LXXIX. The 21st Century

The church is irrelevant.  Jesus Christ is outdated, perhaps a myth.  Those who believe in Jesus or go to church are just wasting their time because He is not real and the church is useless.  This is the 21st century.  Believing in Him would be archaic and meaningless.

We have real problems in this world.  We have a high divorce rate.  We have too much murder.  We are too sexually active to where people's lives are destroyed by what their partner does.  We lie too much   We cheat everyone.  We have poverty.  We have war.  We have hate.  There is nothing in the Bible or anything Jesus said, or anything the church can do or say about these issues.  They are completely irrelevant.

Lieing and cheating go on without saying but what about the other issues?  Divorce? According to enrichment journal on the divorce rate in America:  The divorce rate in America for first marriage is 41%, for the second marriage it is 60% and for a third marriage it is 73%.  http://www.divorcerate.org/.  Murder?  In Washington DC out of every 100,000 people there are 24 that get murdered.  In Louisiana it is 12 the next highest in the US.  Sexually transmitted diseases?  In 2010, over 400 people for every 100,000 got chlamydia, 100 got gonorrhea, 15 got syphilis, not even counting AIDS, herpes, and other types of diseases. http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats10/surv2010.pdf.   Poverty? The US has over 300,000 families living in poverty.  http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html.  War?  Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Egypt, Syria, etc., etc., etc..

With all of these things going on what would we care about what a 2000 year old book says?  Believe it or not the Bible talks about each and every one of these and more.  It mentions and/or alludes to divorce, disease, death, life styles, murder, depression, fear, politics, abortion, sex, stealing, finances, home life, drug use, alcoholism, abuse, neglect, marriage problems.  You name it, the book has it.  So how is it irrelevant?  Because those who do not want to admit that God exists or is on control, or those who who do not want to submit to a higher authority scream at the top of their lungs that it is not.

LXXVIII. Turn the Other Cheek?

Christians are sometimes seen as uncompassionate.  They are intolerant hypocrites who do not practice what they preach.  They say they love but preach hate.  But is this an accurate way of portraying the beliefs of Christians, especially when the topic deals with things that battle their morals?  Here are the results from last poll: If something does not fit in with traditional Christian standard beliefs, how should a Christian respond?

• 54% said, With understanding and compassion
• 27% said, Depends on the topic and/or person you are dealing with
• 9% said, With complete contempt and protest
• 9% said, Not caring one way or another
• 0% said, With full tolerance and complacency
• 0% said, Other

More than likely these answers were given by those who profess Jesus as their savior.  So keep that as part of the focus as you read.  Notice not one person said with full tolerance and complacency.  This is odd because if you look at the way the world is and how Christians act (not respond) then it seems like all they do is tolerate because over the last few decades Christian values have diminished in this country.  Some would say that is a good thing but it is not!  When we take God (the real God, not man's interpretation) out of the equation then we see more violence.  We see more abuse.  We see more depression.  We see more disruption.  We see more hate.   Too many people think Christians hate because they lack tolerance.  The big mistake here is those people think tolerance equals love.   Tolerance does not equal love.  Tolerance equals compromise.  Compromising kills truth.  It is okay not to put up with certain things.  Yet, the world tells Christians we need to accept everything or we are bigots.  Acceptance to everything is detrimental to society.  If we accept everything then EVERYTHING will be accepted.

Not caring one way or another is one step away from tolerance.  It leads to apathy.  When we become apathetic, we care less. When we care less, we hurt more people.

With complete contempt and protest is not the best choice either.  This causes the Christian to be viewed as hypocritical, and perhaps rightly so.  These people need to understand that everyone is at a different level in their beliefs and harsh words can actually condemn someone to a life filled with feelings of resentment towards God.  Yes, certain things need to be brought out to the open and some people need to be put in their place with unbridled truth.  But the words need to be consistent with the truth.  Contempt for the issue is completely acceptable.  Contempt for the person is not.

Nothing depends on the topic or person you are dealing with.  There are lines to be drawn.  There is absolute truth. http://ideasoftimreligion.blogspot.com/2009/11/xliv-youre-okay.html.  Now, there is a method to dealing with different topics and people but never compromise the truth.  See above.

