We FINALLY got snow here... I LOVE SNOW!!!
Can you tell which one does not belong?
See ya - going back to play in the snow :-)
(((hugs))),
chris
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
Numbers 6:25
Numbers 6:25
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Saturday, February 2, 2013
What is a Christian?
That's an extremely subjective question, but since I have been thinking about it so much lately here's my 2 cents.
I have seen "Christians" lately being so judgmental, exclusive, and critical. It pisses me off. I believe these days non-believers are turned off by Christians. And I can't blame them. How can non-believers learn to embrace the gospel when they see "Christians" talking down at them and criticizing them rather than embracing them? When they see "Christians" judging them rather than forgiving them? When they see "Christians" preaching one thing and doing another? When they see "Christians" avoiding them rather than sidling up next to them and loving them right where they are?
“Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden. Luke 11:46
Looking back on my childhood, one half of my family was Greek Orthodox* and the other was Catholic*. I don't know much about either of those; I only know what I saw in church. And what I saw those family members doing at home. Haha.
My experience with Greek Orthodox church: very ceremonial, ornamental, symbolic and serious. Every step and movement and chant seems to symbolize something. I like the symbolism. Not the seriousness or pomp so much. I remember going to one particular service long ago. I dressed up very fancy, kind of like if I was going to a fancy wedding or something. I was wearing a silk blouse and slacks and heels if I remember correctly. So after the service a very old Greek man came up to me and yelled at me because I wasn't wearing a dress... how dare I wear pants to their church! (BTW my uncle gave the sermon that day :) My experience with Greek family: many of the older family members were bigots, racists, and two-faced talking about each other behind their backs. They saw each other on holidays and were there for each other if needed, but it seemed that came out of a sense of obligation rather than loving on their family. Fast forward in my life: after my YiaYia died, I didn't talk to any of them for years (even my priest uncle stopped returning my calls), and I have now thankfully reconnected with a few of my cousins on Facebook... NOT out of a sense of obligation :)
My experience with the Catholic church: ceremonial, dry, with monotonous responses given by the attendees at the appropriate times. The Catholic side of the family is awesome. They love each other and irritate each other and love each other some more. They enjoy each other (at least the majority of the time haha ;) and visit with each other outside of holiday times. They mostly see each other at baseball games because they are terribly addicted to baseball in an obsessive-compulsive way. GO WHITE SOX!!! (Sorry Uncle Mike.) And some of them read this blog. Which is very cool of course. Many of them no longer go to Catholic churches, but have found other church homes. I remember my first confession being terrifying. I remember the mandatory CCD classes but I don't remember anything we learned there, and my sister and I never made it to confirmation. I remember being at church, but I don't remember any Jesus stuff about being at church. I do remember Father Grady. Oh, you guys would love Father Grady. He's a smily short Irish guy. He loves our family all so much and remembers everyone and everything he ever knew about them and - wow - what a cool guy. Truly genuinely exudes love for everyone around him ~ he's an example of shining God's light and love out to the world. Anyhoo, I'm not sure what our family has to do with the Catholic religion... we never talked about Jesus or God or prayed together.
My parents didn't teach us right from wrong using a biblical view. Our home life was way too volatile and violent to be anything close to what they were talking about at church.
In my childhood, church was separate from the rest of my life. Jason and I don't want that for our kids. Jesus is part of our family. Intentionally.
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6
So what is a Christian?
I read this the other day and it totally resonated with me:
The difference between religion and Christianity is, basically, that religion is man's attempt to reach God, and Christianity is God reaching out to man.
So all that ceremony? And the need to do the right thing and dress a certain way and follow the "rules"? That's all people, my peeps. Let's remember who Jesus hung out with when He was here on earth. He hung out with the prostitutes and the thieves and the drunks... He earned his reputation as a "friend of sinners".
I believe Christians are imperfect. We screw up and we sin. We screw up and we sin. We screw up and we sin. That's me too. I screw up and I sin. We need to know that we need Jesus. Only Jesus can set us back on track.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Every day we get a fresh start. Another chance. No matter who we are. And no matter what we did before we believed. Even if we were a drunk or a prostitute or a murderer. Jesus erases all our sins and we start out new every day.
If you do go to church on a regular basis, look around during your worship service. You are looking at people who have cheated on their spouses, who have had abortions, who have beaten their children, who have lied and stolen, who have molested, who have turned away from the Lord and who have turned back.
In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:7
Jesus hung out with the rejects, He cozied up to them and He forgave them, and then lovingly invited them into his community of people who were being made new.
Jesus wants each of us, and all of each of us.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
But forgiveness is so hard for us mere humans. We remember. We remember those wrongs and oh man they did that horrible thing. We let the memory of those sins color our views of other people.
I want to be like Jesus.
I want to look at people like Jesus sees them. Beautiful. Broken and beautiful.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
So what is a Christian?
I think a Christian is someone who loves God and who loves those around him. Period.
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
Love God. Love others. This is our church's philosophy and is the focus of everything our church does. This is truly most important part of being a Christian ~ loving like Jesus.
I also think a Christian is someone who lives like Jesus. I don't think Christians need to shove the gospel down others' throats and tell non-believers that they will burn in hell if they don't turn to Jesus... but rather to live in a way that shines God's love out to the world.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16
Be the Christ-like example of LOVE and forgiveness and mercy and faith.
So what is a Christian?
