, is actually much better than our original Plan A ever was. Of course...that's a lot easier said than done.
One of the biggest lies Christians tell themselves, and unfortunately tell others, is "If you have enough faith, do enough good things, serve God enough, and are 'spiritual' enough, God will bless you and answer all of your prayers". Perhaps I am generalizing that too much, but the basic truth is...we have all believed this, or at the very least heard this at one time or another, right? We've seen the preachers urging their parishoners to "have more faith", to "pray harder", and if they do, then prayers will be answered. Unfortunately, that is very untrue. Bad things happen to good people. One of the hardest truths for Christians is, "our plans and God's plans are not always the same thing". We fall into the trap that, God wants what we want. Now, there are times that this is true...that God truly does want the same things that we want...however, there are many, MANY times that what we want isn't even close to what God wants. The bible is littered with stories of people who have a plan, or an idea of what they want...and God turns it completely on its head. How do we respond when our Plan A turns into a Plan B?
I will tell you a story from my second year at Bethany College. I'm sure I have mentioned this story before, but I will tell it again:
My second year at Bethany was literally one of the hardest, and most depressing years of my life. It was a complete Plan B for me. Nothing went according to plan. In fact, it even began the end of my first year. At the end of my first year, I had my heart broken by a girl that I naively thought was "the one", and I had my dreams of being a R.A. crushed (an R.A. is a student who is in charge of a "unit" or group of people in the dorms). I was already fragile entering my second year of Bethany, but I had things to look forward to. I was going to play indoor soccer, be part of drama teams and have a great time. But it was not to be. I auditioned for 3 different drama type groups...one was the Bethany Players. This is the group that travels around to churches and communities and performs skits. In fact, the Players were the very reason I even attended Bethany in the first place. They performed at my church in Boissevain, and I said to myself "I want to do that". The other 2 drama groups were Productions, one in the first semester and one in the second semester. All three of my auditions went well, and I got call backs all the way to the end in all of them...and then didn't make the cut on any of them. I was crushed. I thought for sure that this was the year I would make players, and it didn't happen. As crushed as I was, I still believed that I would at least have indoor soccer to play, which would ease the pain. I tried out, and did horrible. Like, literally really bad. However, I was on the team the year prior, so I assumed that the coach would want players who had played before, so I thought I was a lock for the team...I thought wrong. So, I tried out for 4 different things, 5 if you count wanting to be an R.A., that I wanted really bad, and not one of them happened. I was pissed off. However, things were going to get even harder on me. I was lead to believe, by both the drama instructor and soccer coach, that if anybody quit the team, or if anything happened, that I would be on the teams. Well, both the Players and soccer team had someone quite, or leave for various reasons. And I didn't get a position on either team. In fact, my R.A. got the spot on the Players, and a person who didnt even try out for the soccer team got the spot on the team (I was the only cut from the team). I was beyond angry, frustrated and just felt betrayed. My unit was filled with people who were either on Players, on the soccer team, in a production, and even a few who were part of 2, or even all of these things. I couldn't get away from it. I wish I could say that I responded well, and trusted God that his Plan B was better than my Plan A...but I didn't. I in fact was so mad that I wrote a VERY hurtful blog, directed at the drama teacher, soccer coach, and people who were on the teams. I made the fals assumption that nobody read my blogs anyway, and so I thought I was more venting to myself...of course, people did read it. I hurt a lot of people (If you happen to be one of the people I hurt, I apologize sincerely). That whole year at Bethany, I was just a negative, depressed person. I acted like I had it all together, but deep down I was an angry person. I did not respond well to my Plan B situation.
Ok, so that was a longer story than I anticipated, however I think you get the picture. We all have had similar Plan B situations. The fact is, I lost sight of the fact that God didnt want what I wanted. I reacted in a way that was hurtful, and horrible...and in fact that blog cost me a spot on the Players my third year as well. If I had only accepted God's plan, realized that I had another purpose for being there, I would have not only enjoyed my second year at Bethany a lot more (instead of being bitter everytime I saw someone who made the teams...which at a small school is like every 35 seconds), but I also would have made the Players the next year.
How we react to Plan B situations is key. Look at Job, he lost everything and yet still was able to trust God, and worship God. Yes, he was upset, and confused...yet he knew that God was bigger than his plans. Also, the story of Joseph. His life was a complete Plan B situation. Nearly killed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsley accused and imprisoned, and forgotten. What if Joseph reacted differently? What if, when his brothers showed up to get food from him, he sent them away or sold them into slavery? The entire nation of Israel would have been wiped out. If Joseph was bitter while in prison, he never would have interpreted the dreams nor would he have finally been named second in command of all of egypt.
It's not easy to react well to Plan B situations. But if we lay down our expections at Christ's feet. If we let our plans be secondary to God's plans, then we have a better chance of reacting better, and being a happier, less bitter person. But when we assume that God will reward our plans, when we think that "my plan is the same as God plan"...we will be left battered, bruised and bitter when our plan goes awry. In fact, we may even feel that God has abandoned us, when in all reality he is more real than ever before.
If we open our hearts, and our minds to what God wants, then we may even realize that the Plan B, even though it is different and harder, is actually much better than our original Plan A ever was. Of course...that's a lot easier said than done.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Things I Hate...
Hate is a very strong word. These are words we have all heard, likely hundreds of times in our lifetime. We utter something like "Oh, I HATE Him", in which a friend or parent will respond with "Hate is a strong word". I appreciate the phrase, and I do understand that Hate, by all definition is a very strong and powerful word. However, I am going to compile a list of things I "hate". Keep in mind that many of these things are meant to be humourous, a few are meant to be serious and spiritual...and none are meant to offend. If I mention a person, or group of people, I don't mean "hate" in a strong "I wish they were dead and cast into hell sense", but in a more "strongly dislike, or are irritated by" sense. So please, don't think that I am being racist, prejudice or rude. So...without further ado, here is an organized list of things that I hate:
Things I hate...about life
I hate going to the dentist.
I hate how everything costs money
I hate when your clothes don't get fully dry in the dryer, and yet you try to wear them anyway
I hate girls who dress like sluts and then complain that they aren't taken seriously, or are seen as a sexual object
I hate PETA...if you want to be a vegetarian fine, but don't tell me what I can and can't eat
I hate feminists...I'm all for equality, but don't put yourselves on a pedestal. You want to know why chivalry is dead? YOU KILLED IT!
