Monday, August 31, 2009

Prejudices That Must Die

Galatians 3:27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.
This is a subject that is to some degree constantly on my mind. As I have grown up as a non-christian and now a large portion of my life as a christian there are many "Christians" who have confused me with their talk. Prejudice is a trait that I find in all races of people, but sadly also in alot of Christians.
I think it is time that the body of Christ acknowledges and confronts those we call brother and sister about allowing this characteristic of satan to have place in their new life in Christ.
Once a man had a near death experience, during that time he reflected on his life and had many regrets for the racial jokes he made on a regular basis. This same man, told myself as well as several others to keep him accountable, and he wanted to live the rest of his life with no more racial jokes or thoughts, he realized when facing death what a sin that the jokes were. Within 2 weeks time, this same man was feeling as if he hadn't almost died, and was back to his old self, with the old jokes. I pulled him aside and spoke privately with him, as he had asked me to just a couple of weeks prior. I thought all was well, but quickly found out that now the joke was on me, cause he went back to the crowd and told how I had pulled him aside and confronted him. I immediately became the punchline for the crowds jokes. People made fun of me then instead of other races. I didn't mind being picked on but it did bother me that the whole crowd claimed to be christian, they were all church regulars, some leaders.
I don't say this to say all Christians are hypocrites, I tell the story to confront the body and say this is a shame. If one part suffers or is weak, then the whole body suffers, you suffer and I suffer. We are called to strengthen one another, and to keep each other accountable, but do understand that when our wrongs are pointed out our flesh will not like it, but the spirit man craves it. Who do we desire to please more, the flesh or the spirit.
Before parting, some people may think the man in my story needs to not talk like he does, after all one human is no more favored than another in God's eyes. Jesus loves and desires everyone.
The real question is what about you and I, is there any racism in you? Maybe you wouldn't tell a racist or degrading joke, maybe you don't enjoy that humor, good for you. Would you have a problem with your child, grandchild, sibling marrying a person of another race? If so, then you my friend like it or not are racist. A sad fact I see in the church among parents is they don't mind their child dating or even marrying a lost person, or just a person who attends church but has no passion for Jesus at all. However the same parent would be upset if their child was dating or engaged to a person of another race who is radically in love with Jesus.
The old people say it would cause hardship on the children of the couple, or that society would give them a hard time. Hey people, the world accepted the interracial couples and children a long time ago.
Paul said we are all united in baptism. Paul said there is neither Greek or Jew once a person is in Christ. Have you accepted this truth from God's word? Until love sees no dividing lines among God's people, the body of Christ is greatly restrained and hindered.
1 John 4:20 If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister; that person is a liar; for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen?
Some people think my view point on God's Word is to harsh or strong, I just simply see the Word of God as black and white with no room left for gray.


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Scattered fun thoughts of the day

After a long day yesterday and a good nights sleep, it was a perfect time to get and spend in the Word this morning. But just as my eyes opened up to the world today, once I noticed that I had slept a little later than I like, I quickly noticed that my youngest son had discovered the new day as well. This is usually no problem as he quickly goes back to sleep, but today was different. Just as one son was anxious to play, so was another son right behind him. I love my children, but I love the fact that they have been sleeping so well in the mornings also. There is nothing like waking up and being very alert, and just sitting in the presence of Jesus Christ. Ahh I get refreshed and joyful just thinking about it.
This morning, I didn't get my bible time, I instead got to play with my children, which is good. After Calley came to the world this morning, we had a wonderful time visiting. In years past I have felt like maybe I wasn't quite as Chirstian if I had a busy morning and wasn't able to read my bible. Now when I say busy, I mean unavoidable things, like children, not just plain laziness.
As Calley and I visited a verse quickly came to my mind.
Lamentations 3:23
21. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
22. Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

As Calley and I talked and enjoyed our time together, our minds dwelt and wondered to the fact of the more a person grows in knowledge and love of Jesus, the more we realize that there is always more to learn, and even very fun to learn. God is a big God, He is a loving God, and He is an very fun God. It is a blast when He reveals Himself to man in a way that man previously did not know Him. Discovering the God on a more intimate level on a daily basis, is so refreshing and so fun. His mercies truly are new every morning. His love is new everyday. No wonder God wants man to love his wife, like Christ loves the church. There are many ways this can be explained, but a huge overlooked way is for the love to be new every morning, to be fun and refreshing everyday.

Sorry this blog come out as some scattered thoughts, but it has been another fun day.
Calley will probably let me know when she sees this picture. This is how I see if she reads my blog.