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"Christianity-LITE"

To look at the Christian life today...we have it made. Well most of us anyway. Comfort. Peace. Tolerance. AND... a washed out expectation of Faith.

I look around me and see so many who simply dont reach GREAT, because the effort is not necessary in order to be viewed as "good enough." We settle into our couch of complaisency and bury our heads and hearts in the sand and just show up enough to keep the "look" of Christian.

Well...let me tell you. I too have been guilty of this. However, today I read a quote that convicted me to the core.

Do I (you) "shine so brightly among the Gray of the spiritual pack" that we display an authentic walk with Christ? Or are we another "christian?"

Lobdell notices this and makes this statement casually as an observance, however, it should stir your spirit to think you may fit this description. Do you? Do I?

If so. I think the new version of Christianity is "Christianity-LITE." Where you can accept all the perks to the status...while leaving the hard stuff out. Not feeling convicted or compelled by what the TRUE Christian life calls you to.

So, in the words of Lobdell, are you living "Christian-LITE" - "a feel-good brand of faith that doesnt extend much past Sunday morning?" Or are you living the life God has called you to?

Losing my Religion

I went to the bookstore last night to pick up a replacement for my 12 year old Bible that I can't seem to part with. As a side note-I will forever treasure this particular Bible. (The old one) It holds some of the best moments, toughest lessons and the most desperate pleas written in its margins.



Anyway, while I was at the bookstore I was AMAZED by the number of people who treated the "religion" section with foreign curiosity. I heard statements like "these are Bibles." "What is this section?" "Inspiration? For what?" Obviously I wasn't at LifeWay. ha

I began to look around at the organization of the "religion" section. (Are you surprised?) Bibles...Inspiration...Daily Life...Fiction...Theology...and then various specific religions. I was caught off guard to see the section entitled "Atheism."

Honestly - and not at all disrespectfully - I am curious...Do you think those who don't believe in ANY God would resent being shelved in "Religion?"

As I pondered my attention was captivated. An eerie trail of smoke danced through the lettering of a black cover with a narrow crisp title: "Losing My Religion."

Those who know me- know why this title would entice me. (For those who don't, I think often times "religion" can deteriorate our relationship with God, it can destroy faith by the rules, deception, interpretation and separation. Faith is about GOD, not about the How to.) Anyway...Before I knew it, I was parked between Catholicism and Scientology sitting "cris-cross-applesauce" beginning Chapter 2.

My mind was intrigued - my heart was BROKEN to hear this man;s autobiography set up for the 300ish pages to follow. With Christianity today it is a wonder anyone wants God. I know-"God shaped holes," liefs troubles and living in the "Bible-belt...yadah yadah yadah. But take an long hard honest look at Christianity today. There is no SET APART, there is no loyal commitment. It is whitewashed and easy, take it or leave it. Why would any one want that??

We call it personal - but many seem to only practice it publicly (church)
We refer to the relationship - But some rarely talk to Him (Prayer)
We claim salvation - but so many live as slaves to their former life.
We state we love and yet bitter disregard saturates our daily interactions.

So...I bought the book. Not because I agree with the mans beliefs. I bought it because I have to know: Did this man lose his "religion" or did he lose his God?? And also because I want to be challenged to take an honest look at my own life and see if the way I choose to live would cause others to "lose their religion."

Hypocrisy is such a hard thing to watch. Such a sad destruction and a matter that distracts nonbelievers and believers the same. AND truly breaks the heart of our God!!

Who are you praying for...who is praying for you?

Ephesians 3:16-19

I pray that HE:

I [Paul, as an example for you] pray [request of my God] that out of HIS glorious riches [what would God consider were His glorious riches: GRACE, FAITH, HUMILITY, COURAGE?] He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. [which was/is a gift to you in salvation] So that Christ may dwell in your hearts [enrich your life, convict your flesh nurture your soul and increase your knowledge and wisdom] through Faith.

I pray that YOU:

I [Paul, as an example for you] pray that you [the vessle God intends to use] being rooted [grounded, intwined, deeply clung to] and established [belonging to] in love [GOD] may have power together with all the saints [other believers] to grasp [understand] how wide and long and high and deep [vast] is the love of Christ [for you, specifically!] and to know this love that surpassed knowledge [deeper than mentality] that you may be filled [overflowing] to the measure of all fullness of God.

Honestly, how many of us really take Paul's example and make it a priority to pray for those around us? What would it look like? How would our lives be different? And if we were prayed for by those around us, like Paul prayed for the people in Ephesus.

I hope this challenges you like it has me this week!

Perfection vs. Proximity

Ephesians 2: 13

"But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

This verse hits an area of how I truly feel about RELIGION. However, it is what I read between the lines. AND what religious forces between the lines.

(Please know, this is MY opinion, and if yours differs, I would love to hear your point of veiw. I in no way think I have it all figured out. I just write what is on my heart.)

Religion, was once a familiar thing in my life, until I discovered a RELATIONSHIP with my God. At that point the blinders came off and I was able to really see for the first time what so many people probably hate about "christianity." THE RELIGION THAT DRIVES IT.

Religion is the list of rules that can burden our relationship with God.
Religion can block our ministry and deteriorates our whitness.
Religion can and typically does form hypocrites and develope failure.

If Christianity is about KNOWING God, and God is about loving us where we are, then where does perfection fit in to that? God loves us in our filth and faults. God desires us no matter the past. God wants our devotion even if that devotion is soaked in our flesh. HE desires to help us change. He wont LEAVE us in our mess. He will be with us every turn of the Anvil! Ever moment of change. He desires to make us better but loves us as we are.

