Don't chew gum! Don't Burp out loud! Don't smoke! Don't go swimming! Don't do drugs! Don't drink alcohol! Don't swear or talk to people who do! Don't lie! Don't cheat! Don't listen to Rap! Don't listen to obscene words! Don't play with your food! Don't play with your nose! (ect.......).
How did this list make you feel? Did it inspire strong thoughts like "I'll do what I want thank you!!" Did it stir up strong rebellious feelings, or feelings of frustration?
I will tell you honestly- when ever I see a long list of "don't(s)" it makes me wonder if I can do it! That is how human nature works I hate to say! I have more later, for I must go! Cory
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
objections II
I want to add that poor behavior does not invalidate the claims of Christ or what is essential Christianity. It often invalidates the person who is showing poor behavior!
Objections to Christianity-hypocrites
I thought at this point I would addressing the common and popular objections to Christianity. This first one will address the common complaint that 'Christians are nothing but hypocrites'! Let's examine that objection OK?
First let's get a true definition of hypocrite: I can tell you that it comes from the Greek word hypokrites which something to the effect of an actor or a pretender. (Think of those ancient actors who put on those big plaster faces so they could hide their true facial expressions.). So in essence, being a hypocrite is pretending to be something your not. Hum?! With that in mind that would mean that Hollywood is loaded with hypocrites! That would also mean that all our children are hypocrites every tme they are playing with their imaginations! Quite frankly, don't you think that would include all of us at one time or another??
Still, I would like to answer the objection in a round-about way: When you go the Doctor for a ailment, and you end up feeling worse with more pain and sickly feelings should you label all Doctors quacks? Of course not, that would be unreasonable! (You would go on a careful search for a true Doctor). So using the same logic, one should not be quick to label every single Christian in existence as a hypocrite, but do a careful study to see what comprises a true Christian.
I will give you some clues as to what comprise a true Christian: For starters he is not self-righteous or sinless! (If you encounter such people, leave.). Christians aren't perfect, for that matter, neither are perfectionist! When a true Christian does do wrong he will be eager to fix it quickly with prayer and restitution! A real Christian will tell that he is a sinner saved by the grace of God and he will tell you that he has a real relationship with the real God.
"Sounds good Cory, but what about the Inquisition or the Witch trials"? My answer is claiming to act on God's behalf or as God's representative does not indicate, prove, or validate that they are from God at all. All it proves is such religious leaders are good speakers and actors! Case in point: Hitler often worked with the church to further his agenda. In private though he, (Hitler), was a practicing Theosophist who absolutely despised Christianity and wanted it stamped out! By the way, the Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials were ended by Christians.
I want to close with something that Christ said to help give some perspective: "Those who are well have no need of a Physician, but the sick. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Mark 2:17). Christ hung out with sinners. Christ sharpest words of criticism were against the established religious leaders of the day.
(Note: If does not answer the objection please let me know.).
First let's get a true definition of hypocrite: I can tell you that it comes from the Greek word hypokrites which something to the effect of an actor or a pretender. (Think of those ancient actors who put on those big plaster faces so they could hide their true facial expressions.). So in essence, being a hypocrite is pretending to be something your not. Hum?! With that in mind that would mean that Hollywood is loaded with hypocrites! That would also mean that all our children are hypocrites every tme they are playing with their imaginations! Quite frankly, don't you think that would include all of us at one time or another??
Still, I would like to answer the objection in a round-about way: When you go the Doctor for a ailment, and you end up feeling worse with more pain and sickly feelings should you label all Doctors quacks? Of course not, that would be unreasonable! (You would go on a careful search for a true Doctor). So using the same logic, one should not be quick to label every single Christian in existence as a hypocrite, but do a careful study to see what comprises a true Christian.
I will give you some clues as to what comprise a true Christian: For starters he is not self-righteous or sinless! (If you encounter such people, leave.). Christians aren't perfect, for that matter, neither are perfectionist! When a true Christian does do wrong he will be eager to fix it quickly with prayer and restitution! A real Christian will tell that he is a sinner saved by the grace of God and he will tell you that he has a real relationship with the real God.
"Sounds good Cory, but what about the Inquisition or the Witch trials"? My answer is claiming to act on God's behalf or as God's representative does not indicate, prove, or validate that they are from God at all. All it proves is such religious leaders are good speakers and actors! Case in point: Hitler often worked with the church to further his agenda. In private though he, (Hitler), was a practicing Theosophist who absolutely despised Christianity and wanted it stamped out! By the way, the Inquisition and the Salem Witch Trials were ended by Christians.
I want to close with something that Christ said to help give some perspective: "Those who are well have no need of a Physician, but the sick. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Mark 2:17). Christ hung out with sinners. Christ sharpest words of criticism were against the established religious leaders of the day.
(Note: If does not answer the objection please let me know.).
