Here are some things that i have learned and have pondered on.
No matter what you do in life, if you enjoy doing it, everything will fall into place.
No matter how bad you got it some one has had it worse than you.
Just because when you were my age you were married, had a full time job and went to school full time does not mean that I am able to do the same thing. Just means I will live longer if I dont because of lack of stress.
Always look back and see what got you to where you are today.
Pay close attention to those around you. If they are not encouraging you all the time then they are not worth your time.
God, friends and family is all one needs.
It is ok to have more than some one else. It is not ok to not use what you have to help the one who has less.
Christians think that the only way they can influence the word is to do it from a stage. Some one had to lead Billy Graham to Christ though.
I put on a good front so no one can see the inner me which sometimes scares me.
pick up every penny you find on the road.
Dont get God mad at you. He is God and you are not. He can take you out if He wanted too.
Figure out why you believe what you believe.
Detox yourself from friends every now and a then.
Realize people are crazy and you will be amazed at how free you feel.
Always know that some one is praying for you. You may even be surprised to find out who.
The hardest thing in life is having to give up a friend or loose contact with them.
Look a person in the eye. If you look hard enough you will see what is on their heart. when you see it be ready to be there for them.
Finally learn to be alone. This is what i struggle with.
I will do this again sometime but it something for you to think about.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Christians have to be poor!!
For a while now, I have been trying to figure out is it ok for a Christian to have money or do they have to be poor. There are groups that say that use scriptures like Jesus telling the rich young ruler to sell everything and how the early church basically lived as commune. While that is true, what about people like Abraham, King David, and all the scriptures that talk about saving money, spending wisely, not being in debt, and caring for others (which means you have to have finances.)
At first look it is true we are to give everything up for God. God also calls us to be wise with the things he has given us. Now I could give thousands of scriptures backing my point up but I dont see a point. There are tons of financial people that will tell you save money and get out of debt and they can back it up with scripture too. So what is the answer? Ok I lied I am going to use one scripture.
1 Timothy 6:17 -19 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
According to this scripture which lines up with the rest of the Bible, it is ok to have wealth. It cannot become your god though. The Bible even talks about a man who has acquired wealth and builds an extra barn basically to store his wealth. This is called money and wealth becoming your god. Instead it is ok to have savings and retirement and whatever else but you are also held responsible for how you use it. The way we are to use it is to serve God and serve others.
There are a lot of the works of God take place because he has people who serve Him who have wealth. Could it still be done without money? Yes cause God will get what He wants done with out man's help. If one is blessed though in the area of money (or any other way for that matter) why not use them so not only them but others will see his glory.
Just something to think about.
At first look it is true we are to give everything up for God. God also calls us to be wise with the things he has given us. Now I could give thousands of scriptures backing my point up but I dont see a point. There are tons of financial people that will tell you save money and get out of debt and they can back it up with scripture too. So what is the answer? Ok I lied I am going to use one scripture.
1 Timothy 6:17 -19 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
According to this scripture which lines up with the rest of the Bible, it is ok to have wealth. It cannot become your god though. The Bible even talks about a man who has acquired wealth and builds an extra barn basically to store his wealth. This is called money and wealth becoming your god. Instead it is ok to have savings and retirement and whatever else but you are also held responsible for how you use it. The way we are to use it is to serve God and serve others.
There are a lot of the works of God take place because he has people who serve Him who have wealth. Could it still be done without money? Yes cause God will get what He wants done with out man's help. If one is blessed though in the area of money (or any other way for that matter) why not use them so not only them but others will see his glory.
Just something to think about.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Is the US Still a Christian Nation?
My family and I have had several conversations as we have grown in our faith about how the US is doing in terms of whether or not we live in a Christian nation. Now many here in the South would argue that yes we are. Those same people would also argue that many of our government programs should stop. Example medicare, welfare, and so on. This is a very tricky subject matter because so many people get upset when talking about it. I personally believe that we need to look at it in many many ways.
