I am starting, this Sunday, to teach a new lesson series about marriage. I am so excited about it. I have learned so much about the truth of the what and why God created marriage. It is a very serious covenant.
I am looking forward to the next 5 weeks.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Yes, There are Strings Attached
I was speaking with a very dear friend a few days ago. I love talking to this person because he always makes me think. He is one of the few people that I know has made me a better person simply by calling him friend.
He and I got on the subject of America. We asked each other if we truly were blessed that we live in a world where we are relatively free from persecution? Is it a blessing that we can walk to a street corner and proclaim our faith without fear of being thrown in jail or killed? Is it a blessing that many people openly proclaim the banner of Christ as their savior without fear of retribution? Is this truly a good thing?
Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that I hope that the current government outlaws freedom of religion and forces us to declare atheism or face death. Hear me out.
We live in a society where we are so free to be what ever religion that we want and we don't have to fight for it. It is like getting a free cup of coffee with a fill up of gas in your car. Ok, if it is free, I might as well take it.
We view Christianity as a "no strings attached" lifestyle. Nothing is further from the truth. Christianity should never be easy.
Now...
Imagine living in a society where we had to fight to be a believer because we truly valued Christ above life, liberty, business, and yes, family. Imagine a world where the Banner of Christ would be worn at our own peril, and we did it anyway! Imagine living in a land where it wasn't a status thing to say "I'm a Christian" but something we truly had to want. Imagine if we actually could understand the words that the Bible used, like Hope, Deliverance, Salvation, Peace. Imagine if being a Christian was our existence instead of being another descriptive word in a long list of adjectives that we attached to our life resume.
In the words of the Mercy Me's song.... I Can Only Imagine!
He and I got on the subject of America. We asked each other if we truly were blessed that we live in a world where we are relatively free from persecution? Is it a blessing that we can walk to a street corner and proclaim our faith without fear of being thrown in jail or killed? Is it a blessing that many people openly proclaim the banner of Christ as their savior without fear of retribution? Is this truly a good thing?
Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that I hope that the current government outlaws freedom of religion and forces us to declare atheism or face death. Hear me out.
We live in a society where we are so free to be what ever religion that we want and we don't have to fight for it. It is like getting a free cup of coffee with a fill up of gas in your car. Ok, if it is free, I might as well take it.
We view Christianity as a "no strings attached" lifestyle. Nothing is further from the truth. Christianity should never be easy.
Now...
Imagine living in a society where we had to fight to be a believer because we truly valued Christ above life, liberty, business, and yes, family. Imagine a world where the Banner of Christ would be worn at our own peril, and we did it anyway! Imagine living in a land where it wasn't a status thing to say "I'm a Christian" but something we truly had to want. Imagine if we actually could understand the words that the Bible used, like Hope, Deliverance, Salvation, Peace. Imagine if being a Christian was our existence instead of being another descriptive word in a long list of adjectives that we attached to our life resume.
In the words of the Mercy Me's song.... I Can Only Imagine!
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