Tag Archives: Jesus
Evicting Jesus
Courtesy of Creative Commons
Today I have been reflecting on the state of affairs with the Church and it’s members. Those who go on Sunday’s, fill up the pews and then walk out unchanged. Church has become nothing more than a social club or coffee clutch.
And we wonder why the world doesn’t respect Christians.
I can’t quite blame them. We are wishy washy, sensual, carnal, powerless, materialistic, selfish and self seeking. We only care about ourselves, our agendas, our concepts, our dreams and our works.
We appease our conscience by doing missions work or by feeding the homeless every now and then.
We Christian’s have been acting “politically correct” as not to offend anyone. We basically want our cake and eat it too.
I have decided not to mince words or keep silent anymore on issues I believe need a spotlight.
Lately, I have been noticing that Christians are walking on egg shells around nonbelievers. They don’t want to offend.
I am all fine and dandy about this to a point. But, when I have to make excuses for the sake of unbelievers or told to be sensitive to nonbelievers or to keep silent about my faith, then that’s where I draw the line.
You know why?
Because nonbelievers do and say whatever the heck they want and no one says a word to them. Yet I’m suppose to keep my mouth shut, not say anything about my faith for fear they will be offended or feel uncomfortable?
I walk down the streets of Manhattan and I am assaulted by unbelievers cursing up a storm and acting in offensive ways. I can’t do or say a thing about it either. But yet, I have to be careful around them for being a Christian?
I’m sorry, but there is something terribly wrong with this picture. For me, it’s called compromise. We want to please everyone, but if we call ourselves a Christ follower, then God requires us to please Him first.
Listen, I’m the last person to get in someone’s face and force them to believe in Jesus. But I sure as hell won’t be keeping silent or behaving like I’m not one. I don’t have to be ashamed of Jesus Christ.
Why do I have to make excuses or keep silent that I’m a Christian amongst unbelievers? Oh I see, I have to tolerate them, but they can’t tolerate me?
I presume I have to apologize for my mere existence or for the air I breathe too?
No one is apologizing to me for being a Muslim, Buddhist or Satanist? I don’t expect them to, but nor should they expect me to either.
The way I see it is this, if you are Christian, then you are a Christian, period. I shouldn’t have to squirm, apologize or pretend I’m someone other than who I am to please anyone.
Nor should I have to censor what I write or believe either. With all due respect, if you don’t like what I have to say, you don’t have to read or subscribe to my blog. I’m not here to win any popularity contests. I’m here to tell the truth as I see it. If you don’t agree with it, then please feel free to unsubscribe. I’m not going to compromise my beliefs for anyone… even if it means walking alone.
God gave me the gifts I have and He has blessed me with the ability to communicate and write. He has called me to use those gifts to encourage and edify the Body.
He did not say for us to bury our gifts, He said for us to use them for His glory, not use them for our own gain.
I’ve been reevaluating lately and the more I go on, the more disappointed and disillusioned I’ve become with the state of affairs. The world has seeped into the Church and Christians are acting no different than the unbelievers.
We have evicted Jesus from our Churches, from our projects, from our agendas, from our plans… and mostly, from our hearts. Do we really expect Him to be cool with that?
Sorry, but this isn’t how it works. Jesus said, “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33) He also said, “But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” (Rev. 3:16)
Yes, God is a loving God, but we can’t take His love for granted.
If Christians keep acting like He doesn’t exist as to not offend people, then I’m afraid the state of affairs is only going to get worse, not better.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you feel like you have to walk on egg shells, make excuses or pretend you are not a Christian for fear of offending unbelievers?
Posted in blogging, christianity, faith
Also tagged buddhists, Christianity, Church, compromise, Evict, Muslims, offense, Satanists, unbelievers
16 Comments
When You’ve Lost Your Dream
There was a time in my life where I couldn’t hear, see or sense God. I would pray and it was as if the heavens were brass.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
I thought my life would turn out one way and here I was, recovering from the aftermath of a difficult pregnancy, overweight, post partum, sleep deprived because my son was colic and unhappy.
I can’t tell you how hard life was for me back then. I would look around at my friends who were happy and pursuing their dreams.
But I wasn’t. I was stuck in a new reality that I did not want.
I kept asking God where He was. He didn’t seem like He was with me at all. I felt isolated and alone.
When we are in a difficult season of life, we think it will last forever.