I hate how the gay community (I'm walking on thin ice here) feels the need to flaunt it to everyone, and are offended by anyone who doesn't approve of their lifestyle. If you want to be gay, that's your issue, but don't tell me what I have to believe or think.
I hate people who hate homosexuals, just for being homosexuals. I don't agree with the lifestyle, but I accept them as people.
I hate racists...and black people (TOTALLY kidding...seriously, I am 100% joking)
I hate people who write lists about things that nobody cares about
Things I hate...about Entertainment
I hate how actors like Vin Diesel and Jason Stathom are famous for having no acting talent at all
I hate how Lady Gaga feels the need to be so bizarre. Her music is catchy, but seriously, do you have to dress and act the way that you do ALL the freakin time?
I hate how, songs that I used to hate, become catchy and I end up loving them.
I hate "secret songs" on CD's. Really...a 20 minute moment of silence before an additional song...c'mon people, you are screwin up my Itunes flow!
I hate a great movie with a crappy ending
I hate slow moving, boring movies, when I expected a fast moving, exciting movie
I hate people who claim that Johnny Depp can't act. He is one of, if not THE best actor in Hollywood. You can hate his movies, but you have to accept that he is a fantastic actor.
I hate how commericals always show the husband as being stupid, and the wife as having all the answers.
Things I hate...about sports
I hate people who hate a certain team for no reason other than "they suck". Seriously people, if you are going to hate a team, have a real reason.
I hate the Dallas Stars (for the 1999 Stanley Cup goal), New York Yankees (can you say "buying a championship"?), Ottawa Senators (I'm a leaf fan...there's no room in ontario for both of us!), and L.A. Lakers (same reason as the Yankees...that and Kobe).
I hate Gary Bettman
I hate how certain athletes, such as Lebron James, Sidney Crosby and that pitcher Strasburg, have these huge expectations thrust upon them before they even play a single pro game.
I hate when people cheat and get away with it
Things I hate...about Canada/The U.S.
I hate how, the U.S. has claimed the term "American" for themselves. Seriously people...we are part of America too...as is Mexico. And don't forget about all of South America.
I hate when the U.S. beats us in sports
I hate how, some people from the U.S. put Canadian flags on their luggage when they travel so they are treated better.
I hate how the Canadian military is seen as weak...when in reality, we are just as good if not better than the U.S. (with a much smaller budget). We dominated in D-Day (before the U.S. even got there), and we are the only country to successfully burn down the White House!
Things I hate...about Christian Movies
I hate that everything always works out in the end
I hate that, when the main character prays to God and asks for something, it is granted almost immediately
I hate that the acting sucks
I hate that it's not realistic whatsoever (no body swear, theres little violence, no sex...really people? Is that how the world really is?)
Things I hate about Christians in general
I hate how judgemental Christians are
I hate when Christians give the typical Christian cliche answer to real issues
I hate ridiculous Church Signs with the ridiculous sayings on them. All you need to put is "Name of Church, Name of Pastor, Time of service and Everyone Welcome"...we don't need a clever "Jesus Answers Knee Mail" phrase, thank you very much.
I hate how Christians feel the need to have to support other Christians, despite how bad they may be at a certain job. (For example, George Bush was supported because he was "Christian", however he really wasn't the best option in my opinion)
I hate how Christians get offended about EVERYTHING (probably this blog)
I hate when Christians misquote Scripture, take Scripture out of context and twist Scripture to make it mean what they want it to mean.
I hate how Christians always have to try to persuade everyone to have the same exact beliefs that they share.
I hate Christians who rank Evangelism and Witnessing above building relationships and serving the poor. Jesus said "I was hungry and you gave me food" not "I was hungry and you read me Scripture and converted me"
Well...that's pretty much all I can think of right now. I'm sure there are a lot more that I could add, however the World Cup is on, and it's England playing the U.S. (go England!), and it's distracting my creative juices. I hope you enjoyed the list, and I apologize if it was offensive at times. So now it's your turn...what sort of things do you hate?
Things I hate...about life
I hate going to the dentist.
I hate how everything costs money
I hate when your clothes don't get fully dry in the dryer, and yet you try to wear them anyway
I hate girls who dress like sluts and then complain that they aren't taken seriously, or are seen as a sexual object
I hate PETA...if you want to be a vegetarian fine, but don't tell me what I can and can't eat
I hate feminists...I'm all for equality, but don't put yourselves on a pedestal. You want to know why chivalry is dead? YOU KILLED IT!
I hate how the gay community (I'm walking on thin ice here) feels the need to flaunt it to everyone, and are offended by anyone who doesn't approve of their lifestyle. If you want to be gay, that's your issue, but don't tell me what I have to believe or think.
I hate people who hate homosexuals, just for being homosexuals. I don't agree with the lifestyle, but I accept them as people.
I hate racists...and black people (TOTALLY kidding...seriously, I am 100% joking)
I hate people who write lists about things that nobody cares about
Things I hate...about Entertainment
I hate how actors like Vin Diesel and Jason Stathom are famous for having no acting talent at all
I hate how Lady Gaga feels the need to be so bizarre. Her music is catchy, but seriously, do you have to dress and act the way that you do ALL the freakin time?
I hate how, songs that I used to hate, become catchy and I end up loving them.
I hate "secret songs" on CD's. Really...a 20 minute moment of silence before an additional song...c'mon people, you are screwin up my Itunes flow!
I hate a great movie with a crappy ending
I hate slow moving, boring movies, when I expected a fast moving, exciting movie
I hate people who claim that Johnny Depp can't act. He is one of, if not THE best actor in Hollywood. You can hate his movies, but you have to accept that he is a fantastic actor.
I hate how commericals always show the husband as being stupid, and the wife as having all the answers.
Things I hate...about sports
I hate people who hate a certain team for no reason other than "they suck". Seriously people, if you are going to hate a team, have a real reason.
I hate the Dallas Stars (for the 1999 Stanley Cup goal), New York Yankees (can you say "buying a championship"?), Ottawa Senators (I'm a leaf fan...there's no room in ontario for both of us!), and L.A. Lakers (same reason as the Yankees...that and Kobe).
I hate Gary Bettman
I hate how certain athletes, such as Lebron James, Sidney Crosby and that pitcher Strasburg, have these huge expectations thrust upon them before they even play a single pro game.
I hate when people cheat and get away with it
Things I hate...about Canada/The U.S.
I hate how, the U.S. has claimed the term "American" for themselves. Seriously people...we are part of America too...as is Mexico. And don't forget about all of South America.
I hate when the U.S. beats us in sports
I hate how, some people from the U.S. put Canadian flags on their luggage when they travel so they are treated better.
