(re)made

I grew up in a church where the pastor said what was up. If something was a sin, he would talk about it and you repented and got right with the Lord right away. But in the past five years or so, I’ve seen a shift from what Christians are saying. Instead of saying what sin is, I’ve heard them say, “Just love everybody like Jesus loves everyone”. I’m trying to figure out if this is a good or bad thing. I mean, I agree with the fact that we should love everyone, no matter what they’ve done. But at the same time, sin is sin, right? Is it a thing where Christians should just love everybody and let God deal with what sin is? Will that person just eventually turn around on their own? The only problem I have with that is, how will those people know something is a sin if we don’t tell them? Will God just tell them one day while walking down the street? This is what I’m pondering.

Should Christians call people out on their sin or just leave it alone?

Out of everything in my Christian walk I remember most clearly the altar call where I found God. It’s an awesome thing. That “baby” Christian feeling. The altar call has always been that scary thing for people who don’t get the church deal. I mean there’s all kinds of different ways to execute it. There’s the everyone keep your eyes closed until everyone has raised their hands so you don’t embarrass anyone. Then there’s the come up front so that everyone can see the people who are worse sinners than them. Oh, and then there’s the raise your hand with everybody looking because Jesus died on the cross for you so the least you can do is lift your hand. Wow, makes me sweat just thinkin’ about it. So, is there a right way to this whole deal or does it even matter how it goes down?

Ever since I was a kid, my family has been in church. While attending church I’ve noticed how styles have changed quite a bit. I used to think Michael W. Smith, choir robes, sweaters, long hair, Mark Lowry and glasses were the coolest things out there. Oh, and I can’t forget Carman. It seems that this just isn’t the case anymore. So, I started compiling a list of what makes church people “cool” in 2010. Here are the top 9 things I could come up with:

1. Gotta have a scarf around your neck. That goes for everybody.
2. Gotta have a pair of TOMS shoes. You say you’re helping out a kid, but we all know it’s for the coolness factor.
3. Gotta have a mac. A PC just won’t cut it.
4. Having an iPhone is a must. Mainly for reading YouVersion off of it and you look wicked holy while doing it.
5. The Fauxhawk is a must. God will not love you if you do not have one.
6. You have to be talking about the latest book you’re reading. Talking about what’s in the Bible is so yesterday.
7. You have to go to at least 2 conferences a year. You will not know what you need to know to be saved.
8. Everyone has to find a way on that stage. You better sing, play a musical instrument or something. Get to dancin’.
9. Every cool Christian must have a tattoo of some sort. Oh, and a part of that tattoo must be showing to the public. If it’s on your arm, make sure you roll up your sleeve just a tad. A cool story behind the tattoo is a must (preferably Biblical).

***I couldn’t think of #10, so maybe you can help me out.–

10. ??????

I get asked alot what I believe. So, here ya go-

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;

He descended into hell.

The third day He arose again from the dead;

He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.

It’s not about denominations. It’s about Jesus.

I’ve heard all kinds of missions from churches. Some focus on Continue Reading…

Well, this blog post isn’t about “fast” in the sense of doing something quickly. It’s that other one that scares me a little bit. It’s the one that means me giving up something that will help me spiritually, help me focus on what God is saying, Continue Reading…

When I look around in the church (and outside the church) and see everyone doing the same tech/blog/twitter thing that I do, I see TONS of gifted people. Most of them I consider better than me at a lot of different stuff. Right at that moment, almost every time, I remember that Mama to thirteen year old talk that goes something like this, Continue Reading…

There was a point in my life where people that always talked about Jesus got on my nerves. It was just too much and flat out annoying. It was a time I was far away from the person I should be. I figured out that the thing or person you spend time with the most will be the thing you talk about the most. Continue Reading…

As “Christians” we usually give that 10% tithe, but what about that extra stuff. We say “Oh, I want that 108″ 1080p Sharp LCD tv with the blue ray player and the Nakamichi Surround Sound, and in 2 weeks I’m gonna buy a Platinum Plus RV, and in another 2 weeks I’ll buy a castle with a mote that comes with my own personal llama, and in another month I’m gonna buy that Bugatti Veyron 16 I always wanted.”(Or something like that). Or maybe it’s Continue Reading…

At what point does someone’s outward praise to God become a distraction?