My friends did their best to try and encourage me by saying, God is not over with me yet and He had a great plan for my life.
While I whispered under my breath, yeah right. I couldn’t see it. I felt as if God abandoned me.
I was miserable.
Instead of getting better, I got bitter. I was angry and I was envious of others who were living their lives the way I wished I could.
I honestly did not believe I would ever dream again.
I am happy to report I am dreaming again. I’m dreaming God’s dream for me before I came to earth.
You are probably wondering how long it took to get to this point. The answer is a decade. It was only up until recently I was able to dream again.
So for those of you who are raising babies, don’t know what your dreams are, feel really discouraged and inadequate, this is for you:
God has a plan for your life. He hasn’t given up on you. He hasn’t forgotten you. He hasn’t abandoned you. He loves you passionately. You are in a season right now. It won’t last forever. He is growing you in the process. Keep your eyes on Him, no matter what and He will see you through. You will dream again.
Have you stopped dreaming? Do you think God has forgotten you?
Posted in blogging, christianity, faith, Healing
Also tagged Depression, Dreams, God, Isolated, Lonely, Post Partum, Pregnancy, Sad
8 Comments
It’s Time to Fly
It’s a new year, faced with new challenges and new possibilities… it’s time to fly…
Courtesy of SkyDiving Masters/Creative Commons
I don’t know about you, but for years I’ve been trying to fly…
It’s been a constant struggle… every time I turn around there’s something happening. Situations pop out of nowhere and obstacles get in the way of reaching my full potential.
Awhile ago, I resigned myself to the fact that “one day” I will do this or that. I found myself sitting around… waiting, hoping, praying, wishing and dreaming.
As if something magical would happen to get me to where I wanted to go without doing the work or going through struggles.
I had everything I needed… except belief in myself. Mostly, belief in God.
I limited God, therefore I limited myself.
We do have a choice. We can either choose to believe truth or listen to lies.
*********
I played footsies with the devil for years… we kept dancing the same dance. As time went on, I started to believe this was my life.
I listened to his lies, his whispers and his seductions… luring me here and there like a puppet.
I was at his mercy, controlled by the puppet master… believing in the goods he was selling me. Thinking it was all I deserved, all I was worthy of.
He showed me his kingdom and I believed that’s all life had to offer… Yeah, sure, I read the bible, I went to church, but deep down I felt like an outcast, lurking behind the shadows with his minions.
I wanted to fly, but I was trapped… like a bird in a cage… set free only to do his bidding… manipulated, deceived, used and abused… lost and in utter despair…
He convinced me that I would never fly again. His words echoed, “You are damaged goods baby, who’s gonna want you now…”
I can still hear him, with each step I take and risk I make. The only difference is that now I know he has no power.
My belief in Jesus is stronger and His voice is louder.
He thought he had me… and he did for a while. But, praise God, those days are over.
This year I’m not going to limit God or myself. Even when it gets tough and challenges sneak up (which they have already)… I will continue to focus on Him, believe and not give up.
It’s your time to fly too… will you soar with Him this year?
Posted in blogging, christianity, faith
Also tagged 2013, Believing, deliverance, hope, Overcoming
24 Comments
Night With A Perfect Stranger by David Gregory
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 144
Vendor: Worthy Publishing
Publication Date: 2012
ISBN: 1936034867
ISBN-13: 9781936034864
Retail Price: $14.99
Purchase: Amazon | BN | CBD
Description
Nick Cominisky’s spiritual life is running on empty. With his passion diluted by religious routine and the sapping circumstances of everyday life, he longs to reconnect with God, but following the standard spiritual prescriptions just isn’t working. Since when did loving God become such an overwhelming, tedious task?
After meeting Jesus in person under amazing circumstances six years ago, Nick figured life would be smooth sailing, not coasting downhill. Why didn’t Jesus tell him how to make the Christian life work?
Just when Nick is stopped dead in his tracks–stranded on the side of the highway with an empty gas tank and miles to go–he finds himself in rich compoany once more. Jesus has returned to give Nick the refueling he desparately needs. And like their first meeting, it’s not at all what he expects.
Review
Over a year ago, I read and reviewed Dinner With A Perfect Stranger by David Gregory. I really enjoyed the book, so I was excited to be able to read Night With A Perfect Stranger.
I read this short book in one night. I couldn’t put it down. I have to be honest, I love reading David Gregory’s books. His books are fun, not preachy and loaded with theological truth.