I hate how the Canadian military is seen as weak...when in reality, we are just as good if not better than the U.S. (with a much smaller budget). We dominated in D-Day (before the U.S. even got there), and we are the only country to successfully burn down the White House!
Things I hate...about Christian Movies
I hate that everything always works out in the end
I hate that, when the main character prays to God and asks for something, it is granted almost immediately
I hate that the acting sucks
I hate that it's not realistic whatsoever (no body swear, theres little violence, no sex...really people? Is that how the world really is?)
Things I hate about Christians in general
I hate how judgemental Christians are
I hate when Christians give the typical Christian cliche answer to real issues
I hate ridiculous Church Signs with the ridiculous sayings on them. All you need to put is "Name of Church, Name of Pastor, Time of service and Everyone Welcome"...we don't need a clever "Jesus Answers Knee Mail" phrase, thank you very much.
I hate how Christians feel the need to have to support other Christians, despite how bad they may be at a certain job. (For example, George Bush was supported because he was "Christian", however he really wasn't the best option in my opinion)
I hate how Christians get offended about EVERYTHING (probably this blog)
I hate when Christians misquote Scripture, take Scripture out of context and twist Scripture to make it mean what they want it to mean.
I hate how Christians always have to try to persuade everyone to have the same exact beliefs that they share.
I hate Christians who rank Evangelism and Witnessing above building relationships and serving the poor. Jesus said "I was hungry and you gave me food" not "I was hungry and you read me Scripture and converted me"
Well...that's pretty much all I can think of right now. I'm sure there are a lot more that I could add, however the World Cup is on, and it's England playing the U.S. (go England!), and it's distracting my creative juices. I hope you enjoyed the list, and I apologize if it was offensive at times. So now it's your turn...what sort of things do you hate?
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Apathetically Tolerating Intolerance
When I say the word "tolerance", likely a bunch of different definitions enter your brain. To avoid any controversy, I will use the definition that I found on dictionary.com (we really need to invest in an actual dictionary). This website defines tolerance as, "a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from ones own". I think that's a pretty good definition of the word...now, we can move on!
There's a problem in our churches, homes, communities, and Christian circles. The problem is countless people tolerating intolerance. This is especially upsetting within the church walls. The church is a place that should be filled with tolerance, and acceptance. Unfortunately, that's not often the case. Now, I realize that the church can't control the actions of its members. People have free choice, and can say and do what they want. The problem is, we let a handful of intolerant people, say things, do things and act in ways that should not reflect the rest of the congregation, and yet through our own inaction we tolerate it. We allow and tolerate intolerance.
This must stop! Now, I realize I already defined the word tolerance, but I just want to clarify that I'm not meaning that everyone in church must believe the same things, and even accept every belief. I'm certainly not saying that we should let heresies be preached and just sit back and tolerate that...I'm not saying that we must allow people to live in sin. What I am saying, is that we need to accept people, and tolerate people from all walks of life, and listen to what people have to say. People don't immediately change when they walk in the doors of a church. It takes time. It's too bad that churches are often the most judgemental and intolerant places in the world. People walk in the door, and they are judged. If they have a bible in one hand, a cross around their neck, a shirt and tie (for women, a dress that goes past the knees and doesn't show any cleavage), and nice dress shoes, we accept them. They are holy and good. On the other hand, if a person walks in with a Marilyn Manson shirt on, a mohawk in their hair, earrings all over their face, spiked wristbands on their wrists, tattered jeans, flip flops, and smell like marijauna, we immedately judge them as doomed, and hell-bound. We probably don't even say hello to them. We stare at them, make them feel uncomfortable, talk about them behind their backs and then wonder why they don't return the next week for a sermon that they really needed to hear about Jesus' Love and Forgiveness.
Now, not everyone acts in this way. Not everyone is intolerant of change, or intolerant of people who look or act different, or who believe something a bit different, or who read from the KJV instead of the NIV. But the problem is, the people that don't think those judgemental thoughts, don't do something about those that do. Instead of talking to the "satanic sinner" ourselves, we assume someone else will. We stay away, think to ourselves 'how good it is that this person is going to experience the love of Jesus'...but we never let them see it firsthand. We are apathetic, and through that apathy, we allow those who are intolerant to act in ways that make outsiders feel uncomfortable, unloved, and judged. Our inaction keeps people from feeling the warmth and love of Jesus. Our apathy tolerates the intolerance.
So this is my challege to you. Don't tolerate intolerance! Don't allow it. I'm not saying control what others say and do, because that becomes just as intolerant. What I am saying, is...don't be so apathetic. Don't wait for "others" to talk to the outsider. Don't assume "others" will welcome someone else, or that "others" will give someone with a differing opinion or belief a chance to speak their mind. Be the "other". Welcome someone, say hello, ask them about what they believe, where they are from...anything. Be the tolerant person. You don't have to agree with them, but at least give them a chance. If enough people do that, then those who are intolerant won't matter...because they will remember the love and warmth of the few. Stop tolerating intolerance. There's a reason why the media, and why non-Christians view Christians as judgemental, closed, sheltered and intolerant...because we allow those type of "Christians" to leave the lasting impression. It's wrong, and it needs to stop.
There's a problem in our churches, homes, communities, and Christian circles. The problem is countless people tolerating intolerance. This is especially upsetting within the church walls. The church is a place that should be filled with tolerance, and acceptance. Unfortunately, that's not often the case. Now, I realize that the church can't control the actions of its members. People have free choice, and can say and do what they want. The problem is, we let a handful of intolerant people, say things, do things and act in ways that should not reflect the rest of the congregation, and yet through our own inaction we tolerate it. We allow and tolerate intolerance.
This must stop! Now, I realize I already defined the word tolerance, but I just want to clarify that I'm not meaning that everyone in church must believe the same things, and even accept every belief. I'm certainly not saying that we should let heresies be preached and just sit back and tolerate that...I'm not saying that we must allow people to live in sin. What I am saying, is that we need to accept people, and tolerate people from all walks of life, and listen to what people have to say. People don't immediately change when they walk in the doors of a church. It takes time. It's too bad that churches are often the most judgemental and intolerant places in the world. People walk in the door, and they are judged. If they have a bible in one hand, a cross around their neck, a shirt and tie (for women, a dress that goes past the knees and doesn't show any cleavage), and nice dress shoes, we accept them. They are holy and good. On the other hand, if a person walks in with a Marilyn Manson shirt on, a mohawk in their hair, earrings all over their face, spiked wristbands on their wrists, tattered jeans, flip flops, and smell like marijauna, we immedately judge them as doomed, and hell-bound. We probably don't even say hello to them. We stare at them, make them feel uncomfortable, talk about them behind their backs and then wonder why they don't return the next week for a sermon that they really needed to hear about Jesus' Love and Forgiveness.