Friday, June 20, 2008
cautionary note
(This blog is a a promised follow-up to the last post. I think it is important to include this so you have reasonable perspective.). After I became a Christian, life did not get easier for me; in fact it much harder in various ways. For starters I developed epilepsy as a young teenager that lasted until my 30's. I also got physically assaulted by my older brother. Then my Dad died before I reached my 18th birthday. The thought of giving up my new found faith had crossed my mind many times! With my life getting depressing, I looked for a way to shore up my faith. So I started to read up on apologetics, (books that reasonably and intelligently defend the faith). "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell was a good start, so was "Who Moved the Stone?" These books gave me the proof I needed that Christ's claims of death and Resurrection were real, not just some nice fantasy or a triumphant tale of good over evil.
Why am I telling you all this? So that you do not harbor any illusions about the Christian life. The Christian life was never meant to be easy, amusing, or a source of entertainment. What it was intended to be was a relationship with the God who created the Universe. Many people have given their lives because there was more joy being near God than hanging on to their short life. By the way, there are certain positive characteristics that never develop when things are easy. For example: Patience and courage don't happen when life is easy to you. No! Adversity has its God ordained purpose! (Notice how communities have come together during a recent flood?).
I
Why am I telling you all this? So that you do not harbor any illusions about the Christian life. The Christian life was never meant to be easy, amusing, or a source of entertainment. What it was intended to be was a relationship with the God who created the Universe. Many people have given their lives because there was more joy being near God than hanging on to their short life. By the way, there are certain positive characteristics that never develop when things are easy. For example: Patience and courage don't happen when life is easy to you. No! Adversity has its God ordained purpose! (Notice how communities have come together during a recent flood?).
I
Sunday, June 15, 2008
changed life
You might wonder-what would induce me to become a Christian? After all, when I was a teenager I thought those Christians were nothing more than "turkeys" who had something against fun. However even young teenagers like me needed some serious questions answered. Questions like "Why am I here?", or "Why should I go on living?". At 13 there was this intense hunger for something better and greater than what I could see with my eyes. My Mom at that time was into what we may call the "New Age". She had "Jonathon Livingston Seagull", the writings of Seth (a familiar spirit that took residence in a lady), and other things that tickled her fancy. Meanwhile my search for internal peace intensified. Listening to songs like "Question" by the Moody Blues put my feelings into the right words, ("I'm looking for someone to change my life. I'm looking for a miracle in my life."), and the songs also added fuel and intensity to my search. Around that time I got very sick. I was told it was a pneumonia. Mom took me to a seance in the hopes that I would be healed. That seance did not heal me. As time progressed I sought a few religious leaders to ask my questions. I sought out a Rabbi, but he seemed so grumpy at the time that I was eager for our little meeting to end. I sought out some Unity Universalist, but rather than answer my questions that just wanted me to be happy and and learn to smile more! (Back then I didn't smile much!). Because these adults could not answer this teenager-on-a-bike some straight forward questions about life and God that tended to make me think that I was brilliant and that they were really stupid! But being brilliant was a very empty feeling -for my questions were still not answered! (It should be added that back then I was a nice guy on the outside, but on the inside I had a low view of alot of people and ideas. This low view would manifest itself with alot of humor, particularly sarcasm. ).
Well the unfulfilled feelings just kept getting stronger and stronger until one day there was a paraphrased New-Testament found on my bed. Who put it on my bed? I don't know; no one would take credit for it. S0 I opened it up a random to Luke. What I read I did not like! Me a sinner? Oh! That made me so mad I threw that Bible across the floor and left it there for a few days! During those few day, (I'm not sure of how many), I kept thinking to myself, "There's got to be something better!". However nothing presented itself as better. So after a friend asked me to read John's gospel, I picked up that New Testament with great reluctance. This time however I read everything in the gospel of John before passing judgement. Two things really stuck out to me when I read John's gospel: Christ loving attitude, ( e.g. "I call you friends if you do the Father's will..."), and the fact He rose from the dead. That really turned me on! So I read what Mathew had to say; then Mark. I approached Luke with actual fear, (I didn't want to be angry again). Before I finished Luke I felt like I had lost a wrestling match; in other words, emotionally exhausted! So not knowing what else to do, I offered myself to God. What did I say in my cheap, amateur prayer I'm not sure. It was something to the effect of "I'm yours if you are real and like this Jesus I'm reading about." (You see, before I said this I thought God was a cosmic grouch out to stomp you for the slightest wrong. Such a thought made me scared of God every time I thought of Him; so I made a point not to think about God.). After I said my very simple prayer, nothing supernatural happened; however great waves relief came over me. It was as if invisible weights came off my body. Also I felt joy for the first time to such a degree that I was laughing so strongly that I cried a little! (My Mom walked in and asked if I was alright. She thought that I was so stressed that I was acting a little "nutty".).
