4/18/08
worthwhile read
I am linking to this post that is worth reading. It is my friend, Jeremy Bradshaw, and he tackles some Myths about Teaching the Bible.
A Man with Faith (by Joseph Carter)
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20. These words were written about 2,040 years ago by a man whose reputation preceded him among the Jewish culture. He knew more about what it meant to be a Jew and about his own Jewish heritage than most. Not only that but he was taking his religion, and his life that revolved around it, to the next level. In doing that he was finding the people who posed to be a real threat to his belief and persecuted them and approved them to be murdered. He did all of this for what he believed to be a right and just cause. He did it because that’s what he thought God wanted. He didn’t know Christ, didn’t want to know Christ, and wanted to kill those who believed in Him. Paul was this man. Take it that Paul was misguided in doing these things; he still had more zeal and a true yearning for doing the will of the Lord. One day he was traveling to a city to sign off on persecuting the Christians there, and then Jesus appeared to Paul, formally Saul, and said “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” and he said, “Who are You Lord?” and He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” (Acts 9:4-6) Paul became blind after seeing Jesus and while going into the city of Damascus with his men, he met a disciple named Ananias whom the Lord spoke to telling him to go meet Saul so that he might regain his sight. After Paul regained his sight, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and then baptized. Paul once was misguided by the Jewish law, something he was told to believe in then made the choice to truly commit to it.
How many times does the American or worldly culture tell us Christians something to believe in, then we become misguided in what we believe, then we commit to what we were told about it. We realize what we’re doing is wrong then we turn back to God then something similar happens, then the cycle starts all over again. Something and the only thing that can keep us close to God and fighting the good fight is for God to move in you so that you’ll realize it’s no longer you who lives, but Christ lives in you; and the life you now live in is just the flesh and you live by faith in the Son of God, who loves you and gave Himself up you. I think the key phrase in Galatians 2:20 is ‘live by faith’. Our lives are often not lived by faith. They’re often lived by our own understanding on how to live and what we think is right. They’re often lived by our righteousness and what we gain from things. The same Jewish man that put the “die” in “die hard” also wrote that all the things that he gained from the Law or from what he thought was right he now counts them as loss or “rubbish” so he may gain Christ (Philippians 3). He also says that so he “may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,” Philippians 3:9. Paul put his faith in the righteousness of Christ instead of his own righteousness because he knows that the pure value of knowing Christ goes far beyond anything he gained through what he use to believe in. That is truly living by faith. John will explain more of this in an up coming blog, but ways to have that faith and to continue to have that faith is to:
1. read the word
2. reflect on what you’ve read
3. pray
4. share the gospel
I encourage you all to do these things and do them fervently so that you may gain more and more of Christ.
How many times does the American or worldly culture tell us Christians something to believe in, then we become misguided in what we believe, then we commit to what we were told about it. We realize what we’re doing is wrong then we turn back to God then something similar happens, then the cycle starts all over again. Something and the only thing that can keep us close to God and fighting the good fight is for God to move in you so that you’ll realize it’s no longer you who lives, but Christ lives in you; and the life you now live in is just the flesh and you live by faith in the Son of God, who loves you and gave Himself up you. I think the key phrase in Galatians 2:20 is ‘live by faith’. Our lives are often not lived by faith. They’re often lived by our own understanding on how to live and what we think is right. They’re often lived by our righteousness and what we gain from things. The same Jewish man that put the “die” in “die hard” also wrote that all the things that he gained from the Law or from what he thought was right he now counts them as loss or “rubbish” so he may gain Christ (Philippians 3). He also says that so he “may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,” Philippians 3:9. Paul put his faith in the righteousness of Christ instead of his own righteousness because he knows that the pure value of knowing Christ goes far beyond anything he gained through what he use to believe in. That is truly living by faith. John will explain more of this in an up coming blog, but ways to have that faith and to continue to have that faith is to:
1. read the word
2. reflect on what you’ve read
3. pray
4. share the gospel
I encourage you all to do these things and do them fervently so that you may gain more and more of Christ.
Can you be too much like Christ? (by John Denby)
You may be thinking that this is a dumb question to ponder, but don't be so quick to come to that conclusion. Remember this blog is called against the flow: striving to live counter-culturally, and I think American Christianity answers this question differently than God's Word.
I went to public school, and it was cool to call yourself a Christian but not to live it. As soon as you started looking too much like Christ, you would be ostracized. I really expect this in the "world," but I believe this sad truth can be found inside the church. When you follow Christ with all your heart, soul, and mind, the Lord convicts you of many things. Most of the time these convictions lead to a change of lifestyle, attitude, and daily practice.