Now, not everyone acts in this way. Not everyone is intolerant of change, or intolerant of people who look or act different, or who believe something a bit different, or who read from the KJV instead of the NIV. But the problem is, the people that don't think those judgemental thoughts, don't do something about those that do. Instead of talking to the "satanic sinner" ourselves, we assume someone else will. We stay away, think to ourselves 'how good it is that this person is going to experience the love of Jesus'...but we never let them see it firsthand. We are apathetic, and through that apathy, we allow those who are intolerant to act in ways that make outsiders feel uncomfortable, unloved, and judged. Our inaction keeps people from feeling the warmth and love of Jesus. Our apathy tolerates the intolerance.
So this is my challege to you. Don't tolerate intolerance! Don't allow it. I'm not saying control what others say and do, because that becomes just as intolerant. What I am saying, is...don't be so apathetic. Don't wait for "others" to talk to the outsider. Don't assume "others" will welcome someone else, or that "others" will give someone with a differing opinion or belief a chance to speak their mind. Be the "other". Welcome someone, say hello, ask them about what they believe, where they are from...anything. Be the tolerant person. You don't have to agree with them, but at least give them a chance. If enough people do that, then those who are intolerant won't matter...because they will remember the love and warmth of the few. Stop tolerating intolerance. There's a reason why the media, and why non-Christians view Christians as judgemental, closed, sheltered and intolerant...because we allow those type of "Christians" to leave the lasting impression. It's wrong, and it needs to stop.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Widen the Road!
"...But small is the gate, and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it"
Matthew 7:14
This past week I began a Rob Bell book "Jesus wants to Save Christians". I am a big Rob Bell fan...it seems that he says what I am thinking...and he pushes the limits sometimes. He's not afraid to stir up some controversy...which I think is really healthy. In chapter 4 of the book (The chapter is called "Genital Free Africans"...I just had to put that in here, sorry..carrying on), he spends a lot of time talking about how the early church was so focused on, "the way things have always been done". It was against the law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile, followers of Christ had to be circumsised, everyone had to be baptised, sabbath had to be followed to the letter, and the list goes on and on. But Rob Bell focuses on some people who went against the grain. Phillip baptises an African Eunuch...as Rob Bell says, "you can't mess with the good if you don't have any". In other words...this person couldn't be circumsised, and yet Phillip still baptised him as a believer in Christ. Peter visits the home of a Centurian, a home filled with Gentiles, something that according to Jewish law was forbidden. There are many instances of people in the bible going against the religious leaders of the day.
Anyway, this book got me thinking that...it wasn't just like that for the early church. Today, there are many Christians who are doing their best to enforce the law, who are trying to keep things the way they have always been. It starts for people who want to become Christians...according to many they have to give up smoking, drinking, swearing...they have to dress a certain way, pray a certain way, get baptised, remove their tatoos, take out any piercing that isn't in their ears (or all of them if they are males). The list goes on doesn't it? I'm sure we all know people who are constantly judging other believers or new believers. Then they begin to enforce the rules of the church...the music must be only at this volume, the drums can't be too loud, the tempo can't be that fast, we must sing 3 hymns and 1 modern chorus, the sermon must be within 25-35 minutes, we can't have a woman pastor, children must be excused from the service, everyone must wear this type of clothing, no smoking within 100 feet of the church parking lot...the list continues. Now, fortunately I attend a church that is very willing to "accept the unacceptable". Our church is right next door to a rehabilitation center for recovering alcoholics...we get a lot of struggling people in our doors. Thank GOD we don't have anybody judging them...but the reality is, most churches have somebody like that...many churches are made up entirely of people like that. And it's awful.
My point is this...as the verse says at the start of this blog post "Narrow is the road that leads to life". I believe that...there is one way to get to eternal life and that is through Jesus. Unfortunately, I believe that many Christians make the road too narrow. They add on all of these requirements that aren't only unbiblical, but they are ridiculous. I think we have to be very careful to not make the Narrow Road too small. Here's my opinion on all of this...if a person loves Jesus, and believe that Jesus was (and is) the Son of God...and that Jesus was resurrected from Death, and they do their best to follow the instructions of Jesus...then they are on that narrow path. I think that when we reach heaven we will be very surprised at 1)who made it to heaven, and 2) who DIDN'T make it. A lot of these "law makers", I believe will be a part of the "depart from me" group, while many of these "law breakers" will be in the "Welcome my good and faithful servant" class. Can someone be a smoker and a Christian? Of course they can. Does it matter if they wear an AC/DC shirt to church on Sunday? Not really. People need to get off of their high horse and rip up their rule book (Their personal rule book...not the Bible, just to clarify). We need more Peter's and Phillip's. More people who aren't afraid to go against the current religious understanding of what is acceptable and unacceptable; hang out with Gentiles, baptise a Eunuch, and touch someone unclean. The bible says the road is narrow...it's not impossible to find.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
I Doubt I'm the Only One Who Doubts
Lately I've been reading the book "The Case For Faith" by Atheist turned Christian Lee Strobel. In the book, he raises 8 common "barriers to faith", and interviews 8 prominent Christian thinkers, teachers and philosophers. I'm not going to talk about all of them, I'm only going to focus on one of them today, but just to settle all of your curiosity (as I'm sure you are just eager to know), the 8 stumbling blocks to faith are:
1) Evil and Suffering exist...so a loving God must not
2) Miracles contradict science, so they aren't true
3) Evolution explains life, which eliminates the need for God
4) I can't worship a God who kills innocent children
5) It's offensive to claim that "There's only one way (Jesus)"
6) A Loving God wouldn't send people to hell
7) The History of the Church is very violent and oppressive
8) I have doubts, so I can't be a Christian.
Each of the chapters were interesting in their own way, but I am going to focus on the last one...the chapter about doubts. Perhaps it's because it was the last chapter I read, but this chapter meant the most to me. Not saying that the others didn't mean anything...they did, but this one really spoke to me. What I loved about this chapter is, it didn't hide the fact that there are doubts. In fact, it claims that, most Christians have doubts, and struggle with doubts on a consistent basis. I definately needed to read that, as I, like most other Christians, deal with doubts.