The best way to deal with topics that go against the Christian belief is with understanding and compassion.  We need to realize people are different.  But also remember, truth is permanent and uncompromising.  We need to find a way to tell the truth without destroying people.

LXXVII. Christianity-Lite

We were called to be the light of the world not lite in the the world.

Churches reach out to seekers but without any substance.  They cater to those who have never known Christ but show them just a shadow of who He really is.  Here is an example of this:  a certain church service used a song by a modern pop rock band as a worship song.  The song did have a strong message and if some words were taken out it could have been mistaken for a Christian song.  But the band when looked at from a fuller picture does not have the most positive message for people to hear.  What type of message is this church giving to the congregation and the culture that is looking for Christ?  Worship God by using non-meaningful words to stir a secular emotion?  And then try to tell people the greatness of God...

It's not the music style that is the problem.  It's not the song in itself that is the problem.  It is the deeper meaning of what worship is supposed to be about.  God looks for those who truly worship not ones that just go through the motions.

• The purpose of Christ is simple:  He died because of our sins and He rose again so those sins are gone.
• The message of Christ is simple:  follow His teachings and you have eternal life.
• The teachings of Christ are simple:  there is a way that leads to life and that is to leave your pride behind and do what is right

If all of these are simple then why are churches making it so hard for people to understand who Christ really is?  They give them the watered-down version.  When this type of version is given to the people then the three simple things mentioned above become hard to follow.  Jesus becomes less important because lifestyles aren't changed that much.  Sure, we all have messy spirits and souls to deal with, but those who know the truth of Christ know not to be satisfied with this messiness.  When we accept Christ we are supposed to be a new creation, one that has gotten rid of the old life.  Jesus said that we can not serve two masters.  If we do not give up our old lives then how do you live a new one?  We are supposed to use the new wine with new wine skins.  What does this all mean?  If you really want to believe in Christ and want to live a new life, then you have to get rid of the old ways.  If you do not, your life will never be fully complete.

Many people, even church leaders, think using that are popular to the world is a way to reach a culture that has been lost.  They feel if you use their language and their styles then they will accept who Jesus is easier.  For the most part, of course this seems like the right thing to do.  These people need to see how much they need a savior in their life.  But if you never show them that the reason why they need a savior is because of their present lifestyles and then don't do anything to change their lifestyles because all you are doing to imitating them, then they will never know the truth.  But leaders will argue that Jesus went to the culture such as when he ate with Matthew and all of those whom the Jews considered sinners.  Yes, Jesus went to the culture but didn't become one of them.  Today the church has become part of the culture and is now being lost in the culture.

We are sending missionaries out into the world.  It is a shame that they may have to send them back into the churches.  Churches need to get back to the truth and stop pulling punches.

LXXVI. Parenting 101

Bill Cosby said that if a child says no to you that didn't bother him so much.  Because if tell a child to come to you and he says no, you go get them...that means yes.  It's when a parent doesn't do what they mean that bothers him.

Well here is another father that knows what he is doing.  http://news.yahoo.com/dad-shoots-daughters-laptop-over-facebook-post-video-222929321.html.  He did the right thing. 

• Jordan writes in the video description: "Maybe a few kids can take something away from this... If you're so disrespectful to your parents and yourself as to post this kind of thing on Facebook, you're deserving of some tough love. Today, my daughter is getting a dose of tough love."

He took power away from the child and put it right back into his hands, where it should be, the parent.  In today's time children get away with way too much.  They rule over the parent and the parent caves in.  They try and manipulate every situation and the parent either is dumb or plays dumb and the spoiled brat gets away with it.

Take it from a school teacher (ask any of them).  A student talks too much, get disrespectful, doesn't listen to instructions, never brings materials to class, doesn't care about finishing any work, sleeps in class, is late to class everyday, always has to go to the restroom or nurse or counselor, and then gets an F in class.  The parent comes down to talk to you and yell at you because their child is a good kid.  And if you yell at the child for not doing what they are supposed to be doing, heaven forbid you could lose your job.  Then the schools are blamed for an uneducated society.  Question:  where does education begin?  Answer:  in the home!

