| Remember when I used to sell my plasma for a couple extra bucks? (Back in my single-scraping-to-get-by days...)
And then I upgraded to selling my body for pharmaceutical testing? (Oh, the big life...)
Hehehe, I just sold my hair for $75.
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| I just got an incredibly cute hoodie... and in 2 1/2 months I can even wear it!
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| Real Faith or Mystical Bubble Faith?Today, I overhead part of a conversation between two students:
"I would never destroy the Bible."
"I stepped on the Bible once."
"Oh, you're going to Hell."
It makes me think back to my own vaguely religious childhood...
I remember the Gideons coming and handing out pocket-size Bibles on the lawn of the middle school. On the bus on our way home, some boys ripped theirs up and threw the pieces at kids from the window of the school bus. And I was mortified. How could anyone destroy the Bible?
In elementary school, I remember two girls talking about church and how boring it was. I couldn't believe they'd say such a thing! Then they turned to me and asked me if I thought church was boring. I, of course, said, "No." They then replied that they'd like to come to my church. But secretly I was thinking, "I guess church is boring, but how could you ever say such a thing!"
At some point we seem to be ingrained with this reverence of things like the Bible and church. Furthermore, there are certain things you simply don't do as you strive to be a good Christian. But if you don't really know why, are you really a Christian?
So many people in the United States today are a vague kind of religious. They call themselves "Christians" or "Mormons" or "Jehovah's Witnesses" (etc.) and they try to do the right things. But why? Do they know? Do they know the background of their religion? Do they know who started it or where it came from or why they should be motivated to be conscious of right and wrong?
It seems generally accepted (based on religion in media), that religion comes down to faith in the unknown. But does that mean it should be some kind of blind faith for some mystical precepts involving some mystical higher power? Why can we not be educated individuals, studying the validity of various religions? Why does our culture want to "dumbify" the prospect of God into trite unexplainable circumstances which we can then chalk up to faith? I say we can have a faith stronger than that, based on truth and based on understanding. God is Truth. Don't be afraid to dig in.
Is it our fallen, human condition that enables so many to walk the religious line without ever truly comprehending God's full plan? Our creation. Our sin. Our propitiation--Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice for us all. What's the point of a surface-deep legalism that will ultimately lead to Hell?
Years ago, I was very much a product of our culture. My views of right and wrong were based on the postmodern view of "what's right for you is right for you and what's right for me is what's right for me". It's a marvelous worldview to avoid conflict. Abortion? Up to the mother. Homosexuality? Depends on your preference. Murder? Surely not! Everyone knows that certain things just truly are bad. But that was before I understood just what it means to have a perfect Creator and just what it means to live in a fallen race. How can I, flawed and sinful, think that my own thoughts on right and wrong have any kind of value and meaning? "Good people" go to heaven? Are you kidding me? Based on what? On what standard of "good"? As screwed up human beings, who is going to magically give specific definitions of good and evil?
Lots of thoughts. Flung from fingers on the keyboard to type print before your eyes. In case I've been confusing, I should probably finish with at least a bit of clarification. I am a Christian because I believe that sin entered this world through Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden thus condemning us all (seriously, name one person apart from Jesus that hasn't sinned). And that God ultimately provided His Son, Jesus Christ, as the perfect sacrifice for all who believe in Him to cover their sins by His grace alone. And since I believe, I am covered by Christ's blood, and I no longer have to fear an eternal punishment for the things I have done wrong in life.
Yes, God, being perfect, has a specific definition for right and wrong. But it is not through some sloppy observance of His values that I'm going to work my way to Heaven. It is merely by His grace and forgiveness. The living for Him part comes from my gratitude and desire to please my Creator.
And I included other religions in this post, because "Christians" aren't the only ones practicing some checklist religion. I challenge everyone to look for the truth in this "religion thing" and discern your beliefs for yourself. I ultimately believe that the only Truth is the one laid out in the Bible, but don't just believe because I tell you to. Stop listening to our quasi-religious culture of blind faith in the unknown and put your faith in what you know to be true.
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| California Christian RadioI don't mind commercials on Christian radio in lieu of listener support, but I wonder if there could be any kind of discretion as to advertisers. Or perhaps commercial restrictions. Many we hear sound like those on any other station but they drop the Christian phrase here or there.
Examples:
An ad to promote investment into a health club chain:
"Have you been praying about owning your own business?"
An employment agency ad:
"Still looking for that job God has called you to do?"
An ad for a family attorney:
"You never imagine you'll face a divorce someday..." Then she goes on to mention her own "bad marriage" that she had to get out of and how she understands that you need an attorney that cares about you. I know that every situation is different, but when did "bad marriage" become code for "now it's okay for me to get a divorce". Does that change your vows somehow? And wouldn't anyone wanting a divorce call it a "bad marriage"?
That's something I've noticed about the Christian community here in California. It seems that divorce is much more accepted here. Within Christian circles in Nebraska, you don't mention divorce. Or you excommunicate those that have undergone one. That's why I'm surprised when the church secretary off-handedly mentions her own. (Not that I know anything of the circumstances.) I just wish there was an in-between place. A place where discernment is involved, but also forgiveness.
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