A great quote, founmd early on in the chapter is by author Os Guiness (I read some of his stuff at Bethany...he's a great thinker). He says, "The shame is not that people have doubts, but that they are ashamed of them." Powerful stuff...and I think it's something that we all need to remember.
I'm not going to go too in depth on this, I just want to encourage all of you out there. I'm sure that you are dealing with some doubt, of some sort. Either you are a Christian and you struggle with doubting if God really loves you, hears your prayers, cares about you...fill the the blank. Or, you are a non-Christian, who perhaps, for whatever reason, have doubts about God. Maybe one of those 8 things listed is keeping you from accepting. PErhaps, as a Christian you are dealing with that stuff too. All I have to say is...it's ok. There are many biblical heroes who dealt with doubt. Abraham doubted, David did (read through the Psalms...most of them are laments, complaints and doubts...only about 40% of them are actual Praise psalms), and even Jesus closest friends, his disciples doubted. That's where faith comes in though. When you have faith, the doubts don't matter. You may not fully understand why things happen...but you can have faith that there is a reason.
Don't be ashamed of your doubts, or afraid of doubting. Question things you don't fully understand. IT'S PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE TO QUESTION THINGS YOU READ IN THE BIBLE OR HEAR AT CHURCH! The issue is, when you question it...don't just write it off as wrong, search for the answer. Some answers may come easy, others may not be answered...but don't let a few doubts hinder your relationship with God. In fact, it often takes times of doubting, to gain faith.
That's my thoughts for you...I realize it's not much..it's just an encouragement for those doubters out there. You're not alone...and it's ok.
1) Evil and Suffering exist...so a loving God must not
2) Miracles contradict science, so they aren't true
3) Evolution explains life, which eliminates the need for God
4) I can't worship a God who kills innocent children
5) It's offensive to claim that "There's only one way (Jesus)"
6) A Loving God wouldn't send people to hell
7) The History of the Church is very violent and oppressive
8) I have doubts, so I can't be a Christian.
Each of the chapters were interesting in their own way, but I am going to focus on the last one...the chapter about doubts. Perhaps it's because it was the last chapter I read, but this chapter meant the most to me. Not saying that the others didn't mean anything...they did, but this one really spoke to me. What I loved about this chapter is, it didn't hide the fact that there are doubts. In fact, it claims that, most Christians have doubts, and struggle with doubts on a consistent basis. I definately needed to read that, as I, like most other Christians, deal with doubts.
A great quote, founmd early on in the chapter is by author Os Guiness (I read some of his stuff at Bethany...he's a great thinker). He says, "The shame is not that people have doubts, but that they are ashamed of them." Powerful stuff...and I think it's something that we all need to remember.
I'm not going to go too in depth on this, I just want to encourage all of you out there. I'm sure that you are dealing with some doubt, of some sort. Either you are a Christian and you struggle with doubting if God really loves you, hears your prayers, cares about you...fill the the blank. Or, you are a non-Christian, who perhaps, for whatever reason, have doubts about God. Maybe one of those 8 things listed is keeping you from accepting. PErhaps, as a Christian you are dealing with that stuff too. All I have to say is...it's ok. There are many biblical heroes who dealt with doubt. Abraham doubted, David did (read through the Psalms...most of them are laments, complaints and doubts...only about 40% of them are actual Praise psalms), and even Jesus closest friends, his disciples doubted. That's where faith comes in though. When you have faith, the doubts don't matter. You may not fully understand why things happen...but you can have faith that there is a reason.
Don't be ashamed of your doubts, or afraid of doubting. Question things you don't fully understand. IT'S PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE TO QUESTION THINGS YOU READ IN THE BIBLE OR HEAR AT CHURCH! The issue is, when you question it...don't just write it off as wrong, search for the answer. Some answers may come easy, others may not be answered...but don't let a few doubts hinder your relationship with God. In fact, it often takes times of doubting, to gain faith.
That's my thoughts for you...I realize it's not much..it's just an encouragement for those doubters out there. You're not alone...and it's ok.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
It's All About The Now
There's a Kokanee commercial on now, which I'm sure you've all seen with the slogan "It's All About The Now". At first, this may seem like a selfish slogan, but, in reality, I believe that it is a slogan that is relevant...and one that Christians need to take to heart.
If most Christians were to make a commercial with a similar slogan, I believe that the slogan would go something like "It's all about Heaven!". Christianity is a religion that, unfortunately, has become focused on the future instead of the present. Christians are always living with the mindset of heaven. How many of you have heard slogans like, "I'm just passing through!" or "This isn't really my home...Heaven is my home". Those sayings are metephorically true, however they really miss the point of what being a Christian means. Being a Christian isn't just about a free pass into heaven. It's a lifestyle, a relationship with God. If Christianity was all about heaven, then once we became a Christian we would go straight to heaven, but, as we know...seeing as we are still on earth, that's not how it works.
People who are so focused on the "end", miss great opportunity here on earth. Let's put this into a little analogy here. Imagine that you are on the vacation of your dreams. Let's say you are in the Bahamas, during the warm, beautiful summer. Sitting on a lawn chair looking out over the ocean, with a drink in your hand (make it whatever you want...martini, beer, pepsi, coke, water...your choice! I'll go with a rum and coke for myself), and having the time of your life. But soon after you settle in for the vacation, you start thinking about life when you get home. You think about the work you will need to do, the people you need to see, the bills you have to pay, the items you need to buy...all these things that you need to do AFTER your vacation. If all your time was spent thinking about "after I get home", then you will not enjoy the vacation at all...or at least significantly less than someone who fully takes in the relaxation and beauty of the Bahamas. Now, i don't want to say that this life is a vacation and heaven is doing work and paying bills, but I do think you get the point. If you are so focused on heaven, and what heaven will be like, then you will miss out of incredible opportunities here on earth.
So let's take a lesson from Kokanee, live in the now...not focused on the "to come". Yes...it's ok to think about it, and to get excited for heaven...but don't let it consume you so much that you neglect the here and now. That's my opinion anyway.
If most Christians were to make a commercial with a similar slogan, I believe that the slogan would go something like "It's all about Heaven!". Christianity is a religion that, unfortunately, has become focused on the future instead of the present. Christians are always living with the mindset of heaven. How many of you have heard slogans like, "I'm just passing through!" or "This isn't really my home...Heaven is my home". Those sayings are metephorically true, however they really miss the point of what being a Christian means. Being a Christian isn't just about a free pass into heaven. It's a lifestyle, a relationship with God. If Christianity was all about heaven, then once we became a Christian we would go straight to heaven, but, as we know...seeing as we are still on earth, that's not how it works.