Parents are the first line of defense for children.  They need to be examples and set the rules.  They need to be firm and moral.  They need to be consistent and knowledgeable.  They need to know when to trust and when not to trust.  They need to take action...period.  Of course the one major mistake this father did was to allow his child an account on Facebook.  The lap top cost money, Facebook was free.

LXXV. Purpose in life

Many of us go on through life not understanding who we are or where we come from.  That is why one of the most talked about topics are God, the beginning of man and the universe, and life in general.  We are full of questions and it seems like we never get the real answer we want so we even start question our own existence and its importance.  Here are the results from the last poll:  Do you know what your purpose in life is?

• (35%) Yes. But I wish it was easier to do.  As expected this is the category where most people fall into.  They know who they are but they also know life is full of problems.  They wish it all could be easier but understand life goes on.  They don't quit.  They are morally sound people but struggle with day to day maintenance.  They survive because they see that there is a light at the end of each tunnel but they know that reaching that light is part of the process.
• (17%) Yes. I know exactly what I am supposed to be doing.  These are the people we all hate.  It seems like everything goes well for them and we get jealous.  But perhaps the reason why life goes well is because they know about their origins and who created them for a purpose.
• (17%) No. I haven't found it yet.  At least they are searching.  These are the people who read self-help books or those who are always willing to try new things even if they are dangerous.  But the main problem for them is that they are easily led to the wrong answers.  They will grasp onto the new ideas, fads, fashions, books, trends, or anything that makes them feel happier about who they are.
• (11%) No. I have no purpose in life.  These are the depressed people.  These are the ones who have emotional problems and end up in institutions (not to be looked upon with stigma).  They seek answers but when they get them they don't want to accept them because the answers seem too easy.  They turn to substances.  They turn negative.  They commit suicide.  They lose all focus on life.  They end up blaming others and even God for their dismay.
• (5%) Yes. But I don't do it.  These people are jerks.  These are the people who make life difficult because they do not do what they are supposed to be doing.
• (5%) No. I don't care.  These are the biggest jerks.  They are anti-social, serial-killer, lunatics who prey on others. 
• (5%) I don't care one way or the other.  Any understand these people?
• (0%) Other.  This option still is confusing but apparently wasn't needed this time anyway.

So what is our purpose?  If we look at this from a human standpoint, the most obvious answer is we are here to help each other.  Life is difficult.  We have different wants, desires, personalities, and coping mechanisms just to name a few.  We need help getting through this life.  When we see someone cry we comfort them.  When we see someone laugh we join them.  When we see someone who needs physical attention we tend to them.  The main point here is that we are not supposed to make life more difficult.  We are supposed to help as many as humanly possible.

However, we are not just human.  We are spiritual beings as well.  Our first and foremost purpose in this life is to prepare for the next one.  Whether you like it or not, you belong to God and His purpose for you is that you find Him.

LXXIV. Who Do You Say I AM? Part 3

He was a man.  He was born into this world just like everyone else.  He was not hatched.  He did not just appear.  He did not float down to the earth full grown.  He was born into flesh and blood by ways of the natural world.  His mother was a real woman.  She may have been quite young, no one really knows, but nevertheless she was a real woman.  His adoptive father was real.  He was faced with the problem that he was engaged to a woman who was pregnant with a child that was not his.  Jesus' life started out with controversy.  One of the worst things a child has to hear is that parents really are not his own.  We have certain derogatory names for children in that situation.  Even before Jesus was born He was facing the trials and tribulations of the flesh.

He grew up just like any other child.  He cried as a baby.  He fell down during playtime.  He enjoyed all the things that children enjoy.  His parents weren't perfect.  When He became a teenager He was left in the synagogue by His family and they didn't even know He was gone.  He was HOME ALONE.  But He didn't panic.  He was in His Father's house.  He had come into age.  This was His bar mitzvah if you will.  He was now responsible for His own actions.  From here on out life must have been difficult.  The temptations of this life became even more real since now His fate was in His own hands.

