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| One thing that I wish that Christians can work out is the idea of Christian liberties. As Christians, we now have freedom in Christ and we're not supposed to judge others for actions that are "grey" areas. Now what exactly are "grey" areas in life for Christians? This statement in itself is ambiguous. The best that I can come up with is that grey areas are areas in your life that are not explicitly identified as sin in the Bible so that other Christians can't call someone out for the actions, but are actions that at the same time can be seen as unwise and make other people feel uncomfortable in terms of their conscience.
I have several different thoughts on this issue. The main biblical text that deals with this issue is Romans 14, which talks about the weaker brother and the stronger brother. You can look it up on biblegateway.com because it is long and I don't want to post the whole text here. Check it to see if what I'm writing about is accurate. One of the main examples Paul gives is the eating of meat. For those that think eating meat is bad, don't judge those that eat meat because it's not sin. For those that know that eating meat is okay, don't look down on those who think it's not okay. Paul goes through a series of these type of examples till he says:
"19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.
Paul ends up saying it's better to stay away from things we'd consider as "grey" such as food choices and alcohol that will make others stumble for the sake of peace, and that failing to do so is wrong.
So there are two sides to the grey area situations. I'll use the example of alcohol consumption. It's not a sin to consume alcohol, but it does make many people stumble when people drink. So we have the stumbled side, and then we have the side exercising their Christian liberties. (I'll use Christian liberties and grey areas interchangeably) . Now the question comes down to what side is supposed to give in? It's a complicated question, but I'll keep it short. I think that the stumbled side shouldn't be judging, but also the liberty side if they know that it stumbles a lot of people they should stop what they're doing. I know there are a lot of rebuttals to the second part of the argument, but that's my preliminary thought. I'll let people disagree for now, and I'll follow up with other posts.
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| I wonder why xanga has died. Have people just run out of ideas to write about? I enjoyed reading people's thoughts while it lasted. But then again, I am being hypocritical as I have not written nearly as much as a I have in the past. I think I would like to write more in my xanga once again because I believe it will help to keep my mind a little bit sharper.
Since the last time I've written in my xanga, I have graduated college, entered the full time working world, and have made my move permanent move back to Torrance/LA. I feel as if I have aged several years in the span of several months, and am once again stuck in a stage of transition. I have decided on my short term goal for life, and where I will be. Tempted as I have been and torn as I have been, I have decided the best and most practical thing that I can do is to commit to Lighthouse in Torrance and leave Harvest. I've visited a fair amount this summer so far, and I will inevitably visit in the future, but it hit me this past weekend while I was there that that is no longer where I belong. What makes it harder too, is that I feel like I'm not necessarily a part of Lighthouse either. There have been many blessings in both places, but right now it seems ... I'm not really sure how to describe it. There are too many emotions, too many different issues. In life I've often felt like I got the short end of the stick in many situations and stages of my life. I think many people believe that as well, but it's always been hard for me to get around it.
My thoughts are incomplete, but they've led me here. God is calling me closer to Him right now, using the circumstances of my life to grow me and sanctify me. It's not an ideal situation for me, but it is the ideal situation for me. I feel rejuvenated to get closer to God, more excited to know Him and more understanding that He is the only one in life that can satisfy me.
One big blessing I've had is to be a part of an accountability group with some guys my age at Lighthouse. This is the first time I've been in a group with guys all my same age and it's been the best since my freshmen year in college's small group. Lots of sin is being revealed in my own life, and that's good. First time in a long time.