When asking if we are still a Christian nation, we have to look at what it means to be a Christian. In the purest form, being a Christian is being one who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and follows Him and lives by His teachings. Now Christ said a lot about the poor, meeting others needs, teaching people how to live, and basically Christians living in a way that the Kingdom of God is shown. He did not mention anything on abortion, homosexuality, or war, but the Bible does mention these things which are important. With this in mind, if we are a Christian nation we have to govern as a Christian nation and govern by what the Bible teaches. This means that yes we have to have welfare and all the social aid programs to help the poor. That also means that we have to give with a joyful heart and so that every one is taken care of. But wait! All this does not matter unless we force people to be Christians.
Yes I said it. After all that rambling you just read, as a nation, if we are going to be a Christian nation, then every one has to be a Christian. I know you are thinking that is just crazy and that we cannot force people to be Christian. The sad part is we as Christians may say we can but we want it to be. At least our moral beliefs and as long as it does affect our way of life.
Christians for the most part want things like abortion banned. But how bad do we want it? Are we willing to all sign up for adoption? One might say well people don't need to be sleeping around. What if a person is not Christian though? We cannot expect that person to live like us just because it sounds good. Then their is welfare programs. Christians say they want rid of it. The Bible says that we are suppose to take care of the poor but do we? How many churches have multimillion dollar buildings but do no out reach like soup kitchens? If we don't want government social programs then we need to step it up. Those are just two small examples of our so-called Christian nation.
So are we really a Christian nation? Does the democrat or republican parties really care about the cause of Christ? Do we want to force every one to be a Christian so that they have to agree with our beliefs? If we truly ask ourselves these questions the answer is no. We are not a Christian nation. If we were there would not be homeless people, aborted babies, huge hate crimes, the need for government social programs, or anything else that does not show the love of Christ. So what is the answer?
The answer is simple. A pastor got up at a convention right after the presidential election. He told the crowd that half of them cheered and danced because of the election results. He said the other half cried and mourned because of the election results. Then with great boldness he pointed his finger out and said those of you who cheered need to repent for putting your faith in a man. To those of you you cried, you need to repent for not putting your faith in God. The United States of America never has been or will be a Christian nation as long as we Christians do not start being followers of Christ and doing as He did no matter what.
****Just something to think about. ****
When asking if we are still a Christian nation, we have to look at what it means to be a Christian. In the purest form, being a Christian is being one who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and follows Him and lives by His teachings. Now Christ said a lot about the poor, meeting others needs, teaching people how to live, and basically Christians living in a way that the Kingdom of God is shown. He did not mention anything on abortion, homosexuality, or war, but the Bible does mention these things which are important. With this in mind, if we are a Christian nation we have to govern as a Christian nation and govern by what the Bible teaches. This means that yes we have to have welfare and all the social aid programs to help the poor. That also means that we have to give with a joyful heart and so that every one is taken care of. But wait! All this does not matter unless we force people to be Christians.
Yes I said it. After all that rambling you just read, as a nation, if we are going to be a Christian nation, then every one has to be a Christian. I know you are thinking that is just crazy and that we cannot force people to be Christian. The sad part is we as Christians may say we can but we want it to be. At least our moral beliefs and as long as it does affect our way of life.
Christians for the most part want things like abortion banned. But how bad do we want it? Are we willing to all sign up for adoption? One might say well people don't need to be sleeping around. What if a person is not Christian though? We cannot expect that person to live like us just because it sounds good. Then their is welfare programs. Christians say they want rid of it. The Bible says that we are suppose to take care of the poor but do we? How many churches have multimillion dollar buildings but do no out reach like soup kitchens? If we don't want government social programs then we need to step it up. Those are just two small examples of our so-called Christian nation.
So are we really a Christian nation? Does the democrat or republican parties really care about the cause of Christ? Do we want to force every one to be a Christian so that they have to agree with our beliefs? If we truly ask ourselves these questions the answer is no. We are not a Christian nation. If we were there would not be homeless people, aborted babies, huge hate crimes, the need for government social programs, or anything else that does not show the love of Christ. So what is the answer?
The answer is simple. A pastor got up at a convention right after the presidential election. He told the crowd that half of them cheered and danced because of the election results. He said the other half cried and mourned because of the election results. Then with great boldness he pointed his finger out and said those of you who cheered need to repent for putting your faith in a man. To those of you you cried, you need to repent for not putting your faith in God. The United States of America never has been or will be a Christian nation as long as we Christians do not start being followers of Christ and doing as He did no matter what.
****Just something to think about. ****
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