When He became an adult, we see even more humanity come out in Him.  His mother told Him what to do at a wedding, and He listened to her just like any other 30 year old still living at home.  But then He started His ministry.  During these three years, He showed all kinds of human traits.  He cried when one of His friends died.  He became angry when people were doing wrong.  He felt compassion for those who had infirmities.  His heart longed for humanity to be better.  He feared death.  He did not fear the afterlife, but death in the physical realm.  He laughed.  He told stories.  He got tired.  He got lonely.  He felt burdened.  He felt humiliated.  He was bruised.  He bled.  He felt betrayed.

In the end, His death was not due to the Crucifixion.  His death was not due to any human action save for sin.  In the end, He died because He gave up His spirit.  He was done.  All He could do for humanity was done except for this one last thing; giving up His life for us.  When the soldiers went to break His legs since they didn't want anyone hanging there on Sabbath, His were not.  His body was already just a shell.  When the soldiers checked on Him they stabbed Him in the side with a spear.  Blood and water flowed from the wound.  In the end, He died of a broken heart.

He was man.  But, He raised from the dead.  He was God too.

LXXIII. Who Do You Say I AM? Part 2

If you have come to this point you are now willing to accept Jesus was real or you still are open to the idea He might be.  Many Christians still have a hard time understanding these because they do not believe that Jesus did the things that the Bible says He did.  Without these things happening, Jesus would be no different than Buddha, Vishnu, Confucius, Mohammad, Joseph Smith, and others who had what they considered ways to enlightenment or spiritual greatness.  If these things did not happen historically then Jesus is no better than Harry Potter, Gandolf, Merlin, and others who fairy tale like performed magic.  Rest assured Jesus did these things.  Below is a list of things Jesus did.

Miracles by Jesus. These are real. Not one is symbolic, yet they all have a lesson with them.

1. healings of sickness, infirmities, and deformities
2. resurrections
3. demonic deliverance
4. transfiguration
5. prophecies
6. defying natural laws (water to wine, walking on water, feeding of multitudes, calming storms)

Lessons (short version).  These (and more) are real life lessons and have obvious meanings.  He really said them.

1. born again
2. the sabbath
3. divorce
4. sexual relations
5. personal relations
6. attitudes
7. money

Parables (short version).  These (and more) are life lessons but have a deeper meaning.  He really said them.

1. talents
2. wedding banquet
3. treasure
4. lost sheep
5. lost coin
6. rich man and Lazarus
7. good Samaritan
8. prodigal son
9. mustard seed

Things He did as God. These things made Him man and God simultaneously.

1. forgave sins
2. gave up His own spirit
3. took sins upon Himself
4. Resurrected
5. freed those in captivity

In essence, the Bible states things are real, things can be used as lessons, and that Jesus was fully God and fully man. If there is any doubt about any of these things then calling yourself a Christian needs to be redefined and you need to reevaluate your relationship with God.  But these are just the tip of the iceberg.  Jesus did so much more than what we have in writing.  Main is point is He was a real man, doing real things, but doing them with the authority of God.

LXXII. Who Do You Say I AM? Part 1

This is a question we all will have to answer one day. Whether we want to admit it or not we already have asked ourselves this question because we all have an answer. But is it the right answer? Matthew 16:13-17

• 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
• 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist; some Elijah; others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."
• 15 He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?"
• 16 And Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
• 17 And Jesus responded, "Simon, son of Jonah, blessed are you, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but My Father which is in heaven."

What are some of the answer we would get in today's time? Most Christians would repeat what Peter said and think they know it all. Many on the fence would say He was a great teacher with a lot of wisdom. Those on the other side of the fence would say He was just a man. Even yet, others would say He was not even real.

Was He real? Scholars will note that the only major writings we have of Him are from accounts dating after His death. No one in the history of mankind has changed shaped the human race, not even Rome itself. Never has there been so many writings to prove anyone else' existence or non-existence in this case in all history. But why not contemporaries?  They did not write about Him.  But the same could be said of other figures like Muhammad, Buddha, and many others in history.  It does not make them unreal. 

