NO FEAR!

A beautiful Christian woman with a heart for our Lord sent me an email today. I love her so much!! She was understandably shocked to hear that a movie was coming out depicting Christ and the Disciples as homosexuals. Now the rumor about the movie is false, but there is in fact a play about just this subject called 'Corpus Christi' or the body of Christ.

I do not believe that we should be afraid of this kind of thing. Our Lord isn't. There will always be those who want to mock and deride our beliefs.

Before I was saved I used to get a great kick out of mocking and deriding Christians. Our Lord has forgiven me for that, and I hope you all will too. But that was the enemy talking - I was his child at that point. And the plain and simple truth about that is this: Christians scared the heck out of me!!! Even if they were at times hypocrites somewhere in my deepest heart of hearts I knew that they knew the truth!! So I railed against them, I made fun of them - because it made me feel better on the surface. But deep down I was afraid because all that I was - a sinner living in darkness - would disappear if I dared to believe the truth, and stepped into the light. And I knew I was not worthy of that.

Did you ever wonder why normally opened minded people who respectfully acknowledge all other religions will rant and rave about Christianity? I believe it's because somewhere deep within they recognize the truth and their sinful nature rebels against it.

It was not someone waving a bible at me that showed me the truth. I had seem those people, and I wanted to avoid them at all costs because they made me so nervous. Or if I was in an ornery mood I'd try to engage them in a philosophical conversation with the goal of making them look like a fool.

It was not arguments that made me grasp the truth. It was love that let me slowly open my frightened eyes little by little and to finally see the light and regain my own life! Two people who owed me nothing, who didn't even know me asked me about my beliefs, and told me the story of theirs. And when faced with that kind of unconditional love I could not help but know it was true!!!

I try to remember that when stuff like this happens. The first time I read about this play it ticked me off. I mean honestly, how dare they portray my Savior that way? But then I remembered that the people doing the mocking are actually afraid.

And here is the best news of all: Jesus is using that, using that play to bring that fear to the surface. He's priming them to accept the truth. He is using it for their good. :) I know it.

So we don't have to be afraid about this kind of thing. THEY are afraid. Maybe we can lovingly help them see the truth.

Just my opinion - as always your mileage may vary.

Nothing ordinary about it...

The Church counts the time after Pentecost and before the Christmas Season as Ordinary Time. So between June 1 this year until November 28 life will be ordinary.

I discovered this because as a new Christian I like to study not only the Bible, but Biblical and Church History. I read the above article about Ordinary Time – which really just means 'ordinal' or counted time. But I highly object to that name!!

There is nothing ordinary about following Jesus Christ. Ever since I made the choice to accept Christ into my life I've been living an incredible adventure. Doors have opened that I never expected. People accepted me and my life is filled with those who not only love me, but stand beside me in times of crisis. I see miracles happen all around me every single day - evidence that the Lord works both ends of every situation. I have gained wisdom, and confidence that I never knew I could possess because all of these things were born of the Lord.

Sometimes I almost feel a little sorry for those who have known Jesus their whole lives because I understand that they will never get to feel the thrill of the realization that they are finally honestly FREE from the darkness, and pain in which they used to live. I'm going to keep the joy that 'thrill' gave me forever.

It may well be that the Church counts the time after Pentecost as 'Ordinary Time'. But my life after my own personal Pentecost is anything but ordinary. Life with Jesus is an eternal adventure!

Can't we all just be friends???!!!????!1?!!1

CAUTION: Pollyanna views ahead!

I just watched the video of Christianity Today's panel on the “emerging church” at the Christian Book Expo in Dallas — along with experts Kevin DeYoung, Tony Jones, and Scot McKnight.

I don't mean to be flippant, but that video just seemed like a very long version of one of those Macintosh vs PC commercials. The emergents of course being represented by the cool mac guy, and the more ''Orthodox” gentleman being the PC.

I was always annoyed by those commercials, because both a Mac and a PC have their place and both get the job done!!! Arguing about it means nothing to our culture other than both companies vying for a larger market share.

Why are Christians spending so much time and MONEY arguing with one another – knit picking. (As far as I can see.) I understand that to some people arguing as to whether Thomas Aquinis is fundamentally Platonic, or Aristotelian is a very important pass time. I have my own opinions, but that's all it is – an opinion. And who the heck cares if your church has pews or sofas??


Everyone should be encouraged to read the Bible and perhaps other historical and newer texts in order to develop their own view of the truth. But the only Truth that really matters is the Truth that Jesus Christ died for our sins and on the third day rose to defeat even death. And he's alive and working in each of our lives every single day.

I will never be a cool Mac. I wear glasses, need a hair cut and I'm an overweight 49 year old computer geek. But I love Jesus, with all my heart. And I strive every moment so that my words and deeds are a pleasing aroma unto my Lord and King. I often fall short, but I keep on trying.

Christians are under attack from all sides by other religions and those who profess to have no religion. Why do we have to pick each other apart too?

You can see the video here if you really want too:

http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2009/04/video-the-emerging-church/

And check out the picture of that panel above - every one of them looks like they are in great pain.

Oh and by the way: HE IS RISEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Power of Jesus

I love National Public Radio. They handle news stories with a gentleness and respect that I very much admire.

Today they are running a story that is proof positive that our Lord is alive and well and living in even the most dangerous of places. The story is called Finding Jesus in America's Inner City Alleyways.

The story details an upcoming exhibit of photographic images that will be part of an exhibit in the Washington DC's National Building Museum. You can see some of these photographs at the NPR site. These photographs were taken by one man in some of the most dangerous places in America, and every one of them depicts an artists rendition of Jesus Christ.

"You don't mess around with Christ... too much," The Photographer, Camilo Jose Vergara, speaks about how Christ is still powerful force in the lives of many people who do not even consider themselves Christian. Some of the holy graffiti was placed by Priests or Pastors in the hopes of discouraging the violence in the area.

Mr. Vergara tells the story of a simple Wooden Cross placed in an empty lot in Detroit - and the old lawn chairs placed around it where people had gathered to worship. He says that his photographs prove that individual church doesn't matter, what matters is that people come to worship.

What a beautiful thought on this Good Friday.

Jesus Christ is alive and well on this day and every day, not only in the beautiful places, but also in urban decay. I am grateful for a living God. It's Friday, but Sunday's coming!!!!