People who are so focused on the "end", miss great opportunity here on earth. Let's put this into a little analogy here. Imagine that you are on the vacation of your dreams. Let's say you are in the Bahamas, during the warm, beautiful summer. Sitting on a lawn chair looking out over the ocean, with a drink in your hand (make it whatever you want...martini, beer, pepsi, coke, water...your choice! I'll go with a rum and coke for myself), and having the time of your life. But soon after you settle in for the vacation, you start thinking about life when you get home. You think about the work you will need to do, the people you need to see, the bills you have to pay, the items you need to buy...all these things that you need to do AFTER your vacation. If all your time was spent thinking about "after I get home", then you will not enjoy the vacation at all...or at least significantly less than someone who fully takes in the relaxation and beauty of the Bahamas. Now, i don't want to say that this life is a vacation and heaven is doing work and paying bills, but I do think you get the point. If you are so focused on heaven, and what heaven will be like, then you will miss out of incredible opportunities here on earth.
So let's take a lesson from Kokanee, live in the now...not focused on the "to come". Yes...it's ok to think about it, and to get excited for heaven...but don't let it consume you so much that you neglect the here and now. That's my opinion anyway.
Friday, April 30, 2010
The Big Bang Query
"Our whole universe was in a hot dense state, when nearly fourteen billion years ago, expansion started..."
That was a bit of a rabbit trail there, sorry about that. Anyway, back on topic here...Many Christians believe that science contradicts the Bible. They fear that scientists are out to get them, and prove the Bible wrong, and show that God doesn't exist. This is just wrong, or at least blown way out of proportion. Yes, there are som Athiest scientists who attempt to disprove the bible and God...but there are also Christian scientists who go out of their way to explain things so that the bible won't be challenged. It's a two way street here. The main issue is, as Christians, we feel that it is our place to defend God, and defend the Bible. We don't need to do that. God is big enough to defend himself...and if we truly trust the Bible is the Word of God, why are we so concerned with Science...does that not show a lack of faith in our Holy Scriptures?
The main reason that Christians are concerned with the Big Bang, evolution and science, is because Christians take every word of the Bible literally, and think that "it can't possibly be an exageration or analogy". Now, I don't want to say that the Bible is a book of legends and tall tales, because I believe that the Bible is true...however I also know that, in the culture of the day, story telling was an important part of the day, and being 100% accurate with all details wasn't as vital. I find it funny that, generally (except for Tim Lahaye and Jerry B. Jenkins), read Revelation as an analogy, and not literal accounts of what will happen...and yet the first part of Genesis is believed to be completely accurate in all details. Let's ask the question, for all you Bible scholars out there...who wrote Genesis?....anyone? Was it Adam or Eve? Cain? Abel? no....it was Moses. The Moses who was born while Israel was already in slavery in Egypt. How does he know exactly what happened in the beginning? Through story, most likely. Generation to generation, passed down from word of mouth. Likely, the story evolved a little bit over time. The important thing isn't that the Genesis account is a detailed, account of what happened...but that the main thing is true. Does it really matter if the world was created in exactly 7 days? (6 technically, as God 'rested') No, it doesn't matter if it was 7 literal days, or 7 figurative days (as a thousand years is like a day to God...so who's definition of a day is it anyway, God's or man's?), or if it was billions of years. Does it matter if the animals were created instantly, or through some sort of evolution process? Not really. Does it matter if the world just was, or if when God spoke a Big Bang cause the creation? No, it doesnt really matter. What does matter is only the first sentance of the creation accoung, "In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth". As long as God created everything, it doesnt really matter how it happened.
Science and Religion don't have to be so different, and they don't have to attack one another. God is Truth...and all truth comes from God. If we say that Science's "truth" is false...even though it is proven...then what are we saying about God? He created everything in his own way...no one knows exactly how it happened...because no one was there. It's not important how it happened frankly, it is just important that God did it. Is an earth that is thousands of years old vital to the Christian faith? Of course not...it doesnt matter if the old is a thousand years old, or 20 billion years old...God created it, and thats all we have to worry about. There's a lot of science that proves the Bible, actually...unfortunately too many Christians are focused on the hot button issue of The Big Bang, and of proving Darwin wrong, that we miss out on all the places that Science is actually proving God and the Bible. Stop focusing on the negative, and stop feeling that anything that contradicts what you were taught as a child has to be wrong.
All I'm trying to say is, that God is big enough to deal with all the "adversity" science can throw at him. It's not our job to defend him, he doesn't need us to do that.
As a side note, I just want to say that I used to be the kind of person who believed in the literal 7 day creation, and the 500 year old earth, and all of that sort of stuff. I saw evolution as a work of the devil and the Big Bang theory as evil. While I was at Bible school, I took a Genesis/Exodus class...and it pissed me off (at first). It mentioned all of the stuff that I wrote about in the blog. I thought that it was making light of the Bible. It took a long time before I stopped defending the Bible and my version of what happened, and before I could accept that perhaps there is some truth that the Genesis account might not include everything. So for all your doubters and defenders out there...I was where you are. I'm not saying you have to believe this, you can believe what you want, as long as God is at the centre of it. Just don't be so narrow minded that you can't even accept this viewpoint as a possibilty. In the words of Forest Gump...that's all I have to say about that.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Easily Offended
It seems like, constantly, all I hear about from Christian groups is "I can't believe that they would be able to show/write/draw/laugh about/whatever else that....I am SO offended!". Every time a movie comes out that includes the smallest hint of a "Christian joke", or a song that depicts God in a untraditional way, Christians get up in arms and begs people to sign petitions or to boycott certain movies, shows or artists. I say. take a joke people. seriously, get off of your high horse and stop getting offended at EVERYTHING!