And finally here's something that I've been struggling with that I read in the book we're reading, the Treasure Principle, for accountability. Randy Alcorn tells this story of a new on fire Christian who wants to sell his house and give the money away. This man is then promptly talked out of it by the other men in his small group. Alcorn calls this a tragedy. For myself, that seems pretty rationale, I can totally see my self talking someone out of doing something like that, and most likely many lesser things than that as well. The question is, is that really a tragedy? The common argument would be that keeping your house is being a good steward. But is that just a cover for following the conventional wisdom of our culture? Where does being a good steward stop and just become a cover for our selfishness and unwillingness to give more than is comfortable? We can't keep any wealth or worldly possessions with us when we die, and yet we're so bent on storing them up. Something also that's been big on my mind is saving a lot for retirement. Being in financial circles for a limited time I've constantly heard the importance and necessity of saving now. But what if I save a lot of money up, and then I die before I reach retirement? What happens to the money. I don't get to use it. What will God say to me? What will I say to God about that money? "Oh, I was saving it for when I thought I would need it..." Is that being a good steward? I don't know. Someone I think said the worse that can happen if you run out of money because you gave too much away is that you just die from starvation and then end up in heaven. Kind of sounds ridiculous, but from a Christian perspective it's not the worse thing. I still believe you should keep enough money for the basics in life, although the Bible has examples of people giving beyond that, but what about the rest of the money? This is hard. I want to hold onto my money for things I want, for security, for assurance. I feel like it would give me a certain amount of control and peace of mind. But what comes to question now is if that is an okay mentality to have as a Christian. | | |
| Another chapter of my life is coming to an end, and there's a lot to contemplate. The idea of moving away from San Diego, and away from Harvest is scary, and can be painful. The one thing that I appreciate God reminding me of recently is that in the grand scheme of things, nothing is really changing. My circumstances are going to be different, but at the core, my life will be the same. God is still the same, and my goal to glorify God and enjoy Him forever will not change either. I am still a sinner in need of grace. And God is still there granting me that grace and continuing to shower blessings on my life. I'm tempted to write an emotional change of life entry for old time sake. But I think and hope for now remembering God is enough. To commute or not to commute, that is the question. And I am such a sinner... God be merciful to me on Thy grace, I rest my plea
Plenteous in compassion Thou
Blot out my transgressions now
Wash me, make me pure within
Cleanse, oh, cleanse me from my sin
My transgressions I confess
Grief and guilt my soul oppress
I have sinned against Thy grace
And provoked Thee to Thy face
I confess Thy judgment just
Speechless, I, Thy mercy trust
I am evil born in sin
Thou desirest truth within
Thou alone my Savior art
Teach Thy wisdom to my heart
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow
Wash me whiter than the snow
Gracious God, my heart renew
Make my spirit right and true
Thy salvation's joy impart
Steadfast make my willing heart
Steadfast make my willing heart
Broken, humbled to the dust
By Thy wrath and judgment just
Let my contrite heart rejoice
And in gladness hear Thy voice
From my sins, oh, hide Thy face
Blot them out in boundless grace | | |
| American Idol gives back is on tv right now. It's this special event where all these famous people are asking people to call in and donate money for the purpose of social justice. This just solidifies the current trends that have been going on lately. Social justice is very popular now, and lots of non Christians, especially famous ones, are getting involved with helping people around the whole world who are less fortunate.
This poses a question. How do Christians now distinguish themselves from other secular organizations involved in social justice that are more highly publicized? Or is there even a need for Christians to distinguish themselves, or do more than just help the poor?
Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that people that non Christians are donating money and helping out with the injustices in the world. (Idol just announced they just raised 18 million dollars, amazing.) Injustice does need to be stopped and any help is welcome. But in the end Christians need to offer more, and this shows and reinforces the need that Christian social justice needs to have the gospel accompany it no matter what, and the hope that comes along with it.
:update: So I stopped watching the special but I heard someone singing "Shout to the Lord" and that was the closing song on this widely popular show with all those celebrities on tonight. I'm pretty shocked such a popular Christian worship song was sung as the last song... but then right after Ben Stiller comes out and starts cussing a lot, go figure. I'm not really sure what to make out of this yet. Does anyone have any thoughts?
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| Jesus You are Worthy
Jesus You are mercy, Jesus You are justice
Jesus You are worthy, that is what You are
You died alone to save me, You rose so you could save me
You did this all to make me a chosen child of God Worthy is the Lamb that once was slain
To receive all glory power and praise
For with your blood you purchased us for God
Jesus You are worthy, that is what You are
Perfect sacrifice crushed by God for us
Bearing in your hurt all that I deserve
Misjudged for my misdeeds You suffered silently
The only guiltless man in all of history Justice and mercy, Justice and mercy
Meet at the cross
Justice and mercy, Justice and mercy
Meet at the cross
I heard this song at a church I visited once and I liked it a lot. Brenton Brown's a pretty talented worship writer. You can listen to it here:
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