What It Really Means...

I'm no saint and I've certainly "lost my witness" more than a few times in my life. I've missed many opportunities to "be Jesus" to people who needed to see Him in me, I won't deny.
I don't claim to be perfect and I'm definitely not holier-than-thou.

But what does it mean to be a Christian?

I know some Christians who will bend over backwards to attend an outreach or make a donation, but when you say "Hello" to them, they look the other way or simply turn around.
They profess a philosophy of "servant" to anyone who is listening, but they are anything but to people in their own church.
They give their time and money, but when it comes to being friendly -- or, for that matter, just cordial -- to someone they feel is beneath them, their attitude does a 180*.
Why?
This is certainly not the example Jesus set for His disciples!

Several years ago, when my oldest daughter was going through Confirmation at another church, the students were all given shirts that read, "Claim the Name." After observing a few of the students' behavior, on several occasions, I wondered if they even knew what the phrase meant.
How can one "claim the Name" of Jesus while acting like a pompous, uptight jerk?
Are we mocking God when we choose to condescend to those we have deemed beneath ourselves?
How can we profess the love of Jesus while acting like we are above the very people we are serving beside?
Seriously, where do we get off?

Not that this behavior is ok for anyone.
Really, who does anyone think they are?
Arrogance and pride are ugly traits no matter who you are. But for Christians, they are downright destructive.
We need to remember this: If not for God's grace, mercy, and the fate of being born who, where and when we are, we might be in the place of those we cast judgment upon...
So much of what we believe makes us "superior" was GIVEN to us, freely. We didn't "earn" it or "deserve" it. It was just given.
So, how can we -- especially we, who claim the Name -- treat anyone as anything less than another precious soul, a friend, a brother or sister in Christ?

If we are going to call ourselves "Christian," then we had better understand just what that really means.

Don't Shoot the Messenger!!!

Ok, let me just preface this by saying it is NOT aimed at anyone in particular! I have a lot of friends (who I love) who do this and this is not meant to be a scolding of them.

But I was convicted to write this post awhile back (like 3 months ago) and I have put off actually writing it until now...
How many know it's never a good idea to procrastinate on something you think God is telling you to do???
Even now -- as I sit typing -- the words are just pouring out.
Perhaps this is to be a warning for someone I love.
Or maybe for a complete stranger.
Or maybe just for me.
Whatever the reason, just know that I felt REALLY, REALLY compelled to write it.

A couple weeks ago, I heard about this story and I could not shake it from my mind.
Then, last week, I saw a member of my church doing the same thing.
At least, I think it was a member... they were leaving the church parking lot. I didn't really get a good look at them, but that's beside the point.

My point is this: What would it do to your testimony -- not to mention your life --if you accidentally killed someone because you were texting while driving?

Yes, I realize there were other things at play (like speeding) when the woman in the article slammed into a bunch of stopped cars, but there doesn't need to be any other extenuating circumstances for something like this to happen.
As stories like this and this point out, even experienced texters are at risk...
And who can forget these shocking photos?
This young man was texting and accidentally veered into oncoming traffic. He did not survive.


Maybe you think: "Well, but I'm always careful and nothing has happened yet..."
That doesn't mean it won't.
Maybe you think -- because you are a Christian or a good person -- that God won't let anything happen to you while you do this, but He will.
Just as someone who binges on food will become fat and someone who smokes may get lung cancer... even if they are Christians.
Even Christians have to face the consequences of their actions.
And so will their families.

If the articles/pictures/rationale above doesn't sway you, then let me appeal to the very basic fact, that as Christians, we are instructed and expected to obey all laws. Furthermore, we should be ever mindful of how our behaviors are being observed and interpreted by others. What we DO is far more important than what we SAY.

If the deacon of a large church texts while driving and causes a wreck, it won't matter that he's a deacon. He will go to jail.
If a nursery volunteer is texting and accidentally hits and kills a pedestrian, a life is still lost. She has taken a life for a moment of her own convenience.
And she will have to account for that life.

I don't care how important the text may be or if you are too busy to stop, if you need to read/return a text,
PULL OVER.
Or wait for the next stop light.
If you have a wreck while texting, you'll be a whole lot later than if you had just pulled over for 2 minutes.

Like I said, I don't know who this was meant for, but if you are convicted by it, consider yourself warned.
God may be trying to tell you something.

Attitude Adjustment

Ok, so I like to stir the pot a bit... I do; I admit it.
But I like to make people THINK.

Recently, a good friend of mine posted something on his/her blog that caused quite a stir.
It was (essentially) about legalism within the church.
Now, I have listened to both sides of the debate and I have another perspective to offer:
It's all fine and good to stand firm about your beliefs regarding drinking, smoking, dancing, etc. and I *do* agree that LEADERSHIP in the church should be held to a higher standard (that, in and of itself, may be a double standard, but oh well), but I wonder how many people get their knickers in a knot about the *obvious* things, while completely disregarding WAY more offensive words/actions by so-called Christians.

This post is NOT a response to my friend's blog, but rather, a response to something I read online yesterday:


"I don't reject your Christ; I love your Christ.
It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ."
-- Mahatma Ghandi

Wow.
I don't know if Ghandi actually said that, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's true.
Isn't that sad?
I wanted to cry when I read this and REALLY thought about it... I know SO many "good" Christians who have said and done things to me and in front of me that I thought, "Wow; what if I were not already saved???"

And please don't misunderstand me; I shudder to think of all the offenses I have committed, oblivious to their impact on those around me!
So, while I think it IS good for us to debate aspects of legalism and its place in the Church, I would like for us to think about this... Have I ever said or done any of the following that may have caused someone to think I am not like Christ?

Have you ever:

• Told a racist joke or made a racist comment?
• Made a sexist remark?
• Treated someone who was unattractive or overweight like they are somehow inferior to you?
• Treated someone who is not popular/well-liked like they are unimportant?
• Lorded your position of authority over someone as though you achieved it by inherent gift & not by grace?
• Acted as though you don't have the time of day to listen to someone in need because they are not "important enough?"
• Treated someone as beneath you just because they don't dress like you, look like you, or live like you?

When I talk to those who are not Christians (and who claim they never want to be), they do not point to legalism as their reasons for shunning the church. They point to the attitudes and behavior of the so-called Christians in the church:
People who speak one thing, but do another.

God, help me to never offend another human being against your offer of salvation -- by ANYTHING that I say or do.