I see some church goers look down on people inside the church. If someone knows a lot about the Bible, then they are labeled "Bible thumper." Even faithfully bringing your Bible to church may be too much for some. When someone is devoted to following Christ at all costs, we may think they have gone to far with this Christianity. What I am trying to provoke is that we are way to comfortable with our way of life. Christ calls us to some pretty heavy things, but we like things just the way they are.
Some heavy things Christ calls us to:
1. deny ourselves
2. take up our cross daily
3. be salt and light in this dark world
4. make disciples
5. follow Him
This just touches the fringe. My main point is that we should not make fun of anyone striving to live like Christ but be spurred on to do the same.
I went to public school, and it was cool to call yourself a Christian but not to live it. As soon as you started looking too much like Christ, you would be ostracized. I really expect this in the "world," but I believe this sad truth can be found inside the church. When you follow Christ with all your heart, soul, and mind, the Lord convicts you of many things. Most of the time these convictions lead to a change of lifestyle, attitude, and daily practice.
I see some church goers look down on people inside the church. If someone knows a lot about the Bible, then they are labeled "Bible thumper." Even faithfully bringing your Bible to church may be too much for some. When someone is devoted to following Christ at all costs, we may think they have gone to far with this Christianity. What I am trying to provoke is that we are way to comfortable with our way of life. Christ calls us to some pretty heavy things, but we like things just the way they are.
Some heavy things Christ calls us to:
1. deny ourselves
2. take up our cross daily
3. be salt and light in this dark world
4. make disciples
5. follow Him
This just touches the fringe. My main point is that we should not make fun of anyone striving to live like Christ but be spurred on to do the same.
3/29/08
Counter-Culture Defined (by Nick Drumsta)
What I will attempt to put into words is my definition of “counter-culture”. Without doing research or scholastic studies on the topic, here is what I am able to say about what the term “counter-culture” really means:
First, our culture is what takes place where we live and what we live with all day, every day – the people, places, way of thinking and events that influence us. It seems that our immediate focus should be on those around us. We should have enough love in our hearts to be willing to touch our neighbors.
Most times, born again Christians talk about two distinct groups of people, (1) Christians and (2) The World (meaning non believers). This is a Biblically correct definition of “the world”, but what many Christians use as the term “The World” instantly leads them to a generic and unconcerned opinion of people outside of their immediate circle. In my approach, we need to focus on our immediate surroundings, because we spend 99% of our life right here, unless we are missionaries or taken overseas by our occupation. It is easy for us to talk about “The World” and confuse it to mean our literal world. We therefore neglect our responsibilities, by passing the buck and blaming everyone and everything else for the way our culture is today. We are responsible as Christians and as citizens of this country to effect and affect our culture. We need to begin referring to our world more simply as the USA, or Texas or Houston. You may not feel that you are able to change “the world”, but you can change your neighborhood, your school and your home. It has been done before, and you can do it now.
As far as our behavior, in order to live “Counter-Culturally” we can and should be one sided, saying either “YES” or “NO” all of the time. “NO” to movies that have disrespectful content. “NO” to video games that portray cold blooded killing, evil and darkness and barely dressed girls. “NO” to the clothing we choose to wear that exposes parts of our bodies that were not meant to be exposed to the public. “NO” to dirty jokes. “NO” to poking fun at helpless individuals. “NO” to going with the wrong crowd. “NO” to surfing the internet for inappropriate reasons. “NO” to building “relationships” online, while neglecting those close to you……….. ”NO”,”NO”,”NO”!!!
Now don’t think all is lost, there are countless things to say yes to. For example, we need to say “YES” to a pure heart, mind and body. “YES” to be Christ-centered. “YES” to reading and following God’s word. “YES” to a real, personal relationship with God, not just a fluffy-feel good relationship. “YES” to everything good, full of virtue, praise and Godliness. “YES”,”YES”,”YES”!!!
This is OUR culture, yes; WE are a part of it. We have seen a moral degradation of our society. We and other Christians before us have caused it and shaped it and have brought it to where it is today. It is time to stop allowing the “world” to influence us and go against the flow by influencing the “world”. Our job as Christians is to not look like the rest of the world, which is where the term “counter-culture” comes in.
This idea of living counter culturally takes work, God never promised us an easy life and he said the rain will fall on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). You cannot simply go through life and expect to make a positive impact of your culture. You must attack life, knowing that you are living the truth being led and directed by God and His Word in order to make a difference and let others realize that you are not like the rest of your “world”.