In verse 13, we are told as Christians, we were ONCE far away. But the blood of Christ has brought us near. So faith in Jesus Christ and our acceptance of His sacrifice does NOT mean we are to walk a perfect life. BIBLICALLY it means we walk closer to Him! (v.13) And in walking closer to Him, our thoughts mature, grow and improve until we begin to desire the things He desires for us. We begin to see the life in us that He saw/produced for us. And that desire flourishes into a renewed self.

Christians fail on a regular basis. And we also sin on a regular basis. The separation lies in conviction. Conviction is what gives you the desire for change. You are aware of your faults and make an effort to be better. Conviction is the heart of God with in us. And true conviction is when the things that break the heart of our God breaks ours and strengthens us to do something about it.

Conviction brings us to the feet of Christ with a realization of how lost and hopeless we are. Then conviction molds us to reflect His glory more with each lesson we learn.

The most amazing thing about out conviction, and a reason we should be VERY thankful for it, is that it is a true evidence of the God at work in us.

So...I hope you can ask yourself as I have this week and continue to ...what are my convictions for today? What am I doing that is breaking the heart of my God.

Life will happen, its not a straight away and its definitely a rought road at times, but remember, if you walk with God, He is with you to console you, comfort you and love and teach you every step of the way.

Embrace conviction.
Endure the change.
Enjoy the results of a life that reflects Christ!

Random thoughts on Suffering.

Knowing God in raw realistic form causes us to fall in Awe. Wisdom begins when we stand in humble adoration of a GREAT God, a God that doesnt cause our stuggles but rather offers a strong foundation when we go through them. Our wisdom gained in knowing Him in this form provides an expediated growth in hard times more so than in simple or blessed moments where God is, sadly enough, just a friendly aquaintance rather than the omniscient and sufficient Almighty God. Our God sees room for improvement when we wine and complain about current struggles and puts us in our rightful place, like He did with Job. (Job 42:5-6)

I have always been taught the story of Job from the view of Job as a humble strong man of God, but in true scripture, even Job got to the point where he cried out to God or rather just cried out in justifying himself and questioning the burden his life had amounted to. God's response to Job was harsh. It clearly revealed who GOD was and who JOB was and humbled Job's meek justifications and caused a man who Loved God to realize he was still under God's care and love. God's answer may have been harsh, but in all honesty - it isnt about why we suffer, how we suffer or why the particular time, it is about where our hope rests when we suffer! It is WHO holds us and sustains us.

A measure of glory, perspective of joy.

Picture/Feel this: Your arms held to either side (like a scale). The weight of all your trouble compiled on one side. Do you feel off kilter? Do your feel burdened? Does the though bring hopelessness?

Now picture this: A measure much more exceeding the weight of all life's problems, struggles and heartaches. A weight that makes life seem bearable. A weight that makes standing possible and joy probable!


2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light affliction, which is for but a moment, worketh for us far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

I have read this chapter countless numbers of times, but it was until recent that this particular verse took heavy to my heart! Heavy in the sense of knowledge, understanding and specifically a "light bulb" type of moment.

God saves us, not FROM our sin, but from the result of that sin. It seems as though at times we see people go to the "altar" that We as believers create for them. They go in order to have a burden lifted, or obstacle removed. They believe to be relieved. They accept in order to have a better life. However, after this "moment" the expectation is met with confusion and disappointment because God doesn't lift us out of our current situation when we accept Him as our savior. HE just joins us in our situation lighting the way. Showing us how to stand under it, shining for Him and living in his blessings, even if they are entangled with tough, hard to manage moments.

In 2 Corinthians, we see that God doesn't intend to lift us out of Pain. He just grants us a WEIGHT of Glory that FAR EXCEEDS our troubles! That my friends is where we find our smiles on miserable days, our joy in heartbreak and our thankful spirit when life goes anything BUT our way.

Tough situations are a blessing. Although, at first glance they seem impassable. Unbearable. However, it is in these circumstances "God gives [us] time to consider His glory and to grow stronger faith." (Paul Tripp) In Paul's words: "Waiting is not about what you are hoping for at the end of the wait, [hope] is what you will become as you wait!"

Focusing on the weight of your problems keeps you from experiencing the joy that is produced by the glory that outweighs it. It burdens you with worry, anger and possibly even envy. When you really stop to think WHY...often it is because what we want or what WE think is best is automatically thought to be "Good." But ... just because we are made to endure hard times or if the answer to a desire is no or not yet, that doesn't necessarily mean it is Bad. It means GOD has a time set aside to reveal Himself to you first, and somehow teach and shape you into a clearer reflection of Himself before granting you that desire.

Remember: Spiritual growth while waiting is very much dependent on perspective.

Those things that deteriorate your "spiritual muscles" will open your eyes to the obstacles in your present situation making motivation decrease and your perspective will turn negative.

The life of building faith while waiting will open your eyes to the road God has currently walking. Obstacles will still be present, but perspective is on the road and not the walls blocking "your path." Which in turn helps you to see the Road God intended in the first place. Perspective in this realm is positive.

His measure of Glory offsets the burden, grants you joy to carry you forward and guidance to bring you into His will. The Christian life is not a life of perfection, it is a joyful life splattered with challenges that break our stuburn human nature and makes us more Christlike, if we embrace it.

My question to you, as well as to myself is this: Is the time of burden or waiting a time that strengthens your faith or weakens it??