First of all, how many people could write in 30 AD to begin with?   None of His disciples were schooled men, except for maybe Levi (Matthew), and he did write a book.   Others like Peter had friends to do some of the writing like Silas and Mark who only learned of Jesus after His death.  The only ones who would have had the schooling in that area would have been Jewish Torah students. They would not have included something that they felt was blasphemous. Such as Saul.  But when Saul converted to following Christ then even He started to write things down at a later date.  Luke, a doctor, historian and friend of Paul investigated all circumstances.  Roman scholars would not written of such events because it was only a three year period of which they considered no threat to their authority. And if it was a threat to their authority do we think Rome would have included it? But later once Christianity became a force inside Rome writers started to investigate. But of course, they have been disregarded or "debunked" by anti-theists.  And yet, when Homer writes about history (one account) it is accepted as fact by the same people.  So, He was real.  Most historians (subjectively) would agree.

Then who was He?  Born sometime around 4 BC in the land of the Roman province of Judea to a woman named Mary and a man named Joseph, who was a carpenter by trade.  By tradition, Joseph would have trained him to be a carpenter as well.  As He grew He claimed to be more than just the son of the carpenter.  He claimed to be the Son of God.  He claimed to be God.  He taught in the streets of Judea.  He performed miracles.  He forgave sins.  He was tried by Judeans as blasphemous.  He was executed by Rome.  He was raised again by His Father.  He became the sacrificial lamb that took away our sins.  He now sits on His kingly throne, Ruler of the universe.

One day you will be asked, who do you say I AM?  The answer is what Peter said.  One day, At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Some will do it voluntarily because they know who Jesus is, others will be forced to do it because they have denied the truth

LXXI. The Gifts that Never Keep on Giving

Out of all the commercials for Christmas this year the worst by far are the Best Buy commericals; the ones where individuals are competing against Santa Claus.   They are even worse than Walmart and the over playing of AC/DC's Back in Black (imagine why they chose that song...cha-ching) every commercial break.  Best Buy is not the place where Christmas gifts should be purchased from.  There are no items in that store that promote anything but materialistic relationships that never amount to anything.

When people give gifts it is usually because they want to show someone how much they care.  Most gifts are of course given around Christmas and birthdays.  But when are real gifts given?  Anytime.  It's not when you give the gift it is why you give the gift.  Gifts should be from the heart not the pocket book.  Especially this time of the year when we do focus on what people mean to us.

Buying iPads, iPods, iPhones, cameras, Playstations, Xbox, certain jewelry, and even to the point of some clothes are some items that seriously are a waste of money during the Christmas Season.  Nothing says "I love you" like a iPhone, right?.  "Merry Christmas sweetie, here is an iPad because when I saw it, I immediately thought of you".   These kind of gifts are for people who feel like they have to buy relationships or they feel like they didn't accomplish anything.  No, gifts should be more sentimental.  Pictures of landscapes that remind you of a certain place or time , certain CDs that have that special song on it, other certain jewelry that will remind you of your relationship, these are gifts that we need to be giving.

Sure, this is also a time of celebration.  And certain gifts can show that feeling.  It is also a time when you can give things that people need.  But the reason why you are doing it is because you are sacrificing your own materialism for someone else's needs.  And that is a true gift as well.  We all have done it and will always do it.  Giving material gifts are okay to do, of course.  But too many times all we do is focus on that one big gift, the one that everyone will say, "Wow!", and that usually is something electronic.  But if you look back on your life you will notice that the best gifts you have ever gotten were the small items that no one paid attention to.

This is sort of like the gift God gave us.  God did not shout to the world, "here is something you all want".  But it was something we all needed.  And it was something that was from His heart.  His gift was given in the quiet little village of Bethlehem.  No banners.  No gimmicks.  No sales.  No competition.  But this gift, unlike what Best Buy can do, is the gift that will keep on giving.  Jesus Christ.

LXX. Proverbs for the 21st Century

Sent by a former student and close friend.  A little bit of the lighter side:

1. A day without sunshine is like.... night. 
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

Thanks to Amber.