First, our culture is what takes place where we live and what we live with all day, every day – the people, places, way of thinking and events that influence us. It seems that our immediate focus should be on those around us. We should have enough love in our hearts to be willing to touch our neighbors.
Most times, born again Christians talk about two distinct groups of people, (1) Christians and (2) The World (meaning non believers). This is a Biblically correct definition of “the world”, but what many Christians use as the term “The World” instantly leads them to a generic and unconcerned opinion of people outside of their immediate circle. In my approach, we need to focus on our immediate surroundings, because we spend 99% of our life right here, unless we are missionaries or taken overseas by our occupation. It is easy for us to talk about “The World” and confuse it to mean our literal world. We therefore neglect our responsibilities, by passing the buck and blaming everyone and everything else for the way our culture is today. We are responsible as Christians and as citizens of this country to effect and affect our culture. We need to begin referring to our world more simply as the USA, or Texas or Houston. You may not feel that you are able to change “the world”, but you can change your neighborhood, your school and your home. It has been done before, and you can do it now.
As far as our behavior, in order to live “Counter-Culturally” we can and should be one sided, saying either “YES” or “NO” all of the time. “NO” to movies that have disrespectful content. “NO” to video games that portray cold blooded killing, evil and darkness and barely dressed girls. “NO” to the clothing we choose to wear that exposes parts of our bodies that were not meant to be exposed to the public. “NO” to dirty jokes. “NO” to poking fun at helpless individuals. “NO” to going with the wrong crowd. “NO” to surfing the internet for inappropriate reasons. “NO” to building “relationships” online, while neglecting those close to you……….. ”NO”,”NO”,”NO”!!!
Now don’t think all is lost, there are countless things to say yes to. For example, we need to say “YES” to a pure heart, mind and body. “YES” to be Christ-centered. “YES” to reading and following God’s word. “YES” to a real, personal relationship with God, not just a fluffy-feel good relationship. “YES” to everything good, full of virtue, praise and Godliness. “YES”,”YES”,”YES”!!!
This is OUR culture, yes; WE are a part of it. We have seen a moral degradation of our society. We and other Christians before us have caused it and shaped it and have brought it to where it is today. It is time to stop allowing the “world” to influence us and go against the flow by influencing the “world”. Our job as Christians is to not look like the rest of the world, which is where the term “counter-culture” comes in.
This idea of living counter culturally takes work, God never promised us an easy life and he said the rain will fall on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). You cannot simply go through life and expect to make a positive impact of your culture. You must attack life, knowing that you are living the truth being led and directed by God and His Word in order to make a difference and let others realize that you are not like the rest of your “world”.
3/22/08
Awakening (by Nick Lee)
It is so easy to get lost in the business of this life, especially in our world today. Just take Easter, maybe you have heard that story numerous times, almost to where it becomes second nature and you might get numb to it. A great friend of mine, who really helped me grow closer to Christ when I finally became serious about my faith, showed me this song. It fits perfectly for this weekend and I pray that it will do for you what it has done for me; Renewed the whole experience of Easter weekend, what it means, and what truly took place on that Cross. This song is called "Awakening" it is done by a group of men called "Seven Places". Their name symbolizes exactly what I'm going to share with you. Seven Places Christ bled from, and from those 7 places he cleansed us from all sin, no matter how big or small, so that we could be reconciled and brought near to our creator to bring him further glory through our lives.
"Jesus Christ, our Savior, who is the propitiation, the satisfaction if you would, for our sins, and not just for our sins, but for the sins of the whole world. The blood of Jesus Christ flowed from seven places. The first place He bled from - the blood that poured from His head that day. The blood from the thorns in His skull cleanse you from thoughts, the blood that was on His face - hey, He has covered the things that you may not want to face up to because of what you've seen or heard. Know this, the blood flowed for you. "Yeah, but Jon, you just don't know I've backed away from the Lord, I've turned my back on him." Well they took a flagellum and they beat His back and blood flowed from His back. It reduced to hamburger meat that day, His back was beaten so brutally. And if you've turned your back on Him and walked away from Him, know this, the blood, the blood that poured from His back, cleanses you; sprinkles you. "Yeah but Jon, you just don't know what I've done with these hands." Those hands were pierced, those hands were pinned to the tree, spikes driven through those hands where He bled to cleanse you and cleanse me from the stuff that we've handled that we ought not to have handled, the stuff that we've done that we ought not to have done. Hey, understand. The blood flowed from His hand. "Yeah but it's stuff that's inside of me Jon, It's just things that I feel in my gut. I have bitterness towards them, and I'm angry with her." Jesus wants you to know that blood flowed from His side when they thrust that spear into Him when He hung on the cross. "Feet...I've walked where I ought not to have walked." Blood flowed from His feet too, when the spike pinned Him through the feet, to the cross of calvary. And now I realize things that I can't face up to, thoughts that I've had that are not right, not good, not true, bitterness inside of me, stuff I've touched that I ought not to touch, places I've gone where I ought not to have walked. And I look and I realize the seven-fold flowing of the blood of Christ cleanses me in every area from all sin and I'm free, and I'm forgiven, by the blood. What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus. Seven times perfection...seven places...that's what He went through, for me and for you."