The search was over! I had found much more than I had bargained for, (purpose and Someone who really loved me more than anyone else could!). Oh the relief!
But I must add this sobering note to close: Life did not become a bed of roses; in fact in some ways it actually got harder. I will explain this fully in my next blog.
Well the unfulfilled feelings just kept getting stronger and stronger until one day there was a paraphrased New-Testament found on my bed. Who put it on my bed? I don't know; no one would take credit for it. S0 I opened it up a random to Luke. What I read I did not like! Me a sinner? Oh! That made me so mad I threw that Bible across the floor and left it there for a few days! During those few day, (I'm not sure of how many), I kept thinking to myself, "There's got to be something better!". However nothing presented itself as better. So after a friend asked me to read John's gospel, I picked up that New Testament with great reluctance. This time however I read everything in the gospel of John before passing judgement. Two things really stuck out to me when I read John's gospel: Christ loving attitude, ( e.g. "I call you friends if you do the Father's will..."), and the fact He rose from the dead. That really turned me on! So I read what Mathew had to say; then Mark. I approached Luke with actual fear, (I didn't want to be angry again). Before I finished Luke I felt like I had lost a wrestling match; in other words, emotionally exhausted! So not knowing what else to do, I offered myself to God. What did I say in my cheap, amateur prayer I'm not sure. It was something to the effect of "I'm yours if you are real and like this Jesus I'm reading about." (You see, before I said this I thought God was a cosmic grouch out to stomp you for the slightest wrong. Such a thought made me scared of God every time I thought of Him; so I made a point not to think about God.). After I said my very simple prayer, nothing supernatural happened; however great waves relief came over me. It was as if invisible weights came off my body. Also I felt joy for the first time to such a degree that I was laughing so strongly that I cried a little! (My Mom walked in and asked if I was alright. She thought that I was so stressed that I was acting a little "nutty".).
The search was over! I had found much more than I had bargained for, (purpose and Someone who really loved me more than anyone else could!). Oh the relief!
But I must add this sobering note to close: Life did not become a bed of roses; in fact in some ways it actually got harder. I will explain this fully in my next blog.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
correction
My son's plicusimus (spelling correct? I don't know), name is "Lighting Lips", not "Power Lips".
various topics
There are various reasons why I blog: To help organize my thoughts, (and I have quite a few of them!), express myself, express my convictions and beliefs, and sometimes I just enjoy doing it!
One idea I would like to express and talk about briefly is a common taboo in America: That one should not talk about religion and politics at the dinner table. On the one hand, I can understand why people would want to keep those 2 topics from being brought up-discussions get heated, passionate, and uncivil! And yet on the other hand religion and politics tend to touch us deeper and affects us more than any other topic. After all, politics will always affect us as a nation, and religion will always affect us personally. Even for the person who says that they do not believe in God end up being very religious about their unbelief. (Let me insert a quick definition here-Religion: What ever a person will bind themselves to in a strong fashion. Theologian Paul Tillich said that our God is what ever ultimately concern us.). The point being that many people are more religious than they care to admit. Also everyone has a god whether they know it not. It may be the God of the Bible. It may be that money, success, fame, or a fab body may be their god. People do not live in a vacuum, for we all seek something of transcendent value that is bigger than ourselves. If seeking pleasure is your ultimate concern, then that is your god. These things are not evil in of themselves, but when used in a improper or excessive extent to where they control the person, then it is time for some real and serious soul-searching.
Personally, I don't have enough faith to be an atheist! You see there is more evidence for the Christian faith, than the athiest faith, which is why I take actual pleasure and purpose in the Christian life.
Enough said for now!
One idea I would like to express and talk about briefly is a common taboo in America: That one should not talk about religion and politics at the dinner table. On the one hand, I can understand why people would want to keep those 2 topics from being brought up-discussions get heated, passionate, and uncivil! And yet on the other hand religion and politics tend to touch us deeper and affects us more than any other topic. After all, politics will always affect us as a nation, and religion will always affect us personally. Even for the person who says that they do not believe in God end up being very religious about their unbelief. (Let me insert a quick definition here-Religion: What ever a person will bind themselves to in a strong fashion. Theologian Paul Tillich said that our God is what ever ultimately concern us.). The point being that many people are more religious than they care to admit. Also everyone has a god whether they know it not. It may be the God of the Bible. It may be that money, success, fame, or a fab body may be their god. People do not live in a vacuum, for we all seek something of transcendent value that is bigger than ourselves. If seeking pleasure is your ultimate concern, then that is your god. These things are not evil in of themselves, but when used in a improper or excessive extent to where they control the person, then it is time for some real and serious soul-searching.
Personally, I don't have enough faith to be an atheist! You see there is more evidence for the Christian faith, than the athiest faith, which is why I take actual pleasure and purpose in the Christian life.
Enough said for now!
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