Small Christianity

I get inundated with emails from time to time, typically forwards from lists that others are on with don't read this book, don't watch that movie, etc. I used to belong to every "family activist" type list you could imagine - and they spewed out this stuff in massive doses. Things were boycotted, banned, rallied for or against, etc. What I have learned is that I don't need another living person to tell me what is right or wrong, but the Holy Spirit that dwells in me. I am not scared to watch, read or listen to something that contradicts what I believe. In fact, quite often instead of weakening my faith, it makes me stronger. When the rubber meets the road, and I see, or read or hear something that causes me to dig deep into what I really hold to be true, and give voice to my faith, I grow. From a parental standpoint, I am trying to raise my kids just the same way. I am not afraid for them to hear things that are different from what we have told them. We have grounded them, and are grounding them in the truth, but allowing them to learn to voice the truth for themselves, with the help of the Holy Spirit in them. We want them to learn to hear the Lord's voice and not ours streaming through their heart and mind, shooting down falsehoods and discerning false teachers and teachings.
I do appreciate the information, but what I've concluded is this - if our faith comes down to a series of "dos" and "don'ts" on some man-made list of what we should embrace or avoid, I think our Christianity has gotten pretty small. Instead of being a force of abundant living, it is a crippling taskmaster. If God trusted us each enough to give us a free will, then He can certainly trust us to live free and not check our brains at the door!

Eat the Meat and Spit out the Bones

I saw this post on my friend Sheryl's blog and it got me thinking about our tendencies to discredit a person - famous or not - because of one thing that they say or do. I had a friend tell me years ago that the truth is the truth even if a liar speaks it - and I have tried to filter what I hear or read through that thinking ever since. Sometimes the deepest, most profound truths can come from the most unlikely sources.
I personally find Oprah and Dr. Phil a bit new-agey, self-helpish. It doesn't mean that I am never interested in what they have to say or find helpful information. I take what I feel is useful - and discard what is not. It is like eating meat and spitting out the bones. A lot of people discard things that are said by children or teens -as if they have nothing to offer us. My take on it is this - if we are all created in the image of God - no matter what particular bend our marring by sin may take - we all have something to offer each other.
I haven't watched Oprah in many, many years, and I have never watched Dr. Phil - but I have had occasion to see an interview or humanitarian story, etc. When I do hear them, I take what is useful and reject what is not, or what I know to be untrue. Sometimes you'll hear someone say something like "the power in you" or speak of a "higher power" - and while they are not naming the power - I know that it is God, even if they do not yet.
I see so many people around me being so anti-this and anti-that - when what we need to do is stand for truth, grace and mercy. I think of Jesus, and his response to the woman at the well. I always picture Him from her eyes, at His feet looking up - and I feel so grateful that He didn't go and discredit her to the community. He spoke truth, He showed love, and He went on His way, allowing God to continue the work His words of truth began.

Ugly, Nasty Truth - A Blogger's Creed

When I started blogging - I didn't know much about any sort of blogging etiquette. Having always been an open person, I share freely what I am thinking, feeling, struggling with, enjoying, etc. I probably always will. Putting things down in words is so helpful - and it is a survival technique that I have been using since my parents' divorce in 1979. Sometimes I write things down that are still in process. As my friend Joanne pointed out I was harsh in my comments about the worship at the church we have been attending. The conviction sat like a lump in my throat all the way through church this morning. It doesn't mean that the issues were resolved, however, it does mean that my attitude about them needed correction. I am thankful for a friend who will say so even if it may not be received well. I also realize, my friend James was right in saying that I was whining. I was. This is the body of Christ in action. This is friendship the way God intended. This is how we should sharpen one another. Even if it makes me mad, in the end as your sister in Christ I will know that you spoke truth because you love me. My blog will always state my feelings, valid or invalid, rational or irrational - and as my friends - I need you to be the check point. A million "poor baby" comments would have left me struggling in the black pit of depression. The truth, spoken in love set me free. Thank you for helping me out of the oppressive chains of bondage to discouragement, and reminding me I do have friends even if I can't sit and have coffee with you this afternoon - some of the best friends a person could have to boot! I love you both for it.

Lessons From Facing the Giants

I watched Facing the Giants for the second time tonight at church with the youth group - Kullen went too. I am sure that by now most everyone has heard of it - but if you haven't seen it yet, please don't miss it. I have taken away so much from the movie - here are some of the lessons I've learned:

1. Never, never, never give up - keep going, keep going, you can do it
2. When you win, you praise Him - and when you lose, you praise Him
3. Even during times of pain and trial, God is still God and He deserves our love and praise
4. God is into giving us the desires of our heart
5. With God all things are possible - nothing is impossible with Him
6. No matter how big the enemy - God is bigger still
7. You give it your best and you trust God with the results
8. Keep praying - P.U.S.H. - pray until something happens

#7 is my favorite - that is going to become a life motto - very motivating! This can be applied to absolutely any part of life.
I have heard more than one person say that they weren't interested in seeing the movie because they think it is all about football. This movie was not about football - but used the coach and the team and the picture of coming against an enemy to show spiritual truth. I don't like sports movies either - but thoroughly enjoyed this movie.
More later - I have a lot of thoughts about this movie, but it's too late to articulate them all!