Warrior-Poet Christianity
It always seems to happen eventually. It finally happened for Keith, a friend of mine, and the results could have been devastating but turned more to the comical. Keith is a relatively new Christian. He’s been saved for some time but just now really coming into his own as far as his walk with Christ. Years ago, while talking with him one day outside my house, we were interrupted rather rudely by someone demanding that we both hand over our money. I knew the guy as a neighbor in the area, but Keith had no idea what was going on. “Friend of yours?” Keith asked nervously looking at me. I smiled and said, “I’ll handle this.” I just looked at the guy and said nothing. I’d heard this before, and I’d hear it...
A Christian Nation
Just read an interesting article on Relevant about Christian Libertarians. Can’t say I wholly agree with that political view, but there are some interesting ideas. one thing that article got me to thinking about was the idea of the U.S. as a “Christian Nation.” It is a favorite phrase of many of our political leaders and those who aspire to lead. Personally, I don’t think there is any such thing, at least in the sense that a nation is governed in a truly Christian manner. I simply do not believe that government and Christianity are all that compatible. Government is too concerned with practical concerns to I think fully address and deal with the generosity and kindness that are essential to Christian values. But. If it...
Can You Hate Religion and Love Jesus?
Take a look at this video first . . . After watching the video myself, all I could think of is how many people I personally know won’t have a clue what to do with this video. I read a website where the writer respectfully picked it apart without understanding the perspective I believe Mr. Bethke comes from, which is one of “be” not “do” when it comes to our faith in Christ, and our relationship with God. To really understand why people do not like the video “for reasons they cannot fully articulate” you need to understand their perspective. They are probably coming from a place in their life where all they have known as church has been a building they go to three times a week, including Sunday school, to learn about...
Two Learning Experiences In One Day
In our house, we have slowly begun to raise Alabama fans. We do not sit down and educate our daughters about how important it is to root for Alabama, but they pick it up. They see us watch the football games, see me cheer when one team does something I like, and hear me groan when the other team does something I do not like. “Which team are we cheering for,” my daughter will ask, “the red one or the orange one?” She is learning to love what I love not because I am sitting down trying to teach her to love a thing, she naturally tends to gravitate toward areas of my life that occupy my time. What we want to teach our children about life is not something they learn, what we actually practice in life is what teaches our children whether...
F2 The FAVORED Christian Life
This is the second article in a four-part series . . . I cannot emphasize this point enough, so get ready. I REALLY like it when everything goes my way. I have to admit it feels good just to see those words in print, think about what they mean, and envision instances in the past where it has happened. Living a favored life . . . seems like it would be the be-all end-all of what would end up being a truly wonderful life. Ever wonder what it would be like to live in the White House? Now there is a favored lifestyle I think any one of us could get used to. I have read of Presidents past and First Ladies too, who have noted that lifestyle as one of the greatest perks of being in that office. Everything kept spotless, great food prepared by world-class chefs,...
F1 The Failed Christian Life
When does a man truly fail? What makes a failure complete? I remember being a young man truly afraid of getting my report card. I was six years old and in first grade, and I had no idea how grades came to appear on the report card or what they were based on other than someone else’s idea of whether or not I had “done well in school” for some time period. The report card came in small yellow envelopes of the kind you’d find in most offices when something official needs to be transported from here to there. I remember carrying mine home with a heavy hand. I suddenly recounted all the things I had been in trouble for up to that point . . . throwing rocks in the playground . . . spitting water when it was my turn for a drink at the water fountain . . ....