When the movie Bruce Almighty came out, there was an uproar among many Christians who thought that a movie about a man who recieves God's powers for a short amount of time was unbiblical and heretical. Of course, the people who were "offended" never saw the movie, or else they would have realized that the point of the movie was to show that God is all powerful, and even when we don't understand why he can't just say YES all the time, he is in full control and knows what he is doing. The movie Year One also raged controversy, because it made fun of numerous bible stories. In my opinion, it was fun to watch a movie that shed new, satirical light on bible stories that I have gotten so familiar with that I found boring and no longer impressive. The Da Vinci Code...I don't even have to get into that one too much, as it is likely the most popular "offensive" piece of fiction/movie ever made. Jesus Christ Superstar, Saved, Harry Potter, the list goes on...and that's just movies. Television shows are no better in the minds of most Christians...Family Guy, The Simpsons, South Park...all are obviously from the devil because they include jokes about Christians or God. Now, I'm not saying these are Christian shows (the only one that MAY be is the Simpsons...and that's only because it is created by a Groening, so who knows), but are they from the devil? Well...other than South Park, no i don't think so (and even that I am joking). Songs as well have gotten Christians outraged, "What if God was One of Us", "God is a DJ", and anything by KISS or AC/DC are enough to send us, and especially the artists to hell. It's absolutely ridiculous. Pretty much anything other than Facing the Giants, Fireproof, or the shows Touched by and Angel or Promised Land are considered ok...and I'm sure even they occasionally had something that offended some Christian somewhere. And if the song isn't sung by a CCM artist (oh, and Ray Boltz doesn't count anymore, cause he is gay), it is also evil. GET OVER YOURSELVES PEOPLE!
What Christians need to realize, first of all, is, what is the point of the thing that is offending you. For example, The Da Vinci Code was a WORK OF FICTION. It said so at the start of the book, and was never meant to be taken seriously the way that it was. The TV shows, such as Family Guy, are meant to be funny and are offensive on purpose. They offend everyone, or at least attempt to. It's not a "let's ostracize the Christians" sort of thing, it's a "let's push the buttons and cause controversy" sort of thing. Also...Family Guy is created by an Athiest...do you really think he is going to go out of his way to glorify God and please Christians? of course not. If those things offend you, DON'T Watch Them...but don't get on your soapbox and cry bloody murder.
In my opinion, the most offensive things come from Christians. I've blogged about it before, but the Christian propeganda, that you find at Christian bookstores is stupid. Those T-shirts that make fun of "Guitar Hero" with the slogan "Godismy Hero"...seriosuly? And the stuff in church isn't any better either. The song "Blessed Jesus Meek and Mild"...was he really meek and mild? At times, but is that what Jesus wants us to remember...his meekness and mild manner? He got angry, he got frustrated, he pushed the limits. Facebook groups offend me, such as "become a fan of JESUS!". Is this the legacy Jesus wants...a fan page on Facebook? These things are most offensive to me because it is Christians putting Jesus in a lame, meek, mild, silly light. You want to know why non-Christians poke fun at us? It's because of this ridiculous stuff. We bring it upon ourselves. You don't see other religious groups with merchandise. There's no Muslim bookstores, with shirts that say "Mohammad is my homeboy", or "Allah Loves You". They take their religion more seriously...they don't need all that crap.
Perhaps the reason why we are so offended at movies like SAVED (I haven;t seen it, so I'm treading on thin ice here), is because it hits close to home. The creators of that movie was obviouisly basing it off of something, yes they probably blew it out of proportion, but who doesn't know a bible-thumping Christian who is always trying to convert everyone. Look at ourselves. People don't make fun of things or people that they respect. You won't hear a black man make an offensive joke about Martin Luther King Jr, because they respect him. What we need, instead of blowing up and getting offended...we need to look inward and ask "what do we have to do to make people respect us as Christians, and in turn, respect God". That's the million dollar question, and thats the main problem we have...not Family Guy, AC/DC or Harry Potter.
When the movie Bruce Almighty came out, there was an uproar among many Christians who thought that a movie about a man who recieves God's powers for a short amount of time was unbiblical and heretical. Of course, the people who were "offended" never saw the movie, or else they would have realized that the point of the movie was to show that God is all powerful, and even when we don't understand why he can't just say YES all the time, he is in full control and knows what he is doing. The movie Year One also raged controversy, because it made fun of numerous bible stories. In my opinion, it was fun to watch a movie that shed new, satirical light on bible stories that I have gotten so familiar with that I found boring and no longer impressive. The Da Vinci Code...I don't even have to get into that one too much, as it is likely the most popular "offensive" piece of fiction/movie ever made. Jesus Christ Superstar, Saved, Harry Potter, the list goes on...and that's just movies. Television shows are no better in the minds of most Christians...Family Guy, The Simpsons, South Park...all are obviously from the devil because they include jokes about Christians or God. Now, I'm not saying these are Christian shows (the only one that MAY be is the Simpsons...and that's only because it is created by a Groening, so who knows), but are they from the devil? Well...other than South Park, no i don't think so (and even that I am joking). Songs as well have gotten Christians outraged, "What if God was One of Us", "God is a DJ", and anything by KISS or AC/DC are enough to send us, and especially the artists to hell. It's absolutely ridiculous. Pretty much anything other than Facing the Giants, Fireproof, or the shows Touched by and Angel or Promised Land are considered ok...and I'm sure even they occasionally had something that offended some Christian somewhere. And if the song isn't sung by a CCM artist (oh, and Ray Boltz doesn't count anymore, cause he is gay), it is also evil. GET OVER YOURSELVES PEOPLE!
What Christians need to realize, first of all, is, what is the point of the thing that is offending you. For example, The Da Vinci Code was a WORK OF FICTION. It said so at the start of the book, and was never meant to be taken seriously the way that it was. The TV shows, such as Family Guy, are meant to be funny and are offensive on purpose. They offend everyone, or at least attempt to. It's not a "let's ostracize the Christians" sort of thing, it's a "let's push the buttons and cause controversy" sort of thing. Also...Family Guy is created by an Athiest...do you really think he is going to go out of his way to glorify God and please Christians? of course not. If those things offend you, DON'T Watch Them...but don't get on your soapbox and cry bloody murder.
In my opinion, the most offensive things come from Christians. I've blogged about it before, but the Christian propeganda, that you find at Christian bookstores is stupid. Those T-shirts that make fun of "Guitar Hero" with the slogan "Godismy Hero"...seriosuly? And the stuff in church isn't any better either. The song "Blessed Jesus Meek and Mild"...was he really meek and mild? At times, but is that what Jesus wants us to remember...his meekness and mild manner? He got angry, he got frustrated, he pushed the limits. Facebook groups offend me, such as "become a fan of JESUS!". Is this the legacy Jesus wants...a fan page on Facebook? These things are most offensive to me because it is Christians putting Jesus in a lame, meek, mild, silly light. You want to know why non-Christians poke fun at us? It's because of this ridiculous stuff. We bring it upon ourselves. You don't see other religious groups with merchandise. There's no Muslim bookstores, with shirts that say "Mohammad is my homeboy", or "Allah Loves You". They take their religion more seriously...they don't need all that crap.