I had this book sitting on a shelf for awhile and was prompted to read it this weekend. I understand why now. Night With A Perfect Stranger addressed a lot of my questions and concerns.
For instance, why religion and a set of rules doesn’t work. Recently, I have been provoked to look at my Christian walk more closely. Perhaps going through Hurricane Sandy made me look deeper into myself and my walk with Christ.
There is nothing like going through storms to see where you are at in your Christian walk. Night With A Perfect Stranger was a healing balm for my anxious heart and questioning soul.
“Without personally knowing how deeply you’re loved, without living in our love, you can’t function. Not as you were designed to. Being filled with God’s love means being filled with God himself. And someone who overflows with God will bear all the fruit God ever intended–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness.” (Page 100)
This paragraph really spoke to me in a personal way. I believe what is missing in Christians is love. There is a lot of religion, but not love. The only way Christians can love others the way Christ does is when they know how much God loves them.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I believe this book is a great ministering and evangelistic tool.
In conclusion, I want to thank Worthy Publishers for sending me a complimentary copy to review.
David Gregory is the author of the New York Times Extended Bestseller Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, as well as A Day with a Perfect Stranger, The Next Level, The Last Christian, and coauthor of the nonfiction The Rest of the Gospel. After a ten-year business career, David earned masters degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and the University of North Texas. He now writes full-time and lives in the Pacific Northwest.
A Balancing Act
Ever feel like you are doing this in your life?
Courtesy of Creative Commons
Lately, I’ve been feeling like this Orangutan.
I’ve been on walking the tight rope of life and it’s turning out to be a balancing act.
This past weekend I had to take a step back and reassess my life. I knew if I didn’t, I was slowly going to crash and burn.
I started thinking about how I wound up here. Why had I taken on so much? What motivated me?
I realized it all came down to fear. I was afraid to say ‘no’ and letting people down. I am the type who loves to help, encourage and support others.
This time I went too far in the people pleasing department.
I reevaluated what I was doing and why I was doing it. Granted, what I am doing is good and harmless.
However, is it what God wants and is He in it?
Am I really asking Him what He wants me to do? Or am I going about my business doing what I think is right in my own eyes? (Proverbs 21:2)
The truth is I haven’t been asking Him. I got swept up in the fervor of helping others.
Before I knew it, I found myself in a cyclone, being thrown every which way.
All because I didn’t want to disappoint anyone.
So, guess what happened?
I started feeling worn down, worn out, exhausted and thus, unhappy. I realized I started to lose the proper spirit or attitude in my giving.
I was doing everything out of a sense of obligation, therefore, begrudgingly.
However, God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
The fault is mine and mine alone. Noone forced me or made me do anything. I made the choice.
However, when I had my meltdown this weekend, I realized something had to change. I couldn’t keep going the way I was.
I also started to feel convicted about what I was doing and reached some conclusions:
- God doesn’t want us building kingdoms for ourselves on earth.
- God doesn’t want us pleasing others more than Him.
- God doesn’t want us to manipulate or scheme to get ahead or succeed.
- God wants us to trust Him with the results.
Something was getting lost along the way with social media, (i.e., promoting and marketing strategies).
I know the Lord has been trying to get my attention because lately, the whole social media/marketing/promotion thing hasn’t been feeling right to me.
Life is short to be trying to build our little kingdoms here on earth.
My husband made a valid point when he reminded me of what the Lord did to the Tower of Babel.
Christians are not suppose to take their lead from the world. We are suppose to take our lead from God.
Does this seem narrow to you? Do you find it legalistic?
I am far from being a legalist, but I will say this, if whatever you’re pursuing doesn’t line up with the Word of God, then you are building on sand.
It’s like those sand castles we build on the beach, they eventually get washed away by the waves. They simply don’t last.
Such is our dreams and pursuits, if they are not Christ centered, then they won’t last.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather art be inspired, blessed and prospered by God, than by man’s scheming, marketing and promotion any day.
Personally, I’d rather just trust God with the success of anything I pursue, whether it be art, writing, singing, cooking, etc… You can’t go wrong.
Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Do you agree? I would be interested in reading your thoughts on this.
Posted in blogging, christianity, faith
Also tagged Balancing, Life, Priorities, Social Media, Success
6 Comments
Will You Say “Yes”?
