A lot of Christian experience is based all on emotions. Based on how we feel. It is not necessarily a bad thing, but I wonder if we have neglected the mind? If you ask many Christians today to tell people "what" they believe I'm sure many Christians are able to do so.
But if you ask them, "why" it's true, I'm willing to bet my house that many Christians have no clue. I really believe that is the problem with today's Christianity. Can we answer questions like "Is the Bible reliable?"; "Why is Sex before marriage wrong for you?"; "Why is drunkeness is bad?"
Can we answer these questions without using the cliche "Because the Bible says so...?"
If you use that, then I have a question for you-"why does the Bible say that?" Is it just for fun or because God had nothing better to do?
Here is a good article that I found at the Christian Post. I agree with the article whole heartedly.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100120/apologist-youths-need-truth-not-easy-believism/index.html
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
The role of Obedience
A Christian's relationship with God should be the most important aspect of his life. It's a relationship that should be vibrant and alive. A relationship which values honesty and transparency- that challenges you, builds you up and refines your character. It is a friendship between you and God, not anyone else, just you and God. To fathom that reality is very hard to do-that the God of this universe calls you friend is mind boggling. It hurts my head just thinking about it. I can talk to God whenever I want. He is there always listening to my worries, struggles and even things that are probably meaningless like tv shows, sports and movies.
But the thing that we need to remember is that God speaks too. So often we love to take over the conversation and its just us talking- blah blah blah blah- and then bye God, see you later. We seldom take the time to just sit and stay silent- listening for God to speak.
But when He does speak, it becomes a moment of decision. We need to decide if we are going to obey or not. That's the thing I find puzzling with some Christians. They want God to speak; they want guidance; they want God to direct their paths- yet when an answer comes it's either not what they expected or it's too hard and painful to do- so they do their own thing. They take the path of least resistance. In other words, it's called disobedience. Then they wonder why life has gone so wrong. As much as it's hard to say, we reap what we sow.
A relationship with God also requires obedience. After all, we do call Jesus our "Lord" don't we? But I'm not sure why people don't take that seriously? Why don't we treat Him as such?
It's funny because we love to use phrases like Jesus is the center of our lives. But if we are honest is He? Can we tell Him honestly that we are having trouble revolving our lives around Him? Can we just admit that were just adding Jesus to our lives when its convenient? These are hard things to admit. But we need to admit it first before we can move forward.
If we truly believe that God knows best and in fact He holds the future, than no matter how hard or inconvenient it is we need to obey, not doing so will only hurt us in the long run.
But the thing that we need to remember is that God speaks too. So often we love to take over the conversation and its just us talking- blah blah blah blah- and then bye God, see you later. We seldom take the time to just sit and stay silent- listening for God to speak.
But when He does speak, it becomes a moment of decision. We need to decide if we are going to obey or not. That's the thing I find puzzling with some Christians. They want God to speak; they want guidance; they want God to direct their paths- yet when an answer comes it's either not what they expected or it's too hard and painful to do- so they do their own thing. They take the path of least resistance. In other words, it's called disobedience. Then they wonder why life has gone so wrong. As much as it's hard to say, we reap what we sow.
A relationship with God also requires obedience. After all, we do call Jesus our "Lord" don't we? But I'm not sure why people don't take that seriously? Why don't we treat Him as such?
It's funny because we love to use phrases like Jesus is the center of our lives. But if we are honest is He? Can we tell Him honestly that we are having trouble revolving our lives around Him? Can we just admit that were just adding Jesus to our lives when its convenient? These are hard things to admit. But we need to admit it first before we can move forward.
If we truly believe that God knows best and in fact He holds the future, than no matter how hard or inconvenient it is we need to obey, not doing so will only hurt us in the long run.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
New Years Resolutions
Here are my 2010 New Year's Resolutions
1. Eat healthier and exercise- limit the junk food
2. Don't be lazy!
3. Don't waste time!
4. Read even more books (I read a lot in 2009- but I want more!!)
5. Pray everyday!
6. Have more self-control when watching Raptor games
7. Listen to more Sermon Podcasts (at least 3 sermons a week)
1. Eat healthier and exercise- limit the junk food
2. Don't be lazy!
3. Don't waste time!
4. Read even more books (I read a lot in 2009- but I want more!!)
5. Pray everyday!
6. Have more self-control when watching Raptor games
7. Listen to more Sermon Podcasts (at least 3 sermons a week)