It truly is an intense mental image, if you have seen 'The Passion of The Christ'; those images are exactly what popped into my head upon hearing this. As john said Wednesday night, we fall away from what it means so easily. Let this transform your Easter weekend from bunnies, egg hunts, and candy, to the David's mindset in Psalm 51 and "…Renew the joy of YOUR Salvation…" How does this help us to live in a way that glorifies God, it takes away the numbing effect that our culture has put on us. We think about the crucifixion and we think about any one movie or TV show we have seen where someone died and it is nothing to us. But what Christ truly went through we couldn't fathom. How do we live different? Live like Christ, Love like Christ, spend time with Christ. John's blog "Mascot or Monarch" is what we studied last Wednesday, after the lesson in small groups we were talking about simple ways to go against the flow in today's culture. We came up with a few but this one stuck out. Love, live your life in such a way that people see Christ's love in you and your attitude echoes what Christ has done in your life. I said simple, that doesn't mean easy. I pray that this weekend is transformed for all of us, back to what it should be.
3/20/08
Jesus: Mascot or Monarch? (by John Denby)
The starting premise for the rest of this post is that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and Lord. If you haven't, I would love to share the "good news" of Jesus with you today.
Is Jesus a mascot in your life? This means He comes out once a week for a 3-month season to cheer you on in your ambitions of life. Or is Jesus the monarch of your life? This means He sits on the throne of your life, and you take orders from Him.
I hope you are able to see past the silly illustration to evaluate where Jesus is in your life. In America, we tend to put Jesus in our pocket and take Him out when we need Him. He exists to cheer us on in our ambitions. This means that we ask Jesus for blessings on our life goals without considering His desires for us. That means that very little of our life is affected by accepting Him as Savior. Even then we choose what is affected because we control when we pull Him out of our pocket.
When we accept Jesus, it is both as Savior and Lord. We want to escape the judgment of hell, so it is easy for us to ask Jesus to save us. On the other hand, Jesus is to be Lord. This is called Lordship which means that Jesus is Lord and on the throne of our lives. But asking Jesus to be Lord gets really messy. Things have to change, sacrifices have to be made, friends think differently of us, families are shaken, and we are uncomfortable. To often our lives are not changed by Jesus, we only undergo minor inconveniences like waking up early on Sunday to go to church and praying before meals. What about being different in this culture? What about being immersed in His Word? What about giving to the poor? What about raising your children up in the Lord? What about sharing the gospel? Now it starts to get really messy. We can't just take Jesus out of our pocket on Sundays because He now affects our life. We are at a crossroad. What will you choose? Jesus as Mascot or Monarch?
Disclaimer:
I wrestle with this on a daily basis. How do I live for Christ without being influenced by the culture? This means I don't have it together, but I hope I have it more together than I did a year ago. I am progressively becoming more like Jesus and that is the ultimate goal on earth.
This is a good evaluation question:
If Christians were being arrested,
would the authorities have enough proof to convict you?
If Christians were being arrested,
would the authorities have enough proof to convict you?
3/11/08
It's alive!
Yes, I plan to revive the blog. To most of the world that makes no difference whatsoever. But to the 3 of you out there that will read this, I hope it means something. The blog revival actually comes from one of our church members, Charlie Pomeroy. He has started a blog called Blessings, Curses, and Challenges and has asked me to coauthor it with him.
There will be many ways for you to interact with us. You can post comments on my blog or the BCC blog even if you do not have a blogging account. It's so easy "a caveman can do it." So try posting a comment even if it is to say, "Hi." Just click the comments button and follow the instructions on the right. I think you will like it!!!
There will be many ways for you to interact with us. You can post comments on my blog or the BCC blog even if you do not have a blogging account. It's so easy "a caveman can do it." So try posting a comment even if it is to say, "Hi." Just click the comments button and follow the instructions on the right. I think you will like it!!!
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