I am participating in Blogging Through the Book: The Gospel of Yes by Pastor Mike Glenn. This series was birthed by Dana Pittman, who is an amazing writer and speaker. I am honored to be partnering with her and her amazing team of writers. Every Wednesday we will be blogging our thoughts and insights from this book.
“All of us are broken. And accepting God’s mercy in Christ does not magically repair the shattered pieces of life.” ~ Mike Glenn
This quote is taken from the chapter entitled, “The ‘Yes’ of the Cross.”
To be honest, I had difficulty reading this chapter. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great and meaty chapter. However, truth has a way of barging into places you’d rather keep shut.
Truth has a way of breaking us.
In John 14:6, Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life. When the truth pierces the darkness, lies are exposed.
Your soul is left naked.
I guess that’s how Adam and Eve felt after they ate the forbidden fruit. Eve fell for the lie and brought Adam down with her. Next thing you know, they are running for cover.
There are things we’d rather keep hidden.
If you’ve walked on this earth long enough, there will be situations you’ll want to forget and wish never happened.
We all wish we had the ability to go back in time and do things differently. However, this is impossible.
Shame and guilt hound us and we continue to run.
Jesus doesn’t want us to run or hide in shame anymore. He wants to expose every broken place in our lives.
He wants to heal us.
But, He isn’t going to force it on us. He is a gentlemen.
Once we receive Him into our hearts and lives, we are His. We are no longer our own. We were bought with a price.
He doesn’t want us remaining as we are. He doesn’t want us trapped in bondage. He doesn’t want us believing the lies.
He doesn’t want us living shattered lives.
Jesus is the redeemer of our souls. He wants to reach down into those dark crevices of our hearts and heal us. Those ugly places we want to hide and pretend don’t exist.
“But from start, healing work occurs on the inside. In time, seeds planted in secret by God’s Spirit will blossom into the harvest of a radically changed life. Right now, however, at least on the surface, nothing will seem to have changed. Even with Christ in us and with us, the hard circumstances of life are still there, staring us in the eyes. That’s because Jesus isn’t changing the situation but the person.” (Chapter 5, Pages 68-69)
God wants to do spiritual surgery. He wants to set us free. He longs to make us whole.
Will you say “yes” to the Cross?
Blogging Through the Book is a group of bloggers who literally blog while reading the book. It’s different than merely reading a book and posting a review. We have a chance to read and share our thoughts in community. To learn more visit www.danapittman.com.
Posted in blogging, christianity, Healing
Also tagged Blogging Through the Book, Dana Pittman, Mike Glenn, The Gospel of Yes
4 Comments
When He Plans The Next Step…
I’d like to introduce Heidi Kreider. She is a dear friend and my first guest to post on my new blog. I am so grateful to God to have crossed paths with her on the Michael Hyatt Platform Team and become friends. She is a gifted writer and godly woman. She authored a wonderful book called The Secret of Counting Gifts which she will be talking more about below.
Abruptly my life course changed direction. Though it wasn’t an earth shattering change, I felt like I had lost my purpose. For a decade I homeschooled. I thought I would graduate all three of my children. Instead, our home school whittled down to one. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. My life didn’t look like the picture I carried around in my head.
A wise one once said, “the years reveal what the days cannot see.” In my insecurity, God was already at work. He had the next step of my life planned. He brought to fruition a life long dream of mine, to be an author. There was never enough time in a day to pursue any serious writing… until my life course changed direction. My God works that way, often in ways that I only recognize in hindsight.
I am now an author. More importantly, I am a Jesus lover, wife of 18 years, and mom to 3. I’ve spent the past fifteen years at home. My days are full taxing my children to their various events, adventuring on field trips, and laughing uproariously with my friends. I count gifts daily and seek grace and forgiveness hourly. I have been blessed with deep friendships and have prayed many friends through the horrific battle of breast cancer.
While homeschooling just one, I wrote my first novel, The Secret of Counting Gifts and the accompanying journal The Secret of Counting Gifts Gratitude Journal. Both are now available in eBook and paperback through Amazon.com.
The Secret of Counting Gifts is a story about life, friendship, hardship, and gratitude. It is the story of Kris McClintock and Liz Bower and their friendship that spans twenty-eight years.
Through marriage, babies, and infidelity they stand by each other and hold one another up… until breast cancer delivers the final blow. As she sits by Liz, Kris recounts the trials and blessings that made them who they are. She tells their story and recalls the many “gifts” they have been blessed with throughout the years. She shares of how Liz taught her to notice the gifts in each day and to live with a grateful heart. It is through the telling of their story that the secret of counting gifts is discovered….