A Christian is a sinner who chooses to love Jesus, and to love like Jesus, and to live like Jesus.
(((hugs))),
chris
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Romans 3:22
I have seen "Christians" lately being so judgmental, exclusive, and critical. It pisses me off. I believe these days non-believers are turned off by Christians. And I can't blame them. How can non-believers learn to embrace the gospel when they see "Christians" talking down at them and criticizing them rather than embracing them? When they see "Christians" judging them rather than forgiving them? When they see "Christians" preaching one thing and doing another? When they see "Christians" avoiding them rather than sidling up next to them and loving them right where they are?
“Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden. Luke 11:46
Looking back on my childhood, one half of my family was Greek Orthodox* and the other was Catholic*. I don't know much about either of those; I only know what I saw in church. And what I saw those family members doing at home. Haha.
*Not meaning to bash any one religion (or two)... these are my personal experiences :)
My experience with Greek Orthodox church: very ceremonial, ornamental, symbolic and serious. Every step and movement and chant seems to symbolize something. I like the symbolism. Not the seriousness or pomp so much. I remember going to one particular service long ago. I dressed up very fancy, kind of like if I was going to a fancy wedding or something. I was wearing a silk blouse and slacks and heels if I remember correctly. So after the service a very old Greek man came up to me and yelled at me because I wasn't wearing a dress... how dare I wear pants to their church! (BTW my uncle gave the sermon that day :) My experience with Greek family: many of the older family members were bigots, racists, and two-faced talking about each other behind their backs. They saw each other on holidays and were there for each other if needed, but it seemed that came out of a sense of obligation rather than loving on their family. Fast forward in my life: after my YiaYia died, I didn't talk to any of them for years (even my priest uncle stopped returning my calls), and I have now thankfully reconnected with a few of my cousins on Facebook... NOT out of a sense of obligation :)
My experience with the Catholic church: ceremonial, dry, with monotonous responses given by the attendees at the appropriate times. The Catholic side of the family is awesome. They love each other and irritate each other and love each other some more. They enjoy each other (at least the majority of the time haha ;) and visit with each other outside of holiday times. They mostly see each other at baseball games because they are terribly addicted to baseball in an obsessive-compulsive way. GO WHITE SOX!!! (Sorry Uncle Mike.) And some of them read this blog. Which is very cool of course. Many of them no longer go to Catholic churches, but have found other church homes. I remember my first confession being terrifying. I remember the mandatory CCD classes but I don't remember anything we learned there, and my sister and I never made it to confirmation. I remember being at church, but I don't remember any Jesus stuff about being at church. I do remember Father Grady. Oh, you guys would love Father Grady. He's a smily short Irish guy. He loves our family all so much and remembers everyone and everything he ever knew about them and - wow - what a cool guy. Truly genuinely exudes love for everyone around him ~ he's an example of shining God's light and love out to the world. Anyhoo, I'm not sure what our family has to do with the Catholic religion... we never talked about Jesus or God or prayed together.
My parents didn't teach us right from wrong using a biblical view. Our home life was way too volatile and violent to be anything close to what they were talking about at church.
In my childhood, church was separate from the rest of my life. Jason and I don't want that for our kids. Jesus is part of our family. Intentionally.
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Proverbs 22:6
So what is a Christian?
I read this the other day and it totally resonated with me:
The difference between religion and Christianity is, basically, that religion is man's attempt to reach God, and Christianity is God reaching out to man.
So all that ceremony? And the need to do the right thing and dress a certain way and follow the "rules"? That's all people, my peeps. Let's remember who Jesus hung out with when He was here on earth. He hung out with the prostitutes and the thieves and the drunks... He earned his reputation as a "friend of sinners".
I believe Christians are imperfect. We screw up and we sin. We screw up and we sin. We screw up and we sin. That's me too. I screw up and I sin. We need to know that we need Jesus. Only Jesus can set us back on track.
The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Every day we get a fresh start. Another chance. No matter who we are. And no matter what we did before we believed. Even if we were a drunk or a prostitute or a murderer. Jesus erases all our sins and we start out new every day.
If you do go to church on a regular basis, look around during your worship service. You are looking at people who have cheated on their spouses, who have had abortions, who have beaten their children, who have lied and stolen, who have molested, who have turned away from the Lord and who have turned back.
In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:7
Jesus hung out with the rejects, He cozied up to them and He forgave them, and then lovingly invited them into his community of people who were being made new.
Jesus wants each of us, and all of each of us.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
But forgiveness is so hard for us mere humans. We remember. We remember those wrongs and oh man they did that horrible thing. We let the memory of those sins color our views of other people.
I want to be like Jesus.
I want to look at people like Jesus sees them. Beautiful. Broken and beautiful.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
So what is a Christian?
I think a Christian is someone who loves God and who loves those around him. Period.
And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
Love God. Love others. This is our church's philosophy and is the focus of everything our church does. This is truly most important part of being a Christian ~ loving like Jesus.
I also think a Christian is someone who lives like Jesus. I don't think Christians need to shove the gospel down others' throats and tell non-believers that they will burn in hell if they don't turn to Jesus... but rather to live in a way that shines God's love out to the world.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14-16
Be the Christ-like example of LOVE and forgiveness and mercy and faith.
So what is a Christian?
A Christian is a sinner who chooses to love Jesus, and to love like Jesus, and to live like Jesus.
(((hugs))),
chris
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Romans 3:22
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