Perhaps the reason why we are so offended at movies like SAVED (I haven;t seen it, so I'm treading on thin ice here), is because it hits close to home. The creators of that movie was obviouisly basing it off of something, yes they probably blew it out of proportion, but who doesn't know a bible-thumping Christian who is always trying to convert everyone. Look at ourselves. People don't make fun of things or people that they respect. You won't hear a black man make an offensive joke about Martin Luther King Jr, because they respect him. What we need, instead of blowing up and getting offended...we need to look inward and ask "what do we have to do to make people respect us as Christians, and in turn, respect God". That's the million dollar question, and thats the main problem we have...not Family Guy, AC/DC or Harry Potter.
Friday, April 23, 2010
WWJD...the fad, the phenomenon!
Anyone who is even remotely familiar with Christian beliefs...whether they are full fledged Christians, or athiests who have ever talked to a Christian, is familiar with the acronym WWJD...or What Would Jesus Do? It's the question that Christians always ask one another when they are facing a decision. Frankly...I think this is ridiculous and needs to stop (to an extent). I definately think that we need to attempt to model our life like Jesus did, but it is really important to note that 3/4 of the stuff that we ask WWJD to, don't really matter. And frankl;y, most of what Jesus would do, we aren't capable of or don't have the balls to do. Let's look at this a little deeper.
Most of the Christians who use WWJD, seem to come to the conclusion that it's a simple black and white decision...well it's not. Jesus was often unpredictable. he did a lot of things that many of the "WWJD-Christians" wouldn't dream of doing. Many of the things that they decide Jesus wouldn't do, he would likely in fact have done. For example, may Christians will ask "Would Jesus go to this movie?" Well...probably yes. Jesus would go where he is needed. He put himself in situations that were uncomfortable, and that he could use as teaching moments. That would mean, that he would likely go to a movie that was violent, had sexual content and was vulgar, because it would give him an opportunity to spend time with those in need. he spent time with sinners. He went where it was "forbidden". If Jesus was here today, would you fidn him in the church, the Christian bookstore? Well, yes, he would likely be there, but he would also be at the raunchy movies, the strip clubs, the bars...the place where "sinners" are. That's where he went and who he spent his time with. He was with the prostitutes, the alcoholics...in fact in the bible people called him a "drunkard"...cause he spent his time with those people so much that he was associated with them.
So, you WWJDers...are you prepared to do that? Are you willing to go to those sinful places because that's what Jesus would do? I didn't think so.
I personally think that the whole notion of "WWJD" is off kilter. Make your own decisions...most people know what is right and wrong, and what they should do...just do it. If what you are doing is a sin, then stop...if what you are doing is bringing someone closer to God, or giving you an opportunity to help out someone in need...then do it. Yes, there are some grey areas...lots of them, but make your own decision. You don't need to constantly ask "Would Jesus wear this shirt/shoe combination?", "Would Jesus take this job?", "Would Jesus play golf?"...it's ridiculous, and it trivializes what Jesus came here for. he didn't come to earth to be put into a catchy acronym...he came to earth to redeem us...and TO DIE FOR US! That's what Jesus would do. he would live a life that pushed him to the outside..he would be associated with the hated, the unclean, the dirty and the sinners. He would be so revolutionary that he would ultimately die a horrible painful death. So stop wasting your time looking at the tacky bracelet before every small decision...frankly Jesus doesn't care where you live, what you eat, what you drink, who your friends are...and if he does want you in a certain place, he will arrange it to happen. Live your life, make your own decisions, and if you are going to attempt to completely follow WWJD then here are 3 things that you should do to live a life like Jesus, 1) never sin...ever, 2) spend most of your time with the homeless, outcast, sick, prostitutes, drug dealers, tax collectors, lwayers...the hated people, and 3) ultimately give your life up for people who hate you.
That's all I have to say about that. I realize that is controversial, that it is brass and brutal...but it's my opinion...what's yours?
Most of the Christians who use WWJD, seem to come to the conclusion that it's a simple black and white decision...well it's not. Jesus was often unpredictable. he did a lot of things that many of the "WWJD-Christians" wouldn't dream of doing. Many of the things that they decide Jesus wouldn't do, he would likely in fact have done. For example, may Christians will ask "Would Jesus go to this movie?" Well...probably yes. Jesus would go where he is needed. He put himself in situations that were uncomfortable, and that he could use as teaching moments. That would mean, that he would likely go to a movie that was violent, had sexual content and was vulgar, because it would give him an opportunity to spend time with those in need. he spent time with sinners. He went where it was "forbidden". If Jesus was here today, would you fidn him in the church, the Christian bookstore? Well, yes, he would likely be there, but he would also be at the raunchy movies, the strip clubs, the bars...the place where "sinners" are. That's where he went and who he spent his time with. He was with the prostitutes, the alcoholics...in fact in the bible people called him a "drunkard"...cause he spent his time with those people so much that he was associated with them.
So, you WWJDers...are you prepared to do that? Are you willing to go to those sinful places because that's what Jesus would do? I didn't think so.
I personally think that the whole notion of "WWJD" is off kilter. Make your own decisions...most people know what is right and wrong, and what they should do...just do it. If what you are doing is a sin, then stop...if what you are doing is bringing someone closer to God, or giving you an opportunity to help out someone in need...then do it. Yes, there are some grey areas...lots of them, but make your own decision. You don't need to constantly ask "Would Jesus wear this shirt/shoe combination?", "Would Jesus take this job?", "Would Jesus play golf?"...it's ridiculous, and it trivializes what Jesus came here for. he didn't come to earth to be put into a catchy acronym...he came to earth to redeem us...and TO DIE FOR US! That's what Jesus would do. he would live a life that pushed him to the outside..he would be associated with the hated, the unclean, the dirty and the sinners. He would be so revolutionary that he would ultimately die a horrible painful death. So stop wasting your time looking at the tacky bracelet before every small decision...frankly Jesus doesn't care where you live, what you eat, what you drink, who your friends are...and if he does want you in a certain place, he will arrange it to happen. Live your life, make your own decisions, and if you are going to attempt to completely follow WWJD then here are 3 things that you should do to live a life like Jesus, 1) never sin...ever, 2) spend most of your time with the homeless, outcast, sick, prostitutes, drug dealers, tax collectors, lwayers...the hated people, and 3) ultimately give your life up for people who hate you.
That's all I have to say about that. I realize that is controversial, that it is brass and brutal...but it's my opinion...what's yours?
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