I look forward to seeing how God will use this next step in my life. Throughout this month, I am on a virtual book tour. You can see the stops along the way at www.heidikreider.com.
Come on over and say “Hey!” and register for my giveaway… autographed copies of The Secret of Counting Gifts and The Secret of Counting Gifts Gratitude Journal in a hand-made basket.
I’d love to chat. How has your life direction changed? What is your next step?
**Heidi Kreider is a wife, mother, author, and friend. She blogs about life, grace, and gratitude at www.heidikreider.com.
Posted in book reviews
Also tagged faith, Heidi Kreider, The Secret of Counting Gifts, Writing
2 Comments
Book Review: Passages by Brian Hardin
Passages by Brian Hardin
ISBN-13: 9780310329190
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication date: 11/28/2011
Pages: 224
Price: $14.99
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | CBD
The journey is the destination.
Description
Many of us would love to read the Bible more often, but we rarely make time for more than a few verses on the run.
But the Bible was never meant to be read in short segments here and there when you can fit it in. The Bible is meant to be experienced in sizable chunks–in passages–and read daily. It is not a book of mystical incantations, but the story of God’s passionate love–for you. It is not a distant relic, but a best friend offering counsel and companionship–for today.
Through his own remarkable story, Brian Hardin shows you how reading through the Bible in a year changed his life and how it will change yours too. Passages goes beyond exploring how the Bible was meant to be read, providing three distinct Bible reading plans to help you get started doing it right now.
Hardin, whose daily podcasts has more than a million listeners a month, guarantees you a life revolution, if you will only commit to a few minutes a day to read through the Bible in a year.
As you rediscover the joy of reading the Bible, visit www.dailyaudiobible.com and join a community of fellow readers to share your thoughts on your new adventure.
Review
I read Passages in two days. As soon as I read the description, I was hooked. I can’t tell you what an incredible book this is. I have read many books on this subject, but Passages is in a league by itself.
Brian Hardin begins by explaining how he came to read the bible everyday. He gives his testimony in Chapter One entitled “The Olive Couch”. Chapter Two talks about the reasons why we don’t read our bible. This was one of my favorite chapters.
Our number one excuse for not reading our bible is lack of time..
“Time is always an enemy. Reading Scripture is always on our perpetual to-do list; but as the day goes by, it ends up at the bottom of the list, and by the time we fall into bed, we’re just too exhausted to read anything that requires serious thought.” (Page 32)
Can you relate? I know I can because I struggle with this myself. The other is understandability which Brian Hardin discusses as well.
“The Bible is written as a story, a story that has not yet reached its conclusion. The story has wound its way through battlefields and wedding nights, through birthing chambers and funeral parlors, from transcendent pleasure to utter hopelessness. This is the unstoppable story of God and his profound love for humanity.” (Page 35)
Chapter Six was extremely interesting for me. The chapter discusses “Lectio Divina: Divine Reading”.
“Lectio divina is an unhurried, contemplative reading of a portion of Scripture. The practice of lectio divina includes four steps: Lectio, read; Meditatio, meditate; Oratio, speak or pray; and Contemplatio, contemplate or rest.” (Page 103, 105)
Brian Hardin also writes that reading the Word of God out loud has remarkable power and authority. I admit, I never read the Bible out loud to myself. However, after reading this book, I will now apply this new practice to my daily bible reading.
Brian Hardin has a unique, creative and eloquent writing style. Passages inspired me so much. I am now listening to his daily podcasts and also joined Daily Audio Bible online community.
If you struggle with reading the Bible, I highly recommend this book. Passages is full of wisdom and inspiration. I especially loved reading people’s testimonies throughout the book.
In conclusion, I want to thank Brian Hardin for writing this book. I also want to thank Litfuse Publicity and Zondervan Publishers for sending me a complimentary copy of this book to read and review.
Brian Hardin is a speaker, photographer, record producer, and an ordained minister. In 2006, he created the Daily Audio Bible, an online podcast that now delivers 1.5 million downloads a month. He has produced over 150 albums and works with artists and the arts extensively. He is married to Christian musician Jill Parr.
Posted in book reviews
Also tagged Bible reading, Brian Hardin, Daily Audio Bible, Holy Bible, Lectio Divina, Passages
2 Comments
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